Spandex, Screw Jobs & Cheap Pops: Inside the Business of British Pro-Wrestling

by Carrie Dunn

A fun look at the thriving UK professional wrestling scene, and how it's reviving itself for a smart, sceptical 21st-century audience after the World of Sport glory days were tarnished when fans found out that "it's not real". Carrie Dunn talks to some of the top British wrestlers, some of them now international stars, and finds out about their careers, what motivates them to risk their necks on a weekly basis, and their dreams of mainstream fame. They reveal what really happens behind the scenes at shows and training schools, and how they balance their dangerous part-time job with family life and - in most cases - a 9-to-5 job that pays the bills. She asks promoters what they believe their audiences want to see, about the sport's resurgence, uncertain finances and turf wars. And she talks to the scene's hardcore fans about wrestling's chances of a return to prime-time TV.

271 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 2013

Reviews

[Charles Murphy · Rating 5 out of 5]

What was wrestling like in Britain in 2013, and how did it get there? What is being an indie wrestler actually like? How do promotions work - and more often, not work at all? All of this is answered in Dunn's book, especially the "not work at all" part. Excellent stuff if you're a British indie fan.

[James · Rating 3 out of 5]

While I've enjoyed hearing the author on several different podcasts (The Offside Rule and Parts Unknown, for instance) this felt like a collection of interviews strung together as opposed to a deeper look at BritWres.

[Steven Sterling · Rating 3 out of 5]

Many stories from the Ring. As a wrestler myself I have plenty of anecdotes of the things that happened to me in and out of the ring, so these were fun to read about. Nice to know the same things can happen across the Pond, as they do here. Good to learn about some names not well known over here.

[Oliver Bateman · Rating 5 out of 5]

dunn delivered one of the best books outside of sharon mazer's early work on the sport. loads of detail about the british scene, with plenty of comments from wrestlers who have gone on to bigger/better things

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant book. For anyone outside of the United Kingdom who wants to get a feel for Brit Wres, this is a helpful starter manual. Absolutely recommend!