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The Six Pack: On the Open Road in Search of Wrestlemania
They say to never meet your heroes. Brad Balukjian doesn’t listen.
From the bestselling author of The Wax Pack , comes another eye‑opening road trip adventure into a pocket of massively popular pop culture—professional wrestling—starring the Iron Sheik, Hulk Hogan, Tito Santana, and many more larger‑than‑life characters of the WWF of the 1980s.
In 2005, Brad Balukjian left his dream job as a magazine fact-checker to pursue another partner with his childhood hero, The Iron Sheik (whose real name is Khosrow Vaziri), to write his biography. Things quickly went terribly wrong, culminating in the Sheik threatening Balukjan’s life. Now seventeen years later, Balukjian returns to the road in search of not only a reunion with the Sheik, but something much truth in a world built on illusion. He seeks out six of the Sheik’s contemporaries, fellow witnesses to the World Wrestling Federation’s (WWF) explosion in the mid-80s, along with the man driving the ship, Vince McMahon, to unearth their true identities. As Balukjian drives 12,525 miles around the country, we revisit the heady days when these avatars of strength, villainy, and heroism first found fame and see where their journeys took them. Balukjian plumbs their lives outside the ring, uncovering the pain of the inevitable transformation into their ring personas as myth merged with reality. From working out with Tony Atlas (Tony White) to visiting Hulk Hogan’s (Terry Bollea) karaoke bar, we see where these men are now and how they have navigated the cliffs of fame.
The Six Pack is fascinating for its humor, honesty, and clear‑eyed look at the spectacle of sports entertainment. Balukjian combines the spirit of a fan with the rigor of an investigative reporter, tracking down former WWF employees who have never spoken publicly on the company’s inner workings. But what makes this book so compelling is the humanity beneath each wrestler. Wrestling is perceived as a subculture, a sideshow without a cultural home, somewhere between sport and dance and theater and improv. It is often dismissed by the elites as low‑brow, silly, and simplistic. But ironically, an industry built on illusion is underlain by radical truth, and is arguably among our most democratic forms of entertainment. The Iron Sheik, Hulk Hogan, and the rest of the cast were not pieces on a game board or characters in a comic book movie. They were real people, with families and feelings and bodies that could break. Most of them did, in fact, break; some have been repaired, but none of them will ever be the same.
From the bestselling author of The Wax Pack , comes another eye‑opening road trip adventure into a pocket of massively popular pop culture—professional wrestling—starring the Iron Sheik, Hulk Hogan, Tito Santana, and many more larger‑than‑life characters of the WWF of the 1980s.
In 2005, Brad Balukjian left his dream job as a magazine fact-checker to pursue another partner with his childhood hero, The Iron Sheik (whose real name is Khosrow Vaziri), to write his biography. Things quickly went terribly wrong, culminating in the Sheik threatening Balukjan’s life. Now seventeen years later, Balukjian returns to the road in search of not only a reunion with the Sheik, but something much truth in a world built on illusion. He seeks out six of the Sheik’s contemporaries, fellow witnesses to the World Wrestling Federation’s (WWF) explosion in the mid-80s, along with the man driving the ship, Vince McMahon, to unearth their true identities. As Balukjian drives 12,525 miles around the country, we revisit the heady days when these avatars of strength, villainy, and heroism first found fame and see where their journeys took them. Balukjian plumbs their lives outside the ring, uncovering the pain of the inevitable transformation into their ring personas as myth merged with reality. From working out with Tony Atlas (Tony White) to visiting Hulk Hogan’s (Terry Bollea) karaoke bar, we see where these men are now and how they have navigated the cliffs of fame.
The Six Pack is fascinating for its humor, honesty, and clear‑eyed look at the spectacle of sports entertainment. Balukjian combines the spirit of a fan with the rigor of an investigative reporter, tracking down former WWF employees who have never spoken publicly on the company’s inner workings. But what makes this book so compelling is the humanity beneath each wrestler. Wrestling is perceived as a subculture, a sideshow without a cultural home, somewhere between sport and dance and theater and improv. It is often dismissed by the elites as low‑brow, silly, and simplistic. But ironically, an industry built on illusion is underlain by radical truth, and is arguably among our most democratic forms of entertainment. The Iron Sheik, Hulk Hogan, and the rest of the cast were not pieces on a game board or characters in a comic book movie. They were real people, with families and feelings and bodies that could break. Most of them did, in fact, break; some have been repaired, but none of them will ever be the same.
302 pages, Hardcover
First published April 2, 2024
30 people are currently reading
2002 people want to read
About the author
Brad Balukjian
2 books87 followersBrad Balukjian, PhD [Bu-lewk-gee-in] has chosen two careers, journalist and scientist, which converge on pursuit of the truth. He has been published in Rolling Stone, Smithsonian, National Geographic, and many others. His first book, The Wax Pack: On the Open Road in Search of Baseball’s Afterlife, hit #7 on the LA Times bestseller list and was named one of NPR’s Best Books of 2020. He is a Research Associate at the California Academy of Sciences, and he discovered 17 species of insects (green flash bugs) in Tahiti, one of which he named after Harrison Ford. He lives on the Road, where he’s in an open relationship with his VCR.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 70 reviews
April 18, 2024
On the one hand, this book is another contribution to the pointless genre of books about pro wrestling where the target audience is non wrestling fans. Instead of making the logical assumption that the only people who would spend hours reading this book are devoted wrestling fans, the author wastes numerous pages on basic terminology and the same tired old stories about the territories and kayfabe and such.
