Customer Reviews (14)

woefully outdated
i had to read this book because i take pro wrestling class in university. Not only is it not very interesting or informative, it also oozes with discreet feminism, which makes for uncompelling reading. The book was published in 1996, which makes many of the assertions about wreslting and pro wrestling culture moot and pointless by the year 2006. It also almost never mentions anything about the WCW, as much of the research material is lifted from angles during the glory years of the 1980's in WWF. Overall, i would not recommend this book for any wrestling fan unless you are a hardcore feminist or a senile old person.

Snoozer of a book not even for the hardcore fan
This book is written from a scholarly standpoint. I have a doctorate degree and LOVE wrestling. I figured this would be an insightful book but it was not. This author wrote this book as a thesis for her doctorate and that is where it should have stayed and out of print. Larry Nelson's book was better than this and that is saying a lot. If you are the type of person who has to read everything on wrestling then get it otherwise find your kayfabe fix elsewhere.

Grapplers in the Mist
Like Dian Fossey living among the apes, Sharon Mazer sought to live among pro wrestlers and learn their ways. In the process, she takes what could be an interesting subject and makes it boring.

She observes training at a small wrestling school. But alas, there is little information about how the training is done or who these people are who are involved. To Ms. Mazer, everything is an outworking of some kind of gender or ethnic dominance.

Worse yet, this book was reseached at a time when pro wrestling was turning out a lot of poor characters and story lines. It was painful to read Ms. Mazer's attempts to uncover the deep meanings of matches involving Tatanka, Sensational Sherry, Brutus Beefcake, and other very forgettable characters.

I will not say that the book is completely worthless. Almost by accident, Ms. Mazer occasionally gives a tidbit of information about the life of an aspiring pro wrestler. One has to feel a bit sympathetic for the men and women who are pouring their time and money into training, yet obviously have no chance of getting to the top of the business.

There is nothing in the book about the big-time wrestlers, except what she picked up from watching tapes.

Instead of this book, read Mick Foley's books and watch _Beyond the Mat_. Those will give you a much better "inside" look at pro wrestling.

Two thumbs down
The book "Professional Wrestling Sport and Spectacle" bySharon Mazer outright ... She not only takes the fun out of professional wrestling but put the reader to sleep. Mazer tries to bring in to many philosophical views on professional wrestling. She also never drops the point of her being a "scholar or academic". She also mentions that wrestling is homoerotic. She only visits one school of wrestling and expects to get everything out of the one school. She should have taken at look at some of the big businesses at the time like WWF or WCW. She never talks about what actually captures the audiences into watching this sport. The only good part of the book is the inside look of a newcomers training into the sport and the look on women in wrestling. The best part of the book was the insides look at a newcomers training. How they learn to fall before they do much of anything else. Then they go to basic moves and including falling backward and rolling forward, holds and reversals, and takedowns. While the newcomers are doing their basic drills, wrestlers with more experience play out scenarios and roles. They take turns winning and losing, acting as faces and heels. What a lot of people don't know about wrestling is that newcomers get initiated into the group.As it says in the book it is a process of assimilation via discipline and submission into the wrestlers' fraternity.They are initiated by different means by different people some are just face planted into the mat while others are sent to the hospital due to broken bones. If these people come back next time they are thought of as one of the group. I also like the look on women what sky magic does other than training. Such as apartment wrestling and phone wrestling. Which are two things that I did not know existed. The two best chapters in the book I guess would have to be chapter three and five. Chapter three is the one that talks about the newcomers learning the ropes. It also talks about how the newcomers get initiated to get assimilated into the group. There are only a couple times in this chapter when Mazer starts to analyze too much, and she starts to bore the reader. Chapter five talks about women in professional wrestling. As I said earlier this book outright sucks the title basically would sways you into buying the book. Even the information on the back of the book doesn't say it will philosophically look at and analyze professional wrestling. If you want a good book to read before bed when you can't sleep this book is a winner.Sharon Mazer will bore you right to sleep in about three pages. I also don't like how she says wrestling is homoerotic. Mazer says wrestling is nothing but clichés of sexual engagement. She points out that wrestling relies on the display on male bodies in extravagant costumes and almost naked. She also says that the male bodies in performance are seen to touch and embrace. Of course they are going to touch each other it is a physical sport. They don't say football players are homoerotic. The quarterback puts his hands through the centers legs to get the ball every down. They are also always lying down on each other when the get tackled. Mazer also never drops the point that she is a "scholar or academic" thinking this is going to make her readers think she is smart.She is completely mistaken by this fact if that is what she is thinking. Mazer saying this just makes me think she is not sure of herself and she has to prove to herself that she is smart. She says she does not belong in a gym she belongs in library, at a computer or at a coffee bar. Well if she thinks that then why doesn't she. She questions herself on being at the gym since she has never been inclined to do athletics.And the readers need to know this because? This is useless information that the reader does not need to know. Mazer only visits one school of wrestling why is that she should at least have visited a couple.Granted she did spend months there but a broader view would have been nice. She doesn't even get into professional wrestling very much. Such as the big businesses at the time like the WWF or WCW which both were making money and headway at the time. This is a limited literary work and should not be sold to readers. Mazer does not even go into what makes this business a business. Why do these young men and women want to train and go to Rodz's school for, what motivates these people. She does not look into what makes this sport tick and thrive through the decades. What makes this sport go are the fans, if not for the fans professional wrestling would be nothing. These people are going to the gym to train and learn to become superstars. And at the time of the book was being written that would be Hulk Hogan. This book I guess is not as bad as I am saying it is but it is not my kind of writing. And not what I thought the book would be like. Mazer is too philosophical for this kind of book. I don't think she is anticipating her readers as wrestling fanatics and them getting upset when she say wrestling is homoerotic. If I would have a choice of reading this book or not I would not have read this book.

dont buy this!
this book flat out stinks. it seems like it will take an in depth lookinto pro wrestling from a perspective never explored before. all it turnsout to be is flat out boring. Taking a perspective on the sport fromsomething so parifery like johnny rodzs school of wrestling is absurd. itslike taking a look at the world of theater by analyzing it from a highscool play level. She has no incite into the driving forces that make thisbusiness run, since it was published in 1993 that would be Vince Mcmahon,Hulk Hogan and Ric Flair. This book is a true stinker! ... Read more

Book Description
Wrestling’s self-proclaimed “Living Legend” may never wear a championship belt again, but he’s definitely not down for the count. Adventures in Larryland! is the entertaining, often hilarious story of Larry Zbyszko’s remarkable ascent to wrestling notoriety.

