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Tortured Ambition: The Story of Herb Abrams and the UWF
Herb Abrams started the Universal Wrestling Federation with the intent to topple the World Wrestling Federation and World Championship Wrestling. Entering the business draped in mystery, no one knew where he came from. In 1990, the UWF started with Steve Williams, Brian Blair, Paul Orndorff, Mick “Cactus Jack” Foley and a bevy of other superstars on SportsChannel America. Six years later, Herb Abrams was dead. He left behind a trail of myths and tall tales of prostitutes and cocaine. But who was the real Herb Abrams? Author Jonathan Plombon brings you 50 exclusive interviews with those who knew him personally such as Brian Blair, Steve Ray, Sunny Beach, Col. DeBeers, Missy Hyatt, and many, many more. Questions are finally answered.
433 pages, Paperback
Published September 11, 2021
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46 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
March 14, 2023
This is the story of Herb Abrams, a guy who tried to go up against WWF and WCW in the early 1990s and failed pretty hard. Herb had the idea to appeal to people who liked wrestling rather than sports entertainment. It sounds good but Herb didn't know what he was doing and flushed a lot of money down the toilet.
The book tries to portray Herb Abrams as a tragic figure but I couldn't help thinking he was a world class douche bag most of the time I was reading this. Tragic figures can still pay their people and not blow all of their money on cocaine and hookers.
Anyway, the behind the scenes info was fascinating. Abrams was a money mark in every way that term implies, spending money to hang with the wrestlers, making the show about him, and having no idea how to run a wrestling show, much less an entire promotion. The people who actually got paid must have been paid pretty well. I don't imagine Steve Williams would put up with Herb's rampant ass hattery for very long if he wasn't.
Even more remarkable than Abram's over the top douche baggery was how he managed to get away with it for so long. How many people can you screw out of money before everyone else takes wind of it? Apparently, three or four years in the pre-Internet days.
The book chronicles Abrams' early life to getting involved with pro wrestling and eventually getting shat out the bottom after a crappy pay per view and even crappier Blackjack Brawl. I wasn't surprised he ended up like he did. I was more surprised it didn't happen sooner or end with him dead in a shallow unmarked grave somewhere between Vegas and LA from screwing so many people over over the years.
Three out of five stars. I'm going to go watch that episode of Dark Side of the Ring that talks about this now.
The book tries to portray Herb Abrams as a tragic figure but I couldn't help thinking he was a world class douche bag most of the time I was reading this. Tragic figures can still pay their people and not blow all of their money on cocaine and hookers.
Anyway, the behind the scenes info was fascinating. Abrams was a money mark in every way that term implies, spending money to hang with the wrestlers, making the show about him, and having no idea how to run a wrestling show, much less an entire promotion. The people who actually got paid must have been paid pretty well. I don't imagine Steve Williams would put up with Herb's rampant ass hattery for very long if he wasn't.
Even more remarkable than Abram's over the top douche baggery was how he managed to get away with it for so long. How many people can you screw out of money before everyone else takes wind of it? Apparently, three or four years in the pre-Internet days.
The book chronicles Abrams' early life to getting involved with pro wrestling and eventually getting shat out the bottom after a crappy pay per view and even crappier Blackjack Brawl. I wasn't surprised he ended up like he did. I was more surprised it didn't happen sooner or end with him dead in a shallow unmarked grave somewhere between Vegas and LA from screwing so many people over over the years.
Three out of five stars. I'm going to go watch that episode of Dark Side of the Ring that talks about this now.
January 7, 2022
4.25 stars
I really liked this book. I remember of the UWF, but don’t really remember it… if that makes sense.
This book takes a deep dive into the UWF and Herb Abrams….
A must read for any true wrestling fan!
I really liked this book. I remember of the UWF, but don’t really remember it… if that makes sense.
This book takes a deep dive into the UWF and Herb Abrams….
A must read for any true wrestling fan!
October 20, 2021
Over the past three and a half decades, I have attended dozens of live wrestling events. This includes five WrestleManias. If you were to ask me what the most fun I’ve ever had a live event was, my answer is one that you would probably not expect. That distinction goes to the four monthly television tapings Herb Abrams put on in Reseda, California during fall 1990.
