Wrestling books.

michael.etc... · 30-09-2009 7:01pm

"Drawing heat the hard way", by Larry Matysik just arrived in the post today for me.

Well chuffed, I've not read that much, just the opening couple of chapters, and scanned through some of it. But it seems to be a great read. Based on what I've seen so far, I'd recommend it. Think i'll pick up his Brody book as well, based on this- he has a really pleasing writing style and his credentials are right up there.

Red Sleeping Beauty · 03-10-2009 8:49pm

Got Foley's diaries out of the library. I've heard it's rubbish and he whinges a lot in it and comes across as a prick but I'll have a look anyway.

Dancor · 05-10-2009 9:42am

On my wish list so far:

Bruno Laurer
William Regal
Dynamite kid

Peyton Manning · 10-10-2009 3:05am

Lads, Mick Foleys first one (Have a Nice Day) is one of my favourite autobiographies. Never read any of his following books. How many are there, and should I read them? Do they compliment the first book at all? Cheers

michael.etc... · 10-10-2009 2:12pm

Archimedes wrote: »

Lads, Mick Foleys first one (Have a Nice Day) is one of my favourite autobiographies. Never read any of his following books. How many are there, and should I read them? Do they compliment the first book at all? Cheers

The second book ("Foley is good") is impressive- it goes into detail about alot of stuff left out, and post-"retirement". It's well written and very enjoyable in general, even if he does fill it out alot with random lists and rants about issues.

The third- Hardcore Diaries was a different matter for me. I found it frustrating, and irritating. Foley's opinion of himself, and weird obsession with Melina, and totally incorrect evaluation of Terry Funk as relevant to the public in today's climate, make it a chore at times.
On the other hand, the detail is great, and the concept is excellent (an ongoing diary detailing his build-up to ECW one night stand). It's cool to read some of the insights into behind the scenes meetings and the workings of the televised story arcs- but for me, the outlook behind it all spoiled it alot.

Hope that helps.

D2D · 04-11-2009 12:29am

Gonna revive an old thread here so apologies:):)

I'm new to buying Wrestling books so I don't have many but my collection includes:
- Shawn Michaels Heartbreak & Triumph - Good read
- Bret Hart - The most detailed book on wrestling ever written
- Chris Jericho A Lion's Tale - My favourite book ever, just brilliant.

I just bought Hogan's new book and, to be honest, I really don't know what to make of it. I'm only a few chapters in but the person Hogan portray's himself as is really annoying + he's trying WAY too hard to be funny

michael.etc... · 04-11-2009 11:19am

Dare_2_defy wrote: »

I'm new to buying Wrestling books so I don't have many but my collection includes:
- Shawn Michaels Heartbreak & Triumph - Good read
- Bret Hart - The most detailed book on wrestling ever written
- Chris Jericho A Lion's Tale - My favourite book ever, just brilliant.

I just bought Hogan's new book and, to be honest, I really don't know what to make of it. I'm only a few chapters in but the person Hogan portray's himself as is really annoying + he's trying WAY too hard to be funny

Beware the tall tales of Hogan. He's always entertaining, but absolutely full of shart.

If you haven't read the first Foley book you'll really enjoy it. It's detailed similarly to Bret's, but the humour is more in line with Jericho's.
Jerry Lawler and William Regal's are both really excellent reads too.

I'd advise staying away from the Ted DiBiase and Andre the Giant efforts though.

D2D · 04-11-2009 11:26am

michael.etc... wrote: »

Beware the tall tales of Hogan. He's always entertaining, but absolutely full of shart.

If you haven't read the first Foley book you'll really enjoy it. It's detailed similarly to Bret's, but the humour is more in line with Jericho's.
Jerry Lawler and William Regal's are both really excellent reads too.

I'd advise staying away from the Ted DiBiase and Andre the Giant efforts though.

The thing with Hogan is that he portray's himself as the be-all and end-all of pro wrestling, brother:D:D

I trying to find Foley's first book but can only find Foley's third book. From what I've heard, it's the worst book out of the three he has written. Regal's is ment to be very good. Haven't heard anything about King's book

Thanks for the advise. I'll probably go into Waterstones or Easons later and have a look around.

michael.etc... · 04-11-2009 11:38am

Dare_2_defy wrote: »

The thing with Hogan is that he portray's himself as the be-all and end-all of pro wrestling, brother:D:D

I trying to find Foley's first book but can only find Foley's third book. From what I've heard, it's the worst book out of the three he has written. Regal's is ment to be very good. Haven't heard anything about King's book

Thanks for the advise. I'll probably go into Waterstones or Easons later and have a look around.