Voted “Rookie of the Year” in 1974, Zbyszko enjoyed 30 glorious years as a top draw in the wild and wacky world of professional wrestling. Attendance records were shattered when he wrestled the original “Living Legend,” Bruno Sammartino, in 1980 and achieved victory by hitting his former mentor with a chair (a rarity at the time). With that match, Zbyszko stepped out from Sammartino’s shadow and was transformed from a baby-faced hero to one of the most hated wrestlers of his time. Afterwards, Zbyszko was careful to never miss a chance to remind the wrestling world that he had become the “New Living Legend.”

Later that decade, Zbyszko wrestled former Japanese Olympic wrestler, Masa Sieto, in front of 70,000-plus fans at Japan’s Tokyodome. In the late 1990s, he became a high-profile color commentator for the Atlanta based WCW, and would still put on his boots for special occasions. He’s credited with saving the TNT’s number one rated show, Monday Nitro, from the evil clutches of the “New World Order” and in 1998, Zbyszko’s appearance in back-to-back pay per views produced the two largest buy-rates that WCW had ever had. ... Read more

Book Description

Slaphappy is reporter Thomas Hackett's penetrating look at the world of professional wrestling, for those who love the spectacle and for the sport's skeptics and the uninitiated. Through interviews with wrestlers, promoters, and fans, Hackett explores the full range of issues that swirl around wrestling culture -- fame, masculinity, violence, aggression, performance, and play. Among the lessons of professional wrestling is that deceit is a fundamental fact of American life. And yet, paradoxically, the one thing wrestling isn't is dishonest. Although wrestlers play pretend, wrestling itself doesn't pretend to be anything other than what it is -- fantastically absurd, a very American kind of madness. Celebrity-obsessed, pathologically narcissistic, murderously competitive, it both epitomizes and parodies the delusional egoism at the heart of the culture.

Customer Reviews (7)

Cultural look into pro-wrestling
Journalist Thomas Hackett takes a look into professional wrestling from a non-participant point of view in an attempt to explain why pro-wrestling is so popular in American society. His timeskipping gets a bit annoying but overall it's not a bad book. Rather than dealing with storylines in the big feds, Hackett spends some time hanging out with independent wrestlers that are virtual nobodies except in their area, and seldom even then. Unfortunately, he also pretty much sticks to a point that wrestling is low-class and seems to base many of his writings on backyard or 'extreme' wrestlers that are willing to bleed any chance they get. It's an interesting cultural look into the lower ranks of "pro-wrestling". I put it in quotes because these guys rarely get paid anything and are doing it to try and break into the business. There is a lopsided interview with The Rock but other than that, Hackett sticks to these wrestlers and even some rabid fans who later turn on the 'sport'. He also stops by XPW based in Van Nuys, CA. If you don't know what Van Nuys is known for, find out and you'll see it's another attempt by the author to cut on the business. Another unfortunate viewpoint of Hackett's is that he seems to think wrestling is about [...]-eroticism and has little thought that wrestlers are athletes. I grant that a larger part of the wanna-be's of the bar & barn circuit, and even a few big names, aren't athletes but generally it takes something more than being a low-grade actor to put on a convincing story/show in the wrestling business.

Overall, it is an interesting book when he talks with the fans and wanna-be's he travelled with. The Rock and Hart family chapters did little for the book other than to put a few names into it. The author looks down on pro-wrestling and it shows. There are issues wrong within pro-wrestling but this business is part of our society and doesn't appear to be leaving.

Good, but not great
If you want an inside look at wrestling and how it operates, this is not the book for you.However, if you want a look at pro wrestling and the intersection between it and pop culture, this book does a decent job.I can see how someone could be attracted to the Indys at a writing subject.They have more hardcore fans, and the press access is a lot easier than with Vince McMahon's WWE.

On the flip side, the fact that he starts off with anti-wrestling bias, the poor timeline and the lit-crit references that would go over the heads of 80% of the population are problematic.He seems so intent on making his language authoritative that you wonder what shortcomings is he trying to make up for.He would have done a better job backing out a lot of the high-falutin' talk and speaking plainly.That said, if you're someone who wants to read about wrestling as critique as a popular culture phenomenon, this book will suffice.

Understanding the larger world of wrestling culture
Here's another excellent wrestling history book for any involved in the sport: SLAPHAPPY: PRIDE, PREJUDICE AND PROFESSIONAL WRESTLING provides not just a history of the sport but a lively, involving survey of America's involvement with pro wrestling. There's a healthy dose of anthropology and critical theory which enhances rather than bogging down the report; and there's a reporter's observation edge to the survey which blends a touch of humor into the mix. The recipe is a perfect formula for understanding the larger world of wrestling culture.

Lacking
This book had potential, but there were too many flaws to give it a 'Good' rating.

