One of the best wrestler channels. Hands down. No gimmick no add ons. Pure straight authenticity and reality. No wonder he got a 100k subs with just 16 videos in.
Maven out of nowhere is living Rybacks's dream. Being a successful content creator and contrary to Rybacks's this channel is pure gold!! Thank you Maven!!!
He’s like if Ryback if Ryback wasn’t a bitter asshole who thought he deserved more love from the WWE then he got. It’s funny cause when Ryback was in WWE it was just an awful product. Hes one of the only semi popular superstars that have left WWE that can stay home and never be seen again for all I care. Funny cause I felt the same way about Maven. When Maven made his debut he was awful. It’s too bad cause he would’ve been a perfect candidate to develop in NXT not “Tough Enough” but now that I’ve seen his videos Mave is way more entertaining.
Nah. Maven would make them more interesting which 2k Won't have.... Ironically remember how everybody used to say Maven himself seemed like an unfinished CAW? Lol creating him for WWF Smackdown 2: Know Your Role wasn't all that bad but getting his face was tricky.
I remember a lot of these unwritten rules from another wrestler, Justin Credible, the shaking hand one was MOST important, a simple gesture like that makes every wrestler/superstar feel not just welcomed and respected, but feel important. One of his best bits of advice he ever said though was how you view yourself if you want to wrestle, and that is, if you can see yourself, lying on the mat most of the time, shoulders down flat on your back, you are ready to wrestle. He's absolutely right because one of the most underappreciated and most important wrestlers are, and forgive me for using this term, Jobbers. Guys who may not necessarily be championship material, guys who may not have charisma, the look, or what have you, but still have talent and ability to make you look good! As someone who has watched wrestling for years to the point of learning so much about the business, I still dream one day of becoming a wrestler but life comes at you fast, especially when you're 34. I recall an interview by Christian on how he struggles watching matches, because he's developed the habit of wondering what he could do against a wrestler, and honestly, I developed that habit too, and I'm not even a wrestler! God bless ya Maven! Thank you for this!
Not only that, it shows that you are taking it seriously as a part of the team and you are just as important at putting on a good show as everyone else.
Saying it again! WWE or AEW should hire this guy for broadcasting, play by play or for interviews. He has a clear voice and sounds like he could get a story across the right way.
Yes, there are certain parts of that job that can't be taught. One of the biggest issues that happened when WWE lost a huge chunk of their following was the robotic and infomercial-like delivery of their broadcast teams. I am not sure which years it started going downhill but shifting talented broadcasters like Jim Ross, Paul Heyman and even Joey Styles away from those tables drastically made RAW and Smackdown more bland by the year. Even Jerry Lawler, who was decent, was forced to tone it down and use these shows as an infomercial for pay per views then later the network. It wasn't for a lack of talent as they had guys like prime John Cena, Undertaker, Shawn Michael's, RVD and CM Punk in his prime with even The Rock's comeback. But they wanted to treat fans like children and do the pro wrestlers a huge disservice who were applying their craft in the ring by not telling the story of what people were actually watching! Michael Cole can be alright when he isn't bowing to Vince. But yeah the whole Vince not letting them call the action and inserting a corporate name for every pro wrestling term was frustrating as a fan as well. The good thing is, at least I hope, that the two main companies might be putting a focus on this critical aspect to the business.
Maven you have a good editor with you. You two have great chemistry together. The way you/him tell/edit the story and the pace of it, it makes me stay engaged and want to continue to listen, there aren’t any unnecessary audio voids. I hope you start a video podcast and interview other athletes of every sport and have them break down EVERYTHING from draft to payment. I feel if you and your team decide to do this it would become very successful as it would also be niche. Hope to see it be made!
@@Gh0stGaminginc Actually that's the thing. I actually have the opposite issue. I have been regarded as the 'best talker/gimmick' in my country (Malta) to the point where I am even the show's commentator. Unfortunately the issue is that I am a very slow learner when it comes to wrestling moves and conditioning. So I do very basic stuff with theatrics. I have probably the second best physique in the roster. 43 inch chest, 30 inch waist, 52 inch shoulders. But for some reason, I still remain lacking when it comes to in-ring moves. Sometimes I wonder if I did the right thing by focusing on just my character, mic skills and looks.
@@EvilGeniusRANIK You have - why do you think LA Knight is so popular? A lot of the nerds online are match marks and are very vocal, so they sound like a majority of fans but in actuality, they're a vocal minority. You have IT which made the likes of Hulk Hogan and John Cena famous. They weren't technical beasts either but they didn't need to be. Normal fans (the majority) gravitate towards interesting, charismatic and all around entertaining guys. HHH looks for "solid" indy workers but that guy's creative only appeals to the vocal minority like JDfromNY. Keep at it and you'll get there eventually :D
As an independent wrestler I really appreciate videos like these giving us insight into how to prepare for the future I’d like to have one day. Priceless knowledge. Thank you again, sir.
