Theagood guys of professional wrestling take the spotlight in this comprehensive examination ofathe memorable characters who inspired fans, aproviding insight into what makes a great hero. Compiled using firsthand interviews with hundreds of wrestlers, managers, promoters, and historians, these entertaining profiles document wrestlingOCOs golden boys from the 1930s to today. It discusses the roles of wrestling superstars that include Hulk Hogan, Dusty Rhodes, and The Rock as well as lesser-known figures, including Tiger Jeet Singh and Whitey Caldwell. With more than 100 action-packed photos, this engaging and informative book invites both devoted fans and newcomers to the sport to appreciate the rich history of these esteemed performers."

A comprehensive look at the colourful villains, bad guys and heels who give professional wrestling so much of its character - from Gorgeous George and before to Ric Flair and the modern supervillains!

The legendary storytellers worthy of a spot in the pro wrestling hall of fame You can’t escape pro wrestling today, even if you want to. Its stars are ubiquitous in movies, TV shows, product endorsements, swag, and social media to the point that they are as much celebrities as they are athletes. Pro wrestling has morphed from the fringes of acceptability to a global $1 billion industry that plays an everyday role in 21st-century pop culture. In this latest addition to the Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame series, Greg Oliver and Steven Johnson explain how the sport’s unique take on storytelling has fueled its remarkable expansion. Hundreds of interviews and original accounts inform this exploration of the imaginative ways in which wrestlers and promoters have used everything from monkeys to murderers to put butts in seats and eyes on screens. From the New York City Bowery in the 1890s to a North Carolina backyard in 2017, readers will encounter all manner of scoundrels, do-gooders, scribes, and alligators in this highly readable, heavily researched book that inspires a new appreciation for the fine (and sometimes not-so-fine) art of storytelling.

From the critically acclaimed authors of The Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame: The Tag Teams comes the most comprehensive look ever at the colourful villains, heels, bad guys and rule breakers who give professional wrestling so much of its character. In The Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame: The Heels, Greg Oliver and Steven Johnson take readers on an informative and entertaining ride through mat mayhem. With their signature mix of original research, interviews, and anecdotes, they describe the rise and development of wrestling’s bad guys, from riots in small-town arenas in the 1920s to the mega-event pay-per-views of today. Intended for everyone from casual fans to wrestling historians, the book explains how a barrel-chested Milwaukee brewer became wrestling’s first Nazi, then served his country with distinction in World War II. You’ll find out how bleached blond bad guys like the legendary Ric Flair trace their lineage to Gorgeous George — and about the little-known Ohioan that George himself emulated. And of course, Oliver and Johnson’s list of the most influential heels in history is sure to spark debate. Like its predecessors in this series, The Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame: The Heels features more than a hundred rarely or never-before-seen photos of wrestling’s most despised characters — it’s a must read for anyone interested in the unique world of sports entertainment.

At its core, professional wrestling has always been about the forces of evil trying to undermine everything good and a red hot heel needs a valiant hero to battle against, someone fans can root for, identify with, and look up to. Wrestling heroes like Hulk Hogan, Dusty Rhodes, The Rock, and Andre the Giant are celebrated worldwide. In Heroes & Icons, Oliver and Johnson include more than just the household names, digging deeper to also tell the story of forgotten heroes and regional stars, like Tiger Jeet Singh, who has an elementary school named after him, and Whitey Caldwell, whose gravesite still sees flowers from fans 40 years after his passing. Covering the 1930s through to the present day, the latest installment in the acclaimed Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame series examines what makes a great hero.

From William Muldoon to Brock Lesnar, this history covers those who have divided themselves as tough guys on the professional wrestling circuit and legitimate confrontations. From catch wrestling master Billy Robinson to the Japanese professional wrestler who gave birth to the global phenomenon that is modern mixed martial arts (MMA), this investigation travels from the shadowy carnival tent and the dingy training hall to the bright lights of the squared circle and the Las Vegas glitz of the octagon. Billy Riley's legendary Wigan Snake Pit and the rigorous UWF Dojo in Tokyo are explored, revealing the secret history of both professional wrestling and the rising sport of MMA. Squared circle icons Strangler Lewis and Lou Thesz and Olympic heroes Danny Hodge and Kurt Angle are also featured.