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Lita: A Less Traveled R.O.A.D.--The Reality of Amy Dumas
Taking unexpected risks, daring to do what no one has done before, that's the reality of Amy Dumas, the remarkable woman behind Lita. With only a guidebook for a companion, Amy set out for Mexico City to learn about "lucha libre," Mexico's professional wrestling. She returned to the States, resolute in her goal to be a professional wrestler.
Amy found people who saw her determination and her heart, and agreed to train her. She met a number of wrestlers who would prove influential in her career. Among them were two North Carolina stars who had just signed with World Wrestling Entertainment -- Matt and Jeff Hardy. Amy formed an instant bond with the brothers; their high-flying bravado inspired her own ring style.
It wasn't long before Amy -- now christened Lita -- joined WWE. She proved to be a pioneer in women's wrestling. It took a broken neck suffered on the set of a television series to stop her...but only temporarily. "Lita: A Less Traveled R.O.A.D -- The Reality of Amy Dumas" is the stirring tale of one young woman's amazing journey to the top of WWE.
Amy found people who saw her determination and her heart, and agreed to train her. She met a number of wrestlers who would prove influential in her career. Among them were two North Carolina stars who had just signed with World Wrestling Entertainment -- Matt and Jeff Hardy. Amy formed an instant bond with the brothers; their high-flying bravado inspired her own ring style.
It wasn't long before Amy -- now christened Lita -- joined WWE. She proved to be a pioneer in women's wrestling. It took a broken neck suffered on the set of a television series to stop her...but only temporarily. "Lita: A Less Traveled R.O.A.D -- The Reality of Amy Dumas" is the stirring tale of one young woman's amazing journey to the top of WWE.
352 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2003
21 people are currently reading
861 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 62 reviews
January 1, 2011
Interesting if you're already a Lita fan, but not nearly as interesting as the real-life wrestling controversy she caused in the years following this book's release. For her fans only, casual wrestling fans should avoid.
July 21, 2021
I did generally enjoy the book. I didn’t know anything about Lita breaking her neck on the set of Dark Angel, or her passion for dogs. She was very honest in the book and wrote a number of things that WWE probably wasn’t thrilled with (her portrayal of Stephanie for example).
Lower rating because it would be a drastically better book if she wrote it today. A lot has changed for Lita and for women’s wrestling since this publication date and it would have been great to have a more complete perspective. Also the book is very poorly edited. (Example: one sentence says “lame” instead of “same”. The very next sentence says “watt” instead of “Matt”. How did they miss this much stuff?)
Lower rating because it would be a drastically better book if she wrote it today. A lot has changed for Lita and for women’s wrestling since this publication date and it would have been great to have a more complete perspective. Also the book is very poorly edited. (Example: one sentence says “lame” instead of “same”. The very next sentence says “watt” instead of “Matt”. How did they miss this much stuff?)
March 7, 2020
Sebelum Becky Lynch dan Charlotte Flair, WWE (waktu itu WWF) ada Lita dan Trish Stratus.
Sepuluh babak pertama bergerak perlahan. Keseronokan terasa apabila cerita penglibatan Amy dengan pro wrestling bermula. Ternyata saya lebih tertarik kepada pesona Lita berbanding insan di sebalik watak itu. Banyak cerita belakang tabir dikongsi. Secara tak langsung kita didedahkan bagaimana WWE beroperasi.
Jika dibandingkan dengan sekarang, banyak perubahan dilihat. Selain elemen seksual, segmen yang melibatkan wanita dahulu hanyalah babak selingan.Walau pun tidak dianggap lebih penting, peranan wanita dalam WWE kini adalah lebih menarik dan sangat dinamik.
Buku ditulis ketika Amy berehat sementelah menjalani pembedahan leher.
Sepuluh babak pertama bergerak perlahan. Keseronokan terasa apabila cerita penglibatan Amy dengan pro wrestling bermula. Ternyata saya lebih tertarik kepada pesona Lita berbanding insan di sebalik watak itu. Banyak cerita belakang tabir dikongsi. Secara tak langsung kita didedahkan bagaimana WWE beroperasi.
