Evan McClosky's Blog, page 4
August 17, 2021
Literary Squared Circle #14 – IT’S TRUE! IT’S TRUE!
Beatlemania. Hulkamania. WrestleMania. KofiMania. Milk-O-Mania?
Yes, Milk-O-Mania! This Friday (8/20) marks the 20th Anniversary of one of the most iconic moments in Monday Night Raw history. On August 20, 2001, Kurt Angle interrupted “’Stone Cold’ Steve Austin Appreciation Night” by driving a milk truck into Sacramento’s Arco Arena, and dousing The Rattlesnake and the other members of The Alliance with moo juice. “Milk-O-Mania” ran wild that night! As Stephanie McMahon was being hosed down with milk, Jim Ross delivered the memorable line, “The Million Dollar Princess has become a Dairy Queen!”
Kurt Angle driving the milk truck into the arena was, of course, reminiscent of Austin driving a beer truck the arena and spraying The Corporation down with beer two and a half years prior. In 2011, Milk-O-Mania was named the Number 30 “Most Incredible and Outrageous OMG Incident in WWE History”. In 2018, it was even immortalized with a Mattel Epic Moments Action Figure pack, featuring figures of Stephanie McMahon, “Stone Cold” Steve Austin, and Kurt Angle that comes packaged in a box shaped like… what else? A milk truck!
To mark the 20th Anniversary of Milk-O-Mania, the Literary Squared Circle blog reviews Kurt Angle’s memoir, It’s True! It’s True! by Kurt Angle with John Harper (HarperEntertainment, 2002). Similar to Rey Mysterio’s memoir, Behind the Mask (see Literary Squared Circle #10), Angle’s memoir was written very early on in his career. Being that his career continued on for 17 more years, I would hope that Angle would consider writing a follow-up memoir covering everything that has happened over the past two decades.
The first two-thirds of It’s True! It’s True! describe Angle’s life before getting into professional wrestling. Growing up in the suburbs of Pittsburgh, Angle was a decorated amateur wrestler both in high school and in college at Clarion University. After graduating college and winning gold at the Amateur Wrestling World Championships, Angle set his sights on the 1996 Summer Olympics. He was being trained by former Olympic wrestling champion and legendary wrestling coach, Dave Schultz (not to be confused with former pro wrestler “Dr. D” David Schultz), when Schultz was murdered by a deranged philanthropist who supported USA Wrestling.
Schultz had been a father figure to Kurt Angle. Angle tragically lost his own father in a worksite accident when Angle was just 16 years old. When Angle resumed his training he suffered a severe neck injury while competing in the 1996 Olympic Trails. Despite his injury, Angle persevered and won a gold medal in the heavyweight division. Hence, he really did “win a gold medal with a broken freakin’ neck” as would become one of his catchphrases later on in the WWE. Angle dedicated his gold medal win to his late mentor, Dave Schultz.
Angle was looking into a career in professional wrestling following the Olympics in 1996, however, that plan was derailed when he was a guest at an ECW show in Philadelphia during which Raven crucified Sandman. The incident offended Angle and turned him off on the idea becoming a pro wrestler for almost three years.
Kurt Angle finally debuted for WWF at the Survivor Series in November 1999. He fully embraced his “American Hero” persona wearing gold medals around his neck, and preaching the “3 I’s” (“Intensity, Integrity, and Intelligence”). Fans, however, were not receptive to Angle. Instead, he was turned into a self-righteous heel. Angle won the European Championship and the Intercontinental Championship just three months after debuting in the WWF.
He quickly became a main event level talent, feuding with Triple H over a storyline love triangle involving Stephanie McMahon. Angle eventually defeated The Rock for the first of his eventual four WWF/WWE Championships. The book concludes with Angle dropping the WWF Championship back to The Rock at the No Way Out pay-per-view in February 2001.
I really enjoyed It’s True! It’s True! Oh, it’s true! It’s damn true! (See what I did there?) Despite having been co-authored by John Harper, the “voice” of the book is definitely Angle’s. As I read the book, I could hear his voice in my head, much like listening to an audiobook.
The stories of his early life and his amateur wrestling career were interesting, and his tale of winning Olympic gold was inspiring. My only wish is that it included more of his professional wrestling career. Although the first year and a half of his career were spectacular, I would have liked more. That is why I hope Kurt Angle considers writing a follow-up memoir covering the rest of his legendary, Hall of Fame career.
For example, Milk-O-Mania occurred just six months after the last pages of It’s True! It’s True! Other things I’d love to see featured in a second book include: Team Angle, “The Wrestling Machine”, The Angle Alliance in TNA, The Main Event Mafia, his return to WWE, and his time as Raw General Manager.
Overall, It’s True! It’s True! is a great read. It does not suck! Next year marks 20 years since it was published. One can only hope that Angle is considering a sequel to tell the rest of the story.
5 Stars out of 5
Yes, Milk-O-Mania! This Friday (8/20) marks the 20th Anniversary of one of the most iconic moments in Monday Night Raw history. On August 20, 2001, Kurt Angle interrupted “’Stone Cold’ Steve Austin Appreciation Night” by driving a milk truck into Sacramento’s Arco Arena, and dousing The Rattlesnake and the other members of The Alliance with moo juice. “Milk-O-Mania” ran wild that night! As Stephanie McMahon was being hosed down with milk, Jim Ross delivered the memorable line, “The Million Dollar Princess has become a Dairy Queen!”
Kurt Angle driving the milk truck into the arena was, of course, reminiscent of Austin driving a beer truck the arena and spraying The Corporation down with beer two and a half years prior. In 2011, Milk-O-Mania was named the Number 30 “Most Incredible and Outrageous OMG Incident in WWE History”. In 2018, it was even immortalized with a Mattel Epic Moments Action Figure pack, featuring figures of Stephanie McMahon, “Stone Cold” Steve Austin, and Kurt Angle that comes packaged in a box shaped like… what else? A milk truck!
To mark the 20th Anniversary of Milk-O-Mania, the Literary Squared Circle blog reviews Kurt Angle’s memoir, It’s True! It’s True! by Kurt Angle with John Harper (HarperEntertainment, 2002). Similar to Rey Mysterio’s memoir, Behind the Mask (see Literary Squared Circle #10), Angle’s memoir was written very early on in his career. Being that his career continued on for 17 more years, I would hope that Angle would consider writing a follow-up memoir covering everything that has happened over the past two decades.
The first two-thirds of It’s True! It’s True! describe Angle’s life before getting into professional wrestling. Growing up in the suburbs of Pittsburgh, Angle was a decorated amateur wrestler both in high school and in college at Clarion University. After graduating college and winning gold at the Amateur Wrestling World Championships, Angle set his sights on the 1996 Summer Olympics. He was being trained by former Olympic wrestling champion and legendary wrestling coach, Dave Schultz (not to be confused with former pro wrestler “Dr. D” David Schultz), when Schultz was murdered by a deranged philanthropist who supported USA Wrestling.
Schultz had been a father figure to Kurt Angle. Angle tragically lost his own father in a worksite accident when Angle was just 16 years old. When Angle resumed his training he suffered a severe neck injury while competing in the 1996 Olympic Trails. Despite his injury, Angle persevered and won a gold medal in the heavyweight division. Hence, he really did “win a gold medal with a broken freakin’ neck” as would become one of his catchphrases later on in the WWE. Angle dedicated his gold medal win to his late mentor, Dave Schultz.
Angle was looking into a career in professional wrestling following the Olympics in 1996, however, that plan was derailed when he was a guest at an ECW show in Philadelphia during which Raven crucified Sandman. The incident offended Angle and turned him off on the idea becoming a pro wrestler for almost three years.
Kurt Angle finally debuted for WWF at the Survivor Series in November 1999. He fully embraced his “American Hero” persona wearing gold medals around his neck, and preaching the “3 I’s” (“Intensity, Integrity, and Intelligence”). Fans, however, were not receptive to Angle. Instead, he was turned into a self-righteous heel. Angle won the European Championship and the Intercontinental Championship just three months after debuting in the WWF.
He quickly became a main event level talent, feuding with Triple H over a storyline love triangle involving Stephanie McMahon. Angle eventually defeated The Rock for the first of his eventual four WWF/WWE Championships. The book concludes with Angle dropping the WWF Championship back to The Rock at the No Way Out pay-per-view in February 2001.
I really enjoyed It’s True! It’s True! Oh, it’s true! It’s damn true! (See what I did there?) Despite having been co-authored by John Harper, the “voice” of the book is definitely Angle’s. As I read the book, I could hear his voice in my head, much like listening to an audiobook.
The stories of his early life and his amateur wrestling career were interesting, and his tale of winning Olympic gold was inspiring. My only wish is that it included more of his professional wrestling career. Although the first year and a half of his career were spectacular, I would have liked more. That is why I hope Kurt Angle considers writing a follow-up memoir covering the rest of his legendary, Hall of Fame career.
For example, Milk-O-Mania occurred just six months after the last pages of It’s True! It’s True! Other things I’d love to see featured in a second book include: Team Angle, “The Wrestling Machine”, The Angle Alliance in TNA, The Main Event Mafia, his return to WWE, and his time as Raw General Manager.