I love your perspective on things here, Maven! Especially on taking accountability for not working in the ring before the show, no excuses or blaming anyone else. It’s refreshing to see! It’s good that these rules have a platform like RU-vid to be shown in full, great video!
1. shake everyones hand 2. be on time 3. stay until the end of the show 4. money - dont ask and dont tell 5. be adaptable 6. respect your agent/manager ? 7. respect your peers 8. learn your craft rules of WWE or just rules for work in general?
Yeah, other than Shake everyone’s hand, this is mostly basic stuff. Maybe an argument can be made for #3, but most workplaces don’t care. If youre clocked in to work till 3:00 you people won’t look at you sideways if you leave before 5.
Rule number 4 is a silly rule that employers push that employees (or independent contractors) should definitely ignore. It's pretty much the same in almost every work environment. They don't want you to know what others make so that people don't think that they might deserve more.
In a lot of EU countries it's part of everyone contract nor to talk about it, it's also just considered rude to discuss pay with anyone that you work with. Most people won't out of respect for each other. Also come under private confidentiality laws.
These are so incredible to see. I remember growing up and watching you in the ring and always rooting for you. You always seemed like you were genuinely happy to be there and to see these videos that give us an insight on your career and even the ins and outs, it’s incredible. Love the content, keep it coming.
I found this channel a few days ago and it's an instant favorite. I'm so tuned in with all the information and just how genuine you are Maven. I remember watching you when you first came up. I love how you own the mistakes you have made. Unfortunately it sounds like alot if not most wrestlers weren't a fan of those who came up via Tough Enough which sucks. Randy Orton should have also gotten in trouble but obviously he came up a different way and so he was treated different. I've been there at work and it sucks.
1. I like most of these rules, especially shaking everyone's hand and everyone staying until the end of the show. It builds comradery. 2. Normally I like "don't ask, don't tell" for salary, but in the case of the WWE which is actively trying to avoid unions, it enables them to underpay wrestlers as they don't know what everyone else is making or the general pay scale. 3. I have so much respect for Maven for blaming himself for not learning from the pros and honing on his craft as to why he was released. Others with an ego would just blame timing or backstage politics or some other external factor.
I just learned about this "shake everyone's hand thing" and it's the second time I heard about it today. I saw another video earlier today in which Marty Jennetty talks about he and Shawn Michaels getting to the WWF locker room and not doing that out of nervousness and how it left a bad impression on Andre the Giant He also stated that the Ultimate Warrior hated it but still shook their hand saying "Let's get this over with"
I've seen #3 in action some 25+ years ago at WWF house shows with the lower to mid tiered wrestlers. They'd sit in a row of seats where they were somewhat obscured from most of the general audience's sight but the wrestlers could still see the action. I was told back then that it was a sign of respect to your fellow wrestlers to stick around and show support and all that other stuff that Maven was talking about. A lot of them seemed to be going though the motions though and they were rather bored and not really watching, which seemed rather stupid to me to put them though all that. I'm assuming that they probably had seen the same matches and moves a dozen times already that month. But the idea here is that basically you need to learn how to successfully manipulate unwritten rules in most jobs out there no matter how stupid or foolish they seem to be or else you're probably going to fail. I never had the social skills to play office politics as I feel every person should work hard and do their job correctly rather than manipulate others to get ahead in life, so I became happily and successfully self employed instead.
I'm almost middle aged now and I've never really figured out all these social hierarchy rules, so I imagine that's why I'm stuck at a critical but lower level position while less talented/ hard working fellows are living the easy life.
I remember Kurt Angle talking about #3 on his podcast where he tried to leave early during a House show Shane McMahon stopped and told him he needs to stay till the end. Not because he has to, but to learn how the higher tier wrestlers told a story in the ring. I say it worked out well for Kurt
One thing that bothers me about wrestling locker room culture is "unwritten rules." It sounds kind of psychotic. If there are expectations of someone they need to be verbally delivered not implied after you mess up. It is figuratively telling a guy you need to navigate this minefield and you won't know you mess up until afterwards and if you mess up you are gone. Its an extremely toxic way to run a business in my opinion.
it’s mostly common sense and showing respect. i see nothing wrong with it. there’s unwritten rules for all work places no ? i feel like a lot of the younger talents think they know it all and their shit don’t stink.
So long as they’re made explicit and are not overly unreasonable it’s not much of a problem, but there’s a tendency to teach by punishment and to deliberately not inform new people of the rules so that they learn the hard way (usually because they themselves learned that way).
