Coach Josh Gerry

Professional Wrestling coach, trainer, and mentor based out of Winston-Salem, NC.

[joshgerry]

Pro Wrestling Is Sales.

But not in the way you think.

Not in the gimmicky sense, but in the practical, unavoidable one.

As a wrestler, you’re selling who you are.

Your size. Your intensity. Your struggle. Your offense. The toll the match is taking on you.

As a promoter, you’re selling the event itself.

Tickets. Sponsorships. Ad space. The reason this show is worth someone’s time and money.

Commentary is selling context.

Why these two are wrestling. What’s at stake. Why this matchup matters more than the one before it.

A manager is selling their relationship with the wrestler. Why they’re together. What they add. Why their presence changes the outcome.

The referee is selling structure.

That this is a contest between two forces, governed by rules that must be enforced.

Even the merchandise table is selling identity.

T-shirts, photos, souvenirs. Proof that what happened in the ring mattered enough to take home.

Even the concession stand, which is literally selling hotdogs, is selling the experience.

Because wrestling isn’t just what happens between the ropes. It’s the entire night.

Every role in professional wrestling exists to move something forward.

An idea. A moment. A matchup. A brand. An experience.

Sometimes money changes hands immediately.

Sometimes it doesn’t.

But something is always being sold.

And when every piece does its job, the whole becomes bigger than any single role.

Know what you’re responsible for selling, and do it on purpose.

That’s why pro wrestling is sales. Whether you like it or not. 😉

[joshgerry]

"I don't have time."

I hear this all the time for various things, pro wrestling related and not.

This is probably one of the biggest myths out there. Of course you have time. We all work with the same 24 hours.

You just haven't learned how to multi-task properly or take advantage of the time you do have.

How many hours of sleep do you get a night?

8?

OK, make it 7.

What do you do when you're on the toilet?

Scroll Facebook?

OK, work the social media; don't waste it.

What do you do when you're doing steady state cardio?

Watch ESPN?

OK, watch old school wrestling and learn.

Driving to an event you're booked on?

Load up a wrestling podcast, shoot, or educational material.

Driving alone to an event?

Carpool, bounce ideas off each other, learn.

These are just a handful of things you can do.

Maximize the 24 hours a day you have.

If you find you're simply biding time and not working towards an end goal i.e. watching cat videos, scrolling aimlessly on Facebook, or playing video games, then you're missing out on time that could be put towards dreams, aspirations, and life goals.

The work does pay off.

[joshgerry]

“You might not be able to out-think, out-market or out-spend your competition, but you can outwork them.” – Lou Holtz

Not everyone starts with the same advantages.

Not everyone has the same platform, connections, or opportunities.

But the work? That’s available to everyone.

Showing up consistently.

Doing the unglamorous reps.

Handling the details most people skip.

That’s not just wrestling advice. That’s life advice.

You may not control the hand you’re dealt, but you do control the effort you put behind it.

And over time, that effort separates you.

[joshgerry]

How to Get Into Pro Wrestling Commentary (3 Real Steps)

I was asked how someone can get involved in pro wrestling commentary. Whether on the independent level or beyond.

The answer comes down to three things:

• Learn the skill

• Get good at the skill through repetition

• Let people know you can do the skill

Talent matters, but effort, consistency, and visibility matter just as much.

If you’re serious about working in wrestling, this applies across the board.

[joshgerry]

Professional wrestling is more than what happens in the ring.

If you want to succeed in professional wrestling, you must work just as hard on the professional side as you do the wrestling side.

Your attitude.

Your presentation.

Your communication.

Your reliability.

Your brand.

You are not just a wrestler—you are your own business.

Learn the aspects outside the ring, take them seriously, and your ceiling rises fast.

The work doesn’t stop when the bell rings.

The “wrestling” gets you noticed.

The “professional” keeps you booked.

Work on both.

[joshgerry]

[joshgerry]

1) Story

2) Emotion

3) Character

In pro wrestling, these three will take you farther than any move, combo, or spot you can dream up.

A move is forgotten in seconds. But a story sticks, emotion connects, and character is what keeps fans coming back.

Master the why, not just the what.

Moves fill time.

Moments fill memories.

It takes a true professional to make an audience feel something.

That’s where great pro wrestlers separate themselves.

[joshgerry]

Many fans have said that this was the best pro wrestling commentary line ever!

At an AML Wrestling event, Zuka King delivered a low blow to JB Cole. And my immediate reaction could not be contained!

Sometimes, commentary just hits different. 🤣

[joshgerry]

Happy Halloween! 🎃

Coach Clobber has arrived!

Halloween reminds us that sometimes you have got to embrace your weird side because standing out is what sets you apart.

Sometimes the weirdest and wildest parts of who we are become our biggest strengths.

In pro wrestling, and in life, don't be afraid to get a little messy chasing your goals.

Embrace your unique.

Embrace the grind.

But don't forget to have fun along the way! 😉

[joshgerry]

"You must understand what the box is, before you can think outside of it."

