Wrestling books

[agent817]

I wasn't sure how to title this, but here it goes.

I have been reading for a while now. The Becky Lynch book sparked my interest that I just requested it from the library. Are there any books that you would recommend? Like ones from Mick Foley or anybody else? Also, what is the Ric Flair book where he labeled Foley a "glorified stuntman" called?

[chopperkingpin]

This page has the biggest wrestling book collection I’ve seen. Over 500

www.facebook.com/WrestlingBooksAutobiographies

[yokohamacpfc]

Jericho's first is a must read covering Mexico, Japan, SVW, late 90s WCW, and briefly ECW, his second and third have good parts but unless you are one of the seven or so Fozzy fans you'll have to skip every other chapter as his stories about the band aren't very interesting (in book 3 he writes a lot about his experiences on Dancing with the Stars and is entertaining so he can write about non-wrestling stuff well but not music).

Bret's book is well-written, although a very sad read for obvious reasons.

The Road Warrior's Animal has an autobiography that is a very easy read. Maybe one of those that is the better for being ghostwritten as the writer can cut through a lot of unnecessary details/anecdotes in their careers and get to the points of interest quickly.

[msc]

Bret's book is great though grim.

Foley's first two books are engaging reads and among the best written by actual wrestlers.

To Be The Man is the Flair book you are thinking of. Eddie Guerrero's have some fascinating insights into a very private man.

The Rock's 1999 book is very very annoying because its ghost written, and the bits copied verbatim from Dwayne about his childhood, and getting into wrestling, and his depression, are fascinating. But its frequently put to the side so the ghost writer can write chunks in The Rock promo style, which is grating.

[Ultimo Gallos]

Gonna mention some not mentioned already.

The Grappler Len Denton-I knew him barely from seeing him a tiny bit as a kid. Got the book and read it in 2 days. If you want to learn more about the 70s and 80s Territories this a great book for that.

NWA book by Tim Hornbaker-Dry as hell but the most through history of the NWA.

Death of the Territories by Tim Hornbaker-Tim goes deep explaining how it wasn't just VInce and WWF that killed most of the territories. He also proves that the Oil country crisis isn't what killed Watt's UWF/Mid South.

The Hardcore Truth By Bob Holly-He is as hard on himself as he is everyone else he worked with. Amazing look behind the scenes in WWF/WWE for for close to 20 years.

Ganbaru-History of NOAH amazing researched book on some puro history.

Bahamian Rhapsody-A really well ressearcched history of the Bahamas territory. Filled with info I haven't seen anywhere's else.

And I am sure once I hit send I will think of a few more.

[chazraps]

My top five looks like this:

1) Jerichos' First "A Lion's Tale"
2) Mick Foley's First "Mankind: A Tale of Blood and Sweatsocks"
3) Bret Hart's First "Hitman: My Life in the..."
4) Scott Norton's "Strong Style"
5) Bob Backlund's "Backlund"

Even if you aren't a Norton or Backlund fan, those two books are so well written and those dudes LIVED LIFE! Great stories from all over the world in them from a genuine believable perspective. Highly, highly recommended.

The ones I'd say to avoid are Lawler and Moolah's as they're both written entirely in Kayfabe (except in Lawler's he comes clean about Kaufman, but that chapter was included as a bonus book in the Jake Roberts DVD), Ric Flair's book (he has since come out against it and fully rejects it) and the Hulk and Linda Hogan books as they're full of easily disprovable lies, with Linda's being so bad she had to issue a public apology over it.

[Celexa Bliss 54]

I don't remember the title off the top of my head, but there is a book about the history of Stampede Wrestling that I found fascinating the first time I read it, many years ago. I'm not sure how well it holds up today, but based on what I remember, I'd recommend it.

Edit: "Pain and Passion: The History of Stampede Wrestling" was the title.

[Cranjis McBasketball]

I'll second Hardcore Holly's book. Way better read and more interesting than you think just by seeing the name Hardcore Holly.

[FHgrad99]

Here are some that are not mentioned that I enjoyed:

"There's Just one Problem" by: Brian Gewirtz, it was a very interesting read that had some stories that made me have to put the book down because I was laughing so hard.

"Walking a Golden Mile" by: William Regal, it was a very interesting book about his experiences and he was very honest about his struggles with addiction.

Both of Bobby Heenan's books. They were both entertaining reads, but his 2nd book was a lot darker because he talks about his cancer battle.

I also enjoyed both of Jim Ross' books. He had some very interesting stories and experiences during his career in wrestling.

[wildojinx]

Freddie Blassie's book is a pretty fun read.

[Viking Hall]

The Bushwhackers book is great fun, especially enjoyed the bits about Puerto Rico which hasn't been covered that often in other books.

