The Truth About Being a WWE Wrestler

Summary

Former WWE Superstar Maven reflects on his career from 2001 to 2005, sharing the highs and lows of professional wrestling. He recounts his journey from a small-town Virginia boy to winning the reality show 'Tough Enough' and joining WWE. Maven discusses the demanding travel schedule, the impact on personal life, and the temptations of the road. Despite challenges, he cherishes the positive impact he made on fans and aspiring wrestlers. He also humorously addresses a bizarre accusation of fatherhood and credits mentors like The Rock for guidance. Maven remains passionate about wrestling and plans to continue entertaining fans for as long as he can.

Takeaways

• 🎙️ Maven was a WWE Superstar from 2001 to 2005, sharing his experiences of highs and lows in professional wrestling.
• 🏆 He won the WWE's 'Tough Enough' reality show in 2001, which set him on the path to becoming a professional wrestler.
• 🏠 Maven grew up in Virginia with a passion for wrestling, inspired by watching it on TV and having his father set up a ring at home.
• 👨‍🏫 Before wrestling, Maven was a sixth-grade school teacher in Portland, Oregon.
• 🎥 After winning 'Tough Enough', Maven was sent to Heartland Wrestling Association for further training and development.
• 🤼‍♂️ Maven credits The Undertaker for giving him a significant career break during the Royal Rumble event.
• 🚌 The life of a wrestler involves constant travel, which can be both exciting and challenging, with the downside of missing family events.
• 💊 Maven admits to falling prey to the temptations of the road, such as substance use, which he does not blame on wrestling but acknowledges as personal demons.
• 🤝 Despite not being a main event wrestler, Maven takes pride in having made a difference in the wrestling world and inspiring others.
• 👶 There have been downsides to fame, such as false accusations of paternity from strangers.
• 🎉 Maven cherishes the moments of performing and plans to continue wrestling as long as he can, appreciating the positive impact he can have on fans.

Q & A

Who is Maven and what was his profession from 2001 to 2005?

Maven is a former WWE Superstar who worked for the World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) from 2001 to 2005.

What was Maven's early life like before joining WWE?

Maven grew up in Virginia, in a small town, and had a passion for wrestling from a young age. His father would set up a ring in their house for him to wrestle. After graduation, he became a sixth-grade school teacher and moved to Portland, Oregon.

How did Maven get his start in professional wrestling?

Maven got his start in professional wrestling by participating in a reality show called 'Tough Enough' in 2001. He sent in a video almost as a joke, but was invited to audition and eventually won the competition.

What was the Tough Enough competition like for Maven?

Tough Enough was described as grueling, set up like a boot camp, and lasted for nine weeks. Maven was one of the final five competitors and was ultimately announced as the winner.

What did Maven do after winning Tough Enough?

After winning Tough Enough, Maven was sent to Heartland Wrestling Association in Cincinnati, Ohio, which served as a developmental territory for WWE to hone the skills of new talent.

How did Maven get his big break in wrestling?

Maven got his big break when he was told by Shane McMahon and The Undertaker (Taker) that he would be eliminating Taker in the Royal Rumble, which was a significant moment in his career.

What are some of the challenges Maven faced while being a WWE Superstar?

Maven faced challenges such as being away from home, missing important family events, and the temptation to fall prey to the 'Demons of being on the road,' which he admits he did.

What positive aspects did Maven experience from his wrestling career?

Positive aspects of Maven's wrestling career include the rock star lifestyle of traveling and being recognized, as well as the impact he had on fans and aspiring wrestlers.

How did Maven handle the downsides of being a public figure?

Maven acknowledges the downsides such as false accusations and the pressure of being in the spotlight. He took responsibility for his actions and did not blame wrestling for his personal issues.

What was Maven's experience like backstage before WrestleMania 18?

Maven was nervous and scared before WrestleMania 18. The Rock saw him in a bad headspace and gave him simple advice to calm his nerves, which Maven appreciated.

What are Maven's current thoughts on his wrestling career?

Maven looks back on his wrestling career with fondness and without regrets. He is grateful for the experiences and the opportunity to make a difference in people's lives.