Jika dibandingkan dengan sekarang, banyak perubahan dilihat. Selain elemen seksual, segmen yang melibatkan wanita dahulu hanyalah babak selingan.Walau pun tidak dianggap lebih penting, peranan wanita dalam WWE kini adalah lebih menarik dan sangat dinamik.
Buku ditulis ketika Amy berehat sementelah menjalani pembedahan leher.
August 16, 2013
I have always absolutely loved Lita and has been a big role model in my life since I was a little girl and gave me the confidence to come out of my shell and be myself.
I listened to the audiobook that Amy Dumas (Lita) was the reader of as well and liked seeing her personal life before and after becoming a wrestler up to the point where she is recovering from a broken neck. It was great learning another side of her that I did not see when watching her performing a Moonsault in awe.
Even though this is a somewhat old biography considering her controversy with Matt Hardy and Edge and the very unrespectful retirement farewell that occurred in years to come after this book's publication I really enjoyed this which I will admit is partly nostalgia but also being awestruck again by her passion to be in this industry and the lengths she went to.
Lita fans I am very sure will love this as much as I did but definitely recommend to any wrestling fan whether you loved or hated her.
I listened to the audiobook that Amy Dumas (Lita) was the reader of as well and liked seeing her personal life before and after becoming a wrestler up to the point where she is recovering from a broken neck. It was great learning another side of her that I did not see when watching her performing a Moonsault in awe.
Even though this is a somewhat old biography considering her controversy with Matt Hardy and Edge and the very unrespectful retirement farewell that occurred in years to come after this book's publication I really enjoyed this which I will admit is partly nostalgia but also being awestruck again by her passion to be in this industry and the lengths she went to.
Lita fans I am very sure will love this as much as I did but definitely recommend to any wrestling fan whether you loved or hated her.
April 21, 2011
Lita was my favorite Diva for a long time-not sure if it's cause she was with the Boyz, or just her personality. I love her style-the flaming red hair, the tats, the way she dresses-I just thought she was the bomb! Pretty good book, lotsa detail on her past and her work with the band
February 24, 2012
You totally rock, Lita! Not just as a wrestler, but as a writer and a human being!! Well done!
June 19, 2019
While there where things that I loved about this memoir there were things that I couldn’t stand as well. People say you should never meet your heroes and sometimes the same can be said for reading books that they have written. I found a lot of what Amy says throughout the book kind of ridiculous, knowing what I do about the business. At the same time there were other things she said and things I learned about her that I loved! She is still one of my favorite WWE stars but I also definitely look at her in a little bit of a different light now.
Longer review coming soon :)
Longer review coming soon :)
June 20, 2025
I didn't know about Lita until the Hall of Fame for the WWE, or Trish Stratus. I have become a fan of both for the things they did while wrestling in the WWE during the Attitude Era. I enjoyed her book and loved every minute of it. Strong women like Lita, Ronda Rousey, and Trish Stratus are the reason I started watching wrestling. Thank you, Lita, for putting out a well-written book.
February 14, 2013
I loved lita when I was younger and loved reading this book even though she hasn't been wrestling for a long when the book finished I couldn't put it down read it all in one day
Read
March 21, 2013I should've paid more attention to the publishing date. While her story is interesting, I wanted to here more about her return, the effort needed to maintain after such major surgery, etc.
January 31, 2019
read by Amy Dumas aka Lita on youtube
September 11, 2020
I would say 4 stars for this book it's almost 100 percent accurate but a slight inaccuracy. The summary of this book is focused on her parents separated in Florda and it was her and her mom when she was 18 / 19 around high school year 1993.
They moved to Georgia area. Her mom was like "now you finish high school what you going to do with your life type of talking". Lita moves in with some guys about 4 or 5 in a house sharing in Maryland . Before even meeting Matt Hardy ....many years ago...past days and years ....and rents the laundry room
In the house that's on Nicholson street Hyattesville MD . the guys was "wanna be " rock band ect .
