Rating: 
Summary: Is this book even coming out soon?
Review: I have heard and read numerous sources that this book was already supposed to be out and yet it still isn't available. Amazon is reporting that this book is to be released in the next month or two. However, the author of this book over at his website is reporting that the book will be out this week (11/17/2003). Seriously, who is right with the dates here? Some other sites report the book to be released in time for Christmas, in 1-2 weeks or as early as this week but for certain next week. The author's site is worth a look at but just not certain whom to believe as to when this book will finally be premiering. Hope someone can officially clarify this, especially the author of the book, if he would. When is it coming out?
Rating: 
Summary: Not Wrestlecrap material, but slightly disappointing
Review: I have to admit, "Wrestlecrap" is one of the few books where I actually considered inflating my rating. The book seems like it was a genuine labor of love for someone who, as far as I know, is not a professional writer by trade. And there were a number of good laughs to be found within its pages. But I would be lying if I didn't acknowledge that as a big fan of the "Wrestlecrap" web-site, I found myself somewhat disappointed in the book, and have a feeling that other fans of the site will have the same reaction.The whole appeal of the "Wrestlecrap" web-site, and what makes it a source of such hilarity, is how it goes into minute detail describing the ridiculousness and inanity of some of the worst wrestling gimmicks ever presented to the public. In this book, though, instead of "going with what brought him to the dance", the book is written more as a "Cliffs Notes" history of the wrestling business over the past twenty years. The dumb angles, preposterous gimmicks, and ridiculous storylines that are gone over with a fine tooth comb to hilarious effect on the web-site are often given only a few sentence description in the book. Granted, these are generally a hysterical few sentences, I just wish the book offered the same level of detail that the web-site does. I also noticed a number of factual and chronological inaccuracies in the book, which leads me to believe that the author chose to rely primarily on his memory for research (the very short "Sources" section at the end of the book seems to confirm my suspicion). For example, the author claims that Hulk Hogan's box office bomb, "Santa with Muscles", as opposed to ruining Hogan's acting career, actually led to him getting his own TV series, "Thunder in Paradise". Only problem is, "Thunder in Paradise" came out in 1994, "Santa with Muscles" hit theaters in 1996. In the chapter entitled "Warrior Wisdom", Reynolds claims that after breaking into the business together in California, Jim "Ultimate Warrior" Hellwig and Steve "Sting" Borden went their separate ways, with Sting going to the Mid-South/UWF promotion and Ultimate Warrior going to World Class Wrestling in Texas. Actually, Sting and Warrior went to Mid-South/UWF Wrestling together as The Blade Runners tag team before Warrior later left for World Class. Reynolds was also off on when Ole Anderson was fired as WCW booker (he was actually fired BEFORE the infamous "Black Scorpion" angle reached its conclusion, not after as the book claims) and on when the NWO split into the "NWO Hollywood" and "NWO Wolfpac" factions (the book claims the split came after the "Fingerpoke of Doom" angle between Hulk Hogan and Kevin Nash, when actually that angle is what ended the split). Admittedly, some of these are fairly minor errors, but for a book that is primarily going to appeal to long-time hardcore wrestling fans, there is nothing that an author can do to lose credibility with his audience that to present a number of incorrect facts that many readers will pick up on. I'm probably being overly negative here, a result of high expectations. I should mention that the book is very well-written and there were times when Reynolds really hit his grove, like when describing the inane plotlines of many Hulk Hogan movies, rehashing some of Vince McMahon's hair-brained schemes like the World Bodybuilding Federation and XFL, or when going off on the 200 years behind the times portrayal of black wrestlers like Kimala or Saba Simba. I also selfishly hope that despite its faults, the book sells extremely well so that Reynolds can bring back the full Wrestlecrap web-site, instead of the scaled down version that has been up for the past few years.
