English Wrestling

Kayfabe: A Mostly True History of Professional Wrestling is the story of how professional wrestling evolved from humble roots as a folk sport into an intricate and unique performance art, and a global billion dollar industry. It’s a history that takes in America’s Wild West, the Music Halls of Victorian London, the circuses of P.T. Barnum, the golden age of television, the genesis of Mixed Martial Arts, all the way to the dizzying heights of WWE's Wrestlemania and AEW's All-In. As befitting a story with roots in Vaudeville Theatre, it’s full of twists, turns, surprises, myth-making ...

By creating WrestleMania, jumping into the pay-per-view field, and expanding across North America, Vince McMahon changed professional wrestling forever.

What if the Montreal Screwjob hadn’t happened? What if the WCW Invasion would have worked? What if John Cena had turned heel? In Wrestling Rewritten, award-winning sports writer and lifelong pro wrestling fan BJ Pickard tackles some of professional wrestling's most often discussed and debated instances of what might have been. Through both historical and counterfactual examinations of the industry’s seminal angles and events over the last quarter-century, Wrestling Rewritten is an entertaining and informative read for fantasy bookers and casual fans alike.

There has been much said about Dusty Rhodes, the 'American Dream', over the years by both his fans and peers. Aside from the frequent fictional prose penned by wrestling magazine journalists and internet smart marks that run rumor-mill websites, however, there has not been much written about him. Until now. With the exception of a select few, there has been no bigger name or personality in the annals of pro wrestling history than Dusty Rhodes.

ECW was one extreme contradiction piled on top of another. It was an incredibly influential company in the world of professional wrestling during the 1990s, yet it was never profitable. It portrayed itself as the ultimate in anti-authority rebellion, but its leadership was, at various points, working covertly with the two wrestling giants, the World Wrestling Federation and World Championship Wrestling. Most of all, it blurred the line between real life and the fantasy world of professional wrestling like no other company before it.

A breakthroughexamination of professional wrestling - its history, its fans, and its widercultural impact - that does for the sport what Chuck Klosterman did for heavymetal

The Squared Circle grows out of David Shoemaker'swriting for both Deadspin, where hestarted the column "Dead Wrestler of the Week" - a feature on the many wrestlingsuperstars who died too young because of the abuse they subjected their bodiesto - and Grantland,where he covers the pro-wrestling world and its place in the pop culturemainstream. Shoemaker's sports writing has since struck a nerve withgenerations of wrestling fans who, like him, grew up worshiping a sport oftenderided as "fake" in the wider culture. To them, these professional wrestlingsuperstars are not just heroes but an emotional outlet and the lens throughwhich they learned to see the world.

Starting in the early 1900s and exploring the path of prowrestling in America through the present day, The Squared Circle is thefirst book to acknowledge both the sport's broader significance and wrestlingfans' keen intellect and sense of irony. Divided into eras, each section offersa snapshot of the wrestling world, profiles some of the period's preeminentwrestlers, and examines the sport's influence on our broader culture. Throughthe brawling, bombast, and bloodletting, Shoemaker argues that pro wrestlingcan teach us about the nature of performance, audience, and, yes, art.

Full of unknown history, humor, and self-deprecatingreminiscence - but also offering a compelling look at the sport's rightful placein pop culture - The Squared Circle is the book that legions of wrestlingfans have been waiting for. In it, Shoemaker teaches us to look past thespandex and body slams to see an art form that can explain the world.

In 2017, after being told that no independent wrestling group could draw a crowd of more than 10,000, a group of wrestlers took up the challenge. For several years, these gladiators had been performing in front of rabid crowds and understood the hunger for wrestling that was different from the TV-slick product. In September 2018, they had the numbers to prove it: 11,263 fans filled the Sears Center Arena for the All In pay-per-view event, ushering in a new era. A year later, WWE had its first major head-to-head competitor in nearly two decades when All Elite Wrestling debuted on TNT.

He’s been a fixture in professional wrestling for five decades. He helped introduce a hardcore wrestling style that you see in the WWE and Japan today. He’s made his mark in Hollywood. He’s Terry Funk, and this is his story. In this captivating look at the life of a living legend, Funk opens up about growing up in a wrestling family, working with various entertainment companies (including the ECW, WWE, and WWF), and so much more.

Is there a way to find truth in the stuff of legend? You may think you know Andre the Giant - but who was Andre Roussimoff? This comprehensive biography addresses the burning questions, outrageous stories, and common misconceptions about his height, his weight, his drawing power as a superstar, and his seemingly unparalleled capacity for food and alcohol. But more importantly, The Eighth Wonder of the World transports listeners beyond the smoke and mirrors of professional wrestling into the life of a real man.

The Wrestlers' Wrestlers spotlights elite performers and analyzes exactly what made them your favorite wrestler's favorite wrestlers. Authors Dan Murphy and Brian Young interviewed more than 40 in-ring veterans, historians, referees, and promoters to get a unique insider's look at the people who have made a lasting impact on the world of professional wrestling. It offers a special peek "behind the curtain" and a rare look into the top stars' thoughts on their peers, their influences, and their personal favorites.

