Gerry Strauss Interview.

By P.Staniforth 2005.

I managed to catch up with one of the best commentators in the business recently, probably known most for his work for 3PW – Gerry Strauss.

PETER) : Hi, and thanks for your time in doing this. Can I start by asking you a little about your childhood?

GERRY) : You know, I don’t know about everyone else, but whenever I read an interview or an autobiography or anything about someone’s life that I’m interested in; I tend to skip the stuff about their childhood. Why? Because it has nothing to do with the reason I am reading the thing in the first place. I want dirt, inside info, experiences from the time they are actually on the public radar; and I don’t care if they worked as a paperboy at the tender age of thirteen. With that said, I’ll just say I was a smart little kid, and kind of quiet. I wasn’t out body slamming people, nor did I make my own little announcer headset out of tin foil and call kickball games. I wasn’t even part of the PA club in high school, so I had no clue that I’d end up doing any of the work I do now.

PETER) : The ironic thing is that I’m the same in respect to autobiographies, I tend to look more for the details of what I want to know also.. and yet I ended up doing this! When did you first watch wrestling?

GERRY) : I wish the memory was clearer, but to my recollection it was at my grandparent’s house; 1986-87 kind of time. I remember flipping channels and landing on what I guess was a Killer Bees match against some jobbers. I was taken in by the fast action, but when the masks went on, I was hooked. I had also been a fan of the Rock & Wrestling cartoon, but was always frustrated that there were no actual wrestling matches on the show. So really, everyone who says that there isn’t enough actual wrestling on Raw or Smackdown…well, you should have seen this coming.

PETER) : Did you know you wanted to be in wrestling, or did it just kind of happen by surprise?

GERRY) : It took me totally by surprise. I woke up one morning, and was like “whoa, this isn’t my bed”. I got my wits about me, I realized I was in Viking Hall; there was a match going on, and I was at a table with a microphone in front of me. “Holy crap”, I thought, “I’m in wrestling”.
By the way, that last story wasn’t exactly true - everyone knows that wrestling events are never in the morning.

PETER) : So, how did you get your first break in the business?

GERRY) : I was always a wrestling fan of sorts, and always paid attention to the broadcasting aspect of it all. I was never a “Hulkamaniac” type, more of an observer of the general product; as it always fascinated me. In college, I discovered that I was interested in radio; and became an on-air host at 91.3FM WTSR in Trenton. I hosted my own weekly timeslot for my entire college career, and for some time thereafter as well. During that time, I had a local independent wrestler come in for an in-studio interview. Turns out, this guy also helped run a small promotion/school up in North NJ; and they were just getting ready to start producing a local TV show. I was invited to be part of the broadcast team and a co-host. Even though that show didn’t last long, that’s how it started for me. As far as ring announcing, it’s not something I had always actively considered. One weekend, I found myself booked to do play-by-play for some tiny promotion in the Philly area. The show was so poorly organized that, at one point; I was asked out of nowhere to run into the ring with the house microphone to interview these two 350 plus pound guys who had just won a tag match. I got in there, and realized that I had never actually been IN a ring before…it just never occurred to me to do that. Even though that tag team reacted to the ensuing chants of “kill him” by getting in my face so hard that I legitimately expected to be killed, the seeds were planted. I ended up getting some opportunities to try out ring announcing for some NJ federations, and now I work in that capacity on a fairly regular basis.

PETER) : Who did you look up to in wrestling?

GERRY) : In my younger days, I always liked pre-WWE Jim Ross. I appreciated his realism, his knowledge, and his ability to use stats to make the business and the athletes in it; appear more “legitimate”. Now, of course, I respect him in a totally different way; as he has totally changed his game up to focus on pure emotion. In other words, he used to make you think; and now he makes you feel. He makes you want certain guys to overcome others, and in my opinion was instrumental in the success of Steve Austin’s WWE run. Some say he has lost a step or two, but I think he has simply sacrificed one area of his game to allow for another to come to the forefront; one that caters more to the general WWE fan base, and there’s nothing wrong with that.

PETER) : What was it like commentating at first? Were you nervous, and do you still get nervous?