On the other hand, you have to respect an author who went to a courthouse to get the Bill Eadie lawsuit files, and went to Sargent Slaughter’s house to try to interview him. And yes, there are some new insights in this book. You just have to sift past a lot of basically copy and pasted stories that appear in every wrestling book where the author believes they’re going to somehow break through to a mainstream audience.
On the other hand, you have to respect an author who went to a courthouse to get the Bill Eadie lawsuit files, and went to Sargent Slaughter’s house to try to interview him. And yes, there are some new insights in this book. You just have to sift past a lot of basically copy and pasted stories that appear in every wrestling book where the author believes they’re going to somehow break through to a mainstream audience.
June 8, 2024
"Wrestling is a rotten business, with rotten people, and the only way you succeed is to be more rotten than the other guy."
April 22, 2025
This was probably one of the best wrestling books I've ever read. (I'm tempted to say THE best, but I always feel like I'll be forgetting one that was better...)
Author Brad Balukjian started off trying to write a biography of the iconic Iron Sheik, and, failing that due to the Sheik's legendary ornery nature, returned to the subject of professional wrestling years later with the concept of a road trip to track down some of the Sheik's contemporaries who were there for his brief reign as a transitional champion on the road to Hulk Hogan's ascendancy.
As a fan of these men, Balukjian presents their stories with a gentle grace, recognizing the exaggerations inherent in the business, but also giving each man's life and career time to shine. There really is some wonderful reporting and interviewing here, and Balukjian makes you feel like you're along for the road trip.
Poignant, funny, touching, and beautifully written, this is one that every WWF old-school fan needs to read. Highly recommended.
Author Brad Balukjian started off trying to write a biography of the iconic Iron Sheik, and, failing that due to the Sheik's legendary ornery nature, returned to the subject of professional wrestling years later with the concept of a road trip to track down some of the Sheik's contemporaries who were there for his brief reign as a transitional champion on the road to Hulk Hogan's ascendancy.
As a fan of these men, Balukjian presents their stories with a gentle grace, recognizing the exaggerations inherent in the business, but also giving each man's life and career time to shine. There really is some wonderful reporting and interviewing here, and Balukjian makes you feel like you're along for the road trip.
Poignant, funny, touching, and beautifully written, this is one that every WWF old-school fan needs to read. Highly recommended.
June 17, 2024
I only watched professional wrestling for a couple of years in the late 90s when I was in middle school. Aside from that, I have had no regular exposure to that form of entertainment, so I was not quite the target audience for a introspective book about six professional wrestlers from the 1980s. But I came to this book because I thoroughly enjoyed Balukjian's first book, The Wax Pack, about his journey to meet 15 different 1980s baseball players whose baseball cards he had from a pack. He did a terrific job with that book, leading me to pick this one up.
While I only had a glancing knowledge of the individuals at the focus of this book, Balukjian succeeded again, weaving in interesting stories about six pro wrestlers from a wrestling card in 1980s Madison Square Garden. Balukjian's first interview with Tony Atlas was the most interesting providing terrific insight on the man from the start of his life to his 70s. I also enjoyed the Merced Solis and Tito Santana chapters with the Vince McMahon and Hulk Hogan chapters feeling like necessary filler -- in which Balukjian felt obligated to include them because they were so famous.
I largely finished this book via audiobook, which worked well as the book is written in first person nonfiction narration by the author -- who also narrates the audiobook. It made for enjoyable and quite easy listen, much like a radio segment on NPR or BBC Radio.
All in all, a nice, easy, enjoyable listen/read of a topic that I had no interest in but still managed to entertain me from beginning to end. I recommend either of Balukjian's books. 4.5 stars
While I only had a glancing knowledge of the individuals at the focus of this book, Balukjian succeeded again, weaving in interesting stories about six pro wrestlers from a wrestling card in 1980s Madison Square Garden. Balukjian's first interview with Tony Atlas was the most interesting providing terrific insight on the man from the start of his life to his 70s. I also enjoyed the Merced Solis and Tito Santana chapters with the Vince McMahon and Hulk Hogan chapters feeling like necessary filler -- in which Balukjian felt obligated to include them because they were so famous.
I largely finished this book via audiobook, which worked well as the book is written in first person nonfiction narration by the author -- who also narrates the audiobook. It made for enjoyable and quite easy listen, much like a radio segment on NPR or BBC Radio.
All in all, a nice, easy, enjoyable listen/read of a topic that I had no interest in but still managed to entertain me from beginning to end. I recommend either of Balukjian's books. 4.5 stars
April 22, 2024
What a fun ride! Wrestling loyalists, add this to your list
The Six Pack takes us alongside author Balukjian as he tracks down wrestlers from a specific Madison Square Garden card. While the cast of characters wasn’t something you’d typically picture in one book alongside one another, it works. Where else would you get Tony Atlas, half of Demolition and Tito Santana all in one book? Not to mention the many other wrestlers covered.
It’s like getting several mini biographies in one! Can we get another?!
The Six Pack takes us alongside author Balukjian as he tracks down wrestlers from a specific Madison Square Garden card. While the cast of characters wasn’t something you’d typically picture in one book alongside one another, it works. Where else would you get Tony Atlas, half of Demolition and Tito Santana all in one book? Not to mention the many other wrestlers covered.
