An insider book from a key time in WWF/E history that is well-written, entertaining, and overwhelmingly positive. Honest (as far as I can tell...I mean, how would I really know?) but it doesn't go around burying everyone. Fun read for any WWE/wrestling fan.

Loving all things related to pro wrestling I had to read this book. This book contains 16 years of backstage tales from when Brian wrote for the WWE.
For any fan of wrestling, it's worth reading. Thank you to NetGalley and Twelve Books for this advanced copy

I really enjoyed getting a look at what happens beyond the wrestling curtain. As a lifelong wrestling fan, this really does bring joy to me. Wrestling was there for me when the times were tough. I enjoyed reading about Gewirtz and his encounters with the wrestlers.

A great read for wrestling fans! I hope this is coming out in audiobook format as well because I think it would translate well to that format. I'm a huge fan of professional wrestling so found everything in this book to be of interest, but I do think even a casual fan would enjoy the stories.

Brian Gewirtz shares his life behind the stage and curtain with the WWE. As a lead writer for the longest running show on episodic tv, he had to deal with a temperamental CEO and talent desperate for TV time. As someone with experience behind that curtain I found his tales very believable and fun. When students ask me about the wrestling industry I'll point out this book with hesitation!

In There's Just One Problem, former WWE head writer Brian Gewirtz tells of a contentious meeting with Vince McMahon that ultimately soured their then decade-plus working relationship. With RAW taking place in Miami that night, Brian pitched a line surrounding Dwayne Wade, then superstar player for the NBA's Miami Heat, for The Miz to use to rile up the local crowd. Unaware of who Dwyane Wade is, Vince dismissed the line essentially saying that because Vince himself isn't aware of who Dwayne Wade is, then no one else would be.

Gewirtz points out that seeing as RAW's ratings very much move up and down like a cork in the ocean during the NBA playoffs, that the audience more than likely is aware of one of basketball's best players. The end result was a screaming match in which both parties felt disrespected. This specific situation would lead Brian to reconsider his role as a WWE-lifer, and maybe see what else is out there. But how exactly did it get to that point? Why was a guy with a tenure of eleven years to that point still struggling to have his opinion heard?

While Gerwitz had always been a life-long wrestling fan, he was one of the first staff writers to come to WWE from Hollywood. Gewirtz had spent some time as a staff writer on the short-lived 90s sitcom Jenny, a vehicle for the then uber-popular Jenny McCarthy, and the MTV show Big Wolf on Campus.

While his Hollywood credentials may have endeared him to management, they bought little respect with the boys in the locker room. Having to essentially navigate two political systems (management and workers) was a full-time job in and of itself. You couldn't get too close to any one performer lest you wanted to appear as if you had favorites. One such occasion is told in detail involving Gewirtz taking a trip to "wrestler's court" (a mock trial in which one wrestler is accused of something by another backstage: usually a rookie running afoul of a veteran) when Gewirtz was accused of favoring Edge and Christian after Gewirtz was seen accepting a gift in what others assumed was in exchange for more television time.

Brian was working behind the scenes in WWE and ended up getting close to one performer in particular in The Rock. There are more than a few stories detailing Gewirtz contributing to some of Rock's most memorable moments in the early 2000s. His friendship and working relationship with Dwayne Johnson would both make him an invaluable member of the writing team but also would help open doors for him in Hollywood years down the road. With Gewirtz now a part of the time making Johnson's NBC show, Young Rock, Brian has been able to seek more creatively fulfilling rolls outside of the WWE grind.

The truly fascinating moments in this book involve Vince McMahon. With all the recent news surrounding the former CEO of WWE, Gewirtz' peak behind the curtain shows just how endlessly challenging it was working for a man who always insists he is right. While there are a few stories collected in here that have certainly made the rounds over the years (having to completely rewrite shows from the ground up at the drop of a hat), there are others that will make your head spin. If you're a life-long watcher of WWE, you're likely well aware of Vince McMahon's penchant for toilet-humor (vomiting, farting, etc). In one of his first meetings with Brian, Vince told him that WWE "doesn't do comedy, we do humor" and that "there's nothing funnier than someone stepping in dogshit. If I could, I'd write a whole show on peopling stepping in dogshit, I would." Speaks volumes for what we've seen on TV for decades.

