A Lion's Tale: Around the World in Spandex
Author: Chris Jericho, Peter Thomas Fornatale
Publisher: Grand Central Publishing
Released: 10/07
The Good
When it was revealed that Chris Jericho was releasing an autobiography at the age of 36, it seemed strange. Although he had so far had an impressive career, Jericho had never reached that top echelon that everyone thought he would when he jumped to the WWF in 1999. This book attempted to be not a memoir of a storied career, but rather a “dreams come true” story. In that sense, it fulfilled its goal. Jericho had many obstacles to overcome throughout his career and when made his highly touted debut in the WWF, his dream came true and that’s where this book ends. So, if you’re a WWF/WWE fan, you’re going to have to wait. This book talks about his world travels and does so in the most humorous and entertaining manner that a pro-wrestling autobiography has ever done. Jericho did not intend this to be solely for pro-wrestling fans and certainly not WWF/WWE fans, but it certainly helps the enjoyment if you are the former. He breaks it up into several parts: his childhood and years on the Canadian indies, Mexico, Germany, Smoky Mountain, Japan, ECW and WCW. This comprehensive career being captured makes this a great resource. And if you know people like Dr. Luther, Drew McDonald, El Dandy and Bruiser Bedlam, this book has a different level of enjoyment. Personally, this was very enjoyable. I grew up listening to the same music, loving hockey and, of course, marking out for all things pro-wrestling, so Jericho’s references to these in jokes made this a classic for me. This was a fast and addictive read that was well composed, well edited and well organized. This is inarguably a new must-have for pro-wrestling fans.
The Bad
Jericho’s decisions to omit his WWF/WWE run, leave in kind words and photos with Chris Benoit and seek out a non-WWE publisher could all be strikes against this. Ending at August 1999, leaves this open for a follow-up that could be published by the WWE, but the issue of his partnership/rivalry with Chris Benoit is a huge stumbling block to overcome if he decides to write that book. The jokes and references may not harm this, but it certainly caters to a small crowd. Although he has stated this is not just for pro-wrestling fans, it does not seem like a book that non-fans would necessarily enjoy. Perhaps, but this is definitely not as non-fan-friendly as other books. As with any autobiography, Chris Jericho could be knocked for having a big ego or being bitter about some things, but in comparison to some of his peers, he seems like Mr. Positive. Other than those few relatively mild knocks, this book is hard to fault.
The Rating: *****

Brody: The Triumph and Tragedy of Wrestling's Rebel
Author, Ghost Writer, Editor: Larry Matysik & Barbara Goodish
Publisher: ECW Press
Released: 8/07
The Good
There are numerous pro-wrestlers who have carried a certain mystique about them and Bruiser Brody is one of those for sure. His tale is unique, his legacy is complex and his death was tragic. Like many other pro-wrestling tragedies, there was a captivating book to be written and luckily reliable sources produced it. Larry Matysik, a close friend, works with the widow of Frank "Bruiser Brody" Goodish and many of his closest friends to tell his story. Amongst those quoted are: Stan Hansen, Buck Robley, Gary Hart and Pete Ortega, who was a long-time non-wrestling friend. There is much depth in telling about not only about his achievements in pro-wrestling, but his distinct place as an "outlaw" in the 1970s and 1980s. In addition, his widow adds a personalized touch that makes the man behind the Bruiser Brody more real. This book has dimensions to it that few others do. Although it is a biography, it offers more than the vast majority of existing pro-wrestling autobiograhies out there. This book offers accurate facts, interesting quotations and good commentary. Hopefully it lays the foundation for similar biographies done in the future.
The Bad
Like Wrestling at the Chase, Matysik's stories can be scattered and disconnected from the flow of the story. Furthermore, he is not one to blast others, which seems like that may be in contrast to Frank Goodish, the shrewd businessman, and Bruiser Brody, the dominating and sometimes vicious wrestler. Matysik gives little voice to those who did not like Goodish and thus this seems like an incomplete story. The chapters by Barbara Goodish will probably bore some as they delve into her personal story, Goodish's home life and the emotions she felt and feels in relation to his murder. Although this book is solid, it lacks that element that really pulls you in and keeps you pulled in throughout.
The Rating: ****

Benoit: Wrestling with the Horror that Destroyed a Family and Crippled a Sport
Author, Ghost Writer, Editor: Steven Johnson, Greg Oliver, Heath McCoy, Irv Muchnick
Publisher: ECW Press
Released: 11/07
The Good
The Chris Benoit tragedy spawned a media blitz that pro-wrestling has never experienced before. The details, the speculation and the commentaries were all so inconsistent in their accuracy and fairness that it made it difficult to know where to look for “real” reporting. Immediately after this event, the media hopped on to it, once it cooled off, more information that shed light on the situation, but it did not exactly make it to print. That is why books like this can be important. If they are thoughtful and impartial, this is the only way the “truth” of this horrible situation can get out into the world. This was the first and while it may be lacking due to its hasty writing and publishing, it lacks nothing in the way of quality. It is comprised of four essays by four of the very best pro-wrestling writers there are. Greg Oliver and Heath McCoy provide the biographical details of Chris and Nancy that give this collection some depth and humanity that this story is often lacking. Irv Mushnick’s piece had a lot of bite in a provocative commentary. However, Steven Johnston’s thorough look into the media’s handling of this situation was the highlight of this book. It was one that could have been easily consumed by a non-fan and was respectful to the fan (i.e. most of the buyers of this book). This book is an excellent attempt to get at some of the major problems in the handling of this story, the pro-wrestling industry and the now tarnished legacy of one of the sports most widely respected workers.
The Bad
Rushing this to the printing press certainly limited the depth that this could have because all the facts, details and scientific tests were still not out. The two key elements missing were: the test results in regards to Chris Benoit’s brain and the disturbing nature of his diary. The latter is alluded to, but Michael Benoit (Chris’s father) waited to make some of the information in it public. The brain issue though is paramount. In my opinion, the severe damage that Benoit’s brain had suffered is the single most important factor in his downfall. Steroids, loss of friends, depression, family problems and drug addiction were probably all contributors, but the fact that his brain was not functioning properly is the most telling detail. Not surprisingly it is the one factor that got no play during the media feeding frenzy and is not central in this book as it should be in looking at this tragedy. That omission aside, Irv Mushnick’s piece in this book seems to be so heavy-handed that one might wonder if Phil Mushnick (New York Post’s notorious anti-wrestling advocate) did not write it. While he admits it lacks scientific backing, it does talk heavily about scientific matters. One could see how a pro-wrestling fan could be left with a sour taste in their mouth by closing this book with Mushnick’s contribution. It does make one curious about Wrestling Babylon though! A last complaint - the writing of this book delayed the forthcoming PWHOF - The Heroes book by Johnston and Oliver.
The Rating: ***3/4