Overall, It’s True! It’s True! is a great read. It does not suck! Next year marks 20 years since it was published. One can only hope that Angle is considering a sequel to tell the rest of the story.
5 Stars out of 5
August 10, 2021
Literary Squared Circle #13 – THE BOOK OF BOOTY
The New Day was recently named The Greatest Tag Team in WWE History. While they are among most decorated and dominant tag teams of their generation, I think “Greatest in WWE History” may be an overstatement. Considering that WWE History includes The Legion of Doom, The Hart Foundation, Edge & Christian, The Wild Samoans, The British Bulldogs and so many others, I have trouble with The New Day being christened the G.O.A.T.
Regardless, if they are THE greatest tag team or one of the greatest, the Literary Squared Circle blog shines the spotlight The New Day this week in honor of New Day member Kofi Kingston turning 40 on August 14th.
As I read The Book of Booty: Shake It, Love It, Never Be It by The New Day with Greg Adkins and Ryan Murphy (St. Martin’s Griffin, 2018), I didn’t feel that I was reading a book about wrestling. Instead, I felt like I was reading a super-sized edition of Scholastic’s Dynamite magazine from the 1970s. Replace the “Face to Face with Fonzie!” issue with a “Meet the New Day!” issue, and you have The Book of Booty.
The book is geared towards kids aged 8 to 12 years old. It is full of color photographs and tells the story of The New Day: Kofi Kingston, Big E, and Xavier Woods. There are lists and charts and coloring pages and even a Mad Lib. The trio lists their Top 10 New Day matches, as well as their favorite sneakers and videos games. There are also quizzes to test your New Day knowledge.
Taken for what it is, The Book of Booty is a quick, fun read. The target audience of young New Day fans will especially enjoy the book. Older fans might want to pass on this one, unless you are a huge fan of Kofi, Big E, and Xavier. From the perspective of an older curmudgeon such as myself, my main complaint about the book was that readers really don’t get to know the three members beyond their characters. Yes, each member has an “Outside the Ropes” section in which they reveal their favorite sports team, or video game, or whether they have any pets. But there is nothing of any real substance included.
Personally, I would have enjoyed learning more about Kofi Nahaje Sarkodie-Mensah, Ettore Ewen, and Austin Watson… the people behind The New Day. Where were they raised? What obstacles did they overcome in their younger years? How did they get into wrestling? What advice do they have for their young fans? Had a little bit of substance been sprinkled in amongst frivolity, it would have been a much more interesting read.
If you are not a New Day megafan, I would advise most adults to skip this book. It’s geared toward a younger audience, and there is really not much that makes it worth reading for a casual wrestling fan. But, younger fans of The New Day, or anyone who knows what “UpUpDownDown” means for that matter, will probably really enjoy this book. I highly recommend the book to its target audience, New Day fans who are 8 to 12 years old.
Not trying to be sour. I’m just too old, and did not feel the power of The Book of Booty.
3 Stars out of 5
Regardless, if they are THE greatest tag team or one of the greatest, the Literary Squared Circle blog shines the spotlight The New Day this week in honor of New Day member Kofi Kingston turning 40 on August 14th.
As I read The Book of Booty: Shake It, Love It, Never Be It by The New Day with Greg Adkins and Ryan Murphy (St. Martin’s Griffin, 2018), I didn’t feel that I was reading a book about wrestling. Instead, I felt like I was reading a super-sized edition of Scholastic’s Dynamite magazine from the 1970s. Replace the “Face to Face with Fonzie!” issue with a “Meet the New Day!” issue, and you have The Book of Booty.
The book is geared towards kids aged 8 to 12 years old. It is full of color photographs and tells the story of The New Day: Kofi Kingston, Big E, and Xavier Woods. There are lists and charts and coloring pages and even a Mad Lib. The trio lists their Top 10 New Day matches, as well as their favorite sneakers and videos games. There are also quizzes to test your New Day knowledge.
Taken for what it is, The Book of Booty is a quick, fun read. The target audience of young New Day fans will especially enjoy the book. Older fans might want to pass on this one, unless you are a huge fan of Kofi, Big E, and Xavier. From the perspective of an older curmudgeon such as myself, my main complaint about the book was that readers really don’t get to know the three members beyond their characters. Yes, each member has an “Outside the Ropes” section in which they reveal their favorite sports team, or video game, or whether they have any pets. But there is nothing of any real substance included.
Personally, I would have enjoyed learning more about Kofi Nahaje Sarkodie-Mensah, Ettore Ewen, and Austin Watson… the people behind The New Day. Where were they raised? What obstacles did they overcome in their younger years? How did they get into wrestling? What advice do they have for their young fans? Had a little bit of substance been sprinkled in amongst frivolity, it would have been a much more interesting read.
If you are not a New Day megafan, I would advise most adults to skip this book. It’s geared toward a younger audience, and there is really not much that makes it worth reading for a casual wrestling fan. But, younger fans of The New Day, or anyone who knows what “UpUpDownDown” means for that matter, will probably really enjoy this book. I highly recommend the book to its target audience, New Day fans who are 8 to 12 years old.
Not trying to be sour. I’m just too old, and did not feel the power of The Book of Booty.
3 Stars out of 5
August 3, 2021
Literary Squared Circle #12 – HOW TO BECOME A CHAMPION
This week, the Literary Squared Circle blog reviews a rather unique book. At just 44 pages, How to Become a Champion, by Herb Welch (Independently published, 2019), is closer to a pamphlet than a book. This was the manual that Herb Welch would provide for his students whom he trained to become professional wrestlers.
It was Welch’s most well-known trainee, former wrestler “Dr. D” David Schultz, who was given the book by Herb Welch’s widow. Shultz decided to publish the manual for modern wrestling fans. How to Become a Champion depicts a bygone era in which up-and-coming wrestlers were taught the art of “shoot wrestling”. These maneuvers were used by wrestlers to protect themselves should they be double-crossed in the ring by their opponent.
Today, if one wants to become a professional wrestler, they enroll in a wrestling school and are taught basic grappling skills in addition to things like ring psychology, character development, interview skills, and highspots. With the focus on acrobatics in modern wrestling, the WWE Performance Center is actually equipped with a special, custom-built aerial ring for aspiring “Superstars” to safely practice their high flying maneuvers. With all the crash pads, one might mistake a WWE trainee for a stuntman.
According to Herb Welch, all that has nothing to do with How to Become a Champion. To Welch, the journey of becoming a wrestling champion did not begin with running the ropes or taking bumps, it began with learning basic grappling that enabled them to take care of themselves. Illustrated with black-and-white photos from the 1940s and captions, aspiring wrestlers were taught moves such as, “The front face lock is a good way to damage your opponent’s neck. This will take some of the fire out of him.” (p. 12)
While simple in nature, Welch’s methods are effective. Not flashy, but fundamental. It obviously worked for Herb Welch who, per his bio, wrestled professionally for 34 years (1938 to 1972) and was a four-time Junior Southern Heavyweight Champion and a five-time co-holder of the Southern Tag Team Championship. He also wrestled as an amateur for seven years prior to turning pro. After he retired, Welch began training wrestlers. His most famous pupil, “Dr. D” David Schultz, wrote the foreword for the book, in which reminisces about his time training with Herb Welch.
How to Become a Champion is a quick read. It’s honestly nothing more than a collection of illustrated wrestling maneuvers. However, what makes the book interesting is that it is a look into a bygone era, when wrestlers were wrestlers, not acrobats and “sports entertainers”. As a historic document alone, it should be included in every wrestling fan’s library.
3 Stars out of 5
It was Welch’s most well-known trainee, former wrestler “Dr. D” David Schultz, who was given the book by Herb Welch’s widow. Shultz decided to publish the manual for modern wrestling fans. How to Become a Champion depicts a bygone era in which up-and-coming wrestlers were taught the art of “shoot wrestling”. These maneuvers were used by wrestlers to protect themselves should they be double-crossed in the ring by their opponent.
Today, if one wants to become a professional wrestler, they enroll in a wrestling school and are taught basic grappling skills in addition to things like ring psychology, character development, interview skills, and highspots. With the focus on acrobatics in modern wrestling, the WWE Performance Center is actually equipped with a special, custom-built aerial ring for aspiring “Superstars” to safely practice their high flying maneuvers. With all the crash pads, one might mistake a WWE trainee for a stuntman.
According to Herb Welch, all that has nothing to do with How to Become a Champion. To Welch, the journey of becoming a wrestling champion did not begin with running the ropes or taking bumps, it began with learning basic grappling that enabled them to take care of themselves. Illustrated with black-and-white photos from the 1940s and captions, aspiring wrestlers were taught moves such as, “The front face lock is a good way to damage your opponent’s neck. This will take some of the fire out of him.” (p. 12)
While simple in nature, Welch’s methods are effective. Not flashy, but fundamental. It obviously worked for Herb Welch who, per his bio, wrestled professionally for 34 years (1938 to 1972) and was a four-time Junior Southern Heavyweight Champion and a five-time co-holder of the Southern Tag Team Championship. He also wrestled as an amateur for seven years prior to turning pro. After he retired, Welch began training wrestlers. His most famous pupil, “Dr. D” David Schultz, wrote the foreword for the book, in which reminisces about his time training with Herb Welch.
