In this conversation, Andy Shepherd shares his journey from a sports-loving child to a prominent sports presenter, detailing his experiences in various sports, including combat sports and wrestling. He emphasizes the importance of persistence in pursuing opportunities and reflects on his deep love for wrestling, which ultimately led him to a career in WWE. Andy also discusses the intricacies of commentary, highlighting the need for storytelling and the unique challenges it presents in the wrestling world. In this conversation, Andy Shepherd discusses the intricacies of WWE commentary, the evolution of WWE's streaming strategy, and the future of sports broadcasting. He emphasizes the importance of adapting to the unique demands of WWE commentary, the impact of moving to platforms like Netflix, and the changing landscape of sports viewership. The discussion also touches on the significance of live sports and the challenges posed by streaming delays. In this engaging conversation, Andy Shepherd shares his journey through the world of sports broadcasting, highlighting his transitions between major industries like WWE and MMA.

takeaways

• Andy Shepherd's journey began with a love for sports.

• Persistence is key in pursuing career opportunities.

• Wrestling is a unique blend of sport and theater.

• Commentary requires storytelling skills beyond just calling the action.

• Networking and following up can lead to unexpected opportunities.

• Andy learned valuable lessons from his early experiences in production.

• His passion for wrestling shaped his career path.

• The importance of being in the right place at the right time.

• Good commentary enhances the viewer's experience significantly.

• Andy emphasizes the need to adapt and learn in a fast-paced environment. If you can call WWE, you can call any sport.

• Terminology in WWE commentary requires careful navigation.

• Commentary is a muscle that needs to be exercised.

• It's important to live with your mistakes in commentary.

• WWE's move to Netflix is a strategic play for broader viewership.

• The wrestling business is experiencing a resurgence.

• The merger of UFC and WWE opens new opportunities.

• Live sports viewing is unique compared to other content.

• Streaming services are changing the landscape of sports broadcasting.

• The future of sports rights deals is evolving rapidly. The unpredictability of live sports adds to its excitement.

• Transitioning between industries can open new opportunities.

• Storytelling is crucial in engaging audiences in combat sports.

00:00:00 Intro

00:01:47 The Great Big Story

00:08:08 He Remembered Me

00:09:18 Sales and Sorry

00:14:27 WWE Love

00:21:19 The Eureka Moment

00:26:16 The Commentary

00:29:55 Terms and Restrictions

00:31:37 Blunders

00:33:49 WWE Resurgence

00:41:15 Stuff Going to Streaming

00:51:01 WWE to UFC

00:55:59 Live World vs. WWE

01:01:05 Biggest Career Highlights

01:07:21 When Things Did Not Go to Plan

01:12:53 The Last Question

Andy's Links links 

https://bio.site/AndyShep?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAabKJNQwp1tw0f1uKs4W9crEwVDxQICUChuD3kcBRsTOVhpO8GhIYMQywcs_aem__FIkNdCzCRR3xLr55usCfA 

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Website: https://www.nqpc.co.uk/     

Listen to the podcast on:

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7GG1WLjyWxTFb4fd9GbJeT?si=d14f5c370b374dc7    

Apple Podcast
https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-not-quite-podcast/id1618677301