Pro-Wrestling Hall of Fame: The Heels
Author, Ghost Writer, Editor: Greg Oliver, Steven Johnson
Publisher: ECW Press
Released: 6/07
The Good
This is a top notch pro-wrestling historical piece. It has a fascinating topic, it covers this topic with great detail and insight, it has a great organizational thread and it is simply a fun read. Oliver and Johnson topped their excellent Tag Teams book with something even deeper and better written. Although it has been a page-turner, it is nice because one can read it little by little without losing anything. While those included and unincluded are always cause for debate, reading about men like Bulldog Brower (who graces the cover wonderfully), The Great Mephisto, Adrian Street, Ripper Collins and other under appreciated heels of yesteryear is wonderful. The different groupings: top twenty (five), pioneers, madmen, egoists, monsters, technicians, connivers, tough guys and foreigners is a fantastic setup that delves into the need for variety to heels. In a time when "true" heels no longer exist, this is beautiful reminder of what pro-wrestling was and still can be.
The Bad
Oliver and Johnson have improved markedly with each PWHOF book and this is no exception. It is tempting to give this the full five stars, but it is not without fault and what if they produce another book that is superior to this? The flaws of this book are largely the flaws of the last offering - Tag Teams. The characters in the top twenty are debatable, which is expected. The omissions of non-American/Canadian wrestlers dampers this book's legitimacy as well. However, this is understood going in because that has been the case throughout. What one might be able to point to in this one is the questionable inclusion of people like Chris Colt, Beauregarde, Black Angus Campbell and Eric the Red who are not really on the level of many of these legendary heels. Others may point to current stars like Randy Orton and Edge as people who have yet to peak, so their inclusion is questionable as well. It is difficult to say.
The Rating: ****3/4

National Wrestling Alliance: The Untold Story of the Monopoly That Strangled Pro Wrestling
Author, Ghost Writer, Editor: Tim Hornbaker
Publisher: ECW Press
Released: 5/07
The Good
Tim Hornbaker’s book on the history of the NWA is perhaps the most comprehensive on pro-wrestling that will be written. He essentially tells the story of pro-wrestling in much of North America and even Japan over the last hundred years. While this could have been narrower in scope, Hornbaker took liberties to be more far-reaching and almost encyclopedic in approach. The main thread is detailing the formation of the Alliance, its developments, its challenges from “outlaw” promoters and even the U.S. government, the decline of the Alliance and the stories of all the players. The immense amounts of information make this superior to Chokehold and Sex, Lies and Headlocks, which had similar goals. Hornbaker has chapters dedicated to “Strangler” Lewis, Toots Mondt, Sam Muchnick, Fred Kohler and Lou Thesz, which all relate to the NWA story through fascinating mini-bios. He also has thorough pieces on numerous key pro-wrestlers who often doubled as bookers and promoters. Perhaps more interestingly, Hornbaker covers nearly everyone who has ever been an Alliance member, which are stories seldom told because they were often not performers or that aspect of their career is not told. This book is a must-have for the pro-wrestling historian.
The Bad
Tim Hornbaker’s book is as extensive a book on pro-wrestling history as there is on the market. In just over three hundred and fifty pages, he shoehorns an amazing amount of detailed information. Unlike the history in books like Pain and Passion, Death of WCW and some autobiographies by wrestler/promoters, Hornbaker’s writing style is more substance over style. The complaints of a friend who felt the boringness of this book had overshadowed all the great information inside were convincing. This is not a “fun” read, the two lawsuit chapters are, in fact, largely dull, despite their importance. However, just as one would not read an encyclopedia from cover to cover, so is the case here. This book is a phenomenal resource and a lackluster pleasure book.
The Rating: ****3/4

Pain and Passion: The History of Stampede Wrestling
Author, Ghost Writer, Editor: Heath McCoy
Publisher: CanWest Books
Released: 3/06
The Good
The reviews I read of this book were generally very positive. McCoy told a great story of a man, Stu Hart, his family that was inseparably tied to the sport he could never give up and the pro-wrestling promotion that they were tied to for so many years. McCoy is frank about the negatives and does not try to romanticize his story. The depravity, cruelty and anguish are all there and he must be applauded for his honesty. Much of this story has been told before, but McCoy has masterfully weaved several different stories together to produce something original. I particularly enjoyed the saga of Bruce Hart, who is tragic character (often by choice it seems). The history of the promotion and its significance to Calgary and Canada made this book hard to put down in parts. McCoy used his journalistic abilities to produce the definitive book on a pro-wrestling territory. I hope this standard is followed by others in the future be it in other books or documentaries.
The Bad
Biographies of Stu Hart (by a family friend) and Owen Hart (by his widow), the autobiographies of Dynamite Kid and Diana Hart in addition to the Calgary Sun columns by Bret Hart and the Wrestling with Shadows documentary have all told much of this story. I can see how this might have redundant spots, but McCoy tries to intermingle those sources with personal interviews and his own thoughts. He downplays aspects of Stampede that die-hards might not like and exertnal influences that more mainstream fans might not like.
The Rating: ****1/2

Wrestling at the Chase: The Inside Story of Sam Muchnick and the Legends of Professional Wrestling
Author, Ghost Writer, Editor: Larry Matysik
Publisher: ECW Press
Released: ?/06
The Good
Larry Matysik played a pivotal role in one of the most important pro-wrestling hotbeds - St. Louis. In this book, he tells his story, but of greater to interest to fans, he tells the story of St. Louis, Sam Muchnick (the promoter and president of the NWA) and the characters who came and went. I enjoyed the layout and Matysik's storytelling. It did feel a little like a wrestling magazine article at times, but it was usually captivating content. He did a good job explaining aspects of pro-wrestling that are seldom explored and I fully recommend this book to people interested in pre-80s wrestling and even some of the characters from WWF's national expansion days.
The Bad
For many people, they're wondering, who is Larry Matysik? I know he's a credible source, but do others? I think the format is a bit scattered for some and they might want more depth. Matysik certainly did not write a book where he built himself up and/or tore others down. He is honest and sincere and I think that might not peak many people's interest.
The Rating: ****

The Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame: The Tag Teams
Author, Ghost Writer, Editor: Greg Oliver, Steven Johnson
Publisher: ECW Press
Released: 8/05
The Good
All of the "Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame" books are excellent. They have thought-provoking lists, they give necessary props to forgotten wrestlers and they give some well-written bios on some of pro-wrestling's most interesting and complex characters. When I flipped through this in a Borders bookstore, I thought it looked interesting, but put off picking it up. When I finally got my hands on it, I really enjoyed its style. I have a busy schedule and sometimes resent a book if it is so good I struggle to put it down. This is great, but it is laid out in pieces, so I can comfortably read some here and some there without losing anything. I would jump around anyway, so it works well.
The Bad
People will always knock these list books for one thing or another. Yes, they omitted Japanese, Mexican, European and other country's great tag teams. Probably the greatest tag team of all-time is not who they said it is. People can and will complain about these books and those complaints are valid. Should you be writing about a short-lived WWF tag team with a bee gimmick when Toshiaki Kawada and Akira Taue are left unmentioned as one of the most amazing units ever to pair? How about Los Hermanos Shadow? I could go on, but I won't. I think it is suffice to say that while this is an excellent historical book, its limited scope hurts its legitimacy, even though the authors made that omission willingly.
The Rating: ****1/4

Terry Funk: More than Just Hardcore
Author, Ghost Writer, Editor: Terry Funk, Scott Williams
Publisher: ECW Press
Released: 3/05
The Good
One of the most storied careers that reaches into more facets of pro-wrestling than perhaps anyone is that of Terry Funk. A second-generation pro-wrestler who grew up learning from the old-timers only a generation removed from the carnival hookers, Funk’s respect for pro-wrestling’s history is strong without being overly romantic. He criticizes Lou Thesz’s selfishness and the bitterness of old codgers who think the current product has nothing to do with pro-wrestling. Funk’s glory days in the US territories and All Japan are filled with funny anecdotes, astute observations and sound explanations. He is self-effacing without undermining his legacy and he gives candid comments without apology. Terry Funk seems like a man genuinely satisfied with his accomplishments and the bitterness just does not ruin his autobiography as it does others. Although he had his share of personal, physical and career-related problems, Funk does not excessively detail them. He gives pro-wrestling fans a book they want. Scott Williams channeled the Bill Watts’ story into an excellent book, but I would argue that this is better. What it lacks in booking psychology it makes up for in sharp insight into cutting promos, business shifts and stylistic changes.
The Bad
The only complaints I could make about this are the limited length. Obviously, Terry Funk’s in-ring career has spanned four decades and that could supply substantial material for a lengthy book. Heck, Mick Foley produced to bulky opuses with a career that was half that length. Funk also grew up in the business and has been involved as an owner and booker in addition to his in-ring experience. Terry Funk’s career seemed like something so massive and daunting that it could never fully be encapsulated in a average length autobiography. Scott Williams does a tremendous job, but will it satiate everyone’s appetites for territorial wrestling, hardcore wrestling and modern sports entertainment? The paying fans and pending reviews will be the best barometer of Williams’ achievement.
The Rating: ****1/2

The Cowboy and the Cross - The Bill Watts Story: Rebellion, Wrestling and Redemption
Author, Ghost Writer, Editor: Bill Watts, Scott Williams
Publisher: ECW Press
Released: 1/06
The Good
I anticipated this book for a long time and it didn't disappoint. Bill Watts' shoot interview with RF Video is arguably the best in their history and this book is more orderly version of that. He has a colored past and delves into without coming across as bitter or proud of his bad-old-days, he is wiser. His wrestling career is very interesting because few know about his accomplishments and that he was in fact an NWA Championship caliber talent. He was very successful before getting involved in booking and promoting and he is very honest about it. He pulls no punches, but often realizes the folly of his old ways. In regards to booking, his words are unmatched. Watts carefully explains numerous decisions with an eye for detail that is baffling. Scott Williams captured his genius in a way no one, not even his own words, has before. That is the strength of this book without question.
The Bad
Many pro-wrestling books are the story of men who have climbed to the top and fallen hard before being saved. It makes sense that in their reflecting time, they (or a ghost writer) get it down and they sell it off. It is a way of testifying to god's glory because he saved them from a life of sin. Watts' book is very much one of those. It seems genuine though and he was not willing to cut that down to a degree that "most" pro-wrestling fans would like to read. While I appreciate his dedication to his faith and the deep reflection he emparts...pro-wrestling fans will not take to that (generally speaking, of course). He is writing to an audience that enjoys a product that he is almost damning. It is a strange parallel that many of the wrestling writers partake in.
The Rating: ****1/2

Superstar Billy Graham: Tangled Ropes
Author, Ghost Writer, Editor: Billy Graham, Keith Elliot Greenberg
Publisher: World Wrestling Entertainment
Released: 1/06
The Good
Superstar Billy Graham's life story was truly fascinating and utterly captivating. From his strange youth to his reoccuring faith, Wayne Coleman, the man, has led quite a life. Then add the pro-wrestling and it becomes an almost unbelievable tale. From his rapid assention as a stick-working, steroid-abusing trendsetter who had great runs in several major places and was one of the biggest stars of the 70s due to his WWWF championship run. Then he fell and fell hard with personal battles with addictions, physical battles with his ailing health and spiritual battles with his sinful existence, Superstar Billy Graham's life after 1979 is unbelievable in its tragedy. Even today he is a physical wreck, but he has survived and reconciled and restoring his legacy. I've yet to read a biting review of this, although I have not read much other than the expected fan banter.
The Bad
Common gripes one might have about this book: too religious, too political, too scattered and too undermining of himself. Wayne Coleman is a devout evangelical Christian and has had strong ties to people who are, so of course he's going to have some strong views and will tell his "born again" story. Some might find it unnecessary, but it is crucially important to his life throughout and I think he downplays it quite a bit for mass consumption. The political aspects are interesting. He was a strong advocate of nailing the WWF to the wall for steroids and was fueled by a lot of bitterness. Jerry McDevitt (Vince's lawyer) gets to take a few whacks for those "lies" and Superstar says over and over how he lied. That's his call, but I think there was a lot of truth in his so-called lies. He had the chance to come back, make some money, tell his story and be involved, of course he's going to make some careful decisions in what he says, who he puts over and who he buries (practically no one because he's not bitter). I felt some of the details in his stories seemed unnecessary and some of time shifts seem sudden, but that's more bad ghost writing and editing than any fault of his own. Finally, I honestly felt it was hard to feel great empathy for a man who was so hard-headed, so angry and so reckless with his family. His new lease on life is wonderful and his legacy is great, but Superstar Billy Graham did a lot to damage pro-wrestling (i.e. popularizing steroided physiques) and often neglected and abused the greatest thing in his life - his wife Valerie.
The Rating: ****

