Category: Pro Wrestling (Books)

Written by Dave Meltzer of “The Wrestling Observer Newsletter”  

SUMMARY:

Published by Sports Publishing LLC in 2004, this 239-page hardcover sequel by pro wrestling journalist Dave Meltzer assembles posthumous biographical profiles of fifteen pro wrestling notables.  Of them, Owen Hart and André the Giant, previously appeared in the 2001 predecessor, but Tributes II revises their profiles.  The new profiles consists of: 

• “Classy” Freddie Blassie; “British Bulldog” Davey Boy Smith; and “Mr. Perfect” Curt Hennig.
• The Sheik; Stu Hart; Gorilla Monsoon; Johnny Valentine; Road Warrior Hawk; and Wahoo McDaniel.
• “Mr. Wrestling” Tim Woods; Terry Gordy; Ms. Elizabeth; and Lou Thesz   

Meltzer’s biographies focus on each subject’s pro wrestling career and legacy re: the industry.  Anecdotes and reminiscences from their contemporaries are included.    

REVIEW:

More than an anthology of exploitative obituaries, this stylish sequel’s profiles don’t even include the years of birth and death. In some instances, the subject’s passing isn’t even mentioned. Yet, there are a few curious exceptions.  Case in point: in more depth than before, Meltzer re-examines Owen Hart’s controversial death in 1999.

Then, most of Elizabeth’s chapter describes her tragic demise in 2003 instead of conveying her 1980’s star power as Randy Savage’s glamorous spouse/on-screen manager.  While summarizing her career, Meltzer curiously doesn’t mention how a demure Elizabeth Hulette was well-regarded by her colleagues, though various wrestler memoirs (i.e. Bret Hart, Hulk Hogan) fondly do so.  

Another quirk is that WWE Hall-of-Famer Greg Valentine isn’t mentioned in his own father’s profile.  Instead, his dad’s eleven-page bio ends with a side box describing the senior Valentine’s propensity for disgusting pranks.  Of all places, Greg Valentine is briefly referenced as a co-worker in the bio on “Mr. Wrestling” Tim Woods, as Woods, Johnny Valentine, and Ric Flair were victims of a well-documented mid-1970’s plane crash.  

Still, Meltzer’s trivia bits are fun: i.e. McDaniel was the first-ever Miami Dolphin (and future President George H.W. Bush was his Little League coach); a young Bruno Sammartino once faced Thesz for the NWA World Title; Hennig preferred his WCW ‘West Texas Redneck’ gimmick over his WWE ‘Mr. Perfect’ persona; an elderly Thesz’s industry involvement into the 1990’s; and the list could go on.  Commentaries from Dory Funk Jr. & Terry Funk; “Superstar” Billy Graham; Bobby Heenan; Nick Bockwinkel; Bret Hart & Ross Hart; Bill Watts; and Michael Hayes, among others, prove keenly insightful.  Archival quotes from the subjects themselves (i.e. McDaniel) further bolster this book’s impressive depth.        

Meltzer’s propensity for anecdotes, however, muddles some wandering narratives jumping back and forth across several years.  Hence, a lack of an index is a head-shaking oversight. Suffice to say, the index in Tributes I was helpful. Still, Meltzer doesn’t play favorites, as these biographies are well-balanced and diligently pay respect to each subject’s contributions to pro wrestling.  

ADDITIONAL FEATURES:

Further bolstering this book’s credibility, Bret “Hit Man” Hart provides a thoughtful foreword.  In addition to acknowledgments and his own mini-autobiography, Meltzer delivers a helpful introduction.  Answering shoot-style questions on a DVD, Meltzer elaborates on many topics referenced in Tributes II. 

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 8 Stars

Written by Dave Meltzer of “The Wrestling Observer Newsletter”  

SUMMARY:

Published by Winding Stair Press in 2001, this 182-page hardcover by pro wrestling journalist Dave Meltzer pens posthumous biographical profiles honoring twenty pro wrestling notables, who passed away during the 1990’s.  Specifically, this volume reflects on:

• Owen Hart; Brian Pillman; “Ravishing” Rick Rude; André the Giant; and Bruiser Brody.
• Fritz Von Erich; Kerry Von Erich; Yokozuna; The Junkyard Dog; and Giant Baba.
• “Nature Boy” Buddy Rogers; “Big” John Studd; Ray Stevens; Louie Spicolli; and Art Barr.
• “Hot Stuff” Eddie Gilbert; Boris Malenko; Dino Bravo; Jumbo Tsuruta; and Gordon Solie.   

In straight-shooter fashion, Meltzer’s biographies explore each subject’s pro wrestling career, including his legacy re: the industry; and, to varying extents, the circumstances surrounding each death.   

REVIEW:

Mostly overcoming this project’s morbid aura, author Dave Meltzer somberly offers terrific journalism instead of exploiting glorified obituaries.  Within each biography, there is intriguing material re: how its subject has earned his place in pro wrestling’s controversial history.  Further, Meltzer readily acknowledges the dark irony of pro wrestling as a callous industry/fantasy sport that typically prioritizes greed and protecting other self-interests over any hint of compassion.  In some instances, Meltzer discusses (if not directly identifies) personal demons of his subjects, without reducing these matters to tabloid trash.  The author also readily acknowledges how some of them (i.e. Giant Baba, Owen Hart, Gordon Solie) were well-respected by their peers.     

Tributes, however, suffers from sporadic typos and occasional continuity gaffes (i.e. wrong dates; glaring run-on sentences) that hamper Meltzer’s narrative.  As well-researched as this retrospective is, Meltzer’s classy sequel, 2004’s Tributes II (which restructures the profiles of Owen Hart and André the Giant), is a better overall read. 

ADDITIONAL FEATURES:

Meltzer includes a dedication and acknowledgments.  Jeff Marek provides the foreword.  Meltzer’s index proves handy. 

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 7 Stars