Doing a little bit of - gigs shows. The name of the street not in the book. But I used to live in Wash.DC 25 years and would drive past Nicholson Street in Hyattesville MD just to go to work at full time job.
On the book it not reveal her age.
But I can correctly say : it was summer months of year 1993
The white Van still parked in front of the brick house there since 2006 year. It was like a group house of about 5 people share It.
She in the book said " they could not get along too many people in one house" and house owner would make advances to Lita like sit in her room on her bed trying to talk to her she said - that part is true.
They used to put there instruments guitars down in her sleeping room like a temporary storage. They used to argue alot all 4 .She got tired of staying there in Hyattesville MD. Asked a female stripper who worked late evenings for place to stay so the stripper stayed in Washington DC near DC zoo
In a housing low income apartment area. So she lived in a apartment shared with female in Washington DC few months . Then in July 1993 I had to renew my vehicle registration stickers $70 at union station DMV motor vehicles office at 10am in Washington DC - for I lived in the area 25 years you see.
While I sitting inside DMV on a chair 3rd row with my number card waiting . Lita (Amy) walked in .
She looked dressed the same like in WWE but "hair was natural Brown" - not painted or red dye- and she with no tattoos on arms.
She appeared impatient ..... DMV makes you wait ...
She Not stay long about 5 min. Then she leaves building but I stayed.
In the book it main focus is her age 18/ 19 years old 1993 year but not mention it her age.
In the book - she stated she would go to "student union store" : let me explain this : see in many colleges they usually have a - student union building.
It's a separate building something like a union club . Handles Job placement assistance sells college stuff. Deals with complaints ECT.
This is true.
It's a Student Union in the basement building of University of Maryland in Hyattesville MD.
She would buy few items in that store I been there once.
It's no big grocery store either...
Quite small room with only two row aisles one cashier. Only 4 employees (small) sells can foods and the "tiny tv dinners" microwave type and Mac and Cheese in a box .
And junk food like potatoes chips.
Up stairs is the college book store where you buy winter gear like hats sweated with college name printed on front University of Maryland.
Then she quickly ...got tired of Washington DC and put her dog in her car and moved out.
Stayed in Virginia for a while
After moved to Virginia she meet
Jeff and Matt Hardy and Hurricane Helms (Shane).
For they lived in North Carolina.
Then I moved out Washington DC
In 1995 to South Virginia near Charlottesville when I was 25 years
old , stayed with grand father .
Saw WWE Maven in the university of Virginia Wendys Restaraunt.
I walked in with $20 dollars walked up to cashier line in front Maven was standing in the line of 6 people he tells me " I can go in front of Him" which I did .
This was before there WWE days.
They moved to Georgia area. Her mom was like "now you finish high school what you going to do with your life type of talking". Lita moves in with some guys about 4 or 5 in a house sharing in Maryland . Before even meeting Matt Hardy ....many years ago...past days and years ....and rents the laundry room
In the house that's on Nicholson street Hyattesville MD . the guys was "wanna be " rock band ect .
Doing a little bit of - gigs shows. The name of the street not in the book. But I used to live in Wash.DC 25 years and would drive past Nicholson Street in Hyattesville MD just to go to work at full time job.
On the book it not reveal her age.
But I can correctly say : it was summer months of year 1993
The white Van still parked in front of the brick house there since 2006 year. It was like a group house of about 5 people share It.
She in the book said " they could not get along too many people in one house" and house owner would make advances to Lita like sit in her room on her bed trying to talk to her she said - that part is true.
They used to put there instruments guitars down in her sleeping room like a temporary storage. They used to argue alot all 4 .She got tired of staying there in Hyattesville MD. Asked a female stripper who worked late evenings for place to stay so the stripper stayed in Washington DC near DC zoo
In a housing low income apartment area. So she lived in a apartment shared with female in Washington DC few months . Then in July 1993 I had to renew my vehicle registration stickers $70 at union station DMV motor vehicles office at 10am in Washington DC - for I lived in the area 25 years you see.
