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Initially known to wrestling fans as the flamboyant Johnny B. Badd in WCW and later as the high-energy “Wildman” in the WWF, Marc Mero's new memoir, Bad to Good: The Inspiring Story of a Wrestling Wildman, reveals the person behind the persona—a man who rose from hardship, endured personal and professional turmoil, and ultimately found purpose in helping others.
In an exclusive conversation with PWInsiderElite.com, Mero opened up about the path that led him to finally share his full story.
“If I was any better, I think I’d need two of me,” Mero joked. “It’s been an incredible journey. Writing this book was something I always wanted to do, and now it’s finally out there. I hope people walk away from it realizing they’re not alone in their struggles.”
Before wrestling ever entered the picture, Mero’s life was one of humble beginnings. A New York native and former amateur boxer, Mero bounced between odd jobs—including digging swimming pools—before professional wrestling offered a lifeline. That turning point came almost by accident: a tryout appearance led to a contract meeting with Dusty Rhodes at WCW headquarters. Within minutes, Mero had a deal—and his life was never the same.
“I went there just to be an enhancement guy, to get beat up by the stars,” Mero recalled. “Then Dusty Rhodes saw me and said I looked like Little Richard. Within minutes, I had a contract in my hand. No agent. No lawyer. I just signed it. I went from making $23,000 a year digging pools to over six figures with merch and royalties. It was surreal.”
Dusty not only gave Mero a job—he gave him a character: Johnny B. Badd, a flamboyant, larger-than-life, glitter-coated showman with roots in Little Richard and James Brown. Mero played the role to perfection, quickly becoming one of WCW’s most recognizable faces.
“I didn’t even know who I was yet, but Dusty did,” Mero said. “He taught me how to walk, how to talk, how to carry myself. That character was 100% Dusty’s vision. He was my mentor, and I’ll forever be grateful for that.”
Mero doesn’t shy away from the darker chapters of his story. His memoir details his struggles with drug addiction, the deterioration of his marriage to Rena Mero (Sable), and multiple health scares—including a torn knee and heart issues.
He also delves deeply into the internal politics of professional wrestling during the 1990s, particularly his controversial guaranteed contract with WWF—making him one of the first to secure such a deal.
After years of success in WCW, Mero became one of the first high-profile names to jump to WWF (now WWE) during the Monday Night War era. But the circumstances of that jump would prove controversial.
“I had a guaranteed contract offer from WCW,” Mero explained. “So when Vince McMahon wanted me, I told him I needed guaranteed money. He gave it to me. Signing bonus, travel, perks. All of it. That made me the first guy in WWF to get a full guarantee.”
That deal would later become a blueprint for other top talents—many of whom owe their security and negotiating power to Mero’s precedent. But at the time, it put a target on his back.
“I didn’t realize how much heat I had until much later,” Mero said. “People were mad. But looking back, I broke the glass ceiling. I set the table. That changed the business. And yeah, there was jealousy. Some guys didn’t want to work with me. But now, guys should look back and say, ‘Thank you.’”
“When I came back from injury, I got to be ‘Marvelous’ Marc Mero and work with Sable and Jackie. That was so creatively freeing. For the first time, I got to play a full-on heel, and it was fun. Vince Russo gave us some crazy stuff—potato sacks, reindeer costumes, whatever—but the crowd loved it.
One of the more emotional parts of Bad to Good is Mero’s candid exploration of his Christian faith, which deepened even as his wrestling career—and personal life—went through chaotic shifts. The tension between faith and fame came to a head when Sable posed for Playboy—a decision that brought a windfall of money but fractured Mero internally.
“I hated myself for agreeing to it,” Mero said. “I thought, ‘God will forgive me,’ and He does, but there are still consequences. I think that was the beginning of the end for our marriage. I struggled with that deeply.”
Yet through the pain, Mero found new purpose. After leaving wrestling, he became a motivational speaker, traveling to schools and churches to share his story.
“I’ve been doing this for 18 years now,” he said. “When a student comes up to me and says, ‘You saved my life’—nothing in wrestling compares to that. Nothing.”
Mero was one of the primary voices in wrestling to speak publicly about the toll the business took on its performers—especially in the wake of the Chris Benoit tragedy.
“I was vilified at the time for speaking out,” he said. “But now WWE has some of the strictest drug testing in sports. And anyone who’s ever been under contract can get free rehab. If speaking out helped save lives, it was worth it.”
He admits to feeling survivor’s guilt—having outlived so many peers from his era—but views his continued presence as a calling.
“I should’ve been dead. I overdosed three times. But I’m still here for a reason. That reason is to help others.”
While Mero looks back fondly on matches against Brian Pillman, Steve Austin, and his role in The Rock’s WWF debut, it’s the fan letters featured in the book that matter most to him now.
“I get emotional thinking about some of those letters,” he said. “I never dreamed I’d be able to help people the way I have. I didn’t write this book just for wrestling fans—I wrote it for anyone going through something.”
And while he’s no longer taking bumps in the ring, Mero is still performing—just in a different way.
“When I get a standing ovation after a school presentation, it hits me just as hard as a great match,” he said. “Only now, nobody’s hitting me with a chair.”
With Bad to Good receiving glowing reviews, Mero is thankful—but not resting.
“I hope people come away from this book knowing they can overcome anything. Your current trial can be your future testimony.”
He’s currently touring schools and events across North America and the U.K., sharing the message that saved his life.
“There’s no off-season in wrestling—but there’s also no expiration date on helping others.”
From the outside looking in, Mero sees wrestling today as safer, smarter, and more sustainable.
“There’s more rest, fewer house shows, better medical care. Guys aren’t being worked 250 days a year anymore. That’s a big difference.”
He acknowledges a culture shift as well—one where talents are more open about mental health, family, and balance.“Back in our day, you didn’t talk about that stuff. Now, you can. That’s progress.”
He also offered perspective on modern wrestlers who feel frustrated while not being utilized, despite lucrative guaranteed contracts.
“I get it—you want to work, you want to be seen. But when you’re getting six figures to stay healthy and be home? Be grateful. One day, you’ll look back and be glad you had that.”
Looking back, Mero points to several matches that remain close to his heart.
His 30-minute bout with Brian Pillman at Fall Brawl—“People didn’t expect much, and we blew them away.”
Losing to Stone Cold Steve Austin at King of the Ring—“That’s when Austin 3:16 was born. I was part of history.”
Leading a Survivor Series team that included The Rock’s debut—“I got to be part of his first match. That’s special.”
He also recalls being present for infamous moments: Mick Foley losing his ear in Germany, the Montreal Screwjob, the Sid-Vicious-Arn Anderson incident. His life touched nearly every era-defining moment in wrestling through the ‘90s.
As WWE continues to highlight its past through archival content and possible Hall of Fame inductions, Mero’s name feels like a natural addition. But for now, he’s focused on the legacy that matters most.
“I’m not worried about accolades,” Mero said. “If I helped even one person get through something hard, then I’ve already won.”
“It’s been an incredible journey. Writing this brought up so many emotions. But more than anything, I hope it helps someone out there realize they’re not alone.”
“I want this book to inspire people to keep going. It doesn’t matter how far you’ve fallen. You can still become the person you were meant to be.”
Bad to Good: The Inspiring Story of a Wrestling Wildman by Marc Mero with Ben Veal is available now on Amazon and wherever books are sold. For more information, visit thinkpoz.org.
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