It’s like getting several mini biographies in one! Can we get another?!
Read
July 29, 2024some fun stuff here!
March 31, 2024
I won this book through a Goodreads giveaway.
On December 26, 1983, at Madison Square Garden in New York City, the Iron Sheik defeated Bob Backlund to become the WWWF Champion. A month later, the Iron Sheik lost the title to Hulk Hogan, ushering in a new era in sports entertainment. Brad Balukjian tried to track down and interview the wrestlers who performed that evening, and that is the basis of this book.
I have been watching WWWF wrestling since the early 1970’s, when it was broadcast over channel 47 from Linden, New Jersey. This was when Bruno Sammartino was champion, and other good guy wrestlers were Pedro Morales, Tony Garea, Chief Jay Strongbow, and Victor Rivera. The bad guys included Blackjack Mulligan, Stan Hansen, the Mongols, and George “The Animal” Steele. This was also the time when the New York Daily News would report on the results of the matches held the night before on their sports pages. I am familiar with the wrestlers that Brad did and tried to interview.
I really enjoyed this book. It’s a very easy read. It seemed to me that Brad has a journalist’s eye for detail. His book is very well researched. He goes into a brief history of U.S. – Iran relations during the 20th century, which is germane to why the Iron Sheik became the ultimate bad guy wrestler. He describes how there were independent wrestling territories, and how Vince McMahon Jr. unified all the territories under his own umbrella and brand.
Brad’s initial enterprise was to write a biography of the Iron Sheik. He was unable to, so this book is the result of those original efforts. Brad took an extensive road trip to interview these wrestlers, so part of this book is a travelogue of sorts.
One of the aspects I enjoyed in this book is that when Brad interviews the wrestlers and their families, he doesn’t shy away from touchy subjects, such as drug abuse, deaths, children born out of wedlock, etc. There is a dark streak that taints professional wrestling. That is why many stars have died way before their time, many in their 40s.
I don’t watch professional wrestling today. I stopped watching when they started placing advertisements during the matches. I watched wrestling to see the real live acrobatic stunts, not to hear who this wrestler will beat up someone at the next pay per view.
This book brought back a lot of pleasant memories. I thoroughly recommend this book for an insight into the business of professional wrestling.
On December 26, 1983, at Madison Square Garden in New York City, the Iron Sheik defeated Bob Backlund to become the WWWF Champion. A month later, the Iron Sheik lost the title to Hulk Hogan, ushering in a new era in sports entertainment. Brad Balukjian tried to track down and interview the wrestlers who performed that evening, and that is the basis of this book.
I have been watching WWWF wrestling since the early 1970’s, when it was broadcast over channel 47 from Linden, New Jersey. This was when Bruno Sammartino was champion, and other good guy wrestlers were Pedro Morales, Tony Garea, Chief Jay Strongbow, and Victor Rivera. The bad guys included Blackjack Mulligan, Stan Hansen, the Mongols, and George “The Animal” Steele. This was also the time when the New York Daily News would report on the results of the matches held the night before on their sports pages. I am familiar with the wrestlers that Brad did and tried to interview.
I really enjoyed this book. It’s a very easy read. It seemed to me that Brad has a journalist’s eye for detail. His book is very well researched. He goes into a brief history of U.S. – Iran relations during the 20th century, which is germane to why the Iron Sheik became the ultimate bad guy wrestler. He describes how there were independent wrestling territories, and how Vince McMahon Jr. unified all the territories under his own umbrella and brand.
Brad’s initial enterprise was to write a biography of the Iron Sheik. He was unable to, so this book is the result of those original efforts. Brad took an extensive road trip to interview these wrestlers, so part of this book is a travelogue of sorts.
One of the aspects I enjoyed in this book is that when Brad interviews the wrestlers and their families, he doesn’t shy away from touchy subjects, such as drug abuse, deaths, children born out of wedlock, etc. There is a dark streak that taints professional wrestling. That is why many stars have died way before their time, many in their 40s.
I don’t watch professional wrestling today. I stopped watching when they started placing advertisements during the matches. I watched wrestling to see the real live acrobatic stunts, not to hear who this wrestler will beat up someone at the next pay per view.
This book brought back a lot of pleasant memories. I thoroughly recommend this book for an insight into the business of professional wrestling.
June 20, 2024
Brad Balukjian once again does a masterful job injecting life and energy into what could have been a rather dull profile piece. In “The Six Pack” the idea of the roadtrip weaves together Brad’s childhood with aging wrestlers as they look back at their lives and careers. Balukjian finds a way to make generally unlikable people into characters that the readers are interested in.
October 5, 2024
As a pro wrestling fan, don’t laugh, I learned a few good tidbits from this book.
It was very entertaining and allowed me to go down memory road and relive childhood memories.
It was very entertaining and allowed me to go down memory road and relive childhood memories.
December 29, 2023
This was such a fun read that brought back all sorts of memories being a wrestling fan growing up in the WWF era. Brad Balukjian did a fantastic job chronicling the details of his cross country pursuit of interviewing six wrestlers (some friends, some foes) that were there to witness Iron Sheik’s greatness firsthand.