Step into the untold, gritty world of wrestling’s most enigmatic icon with Locker Room General: The Unauthorized True Story of The Undertaker's Real Life WWE Relationships and Rivalries by pro wrestling insider and historian James Michael Ross. This first-of-its-kind, unauthorized biography delivers a raw, unfiltered dive into Mark Calaway’s real-life controversies, backstage rivalries, and his unmatched role as WWE’s most respected locker room leader—revealing why The Undertaker was loved by many and why some now turn against him. Unmask the Real Undertaker: Backstage Feuds: ...

Featuring an entirely new chapter for US readers, the story of his induction into the UFC Hall of Fame, fresh insights about his fighting career, never-before-told stories about his film and TV career, and a harrowing account of his fighting off attempted kidnappers while filming in South Africa, Quitters Never Win tells the incredible story of how he went from rough and humble beginnings and then on to a legendary mixed martial arts career capped by winning the Middleweight Championship in one of the greatest upsets in UFC history.

Hulk Hogan may be the biggest superstar in the history of the wrestling industry, but he is also responsible for some of the worst stuff to ever grace our TVs. This book covers many of Hulk's most infamous and cartoonishly bad moments, and how heavily responsible he was for ruining every wrestling company he worked in after leaving the WWF in 1992 (including the stuff he pulled when he went back to WWE a decade later). Over the course of this book, you'll get to relive: -Hulk Hogan's epic debut in WCW (and how spectacularly everything about it backfired), -His impressive collection of ...

THE ONLY SPORTS PSYCHOLOGY WORKBOOK THAT’S EXCLUSIVELY DESIGNED FOR WRESTLERS TO BUILD MENTAL TOUGHNESS AND BOOST THEIR ATHLETIC PERFORMANCE Athletes hear it all the time… "Wrestling is 90% Mental, and 10% Physical” "It's All in Your Head" "The Only One that Can Stop You is You" "You have to be Mentally Tough!" But what exactly do those sayings mean??? Without something concrete, it's difficult for athletes to understand what it specifically takes to have a mental approach primed for success. And rather than have a debate with someone who knows nothing about mental training or sports ...

Wrestling with Jordan Peterson’s God: A Systematic Guide to Dr. Jordan Peterson’s Religious Thoughts What happens when evolutionary biology meets Jungian archetypes and timeless religious questions? Wrestling with Jordan Peterson’s God dives deep into the complex and thought-provoking religious philosophy of Dr. Jordan B. Peterson. In this systematic guide, author Greg Krehbiel explores the profound connections Peterson draws between psychology, mythology, and the divine. With clarity and insight, Krehbiel organizes and re-presents Peterson’s arguments, creating a coherent roadmap ...

Written by a Sports Performance Professional, Certified Mental Training Coach, AND Parent of a Division 1 Athlete. Teen athletes navigate a challenging world, balancing high expectations and pressures. Mental toughness is their secret weapon. This book explores its role beyond the playing field, addressing academic stress, social complexities, and personal development. Discover: Specialized Guide: Tailored for adolescent athletes and parents, recognizing their unique challenges. Practical Strategies: Equip young athletes with actionable techniques for real-life application. Comprehensive ...

Saraya-Jade Bevis, formerly WWE’s Paige, is one of the biggest names in the wrestling world. She is the youngest two-time WWE Divas Champion and was inaugural NXT’s Women Champion. She ranked first in Pro Wrestling Illustrated’s Female 50 and was named Diva of the Year by Rolling Stone in 2014. She was also the subject of the critically and commercially successful 2019 film Fighting with My Family, produced by Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson and starring Florence Pugh. But before ascending to wrestling superstardom, she was just Saraya. Hell in Boots is Saraya’s real, uncensored, story.

Your mind is your best weapon. There is more to Martial Arts than techniques and muscles. Strategies and tactics also play an important role, be it on the mats, in the ring or in the cage. Strategy and tactics also play an important role, yet, they are seldom - if at all - discussed in class. And when it comes to that aspect of the game, there is a lot to be learned from Chess. This book gives you some key concepts and principles you can use to improve your game, create traps for your opponents and become a force to be reckoned with. Note: This book is the second book in the series "...

When a peculiar medical condition caused Roger’s senses to do a switcheroo, almost overnight, he developed an unusual fixation — the distinct aroma and taste of tonsil stones. Thanks to his rare olfactory oddity syndrome Roger is willing do whatever necessary to amass a cache of coveted calcified throat nuggets. It was his dirty little secret, but hey, everyone has their kinks.

After a lifetime of putting his body on the line to entertain his dozens (and dozens!) of fans, the Hardcore Legend is paying the price - physically and emotionally. When the final bell on Mick's career tolls, not in the ring, but in a neurologist's office, his future seems far from merry and bright. Until Mick is given the chance to become Santa Claus - not dress up, not pretend, but become Santa - allowing him to rediscover the joy of performing. Fully committing to his new mission, Mick details the drastic measures he takes to keep the Christmas magic alive.