WWE Hall of Famer Gerald Brisco was a recent guest on the Two Man Power Trip of Wrestling podcast. Brisco, who serves as a talent scout for WWE, knows a thing or two about what WWE looks for and what it takes to make it on the big stage.

As somebody who competed in the ring from 1969-1984, Brisco has seen the industry transform and evolve several times over. When asked about the core components of what it takes for talent to get over, Brisco says there are certain characteristics that are timeless and will always be beneficial.

“There are guys in this era right here and now that could get over back in mine and there are guys in mine that could definitely get over in this one here,” he said. “It’s not the gimmick. It’s not the storyline because our storyline’s are simple and it not that a lot of individuals didn’t have a lot of gimmicks but it’s the person behind it. It is that person that works his ass off every night in the ring and stays consistent and stays true to himself.”

Brisco’s son Wes is good friends with “Stone Cold” Steve Austin and Brisco says Austin has always told Wes to simply be himself while performing. Stay true to yourself and you’ll always have that going for you.

Brisco also had some advice for Roman Reigns and it ties into the ‘be yourself’ message he just spoke about. He’s seen John Cena get rejected by a large portion of the WWE Universe despite having all the tools to succeed. Love him or hate him, you have to acknowledge John Cena is talented, he knows his character and he’s going to keep doing what works best for him. Brisco feels Reigns should take the same approach.

“If he just stays himself and doesn’t change .. the people are going to hate him and the people are going to love him.. but look at John Cena. He is one of the most revered guys but in the beginning people loved and then hated and still they love / hate him, but he is still one of the most revered guys there is.”

“Stay true to yourself and don’t get off course and don’t let people talk you into changing, don’t let the fans convince you that you need Otto change. Just be yourself and pretty soon they will see this is who you are. That is my advice to these young guys and if you believe in something than make it yours and make it work.”

Other topics discussed include he and his brother Jack pioneering the amateur wrestling style in pro wrestling, why few other teams could match their toughness and skill inside the ring and why the Brisco Brothers never never fully got the ‘New York’ run that many feel was cut short in the early 1980s.