Outlines

00:00

🏆 Life as a WWE Superstar and Reality Show Winner

Maven reflects on his time as a WWE Superstar from 2001 to 2005, highlighting the highs and lows of professional wrestling. He shares his journey from a childhood passion for wrestling to becoming a school teacher and eventually winning the reality show 'Tough Enough' in 2001. Maven describes the grueling process of the show, which led to his life-changing victory and subsequent training in the developmental territory. He expresses gratitude to The Undertaker for giving him a significant career opportunity and discusses the glamorous yet challenging lifestyle of a wrestler, including the downsides of constant travel and the temptations of the road.

05:01

🤕 The Struggles and Rewards of Professional Wrestling

In this paragraph, Maven delves into the darker aspects of being a professional wrestler, including the personal demons he faced and the impact of constant travel on his personal life. He takes responsibility for his actions and does not blame wrestling for his struggles. Maven also talks about the positive aspects of his career, such as inspiring others to become wrestlers and the joy of performing. He acknowledges his role as a mid-carder and expresses contentment with his career achievements. Maven shares anecdotes about dealing with false accusations and the support he received from The Rock during a nervous moment before a significant match. He concludes by stating his love for wrestling and his intention to continue performing as long as he can, despite the inevitable end to his career due to age or demand.

Keywords

💡WWE Superstar

A WWE Superstar refers to a professional wrestler who performs for World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE), a globally recognized wrestling promotion company. In the script, Maven describes his experience as a WWE Superstar, highlighting the excitement and challenges of being a part of the wrestling industry. The term is central to the video's theme as it encapsulates the main subject of Maven's story.

💡Reality Show

A reality show is a genre of television programming that documents unscripted situations and actual occurrences, often featuring real people rather than professional actors. In the script, Maven mentions 'Tough Enough,' a reality show that he participated in, which was a significant turning point in his life, leading to his career as a WWE Superstar. The concept of reality shows is relevant to the video's theme as it showcases how such programs can influence and change individuals' lives.

💡Developmental Territory

In the context of professional wrestling, a developmental territory is a training ground or minor league system where new talent is nurtured and developed before being promoted to the main roster. Maven discusses being sent to Heartland Wrestling Association (HWA) in Cincinnati, Ohio, as part of WWE's developmental program. This concept is key to understanding the growth and training process of a WWE Superstar.

💡Royal Rumble

The Royal Rumble is a professional wrestling event and match type produced by WWE, featuring multiple wrestlers who enter the ring at timed intervals to compete for a championship opportunity. Maven shares his experience of being involved in the Royal Rumble, which was a significant moment in his career. This keyword is important as it represents a pinnacle event in the wrestling world and Maven's participation in it.

💡The Undertaker

The Undertaker is a legendary professional wrestler known for his iconic character and contributions to WWE. Maven mentions The Undertaker's role in his career, particularly in giving him the opportunity to eliminate him in a Royal Rumble match, which was a significant career boost. The Undertaker's name is used to illustrate the support and mentorship Maven received in the wrestling industry.

💡Life on the Road

Life on the road refers to the lifestyle of constantly traveling for work, which is common for professional wrestlers. Maven discusses both the positive and negative aspects of this lifestyle, including the excitement of being recognized and the challenges of being away from home. This concept is central to the video's theme as it explores the personal sacrifices and rewards of a wrestling career.

💡Demons of Being on the Road

The term 'Demons of Being on the Road' metaphorically describes the personal struggles and vices that can arise from the constant travel and lifestyle associated with professional wrestling. Maven admits to falling prey to these demons, such as substance abuse, which he acknowledges as a personal responsibility. This concept is important as it reveals the darker side of the wrestling industry.

💡Misidentification

Misidentification occurs when someone is wrongly identified as another person, often leading to false accusations or misunderstandings. Maven recounts an incident where he was falsely accused of being the father of a woman's child, which he had to disprove through financial and biological means. This keyword highlights the unexpected challenges and absurdities that can arise from public recognition in the wrestling industry.

💡WrestleMania

WrestleMania is WWE's flagship professional wrestling pay-per-view event, often referred to as the 'Super Bowl of wrestling.' Maven shares his nervousness before a match at WrestleMania 18 and the advice he received from 'The Rock,' a fellow wrestler. WrestleMania is a significant event in the wrestling world and Maven's participation in it underscores the magnitude of his career.