King of the Ring: The Harley Race Story
Author, Ghost Writer, Editor: Harley Race, Gerry Tritz
Publisher: Sports Publishing
Released: 11/04
The Good
The pro-wrestling book craze has led to many of the old-timers publishing their memoirs to make some money and each book has it's own account of a part of history. Harley Race's in-ring career spanned from the early 60s to the late 80s, a time period that saw power shifts in the NWA and ultimately their demise and the rise of the WWF. He was not only a top pro-wrestler during that time, he was a touring NWA World Champion, booker in numerous places, part owner of the Kansas City territory and one of many who joined Vince after a tough battle against him. He candidly covers all that and wraps up things by talking about managing, retirement, his school and his recent involvement with various people and companies. All of this is fine and well. He talks about his numerous accidents that has left his body shattered, the importance of his family and even his faith, which is really the material most original to this book. This is one of those brief autobiographies that you'll enjoy if you like the wrestler and maybe don't know their story very well and haven't heard their shoot interviews.
The Bad
Any book that mentions Lex Luger several times and paints him in a positive light can't be good, can it? Actually, the big fault of this book is it's length, less than 200 pages. The chronology is good, but Race's fast-life seems to have made for a fast-book. I read this in a 24 hour period, which I had never done with a pro-wrestling book and was never had that "I can't tear myself away" feeling. Tritz is not the best ghostwriter, since he lacks credibility in many ways and probably kept this from being the book it should have been. Race was just as important as someone like Ole Anderson, but he never explains running a territory, how to book or any of that. In fact, he seems like a mark for himself just like Ole said he was. There are plenty of bad wrestling books, this isn't one of them, but it's far from the best. Borrow it if you can, read it in a day or two and you should be mildly satisfied.
The Rating: **1/2

Death of WCW
Author, Ghost Writer, Editor: Bryan Alvarez, R.D. Reynolds
Publisher: ECW Press
Released: 10/04
The Good
This book had to be written and not by a bias insider, the company who bought it or with any agenda. The truth is no one person killed WCW, it was just a series of mistakes by inept and insecure people: Eric Bischoff, Kevin Nash, Hulk Hogan, Vince Russo and the suits who made many decisions from above. If you followed the so-called "Monday Night Wars," you won't learn too much, but you'll probably learn a little and get so angry by the booking ridiculous. Read this to enjoy and laugh off the nonsence and don't get to upset by the past.
The Bad
A great deal of this is perspective, which has its bad points. This is largely retelling the story and highlighting, but this definitely could have had more insightful analysis. It fell inbetween goofy and detailed. They could have built detailed cases based on hard numbers: TV ratings, buyrates, money spent, houses drawn, etc. and they did it to an extent, but you have to take their reasoning for certain numbers with a grain of salt. Reynolds cut out a good deal of stuff that was covered in Wrestlecrap or edited to fit things better, which left out some key things out. I've read some interesting knocks of how this books unfairly favors "workers," which is true, but I actually think they were pretty fair-handed about this.
The Rating: ****1/4

Tributes II: Remembering More of the World's Greatest Professional Wrestlers
Author, Ghost Writer, Editor: Dave Meltzer
Publisher: Sports Publishing
Released: 9/04
The Good
What's funny is I gave the first Tributes book 5 out of 5 and this is definitely better. I think the obit choices were good, the knowns, forgottens and reworks (Andre and Owen). This is much more detailed than the first and though I'd read his WON obits on all but a few of these people, I still enjoyed it greatly. I truly feel he is able to write among the most intriguing short biographies on people as he has an honest, yet honorary approach.
The Bad
Unfortunately, most of these people had died since the last book, which is morbid to think about. That aside, I had a WON subscription during that time, so only four or five were new to me. I felt Wahoo McDaniel and Johnny Valentine have better stories than what he captured, but he did a fair job considering his limited resources and their well-travelled natures. The DVD that came with the book was a nice addition, but really disappointing considering what it could have been.
The Rating: ****1/2

Ric Flair: To Be the Man
Author, Ghost Writer, Editor: Ric Flair, Keith Elliot Greenberg, Mark Madden
Publisher: n/a
Released: 7/04
The Good
A fascinating book about one of pro-wrestling's greatest personalities. The insight into Richard Fleihr's personal life is really the breakthrough here, but the stories and opinions are fun to hear. A few are new and interesting, but for the most part it's what you'd expect. I question Flair's honesty from time-to-time, but I think on the whole he's very candid with his readers. The best WWE book thusfar and one that will be hard to top.
The Bad
Obviously I can knock this book in a bunch of different ways. How can a 350 page book really capture the lengthy and fascinating career of such a colorful character? Well, it can't. That fact alone tempts me to knock this down to a 4, but I hate to punish it on potential. There are probably hundreds of edited out stories and tangents that would have made this one of the greatest wrestling books ever, but there is an obvious absence. Flair's opinions on Bret Hart, Randy Savage and Mick Foley have caused notable backlash, but they're his opinions and I'd rather have them in there than unnecessarilly censored. Considering he went hard on them and light on people like Kevin Nash, Lex Luger and even Hulk Hogan to an extent is strange.
The Rating: ****1/2

Lita: A Less Traveled R.O.A.D. (audiobook)
Author, Ghost Writer, Editor: Amy Dumas, Michael Krugman
Publisher: Harper Collins Publishers
Released: 7/04
The Good
Amy Dumas's life story is an interesting one and her character has connected with so many young women and this is the WWE trying to capitalize on all that. Her pre-wrestling life as a punk rock stripper is unique and this audiobook brings that to life. The pro-wrestling stuff is good lip service and most Lita fans will enjoy it for what it is.
The Bad
Lita's story is interesting. This book breaks down into three basic sections: life before pro-wrestling, the pro-wrestling life and her comeback from a broken neck. The first part is glazed over and could definitely be fascinating, but doesn't do what it could. The second part is her running down her four year career from Mexico to indies to ECW to the WWF. It's all very rushed and lacks both depth and the quality anecdotes to make up for that. The third part is her doing the Dark Angel TV show, breaking her neck, the saga afterwards and the surgery and recovery. This has a lot of real emotion and saves this book from being terrible. Then the comeback...oh wait, it doesn't happen. Due to her never really having a quality in-ring comeback, her character never regaining its footing and the hasty release of this book, this story seems so incomplete. It has the potential and maybe future additions can make it a full story, but for now it is just disappointment. This audiobook version probably detracts from the first two parts and adds to the third with mixed results.
The Rating: **

