As the first comprehensive look at the ruffians, rascals, and rule breakers in the wrestling business, this history explains the rise of the wrestling villain, the reasons for his (or her) success, and the impact these sordid characters have had on the sport. Based on first-hand interviews with hundreds of wrestlers, managers, promoters, and historians, these entertaining profiles document wrestling’s top rotten apples from the 1920s to today, providing plenty of support for the book's claim that fans love to hate the bad guys as much as they love to love the heroes. With remarkable candor, wrestling’s troublemakers explain why they became villains and how they perceived and honed their roles; the sport is richer for the presence of the nefarious ones—and they know it. With more than 150 never-before-seen photos, this book will satisfy devoted fans and inspire everyone else to take a look at the exciting and often bizarre world of professional wrestling.
Author(s): Greg Oliver, Steven Johnson
Series: Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame series
Publisher: Ecw Press
Year: 2007
Language: English
Commentary: 48572
Pages: 435
Copyright......Page 6
Table of Contents......Page 9
Acknowledgements......Page 13
Foreword by Rick Martel......Page 16
Introduction......Page 19
The Top 20......Page 35
The Next 5......Page 121
The Pioneers......Page 143
The Madmen......Page 181
The Egotists......Page 223
The Monsters......Page 251
The Technicians......Page 283
The Connivers......Page 317
The Tough Guys......Page 353
The Foreigners......Page 397
Notes On Sources......Page 431