Their signs hang in the windows of convenience stores, gas stations, and restaurants. They work out of high school gyms, warehouses, and roller rinks. They are professional wrestlers, and they want you to experience live wrestling this weekend.The old territories are long gone, replaced by the monolithic WWE, but indie wrestling continues to thrill fans who know that nothing can replace the live experience. This is the story of the men and women who make up today's independent wrestling scene. They are top prospects like Jamin Olivencia and Adam Cole; deadly beauties like Crazy Mary Dobson and LuFisto; entrepreneurs like Colt Cabana; and battle-hardened veterans like Mad Man Pondo.Eat Sleep Wrestle takes you on the road and inside the ring for a peek into the lives of today's dreamers and tomorrow's superstars. From their humble beginnings, to life on the road, to their moments at the top, these stories will inspire you in the pursuit your own dreams and make you look twice the next time you see a flier in the window for some rasslin'.
Bedtime has never been more fun! Friday Night Wrestlefest is inspired by WWE professional wrestling and is sure to wear kids out before they are gently tucked into bed. Ladies and Gentlemen, it's Friday night, and these kids are ready to wrestle! Join Dangerous Daddoo as he dishes out some serious moves to get the kids ready for bed. But what happens when Flying Mom Bomb gets home from work? Are the kids toast? From writer J. F. Fox and illustrator Micah Player comes a charming and quirky family story that will teach you a new Bedtime Blitz that everyone will enjoy.
Documenting the rise of women’s wrestling from sideshow to WWE main event Sisterhood of the Squared Circle presents the fascinating history of women’s wrestling, from the carnival circuit of the late 1800s to today’s hugely popular matches. With more than 100 wrestler profiles, find out how backstage politics, real-life grudges, and incredible personalities shaped the business. The careers of many well-known trailblazers, including Mildred Burke, the Fabulous Moolah, Mae Young, Penny Banner, Wendi Richter, Trish Stratus, Chyna, and Lita, are celebrated alongside today’s stars, like Charlotte, Sasha Banks, and Bayley. p.p1 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 16.0px Times; -webkit-text-stroke: #000000} span.s1 {font-kerning: none} With rare photographs and an exploration of women’s wrestling worldwide — including chapters on Japan, Mexico, England, and Australia — Sisterhood of the Squared Circle is a priceless contribution to the history of professional wrestling. p.p1 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 16.0px Times; -webkit-text-stroke: #000000} span.s1 {font-kerning: none}
The fast and easy way to pin down the sport of wrestling Wrestling is a fast-paced sport with many technicalities, rules, and ways to score points—making it difficult for spectators to follow the score and understand whistles and restarts. In Wrestling For Dummies, author and 2008 Olympic Gold medalist Henry Cejudo explains the scoring system and unique rules of wrestling to new competitors, confused parents, and fans of this ancient and captivating sport. Wrestling For Dummies also explains the rich history of the sport and covers the six styles of competitive wrestling and their distinction from the modern entertainment-based "pro wrestling." Covers Greco-Roman and freestyle wrestling Plain-English explanations of wrestling rules Details the history of wrestling Whether you're just getting started as a wrestler or enjoy it as a spectator sport, Wresting For Dummies makes this sport accessible and easy to understand.
He's been hired and fired from every major wrestling company. He's wrestled all over the United States, in Mexico, and Asia. He's held multiple tag team belts and heavyweight championships. He's been a top guy and a jobber. He's been a hero, a villain, and a mentor to countless young wrestlers of the last two generations. He pinned legends. He defeated cancer. And yes, he wrestled three different bears. Few wrestlers have logged as many miles as Tracy Smothers, and even fewer have made the impact he has on today's young stars. Now for the first time, Tracy reveals how a promising young athlete Springfield, Tennessee, who once aspired to be a high school football coach found himself at the center of a fan riot in Mexico City and a bar fight in Malaysia. He talks about the last days of the territories, the rise of the Wild Eyed Southern Boys and the Young Pistols, his star turn in Smoky Mountain, his jobbing days in WWF, life-changing concussions, the FBI in ECW, and dance contests in the indies. You'll hear harrowing tales about bounty hunting, delivering pizzas, and yes... going toe to toe with the legendary Ginger the Wrestling Bear. Tracy Smothers doesn't care if you love him. He doesn't care if you think he sucks. He doesn't even really care if you read his book. There's only one thing you need to know right now. If you don't buy this book, EVERYBODY DIES!