Rating:
Summary: Not Wrestlecrap material, but slightly disappointing
Review: I have to admit, "Wrestlecrap" is one of the few books where I actually considered inflating my rating. The book seems like it was a genuine labor of love for someone who, as far as I know, is not a professional writer by trade. And there were a number of good laughs to be found within its pages. But I would be lying if I didn't acknowledge that as a big fan of the "Wrestlecrap" web-site, I found myself somewhat disappointed in the book, and have a feeling that other fans of the site will have the same reaction. The whole appeal of the "Wrestlecrap" web-site, and what makes it a source of such hilarity, is how it goes into minute detail describing the ridiculousness and inanity of some of the worst wrestling gimmicks ever presented to the public. In this book, though, instead of "going with what brought him to the dance", the book is written more as a "Cliffs Notes" history of the wrestling business over the past twenty years. The dumb angles, preposterous gimmicks, and ridiculous storylines that are gone over with a fine tooth comb to hilarious effect on the web-site are often given only a few sentence description in the book. Granted, these are generally a hysterical few sentences, I just wish the book offered the same level of detail that the web-site does. I also noticed a number of factual and chronological inaccuracies in the book, which leads me to believe that the author chose to rely primarily on his memory for research (the very short "Sources" section at the end of the book seems to confirm my suspicion). For example, the author claims that Hulk Hogan's box office bomb, "Santa with Muscles", as opposed to ruining Hogan's acting career, actually led to him getting his own TV series, "Thunder in Paradise". Only problem is, "Thunder in Paradise" came out in 1994, "Santa with Muscles" hit theaters in 1996. In the chapter entitled "Warrior Wisdom", Reynolds claims that after breaking into the business together in California, Jim "Ultimate Warrior" Hellwig and Steve "Sting" Borden went their separate ways, with Sting going to the Mid-South/UWF promotion and Ultimate Warrior going to World Class Wrestling in Texas. Actually, Sting and Warrior went to Mid-South/UWF Wrestling together as The Blade Runners tag team before Warrior later left for World Class. Reynolds was also off on when Ole Anderson was fired as WCW booker (he was actually fired BEFORE the infamous "Black Scorpion" angle reached its conclusion, not after as the book claims) and on when the NWO split into the "NWO Hollywood" and "NWO Wolfpac" factions (the book claims the split came after the "Fingerpoke of Doom" angle between Hulk Hogan and Kevin Nash, when actually that angle is what ended the split). Admittedly, some of these are fairly minor errors, but for a book that is primarily going to appeal to long-time hardcore wrestling fans, there is nothing that an author can do to lose credibility with his audience that to present a number of incorrect facts that many readers will pick up on. I'm probably being overly negative here, a result of high expectations. I should mention that the book is very well-written and there were times when Reynolds really hit his grove, like when describing the inane plotlines of many Hulk Hogan movies, rehashing some of Vince McMahon's hair-brained schemes like the World Bodybuilding Federation and XFL, or when going off on the 200 years behind the times portrayal of black wrestlers like Kimala or Saba Simba. I also selfishly hope that despite its faults, the book sells extremely well so that Reynolds can bring back the full Wrestlecrap web-site, instead of the scaled down version that has been up for the past few years.
Rating: 
Summary: None
Review: I just received Wrestlecrap for a Christmas gift. I was very surprised to get it. I had been looking for it for quite some time for a friend. I just finished reading it and the verdict is that, for someone who doesn't read a whole lot, i LOVED it. It probably helps to be a fan of wrestling, which i have been for the past seven years. It also helps to have a great sense of humor. If you are not a wrestling fan, it might be worth a laugh to see the gimmicks that wrestling has had over the years. You might be surprised! If you enjoyed this book, you might want to check out the website of www. wrestlecrap.com.
Rating: 
Summary: Bookelicious
Review: I read this book and found it to be fantastic! I have watched wrestling off and on for many years. This book was so well written that it helped me to understand alot about wrestling. The author obviously is a huge fan of wrestling and also very interested in talking to people who may not understand all of the behind scenes and scenarios that make Pro Wrestling work (Or not work)!!
