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Wrestlers Are Like Seagulls-From McMahon To McMahon
For more than 40 years, James J. Dillon has been involved in the world of professional wrestling. Now he speaks candidly on all aspects of both his career and his personal life. This book has something for wrestling fans of all generations and
-- Being a wrestling fan in the '50s
-- Breaking into the wrestling business as a referee during the '60s
-- Wrestling in the territorial system of the '70's
-- Taking leadership of the legendary Four Horsemen during the '80s
-- Working with Vince McMahon in the WWF during the '90s
-- Watching the monumental collapse of WCW in the 2000s
J.J. Dillon offers a first-hand account and detailed history of one of the most influential wrestling promotions in wrestling history the World Wrestling Federation. For 7-1/2 years, JJ served in the WWF as Vince McMahon's top lieutenant, right-hand man, and vice president. Never before has someone from McMahon's inner circle written a book with an insider's perspective of the company. JJ also gives a insider's perspective on the ludicrous business decisions made by executives who took World Championship Wrestling down a path that led to the company's destruction and eventual demise. From the highs of making big money, winning championship titles, rubbing elbows with top celebrities, and appearing on television every week to the lows of filing for bankruptcy, extramarital affairs, divorces, and drug use -- no stone is left unturned when J.J. Dillon tells his story. In this book, there are truly "no holds barred." JAMES J. DILLON
The Leader of the Four Horsemen
(from the pages of "Wrestlers Are Like Seagulls")
The Four Horsemen were formed spontaneously. It was not an idea that was planned in any great detail. At the time, Ric Flair was the world heavyweight champion. Tully Blanchard was the U.S. champion. Ole and Arn were the National tag team champions. We all walked out onto the studio set and did an interview, en masse. At the time, I only managed Tully, so I went out with him. There we were, all of the heels with all of the titles, and with all the bragging rights.
As I said, the Horsemen concept was something that happened, but if anyone should be given credit for the idea, it should be Arn Anderson. As we did the interview, Arn grabbed the microphone and told the audience that they were witnessing history. "Only once has so much damage been caused by so few," Arn shouted, "and to find that source, you need to go all the way back to the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse."
When Arn held up his four fingers, the fans picked up on it. From that day on, the fans gave us the four finger sign the symbol of ...
THE FOUR HORSEMEN
-- Being a wrestling fan in the '50s
-- Breaking into the wrestling business as a referee during the '60s
-- Wrestling in the territorial system of the '70's
-- Taking leadership of the legendary Four Horsemen during the '80s
-- Working with Vince McMahon in the WWF during the '90s
-- Watching the monumental collapse of WCW in the 2000s
J.J. Dillon offers a first-hand account and detailed history of one of the most influential wrestling promotions in wrestling history the World Wrestling Federation. For 7-1/2 years, JJ served in the WWF as Vince McMahon's top lieutenant, right-hand man, and vice president. Never before has someone from McMahon's inner circle written a book with an insider's perspective of the company. JJ also gives a insider's perspective on the ludicrous business decisions made by executives who took World Championship Wrestling down a path that led to the company's destruction and eventual demise. From the highs of making big money, winning championship titles, rubbing elbows with top celebrities, and appearing on television every week to the lows of filing for bankruptcy, extramarital affairs, divorces, and drug use -- no stone is left unturned when J.J. Dillon tells his story. In this book, there are truly "no holds barred." JAMES J. DILLON
The Leader of the Four Horsemen
(from the pages of "Wrestlers Are Like Seagulls")
The Four Horsemen were formed spontaneously. It was not an idea that was planned in any great detail. At the time, Ric Flair was the world heavyweight champion. Tully Blanchard was the U.S. champion. Ole and Arn were the National tag team champions. We all walked out onto the studio set and did an interview, en masse. At the time, I only managed Tully, so I went out with him. There we were, all of the heels with all of the titles, and with all the bragging rights.
As I said, the Horsemen concept was something that happened, but if anyone should be given credit for the idea, it should be Arn Anderson. As we did the interview, Arn grabbed the microphone and told the audience that they were witnessing history. "Only once has so much damage been caused by so few," Arn shouted, "and to find that source, you need to go all the way back to the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse."
When Arn held up his four fingers, the fans picked up on it. From that day on, the fans gave us the four finger sign the symbol of ...
THE FOUR HORSEMEN
- GenresNonfictionBiography
360 pages, Hardcover
First published June 1, 2005
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
July 5, 2014
Wrestlers are like Seagulls is the biography of former wrestling personality J.J. Dillon.
