Living the Dream: Memphis Wrestling


Book Description

Randy Hales knows Memphis wrestling...he's lived it his entire life. From humble beginnings as a fan, fascinated by the larger-than-life heroes and villains doing battle in the squared circle, to getting involved as a picture seller and ring announcer, to rising up the ladder as booker and promoter, to finally running his own company, Randy Hales has done it all in the Memphis wrestling scene...and lived to tell about it. Through all the highs and lows, and thousands of miles traveled, Living The Dream is the story of how passion and hard work allowed a shy, awkward kid to live his dream and go on to become the Founder, Owner, and President of his own professional wrestling company that helped develop future wrestling superstars. Living The Dream takes you inside the Memphis wrestling scene with tons of stories about your favorite legends, wild stories from the road, infamous mega-matches of Memphis, and all about being a WWE developmental system. From "The King" to "The Superstar", from Mid-South Coliseum showdowns to Louisville Gardens throw downs, Randy Hales shares what it was like to be a part of the wild, wild world of Memphis wrestling and the incomparable legacy it left behind.




Professional Wrestling in Mississippi: A History


Book Description

Bounce off the ropes for a high-flying jaunt through the history of Magnolia State professional wrestling. At its peak, professional wrestling was arguably the most popular sport in Mississippi. The pageantry and colorful personalities appealed to grandparents and grandchildren alike. Author Jeffrey Martin invites readers to step inside the squared circle and revisit everything from the carnival wrestling days of the late 1800s to the chiseled melodrama of modern wrestling. Along the way, readers will learn about Billy Romanoff, the old-school wrestler turned promoter who made wrestling a weekly staple at the Jackson City Auditorium; Jerry Lawler and Bill Dundee, who brought down the house on Friday nights at the Tupelo Sports Arena; and George and Gil Culkin, the father-and-son duo who split with "Cowboy" Bill Watts to create their own Mississippi territory, kickstarting the careers of Kamala, Terry Gordy, Michael Hayes and many other pivotal figures.




Wrestling Reality


Book Description

A rare glimpse not only into the life of a professional wrestler, but the life of a gay man in a straight world, this tragic memoir is told in Chris Kanyon’s own words, with the help of journalist Ryan Clark. One of the most popular wrestlers of the late 1990s, Kanyon kept his personal life private from his fans until finally revealing his biggest secret in 2004: he was gay. Going through the various roles that Kanyon played, both in the ring and out of it, as well as his battle with manic depression, this book explores the factors that led to his suicide in 2010. In his voice and the way he wanted it told, these are Kanyon’s last words about his experience rising through the ranks to the top of the professional wrestling world while keeping his sexuality hidden.




Sputnik, Masked Men, and Midgets


Book Description

Released September, 2009, Hall's coffee table paperback book captures the beautifully wild wrestling action from Ellis Auditorium and the Mid-South Coliseum to other wrestling hotspots around the Mid-South.




Memphis Wrestling History Presents: The 1970s


Book Description

Another in the Memphis Wrestling History series of books. This record book documents Memphis Wrestling that took place in Mempis during the 1970s. The cards and results included are for the Monday Night weekly matches. Each chapter represents a year and cover 1970 thru 1979 and has a short yearly review at the beginning of each chapter. Take a look back at the start of the "Glory Years" of Memphis Wrestling.




Dusty


Book Description

This is the story of the life and times of The American Dream, Dusty Rhodes, one of the most popular and successful professional wrestlers of the 1970s and 1980s.




Real in Memphis


Book Description

Its 1979 in Memphis Tennessee, Sam South, son of second generation star Bull South, wants to make it big on the professional wrestling circuit; all to win his estranged father's respect. Sadly, the promoter Harvey Wallbanger doesn't see him as a top star. But through an audio recording of Harvey's shadier business practices, Sam might just get the chance to prove himself after all. Harvey Wallbanger however has his own problems micro-managing his talent. Former wrestler turned Church Pastor Bull South, who Co-owns the territory, has turned to religion. Now he and Harvey are at odds with one another. Hopefully he and his aide-de-camp Vixen Vegas can amend any and all problems that the lord might cause for the territory. 'The Golden Wonder' Rod Golden is on the verge of losing his world title, and in turn a whole load of money. That's something that his tearaway daughter and avaricious wife aren't going to be too happy about. 'The Chattanooga Nightmare' Hex Clearfield is one of the few remaining free agents in wrestling. His services are well sought after. Sadly, his bodacious attitude and lust for women might be more than the Memphis faithful, and the Fearsome Monroeville Mauler are willing to contend with. Both Hex and his promoter, Milton Morton may have their work cut out for them in the cut throat territory of Memphis Tennessee. One way or another, everyone is finding out that wrestling might be 'Fake', but business is about to get Real in Memphis.




The Wrestler


Book Description

The Wrestler—Nicolaus Martin has always loved wrestling. Everyone called him Nicky. As a child, he and his brothers would wrestle around as they watched the WWF, WCW and NWA. No matter how poor their lives were wrestling would make it all better, even if it was for an hour. Nicky and his family were very poor. Every winter there was at least a month with no electricity at their home. The Wrestler—Nicky was bullied starting at the age of thirteen. The more he got picked on the tougher he got. Nicky and his buddies had such an imagination. They made up their own wrestling in a little town in Illinois. They made their championship belts out of cardboard and aluminum foil. By age seventeen, his toughness got him noticed by a small wrestling organization. Before he knew it, he was wrestling in Japan for $50 a night. Now this was not entertainment. This stuff was real. The Wrestler—Nicky broke his nose several times and was on the injured list more than not. He got to the place, that he would not let on that he was in pain.




Memphis Wrestling History Presents: 1966 Programs


Book Description

A look back at Memphis Wrestling 1966 through the weekly programs that were sold at the Monday Night Wrestling cards held at the Ellis Auditorium. This book has nearly every weekly program (and the accompanying newspaper clipping results). A wonderful look back at wrestling from 50 years ago.




Living the Gimmick


Book Description

From the time he was able to body slam a pillow, Michael dreamed of becoming a professional wrestler, vanquishing imaginary enemies and nagging self-doubt with every drop kick he landed. As his buddies hit the books, Michael got hit. When they left for college, he enrolled in Shane Stratford's Wrestling Academy, where cash -- and a particularly punishing "audition" -- afforded him a first look into a world part circus, part sport, and all spectacle. From penny-ante matches to national notoriety, Michael rises through the ranks of professional wrestling. Hopped up on speed, pumped up on steroids, and fueled by a frustration he can't quite name, he adopts and discards identities in a bid to find the "gimmick" that will make him complete. His search will bring him in contact with people weird and wonderful: athletes and actors, crazy fans and crooked managers, the full rich range of folks who revel in the ring. Combining elements of sports narrative a la "North Dallas 40, " the behind-the-scenes authenticity of "Pumping Iron, " and a flair for the bizarre that recalls John Irving, "Living the Gimmick" is a novel not soon forgotten.