Vince always encouraged Brian to fight for his ideas but if he ever had a disagreement with Vince himself, Brian would never win, which is what ultimately damaged their working relationship. Brian knew he couldn't win in an argument based around what should or shouldn't be on television, but even after years and years of loyal service, Vince still would only listen to himself and if he didn't get what Brian presented, it didn't go on the show. I can only imagine how frustrating this can be for someone who knows the product inside and out and has proven time and time again to be of considerable value.

To the best of my knowledge, this may be the first book written by a former head writer within WWE. As expected, the job is not an easy one and operating under a man with a work ethic the likes of Vince McMahon is a job that can only be done by select few individuals. With Brian having worked strictly as a writer and with no in-ring experience, THERE'S JUST ONE PROBLEM intends to give the reader a fascinating look at how just one aspect of the WWE machine operates, but ends up showing much more.

My thanks to both NetGalley and the publisher Twelve Books for an advanced copy of this biography and history on the world of professional wrestling.

Jake "The Snake" Roberts professional wrestler and World Wrestling Entertainment Hall of Famer once said that "Wrestling is real, people are fake". This quote is a perfect summation of the wrestling industry from its carnival days up to it's airings on Peacock, or pay- per- views. The curtain has been pulled, the bumps, the impacts the table shots that's all real, everything else, from names, to grudges, feuds endings and blow off matches are scripted either well in advance, or if WWE up to airtime depending on the whims of its chairman. Brian Gewirtz, longtime wrestling fan, and Head Writer for WWE shows was at the forefront of this time of change in the industry. Gerwirtz's book There's Just One Problem...: True Tales from the Former, One-Time, 7th Most Powerful Person in WWE is his account of his fifteen years in the WWE which saw many stars shine and fade, promotions come and go, with the only constant being the whims of Vince McMahon, the chairman and his need for control.

Brian Gewirtz was trying to make his way in Hollywood, writing for shows that might appear on IMDB pages for bad ideas when he started working with Dwayne Johnson, the Rock on a bit of MTV. The Rock was becoming one of the bigger names in wrestling at the time, liked what Gewirtz wrote for him and pushed him to call WWF, which WWE was called at the time for a job. Things went well, but Hollywood called Gewirtz, and he passed, until WWF made an offer that he could not refuse, at a time the WWF was struggling. Hired as a writer, Gewirtz worked with some of the biggest names, the Rock, Stone Cold Steve Austin, and new talent like the hot tag team of Edge and Christian. Wrestling,being like the worst high school with its peer pressure and hierarchy, was awkward for a shy person, and Gewirtz made enemies without knowing or thinking, but dealt with, or ignored problems. Soon he was Head Writer for both shows RAW and Smackdown, and with that came more work, more exhaustion and more McMahon.

The book is an account of what Gewirtz saw, and in many cases did, that might not have gone over with the fans. The author is honest about his mistakes, and takes credit for both writing and interpersonal problems, which is rare in wrestling. Actually this is an odd wrestling book as it it written more from the office and management side, rather that a WWE puff piece biography, or a book by a wrestler who hates the promoters, other wrestlers and everyone else, who uses the book to settle scores and sling dirt. There is little dirt, and little settling of scores. A mention of another writer maybe, or stories about Bob Holly, who has always been known to be a lot of jerk. Vince McMahon seems more of a driven business owner, with a strong ego and sense of righteousness, with a few quirks. Once you learn that he is currently working with the Dwayne Johnson on wrestling projects, shows and a rumored WWE return, you can understand why the book is the way that it is.

A different look at the WWE, again one from the creative side, not the mat. The book is funny, but sitcom funny, so there is that. The stories are interesting, and some are new, but nothing earthshaking or gossipy. No scores are settled. Considering that at the time I am writing this Vince McMahon is all over the news, it seems like a good time for a book about when the industry was hot, and what went on behind the scenes to get the industry there. A book fans of the WWE will enjoy, as will fans of the Rock and what wrestling was.