While I sitting inside DMV on a chair 3rd row with my number card waiting . Lita (Amy) walked in .
She looked dressed the same like in WWE but "hair was natural Brown" - not painted or red dye- and she with no tattoos on arms.
She appeared impatient ..... DMV makes you wait ...
She Not stay long about 5 min. Then she leaves building but I stayed.
In the book it main focus is her age 18/ 19 years old 1993 year but not mention it her age.
In the book - she stated she would go to "student union store" : let me explain this : see in many colleges they usually have a - student union building.
It's a separate building something like a union club . Handles Job placement assistance sells college stuff. Deals with complaints ECT.
This is true.
It's a Student Union in the basement building of University of Maryland in Hyattesville MD.
She would buy few items in that store I been there once.
It's no big grocery store either...
Quite small room with only two row aisles one cashier. Only 4 employees (small) sells can foods and the "tiny tv dinners" microwave type and Mac and Cheese in a box .
And junk food like potatoes chips.
Up stairs is the college book store where you buy winter gear like hats sweated with college name printed on front University of Maryland.
Then she quickly ...got tired of Washington DC and put her dog in her car and moved out.
Stayed in Virginia for a while
After moved to Virginia she meet
Jeff and Matt Hardy and Hurricane Helms (Shane).
For they lived in North Carolina.
Then I moved out Washington DC
In 1995 to South Virginia near Charlottesville when I was 25 years
old , stayed with grand father .
Saw WWE Maven in the university of Virginia Wendys Restaraunt.
I walked in with $20 dollars walked up to cashier line in front Maven was standing in the line of 6 people he tells me " I can go in front of Him" which I did .
This was before there WWE days.
April 15, 2022
Lita
4/5 stars
Took me a minute to finish but I love the poetic irony of me happening to finish this on her birthday so as of writing this, happy 47th Lita!
I love Lita. I had an awesome time immersing myself in her narrative and seeing how absolutely passionate she is at the craft of wrestling (more so than any other wrestling book I’ve read so far) that being said I still feel like for some reason we were kept at arms length with this book where a lot of what she was saying didn’t feel super personal until the very end. Everything with her dog hit so hard and she had me crying by the end I just wish it felt a little more raw overall.
I did enjoy also listening to her narrate the audiobook. I’m a bit confused as to why it was only parts of the book and not all of it that ended up being recorded but guess that was something they did back then?
She’s a rad chick and getting a behind the scenes look at WWE and how it functioned in the early 2000s was such a unique experience. And the pictures all revealed such personal moments in a way her words didn’t always. She complained a lot throughout this to where it felt like she had a superiority complex when it came to the other woman talent but I respect that she wanted more for women of this world and she paved the way for many. In the epilogue she explains that she had this veil of negativity over a lot of this because of her breaking her neck, ending her career for the time being and then grieving but I feel like that would’ve been better suited as an introduction so that we understood going in that this was written in an extremely dark time of her life and that this anger isn’t just there cause she’s bratty but because she’s really hurting.
I obviously recommend this for any wrestling fan if you love the WWE, have a specific love for the attitude era, and most importantly if you love the Women’s division as much as I do.
4/5 stars
Took me a minute to finish but I love the poetic irony of me happening to finish this on her birthday so as of writing this, happy 47th Lita!
I love Lita. I had an awesome time immersing myself in her narrative and seeing how absolutely passionate she is at the craft of wrestling (more so than any other wrestling book I’ve read so far) that being said I still feel like for some reason we were kept at arms length with this book where a lot of what she was saying didn’t feel super personal until the very end. Everything with her dog hit so hard and she had me crying by the end I just wish it felt a little more raw overall.
I did enjoy also listening to her narrate the audiobook. I’m a bit confused as to why it was only parts of the book and not all of it that ended up being recorded but guess that was something they did back then?