-Thomas Hackett is writing the book as if it is for a glossy mens' mag, like Maxim or Esquire (not surprisingly, he has that background).There is a sense of ironic detachment that is off-putting- he seems to be fascinated, yet repulsed by the culture he is writing about.His preconceived notions of what pro wrestling, and its fans, are really about are evident, and gives the book an "above it all" feel to it.
-His timeline jumps way too much.It's the late 90s, then 2002, then 2000, then 2003, back to the 90s; there is not a clear narrative structure to the book.He writes about ECW in the present tense, which gives the book a dated quality.It's as if this book has sat on a shelf for years, and is only now getting published.
-As a previous reviewer mentioned, he spends much of his time on "extreme" independent wrestlers- an interesting section, but could have added a more balanced look at someone who is in The Show, as well as the growing subset of female (non valet) wrestlers (though there is a candid interview with Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson that, though biased, was a good episode in the book).Also, Hackett mentions XPW, yet does not get into any detail on the federal indictments and its ties to pornography.
-Finally, an issue of journalistic integrity arose.Hackett claims in a late chapter that he was recovering from a motorcycle accident at one point in his research, and then in the appendix modifies the claim and says it was a scooter mishap, but it sounded more "macho" to say it was from a chopper-- poor form, and casts other impressions and observations he has made in a dim light.

All that being said, there is an eye-opening profile of Stu Hart's Dungeon in Calgary.Far from being overly obsequious, it gives an unvarnished look at Stu and his family, as well as the numerous problems that afflicted the Hart family (some of them self-induced).I am a big fan of Bret and Owen Hart, but it presented a side that is often not shown-- Vince McMahon (with very good reason) is usually portrayed as the villain, and Stampede Wrestling as the protagonist; the truth lies in between, and can be a shade of grey.2 STARS

Enjoyable read
Although I am not a wrestling fan I found this book really interesting because it says a lot about not only the world of wrestling but our nations culture. The book is well written and thought provoking. ... Read more

Book Description

Customer Reviews (16)

Great book!
Sam Muchnick was my uncle, and I grew up with "Wrestling at the Chase" and the Kiel Auditorium bouts, yet this book taught me so much about my uncle's work and interesting facts about the era and the wrestlers I watched.Well-written, and a real page-turner.Wonderful!!!

Bruiser Brody and more
Sam Muchnick was without a doubt one of the best promoters ever!I thoroughly enjoyed this book and really loved all the stories.From Dick Murdoch describing Kevin Von Erich's debut and saying he wanted to rip off his head to talking about the various announcers.It is easy to forget that Joe Garagiola used to announce wrestling and even easier to forget that his brother did for several years.I grew up in the northeast which all you got to see over there was WWWF and you could only read about the NWA and Muchnick territory in wrestling magazines.This is a must for anyone who grew up watching wrestling in the 60's and 70's.

Totally awesome book on St. Louis wrestling!
This is an awesome book for any casual fan or pro wrestling historian on pro wrestling in St. Louis during the height of the National Wrestling Alliance's power.I really enjoyed the stories about Sam Muchnick and Bruiser Brody (King Kong Brody in St. Louis).I really want to get the Brody biography when it comes out in 2007.Totally worth purchasing!

A Trip Down Memory Lane
I grew up watching "Wrestling at the Chase" as a kid- Sunday morning meant time in front of the TV watching King Kong Brody, Flair, Race and all the other wrestling greats.This book gives unbelievable insight into the world of wrestling throughout the past several decades- A good read with some great stories!!

Paints a great picture of an era gone by
Larry Matysik's book offers great insight into the St. Louis wrestling scence in a well written, organized book (which is not always the case with pro wrestling books). Larry was a sports reporter, and it shines through in his writing. Having grown up with the Mid-Atlantic territory in Virginia, I had never witnessed Wrestling at the Chase, nor was I aware of its importance in the NWA. Reading Larry's book and seeing his DVD's changed all that. There were a lot of familiar faces (Flair, Brody, Von Raschke), and some new (Crusher Blackwell, a young Ted Dibiase before he moved on to the UWF and WWF, Bulldog Bob Brown). It's a real treat to read his anecdotes then watch them on video. If you're a fan of the old NWA, this book is well worth your while to pick up. ECW Press has churned out some great wrestling books in the last year or two, including The Greatest Tag-Teams, Terry Funk's autobiography, and Harley Race's autobiography. This one is near the top of the heap. Highly recommended for fans of late 70's and 80's NWA wrestling, as well as those curious about wrestling history.

Larry Matysik is now at work on a King Kong (Bruiser) Brody biography which should be out this year. ... Read more

Book Description
One-hundred years of professional wrestling: From "shoots" to "works," carneys to cage matches, heroes to villains, it is all here in a bold and colorful manner.

Featuring nearly 500 incredible photos, this color book takes a look at the most notable events in the fascinating history of professional wrestling and highlight its greatest stars, from legends like Frank Gotch, William Muldoon, Lou Thesz and the Fabulous Moolah, to today's superstars like The Rock, Stone Cold Steve Austin, Chyna, Triple H, and Lita.

In these pages, you'll find tough guys and heroes, the managers fans love to hate, ring beauties, oddballs, freaks and monsters, tag teams, famous feuds, finishing holds and moves, and everything in between. A "slamography" of more than 500 wrestlers, including their career highlights, is also featured, as well as some of the hottest wrestling collectibles on the market today.

Professional wrestling remains one of the hottest forms of entertainment in the world and fans agree that there is no greater show on earth. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

A good bookbut it misses a lot
I was looking for a book that would be a complete history of wrestling, but there doesn't seem to be one out there. This book has lots of good photos, including memorabilia such as ads & publicity photos, but there's a lot missing here. Only the briefest of bios are provided (I wish it included at least year of birth, height, weight), some major wrestlers are omitted entirely, & there's no index. Unlike a "real" encyclopedia, most of the book is not arranged alphabetically (only the "Slamographies" section is alphabetized), so an index would be useful. I'm mostly a fan of 1950s - 1960s wrestlers, so I wanted to find information on the old stars, but this book misses some of the biggest attractions of that era (like Haystacks Calhoun). A worthy addition to your wrestling reference library, but will somebody please write a definitive encyclopedia on this subject?