King's book is really good because there's stuff on an earlier period, that comes from a different point of view than we usually get. I found it really interesting reading about his coming into the wwe in the 90's, later than most, and the transistion from wrestling to being a commentator. His later personal life though is described in disturbing detail.

WHS Smith and Easons in Belfast have Regal's in Paperback, so it shouldn't be too tough to find generally.

D2D · 04-11-2009 12:09pm

michael.etc... wrote: »

King's book is really good because there's stuff on an earlier period, that comes from a different point of view than we usually get. I found it really interesting reading about his coming into the wwe in the 90's, later than most, and the transistion from wrestling to being a commentator. His later personal life though is described in disturbing detail.

WHS Smith and Easons in Belfast have Regal's in Paperback, so it shouldn't be too tough to find generally.

I'm down in Cork. I checked Easons the other day & it's selection of wrestling books are awful. About a grand total of 5 which are Hogan, Bischoff, Jericho, DiBiase and Stone Cold

Red Sleeping Beauty · 10-11-2009 3:11am

I'm looking for a recommendation. What book has a good decent honest history of wrestling in the 80s? I'm talking the move from territories to the national stage. Wikipedia just doesn't cut it:p

michael.etc... · 20-11-2009 10:48pm

I started reading Hogan's book yesterday. GOOD ****ING LORD.

4 PAGES. That's all it took and the book was nearly out the window.

Alan Rouge wrote: »

I'm looking for a recommendation. What book has a good decent honest history of wrestling in the 80s? I'm talking the move from territories to the national stage. Wikipedia just doesn't cut it:p

Christ, I tried to think, but i can't remember off the top of my head much of what I've read where. I think Lawler's is really interesting from a Memphis point of view- and how they coped. The Pro-Wrestling Hall of Fame: The Tag Teams is good from that perspective, because 80's tag teams are really well covered- but i guess isn't what you're looking for at all. Maybe someone else can remember better?

Vince135792003 · 22-11-2009 11:38am

Alan Rouge wrote: »

I'm looking for a recommendation. What book has a good decent honest history of wrestling in the 80s? I'm talking the move from territories to the national stage. Wikipedia just doesn't cut it:p

The Ric Flair book would be a good overview.

This seems to be the book you're looking for: National Wrestling Alliance: The Untold Story of the Monopoly That Strangled Professional Wrestling. I've never read it but I vaguely remember people saying it was good.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/National-Wrestling-Alliance-Strangled-Professional/dp/1550227416/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1258886205&sr=1-1

Bigdeadlydave · 14-01-2010 9:20pm

I just finished reading Hogans newest effort and I thought it was quite good....

gimmick · 14-01-2010 9:38pm

Just finished Pipers there the other day. Very good read.

D2D · 14-01-2010 9:54pm

Bigdeadlydave wrote: »

I just finished reading Hogans newest effort and I thought it was quite good....

Imo, it was awful. The way Hogan portrayed himself, you'd swear he was God (which isn't new). New game, count the amoint of times Hogan says the words "Brother" in it.

Might get the Rey book next. 20e from Eason's.

Bigdeadlydave · 14-01-2010 10:56pm

Anyone know if any decent books are available on ebook?

sky88 · 14-01-2010 11:29pm

just read jerichos again just brilliant book and greatly written by jericho

geeky · 14-01-2010 11:37pm

sky88 wrote: »

just read jerichos again just brilliant book and greatly written by jericho

It is. I wasn't expecting that much (even though I think he's got a great mind for the business) and ended up finishing it within 4 days.

I really hope he holds off on a follow-up until he retires or leaves the WWE. I'd say he could tell a few stories....

flahavaj · 15-01-2010 12:40am

Vince135792003 wrote: »

The Ric Flair book would be a good overview.

This seems to be the book you're looking for: National Wrestling Alliance: The Untold Story of the Monopoly That Strangled Professional Wrestling. I've never read it but I vaguely remember people saying it was good.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/National-Wrestling-Alliance-Strangled-Professional/dp/1550227416/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1258886205&sr=1-1

Ya thats on my to-get list, heard it was good.

Also have to still get Meltzer's Obituaries books.

waltersobchak · 16-01-2010 2:53pm

Highly recommend Bobby Heenan's book. Great and funny read, as to be expected fom The Brain

Brethitmanhart · 16-01-2010 8:41pm

I really liked Bret's book, so detailed and he didnt try to make himself out to be the greatest guy in the world.