She’s a rad chick and getting a behind the scenes look at WWE and how it functioned in the early 2000s was such a unique experience. And the pictures all revealed such personal moments in a way her words didn’t always. She complained a lot throughout this to where it felt like she had a superiority complex when it came to the other woman talent but I respect that she wanted more for women of this world and she paved the way for many. In the epilogue she explains that she had this veil of negativity over a lot of this because of her breaking her neck, ending her career for the time being and then grieving but I feel like that would’ve been better suited as an introduction so that we understood going in that this was written in an extremely dark time of her life and that this anger isn’t just there cause she’s bratty but because she’s really hurting.
I obviously recommend this for any wrestling fan if you love the WWE, have a specific love for the attitude era, and most importantly if you love the Women’s division as much as I do.
April 20, 2023
This is an enjoyable quick read if you like wrestling biographies, it does suffer from being a bit out of date though. Lita: A Less Traveled R.O.A.D. covers from Lita's start in the business up until her injury on the set of Dark Angel. The book was seemingly written while she was in recovery from neck surgery. It takes her a bit to find her voice, but once she does she's likable and forthcoming. There's some interesting detail about how the performers put together their matches backstage, but it's not earth shattering if you have read wrestling bios before. I really wish there was an updated version that covers her return after her injury until retirement. Her feud with Trish really took off during that time, and it would have been interesting to hear her thoughts on her work with Mickie James as well. Lastly, unfortunately the Kindle edition may have been the worst reading experience I've had yet on Kindle. The pictures look like low quality scans, at best, and because they're in black and white it is very difficult to tell what's even happening in them; additionally, this book lacks editorial flourish, as there are numerous mistakes throughout the book (at one point Matt Hardy's name is spelled "Watt", I'm not even sure how that typo is possible given how far the M and W key are apart). All and all, and entertaining read, but it could be improved upon.
September 26, 2018
*This is my first review so be gentle*
Amy Dumas (Lita) is my ultimate #1 idol since childhood, so if I geek out too much, sorry.
I’ve been a fan of Amy Dumas (Lita) since childhood and meeting her has been my number one since (it hasn’t happened yet, but I have a big feeling it will one day. Believe it!) I finally purchased this book after first discovering it on the net. I absolutely couldn’t wait to finally get my hooks into this book. But to be honest I kind of spoiled it for myself. I have done so many school presentations on her in the past; watched interviews and watched her video “Lita it just feels right”, that it seemed as if I already knew the book by heart, even though this is my first time reading. That won’t take away that I absolutely loved it. When reading, it’s like she‘s keeping you company on her journey as you turn the pages. I don’t recommended this for any Wwe newcomers. For those who love Lita, the attitude era or just Wwe overall you’ll enjoy this! I’m being biased here with the rating, but I absolutely love Lita so much and it was a real pleasure reading it.
Amy Dumas (Lita) is my ultimate #1 idol since childhood, so if I geek out too much, sorry.
I’ve been a fan of Amy Dumas (Lita) since childhood and meeting her has been my number one since (it hasn’t happened yet, but I have a big feeling it will one day. Believe it!) I finally purchased this book after first discovering it on the net. I absolutely couldn’t wait to finally get my hooks into this book. But to be honest I kind of spoiled it for myself. I have done so many school presentations on her in the past; watched interviews and watched her video “Lita it just feels right”, that it seemed as if I already knew the book by heart, even though this is my first time reading. That won’t take away that I absolutely loved it. When reading, it’s like she‘s keeping you company on her journey as you turn the pages. I don’t recommended this for any Wwe newcomers. For those who love Lita, the attitude era or just Wwe overall you’ll enjoy this! I’m being biased here with the rating, but I absolutely love Lita so much and it was a real pleasure reading it.
February 25, 2022
The only problem I have with this book and any book written by people employed by the WWE like Chyna, Shawn Michaels, and others is that they never really get into the gritty stuff which is what most people want to know. It seemed like things were sugar coated and lacked detail. Common things that everyone knows about like Triple H having an affair just aren't mentioned even when Lita is talking about Chyna leaving the company.