Brad has a way with giving you just enough details to understand the backstory of each wrestler(some of which I had heard of but not super familiar), but still thirsting for more, making this an extremely fast read. I could not get enough of this book, gobbling it up in just a matter of days as I could not seem to put it down. He has a way of flashing back to touch on each wrestler’s past then bringing you up to speed with where they are in the present and how they got there, but does so without delving too deep into details which can sometimes be a fault for some wresting and sports books that I’ve read in the past. I would definitely read more from Brad and will be picking up the Wax Pack in the future, just off the strength of this book alone.
I don’t want to spoil too many of the actual details of the book itself, but if you were or are a wrestling fan, or even just a fan of sports in general, I would definitely recommend! This was an easy, informative, and fun read.
This book was an advanced copy from Hatchette Books and NetGalley in exchange for my honest and fair opinion, but this will be one that I purchase a physical copy so that I can read multiple times and share with friends. Look for this book to hit shelves on April 2, 2024.
Brad has a way with giving you just enough details to understand the backstory of each wrestler(some of which I had heard of but not super familiar), but still thirsting for more, making this an extremely fast read. I could not get enough of this book, gobbling it up in just a matter of days as I could not seem to put it down. He has a way of flashing back to touch on each wrestler’s past then bringing you up to speed with where they are in the present and how they got there, but does so without delving too deep into details which can sometimes be a fault for some wresting and sports books that I’ve read in the past. I would definitely read more from Brad and will be picking up the Wax Pack in the future, just off the strength of this book alone.
I don’t want to spoil too many of the actual details of the book itself, but if you were or are a wrestling fan, or even just a fan of sports in general, I would definitely recommend! This was an easy, informative, and fun read.
This book was an advanced copy from Hatchette Books and NetGalley in exchange for my honest and fair opinion, but this will be one that I purchase a physical copy so that I can read multiple times and share with friends. Look for this book to hit shelves on April 2, 2024.
August 4, 2024
The Six Pack repeats Balukjian’s formula from “The Wax Pack”, a pop-culture, road trip memoir, this time swapping in the rise of WWF pro wrestling for baseball. The story centers on Khosrow Viziri (better known to wrestling fans as The Iron Shiek) and the colorful pro-wrestlers he shared a Madison Square Garden ring with on the night he won the WWF title, Dec 16, 1983. It’s a fascinating look behind the curtain at how utterly chaotic and underhanded the WWF was during its meteoric rise in the 1980s. Wrestling fans of a certain age (raises hand) will eat it up. As in “The Wax Pack,” “The Six Pack” is most interesting when it’s centered not on Balukjian’s memoirs, but the wrestlers and personalities he’s chasing down. It’s a standard memoir of looking back at the kayfabe of youth turning into the shoot of adulthood, elevated by the often-cartoonish and fascinating personalities of the pro wrestlers, led by Khos Viziri.
April 19, 2024
Overall, I enjoyed this book. His writing style is like a great conversationalist telling you endless stories at the end of a bar. His love of wrestling is very clear from the outset and he treats the topics and subjects with reverence and care. I loved reading the stories of some of these wrestlers, their family stories and personal struggles.
For a book about wrestling, Balukjian has a very elegant prose that sometimes takes me out of the main objective of the story. Additionally, from the outset, I thought this book was going to focus in on the first WrestleMania, but I stead just went through a random assortment of 80's wrestlers...which is fine by the way! I just didn't understand the overarching objective very well, but this was an enjoyable read, especially as a diehard pro-wrestling fan.
For a book about wrestling, Balukjian has a very elegant prose that sometimes takes me out of the main objective of the story. Additionally, from the outset, I thought this book was going to focus in on the first WrestleMania, but I stead just went through a random assortment of 80's wrestlers...which is fine by the way! I just didn't understand the overarching objective very well, but this was an enjoyable read, especially as a diehard pro-wrestling fan.
March 23, 2024
Books on pro wrestling usually deliver the goods, thanks to the larger than life personalities and the rich, colorful stories they tell. This book is almost a complete failure, not because of the people who serve as its subjects, but because it is authored by someone who appears to believe that writing about himself is far more interesting than writing about The Iron Sheik. Potentially fascinating story threads are set aside so we can find out more about the author's personal life. When a main character dies, time is spent talking about people feeling sorry for the author. Good grief. If you want to examine how wrestling affects the life of a fan, watch the 1999 documentary Beyond the Mat by Barry Blaustein.
May 8, 2024
it was a fine read, not good or great. im interested in wrestling and learned a lot about the era wwf became great and its athletes as wel, the part about mcmahon being the best. the research for the book seems very thorough, the plot is logical (eventhough sometimes the author jumps wildly between different timelines), with lots of nice anecdotes and the writing was fine. but overall I never felt attached to the book. maybe its because its more about the author than the wrestlers, but im not sure.
overall i can definately recommend the book to people who like or used to like wrestling, but its not more than a genre book
overall i can definately recommend the book to people who like or used to like wrestling, but its not more than a genre book
February 4, 2024
This nonfiction book is a detailed, well researched and annotated study of professional wrestlers. There is emphasis on Tony Atlas, Tito Santana, Sgt. Slaughter, The Iron Sheik, Vince McMahon and Hulk Hogan but many other wrestlers of the time period are interviewed or discussed. This book is highly recommended for fans of pro wrestling, the 80’s or Balukjian’s earlier outstanding book “The Wax Pack”.