Wrestlers are like Seagulls covers the career on J.J. Dillon. Unlike many similar books, Dillon knows wrestling is the star of the show and his wrestling career coverage starts at the 2% mark.
Dillon talks about working as a referee until getting his break as a wrestler working for The Sheik in Detroit. His career in Amarillo, the Canadian Maritimes, and working for Crockett promotions is covered, as well as his transition from wrestler to manager to behind the scenes booker.
Dillon's account of the behind the scenes part of the wrestling business is why I bought the book and it did not disappoint. He talks about which wrestlers were hard to deal with as well as the logistics involved with taping TV segments and running shows in adjacent towns. He talks about how cable TV and the internet changed the wrestling business forever.
Once his days as an on-air personality were over and he worked primarily backstage, things really got interesting. Dillon talks about how working for the WWF drove him into bankruptcy after Vince McMahon's steroid scandal, and what working for WCW in the declining years of the company was like.
Lastly, Dillon talks about where he ended up when the wrestling business shat him out, working as a thrice-divorced corrections officer in Delaware.
For a wrestling book, it's really well written and surprisingly free of venom. I felt like he might have been holding back a bit but I don't really have any complaints about this book. Four out of five stars.
Wrestlers are like Seagulls covers the career on J.J. Dillon. Unlike many similar books, Dillon knows wrestling is the star of the show and his wrestling career coverage starts at the 2% mark.
Dillon talks about working as a referee until getting his break as a wrestler working for The Sheik in Detroit. His career in Amarillo, the Canadian Maritimes, and working for Crockett promotions is covered, as well as his transition from wrestler to manager to behind the scenes booker.
Dillon's account of the behind the scenes part of the wrestling business is why I bought the book and it did not disappoint. He talks about which wrestlers were hard to deal with as well as the logistics involved with taping TV segments and running shows in adjacent towns. He talks about how cable TV and the internet changed the wrestling business forever.
Once his days as an on-air personality were over and he worked primarily backstage, things really got interesting. Dillon talks about how working for the WWF drove him into bankruptcy after Vince McMahon's steroid scandal, and what working for WCW in the declining years of the company was like.
Lastly, Dillon talks about where he ended up when the wrestling business shat him out, working as a thrice-divorced corrections officer in Delaware.
For a wrestling book, it's really well written and surprisingly free of venom. I felt like he might have been holding back a bit but I don't really have any complaints about this book. Four out of five stars.
March 22, 2018
Dillon always seemed like the most bland of the heel managers--a by the numbers heel who did all the stuff he needed to do--but here you learn that he kept extremely good details about his wrestling, managing, and administrative careers, including accurate data on contracts, payouts, and so forth. One of the best historical documents of its kind, but probably not fun reading if you're not a fan of the sport.
Several things you learn: Dillon graduated from Albright College, he worked in the trucking business shortly thereafter, and then he worked in construction and as a prison guard after his wrestling career came to an unceremonious end.
Dillon, like a lot of the more "fair and balanced" guys, gives plenty of credit to Ole Anderson, Jim Barnett, and Bill Watts, three bookers/promoters who are regularly smeared by everyone else.
Several things you learn: Dillon graduated from Albright College, he worked in the trucking business shortly thereafter, and then he worked in construction and as a prison guard after his wrestling career came to an unceremonious end.
Dillon, like a lot of the more "fair and balanced" guys, gives plenty of credit to Ole Anderson, Jim Barnett, and Bill Watts, three bookers/promoters who are regularly smeared by everyone else.
December 24, 2012
Really fun book with a lot of behind the scense stuff included. JJ has a wealth of info and a great mind for pro wrestling
November 4, 2024
Poor writing and inept editing aren't necessarily fatal flaws for a wrestling memoir, but terminal dullness is, and this is by far the most boring book about wrestling I've ever read. Dillon's co-writers have no sense of what parts of his story are compelling, so they give equal weight and page length to some deeply uninteresting material; worse than that, though, is the fact that even his best stories become tedious in Dillon's telling. He recites these stories chronologically with zero flair or color and doesn't express a single interesting opinion of anyone or anything, instead plowing through his whole career in a "just the facts" manner with all the excitement of a child's book report.
Suffice to say, the author of this book isn't JJ Dillon, legendary heat-seeking manager of the Horsemen; it's Commissioner James J. Dillon, the bland onscreen authority figure who does little and says less and is instantly forgotten the moment he's offscreen.
