Wrestling related books that aren't biographies?

[Lance Uppercut]

What's good?

I love my kindle, but kind of bummed, most of the books I enjoy, I already have in physical form.

I lost my original Wrestlecrap book a couple years ago. Maybe I should get another one for Kindle. I hear that they're updating Death of WCW for their 10 year edition.

Any other good wrestling related books in that vein, for Kindle? you know, coffee table/bathroom books?

[SAJ Forth]

Not Kindle, but there was a book about the NWA from 2006.

[usemeplease]

Try the novelized version of the Marine

[siredger]

ECW Press released earlier this year Mad Dogs, Midgets and Screwjobs: The Untold Story of How Montreal Shaped The World of Wrestling, written by my buddy Pat Laprade and Bertrand Hébert. It's an excellent read because it covers absolutely everything that ever happened on the Montreal wrestling scene from the early 20th century to today. It's very fascinating and you have the true story on everything, including the infamous Jacques Rougeau/Dynamite Kid incident.

Truly recommend it to everyone, excellent read.

[Ryback on a Pole!]

There's a wrestling novel about a fictional wrestling fed loosely based around the Monday Night Wars that I found pretty good. Think it was called "One Fall".

I recommend it.

[hypnoticgenes]

The Wrestlecrap trio of books.

[thegame415]

The Complete Idiot's Guide to Wrestling.

[The OP]

As for non-biographies, Bobby Heenan's second book is more of a self-help book but also has plenty of interesting stories and it's interesting to get his thoughts on various life topics. He has a different perspective on some things, which I attribute to the fact that Heenan seems highly intelligent but lacking in formal education, which is an interesting combination.

And though it is a biography, I feel I must mention "Queen of the Ring" by Jeff Leen. I try to read all the wrestling books that come out, and I thought this one was one of the best I've read. I knew next to nothing about Mildred Burke, Billy Wolfe, or any of the other players, but though somewhat dark and depressing at times it's a fascinating story. I even remember thinking as I was reading that the story of mean old wrestler turned promoter Billy Wolfe, his wife and women's champion with whom he has a marriage of convenience while she is romanced by Wolfe's son(!), and their traveling troupe of lady wrasslers would be great subject matter for a series on HBO or Showtime. It's an incredible story. The only problem with "Queen of the Ring" is the last chapter of the book, in which the author blows several commonly known and easily checkable facts when he discusses the state of wrestling today as he tries to wrap it all up. Unfortunately I felt that to some degree this damaged the credibility of the book as a whole. Still, the author cites many sources throughout and this is surely the most detailed and thoroughly researched book on the subject, and it's just plain entertaining to read.

[The Sam]

"Wrestling at the Chase" by Larry Matysik - It's about Sam Muchnick and the NWA St Louis region and all the people and stories.

"Mondo Lucha A Go-Go" by Dan Madigan- A book that looks at the history, culture and legacy of Lucha Libre.

"Lucha Loco" by Malcolm Venville - More of an art book for hipsters, just photos and quotes from various luchadores.

[doinkmark]

Headlock by Joyce Sweeney is very good in my opinion. A fictional story about a high school kid trying to make it into wrestling, starting with his local indy federation, while balancing the rest of his life. Kids Pro Wrestling, though somewhat biographical, is also good. It talks about one of the first backyard federations actually trying to make a go out of promoting shows, getting on TV, etc. It was an interesting enough, quick read if you're into that side of the business. I have no idea if either of these are for Kindle though.

[minorleagueguy]

...here are a couple of favs...
Sex, Lies and Headlocks
SlapHappy
NWA history
Beer,Blood, and Cornmeal
Chokehold
Pain and Passion
Death of WCW

[wildojinx]

I've heard that NWA book is very dull and dry. Is that true? Also, not really wrestling-related (aside from being about vince mcmahon), but "Long Bomb" about the XFL is actually pretty interesting.

[Square]

Aug 19, 2013 0:29:02 GMT -5 Ryback on a Pole! said:

There's a wrestling novel about a fictional wrestling fed loosely based around the Monday Night Wars that I found pretty good. Think it was called "One Fall".

I recommend it.

The first half was excellent in a tale of a backstage area and politics. Then it gets weird.

[The OP]

Aug 19, 2013 15:52:39 GMT -5 wildojinx said:

I've heard that NWA book is very dull and dry. Is that true? Also, not really wrestling-related (aside from being about vince mcmahon), but "Long Bomb" about the XFL is actually pretty interesting.

The NWA one does kind of read like a textbook. There's a lot of information though, so I guess whether or not I would recommend it depends how interested you are in the subject.

[Square]

A good series of books are the Lance Storm books, they are blogs he wrote during his run in WCW and WWE. A really cool diary look into the week to week life of a wrestler

[TGM]

Stay away from Kevin Sullivan's History of the WWE Championship.

Worst wrestling book, I've ever read.