December 28, 2023
Good read on the Iron Sheik from wrestling fame. The book was ok. It seemed to drag in places. Yes, the author writes about other wrestlers, and my being a huge wrestling fan, maybe I expected more. Thanks to NetGalley, the author and the publisher for the arc of this book in return for my honest opinion. Receiving the book in this manner had no bearing on my thoughts.
April 7, 2024
You know, I was going to write, "never meet your heroes, you they say," and then that's the logline. Still true, though--this starts with our narrator having his life threatened by a drug-demented Iron Sheik in 2005, though things improve from there. But this quest to visit with a selection of wrestlers from the 1983 card where the Sheik took Bob Backlund's title (pretty much 100% sure I was watching this live and was not exactly surprised, though still sad--Bob used to do step-ups, so I tried them as part of a short-lived stab at fitness when I was 16, and I didn't know better than to want more than his charisma-lite promos) is in the end powerful, poignant and empathetic. My favorite, and completely unexpected, aspect of the story is how many of the wrestlers he profiles ended up as literal teachers--and not at wrestling schools. The idea that babyface Tito Santana (aka Merced Solis) ended up teaching high-school Spanish is...unexpected, as is that Bill Eadie (better known as the Masked Superstar, of whom I was terrified after seeing him, in kayfabe, "cripple" Eddie Gilbert with a series of swinging neckbreakers on the concrete floor!!, and also Ax of Demolition) taught history and psychology before taking up wrestling, considered returning to the profession after retirement, and then spent 25 years counseling kids in juvenile-detention centers instead. (I just went back and watched the Superstar/Gilbert match: it lasts all of 2:51 [is it still a squash if it goes that long?], and Superstar gives him two neckbreakers in the ring and one on the floor, which Eddie sells hard by lying there, supposedly unconscious. In my memory, it was three or four. Disappointing.) Tony Atlas, unsurprisingly, became a personal trainer, and when they're at the Y he spurs the author to set a new PR on his bench.
Wrestling's overall long-term bleakness, at least for in-ring talent, nevertheless remains indelible. The well of stories of Vince McMahon lying to and screwing over former friends and employees somehow never runs dry, and even after Abraham Josephine Riesman's how-Vince-ruined-America bio, there's new stuff to learn here, especially some crazed anecdotes about a 1983 tour of Kuwait that features both terrifying crowd reactions and lunatic violence from a drink-addled Superfly Snuka on the flight back; structurally, in addition to the awful, exploitative terms in Vince's contracts, since wrestlers are still "independent contractors" whose employer assumed and assumes no responsibility for short- or long-term health care, insurance, pension, etc., and apparently the WWE now helps subsidize CTE research that, from this telling, focuses only on former NFL players, many of their lives either end horrifyingly quickly after their careers do (the toll of wrestlers dead by 45 is staggering), or lack of financial foresight forces them to keep taking bumps WAY past retirement age (Ric Flair is still lacing them up in his 70s, after multiple "last matches," which, ugh).
The larger moral/existential point is that, once you spend all this time treating life as a work, it gets increasingly hard to stop performing, or to differentiate yourself from your character, especially the higher your star rose. Bob Remus (Sgt. Slaughter) kept lying about serving in Nam for decades despite years of complaints from Marines about his stolen valor. "Tony Atlas" seems to have entirely subsumed Anthony White. (Eadie and Solis seem more balanced, as does jobber Jose Luis Rivera, who did not have any real career highlights to rely on.) Only toward the end did Khosrow Vaziri recuperate himself from the Iron Sheik. There's even a bleakly hilarious bit when the Sheik is on trial for assault, possibly in response to racism from a fan who took things too seriously and possibly because he was out of control, maybe both, and the WWF's character witnesses (who are, postmodernistically, testifying to the character of this character) start doing promos in what is intended to be a legal document. Which...somehow works. As Eric Bischoff ruminates on the danger of getting his close friend Terry Bollea anywhere near an open mic, "I dread it every time I see him do an interview. Because he doesn't know. He just gets all worked up. He goes into promo mode. When he sees a camera, and there's a red light on it, he's Hulk Hogan."
Wrestling's overall long-term bleakness, at least for in-ring talent, nevertheless remains indelible. The well of stories of Vince McMahon lying to and screwing over former friends and employees somehow never runs dry, and even after Abraham Josephine Riesman's how-Vince-ruined-America bio, there's new stuff to learn here, especially some crazed anecdotes about a 1983 tour of Kuwait that features both terrifying crowd reactions and lunatic violence from a drink-addled Superfly Snuka on the flight back; structurally, in addition to the awful, exploitative terms in Vince's contracts, since wrestlers are still "independent contractors" whose employer assumed and assumes no responsibility for short- or long-term health care, insurance, pension, etc., and apparently the WWE now helps subsidize CTE research that, from this telling, focuses only on former NFL players, many of their lives either end horrifyingly quickly after their careers do (the toll of wrestlers dead by 45 is staggering), or lack of financial foresight forces them to keep taking bumps WAY past retirement age (Ric Flair is still lacing them up in his 70s, after multiple "last matches," which, ugh).
The larger moral/existential point is that, once you spend all this time treating life as a work, it gets increasingly hard to stop performing, or to differentiate yourself from your character, especially the higher your star rose. Bob Remus (Sgt. Slaughter) kept lying about serving in Nam for decades despite years of complaints from Marines about his stolen valor. "Tony Atlas" seems to have entirely subsumed Anthony White. (Eadie and Solis seem more balanced, as does jobber Jose Luis Rivera, who did not have any real career highlights to rely on.) Only toward the end did Khosrow Vaziri recuperate himself from the Iron Sheik. There's even a bleakly hilarious bit when the Sheik is on trial for assault, possibly in response to racism from a fan who took things too seriously and possibly because he was out of control, maybe both, and the WWF's character witnesses (who are, postmodernistically, testifying to the character of this character) start doing promos in what is intended to be a legal document. Which...somehow works. As Eric Bischoff ruminates on the danger of getting his close friend Terry Bollea anywhere near an open mic, "I dread it every time I see him do an interview. Because he doesn't know. He just gets all worked up. He goes into promo mode. When he sees a camera, and there's a red light on it, he's Hulk Hogan."
February 1, 2024
My thanks to both NetGalley and the publisher Hachette Books for an advance copy of this book about growing up with heroes, meeting them, the lessons they taught and the reality of their existence.
One of the oldest sayings is that one should never meet their heroes. Especially the heroes that one had as a child. Being a child is rough, even in the best of situations. Slights are magnified, doubts and fears become phobias that one has to deal with later in life. For someone to have somebody to give them hope is a great thing, and something to be cherished. But maybe they should not be met. These heroes might, at the least ignore, someone who wants to meet them, maybe charge a person for being in their presence and answering questions. Or threaten to kill you. Brad Balukjian learned all this during his odyssey to meet some of the wrestlers he loved as a child, including the one and only Iron Sheik. The Six Pack: On the Open Road in Search of Wrestlemania is a memoir of of Balukjian's youth, meeting his heroes, a history of Wresting and a look at America and its past as Balukjian drives the country like an old territory wrestler, with his ony payout being knowledge, threats and more.
Brad Balukjian was a wrestling fan from an early age and his favorite was the man known as the Iron Sheik. Known for his bald head, big belly, cheating ways, exceptional strength and love for Iran, the Iron Sheik was the ultimate heel, the one the crowds loved to hate. Of course there was a lot more to the this man, and Balukjian hoped to showcase this, but these plans ended when the Sheik broken in so many ways threatened to kill Balukjian. However the dream never died, and Balukjian after a previous book on baseball had an idea. Find those who were still alive on the night that broke wrestling into the mainstream. The Wrestlemania where Hulk Hogan defeated the Iron Sheik for the Championship and set what was called the World Wrestling Federation on its slow climb to the top. Balukjian drove almost 13,000 miles in a post-COVID America finding those survivors of that night, getting their stories, paying for their stories, or being ignored. Balukjian looks at the life of these men, their hopes dreams, and broken promises, for many, fame and yet sometimes even worse problems for others. As Balukjian travels Balukjian learns about the hold that professional wrestling has on fans, and even those who should know better, the wrestlers themselves.
I loved wrestling as a kid. Professional wrestling was probably the only sport I cared about, and even now the only sport I could imagine sitting down and watching. The feuds always brought me in, this guy had a beef with this guy, and it only could be settled in the ring. Sold. Balukjian and I would have been great friends and probably had a great feud about who he liked and didn't. The best thing about this book is that Balukjian looks at wrestling from both the fans point of view and the realist's point of view, showing that wrestling can be and is a nasty world, with a lot of broken promises, broken dreams and even sadder broken people. One can go from selling out Madison Square Garden, to trying to get people into a VFW hall in Iowa. Or living on a park bench. Balukjian is a very good writer, and even better persistent. And a good listener. These are the real stories, not the WWE published books, but real stories about life, family the toil and the toll on body, soul and family. A really special book, and there are a lot of touching moments, which surprised me.
Wrestling is back in the news, and not for the best of reasons, and Balukjian's book is a good look at the wild and wooly 80's when Vince McMahon was making a name for himself, and Human Resources was his wife Linda. Which explains quite a bit. This is book about a fan, for fans, but it also shows what our heroes of the squared circle had to deal with. A really very good book, perfect for wrestling fans, and for those who regretted never meeting their heroes. Maybe it was for the best.
One of the oldest sayings is that one should never meet their heroes. Especially the heroes that one had as a child. Being a child is rough, even in the best of situations. Slights are magnified, doubts and fears become phobias that one has to deal with later in life. For someone to have somebody to give them hope is a great thing, and something to be cherished. But maybe they should not be met. These heroes might, at the least ignore, someone who wants to meet them, maybe charge a person for being in their presence and answering questions. Or threaten to kill you. Brad Balukjian learned all this during his odyssey to meet some of the wrestlers he loved as a child, including the one and only Iron Sheik. The Six Pack: On the Open Road in Search of Wrestlemania is a memoir of of Balukjian's youth, meeting his heroes, a history of Wresting and a look at America and its past as Balukjian drives the country like an old territory wrestler, with his ony payout being knowledge, threats and more.
Brad Balukjian was a wrestling fan from an early age and his favorite was the man known as the Iron Sheik. Known for his bald head, big belly, cheating ways, exceptional strength and love for Iran, the Iron Sheik was the ultimate heel, the one the crowds loved to hate. Of course there was a lot more to the this man, and Balukjian hoped to showcase this, but these plans ended when the Sheik broken in so many ways threatened to kill Balukjian. However the dream never died, and Balukjian after a previous book on baseball had an idea. Find those who were still alive on the night that broke wrestling into the mainstream. The Wrestlemania where Hulk Hogan defeated the Iron Sheik for the Championship and set what was called the World Wrestling Federation on its slow climb to the top. Balukjian drove almost 13,000 miles in a post-COVID America finding those survivors of that night, getting their stories, paying for their stories, or being ignored. Balukjian looks at the life of these men, their hopes dreams, and broken promises, for many, fame and yet sometimes even worse problems for others. As Balukjian travels Balukjian learns about the hold that professional wrestling has on fans, and even those who should know better, the wrestlers themselves.
