Wrestling fans, listen up. This essential guide will expand your appreciation for the most entertaining form of athletic contest ever created. The books below grow naturally from real-world professional wrestling. Get hip to the books that will take you beyond the ring. Tune in below for the best you can get in the squared circle. The best wrestling books that will take you beyond the squared circle. If you’re a student wrestler struggling to balance your training with academic demands, consider using a literature review writing service. Ukwritings is a service that can help you manage your coursework while pursuing your wrestling career. They offer professional assistance with academic writing, allowing you to focus on your athletic pursuits without sacrificing your grades.
1. Autobiographies: Get Inside the Minds of Wrestling Legends
It is often in autobiographies that we get an insight into the human being wrestler and the wrestler as a human being, as well as tales that either take place in or out of the ring. The following are some recommended titles.
- “Have a Nice Day: A Tale of Blood and Sweatsocks” by Mick Foley
- “Hitman: My Real Life in the Cartoon World of Wrestling” by Bret Hart
- “Yes!: My Improbable Journey to the Main Event of WrestleMania” by Daniel Bryan
- “A Lion’s Tale: Around the World in Spandex” by Chris Jericho
- “Controversy Creates Cash” by Eric Bischoff
Their diaries provide a serious, comic, and sometimes heartbreaking insight into life on the road. They’ll make you respect anyone who decides to do it.
2. Historical Accounts: Trace the Evolution of Wrestling
Because the past not only informs the present — it creates it. And before you talk about modern wrestlers, you should know where that modern wrestling came from: there are good histories and studies of how and why wrestling developed the way it did.
Find out how R.D. Reynolds and Bryan Alvarez polish off the W never-never land as we see in ‘The Death of WCW’ (2012), a real-life tale of the rise and fall of World Championship Wrestling, and the valuable lessons that can be learned in running a business – and running a wrestling business.
The best broad-based history, one loved by the pro wrestling cognoscenti, is Sex, Lies, and Headlocks (1997) by Shaun Assael and Mike Mooneyham – which cuts a path through the McMahon family’s role in the creation of modern wrestling similar to that taken by WWE Inside Look, but – again similar to that TV series – adds a lot of political and business intrigue.
3. Behind-the-Scenes Exposés: Peek Behind the Curtain
Those interested in knowing more about the offstage antics might try one of the numerous exposés that have been written; three of the most-read will be compared below.
| Book Title | Author | Focus |
| “Ringside” | Jim Duggan | A wrestler’s perspective on life on the road |
| “Backstage Pass” | Chris Gethard | A fan’s journey into the indie wrestling scene |
| “The Squared Circle” | David Shoemaker | Analysis of wrestling’s cultural impact |
Each of these books provides a slightly different perspective on the inner workings of the business, and between them they’ll shed a lot of light on aspects of the day-to-day running of the company that you won’t see on TV. For students who need help analysing these complex narratives, UK essay writing services can provide valuable assistance in developing critical thinking skills and crafting well-structured essays about wrestling literature.
4. Technique and Training: Learn from the Pros
If you’re just interested in the physical aspect of pro wrestling, then there’s a wealth of books that delve into technique and training. The Professional Wrestler’s Workout ＆ Instructional Guide is a classic. It’s co-authored by Harley Race and Ricky Steamboat and features training workout suggestions and form details for various wrestling moves from two legends of the business.
Or, for a more current approach, read ‘Yoga for Wrestlers’ (2009) by the innovative American wrestler and three-time WCW World Heavyweight Champion, Diamond Dallas Page. In this book, he explains Yoga’s contributions to improving flexibility and preventing injury in his own sport.
5. Wrestling Photography: A Visual Journey
There are times when words are inadequate – wrestling photography books convey all the swirl and the frenzy of the game in fulsome, nuanced detail. Ringside: A History of Professional Wrestling in America by Scott Teal illustrates rare pics from wrestling’s dawn to its current day.
Another good choice is ‘WWE: The Ultimate Poster Collection’, including classic WWE promotional posters from years gone by. For the visually-minded fan, a pop-culture coffee-table book will do nicely.
6. Fiction Inspired by Wrestling: When Reality Meets Imagination
Although most wrestling books are about real life, there’s also a growing market in wrestling fiction. Lori Duron’s The Squared Circle (2011) is a young adult novel about a girl pursuing a career as a wrestler and is a wonderful read for younger fans or those who like a good underdog story.
Blood Red Turns Dollar Green by Paul O’Brien is an adult crime novel that puts you right in the middle of territorial pro wrestling – halfway between historical fiction and mob storytelling, it’s a hell of a thrilling ride.
Conclusion
It’s there that fans can find a book of history, a book of technique, and even a book of characters from their own experiences. Either way, once read, pro wrestling will never look the same way again. Check out these recommended reads and see how they resonate with your own fandom. You’ll be grateful for the new perspective.
FAQ
Q: Where can I find these wrestling books?
You should find most of these on the shelves of your neighbourhood bookstore or online. The older volumes are in your local library or second-hand booksellers.
Q: Are these books suitable for younger readers?
Some are autobiographical or in a historical setting where sex may play a role. Be wary of buying these for younger fans.
Q: Do I need to be a wrestling expert to enjoy these books?
Not at all. A lot of them are written for both new fans and diehards. They’ll explain these wrestling terms and ideas to fans who might not know anything.
Q: Are there any books about women’s wrestling?
Yeah, right! Begin with Sisterhood of the Squared Circle: The History and Rise of Women’s Wrestling by Pat Laprade and Dan Murphy.
Q: Can reading these books help me become a wrestler?
Yet you are still not going to be a wrestler by reading a book. Sure, some of these texts contain invaluable insights but still, you are not going to be a wrestler by merely reading a book. There are probably many more valuable insights to be found in such books, but in the end, you have to train with your hands if you want to be a wrestler. You can start from the books, but you have to take it out on the mat if you truly want to be a wrestler.
