The author attempts to answer the question, when did professional wrestling crossover from a legit sports competition to scripted matches and finishes? Shoemaker highlights the careers of the early pioneers such as Ed “Strangler” Lewis and Frank Gotch, and those from the Golden era – Gorgeous George and The Fabulous Moolah. During this period, wrestling became a fixture on network television.
As explained in “The Squared Circle,” the early promoters cooperated with each, and recognized a single champion under the NWA banner. However, Vince McMahon Sr. would break away and determine his own champions. Eventually, Vince’s son would buy the WWWF and take the New England based promotion national, and expanding nationwide – in the process, tearing down the territorial system. Vince Jr. would gamble the group’s future on Wrestlemania – which would be become the granddaddy of all wrestling events.
The book breaks down wrestling lingo such as babyface (the good guys) and heels (the bad guys). If you don’t already know, you’ll learn the meaning of a wrestling booker and kayfabe. Shoemaker also provides historical context for masked wrestlers, racism in the industry, and what led to the wrestling boom of the 1990’s, the Monday Night Wars, pitting Vince McMahon’s “Raw” vs. Ted Turner’s “Nitro.”
Shoemaker also provides biographical tidbits for the likes of:
– The Von Erich family
– The Freebirds
– Andre the Giant
– Captain Lou Albano
– “Macho Man” Randy Savage and Elizabeth
– The Road Warriors
– Mr. Perfect
– The Ultimate Warrior
– Steve Austin
– Owen Hart
– Brian Pillman
– Eddie Guerrero
– Chris Benoit
If you enjoy professional wrestling, and the history of “sports entertainment,” give this book a try!
By: David Shoemaker
Narrated by: R.C. Bray
Length: 10 hrs and 55 mins
Unabridged Audiobook
Release date: 10-31-13
Language: English
Publisher: Blackstone Publishing