This book provides readers with an abundance of information and historical perspective as well as entertaining and memorable anecdotes about professional wrestling. Readers will also learn unusual snippets of trivia that will enhance their comprehension of the sport.
This authoritative work on the history and culture of professional wrestling features the biggest names in the wrestling world since the sport emerged on the American sporting landscape. It comprises short biographies of all of the key players in the sport's evolution and rise to popularity—from old-timers to barrier breakers to household names such as Hulk Hogan, The Rock, Andre the Giant, and more—and includes not only men but also many women who have made a name in the sport.
Surveying professional wrestling from its roots, dating centuries, to the modern era, pre–20th century and into the 21st century, the work tells the transformational stories of prominent wrestlers and the sport as a whole, in many cases bringing out the humor and outrageousness in the nature of an activity that has always straddled the line between show business and sport.
Table of Contents:
Preface
Introduction
Chronology
Andre the Giant
Angle, Kurt
Announcers, Wrestling
Arenas, Old
Attendance at Wrestling Matches
Austin, "Stone Cold" Steve
Backlund, Bob
Beyer, Dick (The Destroyer)
Big Show
Blassie, "Classy" Freddie
Bobby the Brain
Bockwinkel, Nick
Brazil, Bobo
Bryan, Daniel
Burke, Mildred
Burns, Martin "Farmer"
Byers, June
Calhoun, Haystacks
Cena, John
Championship Records
Chyna
Dick the Bruiser
Edge
Ellering, Paul "Precious"
Fabulous Moolah, The
Flair, Ric
Foley, Mick (Mankind)
Funk, Terry
Gagne, Verne
GLOW
Goldberg, Bill
Gorgeous George
Gotch, Frank
Governing Bodies and Authorities
Graham, "Superstar" Billy
Guerrero, Eddie
Hackenschmidt, George
Halls of Fame
Hart, Owen and Bret
Hennig, Curt (Mr. Perfect)
Hogan, Hulk
Humphrey, Happy
Hunter, April
Iron Sheik, The
James, Mickie
Japan, Wrestling In
Jericho, Chris
Johnson, Dwayne (The Rock)
Jonathan, Don Leo
Kayfabe
Koloff, Ivan
Kowalski, Killer
Ladd, Ernie
Lawler, Jerry "The King"
Lesnar, Brock
Lewis, Ed "Strangler"
Lita
Londos, Jim
Luger, Lex
Martel, Sherri
McDaniel, Wahoo
McMahon, Vince, Jr.
McMahon Family, The
Michaels, Shawn
Midget Wrestling
Monsoon, Gorilla
Movies, Wrestling
Mysterio, Rey
Nagurski, Bronko
Names, Wrestling
Orndorff, Paul (Mr. Wonderful)
Orton Family, The
Page, Diamond Dallas
Piper, Rowdy Roddy
Promoters, Wrestling
Race, Harley
Rhodes, Dusty
Richter, Wendi
Rikidozan
Roberts, Jake "The Snake"
Rocca, Argentina
Rogers, Buddy
Rude, Ravishing Rick
Sable
Sammartino, Bruno
Savage, "Macho Man" Randy
Sgt. Slaughter
Snuka, Jimmy "Superfly"
Steamboat, Ricky "The Dragon"
Steele, George "The Animal"
Stratus, Trish
Strongbow, Chief Jay
Tag-Team Wrestling
Thesz, Lou
Triple H
Ultimate Warrior, The
Undertaker, The
Valiant, Johnny, Jimmy, and Jerry
Ventura, Jesse "The Body"
WWF Name Change
Young, Mae
Zbyszko, Larry
Index
About the Author :
Lew Freedman is a columnist and feature writer for the Cody Enterprise newspaper, in Wyoming. He has worked in journalism for decades, mostly as a sportswriter, for a variety of publications.
Review :
This serious look into the fantasy world of professional wrestling will please its fans.
The preface, introduction, and chronology seek to tie contemporary professional wrestling to athletic events depicted in prehistoric art, but also explain that the entertainment aspect of wrestling began in both Europe and America in the 1800s with traveling shows and carnivals. . .The book would be of interest to middle school and high school students, especially those already interested in professional wrestling.