History of Pro Wrestling Would be More Accurate Title
This book is pretty good.It has a lot of really neat picture and tons of good facts and stories.Any wrestling fan should own it.There are several spelling mistakes, however, which make the bok seem like an amateur effort.Overall, still worth reading and owning

If you are a wrestling fan this book is for you!!!
The authors of "Professional Wrestling", Kristian Pope and Ray Whebbe have outdone themselves with this one. If you are a wrestling fan, young or old, long time or new, there is something in this book (actually a whole lot of things), to keep you interested for a long time to come. My favorite chapters were the "Ring Beauties" and "Slamographies", the former because there is not a lot of press about the ladies around and over the years they have had a profound influence on the "sport" both in the ring and behind the scenes. The last chapter "Slamographies" tells you every thing you ever wanted to know about every wrestler that has made some sort of impact on the sport. I am going to test my wrestling fan friends with the info presented here and maybe pick up a few bucks in the process. Great Stuff - Thank you Kris & Ray ... Read more

Book Description
This second-updated edition (originally publised in 1998)is a rather complete book on professional wrestling trivia matters, up to 1999, with many questions on several categories with answers given separately, and includes material on Governor "the body" Ventura, and "Hollywood" Hogan, to name a few. The book is illustrated with rare photographs of women, black and midget wrestlers. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (8)

Where's the middle ground?
I originally picked up this book at the library along with a large stack of other books on professional wrestling in order to help me write a research paper.My biggest complaint was that most sections were so obscure that even the biggest wrestling fans would have trouble answering the questions.Other sections, however, were so ridiculously easy that my dad, who is a casual fan at best, was able to answer every one of them.It could have used another level of difficulty between the super easy and the super hard.

Pro wrestling may be fake, but this book isn't!
How much does Haystacks Calhoun weigh? Who defeated Buddy Rogers to win his first WWF Title? What caused Superstar Billy Graham to retire for good? Don't know - Then it time to read this book and find the answers.

Every sport, every subject in fact has some sort of trivia book and each isdesign to stump you. This book does that but at the same time itentertains, just like the Professional Wrestling entertains.

This book iswritten for a specific genre of people, as are most books we read. WhileProfessional Wrestling maybe considered fake, there is no doubt as to thereality of the people include in this book.

I have been a fan ofProfessional Wrestling for over 25 years, and yes it is fake, it's stillvery entertaining. The price tag won't put your wallet in a fullnelson and this book makes a great gift.

greatest book i ever read
period comma ali ali babb

Excellent source of info
I thought this book was great. It had trivia that was easy, and some trivia that was rather difficult. It is worth the price paid. I recommend this to any wrestling fan if they wish to increase their knowledge of thesport

I want to know if you have an address to send money to.
I have not read it.But I am shere it is a great book ... Read more

Book Description
Known to most as only entertainment, there is much more to the underground world of professional wrestling than what television shows you. Tragedy, triumph and injury are just a few of the terms that have not only lined the careers of most professional wrestlers throughout time, but also that of small-town Iowa kid Ben Puttmann. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

A must buy
An excellent read.A friend of mine introduced me to this book, me not being a wrestling fan I was very skeptical but I gave it a shot.I was pleasantly surprised to find out as I read that this book was clearly written for fans and nonfans of wrestling.The book clearly revolves around wrestling but it is more importantly a book about one mans quest to achieve his dream.I highly recommend this book to anyone especially those that want to chase a dream of their own.Highly motivational, and fun. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Best background
For anyone who loves pro wrestling, this is the only book that tells you how it started, and who owned titles up until the 1980' and how they did it.Also features long interview by Andre the Giant, Bruno Sammartino, and other greats.Knows more than MacMahon.

A fun and nostalgic read.
Writing a review of this book about twenty years after it was published, I appreciate it even more now than I did then.At the time, no wrestlers or people involved in the wrestling business were allowed to break"kayfabe" - carny-speak meaning they couldn't "expose"the wrestling business as entertainment and not truly sport.Now, that'sall changed.Therefore, the books we read now on wreslting are true,gritty behind-the-scenes recounts of the business side of things.RobertaMorgan's book paints a simple but nostalgic portrait of the majorsuperstars of the 1970's, filled with color photos, some of which havesince become wrestling classics.It has snippets of interviews,information on the wrestlers' backgrounds (now so obviously fictional) andis just an enjoyable read.For a longtime wrestling fan, it will bring aglorious and bygone era alive. ... Read more

Book Description
In "no-holds barred" style, Tuff Stuff Professional Wrestling Field Guide delivers all the characters, feuds and gimmicks of this insanely popular form of entertainment! This historical guide gives collectors, historians and starry-eyed fans unmatched insight into more than 100 years of colorful and quirky monsters of the mat!

Fans of Hulk Hogan, Andre the Giant, and The Rock will find detailed histories of their favorites, and more than 400 profile and action photos in this book. From tag teams and family feuds, to historic moments and manager mayhem, this top-of-the-line guide is for any one who knows the first thing about a pile driver!

-Affordable and portable

-Features a mix of 400+ color and black and white photos

-Contains more than 100 years of pro wrestling history ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

A FIELD GUIDE TRIBUTE
I spotted this pocket-sized book on the shelf in the sports section while looking for baseball books. A week later, while in the same store looking for something else, I went over to the sports section, flipped through this book, and just had to have it. It's chock full of pictures (color and b&w) and thumbnail bios of current and former wrestlers, tag-team partners, managers, announcers, and other ring personalities that bring back great memories from my childhood. While excerpted from Pope & Whebbe's "The Encyclopedia Of Professional Wrestling" (2nd Edition), this "field guide" notes that it doesn't include everybody who deserves to be in it due to space constraints. An excellent tribute to the squared circle none the less. ... Read more

Product Description
Stranglehold by former AWA wrestling announcer and personality Larry Nelson is one of professional wrestling's obscure treasures. Amazon.com is the exclusive source for remaining copies of this limited edition collectors item.This self-published and promoted piece was lost in the shadows of higher-budget, glossier rasslin' publications when released in 2001. Amazingly, used copies of Strangleholdhave sold for as much as $27 on e-Bay. Get yours NEW, while they last, for less than ten bucks!. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (13)

Announcers view esoteric
If you want a very brief inside look at what the AWA was like after Hogan and Okerland left and the ultimate demise of the AWA then this is a good book for you. The author has no real insight into the glory years of the AWA but he does cover the waning years from his fill in standpoint. The author is very sincere in his writing however there are tons of better wrestling insider books out there. If you have run out of wrestling reading material then get this if not wait awhile

Don't Waste Your Money
If you're expecting a book that's half as insightful as Jerry Lawler's or Mick Foley's, look somewhere else.The author was a minor player in a second rate organization.The "behind the scenes" stories are weak and give you no new insight into the interesting people that made up the world of Professional Wrestling at the time.I've read many wrestling books and biographies and would recommend Mick Foley, Jerry Lawler and especially Pure Dynamite by Tom Billington.If someone gives you this book, give it back.

