From the Rock 'N' Wrestling Connection to the Attitude and Divas eras to the women's wrestling evolution happening now, A Diva Was a Female Version of a Wrestler is a loosely chronologized cultural criticism of World Wrestling Entertainment's herstory. Lifelong wrestling fan and critic Scarlett Harris uses big ideas, such as #MeToo, the commodification of feminism and how we tell women's stories, to chart the rise and fall and rise of women's wrestling, and vice versa.

A look at the history of WWE’s WrestleMania, with a focus on how women have been treated over the years, embracing both the good times and the bad times, and tracking the progress that has gradually been made to see women main event the biggest wrestling show in the world. Includes analysis of every single show in chronological order to identify themes, trends and issues faced over time, as well as a statistical breakdown of eras. Plus the history of what it meant to be a Diva, profiles on the top stars of each era, and an attempt to define who is Ms. WrestleMania. A minimum of 25% of all profits from this book will be donated to women’s charities. Praise for The Women of WrestleMania: “This book is not only the history of women at WrestleMania, but a tribute and celebration to the contribution of women to WWF/E" –Voices of Wrestling "This herstory of WrestleMania, from women in bathroom break matches to no matches at all to the main event, is interspersed with longer profiles on wrestlers who've defined their respective eras, one of which made me gasp!." --Scarlett Harris, author of A Diva Was a Female Version of a Wrestler "The Women of WrestleMania" features a impressively detailed collection of the presentation and evolution of the badass women featured on the grandest stage of them all." --Ella Jay, A Wrestling Gal podcast

Lita™ -- see her just once in the ring and you can never forget it. The breathtaking off-the-top-rope fearlessness that she shows keeps you on the edge of your seat. You simply can't believe she's going to be able to pull off the move, and then Lita takes it to the next level. That's her reality, that's why she is a WWE™ Superstar. Taking unexpected risks, daring to do what no one has done before, that's the reality of Amy Dumas, the remarkable woman behind Lita. Even as a young girl, Amy was determined to challenge herself and the world around her. She found personal freedom in the hardcore punk rock scene of the nineties. The positive force of the music and culture helped define the reality of Amy Dumas. Her willingness to try anything once set her on the path to World Wrestling Entertainment.™ Captivated by the high-flying style of the luchadors she saw on television, Amy was hungry to discover more about them. She just had to learn how they did those amazing moves. With only a guidebook for a companion, Amy set out for Mexico City where she was quickly invited into the secret world of lucha libre, Mexico's unique brand of professional wrestling. She returned to the States, resolute in her goal to make it as a professional wrestler. Amy found people who saw her determination and her heart, and agreed to train her. As her skills improved, she began traveling the highways and byways of America, working night after night in independent promotions around the country. Along her journey, Amy met an assortment of colorful characters as well as a number of wrestlers who would prove influential in her career. Among them were two local North Carolina stars who had just signed with WWE -- Matt and Jeff Hardy. Amy formed an instant bond with the dynamic Hardy Boyz,™ whose spectacular style and high-flying bravado inspired her own bold in-ring style. It wasn't long before Amy -- now christened Lita -- joined Matt and Jeff in WWE, and the three friends became international sensations as Team Extreme.™ Lita proved a true pioneer in women's wrestling, daring to get in the ring with the boys -- including Triple H,™ Stone Cold Steve Austin™ and The Rock® -- and never backing down. It took a broken neck suffered on the set of a television series to stop her...but only temporarily. Lita: A Less Traveled R.O.A.D -- The Reality of Amy Dumas is the stirring tale of one young woman's amazing journey to the top of the wild, wonderful world of WWE.™

World famous wrestling diva Tammy Lynn “Sunny” Sytch has written a tell-all autobiography that follows her into the ring and on the road, through her romantic relationships, domestic abuse, her battle with cancer, incarceration, getting sober and the release of her adult film with Vivid Entertainment.

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}

A comprehensive and fascinating illustrated look at women’s professional wrestling, including 100 profiles of superstars from around the world. Women’s pro wrestling has existed in the USA since the 1930s, and this colorful encyclopedia references the fashion, fun, and drama of the sport through the years and around the world. Focusing on 100 competitors—from current faves Sasha Banks and Charlotte Flair, to Germany's Jazzy Gabert, Japan’s Io Shirai, and Canada's LuFisto, to legends like The Fabulous Moolah, Sable, Ivory, and Lita—it includes relevant stats and each one’s compelling story. Written by noted authority LaToya Ferguson, this engaging history is great for anyone interested in powerful women, fantastic costumes, and pro wrestling itself.