💡Career Regrets

Career regrets refer to the feelings of disappointment or sadness about decisions or paths not taken in one's professional life. Maven reflects on his career, acknowledging that while he has regrets, he would still choose to be a WWE Superstar if given the chance. This concept is integral to the video's theme as it explores the balance between the positive and negative aspects of Maven's wrestling career.

Highlights

Maven reflects on his time as a WWE Superstar from 2001 to 2005, sharing both the highs and lows of his experience.

He grew up in Virginia with a passion for wrestling, inspired by watching it with his father and setting up a ring at home.

After graduating college, Maven became a sixth-grade school teacher before moving to Portland, Oregon.

His friend suggested he try wrestling, leading to Maven's audition and selection for WWE's reality show 'Tough Enough'.

Maven describes 'Tough Enough' as a grueling nine-week boot camp-like experience that changed his life.

Winning 'Tough Enough' led to Maven being sent to Heartland Wrestling Association for further development.

He credits The Undertaker for giving him a significant career break during the Royal Rumble event.

Maven discusses the challenges of being a professional wrestler, including the constant travel and time away from family.

He admits to falling prey to the 'demons' of the wrestling lifestyle, such as substance abuse, but takes personal responsibility for his actions.

Despite the negatives, Maven cherishes the positive impact he's had on fans and aspiring wrestlers.

He acknowledges his role as a mid-carder in WWE and expresses contentment with his career path.

Maven recounts a humorous and supportive interaction with Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson before a major match.

He emphasizes the importance of enjoying the journey and making a difference in people's lives through wrestling.

Maven also addresses the downsides of fame, such as false accusations and misunderstandings with fans.

He expresses his gratitude for the opportunities wrestling has given him and his commitment to continue as long as he can.

Maven concludes by encouraging viewers to watch his reaction to John Oliver's critique of WWE, highlighting his reflective and open-minded nature.

