By MOLLY CLARK
After spending 38 years in the WWE, working alongside Hulk Hogan, Andre the Giant, The Rock, and Kurt Angle, icon John Chimel was furloughed amid the COVID-19 pandemic, and eventually released. Chimel is now a Trader Joe’s employee, after seeing a “Now Hiring” sign and applying on a whim.
The former WWE announcer got the job after someone in upper management recognized him, even though Chimel admitted that he hadn’t ever shopped at Trader Joe’s before. He is now settling in and finding a common ground between the grocery chain and the WWE – they both aim to make people happy.
Chimel told Chris Van Vliet on the podcast "Insight" that he’s enjoying his new eight-hour workdays, as opposed to doing 7 a.m. to 12 a.m. shifts at the WWE. Appreciating Trader Joe's customer service-focused approach, loyal customers, and supportive management, Chimel believes he is now “one of them.”