| MEDIA REVIEWS |
| B |
BANG YOUR HEAD: the Real Story of the Missing Link
Release Date: April 2006 / Authors: Dewey Robertson and Meredith Renwick / Publisher: ECW Press
--- I found it entertaining, but not overly insightful. There were times when it was painfully obvious that Robertson
had forgotten kayfabe was dead, yet others where he clearly broke fabe. This left me wondering as to how much
of what he had to say actually happened. Still, for a fun read, it's a good book. If you want something with some
meat in it, choose another book. Recommended when choices are limited. (Rich Tate)
--- Recommended that you don't bother until it shows up at your local bargain bin. (Mick N. Brawler)
BANNER DAYS: the Life of Pro Wrestling Legend Penny Banner
Release Date: July 2004 / Authors: Penny Banner and Gerry Hostetler / Publisher: Flying Mare Press
--- Banner expects us to believe she really won all those matches. She also claims she didn't realize wrestling
was a work until she read Ole Anderson's book. What does that tell you? Recommend you pass on this one.
(Mick N. Brawler)
BATISTA UNLEASHED
Release Date: October 2007 / Authors: Dave Batista and Jeremy Roberts / Publisher: World Wrestling
Entertainment
BEER, BLOOD & CORNMEAL: Seven Years of Strange Wrestling
Release Date: April 2008 / Author(s): Bob Calhoun / Publisher: ECW Press
--- An extremely funny read. I found it extraordinarily intriguing from front to back, and often found myself in tears
laughing at some of the events detailed throughout the book. It often comes off as a bit too profane for my
personal tastes, whereas it found its way to the highest shelf in my office to avoid my younger children being
able to take a peek, but quite enjoyable. Recommended for adult audiences who want more insight into the
seedy world of professional wrestling, especially those who want to know more about the inner workings of the
independent scene itself. (Rich Tate)
BENOIT: Wrestling with the Horror That Destroyed a Family and Crippled a Sport
Release Date: October 2007 / Author(s): Steven Johnson, Heath McCoy, Irvin Muchnick, and Greg Oliver /
Publisher: ECW Press
--- The first publication focusing on the events that occurred at the Benoit home in June and the resulting fallout
features four excellent authors, each covering a different facet of the story, painting a picture as complete as we
may ever see it. The real answers as to why it happened are not here, but that was not the intent. The authors
each collaborate to tell the story of the early beginnings and rise of Benoit (McCoy), his tarnished legacy (Oliver),
the media craze stirred by the events (Johnson), and an overall look at the events and fallout (Muchnick). Oliver
also dedicates a portion of the book to pay tribute to Nancy Benoit. Highest recommendation. (Rich Tate)
BETWEEN THE ROPES: Wrestling's Greatest Triumphs and Failures
Release Date: July 2006 / Authors: Brian Fritz and Christopher Murray / Publisher: ECW Press
BLACK STARS OF PROFESSIONAL WRESTLING
Release Date: August 1999 / Author: Julian L.D. Shabazz / Publisher: Awesome Records
--- Nice enough piece, but it left me wanting more. Not more in that it was good, but rather more in the sense
that there was very little depth. The plus to having it is it covers names seldom or never before seen, but the
downside is very little detail or research. The only real reason to seek this rare find out is for the rare photos you
most likely have never seen before. You would think a book with this title would have provided groundbreaking
stories, but you'd be incorrect. Recommended, but don't kill yourself tracking it down. (Rich Tate)
BOBBY THE BRAIN: Wrestling's Bad Boy Tells All
Release Date: August 2002 / Authors: Bobby Heenan and Steve Anderson / Publisher: Triumph Books
--- I found this book highly entertaining. Heenan does his "act" here, giving barbs and one liners left and right. He
could have gone more in-depth on many things I thought, but a fun read for sure. I recommend this book. (Trent
Van Drisse)
BODYSLAMS!: Memoirs of a Wrestling Pitchman
Release Date: January 2006 / Authors: Gary Michael Cappetta / Publisher: ECW Press
Note: This is an expanded version to the original publication that was released several years earlier.
