I once tried pro wrestling in my 20s. The experiment only lasted 90 days when a bad concussion resulting in vertigo knocked me out of my pro wrestling dreams. That being said, I’ve always appreciated what “sports entertainment” has provided. And as I’ve gotten older, I appreciate more and more what these athletes go through to leave crowds both satisfied and hungry for more.
There’s a lot of wrestling autobiographies out there, but very few from the writers who create the storylines.
I loved how Brian Gewirtz took me behind the scenes with his outrageous stories on what goes into making the WWE universe so entertaining. Brian’s self-deprecating humor, mixed with every writer’s insecure inner monologue, makes this a must-read for wrestling fans.
A great, easy read if you’re a fan of the WWE "Attitude" era.
Former WWE head writer Brian Gewirtz brings readers behind the scenes for an unprecedented look at the chaotic, surreal, unbelievable backstage world of the WWE.With untold stories from a career spanning over 15 years and featuring the biggest names and controversial moments in wrestling history, HEELS AND HEROES is an honest, unflinching look on how an introverted life-long fan unexpectedly became one the most powerful men in all of professional wrestling.For decades wrestling was shrouded in secrecy. It had larger than life personalities, bone crunching physicality and jaw-dropping theatrics but backstage it was an industry devoid of outsiders. Then in…
I loved this book for the author’s strong voice in telling one of pro wrestling’s greatest tragedies.
The book is heavily researched and provides not only a glimpse into the psyche of the central character, Chris Benoit, but reveals the dark side of wrestling and the crazy demands and unfair practices promoters use on pro wrestlers.
In Ring of Hell: The Story of Chris Benoit & The Fall of The Pro Wrestling Industry, author Matthew Randazzo V explores the events leading up to the grisly demise of World Wrestling Entertainment superstar Chris Benoit. In an unexpected, although not altogether surprising fit of madness in June, 2007, Benoit strangled his wife, choked his seven-year-old son to death and then hung himself from his own weight machine.
Beyond Benoit's twisted story, Randazzo's shocking expose delves deep into the scandals and cover-ups of the global wrestling industry, where drug addictions, sociopathic superstars and broken families are the norm and…
I loved this book for the pure nostalgia of the Monday night wrestling wars from the late 90s.
The author provides a nice chronological story of how the NWO rose to stardom and then fizzled out, as most things do in wrestling. The story of the NWO logo creation was a great peek-behind-the-curtain, as were the parts on the WWE/WCW legal trademark battles on characters and their catchphrases.
From ESPN reporter Marc Raimondi comes a compelling, gripping narrative history of professional wrestling's legendary faction, The NWO (New World Order), from their inception in 1996 to their influence on American pop culture today.
In 1996, professional wrestling was one of the most watched sports on cable television, with more than 5 million people tuning in every week. And in the late 1990s, pro-wrestling was the hottest thing in American pop culture, with companies making millions in action figures, video games, and simple black t-shirts emblazoned with three little letters: NWO.
I always enjoy a book that is straightforward and entertaining. This book is both.
Luger is one of the most fascinating wrestlers out there, and he tells a candidly honest tale about his rise to the top and descent in the depths of hell. I loved how raw and candid the subject was, pulling no punches.
Kudos to co-writer John D. Hollis for giving the story its structure and pacing.
Lex Luger, wrestling megasensation and three-time world heavyweight champion, ruled the ring for years as “The Total Package.” Whether he was making a dramatic entrance from a helicopter, defeating champ Hulk Hogan, or sculpting a near-perfect physique, Lex was on top of his game. Yet backstage, he was wrestling with addictions to sex, drugs, and alcohol―things he clung to even when his mistress died suddenly of a drug overdose and Lex went to jail. There, Lex faced the truth: he was losing the fight for his life. And still awaiting him was his most brutal opponent yet, when the wrestling…
I loved this book for just how unique the premise was.
I always wondered how presidents managed their time, and how they were able to squeeze in exercise with their demanding schedules. I was highly entertained throughout the book with the little nuggets of fun information Jon Finkel provided.
It seems like Jon had fun writing it, too, and his quips and light-heartedness jump off the page.
For the first time in US History, every single president's athletic ability has been researched, reviewed and ranked by acclaimed author Jon Finkel (GQ, Men's Fitness, Life of Dad, The Athlete).
Which president saved 77 lives as a lifeguard? Which one's lucky handball is still sitting in the Smithsonian over a century after he last played with it? Which president invented a sport? Or practiced jiu-jitsu three afternoons a week while in office? Or was an NCAA champion? The answers to these questions (in order: Reagan, Lincoln, Hoover, T. Roosevelt, Ford) don't even scratch the surface of the awesome athletic…
In Cleveland, there’s a place where sweat, steak, and friendship collide. Tucked away in a dead-end road in the once-bustling area of Kinsman, the Schvitz is where men have come for decades to let it all hang out. Wrapped in towels and mystery, this non-descript, utilitarian building has captured the hearts and pores of many.
There’s a lot of questions around the Schvitz. Is it just a Jewish thing? Why is it where it is? Why do men (and now more recently, women) love this place?
