The Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame: The Heels (Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame series) Review

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The Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame: The Heels (Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame series) ReviewFinally there's a book on the over-flowing wrestling literature market dedicated to the wrestlers that we, the enthusiastic legion of marks, absolutely love to hate. We call them bad guys, villains, or evil-doers, but in the carnival world of professional wrestling, they are known as "HEELS." The purpose of a wrestling heel is to create a buzz around a match or a storyline and influence the marks (fans) to buy tickets and maybe a little merchandise too - this "buzz" is called "HEAT." The heat generated by these sultans of immorality is ultimately the catalyst that builds up our favorite wrestlers, the ones we cheer for, into bonafide heroes. So in essence, the heel is the most important responsibility in a professional wrestling environment.
Established wrestling journalists, Greg Oliver and Steven Johnson, hit the road to conduct hundreds of interviews with wrestlers, managers, promoters, historians and many others to piece together mini-biographies of about seventy-five of the most hated grapplers of all-time. Starting with a top twenty, and then cycling through several categories such as Pioneers, Madmen, Monsters, Technicians, Foreigners and several others (I'm not going to spoil it for you!). All of your favorite bad guys are found in the latest publication in the "Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame" series. Previous Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame books featured compelling stories about Canadian wrestlers, and Tag Teams - both highly recommended.
My personal favorite heel of all-time, The Sheik, did make it to the top twenty but did not place first as I would have prophesized; however the top twenty is a veritable who's who of wrestling villainy.

Some other Hall of Fame heels you can look forward to reading about are (in no particular order); Randy Savage, George "The Animal" Steel, Gorgeous George, Fred Blassie, Gorilla Monsoon, Eddie Gilbert, Nick Bockwinkel, Ric Flair, Roddy Piper, Mr. Perfect, The Iron Sheik, Jake "the Snake" Roberts, Ted DiBiase, Bad News Allen, JBL, Rick Rude, Bulldog Brower (featured on the cover photo), Johnny Valentine, Terry Funk and that is only the tip of the blood-soaked iceberg. There is a perfect blend of old school and new school incorporated into this book and there are several chapters covering some very obscure wrestlers, who nevertheless are deserving of a mention in this book. All the many heel philosophies are covered in this book, from guys who use fear to manipulate the audience, to the connivers who use their superior intellect to outsmart their opponents, to the guys who pride themselves on being bar-room brawl specialists - you really get a feel for the art of being a wrestling bad guy in, and sometimes out of, the squared circle. It's a fascinating journey that manages to maintain a positive twist despite the focus on debauchery that occurs within the professional wrestling realm.
The wrestling industry has always been build on the philosophy of good vs. evil - but the truth of the matter is one cannot survive without the other. To quote my old pal, Diamond Dallas Page (who is not featured in this book), that's not a bad thing, that's a good thing!

Reviewed by Brad Dykens of OnlineWorldofWrestling.comThe Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame: The Heels (Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame series) OverviewAs the first comprehensive look at the ruffians, rascals, and rule breakers in the wrestling business, this history explains the rise of the wrestling villain, the reasons for his (or her) success, and the impact these sordid characters have had on the sport. Based on first-hand interviews with hundreds of wrestlers, managers, promoters, and historians, these entertaining profiles document wrestling's top rotten apples from the 1920s to today, providing plenty of support for the book's claim that fans love to hate the bad guys as much as they love to love the heroes. With remarkable candor, wrestling's troublemakers explain why they became villains and how they perceived and honed their roles; the sport is richer for the presence of the nefarious ones-and they know it. With more than 150 never-before-seen photos, this book will satisfy devoted fans and inspire everyone else to take a look at the exciting and often bizarre world of professional wrestling.

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Bang Your Head: The Real Story of The Missing Link Review

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Bang Your Head: The Real Story of The Missing Link ReviewFor those who remember pro wrestling before the explosion of popularity fueled by Hulk Hogan and WWF, there was territories where certain wrestlers were the superstars.
Dewey Robertson was one of these stars in regions - especially in Canada and Texas - before and during his gimmick as The Missing Link. In the classic Sports Illustrated story on pro wrestling - which featured Hulk Hogan on the cover - The Link had a photograph that essentially anchored the article on the emergence of pro wrestling in mainstream athletics.
But Robertson's climb through the ranks of the industry came with a price; a too-often told tale by those who sacrificed so much to get to the top. He doesn't blame anyone but himself for the actions that almost killed him.
Robertson - in a style that makes him sound as if he is sitting down and talking with you - does not cut corners in discussing how a variety of addictions left him virtually penniless, homeless for a period of time and estranged from a variety of family members and friends.
It is not a story without its light moments, especially when The Link finds himself in situations where he remains in character within daily settings.
From page one, Robertson stays the course of talking about experiences and individuals from what he recalls. It is an inspirational story, especially since the character remains a favorite with kids today; years after his national appearances in the WWF and WCCW.
There are plenty of wrestling autobiographies on the market, and so many become a means for the person to settle grudges outside the ropes. Robertson keeps the focus on his life and - for that alone - makes it a very special read.Bang Your Head: The Real Story of The Missing Link OverviewA much-loved character of U.S. and Canadian rope operas is revealed in this tale of the true-life events that led to the birth, life, and downfall of The Missing Link. The Link was a bizarre, seemingly primitive character, his body-builder's physique juxtaposed with the dress and manners of a silver screen caveman as he stalked the ring or bashed his head into objects. Dewey Robertson's performance was more than an act, however; it was also a manifestation of his inner demons. In the first part of his career, Robertson won the Canadian Heavyweight Championship belt, but it was only after his move to the U.S. that he transformed into one of wrestling's most popular goons. As the regional wrestling territories began to fold, his career crumbled and his physical and mental states disintegrated due to drug, alcohol, and steroid abuse. A year of homelessness and destitution marked the nadir of his life, but when Robertson returned to Canada for a long recovery he found that his fans had not forgotten him. Written with candor and the wisdom of experience, this account tells of struggles with substance-and with self-and of strength both in and out of the ring.