How to Become a Champion is a quick read. It’s honestly nothing more than a collection of illustrated wrestling maneuvers. However, what makes the book interesting is that it is a look into a bygone era, when wrestlers were wrestlers, not acrobats and “sports entertainers”. As a historic document alone, it should be included in every wrestling fan’s library.
3 Stars out of 5
July 27, 2021
Literary Squared Circle #11 – ARE WE THERE YET?
Summer vacation season is in full swing! It is estimated that over two-thirds of Americans will be hitting the road this summer. Now that live audiences have returned, WWE Superstars are hitting the road as well; not for vacation, but for touring. To celebrate summer travel, the Literary Squared Circle blog reviews the book, Are We There Yet?: Tales from the Never-Ending Travels of WWE Superstars by Robert Caprio (Gallery Books, 2005).
Are We There Yet? is a collection of short stories about the travel experience of members of the WWE roster circa 2005. John Cena, Matt Hardy, Kane, Lita, Michael Cole, Ric Flair, Chris Jericho, Big Show, and dozens of others contribute stories to the book. Their stories are divided up into categories that include: “The Good…”, “The Bad…”, “and the Just Plain Bizarre”, “Back in the Day”, “Food”, and “The Bathroom”. It should be noted that “The Bathroom” section is authored by just one wrestler, Big Show. He describes the many complications which come with being a giant forced to use the small bathrooms in Japan.
Some of the stories will be familiar to long-time wrestling fans, but the majority are of the never-before-heard variety. There are all kinds of stories: funny, serious, touching, disgusting, etc. One funny story that stuck with me was Kane describing how he was given the key to the wrong room when he checked into a hotel. Still wearing his makeup from that night’s show, he opened the door to what he thought was his room, only to startle an elderly couple.
Another funny story had Trish Stratus being mistaken for Britney Spears. Other stories had wrestlers meeting various celebrities on the road. Sgt. Slaughter meeting former President Richard Nixon and Chris Jericho meeting Donald Sutherland are two that come to mind. There’s even a story from Paul Heyman about how, as a teenager, he befriended Freddie Blassie whom he cites as an inspiration to pursue a career in professional wrestling.
Ribs also play a major role in the book, and not in the “Food” section. Al Snow recounts ribs Marty Jannetty played on him during their travels. The Brooklyn Brawler remembers his time on the road with The Iron Sheik, who used fraudulent credit cards to pay for hotels, leaving Brawler stuck with the bills.
In addition to the amusing stories, serious topics are also addressed. Chavo Guerrero Jr. discusses missing his family while on the road in “The Sacrifice” chapter. Mark Henry discusses how much he misses his friend and former travel companion, the late Owen Hart in “The Fraternity” chapter. Finally, Ivory recounts the experiences of her and a few other Divas who were out on the road when 9/11 occurred, and the uncertainties they faced together while away from their loved ones.
Overall, Are We There Yet?: Tales from the Never-Ending Travels of WWE Superstars is a fun read. It would be a good book to throw into your bag as you set off on your summer vacation. It’s light summer reading; not fantastic, but not bad. I enjoy the stories from the road that wrestlers have to tell. Whether it’s the old-timers from the territorial days, who were often on the road 350 days a year or more, or the Superstars from 15 years ago who the book estimates were on the road 240 days a year. Their stories are always unique, and often very entertaining. If you like road stories, check out Are We There Yet?
3 Stars out of 5
Are We There Yet? is a collection of short stories about the travel experience of members of the WWE roster circa 2005. John Cena, Matt Hardy, Kane, Lita, Michael Cole, Ric Flair, Chris Jericho, Big Show, and dozens of others contribute stories to the book. Their stories are divided up into categories that include: “The Good…”, “The Bad…”, “and the Just Plain Bizarre”, “Back in the Day”, “Food”, and “The Bathroom”. It should be noted that “The Bathroom” section is authored by just one wrestler, Big Show. He describes the many complications which come with being a giant forced to use the small bathrooms in Japan.
Some of the stories will be familiar to long-time wrestling fans, but the majority are of the never-before-heard variety. There are all kinds of stories: funny, serious, touching, disgusting, etc. One funny story that stuck with me was Kane describing how he was given the key to the wrong room when he checked into a hotel. Still wearing his makeup from that night’s show, he opened the door to what he thought was his room, only to startle an elderly couple.
Another funny story had Trish Stratus being mistaken for Britney Spears. Other stories had wrestlers meeting various celebrities on the road. Sgt. Slaughter meeting former President Richard Nixon and Chris Jericho meeting Donald Sutherland are two that come to mind. There’s even a story from Paul Heyman about how, as a teenager, he befriended Freddie Blassie whom he cites as an inspiration to pursue a career in professional wrestling.
Ribs also play a major role in the book, and not in the “Food” section. Al Snow recounts ribs Marty Jannetty played on him during their travels. The Brooklyn Brawler remembers his time on the road with The Iron Sheik, who used fraudulent credit cards to pay for hotels, leaving Brawler stuck with the bills.
In addition to the amusing stories, serious topics are also addressed. Chavo Guerrero Jr. discusses missing his family while on the road in “The Sacrifice” chapter. Mark Henry discusses how much he misses his friend and former travel companion, the late Owen Hart in “The Fraternity” chapter. Finally, Ivory recounts the experiences of her and a few other Divas who were out on the road when 9/11 occurred, and the uncertainties they faced together while away from their loved ones.
Overall, Are We There Yet?: Tales from the Never-Ending Travels of WWE Superstars is a fun read. It would be a good book to throw into your bag as you set off on your summer vacation. It’s light summer reading; not fantastic, but not bad. I enjoy the stories from the road that wrestlers have to tell. Whether it’s the old-timers from the territorial days, who were often on the road 350 days a year or more, or the Superstars from 15 years ago who the book estimates were on the road 240 days a year. Their stories are always unique, and often very entertaining. If you like road stories, check out Are We There Yet?
3 Stars out of 5
July 20, 2021
Literary Squared Circle #10 – REY MYSTERIO: BEHIND THE MASK
Ten years ago this week, on July 25, 2011, Rey Mysterio made history on Monday Night Raw. The show opened with the final match of an 8-man tournament in which Mysterio defeated The Miz to become the new WWE Champion! The title had been recently been declared vacant when reigning champion CM Punk left the company.
At 5’ 6” tall and weighing just 175 pounds, Mysterio became the smallest competitor in the company’s nearly 50 year history to hold the title. Unfortunately, his reign as WWE Champion was short lived. Before the end of Raw that night, Mysterio was challenged and dethroned by John Cena. Mysterio’s title reign lasted a grand total of one-hour and forty-six minutes. Though brief, Mysterio’s reign was not the shortest in WWE history. Other fleeting championship runs include Yokozuna at WrestleMania IX (2 minutes, 30 seconds) and André the Giant on The Main Event television special (just 45 seconds).
To mark the occasion of Mysterio’s ascension to the top of WWE (and his subsequent dethroning), the Literary Squared Circle blog reviews the book, Rey Mysterio: Behind the Mask by Rey Mysterio and Jeremy Roberts (World Wrestling Entertainment, 2009). The man behind the mask, we come to find out, is Oscar Gutiérrez, who despite his lack of size, chose to embark on a career as a luchador.
Trained by his uncle, who wrestled under the name “Rey Misterio”, Gutiérrez would soon don a mask and eventually come to be known in the ring as “Rey Misterio Jr.” Following a successful run in Mexico, Gutiérrez began competing in Extreme Championship Wrestling. It was during his time in ECW, that the high-flying Rey Misterio Jr. became an international star competing in United States, Mexico, and Japan.
During the Monday Night Wars, Rey Misterio Jr. joined World Championship Wrestling as a member of WCW’s talent-laden Cruiserweight Division. Misterio Jr. competed in WCW until the company ceased operations and was purchased by its main competitor, World Wrestling Entertainment. During his time in WCW, Rey Misterio Jr. often felt that he and the other cruiserweights were not respected or treated fairly by management. The lack of respect culminated in Misterio Jr. being forced to unmask near the end of his WCW career.
When he eventually joined WWE, he again competed under a mask. He also dropped the “Junior” from his name and slightly altered his last name, continuing his wrestling career billed simply as “Rey Mysterio”. Mysterio would go on to compete in the WWE for the next 13 years.
In addition to discussing his in-ring career in depth, Rey Mysterio: Behind the Mask also looks at Mysterio’s personal life, as well as his friendships with fellow wrestlers, most notably Eddie Guerrero. Mysterio and Guerrero both teamed together and feuded against one another. Their epic feud brought elements of Mysterio’s personal life into their worked storyline, with Guerrero claiming to be the biological father of Mysterio’s young son, Dominik. Rey Mysterio goes on to address the heartbreak of Eddie Guerrero’s untimely death in 2005.
Rey Mysterio is refreshingly candid about all subjects, including overcoming his addiction painkillers and his insistence that he never used steroids. This book was released nearly two years before Mysterio’s brief reign as WWE Champion. At the end of the book, Mysterio looks ahead to his future writing, “Just this year, in 2009, I signed a new contract with WWE that will have me wrestling for some time. That means five more years, at least, of pushing myself and inventing new things. Five more years of Pay-Per-Views, championships – I hope – and, best of all, high-flying wrestling.”