Entertaining book
I didn't know what to expect when I ordered this book, and I was pleasantly surprized. Larry Nelson is completly out of the business by now and he doesn't have to protect anyone (like DDP's book for example) so he tells some pretty shocking story and mention some pretty huge names in doing so. While most books talks about WWE, this one is a refreshing change as I don't know of any other book about the AWA, who was my favorite brand in the '80's. Younger fans may like it also because some of the characters in the book are still around. Also the book came to me autographed, which was a nice touch. All of us who tough Winnipeg was a dull city change their minds after reading this book. I would recommend it to everyone, unless you're not into dirt stories or only care about WWE.

Only for the fan who reads EVERYTHING!
I finally picked up this book and my expectations were met perfectly.That's because I didn't expect much.Nelson was never a top announcer in the biz and comes across as a guy who wasn't even allowed on the "inside", because he is wrong on so many accounts and names.Some of these may be editor's mistakes, but some are just plain stupid and unexplainable, since this guy should have known everything about his company.Claiming that Jerry Lawler beat NICK BOCKWINKEL to win the AWA title was just one big mistake that almost any fan should know...(Lawler beat Curt Hennig by the way).Nelson did not mention any of the last days of the AWA (including the laughable title reign of his buddy Larry Zbyszko).A few of the stories are entertaining, but with so much totally incorrect info and an overall lack of depth, only the fan who reads EVERY and ANYTHING about wrestling should buy this book.

A decent read for those who remember the 1980's AWA...
Larry Nelson was a second rate announcer (he even admits at one point in the book that he was not a good wrestling announcer) for a second rate wrestling league, and even the book itself could be considered second rate, but there were some entertaining moments and it is definitely worth a look by wrestling fans, especially those who remember the AWA of the 1980's.The book starts with a "brief" history of professional wrestling.Completely a waste of time, as most people reading this will already know everything (and probably more than him).Those who don't know, will really learn nothing.The main good thing that stand out for me would be the stories.Gossip, rumors, and firsthand accounts about sleazy things wrestlers did were admittedly fun to read.Stories about Gene Okerlund and Hulk Hogan's alleged recreational activities, Hawk's inappropriate behavior, a couple of different ones about Shawn Michaels and Marty Jannetty, Bruiser Brody and Stan Hansen almost tearing apart a bowling alley, and many others were included in the book.Thank goodness they were in the book, because Mr. Nelson just wasn't that interesting himself.Or at least the book wasn't ably written to let us know.He basically speaks in vague generalities about his drinking, coke snorting, and his family.He does go into detail (embarrassingly) when describing the women he encountered (mostly just lusted after)during his tenure in the business.However, the book demonstrates some worth later on.The event WrestleRock (and behind the scenes info) is detailed; Eric Bischoff's very first contact with the wrestling business is revealed; and the three year run of the Superstars of the AWA television program is passionately described, and later the dying days of the AWA.The book has flaws, but there is some good stuff for a wrestling fan to enjoy. ... Read more

Book Description
The antagonists—oiled, shaved, pierced, and tattooed; the glaring lights; the pounding music; the shouting crowd: professional wrestling is at once spectacle, sport, and business. Steel Chair to the Head provides a multifaceted look at the popular phenomenon of pro wrestling. The contributors combine critical rigor with a deep appreciation of wrestling as a unique cultural form, the latest in a long line of popular performance genres. They examine wrestling as it happens in the ring, is experienced in the stands, is portrayed on television, and is discussed in online chat rooms. In the process, they reveal wrestling as an expression of the contradictions and struggles that shape American culture.

The essayists include scholars in anthropology, psychology, film studies, communication studies, and sociology, one of whom used to wrestle professionally. Classic studies of wrestling by Roland Barthes, Carlos Monsiváis, Sharon Mazer, and Henry Jenkins appear alongside original essays. Whether exploring how pro wrestling inflects race, masculinity, and ideas of reality and authenticity; how female fans express their enthusiasm for male wrestlers; or how lucha libre provides insights into Mexican social and political life, Steel Chair to the Head gives due respect to pro wrestling by treating it with the same thorough attention usually reserved for more conventional forms of cultural expression.

Contributors. Roland Barthes, Douglas L. Battema, Susan Clerc, Laurence de Garis, Henry Jenkins III, Henry Jenkins IV, Heather Levi, Sharon Mazer, Carlos Monsiváis, Lucia Rahilly, Catherine Salmon, Nicholas Sammond, Phillip Serrat, Philip Sewell
... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Not for the casual wrestling fan, it's a good book but from a more objective, journalistic perspective.
One thing can be said about this book: it's unique. Not just for the smarts but definitely not for the marks, this book falls into a third category: The curious onlooker who wants to study what wrestling's appeal is, dissect it from ethical, psychological and cultural perspectives, and interpret the results. That's not to say it's bad- it isn't, in fact I find it very interesting. But then again, I know a lot of people who would find it quite boring. It's written by psychology and sociology scholars, after all- but don't dismiss it just yet.

What the book does is examine what wrestling's impact is on the world- the female viewpoint, the way its masculine ideal is marketed, its approval of behavioral tendencies, its sometimes subtle racism, and so on. As stated, it's from more of a journalistic or scientific perspective.

