Tuesday Night At The Gardens Pro Wrestling In Louisville

This book provides readers with an abundance of information and historical perspective as well as entertaining and memorable anecdotes about professional wrestling. Readers will also learn unusual snippets of trivia that will enhance their comprehension of the sport. This authoritative work on the history and culture of professional wrestling features the biggest names in the wrestling world since the sport emerged on the American sporting landscape. It comprises short biographies of all of the key players in the sport's evolution and rise to popularity—from old-timers to barrier breakers to household names such as Hulk Hogan, The Rock, Andre the Giant, and more—and includes not only men but also many women who have made a name in the sport. Surveying professional wrestling from its roots, dating centuries, to the modern era, pre–20th century and into the 21st century, the work tells the transformational stories of prominent wrestlers and the sport as a whole, in many cases bringing out the humor and outrageousness in the nature of an activity that has always straddled the line between show business and sport.

Pro-Wrestling's secrets and greatest moments are immortalized in this graphic novel from legendary wrestling personality Jim Cornette. A true-story style anthology, these insider tales will show the lengths that wrestlers went to uphold "kayfabe" (the old carny term for the presentation of legitimate conflict), as well as the noteworthy cultural, racial, and economic effects these events and characters had on society. This is the graphic novel that old school wrestling fans have been waiting their entire lives for: a no-holds-barred representation of the moments that wrestling insiders couldn't talk about for years.

Jim Cornette and Mark James take a look back at the origins of Professional Wrestling's gimmick tables and merchandising in the Memphis and Tennessee territories of the 1960's and 1970's. These were the days before merchandising was a million dollar a year business.

Brian Logan overcomes all odds to become World Heavyweight Champion.

As the Attitude Era drew to a close in the early 2000s, the WWE already had an eye to the future. The stars who would succeed the Rock, Stone Cold, and the Undertaker were already well on their way to the big time, and Louisville, Kentucky had a front row seat to the future.They were all here - Cena, Orton, Batista, Lesnar. They were all on display every Wednesday night for free at Ohio Valley Wrestling's Davis Arena. Alongside established stars like the Big Show and Mark Henry, the Superstars of Tomorrow trained under the watchful eye of Jim Cornette and Danny Davis, waiting for their moment. More would follow in their footsteps. Some were already close by, like the brash young heel lighting it up every week for Southern Indiana's IWA Mid-South promotion, CM Punk.As stunning as that time in history now appears, it was only one of many golden wrestling eras for Louisville, Kentucky, a city that has always loved its fight sports. "Bluegrass Brawlers: The Story of Professional Wrestling in Louisville" covers them all, from the earliest days when wrestling was king to the vibrant independent scene of today.Beginning in 1880 with tales of circus stars and barn-storming grapplers, "Bluegrass Brawlers" chronicles the evolution of a sport and the city that embraced it. Louisville was one of many towns to play host to William Muldoon, the "solid man of sport" and the first true professional athlete in American history who proved to be the first true villain in Louisville wrestling history.Louisville bore witness to the first golden age of the sport in the years leading up to World War I. Top stars like Joe Stecher, Charlie Cutler, and the Zbyszko brothers all wrestled on stage at the opera house, and the sport's first true superstar gained the name that would make him famous here - Ed "Strangler" Lewis.Promoter Heywood Allen made weekly wrestling a local tradition in the late 1930s, playing host to world champions like Orville Brown, Cowboy Bill Longson, Lou Thesz, and Mildred Burke. Louisville also saw a number of masked men, freaks, and novelty acts pass through town as well as weddings, and alligator, and the legendary Ginger the Wrestling Bear. Allen was one of many promoters to bring African American stars to prominence, including Louisville's own "Black Panther" Jim Mitchell.In the 1960s Louisville saw the in-ring debut of the greatest manager of all time, teenage Bobby Heenan. Then in 1970 Louisville became the number two town for the hottest promotion in the country, Jerry Jarrett's Memphis Wrestling. For more than two decades the city thrilled to the Tuesday night showcases starring Jerry Lawler, Dutch Mantell, Bill Dundee, and dozens more. Louisville also became part of the proving ground for future stars like Hulk Hogan, Randy Savage, Sting, the Ultimate Warrior, the Undertaker, Kane, the Rock, Stone Cold Steve Austin, and the Louisville Slugger, Jim Cornette."Bluegrass Brawlers" covers it all, from 1880 to 2014. Through newspaper accounts, biographies, documentaries, and personal interviews, author John Cosper compiled the story of a city, a sport, and the unique impact both had on one another. The book also includes an introduction from Jim Cornette, more than 60 photos, and a final word from John Cena's former manager, Kenny "Starmaker" Bolin. "Bluegrass Brawlers" is a must read for wrestling fans, sports fans, fans of the great city of Louisville, and anyone who can appreciate a good tall tale.

Their signs hang in the windows of convenience stores, gas stations, and restaurants. They work out of high school gyms, warehouses, and roller rinks. They are professional wrestlers, and they want you to experience live wrestling this weekend.The old territories are long gone, replaced by the monolithic WWE, but indie wrestling continues to thrill fans who know that nothing can replace the live experience. This is the story of the men and women who make up today's independent wrestling scene. They are top prospects like Jamin Olivencia and Adam Cole; deadly beauties like Crazy Mary Dobson and LuFisto; entrepreneurs like Colt Cabana; and battle-hardened veterans like Mad Man Pondo.Eat Sleep Wrestle takes you on the road and inside the ring for a peek into the lives of today's dreamers and tomorrow's superstars. From their humble beginnings, to life on the road, to their moments at the top, these stories will inspire you in the pursuit your own dreams and make you look twice the next time you see a flier in the window for some rasslin'.

For 22 years, the Allen Athletic Club's weekly wrestling show at the Columbia Gym was the place to be on Tuesday night. Promoters Heywood Allen and his successors Francis and Betty McDonogh overcame the Great Depression, the 1937 flood, a World War, and a "crooked" athletic commissioner to bring the best of the golden age of wrestling to Louisville. Now for the first time, author John Cosper (Bluegrass Brawlers) presents the full story of "That Gang of Allen's," the wrestlers, referees, announcers, and others who made Tuesday Louisville's favorite night of the week. This is the story of the true golden age of wrestling, when men and women wore their Sunday best to see hometown heroes like Blacksmith Pedigo, Kid Scotty Williams, Stu Gibson, Mel Meiners, Sgt. Buck Moore, and "The Black Panther" Jim Mitchell mix it up with Lou Thesz, Gorgeous George, the French Angel, Buddy Rogers, Freddie Blassie, Johnny Valentine, Mildred Burke, Mae Young, Bobo Brazil, and Ginger the Wrestling Bear. From mud matches to masked men; from Wild Bill Cantrell to Wild Bill Longson; from live TV to live alligators, the Allen Athletic Club was Louisville's Greatest Show. This is the story of Louisville's first great wrestling promotion and the families that made wrestling a vital part of the city they loved.