I honestly never realized wrestling could offer so many career paths
Inside a mentorship event that turned lifelong fans into industry insiders—and sparked something deeper.
At The City Tutors’ Economics of Wrestling mentorship event—held at the Chinese-American Planning Council in the Lower East Side—students came in curious about wrestling and left with a deeper understanding of the industry, their own ambitions, and what it takes to break into a field they once saw only from the outside.
Srey Ka Theap, a Risk Management master’s student at Queens College, came in wanting to understand the business side of entertainment.
“From strategy and branding to finance and media production, it truly opened my eyes to the wide range of opportunities in the industry.”
Rahib Khandaker, also a QC grad student, came as a lifelong fan.
“Being conventional will limit the way you can connect with people and get opportunities anywhere.”
“What surprised me most was how I felt afterwards—it’s definitely pushing me to do passion work in my field.”
Brian R. Solomon, a former WWE media professional and wrestling historian, reflected on how much he saw himself in the students.
“It was incredibly exciting and gratifying to share what I’ve learned, in hopes it could help those just starting out—like I once was.”
“I was impressed with how prepared and genuinely curious all the attendees were. As a CUNY alum myself, it brought back a lot of memories.”
“This kind of mentorship is something I wish had been available to me.”
Kevin Gill, pro wrestling commentator and veteran of the wrestling, video game, and music industries, spoke to the spark he saw in the room:
“What stood out to me about the learners was their spark. They want it. And they were willing to go the extra yard to get it.”
“One moment that really stuck with me was when a student stood up and talked about how hard it is to connect with classmates these days. How gatherings like this can break down those walls. That took courage.”
He left them with something clear:
“Getting your foot in the door is often the difference. Be the person who shows up. Be the person who follows through. That’s how you level up.”
Joel, a Lehman graduate, captured the heart of the event in a reflection about vision, empathy, and what it means to lead:
“Wrestling with contradictions, adjusting to ever-changing circumstances—that’s the nature of a wrestler. The greatest gift a mentor gives is attention. A following turns from indifferent into believers.”
“We enter the arena. We wrestle with our thoughts and projected fears.”
This wasn’t just a conversation about an industry.
It was a reminder that careers are built in unexpected places, and that showing up—curious, open, and ready—is how it all begins.