This isn't to say it's not fun. It is, though for one to enjoy it one must step outside of wrestling for a while. The perfect audience for this book is an intelligent wrestling fan who not only has some knowledge of wrestling history but also an appreciation of the business side of things that make it tick- in other words, a fan who enjoys what he's watching but can then turn off the tv, step outside of the role of "fan", and learn more about the gears and joints that keep the industry churning.

I'll give a brief example: The book describes one of the lines of action figures, and how each figure was accompanied by an accessory such as a chair, metal piping, or other object with which to attack an opponent. It's pointed out that huge ex-WCW star Giant is accompanied not by such an object but rather a whole extra figure, small Rey Mysterio Jr. The packaging lists a feature which the book explains: "for fun one can slip Mysterio's tiny neck into the grip of the Giant's enormous right hand and then squeeze the larger figure's legs together to see him sadistically lift, lower, and strangle the hapless Mexican". They give an accompanying photo of said event which I find amusing, but that right there is what this book's all about: It goes on to examine why one would find such a thing amusing, and tries to figure out what led to this particular pairing of action figures in such a context, reaching pretty reasonable conclusions that range from potential racism to the size of wrestlers and how we're programmed to respond to them.

See, that's the kind of book this is- it helps to know some of the stuff they talk about, because then one's own familiarity, understanding, and enjoyment of the things dicsussed are enhanced. So in that way it applies to wrestling fans. At the same time, the book's goal- while not being combative- explores the very nature of the business/fan relationship and how it works, as well as when it does and doesn't. It's very well written and informative, and researched enough to make very few mistakes- these guys are definitely well-read on their subject.

So I guess it all comes down to a matter of how you answer the question "Why do you like wrestling?". If your answer is a perfectly acceptable "it's fun", "It's amusing", "it's entertaining", or something similar, then I'd have to say I agree but you won't want to bother with this book, you don't need to bother exploring all the cultural resonance. Now, if to that question you answer "Hmm, that's weird, why do I like wrestling? What makes me care about these guys, even though I know it's predetermined? Why do my minority and female friends watch? What's the point at the end of the day?", then this book will definitely be of interest to you. When all's said and done, it's essentially a bunch of smart people who got together to explore what wrestling does to (and because of) popular culture. A very interesting read for those who want to take the time to see what they've come up with. ... Read more

Book Description
Despite its status as one of the oldest and most enduringly popular sports in history, wrestling has been pushed to the background of the current American sports scene. Most people today would have a hard time even considering wrestling (with some of its modern theatrics) in the same terms as track and field or boxing. But until the 1920s, wrestling stood as a legitimate professional sport in this country, and a widely practiced amateur one as well. Its past respectability may not have endured, but the advent of cable television in the 1980s offered the sport a renewed opportunity to play a determining role in American popular culture. This opportunity was not wasted, and wrestlers now assume places in politics and film at the highest levels. Ringside, the first work to fully examine the history of professional wrestling in this country, provides an illuminating and colorful account of all of the various athletes, entertainers, businessmen, and national outlooks that have determined wrestling's erratic route through American history. This chronological work begins with a brief account of wrestling's global history, and then proceeds to investigate the sport's growth as a specifically American institution. Wrestling has continued to survive in the face of technological developments, scandals, public ridicule, and a lack of centralized control, and today this supremely adaptable entertainment form represents, in sum, an international industry capable of attracting enormous television and pay-per-view audiences, along with massive amounts of advertising and merchandizing revenue. Ringside focuses on the business of wrestling as well as on the performers and their in-ring antics, and offers readers a fully nuanced examination of the development of professional wrestling in America. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Professional Wrestling 101
I knew what I was going to get when I read this book before I even started it.When I saw that the author,Scott Beekman was a college professor (Ohio University)I knew Professor Beekman would be treating professional wrestling in somber tones.After all he has to face his esteemed colleagues in department meetings and annual conferences and he couldn't very well write a book on professional wrestling that was, well you know....fun or funny. (tongue firmly in cheek) I'll give one example of where the book fails to entertain.Managers havehistorically been an important part of professional wrestling and yet are barely mentioned here.Too bad.Any book on professional wrestling could/should have at least a chapter devoted to managers.The book is well-researched no doubt but not once did I laugh or even smile.I did however find myself saying "Hmmm,I never knew that". Entertaining ? Not at all.Informative ? Absolutely.Think of it as a textbook.Don't take it to the beach and don't buy the book,but rather borrow it from alibrary and read it while sitting in a straight-back chair.Somehow that seems appropriate. ... Read more

Book Description
This book may set down the myth of June Cleaver once and for all. Chad Dell deftly details a 1950s revolution in the making: millions of women of all ages flocked to wrestling arenas across the country, drawn to a parade of glistening bodies, purple satin capes and characters such as Gorgeous George and Killer Kowalski while millions more roared their approval as they watched on television. Dell's analysis of television broadcasts, media artifacts, fan club ephemera and interviews with wrestlers and their fans paints a new portrait of women in the 1950s who embraced the power of their passions. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Enthralling history of the spectacle that was Pro Wrestling fandom
My great-grandmother was a HUGE fan of wrestling and I related to so much of this book because of her passion! There are still many folks that follow this entertainment form, but this is an enthralling history of the spectacle that was and is Pro Wrestling.
It's also a great examination and analysis of fandom during a period of growth for women in the US. Heaps of historical insight that are forgotten by many that lived during the 30s, 40s & 50s and may not understood by young people today

Great inside info into how women found common ground in a form of entertainment & used it to form a women's community. Helped women find public voices, including desires!

I would have loved seeing more images and fanzines! It would be a dynamite website! ... Read more

Book Description
A humor book for professional wrestling fans. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

What a book!
What an amazing book... I am only a part-time wrestling fan, but this book was so funny, I want to become hardcore!The authors are obviously extremely talented, and I hope they continue writing... I would buy anything else they put out!In a word... HILARIOUS!

Good stuff
A lot of funny stuff in here,and even funnier to the hardcore fan.I've been watching wrestling regularly for 10+ years and I totally forgot about the Haiti Kid until I skimmed through.A great read,funny glossary too.Pick it up.