Martha Harts Broken Harts was a good book too...obviously it was very sad.

Going to read Jericho's next when I get the chance.

Reganio 2 · 17-01-2010 11:19am

Brethitmanhart wrote: »

I really liked Bret's book, so detailed and he didnt try to make himself out to be the greatest guy in the world.

I honestly got a different impression from it (Guess its all down to opinion that you are obviously a fan of his and I am not) Too many times throughout the book it was "I slept with this girl but it was my wife's fault" I know he says at 1 point that its not her fault he done it but he says about 5 different times it was. Didn't put him in a great light in my eyes at all.

Kess73 · 17-01-2010 12:58pm

Finally got around to starting Jericho's book last night. Bought it a few years back and it kinda got pushed off time and time again for one reason or another.

Have to say that from what I have read so far, that it is a very enjoyable read with a good sense of humour shining through.

Brethitmanhart · 17-01-2010 4:14pm

Reganio 2 wrote: »

I honestly got a different impression from it (Guess its all down to opinion that you are obviously a fan of his and I am not) Too many times throughout the book it was "I slept with this girl but it was my wife's fault" I know he says at 1 point that its not her fault he done it but he says about 5 different times it was. Didn't put him in a great light in my eyes at all.

I can't remember him blaming his wife in all fairness, he'd give an excuse that he used at the time like "I was lonely because she wasn't there" but he never blamed her iirc.

Vince135792003 · 17-01-2010 5:26pm

I'm reading "Drawing Heat the Hard Way" by Larry Matyzik (right hand man to former NWA president Sam Mucnhick) at the moment.

It's a really interesting read that goes as deep into wrestling as any book I've ever read. Larry has done a tonne of interviews up here if you want to get a sample of the tone of the book, click here for this great audio interview:

http://57gold.com/playerMP3.asp?v=275

You can order the book here:
http://www.amazon.com/Drawing-Heat-Hard-Way-Wrestling/dp/1550228994

geeky · 17-01-2010 9:48pm

Reganio 2 wrote: »

I honestly got a different impression from it (Guess its all down to opinion that you are obviously a fan of his and I am not) Too many times throughout the book it was "I slept with this girl but it was my wife's fault" I know he says at 1 point that its not her fault he done it but he says about 5 different times it was. Didn't put him in a great light in my eyes at all.

TBH, it wasn't that so much that coloured my opinion of him - he was pretty frank about the fact that he was a fairly useless husband (certainly fidelity-wise) and the forward to the book thanked his first wife for "putting up with me as long as she did". Yeah, he feels he was ina sh1t marriage, and many cheating husbands do - some even are! At least he admitted it.

There were other things that got to me about it, and made me think less of him. Whatever you say, though, it seems to be an honest account of his life - as he sees it. Which is all we can ask for I guess.

Reganio 2 · 18-01-2010 9:33am

Very true, he seems to have some major insecurity issues it seems just from reading the book. It's like he is trying to convince you that he is the man and what he is doing is somehow right. Like when he would say "I beat Mr.X in a match and walked to the back and Mr.Y was there, crying thanking me for putting on a great match" Too many times he does it in the book for my liking but I guess like you said fair play to him for being honest (As far as we know)

waltersobchak · 29-01-2010 11:15am

I finally got around to reading A Lions Tale, what an amazing book, cant wait to read Jerichos next book, which hes writing at the moment

D2D · 29-01-2010 1:23pm

waltersobchak wrote: »

I finally got around to reading A Lions Tale, what an amazing book, cant wait to read Jerichos next book, which hes writing at the moment

I love the book, Jericho has such a good sense of humour in it. He's actually finished writing his 2nd book. It'll be released in America/Canada in the autumn of this year

2nd Row Donkey · 29-01-2010 4:37pm

Great thread with lots of good advice lads, Think i'll pick up Jericho's book next based on the reviews here.

I'm not one for buying things of the internet so hopefully I'll pick it up in a book shop made of "bricks and morter" as someone put it earlier in the thread.

I recently finished Bret Hart's book - I was never much of a fan in the 90's and couldn't understand the appeal he had to others but after reading the book i'm a massive fan now.

It is a bit one sided at times but anyone writing a biography can only tell it as they saw it.

His obsession with been the world champion and the main man in the business was scary, and he protrays his family as a bunch of crazies (which they probably were).. The stuff he wrote about dynamite is heart wrenching - must get his book too.

Keep the reviews going !!

geeky · 29-01-2010 4:43pm

2nd Row Donkey wrote: »

Great thread with lots of good advice lads, Think i'll pick up Jericho's book next based on the reviews here.