Yet Amy claims what you see with her is what you get which doesn't always ring true. I think this book would have been a lot better if it hadn't be written so early into her career if she had waited until she had done more and they had really let Amy give her own opinion on things it really would have been an amazing book. Instead at times it feels like a company is just trying to capitalise on Amy popularity and her having a lot of time while recovering from a serious injury. Good but not great.
Yet Amy claims what you see with her is what you get which doesn't always ring true. I think this book would have been a lot better if it hadn't be written so early into her career if she had waited until she had done more and they had really let Amy give her own opinion on things it really would have been an amazing book. Instead at times it feels like a company is just trying to capitalise on Amy popularity and her having a lot of time while recovering from a serious injury. Good but not great.
January 7, 2021
MUST READ! If you're a fan of Amy Dumas (aka: Lita) from WWF/WWE and adore her as a human/wrestler/superstar, then you HAVE to read this book! I fell in love with the character and personality of Lita (Amy) when I used to watch the good ol' wrestling days. She was a unique character, none like the rest, with her rebellious, no b.s., don't boss me around attitude as it inspired us to speak up and be different. I admired her with anything she did and am a HUGE fan of her, her style, her voice, everything. Nonetheless, I knew that this book would be nothing less of spectacular with a dive into a life about her that would not change my thoughts on her but love her even more. I LOVE this book and insight to her road to becoming who she is today. Do NOT pass up this good read as it's a wonderful book about her life!
November 10, 2025
I've had this book on my shelf for years. I finally got around to reading it today. I don't know what inspired me, but I'm glad I read it.
it honestly made me quite sad because a lot of this book focused on her love of wrestling and her relationship with Matt. We all know how that ended, so it was just sad to read and witness that they felt like they had true love, but it wasn't it.
The hatred of Canada I can get because of her neck injury and her lack of care but overall we aren't all that bad. I promise.
Cody made me cry. the last few pages had me in tears. I love animals.
I love Amy's love of animals.
Really glad I picked up this book today!
it honestly made me quite sad because a lot of this book focused on her love of wrestling and her relationship with Matt. We all know how that ended, so it was just sad to read and witness that they felt like they had true love, but it wasn't it.
The hatred of Canada I can get because of her neck injury and her lack of care but overall we aren't all that bad. I promise.
Cody made me cry. the last few pages had me in tears. I love animals.
I love Amy's love of animals.
Really glad I picked up this book today!
August 12, 2024
Non so chi le abbia consigliato di scrivere il libro prima del ritiro, ma è stata una scelta abbastanza sbagliata. Se avesse aspettato il 2006 avrebbe raccontato molte più cose approfondendo anche certi aspetti della sua vita e carriera. Spero che faccia magari una seconda parte per raccontare il resto, anche perché di materiale ne avrebbe molto.
In generale comunque è una bella lettura, molto scorrevole e poi non si può non amare THE GOAT!
In generale comunque è una bella lettura, molto scorrevole e poi non si può non amare THE GOAT!
September 13, 2025
a very quick and easy read. love how she didn’t dwell on everything that happened in her life like some memoirs do it was straight to the point. but i must say, this book demonstrates why you should never make a memoir when you’re young because there’s so many more things that happened to her MONTHS after the release of this book that was a 1000 times more interesting but nevertheless i enjoyed it and i love amy dumas!
May 25, 2022
I remember Lita's debut in WWE and was immediately drawn to her. I always had major respect for her and I'm sad it's taken me this long to read her book, almost 20 years. Her autobiography is dated and I wish one was available with more updates. It was still a good read though, especially for someone who was really into wrestling during the early 2000's.
