WWE Host/Interviewer

Ever wanted to meet your favorite WWE superstars up close? Snap a pic, grab an autograph, and share a moment with the legends you've been cheering for? Well, now it's your shot, because Fanatics Fest is coming back to New York City this summer. It's the ultimate hangout for WWE fans, a full weekend of unforgettable moments, surprises, and superstar access like no other.

The passion is unbelievable.

Well, thank you. I think you would be in some form or fashion, though. Thank you. I love you guys. But I think what's so special about the WWE Universe, and I grew up a fan, right? And I was in the stands when I was a little kid all the time because I was traveling and Madison Square Garden was where I sort of grew up across from

This old lady, I would sit in the VOM and I'd sit across from this old lady who had a big bag of candy in like a big brown paper bag. And she'd eat candy and yell obscenities at all the wrestlers that would go by out of the VOM. It was like really funny. And I'm a little kid looking at this lady like, oh my God. But she was a huge fan.

And I think what's so special about the connection that we have is because our fans are really a part of what we do. That's why I love listening to their feedback, getting their thoughts, giving them what they want, because without them, we don't have a business. And they are a part. And now we have a multitude of shows that start all the way to someone's like initial journey.

even just finding them and recruiting them. It's incredible in the different programming that we have. And our fans are a part of those characters' journeys, if they want to be, from beginning to the main roster to competing in the main event of WrestleMania.

And that is something so unique. The women's evolution that happened in WWE happened, yes, because of all of our incredibly talented women, but it happened because of them.

They started a hashtag called Give Divas a Chance, which trended worldwide for three days, specifically calling, listening to them for longer matches, better storylines, character development, really giving our women a chance to shine. And it is because of them that the women's division is what it is today. And they know it, which makes them even that more invested in it.

And it's a beautiful thing that I think doesn't exist anywhere else.

And that's something that I have great respect and admiration for. And I just love all you guys and really appreciate all the support for him last night. So without further ado, this is our podcast, What's Your Story? It's like a totally different format live with an audience. It's supposed to be very, what, calm and conversational, right?

Cause that in and of itself is unbelievable.

And you think that that is another key to business success is never, and I think probably life success, right, never be satisfied?

Well, they're pretty loud. I mean, they do tell us.

So it's funny. I was actually at the Milken Conference many years ago. And there was all the different commissioners of the sports leagues there and me at this big giant round table. Nobody really knew who I was or why I was there, but I was going to have a seat at this table and I was going to speak up. And sure enough, we started talking about the fan experience.

And there were some who I will say without naming names were a bit arrogant about, oh, the fans will always be there. The rights will always be there. The money will always be there. And I had the opportunity to speak up and I started talking about the strength of our brand and how many countries we were in and how many views we had globally. And I said, I'm not trying to be competitive here.

I understand we have a global product, but this is important for us to all be on the same page in terms of reaching our people. You know, and accepting and embracing the individuality of your superstars to have their voice. Yeah. So it's, it was very interesting.

So it feels a little less intimate, clearly, with all the music and everything, but we're going to make this work. We're going to hopefully deliver to you a really genuine conversation, and hopefully it's something that you have some key takeaways from and really enjoy. And the thing to know about our guest...

Yeah, that's true. Especially now, especially in this environment especially in the digital environment is And now with AI and everything breaking open, I mean, we're having this podcast here right now talking about all different kinds of things, you know, that are going on. It's really, it's a remarkable moment in time, I think, to be alive and to be a part of the world.

And as a dad of three, three girls, right?

Right? And five and three, is that right?

It happens. It happens.

No laziness in your household.

So what other messages are consistent for you in business and life? How important is staying humble for your girls who will also be growing up with a lot of things that you didn't have growing up? And how do you enforce the importance of what you believe are the strongest values?

is that he is responsible for all of this here, everything you see at the world, for this incredible commemorative title, and for all of the unique activations that you're seeing for collectibles. This is the CEO and founder of Fanatics. Ladies and gentlemen, without further ado, allow me to introduce you to Mr. Michael Rubin!

It's a good combo. It's a good combo. So you mentioned that relationships are the most important in down times. Do you have an example of a time when somebody was there for you? And maybe even the reverse of that, too.

And if you need money, you just call relentlessly until you get it.

Actually, it really is fun. Yeah. Yeah. There's a whole video component. You went. Yeah, he went.

That's right. That's right. And a little bit of, I don't know, luck, maybe.

I agree with that. I think positive energy begets positive energy, and negative energy does exactly the opposite of that.

Yeah, and I love your mind and how it works and how you riff and how you're not afraid to take risks and how you learn from everybody. I think that that's so incredibly important. And I love how stimulating you are because, like, it's infectious energy.

