WrestleMania XL - Work Experience + Core Memories

I wanted to put together a little recap of my week of WrestleMania XL and the experience I had working on such a legendary event for my hometown. I had originally made plans to record a video to recap what the experience was like but since getting sick after working a week straight with minimal sleeping in between the days. It won’t be ready in time but I wanted to share how this major event in Philadelphia made me feel and how important it was for me to be there. I will post an update once the videos are edited and published (as I am working on a backlog of three videos on top of this WWE WrestleMania XL one). So hang tight, I promise it is coming.

I want to preface this blog post by saying while I was hired to work at this event. I won’t be sharing any details of the WrestleMania XL week - as that is proprietary to the companies that I worked for. I will however share my experiences and anything else I can remember to share as my brain was buffering majorly bad towards the end of the week.

Bianca Belair - WWE Talk - 4/03/2024

This was an event that was an added on last minute as Bianca Belair was announced that she was doing a WWE Talk here in Philadelphia. She was a gem and a wonderful role model to the little fans as she talked to them about empowerment, being a good person and just working hard to make your dreams come true. I started the day with a La Colombe coffee and some light bites and waited for the event to start. I have lost count of how many times I have had the pleasure to operate on a PTZ camera but it has inspired me to want to build a mini version of what they used for the live production events. It definitely takes a team to make these events work and create core memories for everyone in attendance.

David Onda was the moderator for the special keynote talk and let me tell you it is refreshing to see him ask questions that aren’t your typical “What’s the story behind your stage name” questions you see online. David had such a good cadence with his questions and it made my job easier that day. She was asked how her background in collegiate track and field had helped to elevate and set her a part in the WWE. Because it seems that many people who are inspired to go a similar route as Bianca. She makes it known that your path isn’t going to look and feel the same as your peers and that is quite alright. She is also a role model for younger fans as she lives and breathes her EST of WWE mantra every single day.

“The ‘EST of WWE’ it just means that I am a hybrid athlete. I’m not just good in one area, I’m not just good at one thing, I’m not just strong, I’m not just someone who can go in there and do flips and be a showcase athlete. I’m someone who can do it all. I’m not just average in different areas, I’m the best in every single area. So, I’m the strongEST, I’m the fastEST, the quickEST, the roughEST, the greatEST, the smartEST, I’m the bEST. All those ends in EST. So, I just see myself as being the absolute best in every single area that you can think of.” (Sportskeeda.com)

The mentality to be the EST of WWE can be applied to anyone as you can be the strongest, kindest, greatest, and whatever else -est words you can conjure up. Skies are the limit. Which encouraged me to keep being the best at all I do here with the at kismet +. co team. And helps me to understand that my ability to be a great leader comes from within. See core memories are made for sure here.

David Onda on X 

My experience in working in a production control room has been monumentally inspiring as I have been learning all about the technical side of camera operations and how a professional grade PTZ camera works. I learn something new and I get so excited to take notes down of what I am learning that day. In the side of loose pieces of paper; all of the tips, tricks and suggestions go in there. And since I am not able to replicate the same exact setting of what the production team has set up — I am excited to share that the same kind of PTZ camera controls and operations can be done in the comforts of your home studio or office.

Here’s the set up I am going for so that you too can have an affordable PTZ camera setup. I already own a Sony A7RII mirrorless camera so I would just need the sliders and tripod to replicate the motions of a PTZ camera on a track system.

• Edelkrone makes some amazing consumer friendly priced gear for your camera operating needs and the FlexTilt Max ($69) combined with the SliderOne V3 Motorized ($499) will give you similar results without breaking your budget. (For context purposes: the premium range of PTZ cameras from Sony can start anywhere between $6,500 upwards to $12,000)
• With this setup, you’re only looking to spend ~$568 on a similar tracking system for your livestreaming and behind the scenes needs. You can visit the website for more information on what the Edelkrone line of videography equipment. https://edelkrone.com/
• If you have a heavy-duty tripod (like ManFrotto) — you can pair either ones to your tripod for a professional look at an affordable price.
• I am still researching specs for a monitor to complete the setup for the HQ.

WrestleMania XL - Smackdown + Monday Night Raw 4/5 - 4/8

I got the opportunity to work WrestleMania XL this past weekend with Priority Pass holders. As I had mentioned this is just based on my experiences this past weekend and nothing else. So if you’re curious what made me nearly cry and how I hustled through a sprained ankle on before working the shuttle busses for Monday Night Raw. Keep reading on.

I should preface this by saying while I am not a huge fan of Pro Wrestling — I have the utmost respect for how amazing the fans have been this past weekend. They were and are some of the most passionate and community-driven fans I have ever come across. Regardless of what you are doing — there were moments where I couldn’t help but get swept away in the mania of it all. (See what I did there?!) I got to talk to so many fans and just overall help them have the best experience in Philadelphia while they are attending WrestleMania XL.

The fans I had on Saturday morning stuck with me as their shuttle coordinator til the very end and made me cry because they thanked me for the experience and for being such a rockstar. What a core memory for me because working events on the production side of things is sometimes a thankless part. But despite the delirium, the many times my brain buffered and the many times my sensory overloaded throughout the weekend. It was worth it. For some this is a once in a lifetime opportunity to come and see their favorites in such an iconic arena.

Swipe through for photos from working Smackdown, WrestleMania XL (both days) and Monday Night Raw this past weekend. I will for sure have a video of the entire weekend sometime before the month is over but if you’ve read this far. THANK YOU! Having decided to shift my career into something that makes me feel so good about the work I am producing. Has been a scary experience but it’s worth it.

If you’re interested in working within the industry there are some wonderful resources to follow so that you can work with to gain experience and level up your career. I will say that it takes a lot of heart and soul to be an AAPI women working in a male dominated industry is tough. But have heart and just show them what you’re made of. And why you’re a force to be wreckoned with. Additionally, we will be working on doing pop up events and networking activities catered to your specific needs. Be on the lookout for that information. For now I am going to put my feet up and stretch my body a bit more.