After Dark: The Face of the Franchise - Jarett Diaz Interview

On this episode of New to Wrestling: After Dark, we sit down with one of the sharpest minds—and smoothest talkers—in independent wrestling today: Jarett Diaz. From learning the ropes with a SmackDown writer in summer school, to grinding through the indies with wisdom beyond his years, Diaz brings a rare combo of humility, hustle, and heat.

We dive deep into his start behind the scenes at WWE, why he wrestles with a notebook full of goals (and how he lost it), the pressure of representing his community in a hometown title match, and what it really means to be the face of the franchise. Plus: Full Sail stories, training at Pete Dunne’s school, match psychology against legends like Rich Swann, and the unexpected family drama that unfolds when your mom wants to throw hands with Dan Maff.

This isn’t just an interview—it’s a wrestling masterclass from a rising star who’s not only chasing greatness, but lifting others as he climbs.

🎧 Listen now.

📱 Follow him at @thejarettdiaz

Catch Jarett Diaz in Action! 🥊🔥

• 🗓️ May 17 – Loud East Wrestling
• 📍Rockaway Beach, NY
• 🌊 Jarett takes on the East Coast crowd in what’s sure to be a high-impact showdown.

• 🗓️ May 25 – Shadow Wrestling Alliance x Brii Combination Wrestling
• 📍New Jersey
• 💥 The Uptown Boys (Jarett & Matty) take on the Tag Team Gauntlet at Anniversary 8 – and the New to Wrestling Podcast will be there!

• 🗓️ June 7 – Puerto Rican Weekend with House of Glory
• 🇵🇷 Back by popular demand — Jarett returns for HOG’s second Puerto Rican Weekend event after a standout debut!

Timestamps:

• [0:00] Viewer discretion disclaimer
• [0:27] Kelsey introduces Jarett Diaz
• [1:45] Jarett shares how an English teacher got him into wrestling
• [3:22] Seeing WWE creative scripts as a kid
• [6:29] Interning at WWE & learning at Full Sail University
• [9:17] How production experience shaped Jarett’s in-ring growth
• [10:22] Transitioning that knowledge into the indies & AEW
• [11:57] Thoughts on WWE’s new ID/Evolve indie scouting programs
• [14:50] Who’s on Jarett’s “must wrestle” list
• [17:38] Shouting out Robert Martyr + their match history
• [20:25] Why Jarett sees wrestling as a variety show
• [22:20] Superman tattoo, his dad, and deep family ties
• [24:47] The match journal Jarett lost (and the heartbreak)
• [26:26] Has he tried the shooting star press yet? Spoiler: no
• [28:13] Cody Rhodes as an inspiration & what “being the guy” means
• [32:31] Losing in his hometown—but thriving in the chase
• [35:04] His mom tried to find Dan Maff after the match 😂
• [37:00] The emotion of wrestling in front of his family
• [40:45] Match psychology: Facing a brawler vs. a high-flyer
• [43:59] Who makes wrestling hard? Wrestlers do.
• [47:06] Leading matches, learning from vets like Rich Swann & Tony Deppen
• [51:12] Tag team dynamics with The Uptown Boys
• [53:32] Social media, personal values, and balancing a public voice
• [1:00:16] Wrapping up with gratitude 

The New To Wrestling Podcast follows two friends who enjoy wrestling but are in different stages of their fandom. Xavier Cruz serves as your guide through generations of professional wrestling while Kelsey Silva experiences these matches for the first time. Climb into the ring weekly to relive the famous matches beginning with the Attitude Era!