Well, it’s 2021, and Rey Mysterio is still going strong. Mysterio left WWE in early 2015, when his contract expired. However, he returned to the company at the as a surprise entrant in the 2018 Royal Rumble match, and he remains a member of the WWE roster to this day. Just two days ago, at the Money in the Bank pay-per-view, Rey Mysterio and his son, Dominik (yes, the same Dominik who, at the age of 8, played a role in his father’s feud with Eddie Guerrero) lost the WWE SmackDown Tag Team Championship to The Usos (Jimmy & Jey). Rey and Dominik were the first father-son tag team champions in WWE history.
Rey Mysterio: Behind the Mask is an enjoyable read. Mysterio truly allows readers to get to know the man behind the mask. He discusses both his career and personal life in an open and honest manner. Most wrestler autobiographies are published near the end of a career, or after that wrestler has already retired from the ring. Being that Rey Mysterio continues to compete in the WWE, nearly 12 years after his book was published, I sincerely hope that Mysterio plans to someday write a follow-up book once his career does finally come to an end. Hopefully, that day is far off, and Rey and his son, Dominik, will continue to entertain the WWE Universe years to come.
4 Stars out of 5
At 5’ 6” tall and weighing just 175 pounds, Mysterio became the smallest competitor in the company’s nearly 50 year history to hold the title. Unfortunately, his reign as WWE Champion was short lived. Before the end of Raw that night, Mysterio was challenged and dethroned by John Cena. Mysterio’s title reign lasted a grand total of one-hour and forty-six minutes. Though brief, Mysterio’s reign was not the shortest in WWE history. Other fleeting championship runs include Yokozuna at WrestleMania IX (2 minutes, 30 seconds) and André the Giant on The Main Event television special (just 45 seconds).
To mark the occasion of Mysterio’s ascension to the top of WWE (and his subsequent dethroning), the Literary Squared Circle blog reviews the book, Rey Mysterio: Behind the Mask by Rey Mysterio and Jeremy Roberts (World Wrestling Entertainment, 2009). The man behind the mask, we come to find out, is Oscar Gutiérrez, who despite his lack of size, chose to embark on a career as a luchador.
Trained by his uncle, who wrestled under the name “Rey Misterio”, Gutiérrez would soon don a mask and eventually come to be known in the ring as “Rey Misterio Jr.” Following a successful run in Mexico, Gutiérrez began competing in Extreme Championship Wrestling. It was during his time in ECW, that the high-flying Rey Misterio Jr. became an international star competing in United States, Mexico, and Japan.
During the Monday Night Wars, Rey Misterio Jr. joined World Championship Wrestling as a member of WCW’s talent-laden Cruiserweight Division. Misterio Jr. competed in WCW until the company ceased operations and was purchased by its main competitor, World Wrestling Entertainment. During his time in WCW, Rey Misterio Jr. often felt that he and the other cruiserweights were not respected or treated fairly by management. The lack of respect culminated in Misterio Jr. being forced to unmask near the end of his WCW career.
When he eventually joined WWE, he again competed under a mask. He also dropped the “Junior” from his name and slightly altered his last name, continuing his wrestling career billed simply as “Rey Mysterio”. Mysterio would go on to compete in the WWE for the next 13 years.
In addition to discussing his in-ring career in depth, Rey Mysterio: Behind the Mask also looks at Mysterio’s personal life, as well as his friendships with fellow wrestlers, most notably Eddie Guerrero. Mysterio and Guerrero both teamed together and feuded against one another. Their epic feud brought elements of Mysterio’s personal life into their worked storyline, with Guerrero claiming to be the biological father of Mysterio’s young son, Dominik. Rey Mysterio goes on to address the heartbreak of Eddie Guerrero’s untimely death in 2005.
Rey Mysterio is refreshingly candid about all subjects, including overcoming his addiction painkillers and his insistence that he never used steroids. This book was released nearly two years before Mysterio’s brief reign as WWE Champion. At the end of the book, Mysterio looks ahead to his future writing, “Just this year, in 2009, I signed a new contract with WWE that will have me wrestling for some time. That means five more years, at least, of pushing myself and inventing new things. Five more years of Pay-Per-Views, championships – I hope – and, best of all, high-flying wrestling.”
Well, it’s 2021, and Rey Mysterio is still going strong. Mysterio left WWE in early 2015, when his contract expired. However, he returned to the company at the as a surprise entrant in the 2018 Royal Rumble match, and he remains a member of the WWE roster to this day. Just two days ago, at the Money in the Bank pay-per-view, Rey Mysterio and his son, Dominik (yes, the same Dominik who, at the age of 8, played a role in his father’s feud with Eddie Guerrero) lost the WWE SmackDown Tag Team Championship to The Usos (Jimmy & Jey). Rey and Dominik were the first father-son tag team champions in WWE history.
Rey Mysterio: Behind the Mask is an enjoyable read. Mysterio truly allows readers to get to know the man behind the mask. He discusses both his career and personal life in an open and honest manner. Most wrestler autobiographies are published near the end of a career, or after that wrestler has already retired from the ring. Being that Rey Mysterio continues to compete in the WWE, nearly 12 years after his book was published, I sincerely hope that Mysterio plans to someday write a follow-up book once his career does finally come to an end. Hopefully, that day is far off, and Rey and his son, Dominik, will continue to entertain the WWE Universe years to come.
4 Stars out of 5
July 13, 2021
Literary Squared Circle #9 – I AIN’T GOT TIME TO BLEED
To say Jesse Ventura has led an interesting life would be an understatement. Navy SEAL. Professional wrestler. Actor. Mayor. Governor. Author. Television host. Few people have reinvented themselves more than Ventura has. Jesse Ventura celebrates his 70th Birthday this week (July 15th). To mark the occasion, the Literary Squared Circle blog reviews Ventura’s first book, I Ain’t Got Time to Bleed: Reworking the Body Politic from the Bottom Up (Villard, 1999).
I Ain’t Got Time to Bleed is not a wrestling book per se. Each chapter addresses a different chapter in Ventura’s life. His professional wrestling career is included, but it is not the focal point of the book. The book begins and ends with Ventura’s 1998 gubernatorial run in his home state of Minnesota, in which he upset the proverbial applecart and “shocked the world” by winning the election.
When the book was released in 1999, Ventura was clearly trying to leave his Jesse “The Body” persona behind. He was now a politician, and he had become Jesse “The Mind” Ventura. Though his wrestling career is discussed, Ventura largely downplays that aspect of his life. He briefly covers topics such as his training with Eddie Sharkey, the creation of his “Body” gimmick, and how he based the character on the mannerisms of Superstar Billy Graham. Ventura describes breaking into the wrestling business for Bob Geigel in the Kansas City territory, and tells a few wild stories about the early days of his career. Unfortunately, his time in the American Wrestling Association is glossed over, but his memorable run in the World Wrestling Federation is discussed more in-depth.
While in the WWF, Ventura’s actions seemed to foretell his future in politics. He was the first wrestler to have an agent to negotiate his contracts. He was also protective of his likeness, and was the first to broach the issue of videotape royalties and compensation . Perhaps the most politically divisive issue he raised was when he proposed unionizing professional wrestling. Ventura claims that it was Hulk Hogan (someone he considered to be a friend) who reported Ventura’s proposed union to Vince McMahon, who quickly put the kibosh on the idea.
Ventura does not shy away from any issue. He admits to steroid use, but states that when he discovered the negative health effects they caused, he changed his stance. He went as far as to participate in campaign aimed at keep young people away from performance enhancing drugs. Whether his later health issues were related to his steroid use or not, Ventura describes the life-threatening blood clots in his lungs which ended his in-ring career.
Though he could no longer wrestle, Ventura successfully transitioned to the broadcast booth, where he pioneered the idea of being a heel commentator. During his time as a commentator, Ventura also began taking on film roles. In fact, the title of his book, I Ain’t Got Time to Bleed, is his iconic line from the 1987 Arnold Schwarzenegger action film, Predator, in which Ventura co-starred.
Jesse Ventura’s wrestling career is covered in two chapters, or approximately fifty pages. The vast majority of the book, however, is about politics. He recounts what prompted him run for office, first as mayor of his hometown, and later as Governor of Minnesota. Ventura shares his political platform, which includes: taxes, education, government reform, social issues, you name it.
As a wrestling fan, I would have enjoyed more wrestling stories, especially about his time in the AWA. Though Ventura has written numerous books over the past twenty plus years, he has not written a book dedicated to his time as a wrestler. However, for what it is, I Ain’t Got Time to Bleed, is a quick and interesting read. Ventura shoots from the hip. He is opinionated, and honest, which must have come as a breath of fresh air for voters in Minnesota in 1998. Early on in the book, Ventura describes himself in the following way, “I am not a career politician. I am not a Democrat. I am not a Republican. I am a working man with commonsense ideas and goals. I describe myself politically as fiscally conservative and socially moderate-to-liberal.”
