Here is 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 book 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.
Industry Reviews
"Put me down for any book these gentlemen plan on writing in the future." --GeorgiaWrestlingHistory.com
"A slice of American life that doesn't often get the treatment that Johnson and Oliver have to offer." --"Augusta Free Press"
"I probably learned more history from this book than any wrestling book in a long time." --Dave Meltzer, "Wrestling Observer" newsletter
"Part violence, part harmless vaudeville, part skilled athleticism, and part real-life comic strip." --"C-Ville Weekly"
"A fascinating journey. . . . Rating: 9.5 / 10." --Online World of Wrestling
"An irreplaceable reference tool and a great documentation of our storied wrestling history." --KayfabeMemories.com