Review: Sisterhood of the Squared Circle: The History and Rise of Women's Wrestling By Pat Laprade & Dan Murphy

Sisterhood of the Squared Circle: The History and Rise of Women's Wrestling
Pat Laprade & Dan Murphy w. Natalya (Foreword)
ECW Press, 2017
Paperback, Ebook

The role of women in the professional wrestling industry is an ever evolving - at times devolving - one that is often seen as less crucial than that of their male counterparts. Some of this is a result of pure numbers as the percentage of female performers has never come close to equalling that of the men, however, many other factors have contributed to this lack of prestige within the annals of wrestling history. One could argue that promoters have misused women's wrestling more often than they have used it. That all being said, there is an absolute wealth of important females who shaped not just women's wrestling, but the pro wrestling industry as a whole.

Sisterhood of the Squared Circle by Pat Laprade and Dan Murphy chronicles the key people and events that have shaped women's pro wrestling in an in depth and interesting manner that leaves the reader better informed and far more appreciative of the role women play and have played in the sport. Laprade is the co-author of the acclaimed Mad Dogs, Midgets and Screwjobs (2012) and the Mad Dog Vachon biography Mad Dog (2015.)* Murphy is a regular contributor to Pro Wrestling Illustrated and has written books about New York State.

Sisterhood of the Squared Circle is an excellently researched work that chronologically (at times thematically) covers over a century of women's wrestling via individual profiles of the sport's most successful and/or memorable personalities. It is very similar in style - and execution - to the Greg Oliver Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame series, but has a more daunting task. Oliver's series - of which I am a huge fan - covers wrestling history through more common themes (Heroes and Icons, Heels, etc) within the context of the "universally accepted genre" of men's pro wrestling. Sisterhood... is faced with the challenge of accomplishing this and it must also "prove" to an uneducated and/or skeptical readership the significance of women in pro wrestling's history and culture. Laprade and Murphy are, in a sense, fighting the same battle that their subjects have fought for a very long time. They accomplish this. Not only do they give great insight into the personal and professional lives of women wrestlers, but the book greatly augments readers knowledge and admiration for women's pro wrestling. 

Covering from the pioneer days of Josie Wahlford and Cora Livingstone through today's WWE, TNA, International and Independent stars, the book expertly demonstrates a continuous ebb and flow of interest and importance that was devoted to women's wrestling. At times a virtual sideshow or mere sexual titillation, at others a main event attraction, Sisterhood... chronicles the evolution of women's wrestling and demonstrates how the journey has not always been a progressive one. It also shows some insight into the seedy underbelly of the industry with regards to worker's inequality, shady business practises and sexual misconduct. While these could have been investigated more, the writers might have found these topics to be a slippery slope that would have greatly affected the tone and feel of the book. Simply put, while these issues are addressed, such issues were not key to the story Laprade and Murphy wanted, or needed, to tell. There are also a number of very interesting "short chapters" that focus on situations where significant battles were fought outside the ring with governing bodies, commissions, etc. Laprade and Murphy - along with many of those featured - also express an optimism for the future of women's pro wrestling which, based on the book's content and the growth of interest and exposure over the past few years, is not unfounded. WWE wrestler Natalya, who is certainly at the top of a very short list of suitable people to contribute, writes a very good foreword.

There is very little not to like about this book. Some may note that there are far more recent personalities featured than those of yesteryear. While this is true, it is also an indication of the growth of women's pro wrestling. Also, as noted with other books of similar style, one could easily fall down a rabbit hole of debating who should and who shouldn't be included. The authors have included the obvious "A+ to D+ players." While some may lament the exclusion of the pure valets and managers, their omissions were a logical choice. That being said, a chapter focusing on some of the women who were/are key behind the scenes would have been a welcomed touch. A section focusing on women like Linda McMahon, Motoko Baba, Christine Jarrett, Ann Gunkel, Lia Miavia, Dixie Carter etc. who were women in very high profile roles behind the camera who, in many cases, were instrumental in guiding, at least a portion, of the industry. The same could be said for other personalities like Mike McGuirk or Rita Marie Chatterton who were "famous firsts." All things considered, what is in the book far outweighs what is not.

Sisterhood of the Squared Circle is absolutely a must read for most fans. While the year is still early, it is more than likely - and justifiably so - to be at or very near the top of the best wrestling books of the year. While readers should also keep an eye out for future works by Murphy, due to the quality and success of this book and Mad Dogs, Midgets and Screwjobs, Laprade is becoming one of the top tier authors in the pro wrestling genre. *

* The French edition of Mad Dog was released in 2015, the English version of Mad Dog is due for a September 2017 release. I've had the opportunity to read through some of the French version and it is quite good, though, my french skills are good enough to understand it but not good enough to truly digest it.

Available At Indigo