Wrestling and Masculinity: Nurturing a Culture of Bullies in the United States
Author, Ghost Writer, Editor: Patrice Opplinger
Publisher: n/a
Released: 1/04
The Good
This is a really short book that offers some fair criticisms of parts of pro-wrestling that really should be looked at it such a manner. As a pacifist and feminist myself, I often wonder why I am so fascinated by a form of entertainment like pro-wrestling. I think anyone should. Most of what she knocks is the sleaze, which I think most fans reading this does not care for. Most of her stuff concerning this was dead on and it really makes you ashamed to support the WWE in anyway at points because it reminds you of all the pointless filth. The attacks on ultra-violence and backyard wrestling are not as thorough, but they don't need to be because they aren't as directly tied to WWE. Her conclusions are good and I liked the book overall, though it is far from the best case possible. Worth reading because it should raise some issues and I'd rather talk about this book with other fans than about any other.
The Bad
I think Opplinger really dropped the ball on some of her sources. I didn't see use of the Observer or Torch in this book and and to me those are the top-notch analytic sources right there. Instead she read and trusted slanted reports against pro-wrestling and observed a small slice herself. These limitations hurt her creditibility to an extent, but I don't think they bury the case she is trying to make. She really only watched WWF/WWE and some WCW for major companies and a little XPW and other indies. This obviously hurts her case against pro-wrestling overall, but "overall" really isn't her intent. A few of the things she used were pretty wacky: the Marianne-Chaz faked abuse angle was mentioned twice despite being very minor and thrown out and that was only one of many aborted angles with controversial edges to them.
The Rating: ***

Inside Out: How Corporate America Destroyed Professional Wrestling
Author, Ghost Writer, Editor: Ole Anderson, Scott Teal
Publisher: Crowbar Press
Released: 12/03
The Good
This book has that in common with Dynamite Kid's book and if it had come out then it might be held in the same high regard. Ole Anderson is one of the most important figures in pro-wrestling who is often overlooked, but now we can hear his side of the story of pro-wrestling's change from territories to national products. He does come across like a self-centered and greedy jerk at times, but he doesn't care and I like that. What sets this book apart is Ole goes into depth on booking, not as much as I'd like, but more than any book before this. I think Bill Watts and Dusty Rhodes might do better books, but only if they go into much more depth on the psychology of booking. It also tackles a time and area (Southeast wrestling in the late 60s through early 90s) that is somewhat unpublished territory. This is a must read for many reasons. He gives blunt opinions on people, but doesn't just spew venom like I'd been led to believe.
The Bad
There are a few details that are wrong (but really they're not grossly obvious) and some of his knocks on people are questionable (but they're his opinions after all) and that's about all one can say. Ole does seem bitter in parts, remember his appearance on WOL shortly after this, it just seems like an essential part of his personality. Some people probably think he puts himself over too much, but I think he's pretty humble considering his strong opinions. The book really turns a corner in the last leg after "Black Saturday" when he loses the last full authority he'd ever hold. Afterwards, Ole's bitterness toward the changes in pro-wrestling become stronger and they sometimes reach unbearable proportions. I can see some people thinking this is a dull and self-indulgent book by a grumpy old codger, but I personally think it needs to be read to be fairly evaluated.
The Rating: ****1/2

Wrestlecrap: The Very Worst of Pro Wrestling
Author, Ghost Writer, Editor: R.D. Reynolds, Randy Baer
Publisher: ECW Press
Released: 11/03
The Good
I always thought Mick Foley's book would be the funniest in terms of poking fun at pro-wrestling, unless maybe Bryan Alvarez wrote a book. I was wrong. Wrestlecrap, for those who know the website, was a really fun place to relive some of the most stupid gimmicks, angles and characters that pro-wrestling has cooked up. Here, Reynolds gives us the modern history of WWF and WCW and all the foolish things they've done since the mid-80s boom. Excellent phrasing that really makes this funny, rather than bizarre. A good example being the description of WWF's T.L. Hopper, which ends, "[Hopper] would carry Betsy, his filthy plunger, to the ring, and shove her in his defeated opponent's face. For, you see, he wasn't just a wrestling plumber, he was an evil wrestling plumber." (Pg. 170). Wrestlecrap is a really fun read, especially if you and a friend, or a bunch of friends, are making a road trip because if read properly, this is gold.
The Bad
Obviously this a limited focus, covering only the mid-80s through recent times and limiting it to WWF and WCW. And for serious fans it has to be sad. Wrestlecrap basically showing us all just how immature and regularly stupid the wrestling world is and in some way it makes you ashamed to be a fan. Reynolds points out just how bad it has been and will obviously be in the future. If you don't find this funny, you'll find it depressing, but those people are probably few and far between.
The Rating: ***3/4

The Stone Cold Truth - Audio Version
Author, Ghost Writer, Editor: Steve Austin, Jim Ross, Dennis Brent
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Publishers
Released: 10/03
The Good
I'd never done the audio book thing before and actually ordered it by accident, but it was a fun alternative. Austin and J.R. narrate, which is fine. They are redoing the book and are half in character, which is fine. Not as dynamic as you'd like, but the parts where Austin is funny, the audio makes it seem that much funnier. The part about he and Jeannie feuding with Chris and Toni Adams stands out to anyone I've talked to about it as being laugh-out-loud funny and so is his impression of the Undertaker.
The Bad
This is obviously an abridged version, so there is a fair amount lost. Austin's story is pretty well-known by most wrestling fans at this point and not much is revealed here that many wouldn't already know about. He isn't as venomous as you might expect and any heat he has towards people like Owen Hart, Jeff Jarrett and WWF creative is not really voiced, making this seem neither "stone cold" nor the whole "truth." While this is better than most of the WWF/WWE's autobiography releases, it is not what I think it should be. Again this was a 2 hour audio version, not the full-length book.
The Rating: **1/4