[Cranjis McBasketball]

Apr 20, 2024 11:39:29 GMT -5 Celexa Bliss 54 said:

I don't remember the title off the top of my head, but there is a book about the history of Stampede Wrestling that I found fascinating the first time I read it, many years ago. I'm not sure how well it holds up today, but based on what I remember, I'd recommend it.

Edit: "Pain and Passion: The History of Stampede Wrestling" was the title.

There’s another, I think called Ring of Death, which basically lays all the premature wrestlers deaths on Stampede’s doorstep. It’s mostly about Benoit, but that’s the takeaway I got from the book. Only read it once.

[Doo Doo is Worse Than WCW 2000]

Mox's book is so entertaining. I really need to get Becky's.

[Celexa Bliss 54]

Apr 20, 2024 17:40:39 GMT -5 Cranjis McBasketball said:

Apr 20, 2024 11:39:29 GMT -5 Celexa Bliss 54 said:

I don't remember the title off the top of my head, but there is a book about the history of Stampede Wrestling that I found fascinating the first time I read it, many years ago. I'm not sure how well it holds up today, but based on what I remember, I'd recommend it.

Edit: "Pain and Passion: The History of Stampede Wrestling" was the title.

There’s another, I think called Ring of Death, which basically lays all the premature wrestlers deaths on Stampede’s doorstep. It’s mostly about Benoit, but that’s the takeaway I got from the book. Only read it once.

My mom got me that for Christmas one year, but I've never read it, for that reason. I heard it was essentially a way of casting blame solely on the business, rather than other factors and I wasn't vibing with that.

[Axel Dieter jr.]

Apr 20, 2024 17:40:39 GMT -5 Cranjis McBasketball said:

Apr 20, 2024 11:39:29 GMT -5 Celexa Bliss 54 said:

I don't remember the title off the top of my head, but there is a book about the history of Stampede Wrestling that I found fascinating the first time I read it, many years ago. I'm not sure how well it holds up today, but based on what I remember, I'd recommend it.

Edit: "Pain and Passion: The History of Stampede Wrestling" was the title.

There’s another, I think called Ring of Death, which basically lays all the premature wrestlers deaths on Stampede’s doorstep. It’s mostly about Benoit, but that’s the takeaway I got from the book. Only read it once.

After that I didn't want to watch wrestling for weeks.

[XaviersSS2015hair]

Ringmaster, the Autobiography of Vince McMahon is great. I can understand why people would be uncomfortable reading it now, but it really is a fascinating look into the early years of his life and early years of the WWF. Complete with very uncomfortable details about his upbringing that really explain a lot about the monster he became later in life.
If that doesn't convince you, the author did incredible research and the parts about the early days of the WWF are fascinating. The author interviews everyone from Bret Hart to Gen. Adnan for their opinions and experiences working with Vince.

Would also recommend:

JR's, Under The Black Hat

Gewertz, There's Just One Thing

Death Of The Territories

Luger's, Wrestling With The Devil is shockingly honest, but is very heavy on religion.

If any of you have Spotify Premium they now offer 15 hours a month of audiobook listing time. They don't have a huge selection of wrestling books but I've found some gems.

[jason1980s]

Apr 20, 2024 17:24:00 GMT -5 Viking Hall said:

The Bushwhackers book is great fun, especially enjoyed the bits about Puerto Rico which hasn't been covered that often in other books.

The Bushwhackers was done by my friend John Crowther. He has also done comic books for guys. He puts his whole heart into getting their stories out there. He's also helped with editing such as Earl Hebner's and Buggsy McGraw.

Member on here Mondocane (though doesn't post much) is author Jonathan Plombon who did the Herb Abrams UWF book. That one is amazing. He did over 10 years of research and there was very little info not included.

Bret's was great. I enjoy a good, long wrestling book. He goes by his own notes which really helps with authenticity of material.

I am partial to Jimmy Valiant's as he's a good friend but I do think if I wasn't a friend, it would be a top one for me. One person said it could have been edited down 200 pages and probably so. But that's the way Jimmy is. His memory is incredible for even the smallest details. So that's what he discusses in the book.

I always liked the late 80s, early 90s George Napolitano books. The 1990 one with profiles that pulled a little of the kayfabe curtain down.

[James Fabiano]

Did Crowther do the Killer Bees comics too? I have those, signed.

[jason1980s]

Apr 22, 2024 9:08:55 GMT -5 James Fabiano said:

Did Crowther do the Killer Bees comics too? I have those, signed.

Yes, he did that one. He did ones for Nikolai, Bruno, Terry Funk, Rocky Johnson, Lanny Poffo and several others.

[Ultimo Gallos]

I got the Nikolai comic. One of the ones I held onto

Another good wrestling book is Bleeding was half the job by Jon Barber.

Yes the Chikara ref. He worked for decades on a XPW history book. Then sadly Barber passed so the book was published after he passed.