Download or read book New Japan Pro Wrestling History Book written by Beau Siders and published by . This book was released on 2021-01-26 with total page 208 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: With huge global attention and a legacy of significant moments, the Tokyo Dome is inarguably one of professional wrestling's most iconic venues. In this Japan Pro Wrestling book, you will have a chance to explore NJPW's triumphs and tribulations. Starting with the origins of pro wrestling in post war Japan, Lion's Pride covers the company's inception in 1972, through its boom in the early 1980s, its influence on the medium at large in the '90s, and its downturn and subsequent revival in the last two decades. Also, you are given many essays detailing the intricacies of Japanese wrestling psychology, how NJPW's key players shaped the company, and much more besides. Let's jump on the interesting world of New Japan!

Download or read book The Comic Book Story of Professional Wrestling written by Aubrey Sitterson and published by Ten Speed Graphic. This book was released on 2018-10-02 with total page 186 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: 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).

Download or read book Eggshells written by Chris Charlton and published by Christopher Charlton. This book was released on 2018-06-02 with total page 318 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: THREE DECADES. HUNDREDS OF MATCHES. COUNTLESS STORIES. With huge global attention and a legacy of significant moments, the Tokyo Dome is inarguably one of professional wrestling's most iconic venues. Over three decades, ten different wrestling promotions have staged over 60 shows in the building. Now, CHRIS CHARLTON (Lion's Pride: The Turbulent History of New Japan Pro Wrestling) tells the story of those stories. From UWF to NJPW, from the biggest gate in Japanese wrestling history to the biggest empty arena match, EGGSHELLS goes show by show and blow by blow. Extensive research uncovers behind the scenes information never before seen in English, and exclusive interviews with Kota Ibushi, Kenny Omega and many more reveal insight never before available anywhere. This is an exhaustive but accessible guide that does the 'Big Egg' the justice it deserves. PRAISE FOR LION'S PRIDE 'There's never a shortage of slobberknockers' -Jim Ross, WWE Hall of Famer, lead announcer AXS TV 'Taught me everything I need to know about NJPW history and more' -Kevin Kelly, lead English announcer, NJPW World 'Chris Charlton is one of the foremost historians of Japanese pro wrestling... an invaluable resource' -John Pollock, POST Wrestling

Download or read book King of Strong Style 1980 2014 written by Shinsuke Nakamura and published by VIZ Media LLC. This book was released on 2018-08-07 with total page 379 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Before he became a star of American professional wrestling, Shinsuke Nakamura was Japan’s “King of Strong Style.” Follow his life and career from the amateur grappling ranks to the Nippon Budokon, thrill to his matches against such legends as Kurt Angle and Brock Lesnar, his reign as the youngest New Japan Pro-Wrestling Heavyweight Champion, and his success as a mixed martial artist. -- VIZ Media

Download or read book Shooters written by Jonathan Snowden and published by ECW Press. This book was released on 2012-08-09 with total page 401 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: From William Muldoon to Brock Lesnar, this history covers those who have divided themselves as tough guys on the professional wrestling circuit and legitimate confrontations. From catch wrestling master Billy Robinson to the Japanese professional wrestler who gave birth to the global phenomenon that is modern mixed martial arts (MMA), this investigation travels from the shadowy carnival tent and the dingy training hall to the bright lights of the squared circle and the Las Vegas glitz of the octagon. Billy Riley's legendary Wigan Snake Pit and the rigorous UWF Dojo in Tokyo are explored, revealing the secret history of both professional wrestling and the rising sport of MMA. Squared circle icons Strangler Lewis and Lou Thesz and Olympic heroes Danny Hodge and Kurt Angle are also featured.

Download or read book Too Sweet written by Keith Elliot Greenberg and published by ECW Press. This book was released on 2020-09-01 with total page 388 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Keith Elliot Greenberg chronicles the growth of indie wrestling from bingo halls to a viable alternative to the WWE and speaks to those involved in the Alternative Wrestling League with remarkable candor, gaining behind-the-scenes knowledge of this growing enterprise. As COVID-19 utterly changed the world as we know it, only one sport was able to pivot and offer consistent, new, live programming on a weekly basis: professional wrestling. In 2017, after being told that no independent wrestling group could draw a crowd of more than 10,000, a group of wrestlers took up the challenge. For several years, these gladiators had been performing in front of rabid crowds and understood the hunger for wrestling that was different from the TV-slick product. In September 2018, they had the numbers to prove it: 11,263 fans filled the Sears Center Arena for the All In pay-per-view event, ushering in a new era. A year later, WWE had its first major head-to-head competitor in nearly two decades when All Elite Wrestling debuted on TNT. Acclaimed wrestling historian Keith Elliot Greenberg’s Too Sweet takes readers back to the beginning, when a half century ago outlaw promotions challenged the established leagues, and guides us into the current era. He paints a vivid picture of promotions as diverse as New Japan, Ring of Honor, Revolution Pro, Progress, and Chikara, and the colorful figures who starred in each. This is both a dynamic snapshot and the ultimate history of a transformational time in professional wrestling.

