Professional wrestling thread

RIP Fabulous Moolah

http://www.wwe.com/inside/news/fabulousmoolahpasses

Surprised Mae Young is still going, considering the bumps she's taken in the past few years.

 

Was just coming to this thread to see if the news had been posted.
I kept meaning to read her autobiography but never got around to it.
RIP.

 

Haven;t read it myself, though it sounds like it would be the biggest sex and politics book on the market.

I can't wait to read Jericho's. I've heard it is up there with "Have A Nice Day!" The only wrestling book I've read that comes even close is Dynamite Kid's "Pure Dynamite," which, if you've never read, I strongly suggest you find a copy (got mine on eBay).

 

At least Moolah lived a full life. Seems rare these days for a professional wrestler.

 

Bischoff's book is good too. IF you haven't read that one, I strongly reccommend it. I don't know how much of it is BS and how much is fact, but it gives a pretty good insight into the Monday Night Wars.

Also- Mick Foley's third book...total bomb. He tries to tell a story in there, but it is completely bogged down because in between his diary entries there are chapters about random episodes in his life. It reads like two completely different books juxtaposed into one.

 

I'd heard good things from Foley's "Diary" book -- until now.

I never dreamed of reading Bishoff's because of the fact-fiction question.

I usually wait until they end up in the $5 bin at Hastings, though they often don't. And the only ones I refuse to buy are the Dusty Rhodes, Hulk Hogan and HHH books. Can't stand any of 'em.

 

The Hardcore Diaries is an interesting read, don't get me wrong. The concept is absolutely great for a true wrestling fan- as it gives you a backstage look at the inner workings of an angle. It also gets you a bit into the politics of wrestling and how some people use others for their own agenda.

But it just would've worked better if there were 2 parts..or 2 seperate books. The way it interweaves between the two stories- one being the ethnographic piece on the wrestling angle, and the other being what could be considered a 3rd autobiography will really boggle down your reading.

the book is nowhere near as interesting as Have a Nice Day- but then again, that book set the standard for wrestling autobiographies.

 

I've seen some angles that have survived more than one PPV, and have been solid in doing so.

 

My take on wrestling biographies. I've only ranked the ones that I have read:

Set's the standard like Hell in a Cell, '98: Have a Nice Day

Excellent: Flair's, Superstar Graham's (very sad chapter on his liver donor, a young woman who died in a car accident), Classy Freddie Blassie's.

Good: The Hardyz (A little tough to read with both Matt and Jeff going back-and-forth, but a lot of interesting stuff). Hogan's (aside from the BS factor, I thought it was a nice read). Eddy Guerrero's.

Decent, but I thought they could be better: Terry Funk's, Bobby Heenan's first book (his second was more of an advice book than a biography). Foley's second (Some good stories, the research paper half of the book was sleep-inducing).

Funny, but disappointing: The Rock's.

Wish he would have waited a couple more years to write: Edge

Bad: Jerry Lawler's (some good wrestling stories, but it just was too up and down. And the end of it consisted of two chapters on his breakup with the Kat, and him trying to hook up with 20-year-old women within a month after).

 

Stone Cold's book was poor, along with Hogan's. I eagerly anticipate Jericho's book and Batista's book showing up in the 2007 Xmas stocking.

 

Hell, I liked Lawler's, just because of all the fascinating history.

My biggest disappointment was Arn Anderson's. He was one of my favorites, but his book was totally in character.

I thought Steve Austin's was fine. Can't wait for Jericho's.