Listen Up You Pencil Neck Geeks: "Classy" Freddie Blassie
Author, Ghost Writer, Editor: Freddie Blassie, Keith Elliot Greenberg
Publisher: First Pocket Books
Released: 5/03
The Good
The WWE books have been very hit-and-miss, this is a hit. It's tough to really do justice to a long, full life and a legendary and colorful career, but Keith Elliot Greenberg does an excellent job at both. Blassie's antecdotes are hilarious and Greenberg put them into a nice order and makes this story flow smoothly. Before he was "Classy" Freddie Blassie he was "Sailor" Fred Blassie and it shows in some colorful language. His stories are excellent and well-placed. The family and childhood is good enough for even the most impatient people, the love story is amongst the best parts of the book. Blassie doesn't short-change any part of his career and other parts aren't overblown, which is huge flaw in many recent books. He also seems to accurately portray himself and others, which is often a problem in wrestling books. A great book about a great career, period.
The Bad
I really can't knock this book all that much. It really exceeded my expectations in almost every way. I think some people might not be interested in a lot of it because they'd see his material as outdated and wouldn't know the many people he talks about from earlier times. This definitely reads like a WWE book because Greenberg has to get over the superiority of the product, which Blassie probably believed (but I doubt he closely followed pro-wrestling on a worldwide scale). This is a book for someone interested in wrestling's history, how it changed and one of it's legends. The stories are funny for non-fans or current fans, but I question if they could enjoyably read this whole book.
The Rating: ****1/4

Hardy Boyz: Exist 2 Inspire
Author, Ghost Writer, Editor: Matt Hardy, Jeff Hardy, Michael Krugman
Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers
Released: 3/03
The Good
It's a unique book that gets into aspects of wrestling that we all thought we'd have to wait a while to hear about. The story of being a young guy coming up through the indies, jobbing on TV and working up the card is one will hear in the future and though Foley kind of lived that life, his story is far from typical. As for the dual authors...Jeff is Jeff and that's all that can really be said about that. Matt thankfully has most of the say here and he has many worthwhile comments about learning the craft, the fan-to-worker phenomenon, understanding psychology and some surprising comments about the decline of WWF/WWE. Most comments I've read online have been very positive and I think most people enjoy this book for what it is. I guess some might find it inspirational and others will find it just interesting, but I think this was a decent little book.
The Bad
I started reading this surprisingly shortly after it came out. I got about 1/5 of the way through and was just bored with it. I had other things to do and this book just didn't keep my interest, which is rare. Most people knocked this as WWE trying to cash in on the teeny boppers love of the Hardy Boyz, which it probably was. The format bothers a lot of people and it kind of breaks up the train of thought as there is a looseness to this that you don't really want in a biography because it convinced me this was easy to put down. Their insight is generally good, especially Matt's. The one glaring exception is, "It's a different time now. Jeff and I were part of the last generation to truly pay dues." (pg. 189). This might have been a lash out against Tough Enough, but it seems like a big slap in the face of all the indy talent that work really hard and have probably less chances than the Hardy Boyz did in the 90s.
The Rating: **3/4

It's Good to Be the King...Sometimes
Author, Ghost Writer, Editor: Jerry Lawler, Doug Asheville
Publisher: Pocket Books
Released: 12/02
The Good
Jerry Lawler has had one of the fullest careers in pro-wrestling and it's no surprise his autobiography is as interesting as it is. He is a lifelong fan and rised through the ranks quickly due to working a faster, big bumping style and being a charismatic son of a gun. He was a top regional star from the early 70s on, split from Nick Gulas with Jerry Jarrett and completely changed Memphis wrestling and took part in all sorts of crazy angles. All that and more is included with an honesty and humor that makes this one of the WWF's better books. He also has funny road stories and sexual escapades that can keep modern fans interested.
The Bad
I'm sure Lawler's childhood was edited down, but it still seemed pretty rambling aside from the strange coincidences that got him into pro-wrestling and that's the better part of the first hundred pages. Spending the better part of his career in Memphis and a scattered memory makes a lot of this seem random and there are large chunks that are just omitted it seems. He gets to the beginning of his WWF career at around page 300 and things get really scambled and the last 1/3 of this is pretty 'bleh.' His break-up with Stacy and how he coped with that came across as sad, in more ways than one. It prevents a strong finish, but hopefully readers can ignore that and appreciate the bulk of the book.
The Rating: ****

Top 100 Pro Wrestlers of All Time
Author, Ghost Writer, Editor: John F. Molinero; Jeff Marek, Dave Meltzer
Publisher: Winding Stair Press
Released: 12/02
The Good
A fun read that is pretty accurate and fair to people's legacies. It tries not to be negative, for better or for worse. Molinero and his editors know their wrestling and the fact they push some of the people as high as they do is probably alarming to some, but I think after a single reading anyone would be sold on anyone of the questionable wrestlers. That is a difficult task. Some wrestlers are romanticized to an extent and some are not and either makes for an interesting read. It's pretty straightforward and if you don't learn something I'd be surpised.
The Bad
As one would expect there is so wrong with this list. The three guys that made it are very knowledge, but they're fallible in their selection as anyone would be. They do acknowledge that at least, but it doesn't dismiss them. Dave himself thinks the first 75 are strong, but the last leg is here & there. Certain minorities are groups are ignored, namely Japanese women (Chigusa is 45!), Europeans (there are only like 5 native borns) and one could make cases for Japanese and Mexican wrestlers as well and not to mention countries that no one knows a lot about (India's Dara Singh is kind of the exception), but everywhere from Puerto Rico to Australia is overlooked to a degree. I could go on forever about all the flaws of this list, but the fact is it's an impossible task. Other than that it has a few inaccurate pictures, which never looks good, but they're not ones that most people would notice.
The Rating: ****1/4

In the Pit with Piper: Roddy Gets Rowdy
Author, Ghost Writer, Editor: Roddy Piper, Robert Picarelli
Publisher: Berkley Boulevard
Released: 11/02
The Good
Really fun stuff. Similiar to all wrestling books in that it has some priceless retelling of funny road stories. Piper might not explain psychology perfectly, but I think he does a better job than most. I guess it's just a matter of fact thing for him.
The Bad
This book is like a montage of Piper interviews. When you know what he's trying to say it's easy to follow and has funny bits thrown in. But when he's just talking...he's just talking. The rambling gets tedious at times with funny jokes having no real purpose. While chronology is good, he bounces around in his thoughts it seems. The prevalence of contradictions is really bad. One chapter he's saying his morals took over when something immoral happened then in the next chapter he says he was totally devoid of moral character. The faulty reaccounts are obvious in points like that, but I don't think he was malicious in his fallacies. My one complaint is that Piper's delivery isn't as good as Heenan's because Piper's might sound better on tape, but doesn't read as well. His voices and facials are 75% of his interviews and you can't have it here. You hafta want to read this to read, otherwise it can be slow going.
The Rating: ***

Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame - The Canadians
Author, Ghost Writer, Editor: Greg Oliver
Publisher: ECW Press
Released: 10/02
The Good
Greg Oliver is an excellent pro-wrestling journalist and this, the first in the "Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame" series is a nice sampling of the work he has been doing for years on his Slam! Wrestling website. This book is more of an encyclopedia of Canadian and adopted Canadian wrestlers than what future installments would be. Oliver top twenty listing could raise eyebrows, but nothing is grossly omitted, overlooked or downplayed. If you've never browsed his site, this is great original content with interview tidbits, anecdotes and well-researched history. A sound first attempt.
The Bad
"Hall of Fame" books are always full of subjectivity that irks everyone. While I have read some of the flaws of this book, it is generally good. I think its limitations are in its depth. However, Oliver had to choose between a wide variety of people to profile or great depth in those profiles and he chose the former. His top twenty had the depth I enjoyed, but was not on par with the mini-biographies in Dave Meltzer's Tributes books. Although this is okay, his future books make this look amateurish.
The Rating: ***3/4

Bobby the Brain: Wrestling's Bad Boy Tells All
Author, Ghost Writer, Editor: Bobby Heenan, Steve Anderson
Publisher: Triumph Publishing
Released: 9/02
The Good
Hilarious in parts, kind of funny in others, dull in other areas. Heenan's career is condensed greatly and he mostly delivers humourous little stories and puts them in some sort of order it seems. There are some great ones about ribs, wrestlers being dumb, wrestlers being funny and so on. The more serious parts are nice and his humor makes them more interesting than the typical rambling childhood/parenthood/family stories.
The Bad
This is light read and a fun one...that's all. Anyone can do this in an afternoon and not get much out of it other than a few laughs. Heenan doesn't give much insight aside from how he thinks things are flawed nowerdays, which is more being out-of-touch than being insightful. Everything is so here and there that it's hard to say any number of things add up to equal a sound argument. The WCW stuff could've been better as he'll say they did this and that and it's so stupid, but doesn't always provide an alternative. This guy KNOWS wrestling, he knows how to work a match and even better how to work the crowd, but you'd not get all that from this all too short story.
The Rating: ***

Sex, Lies and Headlocks: The Real Story of Vince MacMahon and the World Wrestling Federation
Author, Ghost Writer, Editor: Shaun Assael, Mike Mooneyham
Publisher: Crown Publishing
Released: 7/02
The Good
For anyone who doesn't know much about wrestling in America pre-last week, you might want to buy this book. Assael not only covers Vinny Mac, but his dad, the NWA, Turner, WCW, Mid-South, Watts, the steroid trial and on and on. Basically he gives a nice overview of the ongoings of the post-NWA era and even covers some of that stuff too. I strongly suggest this to anyone who isn't a long-time WON or Torch reader.
The Bad
This is an overview - like 3/4 of the story at most. For people who know their stuff this'll be just a different take on the same story. Some issues are skirted, some short-changed and some half-truths, but that's to be expected from an "outsider." You get some dirt, but nothing scandelous if that's what you're looking for. I've heard the transitions are bad, so I suppose a base knowledge is required, they really didn't lose me in any parts. Some parts are less interesting and the more you know the less you'll care.
The Rating: ****

Stu Hart: Lord of the Ring
Author, Ghost Writer, Editor: Marsha Erb
Publisher: ECW Press
Released: 5/02
The Good
Excellent overview of the life and times of a wrestling icon. Hart's childhood was extremely hard, yet he clawed his way up to becoming quite an exceptional person. There is tragedy after tragedy, which provides a very human side to the man. It is quick read with good stories without really delving into the all too colorful world of pro-wrestling all that much.
The Bad
If you have no interest in this book...don't read it. It's not really insightful to wrestling, but it's not designed to be. This lacks the insider stuff that many people might want and a lot of the dirt and it's close to the DiBiase book, however it has much more content and even his story is more uplifting and fascinating.
The Rating: ***

Tributes: Remembering Some of the World's Greatest Wrestlers
Author, Ghost Writer, Editor: Dave Meltzer
Publisher:
Released: 5/02
The Good
An excellent look at a handful of deceased wrestlers that are edited and somewhat shortened versions of his WON obits. This is Dave's strong suit because he knows things, understands things and is good at explaining things. You get a number of people from the 50s through modern times.
The Bad
Obviously their are a few off-facts (from what I've heard, but none stood out to me). The stories are kind of condensed and some might not like that. I really can't point much fault at this, it is what is and probably the best non-autobiographical wrestling book there is.
The Rating: ****3/4

Missy Hyatt: First Lady of Wrestling
Author, Ghost Writer, Editor: Missy Hyatt, Charles Salzberg, Mark Goldblatt
Publisher: ECW Press
Released: 10/01
The Good
I got this book for free, thanks to photocopying fans. If you've ever heard a shoot interview with Missy, this is basically the same thing with more details and emotion. There was more dirt, but on print it really loses her vocal charm. She seems honest, brutally so at times, and you really understand Missy's journey through wrestling. Good stories that are funny and will stick with you and you'll probably pass along (though some of the visuals are a bit eerie). Good for what is, better than what I'd expect out of valet's autobiography.
The Bad
Like I said, I got this book for free, thank goodness. It's just under 200 pages and while it's straight to the point, I can't help but feel I would've never spent much money on this book. This is kind of the polar opposite of Ted DiBiase's dirt-free book, but it often makes Missy come across as petty. I got a shoot interview of her's tacked on to another one (so it was also free) and it was probably more interesting because listening to her jokes and complaints is better than reading them. Also, I'd heard many of these things when she's been on WOL and other shows. This was like all that stuff in a book with poor editing and lacking the Missy Hyatt presentation.
The Rating: **

Pure Dynamite: The Price You Pay for Wrestling Stardom
Author, Ghost Writer, Editor: Tom Billington, Alison Coleman
Publisher: Stewart House
Released: 8/01
The Good
There's not a lot more one can want from an autobiography: funny road stories, pretty good insight, dirt on all the stars and a strong finale. While you might only demand one of those, so few wrestler's autobiographies deliver 3 of the 4 that it's sad. Billington's been in Europe, Canada, Japan and the States and he gives all the details. He lightens things up with funny stories and considering his apparent meanstreak it's necessary to have those parts. Puroresu fans should enjoy this more than just about anyone's books. Most compliment this book for its unbridaled honesty and he doesn't seem to pull punches and that's more a positive in wrestling than a negative...I think.
The Bad
Bitterness can be very off-putting. Billington's hatred of Davey Boy Smith and dislike of a number of people is kind of hard to overlook as he blasts so many people. He tends to give a negative along with a slight positive (like "he was an asshole, but he was good with ribs") and his "rating" system of tough guys is questionable. Many of them seem to be his drinking buddies. If you realize those few things, you should be able to get through this just fine without too many hang-ups.
The Rating: ****1/4

