Synopses & Reviews
?In the 1950s, in Las Vegas, a businessmens conglomerate dominating a $25 million-a-year sports industry hid their illegal practices from the U.S. Department of Justice until they were caught. The sport that privileged cold hard cash over honest competition was professional wrestling, and the conspirators were members of the famed National Wrestling Alliance. National Wrestling Alliance: The Untold Story of the Monopoly that Strangled Pro Wrestling examines the NWA promoters overwhelming success, and the relationships to influential politicians and writers that protected their financial interests for over 50 years. Breaking the façade of sports production, it shows how promoters actually twisted arms to edge out their opponents. Hornbaker documents the life of the NWA, from its humble beginnings in the Midwest after World War II, to its worldwide expansion. He chronicles the Department of Justices investigation, providing sports fans with a never-before-told side of wrestlings legacy. The most noteworthy exploits of the National Wrestling Alliance were behind locked doors. Now, the conspiracies of a century-old brand of entertainment will finally be revealed.
Synopsis
From its humble beginnings in the Midwest after World War II to its worldwide expansion and eventual dominance of a $25-million-a-year industry, the National Wrestling Alliance's (NWA) rise and fall is detailed in this dramatic tale. While celebrating the great achievements of star wrestlers like Lou Thesz, Ed "Strangler" Lewis, and Buddy Rogers, this history also exposes the inner workings of wrestling, describing in detail the Department of Justice's investigation of the NWA's operating procedures. The comprehensive study of NWA promoters and how their relationships to influential politicians, writers, and each other protected their interests for more than 50 years offers an inside look at wrestling's complicated legacy, revealing the intricate conspiracies of this century-old brand of entertainment.
About the Author
"Well-researched . . . brings back such names as Vincent McMahon Sr. and the 'father' of the NWA, Sam Muchnick." The Slammer, New York Daily News
"The most comprehensive and well-written reference piece associated with the business of professional wrestling. . . . Highest possible recommendation." GeorgiaWrestlingHistory.com"Recommended to anyone that is a fan of the golden era of pro wrestling." About.com"One of the best wrestling books ever written. . . . I highly recommend this book for any wrestling library." 411mania.com"A great history of the NWA, the ownership, the history of the NWA title, and promotional aspects of the federation. . . . 9 out of 10." A1 Wrestling Newsletter
"If I were to teach a course on the history of professional wrestling, this would be the text book." alanwojcik.com