Download or read book Pro Wrestling written by Keith Elliot Greenberg and published by Lerner Publications. This book was released on 2000-01-01 with total page 136 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: A history of professional wrestling from its roots in legitimate sport to its days as a carnival attraction followed by the growth of regional rivalries and culminating as television-centered entertainment.

Download or read book Legends of Pro Wrestling written by Tim Hornbaker and published by Skyhorse Publishing Inc.. This book was released on 2012-07 with total page 569 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Details the lives and careers of the best professional wrestling figures of the last one hundred fifty years, including Bruno Sammartino, The Undertaker, and John Cena.

Download or read book Death of the Territories written by Tim Hornbaker and published by ECW Press. This book was released on 2018-09-18 with total page 272 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: For decades, distinct professional wrestling territories thrived across North America. Each regionally based promotion operated individually and offered a brand of localized wrestling that greatly appealed to area fans. Promoters routinely coordinated with associates in surrounding regions, and the cooperation displayed by members of the National Wrestling Alliance made it easy for wrestlers to traverse the landscape with the utmost freedom. Dozens of territories flourished between the 1950s and late ’70s. But by the early 1980s, the growth of cable television had put new outside pressures on promoters. An enterprising third-generation entrepreneur who believed cable was his opportunity to take his promotion national soon capitalized on the situation. A host of novel ideas and the will to take chances gave Vincent Kennedy McMahon an incredible advantage. McMahon waged war on the territories and raided the NWA and AWA of their top talent. By creating WrestleMania, jumping into the pay-per-view field, and expanding across North America, McMahon changed professional wrestling forever. Providing never-before-revealed information, Death of the Territories is a must-read for fans yearning to understand how McMahon outlasted his rivals and established the industry’s first national promotion. At the same time, it offers a comprehensive look at the promoters who opposed McMahon, focusing on their noteworthy power plays and embarrassing mistakes.

Download or read book Ring of Hell written by Matthew Randazzo, V and published by . This book was released on 2008 with total page 364 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: "Ring of Hell" is the true story of Chris Benoit's journey through the destructive, dysfunctional, and bizarre pro wrestling industry, and the catastrophic physical and mental breakdown that led to his grisly end.

Download or read book J Crowned written by Matt Charlton and published by . This book was released on 2020-04-19 with total page 104 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Since the debut of Rikidōzan in 1951, Japanese professional wrestling has created a legion of grappling superstars, taking a distinctly Western art form and making it something uniquely their own. It began with a simple story-a valiant Japanese star taking on enormous American invaders, the narrative a reflection of Anti-American sentiment that remained strong after Japan's defeat in World War II. Even before television sets were widespread, Japanese fans would gather around TVs at department stores and publicly cheer their heroes to victory. Rikidōzan spawned dozens of copycats and proteges, each one a hero in his own right. Soon, Japanese wrestling became an industry of its own, big enough to support multiple companies and thousands of matches a year. The top wrestler in every company was usually the heavyweight champion, each king part of a legacy that extended all the way back to Rikidōzan himself. All are part of something bigger than themselves, representative, for a time, of the best Japan could offer the wrestling world. Wrestling historian Matt Charlton puts each major champion in context, capturing their likeness and telling their story. The result isn't just a beautiful illustrated guide to the champions of Japanese wrestling-it's a history of the sport itself as told by an admiring enthusiast of the form.

Download or read book The Wrestlers Wrestlers written by Dan Murphy and published by ECW Press. This book was released on 2021-04-27 with total page 368 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: 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.