Hilarious!!!
For a good laugh about pro wrestling this is a rarity. It's filled with jokes and "definitions" that only a hardcore fan could appreciate. I read the whole thing in one sitting and nearly bust my gut laughing. Highly recommended! ... Read more

Book Description
Professional wrestling is the hottest entertainment spectacle on television today and millions of fans are tuning in and buying tickets to be a part of the excitement.

Now comes a book that tears away the shroud of secrecy surrounding the game and its performers with answers to questions like:

-- How do they bleed? -- Who decides who will be champion? -- That folding chair sure looked real -- was it?

Plus, Kayfabe contains an extensive glossary of terms used backstage by wrestlers and promoters -- the real language of the game you won't hear on TV!

Also:

-- Historical background of the federations -- Intro to the top stars -- Where to find more real news and information

Kayfabe is your ticket to be a part of the professional wrestling world you never knew existed! ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

Learn to spell, previous reviewer!
The book is for those who want to learn about the entertainment that is pro wrestling. Get it people? It's not a scholarly tome! I liked it and actually found much of it informative. The editorial info explained it all. Read it!

Travisty of a book!
If I could rate a book with negative stars, I would. This is a horrible book. It sheds no light on the world of Professional Wrestling that any FAQ on the Internet couldn't share. And most FAQs on the Internet go into much more detail than this travesty of a book. Mr. Flood should cease writing his "The X-pert X-plains" series right now until he actually finds an expert to help him out. The $20 price tag is horribly high for such an amatuerish attempt at writing. Aside from the mispellings and gramatical errors (which really, really bug me), some of his facts are wrong. As well, professional wrestling tends to have a couple of levels of "kayfabe", one for the smart marks, and one for those who are actually in the business. Mr. Flood is obviously *not* in the business. Of course, this is made perfectly clear in his biography page, where he admits to not being much of an "X-pert" on anything.

The Rock says BUY IT
If you are new to the world of sports entertainment or have been a fan for years, you will get alot out of this book.It's a must read for wrestling fans.Buy it if you smell what the Rock is Cookin' Got it Slap Nuts?

Only for the uninformed
This book was not what I expected.The only "secrets" to be found involved things like chairshots and bleeding, and that took up all of two paragraphs.The rest of the book is filled with information that would only be of interest to beginners (I.E "Who is Steve Austin?", "How do you win a wrestling match?", and "What is a DQ?").No pictures, and it's all in large, double-spaced printing.A rather thin, small book for the price tag.The author's efforts are respectable, but this book was not anything I would recommend to seasoned wresting fans, only for the uninformed or beginning wrestling fan.

Serious and fun rolled into one
The sport of professional wrestling appears to be violent and bloody on the one hand, yet ridiculous and for children on the other. Most people know it's not really "real" any more, but still wonder how it could look the way it does and not be somehow the real thing. I couldn't figure out how these great big behemoths threw themselves on top of each other from the top of the ring and all the other painful-looking moves they perpetrate on each other without inflicting SOME type of injury! I mean, come on, they sure look messed up a lot of the time. And I just wanted to know how the whole thing got started. Well, this book told me all that and lots more. It has a whole glossary of terms, inside stuff on how things are done, the history, and the performers. I was thrilled to find so much information on my favorite "sport" in one place. I highly recommend it for its readable style, too. Five stars! ... Read more

Book Description
Goldberg. "Stone Cold" Steve Austin. The Rock. Mankind. Sting. The Undertaker. Andre the Giant. Brutus Beefcake. Hulk Hogan. Hacksaw Jim Duggan.

Comic-book superheroes and villains? Close. They're professional wrestlersand just as they've stomped opponents in the ring, pro wrestling itself is stomping its opponents in the sports arena. Professional wrestling is the fastest-growing form of entertainment in the U.S., and along with the sport's record-breaking popularity, the collectibles market for pro wrestling has skyrocketed.

Professional Wrestling Collectibles covers every known aspect of the wrestling collectibles market for the millions of fans and collectors. It features hundreds of wrestling-related memorabilia including dolls and figures, autographs, Halloween costumes, photographs, posters and programs, magazines, games, videos, and moreall identified and valued for the first time in one book.

From true-blue fans to casual observers, this book is a must-have for every wrestling fan.

-Pricing for hundreds of wrestling collectibles.
-All-color book, featuring 400 photos.
-First guide of its kind. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

Professional Wrestling Collectibles is a keeper!
Overall, a very well researched book by Mr. Pope and Mr. Whebbe.Thisbook does not cover all wrestling collectibles, that would be impossible,however, it does give the collector a good idea of the many areas inwrestling that are out there to collect, although they do have a veryin-depth coverage of the action figures and autographs.

The book alsocovers some of the history of wrestling and is a great book for novices andlong-time collectors.There are great photos of some of the oldercollectibles that I have only heard about.My favorite chapters were theones on the action figures, trading cards and autographs, which make up alarge part of my 15+ year collection.

The prices listed are average,however, the value of the items in this market change so rapidly, that itshard to give a set value on some items. 5 stars to Mr. Pope and Mr. Whebbefor tackling such a huge task.

Collectibles and Then Some
Pro Wrestling Collectibles is certainly what this book is all about.Its all the other stuff covered that makes this bookso interesting.My favorite chapter is number two (2) "Some Superstars WorthCollecting".The history about many of these wrestlers can be foundno where else.The authors did a great job in organizing this"collectible" and putting every thing into perspective. Recommended reading for all wrestling fans!

Great reference material and fun to read as well!
The book provided terrific reference material and continually captured my attention from page to page.The pictures added tremendous detail.The author clearly did his homework.

Book Review
This is a good book filled with lots of pictures and information.It is a good book for anyone but for the hardcore collector it does not cut it.Aloso the prices are a bit off on certain items.Overall the pictures makeit a worthy purchase.Reccommended! ... Read more

Book Description
"Black Stars of Professional Wrestling" is the long-awaited story of the contributions of the Black athletes that've participated in one of America's most popular sporting events.

