Pete Gas, w. Jon Robinson, Adam "Edge" Copeland (Foreword) & John Bradshaw Layfield (Foreword)
Sports Publishing, 2017
Hardcover, Ebook
Pete "Gas" Gasparino's Looking At The Lights is the story of one of the most atypical members of the WWE Attitude Era roster. A non-wrestler with a "regular job," Gas instantly became a high profile WWE personality when he appeared as a member of Shane McMahon's "Mean Street Posse" at the height of the Attitude Era. Despite having no previous training and no designs of joining the WWE Roster on a full-time basis, Gas (along with Rodney and, later, Joey Abs) remained roster mainstays for over a year. This is Gas' first book.
Gas, a real-life school friend of Shane McMahon, does a very solid job telling his story. Despite his "privileged entry" into a business where most work for years without ever reaching the WWE, Gas presents himself as a very humble, lucky and grateful person who truly enjoyed his time within the wrestling industry. In an industry were people often over-estimate their importance, Gas perfectly sums up his role and status within the WWE Attitude Era. His honesty, near unfaltering positive outlook and unique perspective are refreshing departures from the standard wrestling biography.
Whereas most wrestling books are about the subject's journey to the WWE, Gas' biography cannot conform to the standard paint-by-numbers chronology: fan to trainee to indy worker to WWE Superstar. Gas' story is not about "making it to the WWE." His story is about being dropped into the WWE and having to prove to himself, management, his peers and the audience that he deserves his position. It is a testament to Gas' character - and to that of Rodney and, to a degree, Joey Abs - that rather than simply rest on his laurels as a friend of the boss' son, he meets the challenges with a positive and professional attitude. This book is an extremely well written account of these experiences. Gas tells his story in a very personal and almost conversational manner. Either the passage of time, Gas' personality or both permit a very objective perspective that does not get bogged down by personal accomplishments or axes to grind. Based on his writing, Gas has an admirable respect for the wrestling business and those within it, a good command of story telling, a good sense of humor and a very strong work ethic.
The book's only drawback is its relatively narrow field of content. Whereas Gas' career was essentially limited to the WWE, Memphis and Puerto Rico - WWE developmental territories - those looking for a more broad look at the wrestling industry may not find it in this book. Also due to Gas' close association with the McMahon Family and his overall demeanor, the book is very pro-WWE, therefore many of the company's controversial practises and/or policies are not addressed. Even instances where some of the "hot button" topics are applicable to the story, Gas opts to stick to a positive and, arguably, less deep narrative. Cynical readers may see this as Gas' way - or that of co-writer Jon Robinson, a frequent collaborator with WWE's books - of maintaining good relations with the McMahon family and/or the WWE. Considering the tone of the book - not to mention Gas' reputation as a generally good guy - it is far more likely that the author was far more interested in telling his own positive story rather than discussing the less desirable elements of the wrestling industry.
All things considered, Looking At The Lights is a fun and light read. Gas comes across as someone whose life was enhanced by his time in the professional wrestling industry and, though his tenure was short, he is almost as excited to tell his story as he was to live it. The story is reminiscent of one told by a friend or co-worker who has returned from an exciting vacation. Fans of the WWE, especially those of the Attitude Era, will enjoy this book more than those who are not. That being said, the uniqueness of Gas' story will likely intrigue most wrestling fans.
The book's only drawback is its relatively narrow field of content. Whereas Gas' career was essentially limited to the WWE, Memphis and Puerto Rico - WWE developmental territories - those looking for a more broad look at the wrestling industry may not find it in this book. Also due to Gas' close association with the McMahon Family and his overall demeanor, the book is very pro-WWE, therefore many of the company's controversial practises and/or policies are not addressed. Even instances where some of the "hot button" topics are applicable to the story, Gas opts to stick to a positive and, arguably, less deep narrative. Cynical readers may see this as Gas' way - or that of co-writer Jon Robinson, a frequent collaborator with WWE's books - of maintaining good relations with the McMahon family and/or the WWE. Considering the tone of the book - not to mention Gas' reputation as a generally good guy - it is far more likely that the author was far more interested in telling his own positive story rather than discussing the less desirable elements of the wrestling industry.
All things considered, Looking At The Lights is a fun and light read. Gas comes across as someone whose life was enhanced by his time in the professional wrestling industry and, though his tenure was short, he is almost as excited to tell his story as he was to live it. The story is reminiscent of one told by a friend or co-worker who has returned from an exciting vacation. Fans of the WWE, especially those of the Attitude Era, will enjoy this book more than those who are not. That being said, the uniqueness of Gas' story will likely intrigue most wrestling fans.
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