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Former Impact Wrestling Knockouts Champion Jessica Kresca aka ODB is in the final stages of her autobiography, which is being co-written by Kenny Casanova (Kamala, Brutus Beefcake, Sabu, etc. autobiographies). The book will cover her entire career from trying out for the first season of WWF Tough Enough, training in Minnesota, her time in Ohio Valley Wrestling, her runs in Impact/TNA, Ring of Honor and more. The book is slated to be released later this year
Here is a breakdown of all recently released and upcoming pro wrestling book releases:
RECENTLY RELEASED
Wrestleville: The Pro Wrestling Vault by Vinny Berry - This book celebrates professional wrestling! It contains 35 short stories of veteran wrestlers and stars on the rise, many from the National Wrestling Alliance. Some of the wrestlers who are featured are Harley Race, Bobby Fulton, Luke Williams, Tim Storm, Tracy Smothers, Ricky Morton, Bill Dundee, CW Anderson, Larry Hennig, Sir Mo, Super Mex Shawn Hernandez, and many others! The book also has 400 photographs documenting the independent scene, mainly from the Gulf Coast region of the United States. Many NWA Champions are honored with their photo and the dates of their World Title reigns.
Wahoo by Karen and John Cosper - “When Wahoo was in college, he ran thirty four miles, from Norman to Chickasha. Then he drank a quart of motor oil.” “No other player had his first name on the back of his football jersey. When Wahoo made a tackle, the announcer would say, ‘Tackle by who?’ and the people would cheer, ‘Wahoo!’” “Did you hear about the time in Bennigans where he was arrested for throwing hot nachos on a girl over the Pac Man machine?” The stories of Wahoo McDaniel could easily fill a book, and now, thanks to his wife Karen, they have. From his little league days, when he played for future president George H. W. Bush; to the rebellious spirit of the AFL gridiron; to his glory days when he battled Ric Flair; these are the unbelievable tales of Chief Wahoo. Follow along as the stocky son of a German woman and a Chocktaw-Chickasaw man rises from the football fields of West Texas to the bright lights of New York City to packed wrestling coliseums around the world. Friends and family share their stories about the legendary icon, including Baron Von Raschke, Bill Apter, Greg Gagne, Sam Houston, Kevin Sullivan, Jim Cornette, and Wahoo’s sisters Margaret and Dana. It’s outrageous. It’s over the top. But no matter how wild it gets, heed the words of both Jim Cornette and Wahoo’s sister Dana: if it’s about Wahoo, it’s probably true.
WWE Championship: The Greatest Prize in Sports Entertainment Hardcover by Jeremy Brown - "This deluxe oversized hardback book explores the history of the WWE Championship from Buddy Rogers in 1963 to the current WWE Championship held by Drew McIntyre. In its near 60-year history, the main WWE Championship has been held by over 50 Superstars and had its name/design changed 13 times. This book will explore the changing face of the WWE Championship via the Superstars that have held the title as well as the greatest matches for the championship. Richly illustrated with official WWE photography, this book covers the WWE Championship by exploring each era of WWE in chronological order. The book explores each era of WWE:
• Early Years- 1967-'80s
• The Golden Age- '80s to early '90s
• New Generation- Early '90s to mid '90s
• Attitude Era- Mid '90s to early 2000s
• PG Era- 2008-2013
• Reality Era- 2014-2016
• The New Era- 2016-present
Featuring historic photography and stories about the icons to have held the title including legends such as Hulk Hogan, Bret Hart, Stone Cold Steve Austin, The Rock, Triple H, Ric Flair, Bruno Sammartino, Brock Lesnar, John Cena and many more. In addition, the history of the Championship is brought to life with the greatest title matches revisited - such as WrestleMania VI's Ultimate Challenge, Shawn and Bret's Iron Man Match, The Chair Shot Heard Around the World, and Triple H and Cactus Jack's Street Fight at Royal Rumble 2000. A perfect gift, The WWE Championship: The Greatest Prize in Sport's Entertainment will be cherished by every member of the WWE Universe, new or old."
Butts In Seats: The Tony Schiavone Story - "From teenage wrestling fan to becoming “The Voice of Your Childhood,” famed professional wrestling commentator Tony Schiavone has spent five decades working in the pro wrestling industry... and he’s now sharing his story with the world! This fourteen-chapter graphic novel details observations, anecdotes, and experiences about Tony’s life in professional wrestling as told by Tony himself and illustrated by over two dozen amazing artists from across the world! From his earliest days with Crockett Promotions to the rise and fall of WCW, and now his triumphant return with All Elite Wrestling, you can now experience Tony’s life in professional wrestling in a way that’s never been told–or seen–before!"