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Catch Wrestling, Round Two: More Wild and Wooly Tales From the Early Days of Pro Wrestling Review

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Catch Wrestling, Round Two: More Wild and Wooly Tales From the Early Days of Pro Wrestling ReviewAs usual Paladin Press does a sales pitch, they talk a fish out of water. They just know how to sell stuff, even if it isn't what it promised. I mean they reprint 100 year old wrestling books. It would be a decent thing for them to at least release a DVD with these black and white pro wrestling matches in them. That would help these books out. At one point or another I came across their other ones. That's what sucks, they tell you it was "match of the century" and then they just tell you about it. Without ever seeing it. Paladin Press should buy the rights to these matches and sell a DVD with them. I know there's commercial videos out there. Those "budget" DVDs, with matches with Lou Thesz on them. Hell over at the [...] Their "classics on demand" section. They got some of Lou Thesz matches on there.
THE ONLY STUFF THAT SUCKS ABOUT THIS BOOK
1) A lot like the first Catch Wrestling book. It's like reading a sports section of the news page in a newspaper. That's what it feels like. At least this man knows what he's talking about. When he goes into detail about the "gory stuff".
2) The real downside to any of these 2 books. Well, they don't show you pictures of the large capacity crowds. They don't show pictures, or go too into detail about where these wrestling matches took place. It could be a carnival, or a opera/music hall. They should include pictures of that.
3) I heard back in this generation of Catch Wrestling. That one of the main rules was. The match usually took place in the CENTER of the ring. That the matches would just be like an hour long of staying in "the clinch".
All in all, good read.Catch Wrestling, Round Two: More Wild and Wooly Tales From the Early Days of Pro Wrestling OverviewTake another trip back to the raucous early days of pro wrestling as Mark Hewitt brings you even more blow-by-blow accounts of dozens of the most famous and infamous mat battles of the day, as well as the backstage stories of the colorful characters who crisscrossed the country from the 1880s to the 1960s in search of fame, glory and cold, hard cash.From all-comers matches to high-profile card events, from dirt lots and carnivals to packed arenas, from country boys to skilled scientific wrestlers, the fighting lore is packed in here tighter than a Strangler Lewis headlock. Filled with extremely rare photos culled from the libraries of fight fans and historians and the family scrapbooks of the wrestlers themselves, Catch Wrestling: Round Two offers up such gems as:The most notorious double-cross in wrestling historyLondon's legendary Alhambra Tournament of 1908Japanese sensation Matsada Sorakichi's U.S. debutWrestler vs. boxer mixed matchesCelebrity referees, celebrity wrestlers and the French AngelThe Gracie brothers and the fight scene in 1930s Rio de Janeiro
Read the true stories of Tigerman Pesek, Midget Fischer, Earl Caddock, Billy Wicks, Lou Thesz, and all the other grapplers who paid for their place in sports history with blood, sweat and pain.

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Catch Wrestling: A Wild and Wooly Look at the Early Days of Pro Wrestling in America Review

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Catch Wrestling: A Wild and Wooly Look at the Early Days of Pro Wrestling in America ReviewMark Hewitt has done a fantastic job of tracing the development of Pro Wrestling from its roots to the beginning of the modern era. From the tough "Lancashire" style brought by British immigrants, and adapted by local "champions" taking on all comers, right through the development and refinement of the "worked" sport we know today.
I particularly enjoyed the anecdote by Karl Von Hess, a top star of the '50s, and 60's. He describes a match with John Peseck (one of the famous "shooters" of the early '20s) then over 60 years old. Von Hess decided to test the old man to see what he had. In no time Peseck had the younger man flat on the mat, and twisted like a pretzel!
Peseck whispered to his foe "don't f--- around kid!" Having learned a valuable lesson Von Hess hastly agreed not to "f--- around." This book is full of stories from primary sources detailing Pro Wrestling's evolution.
Modern fans might be surprized to learn that in earlier times, pro wrestling looked a lot like modern Mixed Martial Arts, complete with Japanese Jiu Jitsu experts challengin the Catch wrestlers in a bid to determine which style was superior.
This is a terrific book. I reccomend it highly!Catch Wrestling: A Wild and Wooly Look at the Early Days of Pro Wrestling in America OverviewAnything-goes catch wrestling from England merged with the rough-and-tumble fighting of the American frontier to spawn one of the most lethal fighting arts ever - North American catch-as-catch-can wrestling.This book chronicles the exploits of an elite group of wrestlers who took on all comers in packed arenas, carnivals and dirt lots all across America.Contains matches featuring wrestler, boxers and jiu-jitsu practitioners and a superb collection of old photos, poster and ads.