I loved wrestling as a kid. Professional wrestling was probably the only sport I cared about, and even now the only sport I could imagine sitting down and watching. The feuds always brought me in, this guy had a beef with this guy, and it only could be settled in the ring. Sold. Balukjian and I would have been great friends and probably had a great feud about who he liked and didn't. The best thing about this book is that Balukjian looks at wrestling from both the fans point of view and the realist's point of view, showing that wrestling can be and is a nasty world, with a lot of broken promises, broken dreams and even sadder broken people. One can go from selling out Madison Square Garden, to trying to get people into a VFW hall in Iowa. Or living on a park bench. Balukjian is a very good writer, and even better persistent. And a good listener. These are the real stories, not the WWE published books, but real stories about life, family the toil and the toll on body, soul and family. A really special book, and there are a lot of touching moments, which surprised me.
Wrestling is back in the news, and not for the best of reasons, and Balukjian's book is a good look at the wild and wooly 80's when Vince McMahon was making a name for himself, and Human Resources was his wife Linda. Which explains quite a bit. This is book about a fan, for fans, but it also shows what our heroes of the squared circle had to deal with. A really very good book, perfect for wrestling fans, and for those who regretted never meeting their heroes. Maybe it was for the best.
March 3, 2024
I received a free advance copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for a review.
Professional Wrestling is the oddest of American sports - somehow both pervasive but underground, niche but mass culture. I was never a wrestling fan, but most of my friends were. I played a ton of wrestling video games, especially on the Nintendo 64, but never owned one of them. I could name a couple handfuls of wrestlers from the 90s to today, but couldn't tell you the last time I watched it on TV. It's just there, slightly off to the side, something noticed out of the corner of my eye and then forgotten until the next time.
Despite my lack of passion for the sport, I was still excited to read this book by Brad Balukjian. It's always fun to dive down deep into the history and background of something that's so many feel so passionate about. My only apprehension was the author himself. I enjoyed The Wax Pack, but still found moments of Balukjian's writing off-putting. I wish I could tell you exactly what it is that makes some of his writing so unappealing to me, but I can never put my finger on it. I'll go pages perfectly fine and then pages where I don't want to keep reading. Really, that's my biggest issue with this book. I think that Balukjian is a wonderful deep researcher, but he needs to partner with someone to help him write in a way that puts that research into a story that highlights his skills.
I did enjoy learning about the history of the WWE/WWF, getting some background on Vince McMahahon, and the titular six pack of wrestlers that Balukjian tracked down. The concept of keyfabe was such a big part of these wrestler's lives that seeing the distance between the keyfabe and real life dissolve is a fascinating thing.
Many of these wrestlers have ended up in places that are a definite step down from where they were, and a lot of the downfall was self-inflicted, and Balukjian doesn't shy away from that fact. He's sympathetic, especially because these were his heroes as a child, but not forgiving.
I enjoyed the approach that Balukjian took - that of a fan, but not a fanboy. It helped to make the book something fun and enjoyable without being pure WWE propaganda, and it also helped avoid the opposite effect of an author looking down their nose at the concept of professional wrestling.
The last decade-plus saw the rise of the concept of "poptimism", especially as it regards to culture. Things like comic book movies, cheesy songs, stuff that used to be considered the junk food of popular culture, are now considered acceptable to be into. Professional wrestling falls under the big umbrella of poptimism, and giving it a book like this helps us to see why people loved it in the past and why they love it now.
Professional Wrestling is the oddest of American sports - somehow both pervasive but underground, niche but mass culture. I was never a wrestling fan, but most of my friends were. I played a ton of wrestling video games, especially on the Nintendo 64, but never owned one of them. I could name a couple handfuls of wrestlers from the 90s to today, but couldn't tell you the last time I watched it on TV. It's just there, slightly off to the side, something noticed out of the corner of my eye and then forgotten until the next time.
Despite my lack of passion for the sport, I was still excited to read this book by Brad Balukjian. It's always fun to dive down deep into the history and background of something that's so many feel so passionate about. My only apprehension was the author himself. I enjoyed The Wax Pack, but still found moments of Balukjian's writing off-putting. I wish I could tell you exactly what it is that makes some of his writing so unappealing to me, but I can never put my finger on it. I'll go pages perfectly fine and then pages where I don't want to keep reading. Really, that's my biggest issue with this book. I think that Balukjian is a wonderful deep researcher, but he needs to partner with someone to help him write in a way that puts that research into a story that highlights his skills.
I did enjoy learning about the history of the WWE/WWF, getting some background on Vince McMahahon, and the titular six pack of wrestlers that Balukjian tracked down. The concept of keyfabe was such a big part of these wrestler's lives that seeing the distance between the keyfabe and real life dissolve is a fascinating thing.
Many of these wrestlers have ended up in places that are a definite step down from where they were, and a lot of the downfall was self-inflicted, and Balukjian doesn't shy away from that fact. He's sympathetic, especially because these were his heroes as a child, but not forgiving.