For those expecting a traditional wrestler autobiography, I Ain’t Got Time to Bleed: Reworking the Body Politic from the Bottom Up will undoubtedly be a disappointment. However, if you are looking to read a compelling life story about someone who marches to the beat of their own drum, you will likely enjoy this book. The story of James George Janos begins in 1950s Minnesota and concludes with him serving as Governor of the state in 1999. Along the way he became known in the ring and on the big screen as Jesse “The Body” Ventura. Ventura’s journey is both a unique and fascinating one.
4 Stars out of 5
I Ain’t Got Time to Bleed is not a wrestling book per se. Each chapter addresses a different chapter in Ventura’s life. His professional wrestling career is included, but it is not the focal point of the book. The book begins and ends with Ventura’s 1998 gubernatorial run in his home state of Minnesota, in which he upset the proverbial applecart and “shocked the world” by winning the election.
When the book was released in 1999, Ventura was clearly trying to leave his Jesse “The Body” persona behind. He was now a politician, and he had become Jesse “The Mind” Ventura. Though his wrestling career is discussed, Ventura largely downplays that aspect of his life. He briefly covers topics such as his training with Eddie Sharkey, the creation of his “Body” gimmick, and how he based the character on the mannerisms of Superstar Billy Graham. Ventura describes breaking into the wrestling business for Bob Geigel in the Kansas City territory, and tells a few wild stories about the early days of his career. Unfortunately, his time in the American Wrestling Association is glossed over, but his memorable run in the World Wrestling Federation is discussed more in-depth.
While in the WWF, Ventura’s actions seemed to foretell his future in politics. He was the first wrestler to have an agent to negotiate his contracts. He was also protective of his likeness, and was the first to broach the issue of videotape royalties and compensation . Perhaps the most politically divisive issue he raised was when he proposed unionizing professional wrestling. Ventura claims that it was Hulk Hogan (someone he considered to be a friend) who reported Ventura’s proposed union to Vince McMahon, who quickly put the kibosh on the idea.
Ventura does not shy away from any issue. He admits to steroid use, but states that when he discovered the negative health effects they caused, he changed his stance. He went as far as to participate in campaign aimed at keep young people away from performance enhancing drugs. Whether his later health issues were related to his steroid use or not, Ventura describes the life-threatening blood clots in his lungs which ended his in-ring career.
Though he could no longer wrestle, Ventura successfully transitioned to the broadcast booth, where he pioneered the idea of being a heel commentator. During his time as a commentator, Ventura also began taking on film roles. In fact, the title of his book, I Ain’t Got Time to Bleed, is his iconic line from the 1987 Arnold Schwarzenegger action film, Predator, in which Ventura co-starred.
Jesse Ventura’s wrestling career is covered in two chapters, or approximately fifty pages. The vast majority of the book, however, is about politics. He recounts what prompted him run for office, first as mayor of his hometown, and later as Governor of Minnesota. Ventura shares his political platform, which includes: taxes, education, government reform, social issues, you name it.
As a wrestling fan, I would have enjoyed more wrestling stories, especially about his time in the AWA. Though Ventura has written numerous books over the past twenty plus years, he has not written a book dedicated to his time as a wrestler. However, for what it is, I Ain’t Got Time to Bleed, is a quick and interesting read. Ventura shoots from the hip. He is opinionated, and honest, which must have come as a breath of fresh air for voters in Minnesota in 1998. Early on in the book, Ventura describes himself in the following way, “I am not a career politician. I am not a Democrat. I am not a Republican. I am a working man with commonsense ideas and goals. I describe myself politically as fiscally conservative and socially moderate-to-liberal.”
For those expecting a traditional wrestler autobiography, I Ain’t Got Time to Bleed: Reworking the Body Politic from the Bottom Up will undoubtedly be a disappointment. However, if you are looking to read a compelling life story about someone who marches to the beat of their own drum, you will likely enjoy this book. The story of James George Janos begins in 1950s Minnesota and concludes with him serving as Governor of the state in 1999. Along the way he became known in the ring and on the big screen as Jesse “The Body” Ventura. Ventura’s journey is both a unique and fascinating one.
4 Stars out of 5
July 6, 2021
Literary Squared Circle #8 – HOLLYWOOD HULK HOGAN
Imagine watching a John Wayne western and at the end of the movie The Duke takes off his cowboy hat, replaces it with a headdress, smears war paint under his eyes, and sides with the Indians. Unbelievable, right? Well, that was the gut punch felt by wrestling fans 25 years ago tomorrow.
For over 12 years, Hulk Hogan proudly wore the red and yellow and preached his demandments of Hulkamania, which included: “train”, “say your prayers”, “eat your vitamins”, “believe in yourself”, and (after the 1994 Steroid Trail) “believe in Hulk Hogan”. The Hulkster was a hero to millions of Hulkamaniacs around the world. Then, on July 7, 1996, everything changed.
WCW’s Bash at the Beach pay-per-view featured what would go down as the biggest heel turn of all-time. That night fans witnessed the death of Hulkamania and the birth of the nWo. Hulk Hogan shockingly turned his back on WCW and his legion of fans. Being pelted with debris in the ring after it was revealed that HE was “mystery partner” of The Outsiders’ (Scott Hall & Kevin Nash) in the six-man tag team main event match, Hogan had these words for his fans, “As far as I’m concerned, all this crap in the ring represents these fans out there … You fans can stick it, brother!”
Exit, the “Real American” babyface, the immortal Hulk Hogan. Enter, the despised, egotistical heel, Hollywood Hulk Hogan. On the eve of the 25th Anniversary of the ultimate betrayal, the Literary Squared Circle blog reviews the book, Hollywood Hulk Hogan by Hollywood Hulk Hogan himself with Michael Jan Friedman (World Wrestling Entertainment, 2003).
Hollywood Hulk Hogan covers Hogan’s life and career from his childhood in Florida to his 2002 return to the World Wrestling Federation. Being that it was published by World Wrestling Entertainment, the book is very similar in style to other autobiographies of The Rock and Kurt Angle. Hogan’s story reads as if it is being told by Hulk Hogan, the character, not as Terry Bollea, the man behind the character.
The book does cover Hogan’s career in detail, though his recollections of events tend to be tinged though red and yellow glasses, meaning the book includes many of Hogan’s legendary exaggerations. His personal life is somewhat glossed over, but is covered more in depth in his follow-up book, My Life Outside the Ring, published in 2009.
Hollywood Hulk Hogan is not a bad book. It is also not a great book. For younger fans interested in Hulk Hogan’s career, this is a good place to start. It’s 400 plus pages of Hulk Hogan telling his story in his words. Don’t expect any great revelations, but just about every important event over the course of his career is covered. For older fans, like myself, who have followed The Hulkster’s career in real time, Hollywood Hulk Hogan is a fun look back at memorable moments from his illustrious career.
So, what does The Hulkster have to say about his heel turn at Bash at the Beach in 1996? Hogan claims that it was his idea to turn heel and join the New World Order. Not only that, he claims that he came up with the idea while still working for the WWF, but Vince McMahon told him that it would never work. Despite the fact that the “Hollywood” gimmick rejuvenated his career and put WCW on top of the ratings war, Hogan claims he was uncomfortable with being a heel, due to effect it had on his young fans and his family.
Hogan’s account doesn’t quite gel with the story most are used to hearing. Eric Bischoff is generally credited with coming up with the idea for the nWo. He based it upon a similar invasion angle that had been done earlier that year in New Japan Pro Wrestling. I’ve also often heard that Sting was Bischoff’s original plan to be The Outsiders’ “mystery partner”, but the idea was nixed at the last minute and Hogan was given the nod. In hindsight, the idea of WCW’s poster boy Sting turning his back on the company would have been shocking, but I think it would have paled in comparison to what actually ended up happening.
Hulk Hogan’s heel turn 25 years ago at Bash at the Beach is one of those moments that those who witnessed it will never forget. I still remember where I was and how I felt. The angle elicited genuine emotion, something which today’s professional wrestling seems incapable of producing. These days wrestlers are turned heel or turned face on a weekly basis (i.e. The Big Show), often without any solid reasoning behind the turn. The lack of storytelling has created a disconnect between the wrestlers and the audience. This was not the case in 1996. The nWo storyline and Hulk Hogan’s heel turn are still being talked about 25 years later, and will probably still be talked about in another quarter century. Is there anything taking place in modern professional wrestling that you can say that about?
If you’re looking for wrestling-related summer reading material, and you want to reminisce about how pro wrestling was in the 1980s and 1990s, pick up a copy of Hollywood Hulk Hogan, brother!
3 Stars out of 5
For over 12 years, Hulk Hogan proudly wore the red and yellow and preached his demandments of Hulkamania, which included: “train”, “say your prayers”, “eat your vitamins”, “believe in yourself”, and (after the 1994 Steroid Trail) “believe in Hulk Hogan”. The Hulkster was a hero to millions of Hulkamaniacs around the world. Then, on July 7, 1996, everything changed.