Hooker: An Authentic Wrestler's Adventures Inside the Bizarre World of Professional Wrestling
Author, Ghost Writer, Editor: Lou Thesz, Kit Bauman
Publisher: Wrestling Channel Press
Released: 2/01
The Good
This is, according to many, the definitive source of pro-wrestling from its rough and tumble days through the territorial NWA years up to the national expansion of the WWF. Thesz has dozens of great stories and provides the history that any wrestling fan should desire. This reads easy and even non-fans can get into some of the less wrestling history intensive stuff (as I caught my mother flipping through it once and enjoying it). This stands up well and is typically considered amongst the best books on pro-wrestling and with good reason.
The Bad
Thesz has a very skewed view of things. He likes people and dislikes people and though he does not keep that a secret throughout some fans might be interested in his selective memory and interesting prespectives. His opinions on the modern product are what you'd expect and there is a fair degree of bitterness there. This is not as venomous as Pure Dynamite, but it has more hidden agendas or whatnot. Read this with a skeptical eye and probably read Chokehold afterwards.
The Rating: ****1/4

Have a Nice Day! (audiobook)
Author, Ghost Writer, Editor: Mick Foley
Publisher: Harper Collins Publishers
Released: 10/00
The Good
Audiobooks are fun, especially with the right narrator and omissions. This had Mick Foley telling his book and it added to some of the stories a great deal. It was brief and a worthewhile listen. I think the anecdotes had a lot of personality and the impressions of Dominic Denucci and Terry Funk were really funny. This really can't be fairly compared to the book, which an opus, but perhaps to shoot interviews. It was enjoyable.
The Bad
"How do you really condense it all into this?" I kept wondering. One of the best pro-wrestling books and inarguably the most trendsetting, Have a Nice Day! being retold in such an abridged way takes a lot of the heart out of it, but thankfully leaves some of the humor. You must read the book.
The Rating: **1/4

Have a Nice Day: A Tale of Blood and Sweatsocks
Author, Ghost Writer, Editor: Mick Foley
Publisher: Harper Collins Publishers
Released: 10/00
The Good
This was the book that started it all. Realistically, the success of this well-written autobiography opened the flood gates as pro-wrestling fans had long been considered illiterate rednecks. This has the wit and wisdom to make it better than almost all the WWF/WWE books that have followed because it had a degree of freedom those books have not. Foley covers not only the bulk of his career in great detail, but much of his private life as well. Obviously it covers a longer stretch of time including his runs in Territories/Indies, Japan, WCW, ECW and his first two WWF years. That covers a lot with the best stories and probably a wider range of personalities.
The Bad
Mick Foley's private life has mixed ramifications. His youth gets tedious because you want a book to have a strong and interesting intro and his is not unlikely many of our own as life-long wrestling fans. Obviously late-coming fans will not enjoy this as much as fans who've liked Foley forever, but that's what his second book is for. Like most autobiographies he shows bias towards and against people that have undoubtedly altered fans views of notable stars. There's not many negatives I can point about this book.
The Rating: ****1/2

Every Man Has His Price: The True Story of Wrestling's Million Dollar Man
Author, Ghost Writer, Editor: Ted DiBiase
Publisher: Multnomah Publishers, Inc.
Released: 10/97
The Good
Nice overview of the man's life. He talks plainly about the good things in his life and is very upbeat and yes, very Christian. He goes into the details of breaking in and Mid-South pretty well, which people always want because that's the stuff that's hard-to-get usually.
The Bad
This comes across as very fluffy with not a whole lot of content and a disturbing lack of bitterness. While it's uplifting in a sense, DiBiase never really gets into his demons, so it seems to lack that punch. There's kind of a lot of calms with no real storms. He does sort of an overview of his WWF and WCW years, which will bug some, but not others.
The Rating: **1/2

I Was a Teenage Professional Wrestler
Author, Ghost Writer, Editor: Ted Lewin
Publisher: Scholastic Inc.
Released: ?/93
The Good
A lightning fast read that is mostly a series of anecdotes. What I really liked is that Ted Lewin did not write this assuming the reader is a smart fan, so he explains things to some extent. However, he does not let his explanations kill his tales and there is plenty of namedropping and insider lingo to make a smart fan feel good. This was marketed by Scholastic, so I picture a thirteen year old reading this today. I think he could get it and probably get through the book without putting it down because it never mentioned Jeff Hardy, barbed wire tables or some sexual escapade with a ringrat. Lewin writes a straightforward book that is positive and fun for anybody. Since this predates the pro-wrestling autobiography craze, it must be considered a little differently. I think it delivered what Lewin wanted it to, nothing more, nothing less.
The Bad
Who the heck is Ted Lewin, people probably ask. Mark Lewin was a big deal in several places, but he's not exactly a legend and this is his brother? That knock is obvious, but that does not really inhibit what this book wanted to be. I think the brief, sometimes random and often unnecessary stories are what one would knock this autobiography for. The selling point, he started wrestling as a teenager, is not really the central issue...in fact, you might say he downplays it. The major story is in fact him being an art student by day and a pro-wrestler by night, but I guess "The Wrestling Art Student" doesn't have the same ring to it.
The Rating: ***

Who's Who in Professional Wrestling
Author, Ghost Writer, Editor: Dave Meltzer
Publisher: n/a
Released: ?/86
The Good
I bought a copy of this because I was intrigued by Dave's opinions during this time period right before the territories starting collapsing. Some of his comments are unbelievable as he talks up Chris Benoit in his rookie year, talks about the potential of Randy Savage as the "the hottest act" around and so on. I've always thought highly of Dave's work and opinions and this convinced me he's been a smart guy for a long time. For what it is, this is a worthwhile book that provides the information that I want to bring to the masses as well.
The Bad
Obviously in `86, a serious book about pro-wrestling getting a quality publication deal was unlikely, so we get this shabby version. This is an ugly book, plain and simple. I wish Dave had covered more people, but I guess with limited time and resources in those days, this was about the best he could do. Realistically, he could have written short profiles (as he does in the end) for a good 200 additional wrestlers, but he really shortchanged Mexico and Japan (he didn't even cover women). It is unfortunate he didn't make a greater effort to alert people to good workers unknown to mainstream fans, but Dave had his reasons.
The Rating: ***1/4

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