The New York Times Bestseller Recently retired WWE superstar AJ Mendez Brooks is a powerhouse—strong, quirky, and totally confident. But that wasn’t always the case. With humor and tremendous heart, she opens up for the first time about her harrowing struggle to understand her demons and the diagnosis that helped her gain control over her life. Everything I was told should be my greatest insecurities and weaknesses, everything that I’ve been labeled—SHORT, NERDY, SKINNY, WEAK, IMPULSIVE, UGLY, TOMBOY, POOR, REBEL, LOUD, FREAK, CRAZY—turned out to be my greatest strengths. I didn’t become successful in spite of them. I became successful because of them. Growing up AJ was a quiet girl trying to act “normal” when she felt anything but. As her family struggled with drug addiction, poverty, and mental illness, she found escape through comic books and video games, and was inspired by the tough and unconventional female characters. It wasn’t until she discovered pro wrestling that she learned superheroes could be real. Determined to become the superhero she’d always admired, AJ trained and sacrificed for years to achieve her dream of wrestling professionally. Yet she quickly faced industry pressure to play the role of the damsel in distress and to dress more provocatively to cater to male fans. But she fought back and created an ass-kicking alter ego that was a genuine representation of herself: nerdy, enthusiastic, and a little bit crazy. With humor and tremendous heart, AJ opens up for the first time about her harrowing struggle to understand her demons and the mental illness diagnosis that helped her gain control over her life. What most people view as a hardship, AJ embraced as inspira­tion for her superhero persona, shattering the stigma attached to mental illness. Charting her journey from a scrappy girl in an unstable home to an empowered wrestling champion, Crazy Is My Superpower is an un­flinchingly honest story and brave confessional about her long road to self-acceptance.

The hidden world of professional wrestling. Many fans often wonder about the lives of the superstars of professional wrestling. Many fans even wonder why so many deaths occurred with their favorite wrestlers. This book explores the mysteries and scandals of the professional wrestling going all the way back to the 19th century carnivals to the current mainstream wrestling you see today.

A walk-through wrestling history, starting with the founding fathers such as Ed “Strangler” Lewis and the incomparable Lou Thesz, to modern-day masters such as Daniel Bryan and Kurt Angle. The Wrestlers’ Wrestlers spotlights elite performers and analyzes exactly what made them your favorite wrestler’s favorite wrestlers. Authors Dan Murphy and Brian Young interviewed more than 40 in-ring veterans, historians, referees, and promoters to get a unique insider’s look at the people who have made a lasting impact on the world of professional wrestling. It offers a special peek “behind the curtain” and a rare look into the top stars’ thoughts on their peers, their influences, and their personal favorites. The Wrestlers’ Wrestlers is a history of professional wrestling but also a tribute to the frequently misunderstood art itself. Featuring stars of the 1920s to today, this essential read deserves a prominent spot on the bookcase of every fan and historian.

(FAQ Pop Culture). Sport? Entertainment? Art form? Perhaps a bit of all three, with a certain intangible extra something thrown in for good measure, making professional wrestling a truly unique entity unto itself. From its origins in carnivals and sideshow attractions of the 19th century, right up to the multimillion-dollar, multimedia industry of the present day, and all the bizarre, wild, and woolly points in between, Pro Wrestling FAQ delves into the entire history and broad scope of one of popular culture's most enduring yet ever-changing spectacles. With chapters devoted to the many fascinating eras in the history of the business, as well as capsule biographies of some its most memorable and important figures, this book will serve as the ultimate one-volume reference guide for both long-time wrestling nuts and initiates to the grappling phenomenon. Revisit the legendary 1911 "Match of the Century" pitting World Champion Frank Gotch against archrival George Hackenschmidt, "the Russian Lion"; experience wrestling's TV golden age in the 1950s, a time of such colorful personages as Gorgeous George and Antonino Rocca; relive the glory days of Hulk Hogan and Andre the Giant, when WWF impresario Vince McMahon took the business mainstream; and get the lowdown on recent favorites, such as John Cena, CM Punk, and others who have taken the business boldly into the 21st century.