The book features over 150 photographs and biographies of Black pro wrestlers from the late 19th Century to today. Little known facts and rarely seen pictures tell the story of some of the most gifted but largely overlooked athletes of all time.

Readers will learn about legends like Reggie Siki, Woody Strode, Luther Lindsay, Tiger Conway, Thunderbolt Patterson, and Bearcat Wright, the first Black holder of a version of the world title. They'll even read about the stars of today like Booker T, Rocky "The Rock" Maivia, Faarooq, D-Lo Brown, Ernest "The Cat" Miller, and New Jack. Also covered in the book are Black females, midgets, and celebrity wrestlers from other sports throughout various decades.

With "Black Stars of Professional Wrestling", the long forgotten warriors are finally given their place of honor in sports history. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (8)

Not as good as I hoped
I purchased this book as a gift to my husband, we are both life long wrestling fans and I figued he would get enjoyment from this title. Upon recipt this book was not as good as the description would make out. I expected stories of Black Pro wrestlers, backgrounds and what they went through to break into pro wrestling, this book is FAR from that kind of information.
It only offers NAMES and a few lines of basic information about each wrestler. The pictures are very limited and in some cases, there is just a name, and no Information about the wrestler at all. Steer Clear of this one!

Very Interesting
I enjoyed this book very much.I was never aware of wrestlers like Bearcat Wright who fought for desegregation in wrestling.I also enjoyed reading the profiles of Junkyard Dog,Jacqueline(my favorite),Ernie Ladd,& RonSimmons.The only drawback of this book is that Mr.Shabazz should have donemore research on the wrestlers that were mentioned just by name.Overall,ifyou're a real wrestling fan who wants to be educated on the Black wrestler& their accomplishments,pick up this book!

booooorring
I couldn't keep my eyes open.Buy this book if you have trouble sleeping at night.

"Racism" in a different package
This is probably the worst wrestling book I have ever read. The information is great on many of the wrestlers I have followed. So what the wrestlers are black?This is another example of someone using therace card to cash in. Black people such as myself should shy away frommaking these liberals rich.

Finally! The history of Blacks in pro wrestling is told!
Julian Shabazz's book, "Black Stars of Professional Wrestling" is long, long overdue.It is a very interesting and fascinating book about these great athletes' contributions.To read the stories about such greatcompetitors as Thunderbolt Patterson, Bearcat Wright, Rocky Johnson and theJunkyard Dog is a tremendous thrill.

If you are a true wrestling fan, youwill learn things you didn't know.This is truly a marvelous book! ... Read more

Book Description
Though professional wrestlers are usually ignored by sportswriters and entertainment reporters alike, the popularity of these gifted athletes and showbiz pros is undeniable. Few fans are concerned with whether the wrestling is "legitimate."

From Ace Abbott to Buck Zumhofe, this is the second edition of the first-ever ("major contribution'—ARBA; "most informative"—Wrestling Then & Now) comprehensive compilation of biographical information on professional wrestlers past and present, including major promoters and managers. Each entry is listed under the wrestling name most often used, with cross references to real names and other ring names. The ring name is followed by the grappler's real name, hometown, height and weight, and birth and death dates when available. The biographical data provide the era in which the individual competed, wrestling associations, titles, tag team partners, major bouts and other highlights. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

The most complete listing of pro wrestlers
I was looking for a book that would be a complete in-depth history of wrestling, but there doesn't seem to be one out there. This book has no photos (except for Lou Thesz on the cover), but it contains short bios of more pro wrestlers than any other book. Unfortunately, only the briefest of bios are provided (it basically lists championships won, with very little personal info provided). Height, weight, & birth dates are provided for some, but not most, wrestlers. Lentz has written some great books on film history for McFarland, but this one is a disappointment due to lack of more info in the entries (which is perhaps not possible given the subject matter). At first I thought this book lacked completeness, but after seeing other so-called wrestling "encyclopedias," this one is certainly the most complete. For example, a major star of the early 1960s, Argentina Apollo, gets no mention in any of the other wrestling books, but is included here. It's very dry reading for a wrestling book, & if you buy this one you should get at least a couple of other books with photos to accompany it. I'd like to see more info included in the entries (at least for the major stars) that would distinguish the wrestlers a bit more than the author has done here (for example, how they were innovative, what their style was, gimmicks used, special techniques, etc.). A worthy addition to your wrestling reference library, but will somebody please write a definitive encyclopedia on this subject? A second edition of this book is due in November 2003, but with only 20 or so additional pages, I doubt if it will expand the entries into what I was hoping for.

One-of-a-kind reference source
My compliments to Mr. Lentz for the wealth of information he was able to unearth on the sometimes mysterious world of professional wrestling.I've been a fan of wrestling since the 1960s and it was great to finally see areference book that gives information on the "sport entertainers"that have thrilled me and countless others over the years.I flip throughit often to find tidbits about current and past mat stars.A truly greatjob on a difficult subject.

Looks good, but not a factual book on many of the stars.
The old saying goes, "Don't judge a book by its cover".This book looks good, but beyond the cover is filled with page after page of incorrect information regarding many of the wrestlers.Mr. Lentz certainlydidn't take the time to research his information. I have been a collectorand researcher of wrestling related items for nearly 40 years, and neverhave I picked up a book with so many errors in it.My advice is, if youwant a book that looks good on your bookself, then this book is for you. But, if you are looking for a book that will provide factual information onwrestlings greatest performers of the past, then pass on this book!Sorry,this is not a reliable source of wrestling information to the seriouscollector or fan.

An outstanding reference
Without a doubt, this is THE book to purchase if you are a pro wrestling fan. Filled to the brim with career highlights for over 500 wrestlers from the early 20th century right down to the days just before the formation of the NWO, Lentz has covered it all. I have found it to be an invaluable reference too, and worth every bit of it's price. TC Kirkham, Webmaster SyxxNet ... Read more