I'm not one for buying things of the internet so hopefully I'll pick it up in a book shop made of "bricks and morter" as someone put it earlier in the thread.

I recently finished Bret Hart's book - I was never much of a fan in the 90's and couldn't understand the appeal he had to others but after reading the book i'm a massive fan now.

It is a bit one sided at times but anyone writing a biography can only tell it as they saw it.

His obsession with been the world champion and the main man in the business was scary, and he protrays his family as a bunch of crazies (which they probably were).. The stuff he wrote about dynamite is heart wrenching - must get his book too.

Keep the reviews going !!

Funny I just listened to a shoot with the New Age Outlaws recently - though they're not the most reliable pair, I think they're right when they say that Hart took being the champ way too seriously.* Kip James claimed that, when Hart asked him who he thought the better wrestler was and he answered 'Shawn Michaels', Hart went very huffy. I'd believe that.

*They also note that he wasn't the first, and he won't be the last.

michael.etc... · 30-01-2010 12:26pm

Vince135792003 wrote: »

I'm reading "Drawing Heat the Hard Way" by Larry Matyzik (right hand man to former NWA president Sam Mucnhick) at the moment.

It's a really interesting read that goes as deep into wrestling as any book I've ever read. Larry has done a tonne of interviews up here if you want to get a sample of the tone of the book, click here for this great audio interview:

http://57gold.com/playerMP3.asp?v=275

You can order the book here:
http://www.amazon.com/Drawing-Heat-Hard-Way-Wrestling/dp/1550228994

Seconding the love for this book- it's fantastic. Really made me want to pick up The Brody one as well, anyone read it?

D2D · 06-02-2010 4:32pm

Chris Jericho's second autobiography will be titled "Highlight of the Night." While a domestic release has not been announced, it will be released on 9/16 in Canada and 2/17/11 in Great Britain. The synopsis released with promotional material for the book reads:

A Lion's Tale documented Chris Jericho's journey from small-time dreamer to big-time superstar, from Winnipeg, Canada, to undisputed WWE heavyweight champion of the world. Having achieved his wildest dreams in A Lion's Tale, Chris Jericho's sequel kicks off just as the fantasy begins to unravel. Faced with endless internal politics on his rise to the top of the WWE company ladder, Jericho has to draw on the super-human resources that got him there in the first place. There are bruising encounters aplenty both inside and outside the ring. He reveals why he temporarily left WWE, includes the inside story of his time in Hollywood, and opens the can of worms that is life on the road with Fozzy. He also re-visits the premature birth of his twins and the pain of his mother's death, as well as the shock of Eddy Guerrero's and the Benoit family deaths. As upfront and outspoken as A Lion's Tale, the sequel is outspoken and direct as the man himself.

I'm praying this''ll be as good as "A Lion's Tale". My main concern with this is that WWE prob want Y2J to portray them in the best possible light.

Dancor · 06-02-2010 4:58pm

Dare_2_defy wrote: »

While a domestic release has not been announced, it will be released on 9/16 in Canada

Great, I plan on being in Canada around this time.

A Lion's Tale documented Chris Jericho's journey from small-time dreamer to big-time superstar, from Winnipeg, Canada, to undisputed WWE heavyweight champion of the world

Eh? No it didnt.

Dare_2_defy wrote: »

I'm praying this''ll be as good as "A Lion's Tale". My main concern with this is that WWE prob want Y2J to portray them in the best possible light.

It may depend on if they are publishing it or not. I hope they are not.

Tribesmen7 · 01-03-2010 8:12pm

So I saw Rey Mysterios autobiography in a shop the other day. Is this new and has anyone read it? I might get it when I'm finished Bret Harts book.

michael.etc... · 01-03-2010 9:03pm

Tribesmen7 wrote: »

So I saw Rey Mysterios autobiography in a shop the other day. Is this new and has anyone read it? I might get it when I'm finished Bret Harts book.

It is new indeed. Haven't read it myself though, and unless it pops up on my doorstep, I'm not going to. Have heard it's pretty flimsy, and stuff like his drug/painkiller addictions are laughably glossed over.

I've just started Gorgeous George's bio... good stuff thus far.

Richard Noggin · 01-03-2010 9:53pm

Bret Hart's book is an excellent read.I don't read much but I finished that in like a week.His honesty was admirable although he sometimes comes across a little bitter. Nonetheless, its hugely enjoyable due to the lack of a WWE interference.I'd definitely recommend it.

ciarang08 · 02-03-2010 6:41pm

I've posted these up before to little interest but here they are again in case anyone's interested...