Suffice to say, the author of this book isn't JJ Dillon, legendary heat-seeking manager of the Horsemen; it's Commissioner James J. Dillon, the bland onscreen authority figure who does little and says less and is instantly forgotten the moment he's offscreen.
March 10, 2020
A real fascinating insight into the wrestling business. This takes you through multiple decades and highlights the significant changes within the business and how the changes shaped wrestling for better or worse.
I never saw J.J. Dillon perform in his time, but have heard the stories and seen clips down the years. I love to hear how it was ‘back in the good days’ and how wrestling operated in the 70’s and 80’s.
This is a very raw and honest account of his career, no punches are held here and he doesn’t hold back in giving his honest, balanced opinions of those who he worked with though out his span in the wrestling business.
I never saw J.J. Dillon perform in his time, but have heard the stories and seen clips down the years. I love to hear how it was ‘back in the good days’ and how wrestling operated in the 70’s and 80’s.
This is a very raw and honest account of his career, no punches are held here and he doesn’t hold back in giving his honest, balanced opinions of those who he worked with though out his span in the wrestling business.
January 1, 2017
One of The best wrestling books ever
JJ Dillon's book is honest, charming, informative, entertaining, a great read from start to finish. From his start in the wrestling business, to highs and lows in the NWA with Ric Flair and the Four Horsemen, to working directly under Vince McMahon in the WWF during a tumultuous period, to the crazy days of WCW with Eric Bischoff and Vince Russo.
This book taught me many things I didn't know, and it can teach you too, but not just about pro wrestling. JJ provides life lessons as well.
JJ Dillon's book is honest, charming, informative, entertaining, a great read from start to finish. From his start in the wrestling business, to highs and lows in the NWA with Ric Flair and the Four Horsemen, to working directly under Vince McMahon in the WWF during a tumultuous period, to the crazy days of WCW with Eric Bischoff and Vince Russo.
This book taught me many things I didn't know, and it can teach you too, but not just about pro wrestling. JJ provides life lessons as well.
June 27, 2018
The apocalyptic story of J. J. Dillon
I completed reading "Wrestlers Are Like Seagulls" last evening. What a great read. Have you ever read a book and realized the author did a good job writing about the subject matter but didn't live it? That is what sets this book apart and above other's. As you read each chapter you realize "J. J. lived what he wrote what he wrote in this book".
I completed reading "Wrestlers Are Like Seagulls" last evening. What a great read. Have you ever read a book and realized the author did a good job writing about the subject matter but didn't live it? That is what sets this book apart and above other's. As you read each chapter you realize "J. J. lived what he wrote what he wrote in this book".
September 2, 2017
A lifetime in the Squared Circle
Growing up watching JJ Dillon managing the Four Horsemen, brought me hours of entertainment and so did this book.
A lot of background on wrestling from the Seventies to the start of the 21st Century. If you miss the Territory days, I would recommend this to you.
Growing up watching JJ Dillon managing the Four Horsemen, brought me hours of entertainment and so did this book.
A lot of background on wrestling from the Seventies to the start of the 21st Century. If you miss the Territory days, I would recommend this to you.
May 24, 2021
This book has a wealth of information. Stories, details, thoughts but is completely disorganized. There is some chronological order, but topics vary from interesting to absolute opposite. I struggled to finish it, which can be seen in the spread from start to finish. It is widely recommended by wrestling historians but I found it to be terribly uneven, and requiring better editing.
May 13, 2022
Unlike most wrestling books this doesn’t spend a lot of time in early life. JJ jumps right into wrestling. There is a lot of early territory stuff, the first half of the book, but it’s all great. By the time he gets to the Horseman only a few pages are spend on it. There is a lot about working for the WWF and it’s great detail about time with Vince.
Definitely worth reading again.
Definitely worth reading again.
January 5, 2020
My only complaint on this book, it's a little too long. While it's enjoyable to find out behind the scenes info (like why Lord Alfred Hayes suddenly vanished off WWF TV shows), JJ tells a few too many stories.
September 12, 2023
Good Stories, but it gets very granular... but has some good, old school stories.
May 27, 2015
JJ seemed to be pretty straight with his ups and downs including a bankruptcy and three divorces. It added credibility to the other stories he told.
April 9, 2017
This book provides an excellent glimpse behind the curtain of one of the most popular eras in professional wrestling as Dillon gives his unvarnished, first hand experiences as a referee, wrestler, manager and all-purpose, behind-the-scenes jack of all trades, working for the McMahons, Crocketts, and Grahams (among others). It was fascinating to get a detailed look at the inner workings of both the WWF and WCW in the late 1980s through the 1990s.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews