Portrait of the legendary Bruiser Brody - a wrestler who dominated the pro scene despite his refusal to accept scripted defeats, until he was savagely murdered in 1988, allegedly by another wrestler.

Today, more than 18 years after his death, professional wrestling fans still talk about Bruiser Brody with reverence and awe in their voice. Hardcore fans consider him to be the greatest brawler in the history of the sport. Frank "Bruiser Brody" Goodish was known as a brawler, a wild-man, and an outlaw. His style and character have been copied by countless other wrestlers. Mick Foley (Cactus Jack/Mankind), whose name is synonymous with the hardcore style of wrestling, claims to have studied Brody's Japan tapes for hours while training to be a pro wrestler, and patterned his ring style after him. However, like the old saying, "Often imitated, never duplicated," that applies to Bruiser Brody. There will never be another one like him. Brody was a great athlete and an exciting performer, but he was also one of the most unpredictable men ever to step into the ring. As an independent (some call him an outlaw), he marched to his own drummer, and refused to bow to either of the two powerful American promotions-the World Wide Wrestling Federation and the National Wrestling Alliance. On any given night, he might or might not do what the promoters asked of him. As a result, promoters hated him, but they also loved him, because when he was billed on a card, the fans turned out in droves to see him wrestle. Brody feuded with the top names in the sport-Ric Flair, Dory Funk, Terry Funk, the Von Erich family, Bruno Sammartino, Andre the Giant, and Dick the Bruiser. His most remembered feud, however, was against Abdullah the Butcher. When those two met in the ring, fans could count on the blood flowing like tap water. In 1988, Brody was murdered in a dressing room in Puerto Rico-by one of his fellow wrestlers! This book is the story of Bruiser Brody, told in the words of those who knew him best-childhood friends, family members, fellow wrestlers, photographers, and newspaper reporters. No punches are pulled and the rulebook has been thrown out. This is THE definitive ¿ Bruiser Brody.

St. Louis was the capital and Muchnick the ruler of pro wrestling before Vince McMahon's World Wrestling Entertainment took over. Muchnick and St. Louis paved the way for the multi-billion-dollar sports entertainment industry broadcast worldwide from the stadia and showpiece venues of the States. The centre of this magical operation was a TV programme called Wrestling at the Chase', which ran from 1959 to 1983 from the majestic Chase Hotel. Matysik, Muchnick's protege and longtime ringside announcer, recalls with touching fondness the legends of his time.'

Leon White grew up on the tough streets of Compton, before taking on the world. His impressive college football days led him to the NFL culminating at the Super Bowl. After reinventing himself, he debuted as a wrestler battling monsters like Bruiser Brody and Jerry Blackwell. Then, on a Japanese tour, he was given a new gimmick. As "Big Van Vader," he beat the undefeated Antonio Inokio for the IWGP title and had his eyeball literally pulled out of his skull by Stan Hansen, initiating his own legendary monster status. After winning titles around the world with every major promotion (wrestling names like Sting, Mick Foley, Ric Flair, and Hulk Hogan) this mastodon became "The Greatest Super Heavyweight of All Time," while also being a father. Read how his reign of terror continued even after getting an expiration date; a diagnosis of only "two years to live." This is the story of his life, and a legacy that will last forever. This is Vader Time.

From the host of the critically acclaimed pro wrestling podcast Straight Shoot, this graphic novel history of wrestling features the key grapplers, matches, and promotions that shaped this beloved sport and form of entertainment. As a pop culture phenomenon, professional wrestling--with its heroic babyfaces and villainous heels performing suplexes and powerbombs in pursuit of championship gold--has conquered audiences in the United States and around the world. Now, writer/podcaster Aubrey Sitterson and illustrator Chris Moreno form a graphic novel tag team to present wrestling's complete illustrated history. Featuring legendary wrestlers like Bruno Sammartino, Hulk Hogan, and The Rock, and modern-day favorites like John Cena, Kenny Omega, and Sasha Banks, the book covers wrestling's progress from the carnival days of the Gold Dust Trio to the dominance of the WWF/WWE to today's diverse independent wrestling scene, and it spotlights wrestling's reach into Mexico/Puerto Rico (lucha libre), the U.K. (all-in), and Japan (puroresu).

Presents an illustrated chronicle of professional wrestling history and includes approximately one thousand very brief "slamographies" of significant wrestlers and managers.

