Want more wrestling news, rumors, and results? Be sure to visit PWInsider.com and PWInsiderXtra.com.
Here's this week's update on wrestling-related books:
Straight from the Hart by Bruce Hart is now available for immediate shipping in the PWInsider.com Store, which is powered by Amazon. I am in the process of finishing the book and will have a complete review tomorrow here on the site. Here's the official blurb:
In this thrilling memoir, the first son of wrestling steps out from behind the shadows of Calgary’s fabled "Hart dungeon” to discuss his family and the cutthroat world of professional wrestling. Stories about growing up as Stu Hart’s son and the brother of wrestling legends Bret "Hitman” Hart and Owen Hart offer insight into this wrestling dynasty and the close relationships with people such as Andre the Giant and Killer Kowalski. Detailing the rise of the family business and how it was destroyed by Vince McMahon, how the tragic death of Owen rocked the family, and what really happened behind the scenes of the infamous "Montreal screwjob,” this gripping tell-all also provides information on how wrestling should be booked and the toll steroids and other drugs have taken on those close to Hart. The perfect book for fans, this account is chock-full of inside-the-ring stories and wrestling gossip.
The big release of the month will be Chris Jericho's Undisputed, which is an off the charts book in terms of providing unique insight into what it's like rising in the ranks of WWE as well as probably the most human, honest take ever on the Benoit family tragedy. I really enjoyed Jericho's first book and thought this was incredibly better, even though it covers much less ground from a timeline perspective. You can find Jericho's signing dates on Page 2, and read the official blurb below:
Chris Jericho's Undisputed: How to Become the World Champion in 1,372 Easy Steps
The eagerly awaited follow-up to the New York Times bestselling A Lion's Tale documents Chris Jericho's meteoric rise to wrestling glory in the WWE. A Lion's Tale gave readers a portrait of Jericho as a young man. Fighting his way through Mexico, rinky-dink leagues and a battery of thieving, sleazy promoters/managers, the book ended with the author's WWE (World Wrestling Entertainment) debut. Never one to leave his fans hanging, as demonstrated by his recent return to wrestling glory, Jericho now tells the story of life in the big leagues. But "making it" in the premier wrestling league in the world comes with its own set of obstacles and hard lessons. Jericho, in his witty, hilarious, and surprisingly endearing manner, lays it all out: the good, the bad, and the spandex.
On 3/1, The Road Warriors: Danger, Death and the Rush of Wrestling by "Road Warrior Animal" Joe Laurinaitis will be released. The book was co-written by Andrew Wright (who had previously worked on an as-of-yet unreleased Ultimate Warrior documentary that was commissioned by Warrior. Paul Ellering will be writing the foreword. I am about halfway through the book and it's a very good book with some really interesting insight into the creation of the gimmick and some really interesting stories from the LOD's run. This will be one that a lot of people will really be surprised by when it's released I think.
The official blurb for the book reads:
Delivering an inside account of one of wrestling's most famous fighters, this autobiography offers a rare chance to learn about Joe "Animal" Laurinaitis's life both inside and outside the ring. Revealing riveting stories about his participation in the 1980s and 1990s superstar wrestling team the Road Warriors, it recounts memorable fights with his partner Mike "Hawk" Hegstrand. He describes how he and Mike rose to become a revolutionary tag team—reinventing themselves with spiky accessories and wearing face paint before it was popular—and chronicles famous rivalries, movement between different wrestling associations, and dealing with Mike's longtime struggle with drugs and alcohol. He also invites fans into his personal life and discusses his family and newfound Christian faith. Featuring stories of incredible physical feats and deep-felt companionship, this testimony will help fans relive the glory days of a wrestling legacy.
On 4/19, Death Clutch: My Story of Determination, Domination, and Survival by Brock Lesnar and Paul Heyman will be released. The book is pretty much done and heading to the printers shortly. I've been told that this will be an incredibly revealing book in that Lesnar really allowed, through his trust of Heyman, a deep, honest portrayal of his life and career moves.
Other updates:
4/26: WWE Heroes - Undertaker: Timequake Tradepaperback.
6/1 "Say Uncle!: Catch-As-Catch-Can and the Roots of Mixed Martial Arts, Pro Wrestling, and Modern Grappling by Jake Shannon
6/1: Wrestling's 101 Strangest Matches by Oliver Hurley
6/28: Countdown to Lockdown (paperback) by Mick Foley
6/28: Wrestling the Hulk: My Life on the Ropes by Linda Hogan.
7/19: The Heyman Hustle - Wrestling's Most Extreme Promoter Tells All.
If you enjoy PWInsider.com you can check out the AD-FREE PWInsider Elite section, which features exclusive audio updates, news, our critically acclaimed podcasts, interviews and more by clicking here!
Bang On Casino