--- Gary tells the story of his career from his early years as an unpaid(!) mark ring announcer with the WWWF
through his stints with most of the major US promotions and tells it well. He comes across as the nice guy he is
and a keen observer with no particular ax to grind, and while some of his observations are cutting, they're not
bitter. Recommended highly. (Crimson Mask)
BODYSLAMS IN BUFFALO: the Complete History of Pro Wrestling in Western New York
Release Date: January 2003 / Authors: Dan Murphy / Publisher: Buffalo Books
BRET ˜HITMAN" HART: the Best There Is, The Best There Was, And The Best There Ever Will Be
Release Date: March 2000 / Authors: Bret Hart and Perry Lefko / Publisher: Balmur-Stoddart
--- Proof that Hart is his own biggest fan. Recommend you organize your sock drawer first. (Mick N. Brawler)
BRISCO: the Life and Times of National Collegiate and World Heavyweight Champion Jack Brisco
Release Date: February 2004 / Authors: Jack Brisco and William Murdock / Publisher: Culture House Books
--- One of the best. Jack takes the high road and just tells his story and refreshingly refrains from cheap shots
and putting himself over at anybody else's expense. Fascinating insights into how things worked at the top of the
business. Outstanding job by Murdock as co-author. Strongly recommended. (Crimson Mask)
BRODY: the Triumph and Tragedy of Wrestling's Rebel
Release Date: June 2007 / Authors: Larry Matysik and Barbara Goodish / Publisher: ECW Press
BROKEN HARTS: the Life and Death of Owen Hart
Release Date: April 2004 / Authors: Martha Hart and Eric Francis / Publisher: M. Evans and Company
--- I guess for Owen fans, this would be something to have, but I found it singularly uninteresting and just not very
good. Not recommended. (Crimson Mask)
--- Recommend you get this only if your last name is Hart, you're from Calgary, and you grew up on Stampede
Wrestling. (Mick N. Brawler)
BRUNO SAMMARTINO: An Autobiography of Wrestling's Living Legend
Release Date: July 1990 / Authors: Bruno Sammartino and Bob Michelucci / Publisher: Imagine
THE BUZZ ON PROFESSIONAL WRESTLING
Release Date: February 2001 / Authors: Scott Keith, John Craddock, and Rusty Fischer / Publisher: Lebhar-
Friedman Books
Release Date: April 2006 / Authors: Dewey Robertson and Meredith Renwick / Publisher: ECW Press
--- I found it entertaining, but not overly insightful. There were times when it was painfully obvious that Robertson
had forgotten kayfabe was dead, yet others where he clearly broke fabe. This left me wondering as to how much
of what he had to say actually happened. Still, for a fun read, it's a good book. If you want something with some
meat in it, choose another book. Recommended when choices are limited. (Rich Tate)
--- Recommended that you don't bother until it shows up at your local bargain bin. (Mick N. Brawler)
BANNER DAYS: the Life of Pro Wrestling Legend Penny Banner
Release Date: July 2004 / Authors: Penny Banner and Gerry Hostetler / Publisher: Flying Mare Press
--- Banner expects us to believe she really won all those matches. She also claims she didn't realize wrestling
was a work until she read Ole Anderson's book. What does that tell you? Recommend you pass on this one.