WCW’s Bash at the Beach pay-per-view featured what would go down as the biggest heel turn of all-time. That night fans witnessed the death of Hulkamania and the birth of the nWo. Hulk Hogan shockingly turned his back on WCW and his legion of fans. Being pelted with debris in the ring after it was revealed that HE was “mystery partner” of The Outsiders’ (Scott Hall & Kevin Nash) in the six-man tag team main event match, Hogan had these words for his fans, “As far as I’m concerned, all this crap in the ring represents these fans out there … You fans can stick it, brother!”
Exit, the “Real American” babyface, the immortal Hulk Hogan. Enter, the despised, egotistical heel, Hollywood Hulk Hogan. On the eve of the 25th Anniversary of the ultimate betrayal, the Literary Squared Circle blog reviews the book, Hollywood Hulk Hogan by Hollywood Hulk Hogan himself with Michael Jan Friedman (World Wrestling Entertainment, 2003).
Hollywood Hulk Hogan covers Hogan’s life and career from his childhood in Florida to his 2002 return to the World Wrestling Federation. Being that it was published by World Wrestling Entertainment, the book is very similar in style to other autobiographies of The Rock and Kurt Angle. Hogan’s story reads as if it is being told by Hulk Hogan, the character, not as Terry Bollea, the man behind the character.
The book does cover Hogan’s career in detail, though his recollections of events tend to be tinged though red and yellow glasses, meaning the book includes many of Hogan’s legendary exaggerations. His personal life is somewhat glossed over, but is covered more in depth in his follow-up book, My Life Outside the Ring, published in 2009.
Hollywood Hulk Hogan is not a bad book. It is also not a great book. For younger fans interested in Hulk Hogan’s career, this is a good place to start. It’s 400 plus pages of Hulk Hogan telling his story in his words. Don’t expect any great revelations, but just about every important event over the course of his career is covered. For older fans, like myself, who have followed The Hulkster’s career in real time, Hollywood Hulk Hogan is a fun look back at memorable moments from his illustrious career.
So, what does The Hulkster have to say about his heel turn at Bash at the Beach in 1996? Hogan claims that it was his idea to turn heel and join the New World Order. Not only that, he claims that he came up with the idea while still working for the WWF, but Vince McMahon told him that it would never work. Despite the fact that the “Hollywood” gimmick rejuvenated his career and put WCW on top of the ratings war, Hogan claims he was uncomfortable with being a heel, due to effect it had on his young fans and his family.
Hogan’s account doesn’t quite gel with the story most are used to hearing. Eric Bischoff is generally credited with coming up with the idea for the nWo. He based it upon a similar invasion angle that had been done earlier that year in New Japan Pro Wrestling. I’ve also often heard that Sting was Bischoff’s original plan to be The Outsiders’ “mystery partner”, but the idea was nixed at the last minute and Hogan was given the nod. In hindsight, the idea of WCW’s poster boy Sting turning his back on the company would have been shocking, but I think it would have paled in comparison to what actually ended up happening.
Hulk Hogan’s heel turn 25 years ago at Bash at the Beach is one of those moments that those who witnessed it will never forget. I still remember where I was and how I felt. The angle elicited genuine emotion, something which today’s professional wrestling seems incapable of producing. These days wrestlers are turned heel or turned face on a weekly basis (i.e. The Big Show), often without any solid reasoning behind the turn. The lack of storytelling has created a disconnect between the wrestlers and the audience. This was not the case in 1996. The nWo storyline and Hulk Hogan’s heel turn are still being talked about 25 years later, and will probably still be talked about in another quarter century. Is there anything taking place in modern professional wrestling that you can say that about?
If you’re looking for wrestling-related summer reading material, and you want to reminisce about how pro wrestling was in the 1980s and 1990s, pick up a copy of Hollywood Hulk Hogan, brother!
3 Stars out of 5
June 29, 2021
Literary Squared Circle #7 – MASTER OF THE RING
“To a nicer guy it couldn’t happen!”
Buddy Rogers uttered these famous words 60 years ago tomorrow, after defeating Pat O’Connor to win the NWA World Heavyweight Championship. Their 2 out of 3 falls encounter took place at Comiskey Park in Chicago on June 30, 1961. Billed as the “Match of the Century”, it attracted a crowd in excess of 38,000 fans, which was a North American pro wrestling attendance record that would stand for a quarter century. The record crowd also made the night a profitable one, with a gate of $148,000, also a pro wrestling record at the time. Adjusted for inflation, that would equal just over $1.3 million in 2021.
Being crowned NWA Champion was an iconic moment in the career of “Nature Boy” Buddy Rogers, a career filled with memorable moments. To commemorate the 60th Anniversary of this historic match, the Literary Squared Circle blog is taking a look back at the life and career of the legendary “Nature Boy” Buddy Rogers by reviewing the new book, Master of the Ring: The Biography of “Nature Boy” Buddy Rogers by Tim Hornbaker (Crowbar Press, 2020).
Though technically released in 2020 (during the last two weeks of the year), I consider Master of the Ring to be the best wrestling book I have read in 2021. Author Tim Hornbaker presents the definitive look back at the career of wrestling’s original “Nature Boy”. From his professional wrestling debut as Herman Rhode (his birth name) in July 1942 to his final match 41 years later as Buddy Rogers (he legally changed his name), his career retrospective is meticulously detailed, year-by-year, territory-by-territory, opponent-by-opponent, championship-by-championship.
Following his reign as NWA Champion, in 1963, Buddy Rogers was named the inaugural World Wide Wrestling Federation Heavyweight Champion, allegedly having won a fictional tournament in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Master of the Ring delves into the controversy surrounding Rogers jump from the NWA to the WWWF, as well as the circumstances which led to him dropping the WWWF title to Bruno Sammartino less than one month after being crowned champion.
An interesting bit of trivia: Rogers was the first wrestler to hold both the NWA and the WWWF (later WWF, now WWE) World Heavyweight Championships. He has since been joined by Ric Flair (who succeeded Rogers as wrestling’s “Nature Boy”) and AJ Styles.
From the standpoint of “Nature Boy” Buddy Rogers’ career, Master of the Ring presents an incomparable, thorough, and complete overview. His in-ring innovations are detailed, along with those in the business that he inspired. His behind-the-scenes dealings with promoters are examined, as are his backstage friendships and feuds with fellow wrestlers.
However, from a personal standpoint, though his marriages and divorces are recounted, as are his ventures and investments outside of professional wrestling, I didn’t feel that I “got to know” Herman Rhode/Buddy Rogers, the person. In The Eighth Wonder of the World (see Literary Squared Circle #1), my favorite book of 2020, it not only thoroughly documented André the Giant’s career, but I felt like I got to know André Roussimoff as a person. I didn’t get the same feeling about Buddy Rogers in Master of the Ring.
Whatever the book may lack as far as insights into Rogers as an individual, it more than makes up for in information regarding Rogers as a wrestler. Master of the Ring: The Biography of “Nature Boy” Buddy Rogers is a brilliant book. The copious endnotes at the end of each chapter, show the vast amount of research that Tim Hornbaker did to bring this project to fruition. There are also many fascinating photos and documents included throughout the book.
I highly recommend Master of the Ring to anyone interested in Buddy Rogers specifically, or professional wrestling history in general. It is not a light read, but it is definitely well-worth your time. Hornbaker debunks many legends surrounding Rogers career, only to show that fact is often much more interesting than fiction.
5 Stars out of 5
Buddy Rogers uttered these famous words 60 years ago tomorrow, after defeating Pat O’Connor to win the NWA World Heavyweight Championship. Their 2 out of 3 falls encounter took place at Comiskey Park in Chicago on June 30, 1961. Billed as the “Match of the Century”, it attracted a crowd in excess of 38,000 fans, which was a North American pro wrestling attendance record that would stand for a quarter century. The record crowd also made the night a profitable one, with a gate of $148,000, also a pro wrestling record at the time. Adjusted for inflation, that would equal just over $1.3 million in 2021.
Being crowned NWA Champion was an iconic moment in the career of “Nature Boy” Buddy Rogers, a career filled with memorable moments. To commemorate the 60th Anniversary of this historic match, the Literary Squared Circle blog is taking a look back at the life and career of the legendary “Nature Boy” Buddy Rogers by reviewing the new book, Master of the Ring: The Biography of “Nature Boy” Buddy Rogers by Tim Hornbaker (Crowbar Press, 2020).
Though technically released in 2020 (during the last two weeks of the year), I consider Master of the Ring to be the best wrestling book I have read in 2021. Author Tim Hornbaker presents the definitive look back at the career of wrestling’s original “Nature Boy”. From his professional wrestling debut as Herman Rhode (his birth name) in July 1942 to his final match 41 years later as Buddy Rogers (he legally changed his name), his career retrospective is meticulously detailed, year-by-year, territory-by-territory, opponent-by-opponent, championship-by-championship.
Following his reign as NWA Champion, in 1963, Buddy Rogers was named the inaugural World Wide Wrestling Federation Heavyweight Champion, allegedly having won a fictional tournament in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Master of the Ring delves into the controversy surrounding Rogers jump from the NWA to the WWWF, as well as the circumstances which led to him dropping the WWWF title to Bruno Sammartino less than one month after being crowned champion.
An interesting bit of trivia: Rogers was the first wrestler to hold both the NWA and the WWWF (later WWF, now WWE) World Heavyweight Championships. He has since been joined by Ric Flair (who succeeded Rogers as wrestling’s “Nature Boy”) and AJ Styles.
