Forgiven: One Man's Journey from Self-Glorification to Sanctification

by Vince Russo

Ask pro wrestling fans about Vince Russo and you’re sure to get a heated either the guy’s a genius, or he single-handedly ruined the sport. What’s weird about being “the most hated man” in an industry where public ire is money in the bank? Vince Russo wasn’t even a wrestler ― he just wrote the stuff. Forgiven is the book that every wrestling fan has been waiting for. As lead writer, he took WWF’s flagship show Monday Night Raw to unimaginable heights, making it the highest rated cable program in television history. The stories of Bret Hart, Shawn Michaels, “Stone Cold” Steve Austin, The Rock, and the tragic death of Owen Hart are offered from Vince Russo’s he was part of it all, writing it all. Here, Russo finally comes clean ― to the fans, and more importantly, with himself. Russo offers his life, work, and very soul as a modern day parable about the price of success. In heartbreaking detail, he shows how a “godforsaken business” and the desire for acclaim led him, unwittingly, into a spiritual wasteland. Ultimately, Russo’s story is one of redemption as he finds guidance and forgiveness in God.

Genres: Biography

340 pages, Hardcover

First published November 1, 2005

Reviews

[Michael Frost · Rating 1 out of 5]

Without a doubt the worst book I have ever read written by the biggest piece of human garbage walking God's green Earth. He screwed Bret, killed Owen and stole ideas from ECW. And had a big hand in the demise of WCW. If I could give this -6 stars, I would.

[Jeremy · Rating 1 out of 5]

A complete and utter waste of time, I regret even deciding to read this for a laugh like I intended in the first place. I know the title makes it obvious what you're getting but fuck me the amount of preaching Russo does is nauseating, I could read the bible 20 times in a row and go to church and it would feel less preachy than Russo is here.

Also, pretty classy of him to say "God had bigger plans for Owen Hart" when this prick is responsible for killing Owen in the first place.

[Patrick · Rating 1 out of 5]

The worst pro wrestling book, ever --

[Matthew Peters · Rating 1 out of 5]

Genuinely the worst book I’ve ever listened to. Paints himself as the hero in every single scenario and absolute non stop preaching about his religion it’s insufferable. Every single thing he says he ties it back to god in some way. When he almost talks about something interesting he de-rails and says he’ll talk about it later (he doesn’t). Dont waste your time if you want to hear anything insider about wrestling it’s not there.

[Che · Rating 3 out of 5]

The circus know as Pro Wrestling.. we all know what its about, grown men play fighting in a a ring in front of people to get cheers and what not. But to the real wrestling fan we know its much more than that, its like a live Shakesperian play that includes athleticism, acting, and excellent writing. This is where this man comes in, in my opinion the greatest writer for Pro Wrestling ever. Before this man, all there was in wrestling was cheesy gimmicks, and immature storylines. Vince Russo changed this, he made wrestling more of the late teen and early 20's point of view, responsible for the great stores of Stone Cold Steve Austin, Degeneration X and The Rock. This book goes behind the scenes, shows the dirty business for what it is. Also its like two people writing the book because now this guy seems to be "saved" by Christ but the book was written like he used to be, which is like the Howard Stern of wrestling. Its interesting to see the tug of war between the old Russo and the new.

[Lex · Rating 2 out of 5]

A mess of a book that could've done with some serious editing, Vince Russo's "Forgiven" is a curious mishmash of evangelical Christian preaching and half-truths from the seedy world of pro-wrestling. However, I consider this book worth a read (if you've got the perseverance to skip through the sermons and numerous, infuriating "but that's a story for another time"s) if only to get some first-hand perspective on Russo's (dubious) character rather than hear about all his misdeeds secondhand. I don't pretend to be a fan of his but I do think his pantomime villain image, perpetuated by wrestling writers, is bordering on caricature.

[Chris Belleisle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Vince Russo's one of the most interesting character studies in wrestling, but the way he wrote this book was irritating. He wrote a manuscript with some really nasty things about certain people in the industry (such as Jim Ross), then, after becoming a Christian, published what he wrote with retractions saying how he regretted writing what he did. Personally, I think he's just trying to both talk s**t and then get away with it, but whatever. His rise to fame in the WWF is actually a fairly interesting story, and I am mildly interested in reading his book about his disastrous tenure in WCW.

[Lee Kyle · Rating 1 out of 5]

If you are a fan of pro wrestling and it's histories then Vince Russo should not be a foreign name to you. Their has never been a more controversial name in the business. That being said I was looking forward to a tell all book of mammoth proportions. Whatwas delivered was a book on his persona life...something I couldn't care less about and his born again Christian beliefs. A total let down along with a waste of money!

[Craig · Rating 4 out of 5]

Russo was the WWF's head writer during its smutty "Attitude" era of the late 90s. He wrote a mean-spirited book that dished the dirt on the his fellow rasslin' performers. Then he met Jesus Christ. The change the Lord made in Russo's life (and book) is staggering.

[Erez Schatz · Rating 2 out of 5]

overly preachy

[NightShift · Rating 1 out of 5]

Sanctimonious tripe. The religious preaching was just too much. Couldn't finish it.