Listen to Michael Kelman Portney Talk Branding, Marketing, and Pro Wrestling on the Wrestleville Podcast
Wrestling With a Message on Wrestleville
I recently joined Vinny Barry on the Wrestleville Podcast to talk about my new book, Wrestling With a Message: Pro Wrestling Psychology & Its Business Applications. You can listen to the full episode here and pick up the book today.
Wrestling, Branding, and Influence
Our conversation circled around one central theme: wrestling is more than entertainment—it’s a masterclass in branding. We touched on how performers like Chris Jericho, John Cena, Cody Rhodes, and Dusty Rhodes built longevity and loyalty through reinvention, emotional storytelling, and authenticity.
These are the same tools businesses and leaders need. Whether it’s pivoting when something doesn’t land, creating moments that hit an audience in the gut, or embracing vulnerability to rebuild trust, wrestling psychology is a ready-made playbook for influence.
Why It Matters
The book takes the lessons wrestlers practice nightly and translates them into a framework for business and leadership. It’s not just about promos or catchphrases—it’s about crafting narratives that captivate, building identities that evolve, and connecting with people in a way that lasts.
For wrestling fans, it’s a new way to look at the business. For business leaders, it’s a practical guide to mastering attention, loyalty, and persuasion.
Gratitude
Huge thanks to Vinny and Wrestleville for the invite and the platform. It was a sharp, energetic conversation that underscored exactly why this book needed to be written.
🎙️ Listen: Wrestleville Podcast with Michael Kelman Portney
📖 Buy the book: Wrestling With a Message
Do you want me to also shape a punchier two-sentence social post version that’s all hook and link, perfect for Twitter/LinkedIn?