From the standpoint of “Nature Boy” Buddy Rogers’ career, Master of the Ring presents an incomparable, thorough, and complete overview. His in-ring innovations are detailed, along with those in the business that he inspired. His behind-the-scenes dealings with promoters are examined, as are his backstage friendships and feuds with fellow wrestlers.
However, from a personal standpoint, though his marriages and divorces are recounted, as are his ventures and investments outside of professional wrestling, I didn’t feel that I “got to know” Herman Rhode/Buddy Rogers, the person. In The Eighth Wonder of the World (see Literary Squared Circle #1), my favorite book of 2020, it not only thoroughly documented André the Giant’s career, but I felt like I got to know André Roussimoff as a person. I didn’t get the same feeling about Buddy Rogers in Master of the Ring.
Whatever the book may lack as far as insights into Rogers as an individual, it more than makes up for in information regarding Rogers as a wrestler. Master of the Ring: The Biography of “Nature Boy” Buddy Rogers is a brilliant book. The copious endnotes at the end of each chapter, show the vast amount of research that Tim Hornbaker did to bring this project to fruition. There are also many fascinating photos and documents included throughout the book.
I highly recommend Master of the Ring to anyone interested in Buddy Rogers specifically, or professional wrestling history in general. It is not a light read, but it is definitely well-worth your time. Hornbaker debunks many legends surrounding Rogers career, only to show that fact is often much more interesting than fiction.
5 Stars out of 5
June 22, 2021
Literary Squared Circle #6 – ALI VS. INOKI
On June 26, 1976, Muhammad Ali faced off against Antonio Inoki in a boxer vs. wrestler match in Tokyo. This Saturday marks the 45th Anniversary of that strange encounter. The Literary Squared Circle blog revisits the infamous bout by reviewing the book, Ali vs. Inoki: The Forgotten Fight That Inspired Mixed Martial Arts and Launched Sports Entertainment by Josh Gross (BenBella Books, 2016).
The bout between Muhammad Ali and Antonio Inoki was not the typical case of a washed up fighter, in need of money, stepping into the wrestling ring for a worked match. On the contrary, at the time Ali was the Undisputed World Heavyweight Boxing Champion, holding the both the WBC and the WBA titles. His opponent, Antonio Inoki, was the reigning NWF Heavyweight Wrestling Champion. These were two athletes at the top of their game facing off in an international mega-event.
The major sticking point encountered during the planning of the event concerned the rules for the bout. Ali, naturally, did not want to wrestle Inoki; nor did Inoki want to stand toe-to-toe with and box the best boxer in the world. After much debate, the result was a mixed-style fight featuring rules agreed upon by both fighters. In hindsight, many look back at the Ali vs. Inoki fight as being the birth of Mixed Martial Arts. Today, MMA is thriving with promotions such as UFC, Bellator, and Pancrase, but 45 years ago the concept was unheard of.
What was agreed to was somewhat confusing. The fight would be comprised of fifteen, three-minute rounds that would be scored by two ringside judges and the referee (“Judo” Gene LeBell). Ali would abide by customary boxing rules while standing. Inoki would observer customary wrestling rules while on the canvas. Both fighters could use karate and wrestling moves, and could punch if both combatants were standing.
The match took place live in front of a sold out crowd at Budokan Hall in Tokyo, Japan. It is estimated that over one billion people worldwide watched the fight, including over two million people in the United States who watched the event on closed-circuit television at theaters and arenas throughout the country. The World Wide Wrestling Federation used the closed-circuit feed of Ali vs. Inoki to headline its Showdown at Shea show at Shea Stadium in Flushing, New York. The Shea Stadium show drew a crowd of 32,000 fans, and featured live matches on the undercard including WWWF World Heavyweight Champion Bruno Sammartino defeating Stan Hansen by countout. Sammartino was returning to the ring just two months after suffering a broken neck at the hands of Hansen. There was also another boxer vs. wrestler match on the card (albeit a worked match) which saw André the Giant defeat Chuck Wepner by countout in the third round.
Based on the interest in the fight, the anticipation, and the huge audience watching, one would have expected this match to be one of the more memorable matches of all-time. Unfortunately, the bout ended up being easily forgettable. Under the hybrid rules, the combatants styles clashed, and fans were forced to endure a fifteen round draw featuring very little action. While Ali remained on his feet, trying to goad Inoki into boxing him; Inoki opted to lie down on the mat in a crab-like position, from which he proceeded to kick Ali’s legs repeatedly.
The anticlimactic bout was declared a draw. Despite the disappointment of the fight itself, the Ali vs. Inoki encounter is looked back upon by many as the inspiration for modern MMA. In addition to the influence it had on modern combat sports, author Josh Gross also presented an interesting theory that I had never heard before, regarding the lasting effects the match may have had on Muhammad Ali. It is believed that the damage Ali sustained to his legs from Inoki’s repeated kicks, made him less mobile in the remaining seven fights over the last five years of his boxing career (1976 to 1981). Ali never again knocked out an opponent, with six of those seven fights going the full distance of fifteen rounds. The increased time in the ring combined with punches he endured due to his lack of mobility may have exacerbated Ali’s Parkinson’s disease.
With Ali vs. Inoki: The Forgotten Fight That Inspired Mixed Martial Arts and Launched Sports Entertainment, Josh Gross has written a unique book. If there is another book about this particular subject, I am not aware of it. He exhaustively researched all aspects surrounding the fight. Readers are introduced to Inoki (of course) as well as other professional wrestling personalities. including “Classy” Freddie Blassie (who managed Ali) and “Judo” Gene LeBell (who served as referee for the match). Gross also examines the history of Japanese wrestling, as well as the involvement of other boxers in professional wrestling throughout the years, both as special attraction wrestlers and as referees. Ali and other boxing personalities are presented as well, and the author looks at how the fight came to be, the politics behind the rules of the bout, as well as the media hype leading up to the event.
Gross, whose background is as an MMA writer, admittedly was not a pro wrestling fan going into the project. There were a couple of factual errors I noted, however, his exhaustive research and detailed description of the bout made the reader feel like they were there, whether that was a good thing or not.
When I picked up Ali vs. Inoki, I knew OF the fight, but admittedly very little ABOUT the fight. After reading the book, I felt like I was there. I did not realize that it is looked upon as the beginning of Mixed Martial Arts. Overall, Ali vs. Inoki: The Forgotten Fight That Inspired Mixed Martial Arts and Launched Sports Entertainment is a very interesting, informative, and highly recommended read.
5 Stars out of 5
The bout between Muhammad Ali and Antonio Inoki was not the typical case of a washed up fighter, in need of money, stepping into the wrestling ring for a worked match. On the contrary, at the time Ali was the Undisputed World Heavyweight Boxing Champion, holding the both the WBC and the WBA titles. His opponent, Antonio Inoki, was the reigning NWF Heavyweight Wrestling Champion. These were two athletes at the top of their game facing off in an international mega-event.
The major sticking point encountered during the planning of the event concerned the rules for the bout. Ali, naturally, did not want to wrestle Inoki; nor did Inoki want to stand toe-to-toe with and box the best boxer in the world. After much debate, the result was a mixed-style fight featuring rules agreed upon by both fighters. In hindsight, many look back at the Ali vs. Inoki fight as being the birth of Mixed Martial Arts. Today, MMA is thriving with promotions such as UFC, Bellator, and Pancrase, but 45 years ago the concept was unheard of.
What was agreed to was somewhat confusing. The fight would be comprised of fifteen, three-minute rounds that would be scored by two ringside judges and the referee (“Judo” Gene LeBell). Ali would abide by customary boxing rules while standing. Inoki would observer customary wrestling rules while on the canvas. Both fighters could use karate and wrestling moves, and could punch if both combatants were standing.
The match took place live in front of a sold out crowd at Budokan Hall in Tokyo, Japan. It is estimated that over one billion people worldwide watched the fight, including over two million people in the United States who watched the event on closed-circuit television at theaters and arenas throughout the country. The World Wide Wrestling Federation used the closed-circuit feed of Ali vs. Inoki to headline its Showdown at Shea show at Shea Stadium in Flushing, New York. The Shea Stadium show drew a crowd of 32,000 fans, and featured live matches on the undercard including WWWF World Heavyweight Champion Bruno Sammartino defeating Stan Hansen by countout. Sammartino was returning to the ring just two months after suffering a broken neck at the hands of Hansen. There was also another boxer vs. wrestler match on the card (albeit a worked match) which saw André the Giant defeat Chuck Wepner by countout in the third round.
Based on the interest in the fight, the anticipation, and the huge audience watching, one would have expected this match to be one of the more memorable matches of all-time. Unfortunately, the bout ended up being easily forgettable. Under the hybrid rules, the combatants styles clashed, and fans were forced to endure a fifteen round draw featuring very little action. While Ali remained on his feet, trying to goad Inoki into boxing him; Inoki opted to lie down on the mat in a crab-like position, from which he proceeded to kick Ali’s legs repeatedly.