A breakthrough examination of the professional wrestling, its history, its fans, and its wider cultural impact The Squared Circle grows out of David Shoemaker’s writing for Deadspin, where he started the column “Dead Wrestler of the Week” (which boasts more than 1 million page views)—a feature on the many wrestling superstars who died too young because of the abuse they subject their bodies to—and his writing for Grantland, where he covers the pro wrestling world, and its place in the pop culture mainstream. Shoemaker’s sportswriting has since struck a nerve with generations of wrestling fans who—like him—grew up worshipping a sport often derided as “fake” in the wider culture. To them, these professional wrestling superstars are not just heroes but an emotional outlet and the lens through which they learned to see the world. Starting in the early 1900s and exploring the path of pro wrestling in America through the present day, The Squared Circle is the first book to acknowledge both the sport’s broader significance and wrestling fans’ keen intellect and sense of irony. Divided into eras, each section offers a snapshot of the wrestling world, profiles some of the period’s preeminent wrestlers, and the sport’s influence on our broader culture. Through the brawling, bombast, and bloodletting, Shoemaker argues that pro wrestling can teach us about the nature of performance, audience, and, yes, art. Full of unknown history, humor, and self-deprecating reminiscence—but also offering a compelling look at the sport’s rightful place in pop culture—The Squared Circle is the book that legions of wrestling fans have been waiting for. In it, Shoemaker teaches us to look past the spandex and body slams to see an art form that can explain the world.

Written by his best friend and widow, this compelling biography of international wrestling superstar ?BruiserOCO Brody provides an unparalleled look at his life and death. At 6OCO5OCO and a muscular 320 pounds, Brody was a giant in the ring who evoked fear in his opponents and respect from the wrestling community. In the geographical segregated wrestling world of the 1970s and 1980s, where each area had its own stars, BrodyOCOs intensity made him one of the few recognized as celebrities across the country. Featuring candid discussions about the nature of wrestling during BrodyOCOs heyday as well as a frank description of his horrific murder and its aftermath, this revealing account illustrates why Brody continues to be one of the most beloved figures in wrestling."

Buggsy McGraw and co-author Ian Douglass bring you the 300-plus page autobiography about the life and career of one of professional wrestling's most colorful stars from the territory era!"Brute Power: The Buggsy McGraw Story" tells the story about a little Indiana boy with a speech impediment who turned himself into one of the strongest men on the planet, before transitioning into a worldwide wrestling star. This book covers Buggsy's journey around the world to territories both big and small, along with his shocking decision to walk away from the ring while still in his prime in favor of a career as a registered nurse. PLUS:- Why he now spells his name with two "G's" instead of one- Growing up in the shadow of Dick The Bruiser's WWA territory in Indianapolis- Breaking in as "The Big O" in the Sheik's Detroit territory- Wrestling the infamous Sam Sheppard - the inspiration for "The Fugitive"- Working in the long forgotten wrestling territories of Omaha and The Maritimes - Upping his game with Ray Stevens and San Francisco's stacked wrestling roster- Revitalizing professional wrestling in Australia- Competing in the final World Big League tournament before the JWA's collapse- Becoming Canada's most infamous and recognizable wrestling villain as "The Brute"- Main eventing in Madison Square Garden against Bruno Sammartino- Helping Paul Orndorff elevate his skills in Mid South- Competing with Dusty Rhodes for the title of most beloved babyface in Florida- Helping Jack Brisco during his final days of lifeAnd a ton of stories from the road and the locker roomBuggsy McGraw provides you all of the stories and details about working with Bruno Sammartino, Lou Albano, Andre The Giant, Giant Baba, Jerry Lawler, Antonio Inoki, Bobo Brazil, Randy Savage, Jumbo Tsuruta, The Von Erich's, Dory Funk Jr., Ray Stevens, Pat Patterson, Peter Maivia, Rocky Johnson, The Sheik, Abdullah the Butcher, Manny Fernandez, Stan Hansen, Dick the Bruiser, Paul Orndorff, Roddy Piper, Jack Brisco, Lonnie Mayne, Nikolai Volkoff, Bill Irwin, Jimmy Valiant, Vince Russo, Bruiser Brody and more!You will not want to miss it!

"Focusing on the superstar who single-handedly influenced the development of sports entertainment, this autobiography highlights the legacy of World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) icon Jimmy Snuka. The wrestler's legendary top-rope maneuvers, innovative high-flying style, and unprecedented aerial ability made him the most popular competitor in WWE. This fascinating account relates how a native of the Fiji Islands was at the center of two of wrestling's most talked-about moments: the night Snuka leapt from the top of the 15-foot cage--only to miss his opponent and consequently lose the match--and the night Rowdy Roddy Piper smashed a coconut over Snuka's head during a segment of Piper's Pit in 1984. Exposing the amazing life of this WWE Hall of Fame member in detail, this record presents the ups and downs of a wrestler who grew to be a key figure in the expansion of the company and all professional wrestling"--