Grouping Information

Book Cover Information

Hoopla Extract Information

stdClass Object
(
    [year] => 2021
    [artist] => Dan Murphy
    [fiction] => 
    [coverImageUrl] => https://cover.hoopladigital.com/ecw_9781773056876_270.jpeg
    [titleId] => 13908783
    [isbn] => 9781773056876
    [abridged] => 
    [language] => ENGLISH
    [profanity] => 
    [title] => The Wrestlers' Wrestlers
    [demo] => 
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    [pages] => 368
    [children] => 
    [artists] => Array
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            [0] => stdClass Object
                (
                    [name] => Dan Murphy
                    [artistFormal] => Murphy, Dan
                    [relationship] => AUTHOR
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            [1] => stdClass Object
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                    [name] => Brian Young
                    [artistFormal] => Young, Brian
                    [relationship] => AUTHOR
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    [genres] => Array
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            [0] => History
            [1] => Sports & Recreation
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    [price] => 0.95
    [id] => 13908783
    [edited] => 
    [kind] => EBOOK
    [active] => 1
    [upc] => 
    [synopsis] => A walk-through wrestling history, starting with the founding fathers such as Ed "Strangler" Lewis and the incomparable Lou Thesz, to modern-day masters such as Daniel Bryan and Kurt Angle.
The Wrestlers' Wrestlers spotlights elite performers and analyzes exactly what made them your favorite wrestler's favorite wrestlers. Authors Dan Murphy and Brian Young interviewed more than 40 in-ring veterans, historians, referees, and promoters to get a unique insider's look at the people who have made a lasting impact on the world of professional wrestling. It offers a special peek "behind the curtain" and a rare look into the top stars' thoughts on their peers, their influences, and their personal favorites.
The Wrestlers' Wrestlers is a history of professional wrestling but also a tribute to the frequently misunderstood art itself. Featuring stars of the 1920s to today, this essential read deserves a prominent spot on the bookcase of every fan and historian. An insider's look at those most respected by their peers as masters of pro wrestling, in the words of the wrestlers themselves.
Dan Murphy has more than 20 years' experience as a senior writer with Pro Wrestling Illustrated. He co-wrote the 2017 book Sisterhood of the Squared Circle: The History and Rise of Women's Wrestling with Pat Laprade and is a longtime member of The Cauliflower Alley Club.
Brian Young is a writer, researcher, historian, cigar connoisseur, and podcast host from Buffalo, NY, specializing in boxing and boxing history. He co-hosts the Transatlantic History Ramblings podcast. Both authors live in Kenmore, NY.
A "Wrestlers' Wrestler" is a competitor who has earned the respect of his peers in the locker room for his dedication, professionalism, work ethic, and mastery of the craft of professional wrestling.
To compile this book, we turned to the wrestlers themselves. We interviewed more than 50 wrestlers, representing more than a half-century of experience in the business. After all, who can better identify a "wrestlers' wrestler" than the wrestlers themselves? These are the men who have dedicated their lives to the art of professional wrestling. Writers, historians, fans, and others may have their own opinions, but as much as possible, we went straight to the experts and asked a series of wrestlers who they most admired and considered to be true "wrestlers' wrestlers." Some writers and historians were willing to add their expert perspective as well.
We also relied heavily on the written words and primary sources left from wrestlers who have passed, such as Lou Thesz' seminal book, Hooker. Thesz may have pulled his punches in the ring, but he certainly held nothing back in his autobiography.
This book is an opportunity for the wrestlers themselves to define the term, to tell their stories and to discuss who they feel are the wrestlers who deserve recognition. This book is not intended to be solely for the fans and historians, but it is also for the boys. It is our attempt to preserve an oral history straight from the sources; a unique insight to this business, told by those who lived and continue to live it. It is an attempt to recognize the masters of the craft of wrestling from a wrestler's perspective, while maintaining the objectivity of an outsider.
Naturally, if you ask multiple wrestlers their opinion on a given wrestler, you're going to get a wide range of responses. Old grudges die hard, after all. And, as it is with actors, musicians, and artists, taste is subjective.
The responses received were varied. Some wrestlers identified a true "Wrestlers' Wrestler" as the one who was able to draw the biggest crowds and make the most money. They were the ones who brought the fans into the buildings, night after night. If that was the sole criteria, Hulk Hogan, "Stone Cold" Steve Austin, The Rock, and Bruno Sammartino might be our Mount Rushmore.
    [url] => https://www.hoopladigital.com/title/13908783
    [pa] => 
    [subtitle] => The Masters of the Craft of Professional Wrestling
    [publisher] => ECW Press
    [purchaseModel] => INSTANT
)