The anticlimactic bout was declared a draw. Despite the disappointment of the fight itself, the Ali vs. Inoki encounter is looked back upon by many as the inspiration for modern MMA. In addition to the influence it had on modern combat sports, author Josh Gross also presented an interesting theory that I had never heard before, regarding the lasting effects the match may have had on Muhammad Ali. It is believed that the damage Ali sustained to his legs from Inoki’s repeated kicks, made him less mobile in the remaining seven fights over the last five years of his boxing career (1976 to 1981). Ali never again knocked out an opponent, with six of those seven fights going the full distance of fifteen rounds. The increased time in the ring combined with punches he endured due to his lack of mobility may have exacerbated Ali’s Parkinson’s disease.
With Ali vs. Inoki: The Forgotten Fight That Inspired Mixed Martial Arts and Launched Sports Entertainment, Josh Gross has written a unique book. If there is another book about this particular subject, I am not aware of it. He exhaustively researched all aspects surrounding the fight. Readers are introduced to Inoki (of course) as well as other professional wrestling personalities. including “Classy” Freddie Blassie (who managed Ali) and “Judo” Gene LeBell (who served as referee for the match). Gross also examines the history of Japanese wrestling, as well as the involvement of other boxers in professional wrestling throughout the years, both as special attraction wrestlers and as referees. Ali and other boxing personalities are presented as well, and the author looks at how the fight came to be, the politics behind the rules of the bout, as well as the media hype leading up to the event.
Gross, whose background is as an MMA writer, admittedly was not a pro wrestling fan going into the project. There were a couple of factual errors I noted, however, his exhaustive research and detailed description of the bout made the reader feel like they were there, whether that was a good thing or not.
When I picked up Ali vs. Inoki, I knew OF the fight, but admittedly very little ABOUT the fight. After reading the book, I felt like I was there. I did not realize that it is looked upon as the beginning of Mixed Martial Arts. Overall, Ali vs. Inoki: The Forgotten Fight That Inspired Mixed Martial Arts and Launched Sports Entertainment is a very interesting, informative, and highly recommended read.
5 Stars out of 5
June 15, 2021
Literary Squared Circle #5 – BRODY
The legendary Bruiser Brody was born on June 18, 1946. Had his life not come to a tragic end 33 years ago next month, Brody would be celebrating his 75th Birthday this Friday. In honor of the 75th Anniversary of the birth of Bruiser Brody, the Literary Squared Circle blog is reviewing the book, Brody: The Triumph and Tragedy of Wrestling’s Rebel by Larry Matysik and Barbara Goodish (ECW Press, 2007).
Brody begins at the end; in a locker room shower in Bayamón, Puerto Rico on July 16, 1988. The book describes in detail the events surrounding Bruiser Brody’s death at the age of 42, at the hands of fellow wrestler José González. González, who was also the company’s booker, called Brody into the shower area for a private meeting. It was there that González fatally stabbed Brody, who passed away early the next morning.
Before the book leaves the scene in Puerto Rico and takes the reader back to the beginning, telling the life story of Frank Goodish, the man who would become Bruiser Brody, it looks at the aftermath of his murder. A spotlight is turned on the injustice of the Puerto Rican legal system, which saw José González charged with murder, but then acquitted on the grounds of self-defense. Many key witnesses, mostly American wrestlers who were in the locker room at the time did not receive their summons regarding the trial until after the trial had ended. González continued to wrestle for over a decade after Brody’s murder, even taking part in a tasteless 1990 angle in Japan in which he “stabbed” Atsushi Onita.
The remainder of the book allows readers to get to know Bruiser Brody. His story is told by those who knew him best: friends, family, fellow wrestlers, and wrestling journalists. The most effective and captivating stories are told by his widow, Barbara. She provides a unique portrait of the wrestling legend, that of the man behind the Bruiser Brody persona, her husband, Frank Goodish.
Goodish’s career as Bruiser Brody is covered in great detail. His memorable matches, famous feuds, and backstage dealings with promoters across the United States, Japan, and Puerto Rico are explored. Goodish/Brody was a complex individual. He had contentious relationships with many promoters over money and he went against the grain career-wise, becoming a huge attraction in Japan, while not joining Vince McMahon’s World Wrestling Federation during the company’s national expansion in the early to mid 1980s.
The only thing I did not like about the book was author Larry Matysik’s tendency to dwell upon the territory for which he worked, St. Louis. It was in St. Louis that Matysik befriend Brody, who was billed as King Kong Brody in the city to avoid confusion with Dick the Bruiser. Yes, Brody competed in the St. Louis, and yes, he and Matysik became close friends, but his time there seemed to receive more coverage than his equally, if not more, memorable runs in Texas, Florida, and the American Wrestling Association.
Thankfully, Bruiser Brody’s career in Japan is covered extensively. Brody was a huge star in the country, rivalling Hulk Hogan’s popularity in the United States during the peak of Hulkamania. Brody concludes with a “What might have been” discussion, which addresses hypothetical scenarios for Bruiser Brody’s career had his life not been cut short. Would Brody have joined the then WWF? Would he have had a main event run against Hulk Hogan? Would Brody have ever main evented a WrestleMania? Unfortunately, one can only theorize as to these and other scenarios, as Brody was tragically taken from us too soon.
Brody: The Triumph and Tragedy of Wrestling’s Rebel is an interesting read which effectively summarizes of the life Frank Goodish, the man, as well as the career of his in-ring alter ego, Bruiser Brody. The contributions of Barbara Goodish add a dimension to the book not seen in many wrestler biographies. She is able to take a larger-than-life character, and humanize him through her memories of her late husband.
On the occasion of the 75th Anniversary of the birth of Bruiser Brody, I recommend the book, Brody. Those who remember his work will enjoy reliving matches and moments from throughout his storied career. Those too young to have seen him in-action will learn about one of the true legends of professional wrestling, and hopefully be inspired to watch a few of his classic matches on YouTube.
4 Stars out of 5
Brody begins at the end; in a locker room shower in Bayamón, Puerto Rico on July 16, 1988. The book describes in detail the events surrounding Bruiser Brody’s death at the age of 42, at the hands of fellow wrestler José González. González, who was also the company’s booker, called Brody into the shower area for a private meeting. It was there that González fatally stabbed Brody, who passed away early the next morning.
Before the book leaves the scene in Puerto Rico and takes the reader back to the beginning, telling the life story of Frank Goodish, the man who would become Bruiser Brody, it looks at the aftermath of his murder. A spotlight is turned on the injustice of the Puerto Rican legal system, which saw José González charged with murder, but then acquitted on the grounds of self-defense. Many key witnesses, mostly American wrestlers who were in the locker room at the time did not receive their summons regarding the trial until after the trial had ended. González continued to wrestle for over a decade after Brody’s murder, even taking part in a tasteless 1990 angle in Japan in which he “stabbed” Atsushi Onita.
The remainder of the book allows readers to get to know Bruiser Brody. His story is told by those who knew him best: friends, family, fellow wrestlers, and wrestling journalists. The most effective and captivating stories are told by his widow, Barbara. She provides a unique portrait of the wrestling legend, that of the man behind the Bruiser Brody persona, her husband, Frank Goodish.
Goodish’s career as Bruiser Brody is covered in great detail. His memorable matches, famous feuds, and backstage dealings with promoters across the United States, Japan, and Puerto Rico are explored. Goodish/Brody was a complex individual. He had contentious relationships with many promoters over money and he went against the grain career-wise, becoming a huge attraction in Japan, while not joining Vince McMahon’s World Wrestling Federation during the company’s national expansion in the early to mid 1980s.
The only thing I did not like about the book was author Larry Matysik’s tendency to dwell upon the territory for which he worked, St. Louis. It was in St. Louis that Matysik befriend Brody, who was billed as King Kong Brody in the city to avoid confusion with Dick the Bruiser. Yes, Brody competed in the St. Louis, and yes, he and Matysik became close friends, but his time there seemed to receive more coverage than his equally, if not more, memorable runs in Texas, Florida, and the American Wrestling Association.
Thankfully, Bruiser Brody’s career in Japan is covered extensively. Brody was a huge star in the country, rivalling Hulk Hogan’s popularity in the United States during the peak of Hulkamania. Brody concludes with a “What might have been” discussion, which addresses hypothetical scenarios for Bruiser Brody’s career had his life not been cut short. Would Brody have joined the then WWF? Would he have had a main event run against Hulk Hogan? Would Brody have ever main evented a WrestleMania? Unfortunately, one can only theorize as to these and other scenarios, as Brody was tragically taken from us too soon.
Brody: The Triumph and Tragedy of Wrestling’s Rebel is an interesting read which effectively summarizes of the life Frank Goodish, the man, as well as the career of his in-ring alter ego, Bruiser Brody. The contributions of Barbara Goodish add a dimension to the book not seen in many wrestler biographies. She is able to take a larger-than-life character, and humanize him through her memories of her late husband.
On the occasion of the 75th Anniversary of the birth of Bruiser Brody, I recommend the book, Brody. Those who remember his work will enjoy reliving matches and moments from throughout his storied career. Those too young to have seen him in-action will learn about one of the true legends of professional wrestling, and hopefully be inspired to watch a few of his classic matches on YouTube.
4 Stars out of 5