Man really loving all the behind the scenes content you've been putting out. I always wondered why they let you go. I was a big fan and loved watching and going to live shows but I've never kept up with wrestling news or anything. Have you done a video on why WWE decided to part ways with you because I thought you had a lot of potential. Seemed like you improved a lot between your Tough Enough days and the end of your wrestling career.
As someone who was a part of the Australian backyard scene that produced Robbie Eagles and Kyle from Aussie Open, I can say the creative freedom in the backyard was such an an amazing exoerience. The pro experience seems to be the exact opposite.
interesting that with the money thing, it seems like when the Kliq actually broke that "rule" and started talking to one another about how much they were getting paid, it led to payouts rising across the entire industry. Wrestlers would probably help themselves if they were honest with each other about payoffs.
Rule 3 is something I learned back in high school. I was on the JV Soccer team, and after our games me and my buddy would walk home. Two times we did this. Had no idea why people seemed to give use dirty looks suddenly until a Varsity player explained that we were supposed to stay for the Varsity game, for all the reasons you mentioned above. It's about learning, it's about being a team and supporting your teammates. Never left a game early after that.
It's still dumb to hold something against someone if they have no idea it's even a thing. "Unwritten rules" are only unwritten because they'd be too ridiculous to be actual rules.
That's a stupid unwritten rule that someone comes up with. Sounds to me like ritual rookie hazing forcing someone to stay for a game in which you are not involved.
I see people saying this is a dumb unwritten rule, but it makes perfect sense. If you're on a JV team the goal should be to make it to Varsity. One of the easiest ways to get better is to watch what the varsity guy in your position is doing and try to pick up good habits. Also you wanna hear what the varsity coach is saying so you know what to work on in your spare time, so come next season you make the varsity squad.
The unwritten rule about money is just a way for the employers to keep pay down. On the opposite side of it, if you look at all major sports league that had their union make players pay public knowledge in the 90’s, it’s that info that directly led to athletes pay skyrocketing since then because it is so easy for them now to negociate bases on the salary of other players.
No. If you run a small business it’s impossible not to get strong armed out of business by employees constantly playing their pay against each other. Blows my mind… So much anti business sentiment, it’s ridiculous. Against the big monopolies , yes it’s understandable, but small companies need to survive. The guy running the business is the one taking the actual risk and with all the stress. Classy move would be not to openly discuss pay, if you respect your employer at all. And if you don’t, you probably deserve to be fired.
I love how Maven feels like a wrestling fan who just happens to have been in the WWE. It’s a refreshing perspective. I’m also not surprised he was a teacher. He has such strong communication skills.
Many of those unwritten rules apply well beyond wrestling and hopefully young fans learn about them and use them in their own lives, whatever they happen to do. Thanks for another great video!
When i used to work at arenas id always see the guys in the ring HOURS before the show started just chatting & practing. As a WWE fan I always kept my cool seeing all of my childhood heroes in the ring while I was the only one in the arena. But its true. Those guys work on their craft.
Nice to see your channel popping off Maven! You are just nailing the views man. Hopefully somebody at WWE sees and gives you a phone call. You would be great at so many things. Commentating, a mouthpiece for somebody, etc. It would be a real hoot to see you in next years Royal Rumble!!!
Awesome to see Gregory Helms getting the respect that he deserves. He is overlooked FAR to often (admittedly mostly by people who don't have as much knowledge of the industry, but still).
I love this channel so much. I hope to one day hear about what it's like to return back for a Royal Rumble match. It sounds like it would feel epic, even if it's for a night.
Maven, I wanna say that I haven’t watched wrestling since the late ’90s, but I’ve been so enthralled with the behind-the-scenes of the business. You seem like a super awesome guy, and I’m sorry I didn’t see you wrestle. Keep doing what you’re doing! Love The content!
@@Kevmaster2000 I fully agree! As much as I LOVED the attitude era, ruthless aggression to me just brought out the best in so many wrestlers. Even Triple H and Shawn Michaels for God's sake!
I would love Maven to come back to tv in any role, he clearly loves the business and I could listen to him talk all day, would make a great manager or general manager
Thank you for teaching people these lessons, Maven. Honestly, I expected some bitter former WWE-guy talking here with an axe to grind. But you are super down to earth and honest, I love that!
Loving the channel! It is awesome getting a look behind the curtain. I would love to see you review each episode of the inaugural season of Tough Enough. You probably have so many stories from that time and it would be awesome to have more insight on that experience.
It's always refreshing to see someone own up to their own mistakes. And for what it's worth, you were always my favorite tag team partner in Smackdown: Shut Your Mouth career mode.
When Tough Enough came out, I just looked at you and knew you were winning. But as you said, you were really green and needed more work, especially for someone who got fast-tracked. I’m glad to hear that you own up to it.