(Mick N. Brawler)
BATISTA UNLEASHED
Release Date: October 2007 / Authors: Dave Batista and Jeremy Roberts / Publisher: World Wrestling
Entertainment
BEER, BLOOD & CORNMEAL: Seven Years of Strange Wrestling
Release Date: April 2008 / Author(s): Bob Calhoun / Publisher: ECW Press
--- An extremely funny read. I found it extraordinarily intriguing from front to back, and often found myself in tears
laughing at some of the events detailed throughout the book. It often comes off as a bit too profane for my
personal tastes, whereas it found its way to the highest shelf in my office to avoid my younger children being
able to take a peek, but quite enjoyable. Recommended for adult audiences who want more insight into the
seedy world of professional wrestling, especially those who want to know more about the inner workings of the
independent scene itself. (Rich Tate)
BENOIT: Wrestling with the Horror That Destroyed a Family and Crippled a Sport
Release Date: October 2007 / Author(s): Steven Johnson, Heath McCoy, Irvin Muchnick, and Greg Oliver /
Publisher: ECW Press
--- The first publication focusing on the events that occurred at the Benoit home in June and the resulting fallout
features four excellent authors, each covering a different facet of the story, painting a picture as complete as we
may ever see it. The real answers as to why it happened are not here, but that was not the intent. The authors
each collaborate to tell the story of the early beginnings and rise of Benoit (McCoy), his tarnished legacy (Oliver),
the media craze stirred by the events (Johnson), and an overall look at the events and fallout (Muchnick). Oliver
also dedicates a portion of the book to pay tribute to Nancy Benoit. Highest recommendation. (Rich Tate)
BETWEEN THE ROPES: Wrestling's Greatest Triumphs and Failures
Release Date: July 2006 / Authors: Brian Fritz and Christopher Murray / Publisher: ECW Press
BLACK STARS OF PROFESSIONAL WRESTLING
Release Date: August 1999 / Author: Julian L.D. Shabazz / Publisher: Awesome Records
--- Nice enough piece, but it left me wanting more. Not more in that it was good, but rather more in the sense
that there was very little depth. The plus to having it is it covers names seldom or never before seen, but the
downside is very little detail or research. The only real reason to seek this rare find out is for the rare photos you
most likely have never seen before. You would think a book with this title would have provided groundbreaking
stories, but you'd be incorrect. Recommended, but don't kill yourself tracking it down. (Rich Tate)
BOBBY THE BRAIN: Wrestling's Bad Boy Tells All
Release Date: August 2002 / Authors: Bobby Heenan and Steve Anderson / Publisher: Triumph Books
--- I found this book highly entertaining. Heenan does his "act" here, giving barbs and one liners left and right. He
could have gone more in-depth on many things I thought, but a fun read for sure. I recommend this book. (Trent
Van Drisse)
BODYSLAMS!: Memoirs of a Wrestling Pitchman
Release Date: January 2006 / Authors: Gary Michael Cappetta / Publisher: ECW Press
Note: This is an expanded version to the original publication that was released several years earlier.
--- Gary tells the story of his career from his early years as an unpaid(!) mark ring announcer with the WWWF
through his stints with most of the major US promotions and tells it well. He comes across as the nice guy he is
and a keen observer with no particular ax to grind, and while some of his observations are cutting, they're not
bitter. Recommended highly. (Crimson Mask)
BODYSLAMS IN BUFFALO: the Complete History of Pro Wrestling in Western New York
Release Date: January 2003 / Authors: Dan Murphy / Publisher: Buffalo Books
BRET ˜HITMAN" HART: the Best There Is, The Best There Was, And The Best There Ever Will Be
Release Date: March 2000 / Authors: Bret Hart and Perry Lefko / Publisher: Balmur-Stoddart
--- Proof that Hart is his own biggest fan. Recommend you organize your sock drawer first. (Mick N. Brawler)
BRISCO: the Life and Times of National Collegiate and World Heavyweight Champion Jack Brisco
Release Date: February 2004 / Authors: Jack Brisco and William Murdock / Publisher: Culture House Books
--- One of the best. Jack takes the high road and just tells his story and refreshingly refrains from cheap shots
and putting himself over at anybody else's expense. Fascinating insights into how things worked at the top of the
business. Outstanding job by Murdock as co-author. Strongly recommended. (Crimson Mask)
BRODY: the Triumph and Tragedy of Wrestling's Rebel
Release Date: June 2007 / Authors: Larry Matysik and Barbara Goodish / Publisher: ECW Press
BROKEN HARTS: the Life and Death of Owen Hart
Release Date: April 2004 / Authors: Martha Hart and Eric Francis / Publisher: M. Evans and Company
--- I guess for Owen fans, this would be something to have, but I found it singularly uninteresting and just not very
good. Not recommended. (Crimson Mask)
--- Recommend you get this only if your last name is Hart, you're from Calgary, and you grew up on Stampede
Wrestling. (Mick N. Brawler)
BRUNO SAMMARTINO: An Autobiography of Wrestling's Living Legend
Release Date: July 1990 / Authors: Bruno Sammartino and Bob Michelucci / Publisher: Imagine
THE BUZZ ON PROFESSIONAL WRESTLING
Release Date: February 2001 / Authors: Scott Keith, John Craddock, and Rusty Fischer / Publisher: Lebhar-
Friedman Books