December 22, 2022
I enjoy her story but I think I would have enjoyed it more when it came out. I want it to go further, cover the rated R superstar, her reasons for leaving wwe, how badly she was buried after her final match, and what lead to her returning and becoming a hall of famer. I definitely teared up when she had to put Cody down though.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 1, 2021
Amy “Lita” Dumas is a huge part of my childhood. I watched wrestling from about 2000-2002 ish. (I don't support the WWE because of how they treated women, but I do love this woman). It was one of the few things not exactly child-oriented that I spent my days (or nights) on. Also the only sport I ever actually liked at a certain point, given how much I generally hate sports. I had her VHS tape “It Just Feels Right”, that I watched multiple times. I had the December 2000 magazine cover where she’s posing with Christmas lights. But I think the earliest memory I have of her (and wrestling in general), is her match against Stephanie Mcmahon for the Women’s Title—which also happened to be the first-ever main event that was a women’s match (I think that’s only happened one other time after that, and Lita was also in that one, against Trish). I had only just started watching wrestling, but I vaguely knew Lita to be the girl with the Hardy Boyz (who I liked too), and Stephanie was a real witch. She played the heel character so well for several years there. And the Rock was the special guest referee. My mom, sister, and I all cheered when Lita won. The evil reign of Princess Stephanie Mcmahon was over. It was glorious, and everyone in the crowd was happy. This new, cool, and different girl was now at the top of the Women’s Division, and much-loved.
One thing that is apparent about Amy as she recounts her experiences in this book, is that she is a very extroverted, social person. She is not afraid to put herself out there, try new things, etc. I wish I was more like that, but sadly I’m the complete opposite. But it’s something I admire in her, because it got her to where she got. She’s not only fearless in the moonsaults, huricanranas, and risky high-flying moves she does, but also in how comfortable and confident she is. She’s very laid back and chill. A lot of the things she did she just winged it.
Her neck injury in 2002 was chronicled in this book as well. It sounds like the people on the Dark Angel set were VERY irresponsible and negligent, and frankly, assholes. They didn’t care when she got dropped on her head, didn’t care when her fingers were curled and literally turning blue (that’s when you go see a doctor like NOW…), they just kept filming and didn’t seem to have any concern whatsoever. They seemed to have this notion that a lot of people ignorant to wrestling have—that just because wrestling is “fake”, it’s not actually dangerous. They seemed to have this attitude of, “You’re a wrestler! You’ll be fine!” When you actually watch wrestling though, or at least read up on it, you realize that it is actually pretty dangerous at times, and that is precisely WHY a lot of it is staged. And even then, injuries happen frequently, though not usually as monumental as this one was.
On the bright side, during her time out of action from the injury, she did something else she is passionate about—helping animals. Amy went to the local shelter near where she was living, and volunteered there for a while with the dogs and cats, helping them get adopted, socializing with them, etc. She became close to the people there, and even said that in order to solve the problem of all homeless/stray dogs and cats, everyone in America would have to adopt 14 of them right now. That’s a tough concept to swallow :( We’re lucky we have people like Amy who care, and who do things to help the situation. She also had a wonderful bond throughout with her Doberman, Cody. He was great to read about. I’d gladly read a book just about Amy and him. This is something I can DEFINITELY relate to, as I volunteer at a shelter right now. Cats and dogs and animals in general are seriously the best therapy and medicine that life can offer. No matter what’s going on in your life, how depressed you are, they’re always there to make you feel better. They don’t judge or dwell on petty things like humans do. They just love you for you, if you are loving toward them.
There were many other points of nostalgia in here in terms of storylines and segments. I remember the storyline with Dean Malenko, I remember the INVASION angle, I remember her bleeding a lot in her match with Ivory during Survivor Series 2000, and I remember her involvement in some of the TLC matches (Tables, Ladders, Chairs) at various pay-per-views. I remember during SummerSlam 2000 pay-per-view when she ran in, me, my sister, and her two neighborhood friends who’d come over to watch it all cheered. And I remember how often the crowd would chant “Li-ta, Li-ta, Li-ta!” She was lit. Lit Lita. Lit-a.
She is the Queen of X-treme, Hall of Famer, and fearlessly fought men well-beyond the typical slap or weak hits a lot of Divas did. She did so many huricanranas on men, and wrestled men in actual matches as well. It’s 100% the truth that she revolutionized the WWE.