Right. Well, and speaking of that, when you were 16, your, your ski shop went under. Yeah. Right. And, and you talk about the lessons that you learned in, in that business failing.

I mean, I think we can all say thank you to Michael Rubin for all of this. It's pretty phenomenal.

Yeah, how do you get out of this?

But doesn't that then defer to your parents or no?

They are the best fans in the world. They really are. And this Triple H title sold out already in store. But it is available online. I'm taking this one home with me. This is one. You can't have it. This is one of 500.

So now you're asking for an additional 30.

Yeah, I guess. I guess. And you want to share a little bit about your sweatshirt?

And that's a little bit of what we're doing with the podcasts, right?

We're trying this all out together. And again, our audience is a part of it. And they're going to let us know whether it's working or whether it's not working.

That's right. That's right. My god, there's just so many incredible lessons that you have so another question I have as a super successful businessman and family man how important is it to give back and And what are some of the initiatives? I know some that that you have worked on that you're most proud of yeah, so let me say before 2017 I was

WWE superstars already confirmed include Cody Rhodes, Rhea Ripley, The Undertaker, Jey Uso, Chelsea Green, Trish Stratus, Liv Morgan, Damian Priest, Charlotte Flair, and trust us, there is more on the way. So stay locked in. Fanatics Fest takes over the Javits Center in New York City June 20th through the 22nd. Hit up fanaticsfest.com for tickets and all the latest updates.

It's such a cool collab. You and I were talking a long time ago when we first started all this, and your version of Cactus Jack was with Trav, and my version of Cactus Jack was with McFoley.

Well, thank you so much for just all of the time that you've shared with us today, all of these incredible stories and your philosophies on, you know, Believing in yourself, I think also, especially at such a young age, not being deterred from your grades, you know, really, and not necessarily having your parents telling you, you got to do this, do this, do this. This was inside you.

And you were the one who made all of this come true. And it's a really remarkable journey. Don't be afraid to fail, that you have to fail, actually, to be successful. Definitely. You have to work harder than anybody else. You don't have to be the most talented kid. You don't have to be the best athlete. You don't have to be the smartest kid in the room.

You have to be the hardest worker in the room. The importance of listening, really listening to people and hearing their perspectives and what they want and what they need. And then creating the platform to actually deliver on that and taking action. I mean, I know I've been blown away. I've learned so much. And I can't wait to see where our partnership is going to go.

You guys, Michael's going to be walking around. So you've got to give him your ideas. You've got to ask him questions. He's going to be walking the floor. And, Elise, anything else that I'm missing?

It wasn't really working.

Thank you to all of you.

Right, and your friendship with Trav goes back a long way.

So please tell your story for those who don't know.

And you're a billionaire. I mean, I'm doing okay. All right, so I just want to set the stage. Very, very successful person here.

Yeah, that's right. And that's sort of how you built your career. And, you know, for those of you who don't know, and if you don't mind expounding upon, you started your first business at how old?

But you owned a shopping center?

Do they have to sign the leases?

Don't miss your moment.

So the grades never actually made it?

And that's – it's so important. And, you know, we've been doing a few of these podcasts now and some of these messages. are consistent and coming through of very successful people who say, I wasn't necessarily the most talented. I wasn't necessarily the most this or that, but I was willing to work the hardest.

Yeah, be the hardest worker in the room. I don't think your mic is on. It didn't sound like it.

Do you read books on people that, business people or anything like that? Not capable.

No, like, Blink List or Short App.

Yeah. Well, one of the things I love that you said is really giving the people what they want. And I think that that's what's been so unique about this partnership is it has gone to the next level. I mean, I was talking about my husband, you know, who was inducted in the Hall of Fame last night. And I was talking about the championship belt. Thank you. Thank you. And everything else.

And he shows me he opens his jacket and he shows me the four patches that he has that's going to be sewn into, you know, the memorabilia that's ultimately going to be sold. And it's like it's real. We've never had anything like that before. And he was really wearing it, you know. Wherever people choose to wear these things. But that's, you know, it's such a cool idea.

And I love how open you are and how you really do delve deeper Because it's customer first, right? And I want to understand that in terms of your business philosophy in general because it seems like that's always been your mentality is where there's a need, I can fix it. Whether it's in business, if there's a product people desire, I can make it. How do you approach that?

Before we get started, I wanted to say thank you to all of you. You know, last night, clearly Paul went into the Hall of Fame, and congratulations to all of the Hall of Famers who were honored last night. You know, I recognize so much that his career started and his relationship with all of you started way before his relationship started with me.

Very proud Philadelphian.

And at one time, part owner of the Philadelphia Sixers.

Well, CM Punk would agree with that for sure.