When I was a kid, my brother Jimmy and I would watch wrestling all the time. The colorful characters, soap opera like drama, and high flying action had us hooked on the WWF like most of its superstars were hooked on Colombian marching powder. When offered the opportunity to interview author Charlie Jenkins about his book American Wrestling 1989, I leapt at the chance like Jimmy Snooka off the top rope.
Meet Charlie Jenkins
Charlie has worked as the Creative Director of a film and television industry and as an assistant to the writer’s room of the Amazon Original Series Lost in Oz. He has led or worked on digital campaigns for The CW, NBC, Hulu and Blizzard Entertainment properties. He joined me on Uncorking a Story to discuss his debut novel American Wrestling: 1989, a heartfelt and funny novel set behind the scenes of the pro wrestling industry’s golden era, for which he drew on his experiences working for an independent promotion.
Key Topics
00:00:00 Introducing Charlie Jenkins
00:04:09 How The Undertaker Captivated a Young Wrestling Fan
00:06:50 Behind the Scenes of Wrestling: A Firsthand Account of the Minor Leagues
00:08:42 Why I Chose Fandom Over Corporate: A Creative’s Journey in the Entertainment Industry
00:11:40 Behind the Scenes of a $20 Million Fantasy Franchise: The Rise and Fall of a Creative Director’s Dream
00:13:06 From Screenplay to Novel: The Genesis of American Wrestling in 1989
00:16:04 From Passion to Page: A Journey of Wrestling and Writing
00:20:19 Lessons Learned: How My First Book Taught Me to Be a Better Writer and Entrepreneur
00:22:40 From Novel to Netflix: The Potential for a Wrestling Series Adaptation
00:26:32 The Bully Hero: Why Hulk Hogan Wasn’t Always a Fan Favorite
00:28:34 The Dark Side of Wrestling: Drug Abuse, Death, and Unpleasant Fantasies
00:30:38 From Metal to Wrestling: Exploring the Best Wrestling Songs of All Time
Buy American Wrestling: 1989
Amazon:https://amzn.to/3p3NDbB
Bookshop.org: https://bookshop.org/a/54587/9781647424367
Connect With Charlie
Website: https://www.charlie-jenkins.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/CharlieGJenkins
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