Written by Scott Keith
SUMMARY:
Published by Lebhar-Friedman Books in 2001, this 217-page paperback is meant for casual fans and long-time fanatics alike. Including a timeline of major events, the history of pro wrestling dating back more than a century is summarized. Early chapters describe basic moves/holds, promos, ringside weapons of choice, money-making strategies, and industry lingo, as matters of common knowledge. Biographies discuss these pivotal wrestlers: Hulk Hogan (parts I & II); Roddy Piper; Randy Savage; the British Bulldogs; the Honky Tonk Man; Ted DiBiase; Ric Flair (parts I & II); Lex Luger; and Sting – primarily re: the 1980’s.
Exploring the mid-nineties, further biographies profile the Ultimate Warrior; Shawn Michaels; Kevin Nash; Scott Hall; Bret Hart; and the Undertaker. The implosions dooming the AWA, WCCW, and Jim Crockett’s version of the NWA are also explained. Hints of an error-prone WCW soon following them into oblivion proves accurate foresight. The last leg covers the notorious ‘Monday Night Wars.’ Sections include biographies re: Eric Bischoff; the New World Order (NWO); The Rock; Triple H; Steve Austin; and Bill Goldberg. As to its impact on both major wrestling companies, the WWE’s ‘Montreal Screwjob’ of 1997 is also explained.
REVIEW:
Definitely well-written! Even if a few scant details are incorrect (i.e. no, Roddy Piper wasn’t really born in Scotland), author Scott Keith’s research and related conjecture is spot-on, or, at a minimum, it’s plausible. Readers get a pretty good sense of self-involved antics in an industry of professional egomaniacs. To Keith’s credit, he doesn’t play favorites, as his snarky skepticism rightly jeers wrestling’s dubious 80’s-90’s misfires insulting its fanbase’s intelligence.
Further, recurring incidents of backstage sabotage by notorious me-first guys like Hogan and Michaels add to the mayhem – it’s akin to discovering an addictively backstabbing soap opera lurking behind the soap opera. Aside from an unnecessary photo re: Owen Hart’s fatal 1999 accident, this book’s only downside is that the material is outdated. For wrestling buffs seeking a refreshingly down-to-earth blast from the past, Keith’s Buzz on Professional Wrestling is tough to pin. More so, this Buzz deserves a chance for re-discovery.
ADDITIONAL FEATURES:
Beyond a generous assortment of black-and-white photographs, there’s a helpful table of contents and index. The author also acknowledges Dave Meltzer, Wade Keller, and Michael Samuda as among his sources.
BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 8 Stars