Loving the content, please don’t stop making videos for us. I grew up watching wrestling during your time and still a big fan of yours. Thanks Maven. Much Love.
Do you know if the bag belonged to referee Scott Armstrong or Chris Benoit? There are different stories of this incident. I believe the bag belonged to Armstrong and Benoit kicked Miz out of the locker room for 6 months.
I got to work dark matches around the time you were in the mix. I remember seeing you around and always thought you were a tremendous talent. I wish I had this video back then. 😂😂😂😂 Hindsight is 20/20. So glad to see you living a happy healthy life and using your larger than life personality to rock the RU-vid world. Keep up the great work! 🍻🍻
I'd love to hear what wrestlers are expected to do from 1pm to 9pm, while you're waiting for the show to start. It's a 3 hour show and you're expected to perform for maybe 30 minutes of it, doing promos or having matches that you've been working on at house shows. So it's not like you need to practice for 8 additional hours, not that everyone could be in the ring practicing even if they wanted to. I get that you eat and catch up a bit, but most of the guys you just saw the day before and you're going to see the day after (and you just spent all night traveling so it's not like you did something fun and have that to talk about). So what exactly do guys do for 8 hours before the show starts?
I'm only a casual wrestling viewer and that started in the late 70s and been intermittent ever since. I like this guy. He is very well spoken and really interesting. I've been binging on his content.
dude still carries himself as an active superstar on camera. he was always great in his story lines but man dudes still got it no doubt! the hand motions the facial movements. great shit.
Maven your videos are a breath of fresh air, keep these videos coming. For the record you had very good in ring work with more craft work you would have definitely been at an elite level. You're definitely more mature and experienced about the business now.
I really hope this social media stuff takes off for you, man. Haven't watched a show for years but love hearing about this stuff from the older wrestlers.
Excellent teaser intro: How _was_ he fired anyway? Which unwrtten rule? An audience, any audience must have questions to mull over. Keeps 'em riveted. Maven knows his stuff.
Thank you for your content Maven. found your videos out of nowhere the other day and sparked an old childhood interest. Thank you for bringing back some old joys to my attention!
I thought it was going to be like fight club rules... Rule 1: Do not disrespect the Undertaker Rule 2; DO NOT DISRESPECT THE UNDERTAKER... Great video, thanks.
I know how good all the guys you mentioned are: Fit Finlay, Stevie Richards, Red Rooster, Double A. But out of all the folks you mentioned it was Jonny Ace who achieved the most. Being one of the top stars in AJPW, is something that VERY FEW american wrestlers managed, because they simply could not compare skill level and toughness to guys like Misawa, Kawada, Kobashi, Akiyama, Taue and others. I do have a question. Jonny Ace, who is such an accomplished technical wrestler who invented so many moves, including Ace Crusher (Diamond Cutter) and absolutely murderous looking Cobra Clutch Suplex. I have a question, Sir. Did Jonny Ace every shared his amazing skills with WWE wrestlers? Thank you, Sir. And... THANK YOU FOR GREAT MATCHES AND MEMORIES.
That's very humble of you to admit your faults. I hope this youtube career goes well for you. I have to say though, I'm a bit surprised at #8, because I don't remember which video game it was, but you were the character that would show all of the rookie players the ropes. That's my only real memory of you, which may be strange, but it was that which made me view you as a real company guy, a real responsible guy. I never knew why you were let go, so it does surprise me a bit that it's because you were not practicing. Well, the future is always unwritten. Thanks for the video.
Your opinion on being fired is beyond humble. You see most guys blame it on creative, Vince, not liking others, etc. You’re a very professional guy and have obviously matured. Hope this knowledge and good speaking skills have lead you to better places big guy!
the handshake is RESPECT, doesn't matter if you don't like the person. it only passes, if it's part of a character. TIME, again, passes if part of character. being on time, also, RESPECT, it's all about RESPECT.
I was in wrestling training for a school in flint Michigan named pure pro wrestling. Gidion malice was one of my first teachers. His first thing to teach us was, shake everyone’s hand It’s so important that everything time you see someone for the first time in the day shake their hand. Also watching the wrestling rule. I’m such a wrestling fan, i don’t care if I just broke my leg, I’m staying to watch wrestling. Also not sure if you’ll see/read this maven but I’m really liking this RU-vid thing from you.
Rumor has it The Undertaker was the Judge Jury and Executioner of the locker room. If wrestlers have a problem they went to the Undertaker in the Locker room not Vince McMahon. Because everyone was so busy especially Vince McMahon to busy to stop and talk to everybody.
I came here expecting something completly different from a former wwe wrestler. Its a plesant surprise to see someone who was there be humble and admit to their mistakes and short comings. Good on you!