Anyone could pick up this book and have a good understanding of wrestling and the promoters. I could not put it down. Thank you Randy Baer and R.D. Reynolds--Great Job!!! I will recommend this to all of my friends.
Rating:
Summary: Decent Book...But Still Reads Like "Fan" Fiction
Review: I really enjoy my weekly visits to WrestleCrap.com, and usually get a good chuckle out of the various inductions that feature the worst pro wrestling has to offer. When I heard about the book I was eager to pick it up. The book does highlight some of the goofiest stuff WWF/WWE and WCW ever presented from Giant Gonzales to Bastion Booger. But to be honest I don't know what I expected with "WrestleCrap", but I expected more. The book is very brief and even a slow reader would be hard pressed to stretch this book for more than 2 or 3 days at most. There really is no rhyme or reason as to where entries are placed, they are not in chronological order as the 80's & 90's gimmicks are scattered among each-other, they aren't by federation as one chapter may be on WCW, the next on WWE, then the next back to WCW. But I think the biggest downfall the book has, is that it is in desperate need of an editor. The whole book reads like "fan fiction" lifted off a website, it just has an amateur feel to it. Still if you are a fan of wrestling, and can remember the 80's heydays of wrestler's like Repo Man and Skinner, you will get a kick out of the book...and you will be left shaking your head at what these promoters were thinking??!
Rating:
Summary: ReviewCrap
Review: I will just pass up making any comments (save this one) on the immature person(s) who are working-intentionally or not-to make pro wrestling fans live up to the mainstream's image of us. Moving on, I'd like to address the book's legitimate detractor from Cape Town. For one, no this book is not a surprise as its publishing was announced months before your review and because RD has always said he'd be willing to write a WC book given a publisher that was also willing. Secondly, of the three persons you list as "legends", only one of them falls into that category, assuming you're using the context of the word that I and most fans are thinking of. While Flair and Hart may have their negatives outside the ring, in the ring they are icons of what wrestling can and should be. In your remarks it is you who come off as the "smark." I won't even go into your "lies" comparison with Bush and Blair (anyone with a set of ears and brain to process the info can hear and understand what they said prior to the war, but that's a discussion for another place). I'd love to see some example of RD's lies. As for claiming the book is a cash-in on the wrestling boom, well...that boom ended a few years ago. And have you ever read the Idiot's Guide? It is the true book to avoid, unless you want something to read for S&G. Even if you don't buy this book, which I do reccomend that you do, then at least check out the website.
Rating:
Summary: IT'S THE CRAPPIEST AND THATS A GOOD THING
Review: I'm not sure if the other reviewers are trying to be funny but if your a true wrestling fan then you need to buy this book. If it is anything like the website (www.wrestlecrap.com) then this book will be just amazing. I can hardly wait for his next book which is about the fall of WCW. Buy this book as soon as it comes out. You wont regret it
Rating:
Summary: Very Enjoyable, but got off track
Review: If you are a wrestlign fan, you will enjoy it. Lots of funny sarcasm and tasty bits of backstage politics. The problem is, it focuses too much on being a history of the last 15 years of pro wrestling, and often lost focus of bringing up the worst ideas in wrestling. A book similar to the old Baseball Hall of Shame series would have been far better, in which the various catagores of bad ideas are the chapters and then list the most egregious examples. This is too much of a straight history for a book with its supposed thesis. As a wrestlign book, its five stars. BHut for one with a specified topic, its only a 4 out of 5.
Rating:
Summary: Very Enjoyable, but got off track
Review: If you are a wrestlign fan, you will enjoy it. Lots of funny sarcasm and tasty bits of backstage politics. The problem is, it focuses too much on being a history of the last 15 years of pro wrestling, and often lost focus of bringing up the worst ideas in wrestling. A book similar to the old Baseball Hall of Shame series would have been far better, in which the various catagores of bad ideas are the chapters and then list the most egregious examples. This is too much of a straight history for a book with its supposed thesis. As a wrestlign book, its five stars. BHut for one with a specified topic, its only a 4 out of 5.
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