The UWF Fury Hour tapings were a chance to see familiar faces (“Mr. Wonderful” Paul Orndorff, “Cowboy” Bob Orton, etc.), talented newcomers (Cactus Jack, Louie Spicolli, etc.), and wrestling legends (Bruno Sammartino, Captain Lou Albano, etc.). All were there at the Reseda Country Club, in front of a crowd of just a few hundred people. I don’t think I was ever more than three rows from the ring, and I was front row the night André the Giant showed up. Now that’s something I’ll never forget!
Despite the fact that every non-squash match ended with a disqualification or a countout, just seeing that roster in such an intimate setting was unforgettable. The faces high fived you, the heels got right in your face. Herb Abrams was the man responsible for these shows. I learned so much about Abrams and his Universal Wrestling Federation while reading the new book Tortured Ambition: The Story of Herb Abrams and the UWF by Jonathan Plombon (Independently published, 2021) that it was chosen to be this week’s selection for the Literary Squared Circle blog.
Herb Abrams burst onto the wrestling scene in mid-1990. Four short years later, the UWF was finished. Less than two years after that, Abrams was dead. His death has become part of wrestling lore… naked, covered in Vaseline and cocaine chasing two prostitutes around with a baseball bat. For nearly a quarter century after his death, Abrams was largely forgotten until he was profiled on an episode of Dark Side of the Ring in May 2020. The show introduced Abrams to a new generation of wrestling fans, and perpetuated the more sensationalistic aspects of his short, but wild life.
In his new book, Tortured Ambition: The Story of Herb Abrams and the UWF, Jonathan Plombon separates fact from fiction with regards to Abrams. For the first time, Abrams is humanized and his entire story is finally told. I learned more from reading Tortured Ambition than I learned reading the last five wrestling books I’ve read combined. Plombon’s research is both exhaustive and enlightening.
Tortured Ambition tells the life story of Herb Abrams from his childhood in New York to his early business ventures to his personal life away from his wrestling persona. His ongoing battle with substance abuse is also detailed, which makes the circumstances surrounding his ultimate demise much less funny and exponentially more tragic.
When it comes to wrestling, no stone is left unturned when it comes to the UWF. Plombon interviewed dozens of individuals who were involved with the company, and he presents the definitive look at Abrams’ short-lived, but legendary wrestling promotion. The Fury Hour shows are presented almost as an episode guide, but with informative tidbits about what was going on behind-the-scenes during each match. I was there live for many of the matches and I had no idea about the drama, politics, and physical altercations occurring backstage. I often found myself putting the book down and going on YouTube to watch certain incidents featured in Tortured Ambition. Particularly, “Dr. Death” Steve Williams shooting on a referee who no-sold a chairshot, the controversial match between Williams and “Wild Thing” Steve Ray, and the cringeworthiest of moments of Colonel DeBeers racially tinged feud with referee Larry Sampson.
Personally, after the Abrams moved the TV tapings to the East Coast (skipping out while owing the Reseda Country Club money), I began to follow the UWF less and less. This book filled in the blanks for me regarding the final years of the promotion.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading Tortured Ambition: The Story of Herb Abrams and the UWF. In my opinion, it is the best wrestling book released this year. Having read so many books on the subject of professional wrestling, it is rare for me to actually learn something new regarding wrestling. I learned so much about Herb Abrams and the UWF, I really enjoyed it.
I felt that Jonathan Plombon did an excellent job of presenting Herb Abrams in an unbiased manner. Was Abrams a con man and a mark? Yes, and that it is proven so in this book. But, Abrams was also a wrestling fan. He grew up idolizing Bruno Sammartino, and shared Sammartino’s disappointment with McMahon and the WWF. Though he had no real idea of how to do so, Abrams wanted to create an alternative for wrestling fans. He felt he could challenge and potentially dethrone Vince McMahon as top dog in the wrestling business. As they say, the road to hell is paved with good intentions.