GERRY) : I was pretty nervous at first as a commentator, simply because it was a whole new world for me. Now, I rarely get nervous; just excited about working. I think I’ve become pretty good at analyzing any upcoming event or match and figuring out it’s main appeal - Why is it important? Why is it going to be entertaining? Why does a viewer need to watch it? It’s my job to figure out the answer and communicate it, and doing so helps me get psyched for the show as well. Ring announcing is a different kind of rush because I am actually performing, albeit in tiny, relatively insignificant doses; in front of a live crowd. There are other pressures as well: while commentating is mostly REACTING to the flow of a show, ring announcing is a part of that flow, so lag time must be minimized, cues must be followed; and performance must be relatively flawless or you could potentially hurt the show for the live crowd. Last year, I was afforded the opportunity to do some shows for WXW, a super-professional company in PA run by Afa of the Wild Samoans. WXW has a tremendous TV product, tight organization, and live broadcasting, all of which I participated in; and all of which taught me that if you want to be a part of something great, you have got to be on the ball. It was a lot of fun.

PETER) : To those who haven’t heard you at work, how would you describe yourself as a commentator?

GERRY) : Versatile. I try to tailor my style to the product I am putting over and/or the person I am working with. Mostly, I’ve settled into the play-by-play role that usually requires me to focus on the action itself, but I’ve also had fun in the color position; where I was more focused on being heelish or being funny or whatever. Lots of times, the roles kind of bleed together, which isn’t always a great idea; but if it comes off naturally and still gets the point across, it works well.

PETER) : What has been your favourite match or show that you were involved in?

GERRY) : I’ll split this into categories…

As a ring announcer, the best event I have worked so far is WXW Sportsfest 2004. Sportsfest is an annual event that WXW puts on as part of an outdoor fair in the Allentown, PA area. Admission is free, and part of the show is broadcast live in local TV. This year, the cable company saw fit to allot two entire hours to the broadcast, making it almost equivalent to a “Clash of Champions” type deal. Thousands are in the crowd at any given time, and TV time is tight, so the pressure was truly on from all sides. The WWE’s Rosie, Batista, Greg Valentine, Don Muraco, and many more were a part of this one; and it all went down without much of a hitch. I felt like a deer in headlights for two hours, but afterwards; I couldn’t have felt happier with the event, and I am grateful for the chance to do it.

As a commentator, it’s so hard to say. Certain 3PW matches come to mind, like Sabu vs. Syxx Pac, Terry Funk’s stint, the entire AJ Styles-Chris Daniels series. Of course, the opportunities to work with guys like Mike Tenay and Vince Russo in the CSWF are up there. Co-hosting Dynamite Championship Wrestling’s UPN show for it’s six month existence was a lot of fun, my time in Phoenix Championship Wrestling, being part of the broadcast team for the tremendous “Haas Cup” Tourney, the return to NJ of Diamond Dallas Page, the arrival of Eddie Guerrero are all highlights. Personally, I love long, marathon shows, especially tournaments; so the Jersey J-Cups were also great…I don’t know, I guess I just like working.

PETER) : Who do you consider your better friends in the business?

GERRY) : Among others, definitely guys I work with in the broadcast “booth”, like Shawn Credle, Mike Winner; and Doc Daniels. As individuals who are important parts of the business without being athletes, we announcer types are in a unique position. In some ways, it’s easier for us than it is for wrestlers; and in some ways it’s harder. It’s always good to have people around that know the deal, it’s better if you actually like working with them; and it’s even better still if they are good guys to boot.

PETER) : What would you say has been your lowest point in wrestling so far?

GERRY) : I haven’t had too many. Sure, sometimes companies close, and it’s a downer; but it goes with the territory. The wrestling landscape changes all the time. You don’t always realize it, but if I step back, and think about who I do and do not work for at any given time; and compare it to a year prior, it’s always a drastic change.

PETER) : Away from wrestling, what do you like to do in your spare time?

GERRY) : I don’t find myself having much of that, actually. I currently hold a full-time position in list management, and usually work at least one wrestling event a weekend on average; if not more. I do some copywriting/promotional work for a couple of wrestling companies I am affiliated with. I try to squeeze in regular research time for upcoming events. Personal time goes to my girlfriend, sleeping, and totally mindless activity.

PETER) : What five words would you feel describe you best?

GERRY) : Dedicated, resourceful, intelligent, sarcastic, and good-natured.

PETER) : What are your main plans for the future?

GERRY) : I plan to continue doing what I do, whatever that is. I plan to continue to work, improve and learn; and look to expand my horizons by finding more companies that I can contribute to. Of course, I also want to focus on the companies I already work for; and do my part to help them thrive.