One thing that is apparent about Amy as she recounts her experiences in this book, is that she is a very extroverted, social person. She is not afraid to put herself out there, try new things, etc. I wish I was more like that, but sadly I’m the complete opposite. But it’s something I admire in her, because it got her to where she got. She’s not only fearless in the moonsaults, huricanranas, and risky high-flying moves she does, but also in how comfortable and confident she is. She’s very laid back and chill. A lot of the things she did she just winged it.
Her neck injury in 2002 was chronicled in this book as well. It sounds like the people on the Dark Angel set were VERY irresponsible and negligent, and frankly, assholes. They didn’t care when she got dropped on her head, didn’t care when her fingers were curled and literally turning blue (that’s when you go see a doctor like NOW…), they just kept filming and didn’t seem to have any concern whatsoever. They seemed to have this notion that a lot of people ignorant to wrestling have—that just because wrestling is “fake”, it’s not actually dangerous. They seemed to have this attitude of, “You’re a wrestler! You’ll be fine!” When you actually watch wrestling though, or at least read up on it, you realize that it is actually pretty dangerous at times, and that is precisely WHY a lot of it is staged. And even then, injuries happen frequently, though not usually as monumental as this one was.
On the bright side, during her time out of action from the injury, she did something else she is passionate about—helping animals. Amy went to the local shelter near where she was living, and volunteered there for a while with the dogs and cats, helping them get adopted, socializing with them, etc. She became close to the people there, and even said that in order to solve the problem of all homeless/stray dogs and cats, everyone in America would have to adopt 14 of them right now. That’s a tough concept to swallow :( We’re lucky we have people like Amy who care, and who do things to help the situation. She also had a wonderful bond throughout with her Doberman, Cody. He was great to read about. I’d gladly read a book just about Amy and him. This is something I can DEFINITELY relate to, as I volunteer at a shelter right now. Cats and dogs and animals in general are seriously the best therapy and medicine that life can offer. No matter what’s going on in your life, how depressed you are, they’re always there to make you feel better. They don’t judge or dwell on petty things like humans do. They just love you for you, if you are loving toward them.
There were many other points of nostalgia in here in terms of storylines and segments. I remember the storyline with Dean Malenko, I remember the INVASION angle, I remember her bleeding a lot in her match with Ivory during Survivor Series 2000, and I remember her involvement in some of the TLC matches (Tables, Ladders, Chairs) at various pay-per-views. I remember during SummerSlam 2000 pay-per-view when she ran in, me, my sister, and her two neighborhood friends who’d come over to watch it all cheered. And I remember how often the crowd would chant “Li-ta, Li-ta, Li-ta!” She was lit. Lit Lita. Lit-a.
She is the Queen of X-treme, Hall of Famer, and fearlessly fought men well-beyond the typical slap or weak hits a lot of Divas did. She did so many huricanranas on men, and wrestled men in actual matches as well. It’s 100% the truth that she revolutionized the WWE.
July 10, 2020
Lita was my favourite wrestler back in the day. So when her book came out, I was so excited to devour it. I was really disappointed. In the book, she comes off as a whiner, and standoffish. She's truly awesome on the mat, but her book made me feel different about her, and wrestling all together.
May 1, 2022
I like Lita and her punky style and I think she is one of the best female wrestlers ever but I did not like this book, unfortunately.. I hate the way it’s written, it was boring and unorganized. This book has to be my least fav. biography by a wrestler.
March 20, 2018
I love Amy Dumas. Growing up I must have read this book a thousand times.
I had a little skim read yesterday for old times sake!
I had a little skim read yesterday for old times sake!
April 7, 2020
Great autobiography, she revolutionized women's wrestling in her time/era.
October 14, 2021
I was expecting more - I feel like this just scratched the surface. I didn't know she originally had her neck injury in Canada though. I'll never watch the Dark Angel show!
Read
December 19, 2023dang this memoir is ollld. it was interesting hearing Lita’s upbringing and what made her come to WWE. it doesn’t scratch the surface for her long iconic career and wish she could write a part two!
April 11, 2024
A nice short glimpse into the life and trials of Amy Dumas. Covering her time getting involved with wrestling, her neck injury while working with James Cameron and ends right as she returns to WWE.
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