Today, WRL Development Officer Benjamin Goldberg takes a look at the world of pro wrestling.
This is a book about professional wrestling, a.k.a. sports entertainment. It may not be everyone’s cup of tea. It should be noted though that the people involved are showmen and athletes, driven to deliver the best “product” possible. If you want to better understand the appeal of sports entertainment, the main characters in the industry, and the underbelly of the business, Jericho’s book is worth reading. It is among the best pro-wrestling autobiographies available.
Chris Irvine, son of a professional hockey player, had three dreams as a boy. He wanted to play hockey, be a professional wrestler, and have a rock band. He discovered he wasn’t very good at hockey. But, taking on the persona of Chris Jericho he achieved international fame in the ring and (to some extent) on the stage with his band, Fozzy. Undisputed: How to Become the World Champion in 1,372 Easy Steps, picks up where Jericho’s first book, A Lion’s Tale, left off. He continues his story about his life as a pro-wrestler, rock star, and generally entertaining guy.
For anyone unfamiliar with the vagaries of professional wrestling, the action in the ring is largely staged, the outcomes prearranged, and the participants caricatures. Accepting that, matches are dangerous, physical dances that can be impressively choreographed. Wrestlers are athletes, actors, and stuntmen. Jericho is among the best of them and it is a pleasure to learn about the business through his eyes.
For Jerichoholics (you know who you are), the book provides a view of the real person behind Chris Jericho and the pro-wrestling character he plays. In the ring Jericho is obnoxious, cocky, quick with a cutting remark, and often dishonest. In real life those elements are evident, though none are as inflated as when he performs (and he never comes across as dishonest). In fact, as a human being, Jericho is generous, caring, funny, and dedicated to his family.
The book largely glosses over his matches, concentrating more on what happens behind the scenes. He mentions good and bad matches, but never provides details of in-ring action. He does include his impressions of colleagues (such as Hulk Hogan, Vince McMahon and Ric Flair) and stories about traveling and performing with his band Fozzy. He gives readers a frank discussion of who he is, as well as why he loves and hates sports entertainment. Finally, reader beware, while not littered with profanity, Jericho does not shy away from the use of expletives as he deems appropriate.
This book will be especially enjoyable to long-time fans of the craft, but it may also be interesting to people who want an insider’s look at the world of pro-wrestling. Jericho is after all the self-proclaimed “best in the world at what he does.”
Check the WRL catalog for Undisputed
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