Transcripts

hey guys my name is Maven and from 2001

through 2005 I had the coolest job in

the world I was a WWE Superstar take a

trip with me I'm going to tell you the

highs the lows The Good The Bad

and sometimes the funny and what it's

like to be in the world of professional

wrestling with the WWE

so I spent you know four of the greatest

years of my life working for the WWE now

I'm not saying that everything about the

life is good there's definitely some bad

definitely some negatives and I've had

some personal life demons that probably

wouldn't have attacked if not for being

in that business but when I look back on

my time in the WWE I view it with

nothing but fondness I grew up in

Virginia in a small town and I would

watch wrestling every weekend and my

father would actually get on his hands

and knees and we would set up a ring in

our house and I would wrestle them so my

love for the business started at a very

early age after I graduated I became a

sixth grade school teacher and moved out

to Portland Oregon with a buddy of mine

from college one night we're watching

Monday Night Raw and Jr's on there and

he he says it have you ever thought

about becoming a wrestler and I was like

Yes actually I have and they were

offering a show called Tough Enough

first time they had ever offered

anything like this now this is in 2001

when the reality show craze was you know

in its infancy and just taking off I

literally thought there's no way they're

going to pick me but I made a video it

almost as a joke I sent the video in and

a few weeks after got a call to my

classroom and they invited me to New

York to audition after learning that I

was on the show I immediately a week

later was I found myself in Stamford

Connecticut to film Tough Enough Tough

Enough was nine of the most grueling

weeks of my life it was almost like you

know whenever anyone asks I always say

it was set up like a boot camp at the

very end of the show we found ourselves

you know down to five competitors and

they sent us home and then brought us

back to train before the finale I still

remember you know the moment that they

announced my name aim as the winner I

knew in that Split Second my life was

changed and my life would never be the

same and it's truly never been the same

since that day whether it be for the bad

or for the good you know it has sent me

in a direction that if I wouldn't have

won that show my life wouldn't have went

in after winning I was sent to a

developmental territory I was sent to

hwa Heartland wrestling Association in

Cincinnati Ohio the developmental

program it's almost like a minor leagues

in baseball it's where that the WWE

would send talent to hone their skills

to get better not only in the ring but

learn how to cut promos how to you know

basically how to become a professional I

was in developmental for probably four

or five months before I got the biggest

break of my wrestling career and

something that I'm asked about on a

weekly basis still to this day you know

I got a cause you're saying you're going

to Atlanta for the Royal Rumble I get

there get to Atlanta and Shane McMahon

immediately has me come to the ring and

he's there with Taker and informs me

that you're going to be eliminating

taker out later tonight taker looks at

me and excuse the word he said but he

pretty much said are you kidding me what

I later would find out is that that

would not happen if it wasn't for taker

he had to give the okay with that and he

did and he thus gave me a career so I

will forever be indebted to the

Undertaker just for trusting and

forgiving of himself so selflessly so

thank you Mark being on the road once

you're an active wrestler that's

traveling week after week there's good

and there's bad obviously the best parts

it's kind of a rock star life I mean

we're in a new town each and every night

and there's people that know your name

and that's a cool feeling to have you

know people appreciate not only what you

do but who you are or who they think you

are there are some negatives that come

with that and it's tough being away from

your house it's tough never being home

and I've look back at that moments and

thought on days when I could be home for

three days in a row that was a lot that

grows tiring after a while and a lot of

guys especially if they have families

you're missing birthdays you're missing

a lot of Firsts you're missing ball

games dance recitals you're missing

school plays you're missing holidays

you're missing anniversaries you're

missing all the things that come to

matter in a family so that's definitely

tough another thing that's tough being

on the road is it's very easy to fall

prey to the Demons of being on the road

it's very easy to find yourself out you

know after a show in a bar yeah or after

you get you know you get done with a

match and somebody has a handful of

pills backstage and you know these pills

are not only going to help your back

stop hurting but you're gonna put a

smile on your face and you're going to

have a good night man it's very very

easy to fall prey to that and I did I

don't hide the fact that you know that I

had my own demons in the end we're all

responsible for own actions and I'm

never going to blame wrestling or anyone

else for that I'm a man I'm responsible

for those actions but if not for being

in that business you know it might have

never came across those demons I

definitely probably wouldn't have had

people screaming at me because they knew

who I was along with the bad there's so

many Goods that comes from wrestling I

mean even to this day whenever I get to

you know see a kid or maybe someone who

enjoyed the work that I did or whenever

someone comes up and they they tell me I

was doing an autograph signing two weeks

ago and I had a guy who's currently

wrestling today and he told me I got

into the business because of you I was

watching you on Tough Enough and man

it's humbling to know that that I made a

little bit of a difference like I'm very

aware of the fact that my career was

spent as a mid Carter I was never the

top guy I was never the main event guy I

wrestling main event matches but I was

never the guy and I'm fine with that you

know obviously I would have liked to

have been that but you know it's it's

hard to live life you know having

regrets now another one of the dark

sides which comes with the the

businesses a lot of times some people

might think they know you when they

don't know you a few years back I

actually had a woman reach out and say

that I was the father of her

five-year-old son to which I had never

met this woman the fact that I had to

actually you know go out of my way and

financially prove that biologically I

was not the father of her son yeah

that's definitely definitely something

that's not a positive I remember before

WrestleMania 18 oh my gosh I was so

scared and I was so nervous and I'm

backstage and I'm pacing and rock sees

me and I mean I'm in the business

because of him he sees me nervous and he

knows I can he can tell and I'm about to

have the biggest match of my life up

until this point he can tell I'm just

not in a good head space and rock calls

me over and he goes Maeve come here and

I'm thinking ah words of wisdom he knows

how to these he's been in a million of

these matches he's going to give me

something to work with and he looks at

me and he goes Maven no one's really

expect acting much out of you just go

out there and do the best you can and he

walked away and I was like huh but that

was exactly what I needed to calm my

nerves and he kind of grand and kind of

winked at me and that was him telling me

just go out there and do do what you do

and I was very very thankful for that I

still get goosebumps and I still get

excited for being able to be a part of

shows like this even if it's I mean it's

a small show this isn't a big show I'm

gonna do it as long as I can I'm 46

years old right now the day is going to

come when when a no one wants to no one

wants to pay money to see me and B no

one wants to pay money to hire me till

then I'm going to enjoy it I'm going to

enjoy my time what I have now I think

everything you do in life is filled with

both benefits and regrets if given the

opportunity I would do it again in a

heartbeat because with all the regrets

that I have I still get the opportunity

to do things just like this I still get

to put a smile on people's faces and in

fact John Oliver he did an entire video

on the pitfalls of the WWE so check out

my reaction click right here

thank you