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Chris & Nancy: The True Story of the Benoit Murder-Suicide and Pro Wrestling's Cocktail of Death Review

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Chris & Nancy: The True Story of the Benoit Murder-Suicide and Pro Wrestling's Cocktail of Death ReviewI'll readily admit that I don't follow professional wrestling at all...but this book is a tremendous effort by Irv Muchnick. He pulled out all of the stops in his investigative efforts, from filing Freedom of Information Act requests, to interviewing many of the key players who were involved in the Benoit investigation. He's left no stone unturned, as he reveals all of the text messages, public statements, and official documents to back up his words. He proves, beyond a shadow of a doubt that the WWE was well aware of the fact that this was a grisly double murder/suicide, even as they went to air with their Benoit Tribute episode - and that's not all! The book reads like any good true crime novel, but has the added elements of the author speaking to you in first person at times, describing the various walls he hit, and the attempts at a cover up, that he experienced during the investigative process.
Whether you're a fan of professional wrestling, true crime, or just a good story, this book doesn't let you down.Chris & Nancy: The True Story of the Benoit Murder-Suicide and Pro Wrestling's Cocktail of Death OverviewExploring the steroid-fueled world of professional wrestling, this riveting chronicle lays bare the devastating events that led to the 2007 murder-suicide of Chris Benoit, his wife Nancy, and their seven-year-old son, Daniel. Benoit's performance-enhancing drug addiction-massive amounts of doctor-prescribed human growth hormone were found in Benoit's home-and subsequent suicide proved to be the tipping point for the professional wrestling world, resulting in unprecedented scrutiny of the sport's subpar health and safety standards. Using public records, dozen of interviews with those inside and outside of wrestling, and investigative results, this authoritative analysis provides an uncompromising look at the price athletes pay in this rough-and-tumble world.

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Swimming with Piranhas: Surviving the Politics of Professional Wrestling Review

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Swimming with Piranhas: Surviving the Politics of Professional Wrestling ReviewIf you have found this book you are probably a avid pro wrestling fan. You probably have purchased dozens of wrestling related books and like myself, are somewhat of a expert on the subject. It is hard for any of us to get excited about another "Tell All" story about the life of a wrestler. There are so many of these books out there that when one FINALLY comes around with a truly different story it really should spark some interest. I found this book at a local book store and figured I would give it a chance since Howard Brody isn't a wrestler at all... He is a former promotor and National Wrestling Alliance (NWA) President.
I couldn't be been more happy with my purchase. Howard has an amazing memory of his life's work. I've often wondered what it would be like working with the wrestlers and this story not only goes into detail vividly, but Howard also puts the reader right in the board room with the biggest promotors of the NWA during that time. You will hear what Bill Behrens, Dennis Coralluzzo and Tony Rumble were like behind closed doors. However, they really are tame compared to the crazy lifestyle of former UWF owner, Herb Abrams.
I guess what really made the book so special was that you could see Howard really tried to do the best job he could even at his personal expense. He was not above pointing the finger directly at himself which adds to his credibility. You will also see what a great man Hiro Matsuda really was. (Matsuda trained Hulk Hogan and Lex Luger among many others.)
I totally enjoyed this book. Howard is a terrific writer and I hope he will write some more wrestling related books. A+++ read!!
Scott PorterSwimming with Piranhas: Surviving the Politics of Professional Wrestling OverviewExposing wrestling's inner workings and back-office deal making, this memoir is a hard-hitting firsthand look at the sport from Howard Brody, one of its most controversial promoters. Beginning with how he became involved with professional wrestling and produced his first television program, it then focuses on his time as president of the National Wrestling Alliance and reveals the truth behind the rumors surrounding his departure from the organization. Brody's relationships with many of wrestling's most powerful and creative figures-Vince and Linda McMahon, Eric Bischoff, Paul Heyman, Tod Gordon, Antonio Inoki, Hiro Matsuda, the Funks, Dusty Rhodes, Jim Cornette, and Hulk Hogan-are discussed in detail, revealing many little-known details about the behind-the-scenes negotiations involved in booking and promoting shows. From dealing with building and talent managers to working with radio and television stations, Brody explains the nuances of booking promotions, discusses the nature of negotiating and selling wrestling to television networks and sponsors, and divulges fascinating details about many aspects of working in the wrestling business.

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