Review: Mysteries Of Wrestling: Solved
Adam Kleinberg and Adam Nudelman, ECW Press, 2005
Paperback, Ebook
Adam Kleinberg and Adam Nudelman's Mysteries of Wrestling: Solved is a humorous and informative look at some of wrestling's most often asked questions. Via interviews with current and past wrestling personalities, the pair attempt to get the answer to headscratchers like "Did the Kliq Control Wrestling?" and "Who's The Toughest Guy In Wrestling?" Kleinberg and Nudelman, who co-hosted Get In The Ring Radio, also provide insight themselves into the context of the wrestling industry at the time.
Sections of this book were very funny and informative. While there may be very little new information in the book for the more knowledgeable fan, the perspective provided by either the authors or the subjects of their interviews provide a refreshing touch for the more learned reader. While most, if not all, of the mysteries in the book are relatively benign, there are moments
when issues concerning the lives of either the subject or the interviewee are quite serious. For the most part, the authors are successful at providing the readers with a light-hearted, tongue-in-cheek glimpse into professional wrestling. Kleinberg and Nudelman do a fairly thorough job selecting their interview subjects as they relate to the topics they are covering.
Often times there is a banter between the two authors that breaks up the flow of an interview or, in a couple of cases, a chapter. While this is funny at times and may be even more so in the context of a radio show, it is jarring at times and completely takes the reader out of the moment. Very few of the mysteries are actually "solved" and, while this is may be a moot point due to the tongue-in-cheek nature of the book, it does contradict the title of the book and could be misleading to some readers. The more knowledgeable wrestling fan may not be interested in reading such a wealth information that has, by and large, been covered in other releases (print, video, audio.) *
While the book does not solve any great mysteries nor does it attempt to delve into the more hot-button topics that it could have (especially when one considers the outspoken personalities of some of their interviewees) the book is well worth a look. Fans who are not familiar with the period (pre-2005) would especially enjoy a lot of the insider information within. All things considered, Mysteries of Wrestling is an enjoyable light read.
* Many of the topics included had, even in 2005, been heavily covered by wrestling newsletters and in shoot interviews.
Paperback
Ebook
Paperback
Ebook
Paperback currently marked down at Highspots.com
Sections of this book were very funny and informative. While there may be very little new information in the book for the more knowledgeable fan, the perspective provided by either the authors or the subjects of their interviews provide a refreshing touch for the more learned reader. While most, if not all, of the mysteries in the book are relatively benign, there are moments
when issues concerning the lives of either the subject or the interviewee are quite serious. For the most part, the authors are successful at providing the readers with a light-hearted, tongue-in-cheek glimpse into professional wrestling. Kleinberg and Nudelman do a fairly thorough job selecting their interview subjects as they relate to the topics they are covering.
Often times there is a banter between the two authors that breaks up the flow of an interview or, in a couple of cases, a chapter. While this is funny at times and may be even more so in the context of a radio show, it is jarring at times and completely takes the reader out of the moment. Very few of the mysteries are actually "solved" and, while this is may be a moot point due to the tongue-in-cheek nature of the book, it does contradict the title of the book and could be misleading to some readers. The more knowledgeable wrestling fan may not be interested in reading such a wealth information that has, by and large, been covered in other releases (print, video, audio.) *
While the book does not solve any great mysteries nor does it attempt to delve into the more hot-button topics that it could have (especially when one considers the outspoken personalities of some of their interviewees) the book is well worth a look. Fans who are not familiar with the period (pre-2005) would especially enjoy a lot of the insider information within. All things considered, Mysteries of Wrestling is an enjoyable light read.
* Many of the topics included had, even in 2005, been heavily covered by wrestling newsletters and in shoot interviews.
Ebook
Ebook
Paperback currently marked down at Highspots.com
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