Download or read book The Last Outlaw written by Stan Hansen and published by . This book was released on 2011-08-05 with total page 419 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: In addition to the stories about his time in the U.S., Stan Hansen's account of his wrestling career is a veritable guidebook of professional wrestling in Japan. In "The Last Outlaw," he tackles every subject imaginable as he educates and entertains readers with his stories about the promoters and their promotions, how the Japanese promoters operate their business behind the scenes, touring the country on the wrestling bus, the nightlife in the big cities, and how the sport in Japan differs from that in the U.S. Stan also shares stories of his time in Georgia, Florida, Louisiana, Texas, Oklahoma, and tells countless road tales about fellow wrestlers, like Andre the Giant, Terry Funk, Giant Baba, Jumbo Tsuruta, Bill Watts, Dick Murdoch, Ole Anderson, Harley Race, and Antonio Inoki. He goes into detail about his time in the AWA, how he came to win the AWA title, his confrontation with Verne Gagne prior to walking out, and what he really did with the title belt when he left the territory. Stan tells about wrestling in the WWWF, giving a detailed description of the match in which he broke Bruno Sammartino's neck, the matches that followed, and the subsequent problems he had with Vince McMahon Sr. Stan relates hundreds of great stories about his runs with both New Japan Pro Wrestling and All Japan Pro Wrestling, including details of his meeting with Giant Baba that led to him leaving one for the other. And what would a "Stan Hansen book" be without personal stories about the time he spent with Bruiser Brody: how they first met, the story behind their becoming a team, spending time in the evenings on the streets and in the clubs of Japan, and his own, personal insight into the "real" Bruiser Brody. Stan usually did what he was asked him to do, but he didn't want promoters to direct his life, so he became independent and took care of his own bookings. He refused to conform to what everyone expected. Most of all, he didn't follow a script. He was innovative and ad lib, two character-istics that took him to the top of the wrestling business. As the wrestling business changed and became "sports entertainment," he persevered and continued to wrestle his style, which was act and react. Just as Stan reached the pinnacle of success in his chosen profession, his story is also destined to become one of the most informative books ever written about professional wrestling. Travel down the road with Stan Hansen -- The last outlaw.

Download or read book Wrestling at the Chase written by Larry Matysik and published by ECW Press. This book was released on 2005 with total page 267 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: 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.'

Download or read book Minnesota s Golden Age of Wrestling written by George Schire and published by Minnesota Historical Society. This book was released on 2010 with total page 260 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Why was Minnesota, a land known for its stoic farmers, reasonable politics, and comfortable casseroles, a hotbed of the wacky and wild world of professional wrestling? And how did that old-school wrestling become the Saturday night program of choice for thousands of midwestern families in the last half of the twentieth century? Professional wrestling historian and insider George Schire is here not only to set the record straight but to entice you into a world gone by, a world that comes alive through his colorful and perceptive reporting. As a kid, Schire found a way to escape the troubles of his life by becoming a wrestling fan, glued to the TV set and then later traveling to see every live "card" in the Twin Cities and many more throughout the region. Over the years he has been involved in all aspects of the sport, and he now offers detailed, behind-the-scenes accounts of important matches from 1954 to 1990 and stories of wrestler personalities, both in and out of the ring. He shares his own extensive collection of wrestling memorabilia-- photographs, program covers, newspaper clippings, and other ephemera--to honor the hardworking characters who forged serial storylines onstage week after week and who thrilled fans by carrying out their plots in the ring, with blood, sweat, tears, and high-flying body slams for all. An avid historian, George Schire has been a writer and columnist for national wrestling publications and a ring announcer. He currently cohosts a popular Internet wrestling show, "Old School/New School." He lives in Oakdale, Minnesota. "I thought I knew the sport of professional wrestling. Then I met George Schire! No one is more knowledgeable about the events and personalities that made professional wrestling what it is today." --Greg Gagne, former professional wrestler and titleholder

Download or read book A Lion s Tale written by Chris Jericho and published by Grand Central Publishing. This book was released on 2007-10-25 with total page 396 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Experience the thrilling journey of a wrestling superstar in this no-holds-barred memoir from the first undisputed WWE heavyweight champion. Chris Jericho is the first undisputed Heavyweight Champion of the WWE and WCW, and has been called one of the fifty greatest wrestlers of all time. Now retired, he is writing his memoir, telling the story of his journey from wrestling school in Canada to his time in leagues in Mexico and Japan to his big break in the WCW. He'll dish the dirt on how he worked his way through the ranks alongside major wrestling stars like Chris Benoit and Lance Storm to become a major superstar.

Download or read book Sisterhood of the Squared Circle written by Pat Laprade and published by ECW Press. This book was released on 2017-04-11 with total page 629 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: 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}