Going into Tortured Ambition, I viewed Herb Abrams as a somewhat comical character. But Plombom’s comprehensive look at Abrams’ life presented him as a flawed and tragic human being. I can’t recommend this book enough. If you are unfamiliar with Abrams, buckle up and prepare for a wild ride. If you remember the UWF, get ready for a trip down memory lane.
5 Stars out of 5
The UWF Fury Hour tapings were a chance to see familiar faces (“Mr. Wonderful” Paul Orndorff, “Cowboy” Bob Orton, etc.), talented newcomers (Cactus Jack, Louie Spicolli, etc.), and wrestling legends (Bruno Sammartino, Captain Lou Albano, etc.). All were there at the Reseda Country Club, in front of a crowd of just a few hundred people. I don’t think I was ever more than three rows from the ring, and I was front row the night André the Giant showed up. Now that’s something I’ll never forget!
Despite the fact that every non-squash match ended with a disqualification or a countout, just seeing that roster in such an intimate setting was unforgettable. The faces high fived you, the heels got right in your face. Herb Abrams was the man responsible for these shows. I learned so much about Abrams and his Universal Wrestling Federation while reading the new book Tortured Ambition: The Story of Herb Abrams and the UWF by Jonathan Plombon (Independently published, 2021) that it was chosen to be this week’s selection for the Literary Squared Circle blog.
Herb Abrams burst onto the wrestling scene in mid-1990. Four short years later, the UWF was finished. Less than two years after that, Abrams was dead. His death has become part of wrestling lore… naked, covered in Vaseline and cocaine chasing two prostitutes around with a baseball bat. For nearly a quarter century after his death, Abrams was largely forgotten until he was profiled on an episode of Dark Side of the Ring in May 2020. The show introduced Abrams to a new generation of wrestling fans, and perpetuated the more sensationalistic aspects of his short, but wild life.
In his new book, Tortured Ambition: The Story of Herb Abrams and the UWF, Jonathan Plombon separates fact from fiction with regards to Abrams. For the first time, Abrams is humanized and his entire story is finally told. I learned more from reading Tortured Ambition than I learned reading the last five wrestling books I’ve read combined. Plombon’s research is both exhaustive and enlightening.
Tortured Ambition tells the life story of Herb Abrams from his childhood in New York to his early business ventures to his personal life away from his wrestling persona. His ongoing battle with substance abuse is also detailed, which makes the circumstances surrounding his ultimate demise much less funny and exponentially more tragic.
When it comes to wrestling, no stone is left unturned when it comes to the UWF. Plombon interviewed dozens of individuals who were involved with the company, and he presents the definitive look at Abrams’ short-lived, but legendary wrestling promotion. The Fury Hour shows are presented almost as an episode guide, but with informative tidbits about what was going on behind-the-scenes during each match. I was there live for many of the matches and I had no idea about the drama, politics, and physical altercations occurring backstage. I often found myself putting the book down and going on YouTube to watch certain incidents featured in Tortured Ambition. Particularly, “Dr. Death” Steve Williams shooting on a referee who no-sold a chairshot, the controversial match between Williams and “Wild Thing” Steve Ray, and the cringeworthiest of moments of Colonel DeBeers racially tinged feud with referee Larry Sampson.
Personally, after the Abrams moved the TV tapings to the East Coast (skipping out while owing the Reseda Country Club money), I began to follow the UWF less and less. This book filled in the blanks for me regarding the final years of the promotion.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading Tortured Ambition: The Story of Herb Abrams and the UWF. In my opinion, it is the best wrestling book released this year. Having read so many books on the subject of professional wrestling, it is rare for me to actually learn something new regarding wrestling. I learned so much about Herb Abrams and the UWF, I really enjoyed it.
I felt that Jonathan Plombon did an excellent job of presenting Herb Abrams in an unbiased manner. Was Abrams a con man and a mark? Yes, and that it is proven so in this book. But, Abrams was also a wrestling fan. He grew up idolizing Bruno Sammartino, and shared Sammartino’s disappointment with McMahon and the WWF. Though he had no real idea of how to do so, Abrams wanted to create an alternative for wrestling fans. He felt he could challenge and potentially dethrone Vince McMahon as top dog in the wrestling business. As they say, the road to hell is paved with good intentions.
