Copyright 2022 by Brian Gewirtz
Cover design by Jim Datz. Cover illustration Agns Ricart. Cover copyright 2022 by Hachette Book Group, Inc.
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First Edition: August 2022
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Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Names: Gewirtz, Brian, author.
Title: Theres just one problem : true tales from the former, one-time, 7th most powerful person in WWE / Brian Gewirtz.
Description: First edition. | New York : Twelve, 2022. | Includes index. |
Identifiers: LCCN 2022004464 | ISBN 9781538710531 (hardcover) | ISBN 9781538710555 (ebook)
Subjects: LCSH: Gewirtz, Brian. | World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc.EmployeesBiography. | World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc.History. |Television writersUnited StatesBiography. | Television producers and directorsUnited StatesBiography. | WrestlingUnited StatesHistory.
Classification: LCC GV1196.G48 A3 2022 | DDC 796.81209dc23/eng/20220321
LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2022004464
ISBNs: 978-1-5387-1053-1 (hardcover), 978-1-5387-1055-5 (ebook)
E3-20220615-JV-NF-ORI
Brian Gewirtzs THERES JUST ONE PROBLEM is a fascinating and hilarious inside look into Brians unlikely yet incredible rise to sports entertainment insider fame and what I would describe as a true WWE Hall of Fame career as a writer and, for years now, a tremendous success as our lead Seven Bucks executive. His long, storied, and unbelievable tenure in WWE is truly what legends are made of. Brians one of my best friends, one of my most trusted partners, and a real unsung legend in the wild world of pro wrestling. Congratulations on your fantastic new book, Brian! Please dont tell all our crazy storiessave some for the next book.
Dwayne The Rock Johnson
This is the best book I have read in years. If youre a fan of WWEheck, even if youre notthis inside look into the life of one of the most intense jobs in all of entertainment (a WWE writer), hilariously detailed by one of the most impactful writers and creative contributors in WWE history. is nothing short of fascinating. Its a laugh-out-loud, cant-put-down, sad-that-its-over kind of book, and I loved every second of it. Apart from, of course, when it was over.
Becky Lynch, WWE Superstar and six-time WWE Womens Champion
In THERES JUST ONE PROBLEM, written by the most talented writer in the history of WWE (my opinion), Brian takes you on a roller-coaster ride in regards to his amazing time writing in WWE. Brian even discusses his day in wrestlers court, where he was the first and only writer in WWE to have to go in front of a judge (actually a wrestler) and pay his debt for allegedly favoring to write for his favorite wrestlers. He survived!!! This book is as entertaining as the scripts Brian wrote during his amazing career in WWE. This book is a must-read.
Kurt Angle, WWE Hall of Famer and Olympic Gold Medalist
I simply could not put this tremendous book down, finishing it in two sittings within a single dayand lost count of how many times I laughed out loud along the way. Brian Gewirtz has an instant wrestling classic on his hands here; a very enjoyable romp down memory lane, with a unique perspective from a man who was either in the middle of, or very close to, some of the greatest (and not so great) moments in WWE history. With unfettered access to WWE boss Vince McMahon, and as one of Dwayne The Rock Johnsons closest confidants, Brian Gewirtz is the perfect person to chronicle the hectic and sometimes surreal behind-the-scenes chaos of the WWE creative processand he delivers the goods in insightful and hilarious fashion.
Mick Foley, WWE Hall of Famer and New York Times bestselling author
I never met someone in the wrestling business who wasnt a wrestler that had as much knowledge and insight as Brian. There would not be a King Bookah without a Brian Gewirtz.
Booker T, WWE Hall of Famer and five-time WCW Champion
Every wrestling fan will love this book. The stories are truly amazing! I couldnt put it down.
Ken Jeong, stand-up comedian, actor, producer, and writer
Brian and I are kindred spirits. Amidst allegations of Flash action figure payolas, the infamous wrestlers court, multitudes of laughs, made-up words, 5-second poses, roasting local sports teams, and battling at WrestleMania in my hometown over a Japanese shampoo endorsement (you knew I had to mention it), weve both ended up where we needed to be. Keep the world smiling, Brian. As you do in this book. Wrestlings version of War and Peace. Or a great, comedic book that involves writing outlandish scenarios for men in tights. Whichever. Ill be over here, still wearing spandex.
Adam Edge Copeland, Canadian professional wrestler and actor
Not nearly enough Miz.
The Miz
To Roddy, and to my Dad, who, despite his better judgment, always took me to see him
Y oure being taken to Wrestlers Court.
When those words left Stephanie McMahons mouth, on April 3, 2001, at a Smackdown taping in Oklahoma City, I was blindsided. Coming off what I considered my finest moment as a WWE writer, contributing to a hugely successful WrestleMania 17 and a historic Raw, I thought my newly promoted boss would be giving me something elsea bonus, a promotion, maybe even the clippers my hero Roddy Piper once used to shave Little Beavers head for having the gall to be friends with Mr. T. Instead, her expression was one youd reserve for breaking the news that a beloved pet had just been fatally electrocuted.
This is not optional. Make sure you bring beer maybe some pizza.
Immediately, a number of questions went through my head. What kind of pizza? What brand of beer? And perhaps most pressingly: What the hell is Wrestlers Court? As word spread throughout the locker room, I quickly learned that Wrestlers Court was a time-honored tradition going back several decades. It was a way for the wrestlers (commonly referred to as the boys, though it included the women wrestlers as well) to let off steam and police themselves when someone violated an unwritten backstage rule, aka the Wrestlers Code.
Eat fried chicken in the locker room and leave behind crumbs over peoples luggage? Youre going to Wrestlers Court. Sit in first class and not give up your seat to a veteran whos flying coach? Wrestlers Court. Give up your seat to a veteran whos flying coach but then complain about having to give up said seat to anyone who will listen? Most definitely Wrestlers Court.
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