"On January 26, 1996, Dave Schultz, Olympic gold medal winner and wrestling champion, was shot in the back by du Pont heir John E. du Pont at the family's famed Foxcatcher Farm estate in Pennsylvania. Following the murder, du Pont barricaded himself in his home for two days before he was finally captured. How did the so-called best friend of amateur wrestling come to commit such a horrifying, senseless murder? For the first time ever, Dave's brother, Mark--another Olympic gold medal-winning wrestler under du Pont's patronage--tells the full story. Fascinating, powerful, and deeply personal, Foxcatcher is a riveting account as told by the only person close enough to know the mind of the murderer." -- Page [4] cover.
The Wrestler's Body tells the story of a way of life organized in terms of physical self-development. While Indian wrestlers are competitive athletes, they are also moral reformers whose conception of self and society is fundamentally somatic. Using the insights of anthropology, Joseph Alter writes an ethnography of the wrestler's physique that elucidates the somatic structure of the wrestler's identity and ideology. Young men in North India may choose to join an akhara, or gymnasium, where they subject themselves to a complex program of physical and moral fitness. Alter's first-hand description of each detail of the wrestler's regimen offers a unique perspective on South Asian culture and society. Wrestlers feel that moral reform of Indian national character is essential and advocate their way of life as an ideology of national health. Everyone is called on to become a wrestler and build collective strength through self-discipline.
In an eye-opening glimpse into the world of professional wrestling, the legendary wrestler describes his own personal life and career, from his youth as a teenage runaway to his rise to success with the World Wrestling Federation. Original.
Before there was Bobo Brazil, before there was television, there was the original Black Panther! Jim Mitchell wasn't the first African American to make a living in the sport of professional wrestling, but the Louisville, Kentucky native was the first to become and international superstar. Trained by the great welterweight champion Jack Reynolds, Mitchell broke out in the business in the early 1930s, becoming a main event superstar in the Indianapolis territory by the age of 23. Jim Mitchell became a top draw in every territory he worked, from his adopted home base of Northwest Ohio to the Boston area to the Pacific Northwest to sunny Southern California as well as sojourns to Europe, Canada, and Australia. He feuded with some of the biggest heels of his era including Danny McShain, Wild Red Berry, and Martino Angelo. His most storied rivalry was with none other than Gorgeous George, a feud that culminated in a riot in the hot summer of 1949 at the Olympic Auditorium. He was a trailblazing African American athlete whose exploits were overshadowed by the advent of television and the rise of a new generation of stars, not the least of which was Bobo Brazil. Wrestling historian John Cosper takes you back to the golden age of professional wrestling and uncovers the lost story of a true pioneer. The Original Black Panther is filled with stories of Mitchell's exploits taken not only from the newspapers of the day, but from a treasure trove of documents found in Jim Mitchell's home years after his death. More than 100 images of programs, posters, ledger books, personal letters, and photographs from Mitchell's own archive bring the story of this amazing man to life. With a foreword written by WWE Hall of Fame Mark Henry, Jim Mitchell's biography is a must read for every professional wrestling fan. It's the long lost story of the man who broke ground for future generations and fought the prejudices of his day by becoming a champion in and out of the ring. "Wrestling historian John Cosper has done it again. His newest book, The Original Black Panther: The Life and Legacy of Jim Mitchell is a fascinating journey into the history of one of wrestling's forgotten superstars. This book is compelling, informative, and leave you wanting more. Major kudos to Mr. Cosper. Another great job!" - Tim Hornbaker, author of "Death of the Territories"