They go now or they never will!:D....

http://adverts.ie/190041

D2D · 08-04-2010 12:26am

From PWInsider

Cross Rhodes", the WWE biography on Dustin "Goldust" Rhodes, has been slated for a 12/7 release.

Mark Vancil, who worked with Michael Jordan on several book projects, has been tapped to write the bio.

Vince135792003 · 08-04-2010 12:54am

Just while this topic is alaive again, I can not recommend highly enough "Pain and Passion: The History of Stampede Wrestling by Heath McCoy".

If you even have a passing 9interest in the Hart family, I would still highly recommend it.

flahavaj · 08-04-2010 12:59am

Vince135792003 wrote: »

Just while this topic is alaive again, I can not recommend highly enough "Pain and Passion: The History of Stampede Wrestling by Heath McCoy".

If you even have a passing 9interest in the Hart family, I would still highly recommend it.

Still on my to buy list.

Also want to get Meltzer's Tributes I add II, I'd imagne they're amazing, having read the likes of the brilliant Misawa tribute in recent years.

EdK · 08-04-2010 1:06am

WWE just need to stop writing their bios like everyone reading them is mentally deficient (fair enough a good chunk of them are lol) with 3 page chapters loads of pictures and giant writing like Rey Mysterios

flahavaj · 08-04-2010 1:27am

EdK wrote: »

WWE just need to stop writing their bios like everyone reading them is mentally deficient (fair enough a good chunk of them are lol) with 3 page chapters loads of pictures and giant writing like Rey Mysterios

Yeah I generally avoid like the plague unless they're given a widespread recommendation like Regal's.

mr.mayo · 08-04-2010 2:40am

Great thread, lots of great info in here. I haven't read many wrestling books purely because I was a late starter. Just bought my first one on impulse, saw Bret's book in ASDA when I was in the North and thought "Hmm, this could be interesting" lol. I started it as soon as I got home and was finished within a week, phenomenal book, really captivating stuff. I was completely engrossed from beginning to end, over 500 pages in the smallest font I've ever seen and I was still aching for more! The amount of detail was just amazing, there really was a mammoth amount of work put into it

After that I started looking in the internet for some bargains, I got Foley's first one on ebay for less than a fiver (including P&P) and needless to say, I was very pleased with myself! Another fantastic read, I love Foley's unique brand of humour. You can tell there was also a huge amount of effort put into this book, great read and would thoroughly recommend it to anyone.

After that I picked up Stone Cold's book from the library. Although it was enjoyable, it was just too damn short. There was basically no effort put into it at all, it flies through his career far too quickly. There is very little detail, and almost half the book is pictures ffs! Overall it was a disappointment to me, I guess I had been spoiled with Bret & Foley's!

Next up for me is either Jericho's or another one of Foley's, whichever is the cheapest will prevail!

chopperbyrne · 08-04-2010 10:56am

Get Jericho's. It's probably the best wrestling bio.

Eddie's is damn good too.

Regal's book is very good. Shawn's is okay. As is Jerry Lawler's and Kurt Angle's (only enjoyed the first part of the book).

Ric Flair's is interesting too and I enjoyed Bischoff's.

Ones to avoid: The Rock, Hulk Hogan, Ted DiBiase and André.

mr.mayo · 08-04-2010 4:26pm

Didn't Rock write his in his mid 20's? If that's the case then I'd imagine it's something like Ashley Cole's book lol

Just ordered Jericho's book off ebay, also picked up Kurt Angle's for only like €4 including P&P!

Willie Stroker · 09-04-2010 2:59pm

Read Bishoff , Jerchio , Shawn Michaels and listened to Mick Foley and Stone Cold as long I listened to Kurt Angle RF Shoot , Bob Holly and currentely to Jeff Hardy not bad for a 14 year old hay , Jericho is a great read so is bishoff . Not the biggest fan of Hulk Hogan, so wont be reading that one..

D2D · 26-04-2010 2:45pm

- The second autobiography of Chris Jericho has been officially titled Undisputed: How to Become the World Champion in 1,372 Easy Steps, due for release in February 16, 2011 (US and Canada afaik)

grames_bond · 26-04-2010 3:02pm

Dare_2_defy wrote: »

- The second autobiography of Chris Jericho has been officially titled Undisputed: How to Become the World Champion in 1,372 Easy Steps, due for release in February 16, 2011 (US and Canada afaik)

really looking forward to this, loved his first one and will deifnatley be picking this one up!

Wrestling books.

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