Interview: Chris Yandek, Wrestling and Sports Journalist & Broadcaster:
14th July 2003

Greg Tingle once again interview's Chris Yandek, acclaimed wrestling and sports journalist.

We last "hooked up" with Chris in August 2002, and his career has moved ahead in leaps and bounds, and today is one of the most respected wrestling journalists in the world.

What have been some of you career highlights, since I last interviewed you in August 2002?

"There have been a lot of interviews since August of 2002. In November of 2002 I conducted a rare interview with Shawn Michaels where he was very open an honest about Montreal and many other controversial topics. I also had the chance to talk to Macho Man Randy Savage in a rare interview about his new rap CD of all things. I also had a rare 37 minute interview with Sid Vicious where he announced his retirement officially. I also spoke to The Hardy Boyz on their book media tour which was a rare chance as well. Jeff Hardy admitted that HHH had political influence on the WWE Raw Brand. I also spoke with Kitana Baker one half of the Miller Lite Cat Fight Girls on her thoughts at being at WrestleMania 19."

How exactly did the Fred Blassie deal come about?

"It was just another interview publicizing his book. The interview happened on May 7th, of 2003. I was the only one who choose to interview him, and he never did many media interviews as it was besides a few WWE things. It was the last interview of his life before his death. I guess you could say it is my claim to fame talking to a legend a month before he died."

How did the Mick Foley interviews come about?

"I basically contacted the head of his book project, and she didn't even know much about the wrestling media scene. I basically helped her with that, and in return I have made a friendship with Mick Foley, and I have interviewed him one on one, and as well my radio program."

What non - wrestling projects and contacts have you been working with?

"Not many. It has been mostly wrestling."

How do you measure your ongoing success in the journalism world?

"It just keeps getting bigger and bigger. I am one of the top journalists in this industry, and in a positive way contributed a lot of great stuff as an entertainment journalist. I have done my best to be a real journalist and asked the hard questions as always."

What journals and media outlets are you representing now?

"I represent www.1wrestling.com which is the biggest wrestling media outlet today. The St. Petersburg Times Wrestling Section, Total Wrestling Magazine, Wrestling Then & Now newsletter, and a few others."

What are some of the benefits that go with your success?

"Having a big fan base. Credibility. Meeting new people, and just getting bigger and bigger."

What is the most rewarding part of interviewing, broadcasting and writing?

"Knowing that you are making an influence in a positive good way. Being part of the entertainment industry, and the most important thing is making my dreams come true."

What motivates you?

"Knowing that I am an influential journalist and making a difference. Positiveness would be a big thing as well."

What is the biggest compliment you have received?

"Mick Foley thinks I am doing an amazing job. Classy Freddie Blassie thought I was a good kid. There are a lot of great compliments, but not just anyone stands out. I did get an email from a blind person once who has this program that reads my interviews to him via speakers and audio. I think that was a very touching moment."

Are you famous yet?

"My fame continues to grow off the web, but most of it is on the web. My fame continues to grow every day. An ESPN journalist told me that he wished he would have started at my age, and that I have a bright future. I know I do."

How do you manage your workload?

"During the summer it is a lot easier then during the nine month school year. I haven't told a one on one interview in a few weeks now. A normal workload week would be a one on one interview and booking 2 guests on my radio program, and on top of that transcribing and Internet publishing on my website www.neweraofwrestling.com

What challenges are you facing?

"I am not facing many. I sure am in everyday life. I have battled not having a father around for years, but he works in the medical field and does pay for everything. I have battled a learning disability. I have battled haters at my school who are immature and don't know me."

How are you developing most of your leads?

"By doing research. Every wrestling or personality has a management or someone you can reach about appearances to get an interview."

Have you proved many people wrong, or do just ignore the naysayers, and keep moving forward? (I do)

"I always do. I think the rest of my life I will prove people wrong."

How have the rewards been worth the effort you put into your work?

"It gets you acknowledgment for sure. I have earned my spot and the respect of the industry."

What are you currently studying?

"I just finished up my 11th grade high school year. I now am going into 12th. I will continue to major in TV Production."

Have you ever really upset anyone in the wrestling business?

"Not anyone that was truly connected to the industry."

How much web traffic do you attract? (your sites seem to go off the air from time to time) - over quota?

"It is probably the server I am on. I reach thousands of people weekly."

What media exposure have you received - media outlets and sites doing profiles on you?

"Various wrestling radio programs, Internet journalist outlets, and as well your outlet as well."

What words of advice do you have for journalists looking to start out in the business?

"Don't expect anything to come to you. I would also say having professionalism and maturity works too."

What are your current projects?

"That is a secret of course. I never tell anyone what my projects are."

...end.

Greg Tingle interviews Chris Yandek - August 2002

Greg Tingle interviews Chris Yandek - 10th December 2003

Bio

Chris Yandek is a Writer for the St. Petersburg Times Online Wrestling Section at Ringfury.com, Columnist at 1Wrestling.com, and you can find his interviews in the monthly old school newsletter Wrestling Then & Now. He also contributes to Total Wrestling Magazine, and also writes for Koco Sports an all around Sports Publication check out their website at www.kocosports.com

Chris Yandek is the host of his own world wide radio show New Era of Wrestling on the Pal Talk Radio Network every Friday from 8:00pm to 10:00pm Eastern Standard Time. Check out www.paltalk.com for more information.

He has Interviewed Pro Wrestling Personalities Including: Shawn Michaels, Mick Foley, The Hardy Boyz, Chris Jericho, Jake The Snake Roberts, Macho Man Randy Savage, Sid Vicious, Jim Harris better known as the man who played Kamala, (Host of the ABC Contact TV Special with Bret Hart) George Anderson , Roddy Piper, The American Dream Dusty Rhodes, Rey Mysterio Jr., Japan's Foreign Wrestling Legend Stan Hansen, Mean Gene Okerlund, The last surviving member of the Von Erich family Kevin Von Erich, WWE Superstars and Divas Trish Stratus, Molly Holly, and Jacqueline, as well as WWE Hall of Famers Classy Freddie Blassie and The Fabulous Moolah.

He has also interviewed sports personalities including 1998 Olympic Figure Skating Gold Medalist Tara Lipinski.

He also represents The Stro formerly of WCW as his Publicist. Check out The Stro's official site at www.thestro.com

He was also a segment producer for the discontinued Tampa Bay, FL's Pro Wrestling Weekly radio show with Shannon Rose and former WCW and WWF star Barry Horowitz. Check out the news web site of the radio show at www.ProWrestlingDaily.com

Check out his official site www.neweraofwrestling.com for all his Interviews, Audio and Transcript.