PETER) : On a broader scale, what are your thoughts on WWE and TNA, and the indy's?

GERRY) : The WWE is the biggest wrestling-related company in the world, by far. Anyone in the wrestling business who outwardly does not want to work for them is most likely resigning themselves to part-time wrestling status, at best. Anyone who says that the WWE is not a good representation of what wrestling should be is wrong. Their status dictates that they define what wrestling should be, and that goes towards their announcers too. Lots of people think that a guy like Todd Grisham sucks because he doesn’t seem to know much about wrestling. Well, if you look at the past few years, the WWE isn’t even trying to hire “wrestling” commentators. Grisham, Coach, Michael Cole, Marc Lloyd…none of these guys came from a wrestling background, so obviously; to WWE management, they know as much as they need to know. It’s frustrating for many, but it’s the WWE’s prerogative; just like it’s their prerogative to hire a Playboy model and put her on Raw while trained workers are stuck in OVW or go unsigned. In short, as crazy as it sounds; if you work on the indy’s as an announcer, you may be in the wrong line of work to get into the WWE. Personally, as someone who appreciates the ability to put over any kind of product; I see nothing wrong with adapting to that style for the opportunity to work for the most renowned company in the world.

NWA TNA is an interesting emergence in the business. Is it a growing threat, or a money pit? Is it a company that is here to stay, or is it going to suddenly die one day like a common indy? It certainly is getting more and more buzz, thanks to its TV program, media exposure; and some well-received pay-per views. Personally, I am (and have been) really excited about TNA’s relationship with the CSWF; whom I am the play-by-play announcer for. Not only has this situation brought some great wrestling talent into the company, but it has also given us a great deal of attention as a lot of TNA talent cannot be seen anywhere on the East Coast BUT the CSWF. Better still, Credle and I have benefited even more directly at the broadcast booth; as we have had the opportunity to broadcast with the likes of Mike Tenay, Larry Zybszko, Lex Luger, and even Vince Russo. These men have been prominent voices not only in TNA, but also during the heights of the popularity of WCW, and it would be impossible for us NOT to benefit from working with such time-tested purveyors of the word.

The indy’s are what you make out of them. As a non-wrestler, it’s a very tough scene. Video/DVD production and TV slots are often shafted by companies when business is down, which is a shame. I know for a fact that many promoters love the idea of using these avenues to bring in more interest, but simply cannot invest in anything but live shows. It’s up to guys like me to seek out, or even help create situations where it will be mutually beneficial to focus on these avenues as a powerful promotional tool…that way, everyone wins.

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PETER) : Who do you like to learn from?

GERRY) : Everyone. There’s always a new way to say something, to do something. Just like a wrestler will watch a Ricky Steamboat tape to learn how to perfect his arm drag, I’ll watch some old tape from twenty years ago specifically to see how a given announcer calls a battle royal. I’ve watched a lot of Joey Styles specifically to analyze how he was able to call matches alone, not always say that much; yet still get everything over. I’ve watched Bobby Heenan to note how was able to put over the action in his heelish way while getting himself over as his own character, yet never having the two conflict. I try and check out everyone, all over the indy’s; because everyone has a different way of doing something, and you can learn from that.

PETER) : Very true. So, to wrap things up; is there anything you'd like to promote, or anyone you'd like to thank?

GERRY) : Well, I’d like to thank anyone and everyone who has seen fit to allow me to work for your wrestling promotion in any capacity; as well as anyone who has helped me along the way with advice, constructive criticism, website help, etc. Speaking of which, check out my site, www.gerrystrauss.com, for a better look at what I’ve done. I know it needs to be updated, I’m working on it! While you are at it, drop me a line at my email address, gerrystrauss@aol.com for booking info or any other reason. As for companies, I’m involved in, read below:

3PW (Pro-Pain Pro Wrestling) combines the very best in “Blood, Brawls & Broads” with awesome five-star matches featuring both legends and budding superstars (www.3Pwrestling.com). I, along with Mike Winner, call the action for every 3PW event; which can be seen in a variety of ways. Smart Mark Video (www.smartmarkvideo.com) produces videos of each event, which are available for ordering just a day or two after they take place. 3PW also produces DVD Compilations of some of our best events and matches, complete with re-digitized footage, promo’s, menu’s and bonus matches. These awesome comps are available at Suncoast Video, Sam Goody, Amazon.com, Highspots.com, or wherever else wrestling DVD’s are sold. Finally, “3P-TV” is a tightly-produced sixty minute TV show focusing on the best action in 3PW history. It can be seen several times a week on the UK’s 24-7 “Wrestling Channel”, and throughout the United States on certain PAX network affiliates and other cable channels.

The Cyber Space Wrestling Federation (now NWA Cyberspace), brings well-known superstars from throughout the wrestling world right to their home in northern NJ (CSWFOL.com). More recently, the company has benefited from an ever-improving relationship with NWA-TNA; allowing stars like Jeff Jarrett, America’s Most Wanted, Vince Russo, AJ Styles, Ron Killings, Abyss, Michael Shane, Tracey Brooks, and many more to join such megastars as Lex Luger, Roddy Piper, Diamond Dallas Page, Al Snow, etc, as well as a top-notch homegrown talent base. Nowhere else in the area can boast such an array of star power; so check out the DVD’s, featuring myself and Shawn Credle calling all of the history-making action. All the DVD’s also feature promo’s and bonus exclusives.

UXW (formerly USA Pro Wrestling) in New York brings together a seemingly limitless supply of big names and top independent stars to put on super extended events for fans that just can’t get enough. Last year, I debuted for the company as the play-by-play announcer for it’s huge anniversary show; working alongside the likes of “M-Tizzle” Mike Tobin and PWInsider.com’s Matt Zylbert. In 2005, the company looks to take a more hardcore tone, and welcomes Mick Foley for a series of appearances.

National Wrestling Superstars (www.NWSWrestling.com) is definitely a leader in family-oriented wrestling action, featuring many legends and TV stars on a regular basis; such as Dusty Rhodes, The Honky Tonk Man, Chris Candido, King Kong Bundy and more. The NWS runs more shows in the NJ area than any other promotion, and is commissioned each year to run events on the Wildwood boardwalk every week of the summer season. I work for the NWS on occasion as the evening’s ring announcer. They have also recently begun to produce DVD’s of some of their best recent matches, and you can catch me as a backstage correspondent on some of those productions as well.

New Millenium Wrestling is a new company based in NJ, run by Devon “Crowbar” Storm and Danny Doring. The concept of the company is to provide family-friendly entertainment, but without the less-qualified workers flooding the area. Everyone on an NMW event looks like a wrestler (well, except for me) and knows how to not only wrestle, but entertain as well; creating a high quality event featuring top names on the independent scene. I have served as a ring announcer for the NMW’s first two events, the more recent of which was a benefit for the ailing Sabu and featured appearances by Mick Foley, Chris Candido, Simon Diamond, Electra, and Sabu himself.

Oh, and, thanks to you, Pete!

PETER) : Hey, the pleasure’s mine. Thanks once again for the interview, and all the best in all that you do and continue to do.

Peter Staniforth.
www.pswrestling.net

Peter is a UK based sports and music journalist, for www.pwbts.com, www.kayfabememories.com, www.wrestlingdotcom.com, www.wrestlingclothesline.com, www.bgwwrestling.com, www.prowrestlingdaily.com, www.thesuplex.com, and the exclusive WWE writer and music reviewer for www.ukevents.net.

Peter has written for Bill Apter's "Total Wrestling" magazine, the well respected US based newsletter 'Wrestling Then And Now'; and also has written press releases for the UK's WWE Euro Shop merchandise company. He was also mentioned on the credits of the cult wrestling simulation game by Adam Ryland - EWR 4.0.

Peter works for UCW (www.ucw-wrestling.co.uk) in a Talent Relations capacity, and also various USA based indy promotions. If you are a wrestler either USA or UK based, and looking for more bookings; please contact Peter. This also applies to wrestling promotions in the USA or UK, if you're looking for independent workers; please contact for more details on wrestlers, prices and availability.

Peter has written reviews for many wrestling video tape traders, who come highly recommended by him - including www.simania.co.uk, www.modtrom.com (the official production team for Jersey All Pro Wrestling), www.ruffneckwrestlingvideos.co.uk, www.violentjtapes.com, www.a1wrestlingvideos.com, and many more.

When using any of this information give proper credit to Cactusb and the Wrestling Clothesline at http://www.wrestlingclothesline.com

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