Thinking outside the box is powerful—but first, you’ve got to understand the box itself.

Innovation starts with insight. When you know the rules, you can bend them with purpose.

Before you disrupt the norm, learn why it exists. That’s how real change begins.

[joshgerry]

Today marks my observed Wrestle-versary!

I began training to become a professional wrestler in October 1999. I wasn’t the best record keeper back then, so I’ve always honored the 15th as the official date.

I’m forever grateful to those who taught me my first lessons, shared my first matches, and rode those early highways with me.

Since then, I’ve done just about every job in this industry. Some with more success than others. 😉

Wrestler. Referee. Manager. Promoter. Booker. Producer. Owner. Ring Announcer. Commentator. Coach. And everything in between.

I’ve had the privilege of working with (and for) some incredible companies. I’ve learned from and befriended legends, heroes, millionaires, and more.

I’m proud of what I’ve accomplished…

but I’m not done.

There are still goals to chase.

People to help & mentor.

Stories to tell.

If we’ve crossed paths in any way on this journey (big or small) I thank you.

Let’s roll into year 26 with renewed purpose and drive.

Keep driving and striving. ❤️

#CoachJoshGerry #ProWrestling #WrestleVersary #ProWrestlingLife #WrestlingJourney

[joshgerry]

"Time doesn't stop, and neither should you. Keep moving forward. Always forward."

Time doesn't wait, and neither should you.

Keep grinding.

Keep growing.

Keep. Moving. Forward.

#ProWrestling #KeepMovingForward #MotivationDaily #StayDriven #CoachJoshGerry #WrestlingMindset

#ProWrestlingLife #WrestlingMotivation #WrestleHard #AlwaysForward

#MotivationalQuotes #DailyInspiration

[joshgerry]

“If you really want something, you’ll find a way. If not, you’ll find an excuse.”

The difference between success and failure isn’t talent — it’s effort, discipline, and the willingness to do the work when no one’s watching.

Success in and out of the ring is built on accountability and discipline.

Excuses won’t get you there — consistency will.

#CoachJoshGerry #ProWrestling

#Accountability #WinningMindset #PerformanceCoaching

#NoExcuses #FindAWay #WrestlingMotivation #DisciplineOverMotivation #WrestlingLife #MindsetMatters #TrainLikeAChampion

[joshgerry]

I've told this to many pro wrestling students over the years.

"You must learn to crawl before you can walk. And learn to walk before you attempt to run."

A strong grasp of the basics and fundamentals will take you further than cool moves and flips.

You must learn basic arithmetic before you can move on to algebra and calculus.

[joshgerry]

Move away from the "Independent Pro Wrestling Cliche Rulebook."

If you're 1st and you make your entrance through the curtain and say, "Sit down! Shut up!" But everyone is already quiet and sitting, you make yourself look like a fool.

Now, let's say you're their opponent, and you come through the curtain saying, "C'mon! Stand up! Make some noise!" And they do nothing, you look like a fool too.

Not to mention the fact that they're thinking, "Well, the first guy said, sit down, and the next guy said stand up. I'm confused."

I've challenged students to take the phrase, "C'mon! Let's Go!" out of their vocabulary. I hear it screamed just about every match on every show.

Be different.

Don't pander to the audience.

Let them decide to boo or cheer based on what you're doing.

Be above the cliche things that are seen on every independent pro wrestling event.

[joshgerry]

I'm often found saying, "Pro wrestling is fun! Why are we in such a hurry to get to the end? Slow down!"

It seems simple enough, but it can be a difficult concept to grasp and execute for newer students.

Keep at it. You'll get it. I have faith in you. 😉

#CoachJoshG #ProWrestling #WrestlingTraining #SlowDown

[joshgerry]

Pro Wrestling Gear Bag 💼

In my honest opinion, here are the items a professional wrestler MUST have in their gear bag (in no particular order):

1) Athletic tape

2) Advil/Tylenol/pain relief

3) BenGay or Icy Hot type substance

4) Deodorant

5) Their entrance music on a CD AND a USB Thumb Drive. Labeled and ready to use. (It's also useful to have the music/track on Youtube or another web based player that can be accessed via the web/internet)

6) Washed and Clean Pro Wrestling Gear

7) A wrestling mask (just in case)

8) ...and more.

This is just a small list that most independent pro wrestlers I've met won't have in their bag. The Boy Scout motto is "Be prepared" and that's a good motto to live by.

There's probably more that I could add with different gear colors for different occasions, different colored tape, street clothes, socks, and others, but this is a good list to start with. If you're looking to make a difference in your pro wrestling game, start here.

No matter what I do at an event, I always bring:

1) Dress clothes

2) Street clothes. In case I need to set up or tear down equipment

3) My referee shirt, pants, and shoes.

4) My wrestling gear with a mask (just in case)

5) My manager gimmick stuff

I am fully prepared to fill whatever role is needed.

"It's better to have it and not need it than the other way around."

#CoachJoshG #ProWrestling #GearBag