Bluegrass Brawlers: The Story of Professional Wrestling in Louisville
#PWHS #BookReview #BluegrassBrawlers #Louisville #Kentucky #ProWrestling #Wrestling #EatSleepWrestle
4/5 Stars
John Cosper is a wrestling fan. He is has composed novels, screenplays and sketches. In the back of the book it states that Cosper's favorite wrestling match of all time is "Stone Cold" Steve Austin versus Triple H from No Way Out 2001 in their famous "Three Stages of Hell" match. The foreword for the book is put together by Jim Cornette. Yes, that Jim Cornette. The legendary wrestling personality who really needs no further detailing.
The book itself starts off way-back in the 19th century. With the year 2013 even getting a mention this publication covers well over a hundred years of wrestling in the "River City." From tough-as-nails wrestling women in the 1880's like Ida Alb to a man who many consider the "first superstar of professional wrestling", William Muldoon and the all-around athlete Duncan C. Ross. The timeline moves on to the early 1900's, skipping over Gotch-Hackenschmidt from Chicago, Illinois. Cora Livingston, is brought up continuing the pattern of women in wrestling which goes on through-out. A mention of one of the "Mysterious" gentleman. Cosper uses the "Conductor" also known as "Chris Callender"as per this book, probably better known as Charles Challender though. Now we get to the first major historical event that Louisville, Kentucky lays claim to. Ed "Strangler" Lewis, he was not even born in the state, however, Cosper retells the story of how Lewis was "made" in Louisville. With that the ball starts rolling smoothly with several big names popping up such as the Zbyszko brothers and Dr. Benjamin F. Roller. Cosper continues to show the influential figures who appeared in the state such as the "Black Panther" Jim Mitchell and Seelie Samara. A selection of pictures are then displayed to conclude part one of the four part Bluegrass Brawlers.
Part two covers the "Allen Athletic Club", or to be more precise the influence Heywood Allen, "Kentucky's Greatest Showman" had on Louisville in specific. Part three focuses on the relationship/invasion - depending on your view - with Memphis' Jerry Jarrett. The final part focuses on the more modern variety of professional wrestling. Closely looking at the former Ohio Valley Wrestling promotion and at one time developmental territory for both the WWE and TNA wrestling.
Rather than giving a breakdown like I did for part one, I will just list the names and important moments that continue to grace the on-going pages. Lou Thesz, Everett Marshall, Bronko Nagurski, Bill Longson, Verne Gagne, Wilbur Snyder, Dick the "Bruiser Afflis and Bobby Heenan. The legal woes of the Allen family are discussed as well as an expose that greatly effected major promoter, Jim Barnett. From there we go to the Continental/Championship Wrestling Association run by Jerry Jarrett and of course with the enormous Welch family out in Louisville. Names like the Fargos, Rock 'N' Roll Express, the Poffo Family (Randy Savage's), Jerry Lawler and Bill Dundee. With what some people will be the glory years of Louisville covered, Cosper recalls some of the earlier pay-per-views that took place in Louisville once the WWF (now WWE) and WCW had completely taken control of the wrestling scene. Which leaves the OVW (and more) based section of this book. Naturally Danny Davis is a prominent name. But, you'll read about the likes of C.M. Punk, Shelton Benjamin, John Cena, Batista, Beth Phoenix, Chris Alexander, Ian Rotten, Mad Man Pondo, Chris Hero, Colt Cabana, Paul Heyman and Brock Lesnar.
And I almost forgot, Kenny Bolin. He also writes the hilarious afterword for the book which is a total contrast to Jim Cornette's wonderful foreword, but just as good. There's a short appendix also covering the basic wrestling jargon.
Boy, there's a lot of content just listed above and so much was left out. Because, well, you've got to read it for "all the gory details." Is it worth it though? Simply put, "Yes. Yes, it is worth it." His work as a novelist and etc. has clearly paid off as the book flows well and a picture is most definitely painted to use an old cliche. The only real issue that presented itself was a couple of unfortunate eras in the opening part. The one that stands out is that "Frank Gotch paid someone to injure George Hackenschmidt" for their 1911 match on September 4. This story is a myth. The only person who has ever been recorded as saying it is Lou Thesz. There is no evidence for it whatsoever. Other than that it's a well written, informative, yet easy to read, one-of-a-kind history of Louisville, Kentucky. If anyone attempts to present a better book of this nature on this city will have a very hard task on their hands.