WWE Studios' Rumble animated movie tie-ins:
Monster Matchup! - In a world where monsters are real and monster wrestling is a popular sport, these heavy hitters will do whatever it takes to be champions. Learn more about your favorite wrestlers in this 8x8 storybook! All your favorite characters are here! There’s underdog Rayburn Jr., larger-than-life Tentacular, gargantuan King Gorge, the pile-driving powerhouse Axehammer, and many more amazing monsters to meet!
Rumble Movie novelization - Imagine a world where monsters are real and monster wrestling is a popular sport! Can sixteen-year-old Winne Coyle coach an inexperienced, out-of-shape monster, and turn him into a champion? Rumble fans everywhere will love spending more time with their favorite monsters in this hilarious and feel-good novel which includes eight pages of full-color stills from the movie.
Back in the RIng - After growing up in his father’s shadow, Rayburn Jr. has tried to live his life out of the spotlight. But sometimes, the world needs a champion, and with his trainer, Winnie, by his side, the time has come for Rayburn Jr. to shine.
The World of Monster Wrestling - This book chronicles some of Rayburn Jr.’s most memorable fights from the film. Kids can use the paper monsters to reenact their favorite wrestling scenes. Punch-out interlocking cardstock pieces form a wrestling ring to add to the interactive fun! The paper monsters come with cardstock stands so they can stand upright and be displayed when kids aren’t playing with them!
UPCOMING RELEASES
3/29 - George Gordienko: Canadian Wrestler, Artist and Renaissance Man by Steven Verrier - George Gordienko (1928-2002) may be the greatest wrestler you've never heard of. From humble, Ukrainian immigrant roots on the Canadian Prairies, he endured a tough childhood during the Great Depression to emerge as a leading "shooter" and one-of-a-kind artist on the mat. Excluded from wrestling in the U.S. during the McCarthy era for his one-time membership in the Communist Party, he was deprived of a shot at the NWA World Heavyweight Championship, for which he was hand-picked by the great Lou Thesz. After retirement, Gordienko transitioned to a different sort of canvas and became a successful painter. This first full-length biography traces his remarkable career.
4/12 - Blood and Fire: The Unbelievable Real-Life Story of Wrestling’s Original Sheik by Brian Solomon - The captivating story of how The Sheik captured the imagination of a generation, conquered the wrestling business, and lost it all in a blaze of flame and glory He was the most vicious, bloodthirsty, reviled villain in the history of the ring. During the 1950s, 1960s, and 1970s, he drew record crowds everywhere he went and left a trail of burned and bloody opponents in his wake. He was The Sheik: the mysterious and terrifying madman from Syria whose wanton destruction and mayhem are the stuff of wrestling legend. But what those legions of fans screaming for his head never knew was that The Sheik was really Eddie Farhat. From Lansing, Michigan, and the son of Arab immigrants, Farhat served his country proudly in World War II and was fulfilling the American dream through hard work and tireless dedication to his craft. And when he wasn’t screaming unintelligibly and attacking his enemies with sharp objects, he was busy being the owner and operator of World Wide Sports, one of the most successful wrestling companies in North America. This is Blood and Fire: The Unbelievable Real-Life Story of Wrestling’s Original Sheik.
4/26 - Just Tyrus: A Memoir by Tyrus - Pro wrestler and political commentator Tyrus goes deep into his wild but triumphant life story, from his painfully dysfunctional upbringing to bodyguarding for Snoop Dogg, to becoming a wrestling icon and one of the most provocative on-air voices today. The product of a 1970s mixed marriage, George Murdoch learned to fight early in life, fending off both race-baiting bullies and the demons of a dysfunctional home. Couch surfing all through high school and most of college, the quick-witted, sharp-tongued giant played football, ran drugs, and bounced at clubs to try to survive. After a false start with the WWE, he eventually became Snoop Dogg’s bodyguard and traveled the world with the hip hop legend, biding his time and honing his rap. When the WWE urged him to return, George became “Brodus Clay” and, for the next several years, reinvented himself numerous times under the watchful mentorship of the legendary Dusty Rhodes, “the American Dream.” He was eventually christened “Tyrus,” and shortly after, a chance social media encounter with Greg Gutfeld at Fox News resulted in Tyrus finding a new skill: sage social commentator. Ferociously funny, blunt, and tenacious, Just Tyrus traces his unlikely and spectacular rise. As always with Tyrus, it’s in-your-face and offers no apologies.
7/1/22 - Dynamite and Davey: The Explosive Lives of the British Bulldogs Steven Bell - Dynamite and Davey is the explosive story of cousins Tom Billington and Davey Boy Smith, who broke from their small town in the north of England to become global wrestling superstars. Together they became The British Bulldogs and tag team champions of the world. But their demons outmuscled them, and their tragedy outlasted their glorious triumphs.
