10 Hidden Masterminds Behind Wrestling's Biggest Ever Stars

8. Brian Gewirtz

Danny Davis OVW
WWE

Once a figure of hatred online for overseeing a descent into dreadful WWE comedy from 2002 onwards, Brian Gewirtz standing two decades later speaks to his real influence and impact.

A business partner of Dwayne Johnson, Gewirtz has benefited from being such a key figure in The Rock's shift from smug cocksure heel to all-time legendary babyface and globally renowned megastar. Now working alongside him nowhere near the wrestling business, the former Raw chief became more of a power player than he ever stood the chance of being under Vince McMahon's thumb.

A favourite of Edge & Christian as well as Chris Jericho, Gewirtz always had a certain voice and style and - as we'd all unfortunately be reminded of years and years (and years) after he left the company in 2012 - it wasn't one suited to everybody. That list alone speaks to how much he could assist those that were most open to comedic collaboration.

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Michael is a writer, editor, podcaster and presenter for WhatCulture Wrestling, and has been with the organisation nearly 8 years. He primarily produces written, audio and video content on WWE and AEW, but also provides knowledge and insights on all aspects of the wrestling industry thanks to a passion for it dating back over 35 years. As one third of "The Dadley Boyz" Michael has contributed to the huge rise in popularity of the WhatCulture Wrestling Podcast and its accompanying YouTube channel, earning it top spot in the UK's wrestling podcast charts with well over 62,000,000 total downloads. He has been featured as a wrestling analyst for the Tampa Bay Times, GRAPPL, GCP, Poisonrana and Sports Guys Talking Wrestling, and has covered milestone events in New York, Dallas, Las Vegas, Philadelphia, London and Cardiff. Michael's background in media stretches beyond wrestling coverage, with a degree in Journalism from the University Of Sunderland (2:1) and a series of published articles in sports, music and culture magazines The Crack, A Love Supreme and Pilot. When not offering his voice up for daily wrestling podcasts, he can be found losing it singing far too loud watching his favourite bands play live. Follow him on X/Twitter - @MichaelHamflett