The book itself starts off way-back in the 19th century. With the year 2013 even getting a mention this publication covers well over a hundred years of wrestling in the "River City." From tough-as-nails wrestling women in the 1880's like Ida Alb to a man who many consider the "first superstar of professional wrestling", William Muldoon and the all-around athlete Duncan C. Ross. The timeline moves on to the early 1900's, skipping over Gotch-Hackenschmidt from Chicago, Illinois. Cora Livingston, is brought up continuing the pattern of women in wrestling which goes on through-out. A mention of one of the "Mysterious" gentleman. Cosper uses the "Conductor" also known as "Chris Callender"as per this book, probably better known as Charles Challender though. Now we get to the first major historical event that Louisville, Kentucky lays claim to. Ed "Strangler" Lewis, he was not even born in the state, however, Cosper retells the story of how Lewis was "made" in Louisville. With that the ball starts rolling smoothly with several big names popping up such as the Zbyszko brothers and Dr. Benjamin F. Roller. Cosper continues to show the influential figures who appeared in the state such as the "Black Panther" Jim Mitchell and Seelie Samara. A selection of pictures are then displayed to conclude part one of the four part Bluegrass Brawlers.
Part two covers the "Allen Athletic Club", or to be more precise the influence Heywood Allen, "Kentucky's Greatest Showman" had on Louisville in specific. Part three focuses on the relationship/invasion - depending on your view - with Memphis' Jerry Jarrett. The final part focuses on the more modern variety of professional wrestling. Closely looking at the former Ohio Valley Wrestling promotion and at one time developmental territory for both the WWE and TNA wrestling.
Rather than giving a breakdown like I did for part one, I will just list the names and important moments that continue to grace the on-going pages. Lou Thesz, Everett Marshall, Bronko Nagurski, Bill Longson, Verne Gagne, Wilbur Snyder, Dick the "Bruiser Afflis and Bobby Heenan. The legal woes of the Allen family are discussed as well as an expose that greatly effected major promoter, Jim Barnett. From there we go to the Continental/Championship Wrestling Association run by Jerry Jarrett and of course with the enormous Welch family out in Louisville. Names like the Fargos, Rock 'N' Roll Express, the Poffo Family (Randy Savage's), Jerry Lawler and Bill Dundee. With what some people will be the glory years of Louisville covered, Cosper recalls some of the earlier pay-per-views that took place in Louisville once the WWF (now WWE) and WCW had completely taken control of the wrestling scene. Which leaves the OVW (and more) based section of this book. Naturally Danny Davis is a prominent name. But, you'll read about the likes of C.M. Punk, Shelton Benjamin, John Cena, Batista, Beth Phoenix, Chris Alexander, Ian Rotten, Mad Man Pondo, Chris Hero, Colt Cabana, Paul Heyman and Brock Lesnar.
And I almost forgot, Kenny Bolin. He also writes the hilarious afterword for the book which is a total contrast to Jim Cornette's wonderful foreword, but just as good. There's a short appendix also covering the basic wrestling jargon.
Boy, there's a lot of content just listed above and so much was left out. Because, well, you've got to read it for "all the gory details." Is it worth it though? Simply put, "Yes. Yes, it is worth it." His work as a novelist and etc. has clearly paid off as the book flows well and a picture is most definitely painted to use an old cliche. The only real issue that presented itself was a couple of unfortunate eras in the opening part. The one that stands out is that "Frank Gotch paid someone to injure George Hackenschmidt" for their 1911 match on September 4. This story is a myth. The only person who has ever been recorded as saying it is Lou Thesz. There is no evidence for it whatsoever. Other than that it's a well written, informative, yet easy to read, one-of-a-kind history of Louisville, Kentucky. If anyone attempts to present a better book of this nature on this city will have a very hard task on their hands.
Unique content strictly for the Professional Wrestling Historical Society.
Review of Bluegrass Brawlers.
Reviewer: Jimmy Wheeler.
Published: June 2014.
Book Review: #32.
Editor: Jimmy Wheeler.
Unique content strictly for the Professional Wrestling Historical Society.
Review of Bluegrass Brawlers.
Reviewer: Jimmy Wheeler.
Published: June 2014.
Book Review: #32.
Editor: Jimmy Wheeler.
Bluegrass Brawlers: The Story of Professional Wrestling in Louisville.
Author: John Cosper.
Pages: 334.
Published as Paperback: June 23, 2014.
Publisher: CreateSpace.