WKPWP Interview Classic (5 Yrs Ago): Ex-WWE Creative Team Member Kristian Harloff talks working with Stephanie, Vince, Heyman, more
Wade Keller Pro Wrestling Podcast
Wade Keller
3.9 • 903 Ratings
🗓️ 9 March 2023
⏱️ 167 minutes
🧾️ Download transcript
Summary
- Working for Stephanie McMahon back in 2001 when Stephanie was just beginning her run as Head of Creative.
- Stories about creative veterans he worked with including Paul Heyman, Bruce Prichard, Michael Hayes, and Brian Gewirtz, plus Vince McMahon himself.
- How he got the job, why he didn’t last, and more behind the scenes insights.
- Comparing WWE’s attempt to get Roman Reigns over as a top babyface to movie stars whom the studios pushed but were rejected by fans and how it worked out, and why it matters less to Vince McMahon than movie studio execs when fans don’t obediently eat what they’re fed.
- How he missed the bulk of the John Cena Era of WWE during his hiatus from following WWE and how he perceives him now that he’s back watching the product.
- His impression of working behind the scenes with Steve Austin and The Rock when they were the top stars prior to Cena’s emergence.
- Whether Rock is perceived as a wrestler-turned-actor or an actor who once dabbled in wrestling.
- How did the production and format of Raw feel different now than 17 years ago when he was part of the creative team behind the scenes, including the vaunted WrestleMania Sign.
- How does having a kid as a fan change how he looks at the pro wrestling product?
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Transcript
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| 0:00.0 | Ah, she's brilliant. Miss, I finally got plans out the group chat. We get it. Four votes for a festival, |
| 0:05.9 | three for a city break. It's hard to adhere to everyone's needs. There's Betty with her |
| 0:09.6 | oversized tent. Sarah and her six foot eight boyfriend. |
| 0:13.0 | All right. |
| 0:14.0 | Roger Junior and his dog, Roger Senior. |
| 0:16.0 | And don't get us started on Mel. |
| 0:19.0 | But, like a marriage counselor, she's the one keeping things together. |
| 0:22.0 | All aboard, Miss I finally got plans out the group. a marriage counselor, she's the one keeping things together. |
| 0:22.6 | All aboard, miss, I finally got plans out the group chat. |
| 0:25.6 | Keep everyone's plans alive when you travel with us. |
| 0:28.0 | P and O'Ferees, there is another way. |
| 0:30.1 | Oh, he's cute. Mr. I can never sleep when I'm traveling. He's hugging his pillow like a sloth on a branch. |
| 0:40.0 | He couldn't sleep before. Now listen to him him sounds like an elephant with a chest infection |
| 0:46.0 | Well they call him a dreamer and now they're right all aboard mister I can never sleep when I'm traveling. |
| 0:53.0 | Find all the comfort you need in the quiet lounge. |
| 0:56.0 | Piando Ferries, that is another way. |
| 0:59.0 | We've got a P.W. Torch VIP sale going on this month. |
| 1:04.0 | If you are interested in becoming a VIP member, you can get $6 off any subscription. |
| 1:08.8 | That brings a one month sub down to four bucks, and you can listen to our AEW revolution post-event roundtable |
| 1:15.6 | Todd Martin Rich fan and I discuss the event for about an hour right after the show |
| 1:19.6 | ended exclusively for VIP members you also will get the WrestleMania post-show roundtables |
| 1:24.9 | following night one and night two |
... |
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