Review: Fritz Von Erich: Master Of The Iron Claw By Ron G. Mullinax

Fritz Von Erich: Master Of The Iron Claw
By Ron G. Mullinax
Hats Off Books, 2005
Paperback, Ebook

Note: This review was a difficult one to write due to the amount of conflicting information and debated subject matters relating to the Von Erich family. As I did while reading the book, I looked at the book as a purely autobiographical piece. I've tried to avoid falling down a rabbit hole of over analysing things about Fritz Von Erich and the Von Erich family that are based on rumour and/or conjecture. The book was written posthumously by a friend of Von Erich and took the form of a basic autobiography. Many readers may prefer a more in-depth work or a salacious tell-all, however, the author (whose own motives have been questioned) opted to tell Von Erich's story from his perspective. He does not question Von Erich's narrative as a typical biographer is likely to do.

The story of the rise and fall of the Von Erich family is a tragic yet captivating story that has intrigued wrestling fans for several decades. Fritz Von Erich was a successful wrestler and promoter. Von Erich was the guiding force behind the revolutionary Texas promotion

Re-release On Ebook: Fritz Von Erich: Master Of The Iron Claw

Ron Mullinax's 2005 Fritz Von Erich: Master of The Iron Claw was released in ebook format earlier this week. Mullinax, who worked with Von Erich in his final days, re-tells Von Erich's story as it was told to him. Though I have not read it since it was a new release, I remember it being an entertaining read, though it was a very controversial release.

Available for order at Amazon US and Amazon Canada.

Review: Dusty: Reflections Of Wrestling's American Dream

Dusty: Reflections Of Wrestling's American Dream

Dusty Rhodes and Howard Brody

Sports Publishing, 2005

Hardcover, Paperback, Ebook, Audiobook

"The American Dream" Dusty Rhodes had a remarkable career as a professional wrestler and booker that has spanned 40+ year period. Rhodes made his wrestling debut in the late 60s and became one of the biggest names in the history of the industry.  Rhodes first gained national prominence as a member of the Texas Outlaws with Dick Murdoch, he later had a long and historic run in Eddie Graham's Championship Wrestling From Florida, as a main event star in NWA Mid-Atlantic, a memorable stint in early 90s WWF and as commentator with World Championship Wrestling.  Rhodes also served as the booker with most of these organizations during his respective tenures. As is common with both top stars and powerful people in the industry, Dusty Rhodes is a very polarizing person/character.

Review: More Than Just Hardcore By Terry Funk

More Than Just Hardcore
Terry Funk with Scott E. Williams. Mick Foley (Foreword)
Sports Publishing, 2005
Hardcover, Paperback, Ebook, Audiobook

For over 60 years, Terry Funk was everywhere in the wrestling industry.  While a small number of people can make that claim, no other can boast a run in the NWA as World Champion, stints the WWF at the height of both the Hulkamania and the Attitude eras, time with ECW as a Hardcore Legend, a career long status as one of Japan's most successful American competitors and many smaller stops in between.  Funk, who was spent his career evolving his style without changing his persona, is considered by many who study the sport to be one of the best of all around performers of all time. As Mick Foley says in his foreword, "I can't accurately say who the best of all time is, but I can say without hesitation that Terry Funk is the greatest wrestler I have ever seen." Apart from his legendary wrestling career, Funk has also had some success as a character actor and stunt co-ordinator in such films as Road House and Paradise Alley.

Review: The Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame: The Tag Teams By Greg Oliver and Steven Johnson

Review: The Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame: The Tag Teams
Greg Oliver and Steven Johnson, Bobby Eaton (Foreword)
ECW Press, 2005
Paperback, Ebook

Oliver and Johnson have collaborated to write a comprehensive, entertaining and enlightening book about the most notable tag team wrestlers of the 20th century.  Through extensive research, which includes interviews with many of the featured personalities, their family members and friends, Oliver and Johnson excellently chronicle the careers of those who made their mark through tag team excellence.

The book is broken into chapters based on the eras in which the profiled tag teams were most prominent. Each chapter is a broad strokes picture of the North American tag team division during a particular time frame.  Each profile

Review: Mysteries of Wrestling: Solved By Adam Kleinberg and Adam Nudelman

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