Going into Tortured Ambition, I viewed Herb Abrams as a somewhat comical character. But Plombom’s comprehensive look at Abrams’ life presented him as a flawed and tragic human being. I can’t recommend this book enough. If you are unfamiliar with Abrams, buckle up and prepare for a wild ride. If you remember the UWF, get ready for a trip down memory lane.
5 Stars out of 5
March 2, 2026
I was really excited to read this book, but I cannot recommend it.
It started off well enough with the background of Herb Abrams and the start of the UWF, but then the book devolved into a recap of EVERY Fury Hour episode of UWF.
There might be some readers out there that want this type of recap and attention, but for someone who wants to read about the story of the UWF, the match recaps and details of every episode just ground the book down to a very uninteresting and bloated story.
If you look at a book like the Rise and Fall of WCW, the narrative keeps moving and touches on the highlights (or lowlights) of episodes of Nitro and Thunder when it added to the book.
This book almost felt like they were trying to get to a certain number or words or pages to get a bonus.
After 300 pages of this I had to throw in the towel. I am sure there is a riveting story in there, but it is so painful to get to it that I can never recommend this book.
If you are interesting in the story of the UWF, I highly recommend watching the episode of Darkside of the Ring that covers it. Stay away from this book.
It started off well enough with the background of Herb Abrams and the start of the UWF, but then the book devolved into a recap of EVERY Fury Hour episode of UWF.
There might be some readers out there that want this type of recap and attention, but for someone who wants to read about the story of the UWF, the match recaps and details of every episode just ground the book down to a very uninteresting and bloated story.
If you look at a book like the Rise and Fall of WCW, the narrative keeps moving and touches on the highlights (or lowlights) of episodes of Nitro and Thunder when it added to the book.
This book almost felt like they were trying to get to a certain number or words or pages to get a bonus.
After 300 pages of this I had to throw in the towel. I am sure there is a riveting story in there, but it is so painful to get to it that I can never recommend this book.
If you are interesting in the story of the UWF, I highly recommend watching the episode of Darkside of the Ring that covers it. Stay away from this book.
May 18, 2022
Wow. Mr. Plombon was nothing if not thorough. I never watched any UWF shows, I'd only ever heard about the promotion from various podcasts and newsletters. Now I never need to as the author provided a show-by-show, match-by-match recap of what has to be every single UWF event that was ever run.
Herb Abrams was sort of the polar opposite of Bert Prentice. Bert Prentice succeeded through sheer hustle and know-how. Herb Abrams failed by just throwing money and charm at absolutely everything and expecting miracles.
Herb's story is the ultimate money mark story. All dollars and no sense. Which is baffling as he was a very successful business man, but completely flushed his regular business interests to chase wrestling.
Herb Abrams was sort of the polar opposite of Bert Prentice. Bert Prentice succeeded through sheer hustle and know-how. Herb Abrams failed by just throwing money and charm at absolutely everything and expecting miracles.
Herb's story is the ultimate money mark story. All dollars and no sense. Which is baffling as he was a very successful business man, but completely flushed his regular business interests to chase wrestling.
July 25, 2023
Not a bad quick read. For many fans I am sure not much is known outside of the “Darkside of the Ring” episode.
Not going to get a lot of insider behind the scenes stuff here but it’s a great chronological history of the company.
It basically goes through the cards for each UWF event and the strorylines while talking about the exploits outside the ring of owner Herb Abrams.
Nice quick read. I enjoyed it as I never saw an episode of the UWF and this gave me a great synopsis of its history.
Not going to get a lot of insider behind the scenes stuff here but it’s a great chronological history of the company.
It basically goes through the cards for each UWF event and the strorylines while talking about the exploits outside the ring of owner Herb Abrams.
Nice quick read. I enjoyed it as I never saw an episode of the UWF and this gave me a great synopsis of its history.
December 26, 2025
What a passion project. There’s some great interviews here, particularly with Steve Ray who seems unafraid of incriminating himself. I think the book may have actually worked better just as an oral history, populated with mostly quotes, and half the length. The match results add a lot of length to the book and often feel a bit repetitive.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews