Released: Slobberknocker: My Life In Wrestling By Jim Ross & Paul O'Brien

Slobberknocker: My Life In Wrestling by Jim Ross with Paul O'Brien - as told to Scott E. Williams - was released today.  The book, one of the most awaited releases of the year, features a foreword by Vince McMahon and an afterword by Steve Austin. Slobberknocker: My Life In Wrestling is hoped to be a thorough and insightful look at the life and career of one of the industry's most prolific and popular figures.

Slobberknocker: My Life In Wrestling is available in hardcover and ebook at Amazon US CA UK

Review: Best Seat In The House: Your Backstage Pass Through My WWE Journey

Best Seat In The House: Your Backstage Pass Through My WWE Journey
Justin Roberts w. Tommy Dreamer (Foreword)
Meyer & Meyer Sport, 2017
Hardcover, Ebook, Audiobook (TBR)

Best Seat In The House is available at:
Amazon US CA UK,
Indigo
Barnes & Noble

Un-spoiler Alert: As noted a few places, I try to keep my reviews as "spoiler free" as possible. This often results in general statements concerning  content of a book - it's a book review, not a book report. While a number of the topics in this book are being discussed in specific terms elsewhere on the Information Superhighway, I'm opting to not delve too much into the specifics per usual. Like many fans, I have strong feelings about the information concerning the backstage climate and labour practises of the WWE, but would rather confine this post to my thoughts on Roberts' presentation of his experiences and opinions presented in his book. -KM

Newly Released: Best Seat In The House: Your Backstage Pass Through My WWE Journey By Justin Roberts

Former WWE ring announcer Justin Roberts' biographical piece Best Seat In The House: Your Backstage Pass Through My WWE Journey was released today (April 1st.) Part inspirational story and part glimpse behind the WWE curtain, Best Seat... has become one of the year's most anticipated releases. Many retailers stocked and delivered the book early and early buzz on social media has been very positive. From Amazon:

This book is the all-access backstage pass for those who have always wondered what it would be like to work at WWE under the infamous Vince McMahon and travel all over the world in cars, buses and planes with the biggest stars of professional wrestling. Justin Roberts pulls no punches and gives you an uncensored, raw look at the journey of a young man chasing, catching and living his dream.

Best Seat In The House is available at Amazon US CA UK, Indigo and Barnes & Noble.

Released: When It Was Big Time By Rock Rims

When It Was Big Time: A 100 Hundred Year History of Northern California Wrestling by Rock Rims was released in late 2016. The self published book chronicles over a century of professional wrestling in and around the San Francisco territory. Over 300 pages with over 200 photographs. 

The book, already in its third printing, is available at the link below:

When It Was Big Time

New Releases: Ryback Reeves & Ric Drasin

Former WWE Superstar Ryback released Wake Up It's Feeding Time earlier this month.

Wrestler, bodybuilder, actor, Ric Drasin has also released The Time of My Life in late 2016.

Both titles have been added to the Amazon Store.  USA CA

Review: The Death of WCW (10th Anniversary Edition) By RD Reynolds and Bryan Alvarez

The Death of WCW 10th Anniversary Edition
R.D. Reynolds and Bryan Alvarez, Dave Meltzer (Foreword)
ECW Press, 2014 - Revised Edition of 2004 Release
Hardcover, Paperback, Ebook

A little over a decade ago Wrestling Observer/Figure Four Weekly's Bryan Alvarez and Wrestlecrap's R.D. Reynolds paired up to write the definitive guide to the rise and fall of the WCW.  In 2014 the pair released an updated and expanded edition. Reynolds, the co-founder of the Wrestlecrap website, is also the author of Wrestlecrap: The Very Worst Of Pro Wrestling and The Wrestlecrap Book of Lists! Alvarez is the founder of Figure Four Weekly newsletter, has written for Fighting Spirit magazine and is the host/co-host of several podcasts under the Wrestling Observer / Figure Four Weekly banner. This is his only book. The both versions of the book (2004 and 2014) won the Wrestling Observer Book of the Year Award.*

Review: WWE: The Attitude Era By Jon Robinson

WWE: The Attitude Era
Jon Robinson
Brady Games / DK Publishing, 2015
Hardcover, Ebook

A few years ago, with competition from WCW at its peak, the once family friendly - often times live action cartoon - WWF began producing a racier product. The period, best defined as mid 90s to early 2000s, has become known as The Attitude Era. With a beer-swilling, middle-finger raising and foul-mouthed champion, scantily clad women, pimps, porn stars, octogenarians giving birth to appendages and very thinly veiled race wars in the forefront of the product; the wrestling industry came as close as ever to entering the main stream of entertainment.  Traditionalists criticized the era for its excesses, but the vast majority of fans - many of them initially attracted by the adult themes and shocking story lines - loved it.

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.