There was just one problem in this book was I found it boring. I was expecting juicy details on former WWE wrestlers and maybe funny stories. Instead it was just his time being the writer of these shows. Again, that part was boring. It didn’t help that I stopped watching the show when I was a kid. Many of the names I knew from Total Divas. The chapter of Roddy Piper was sweet though. And it looked at how these guys were human and had feelings. I liked how he formed relationships with these guys that was long lasting. Overall, if you adore and absolutely love wrestling this is the book for you.
Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for my copy in exchange for my honest review.

I have been a long time WWE fan so decided to check this one out. Brian Gewirtz was a long time writer for WWE who fell into the job in the late 90's when the company was struggling to keep writers and served as the head writer for 16 years. This is a fun behind the scenes look of what the actual planning process is like for the shows, how it is to work with some of these (literally and figuratively) larger than life wrestlers and how some of the best (and worst) storylines in wrestling came about. Overall a fun book that I think wrestling fans will enjoy. I've been to two Monday Night Raw tapings, two Smackdown tapings and Wrestlemania the last time it was in Detroit. Interesting to get a glimpse of how that all comes together. PS: Yes we fans know its fake. No, we don't care. Thanks to Netgalley for review copy.

Tremendous. That is the only work that I can think of that truly does this book justice. Brian truly has a gift for making the reader feel although they are once again experiencing their wrestling memories, but through much more creative eyes. The Piper chapter hit home because I too found love for the Roddy one as a child. It lead to a life time of rooting for the "bad guy" and appreciating how important creativity really is. Reading stories behind the moments that made me laugh, made me angry, and at times made me very confused was a gift. Getting a whole chapter about Katy Vick was nothing less then a blessing. Thank you for allowing us wrestling geeks insight into your life. I recommend this book too all wrestling and creative writing fans

I don't think I'll ever get tired of Vince McMahon stories or quotes. "If I could do a whole show on people stepping in dog[expletive], I would." is a new classic. I laughed, I gasped and I cringed anew at the infamous Katie Vick debacle. Brian Gerwitz has put together a fast-paced, fun romp documenting his time writing for WWE and I enjoyed every second of it.

An insider book from a key time in WWF/E history that is well-written, entertaining, and overwhelmingly positive. Honest (as far as I can tell...I mean, how would I really know?) but it doesn't go around burying everyone. Fun read for any WWE/wrestling fan.

ARC provided.

What's it like to work for WWE (formerly WWF)? More specifically, what's it like to work for Vince McMahon, WWE's chairman? Gewirtz pulls the curtain back and invites readers into the surreal world of professional wrestling (or "sports entertainment," as WWE bills it these days), as seen through the wide eyes of a 26-year-old screenwriter (wrestling is scripted, but don't call it fake). Gewirtz is thrown into the deep end and must learn to swim with the sharks. "There's Just One Problem" is equal parts hilarious and harrowing.

In this case, the "sharks" are frequently larger-than-life wrestlers such as Undertaker and The Rock, Vince McMahon and his family, and (occasionally) outside writers and producers who seem hellbent on disrupting the system to the point of breaking. Gewirtz's anxiety is palpable from the first page, as "the boys" backstage razz him. There are so many unwritten rules that it's impossible not to run afoul of them, and Gewirtz constantly finds himself in hot water with men two, three, or four times his size.

I've always dreamed of a career writing for WWE, but for some reason they've never returned my calls. After reading this memoir, I'm...kind of relieved? I wouldn't last a half hour inside a high-pressure cooker like WWE. There were many points where I feared for the author's health and safety, despite this being a memoir -- he could have written it from a hospital bed, for all I know. How Gewirtz lasted 16 days -- let alone 16 years! -- inside the madhouse of WWE is something of a miracle, given the hair-trigger temper of his former boss and the complicated backstage politics.

It should come as no surprise that a writer responsible for some of the best segments in WWE history has produced an equally entertaining book. While it's definitely a "warts and all" memoir, Gewirtz isn't here to settle old scores. (Except in the case of ex-creative director Vince Russo, who gets lightly -- and deservedly -- roasted.) He praises most of the talent, and strikes up a working relationship with Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson that continues to this day.

For the IWC (Internet Wrestling Community, or hardcore fans who follow "the dirtsheets") there are plenty of tales told here out of school for the first time. For casual or non-wrestling fan readers, Gewirtz defines wrestling terminology as he uses it -- there's plenty of context, too, so even casual or lapsed wrestling fans will have no trouble keeping up with the story.