7/12 - Backlund: From All-American Boy to Professional Wrestling's World Champion by Bob Backlund (paperback)
8/10 - Bronko: The Legendary Story of the NFL's Greatest Two-Way Fullback by Chris Willis - The remarkable biography of a small-town athlete who became one of the greatest players in NFL history. Bronislau "Bronko" Nagurski was a superstar for the NFL in the 1930s and one of the pioneer players of the league. He led the Chicago Bears to success on the gridiron as a larger-than-life personality, helping raise the popularity of the NFL during the Great Depression. In Bronko: The Legendary Story of the NFL's Greatest Two-Way Fullback, NFL Films historian Chris Willis tells the remarkable story of how Bronko became an NFL legend. Throughout his nine-year NFL career, Bronko's name became synonymous with power football. While the new league fought to gain respect and recognition, Bronko immediately captured the attention of sports fans in Chicago and across the country. The bruising fullback could do everything: run, block, tackle, and even throw the occasional pass. With the complete cooperation of the Nagurski family and unlimited access to personal letters, family scrapbooks, and photos, Bronko is the definitive biography of a true sports pioneer and NFL great.
8/16/22 - There's Just One Problem: True Tales from the Former, One-Time, 7th Most Powerful Person in the WWE by Brian Gewirtz: Former WWE head writer Brian Gewirtz brings readers behind the scenes for an unprecedented look at the chaotic, surreal, unbelievable backstage world of the WWE. With untold stories from a career spanning over 15 years and featuring the biggest names and controversial moments in wrestling history, THERE'S JUST ONE PROBLEM is an honest, unflinching look on how an introverted life-long fan unexpectedly became one the most powerful men in all of professional wrestling. For decades wrestling was shrouded in secrecy. It had larger than life personalities, bone crunching physicality and jaw-dropping theatrics but backstage it was an industry devoid of outsiders. Then in 1999, after working together on a special for MTV, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson turned to 26-year old television writer Brian Gewirtz and asked “You ever consider writing for WWE?” That question, and its answer, would have a profound effect on both of their lives for years to come. THERE'S JUST ONE PROBLEM is a story about perseverance, tenacity, and steel chairs. Most writers in the WWE last for a matter of months; Gewirtz was there for over 15 years, writing some of most memorable and infamous storylines in WWE history (covering the “Attitude Era”, the “Ruthless Aggression Era” and into the “PG” and “Reality” eras). Throughout this journey Gewirtz found himself becoming both friend and antagonist to some of the biggest names in WWE history – Stone Cold Steve Austin, John Cena, Stephanie McMahon, Bill Goldberg, Paul Heyman, Chris Jericho, Shawn Michaels, and the two men who he worked the most closely with WWE Chairman Vince McMahon and Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson. These men not only shaped his life professionally but also personally, forcing him to grow and change both as a writer and a human being. So how does a lifelong fan and outsider break through to become the ultimate insider? How does a low-key personality deal directly with his boss, the most brash, unpredictable “alpha male” on the planet, WWE Chairman Vince McMahon? How does one gain respect in a locker room that wants nothing more than to see him disappear? Where does one go when every year in wrestling takes you further away from the writing career you always wanted? Taking advice from his idol, the late “Rowdy” Roddy Piper, when you’re so full of fear, there’s only one way to push through: become fearless.
8/16 - WWE: The New Day: Power of Positivity Grapic Novel - Everyone knows The New Day (Kofi Kingston, Xavier Woods and Big E ) are six-time Tag Team Champions - including the longest reign in WWE history - but now, for the first time, discover the true origins of this unforgettable trio. IT’S THE NEW DAY GRAPHIC NOVEL, YES IT IS! WWE Superstars Kofi Kingston, Xavier Woods and Big E debuted as a team called The New Day...and changed the WWE Universe forever! Everyone knows The New Day are six-time Tag Team Champions - including the longest reign in WWE history - but now, for the first time, discover the true origins of this unforgettable trio. Follow young Kofi, Xavier, and Big E as they learn about the world of wrestling, take on opponents big and small, and battle their egos - and those around them - as they struggle to find success in solo careers. But when they realize they’re stronger together than apart, the New Day is born - and set on a collision course against their greatest rivals to determine if they’ll have a place in WWE history! Evan Narcisse (Rise of The Black Panther), Austin Walker (Friends At The Table) and Daniel Bayliss (Mighty Morphin Power Rangers) reveal the untold story behind one of the greatest tag teams in WWE history!
FORTHCOMING, NO OFFICIAL RELEASE DATE SET
Spring 2022 - Lufisto autobiography.
Spring 2023 - Madusa autobiography.
TBA - Bobby Fulton Autobiography.
TBA - Cary Silkin Memoir.
TBA - Ring of Honor book by Jonathan Snowden and Shane Hagadorn.
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