So you wanna be a pro wrestler. Well, take it from a former pro, you'd better be prepared to work, sweat and bleed! Here "Judo" Gene tells you what it takes to make it and schools you in all the basic moves, from the Boston crab to the reverse cradle and more.

Many dream of headlining Wrestlemania, but few understand the hard work and dedication needed to become a professional wrestler. Almost all top stars have trained in schools and camps with legendary wrestlers in order to learn the execution of key moves, how to put together a match, sell yourself and your opponent to the crowd, and keep fit through physical training and healthy diet. The Professional Wrestler's Instructional and Workout Guide brings readers more than 100 years of collective knowledge and experience from three elite names in the professional wrestling industry, including two former NWA World Heavyweight Champions. Harley Race, Ricky Steamboat, and Les Thatcher share their wealth of knowledge and experience as they help the novice wrestler prepare for the long journey into pro wrestling. After reading this book, the aspiring wrestler should have the knowledge of how maneuvers are executed effectively and safely, the physical conditioning needed to perform them, and the thought process involved in piecing together an actual match. The novice should learn the psychology of pro wrestling both in and out of the ring as well as how to find employment on the independent circuit.

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).

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.

Pro-wrestling is performance art, and trying to occlude that fact for decades has, in many ways, prevented the evolution of the art form. Little has been written about the challenges modern pro-wrestlers face, and the ways in which they engage with audiences. "7 Keys to Becoming a Better Performer - A Book for Fellow Pro-Wrestlers" offers a fresh, frank examination of the skill set every professional wrestler needs to hone, regardless of where they ply their trade.

With over 30 years experience in professional wrestling, Dr. Tom Prichard was an integral part of WWE's developmental system beginning in 1996-2004. His first students were Dwayne Johnson (The Rock), Mark Henry and Achim Albrecht (Brakkus). Dr. Tom was the first coach and trainer and after a brief break, returned to WWE and was once again Head coach and trainer for the developmental system from 2007-2012. A Pro Wrestling Curriculum is a one year, daily schedule for students and coaches to follow and learn from. There are lists, suggestions and ideas as well as holds, moves and an overall foundation to build on. This is a teaching manual not meant to describe how each hold is done step by step. Not every hold is meant for everybody! This curriculum was done with the idea a more experienced and knowledgeable coach/trainer was in attendance. There is is not just one way to learn and /or teach anything! Even the basic manuevers in this curriculum can be dangerous and should not be attempted without proper supervision. But if you are just starting or been plying your trade on the independent scene, the lists and suggestions are invaluable. Dr. Tom includes an email he can be reached at if you have any questions about the holds or suggestions in this curriculum. A MUST for anyone looking to get to the next level or just wants an insight to how a developmental system might be run by the big leagues! Some of the stars who trained under Dr. Tom Prichard include The Rock, Mark Henry, Sheamus, Edge, Christian, Dolph Ziggler, Ted DiBiase Jr, Heath Slater, Kofi Kingston, Damien Sandow, Seth Rollins, Xavier Woods, Mason Ryan, Alex Riley, Husky Harris, Bo Rotundo, Mike Mondo, Jinder Mahal, Luke Gallows, Curt Hawkins, Tyler Reks, Zach Ryder, Justin Gabriel, Ryback, Dave Otunga, Leo Kruger, Kris Logan, Alberto Rodriguez, Ricardo Rodriguez, Tyson Kidd, Harry Smith, Rick Victor, Jack Swagger, The Usos, Brodus Clay, James Bronson, Corey Graves, Conor O'Brien, Kenneth Cameron, Hunico, Camacho, Ezekiel Jackson, Wes Brisco, Drew McIntyre, Johnny Curtis, Michael McGillicutty, Yoshi Tatsu, Briley Pierce, Wade Barrett, trent Baretta, Titus O'Neil, Darren Young, Sinn Bohdi, Rob Terry, Orlando Colon, The Bella Twins, Natalya Niedhart, Tamina Snuka, Kaitlyn, Leakee and many more!

Part sport, part performance art, professional wrestling's appeal crosses national, racial and gender boundaries--in large part by playing to national, racial and gender stereotypes that resonate with audiences. Scholars who study competitive sports tend to dismiss wrestling, with its scripted outcomes, as "fake," yet fail to recognize a key similarity: both present athletic displays for maximized profit through live events, television viewership and merchandise sales. This collection of new essays contributes to the literature on pro wrestling with a broad exploration of identity in the sport. Topics include cultural appropriation in the ring, gender non-comformity, national stereotypes, and wrestling as transmission of cultural values.

Featuring over 150 photos and biographies, this handy, behind-the-scenes collection tells the stories of black professional wrestlers, from the late 19th century to the present.

These days, artist Ted Lewin, the winner of a 1994 Caldecott Honor Medal, is at the top of his game. During his earlier years, as he recounts in this acclaimed autobiography, he was competing in a very different sort of arena--the pro wrestling tour. Illustrated with photos, sketches, and paintings.