I enjoyed the approach that Balukjian took - that of a fan, but not a fanboy. It helped to make the book something fun and enjoyable without being pure WWE propaganda, and it also helped avoid the opposite effect of an author looking down their nose at the concept of professional wrestling.
The last decade-plus saw the rise of the concept of "poptimism", especially as it regards to culture. Things like comic book movies, cheesy songs, stuff that used to be considered the junk food of popular culture, are now considered acceptable to be into. Professional wrestling falls under the big umbrella of poptimism, and giving it a book like this helps us to see why people loved it in the past and why they love it now.
April 13, 2024
(Audiobook) This work is a labor of love for a pro wrestling fan as he looks into the back-story and lives of some of the top pro-wrestling names from one of the heydays of pro-wrestling in the early-mid 1980s. Balukjian searches all across the US and US territories to find out the backstories and current lives of some of the bigger names, from Hulk Hogan and Tito Santana, to Tony Atlas , Sergeant Slaughter and Vince MacMahon. The linchpin wrestler is the Iron Sheik, the one-time Iranian amateur wrestler who made his way to America to become one of the biggest heels in wrestling history. Balukjian admits the Sheik was his favorite growing up, but also notes that a previous attempt to write a bio of the man fell apart, especially with all of the personal demons the Sheik was facing.
This is a very illuminating tale, and one that does not require the reader to be a wrestling fan per se. Balukjian reveals the human side of many of these characters. While he didn’t get to speak to everyone in person, he does offer the reader enough of a sense of who the men are, how they got into the business, what they did, and how things ended after the heyday in the ring. It is not always sad, but there is a lot of heartbreak.
Good read, especially for a wrestling fan. Somewhat fortuitous that I read this right after Wrestlemania 40, which was one of the biggest in the history of wrestling, and that Wrestlemania I was so much at the heart of this tale. Also, just read a book about nuclear holocaust, so a diversion into pro-wrestling was a bit less intense. Still some tough times, but could also look back with some nostalgia, as a young wrestling fan myself. Worth the read, regardless of format.
This is a very illuminating tale, and one that does not require the reader to be a wrestling fan per se. Balukjian reveals the human side of many of these characters. While he didn’t get to speak to everyone in person, he does offer the reader enough of a sense of who the men are, how they got into the business, what they did, and how things ended after the heyday in the ring. It is not always sad, but there is a lot of heartbreak.
Good read, especially for a wrestling fan. Somewhat fortuitous that I read this right after Wrestlemania 40, which was one of the biggest in the history of wrestling, and that Wrestlemania I was so much at the heart of this tale. Also, just read a book about nuclear holocaust, so a diversion into pro-wrestling was a bit less intense. Still some tough times, but could also look back with some nostalgia, as a young wrestling fan myself. Worth the read, regardless of format.
July 20, 2024
This was a complete fucking delight. I've been an on-again-off-again wrestling fan since I was a little kid at the height of Hulkamania. I was enamored of these living cartoons and the kayfabe of it all.
I'm writing this review while wearing a Roots of Right Iron Sheik 1983 World Champion t-shirt. But I'm one of those bandwagon jumpers who didn't fall in love with the Iron Sheik until well into adulthood because of his twitter account (I am aware that the account was/is run by others). Sheiky Baby's death was especially hard on my sense of nostalgia.
And this is where I get to this book. Even when I'm not watching wrestling, I devour any wrestling book that comes out. I especially love histories and retrospectives. I've never moved on from my love of larger than life characters solving all the world's problems in the squared circle and I never plan to. When reality is too hard to bear, kayfabe will always be there.
This book is about kayfabe and childhood and growing up. It's also about Tony Atlas and Tito Santana and Sargent Slaughter and Ax and Marcelino Rivera and Hulk Hogan (yo, the RNC just happened so the Hulk chapter of this book was weird to read). But all of this is told through the filter of the life of Khosrow Vaziri, the Iron Sheik. Brad bubba, you've finally written his biography!
I learned new things in this book. I went down nostalgia lane. I legit shed a tear during the epilogue. I was completely delighted at the references to Josie Riesman's book Ringmaster in the Vince McMahon chapter. I loved this book.
I'm writing this review while wearing a Roots of Right Iron Sheik 1983 World Champion t-shirt. But I'm one of those bandwagon jumpers who didn't fall in love with the Iron Sheik until well into adulthood because of his twitter account (I am aware that the account was/is run by others). Sheiky Baby's death was especially hard on my sense of nostalgia.
And this is where I get to this book. Even when I'm not watching wrestling, I devour any wrestling book that comes out. I especially love histories and retrospectives. I've never moved on from my love of larger than life characters solving all the world's problems in the squared circle and I never plan to. When reality is too hard to bear, kayfabe will always be there.
This book is about kayfabe and childhood and growing up. It's also about Tony Atlas and Tito Santana and Sargent Slaughter and Ax and Marcelino Rivera and Hulk Hogan (yo, the RNC just happened so the Hulk chapter of this book was weird to read). But all of this is told through the filter of the life of Khosrow Vaziri, the Iron Sheik. Brad bubba, you've finally written his biography!
I learned new things in this book. I went down nostalgia lane. I legit shed a tear during the epilogue. I was completely delighted at the references to Josie Riesman's book Ringmaster in the Vince McMahon chapter. I loved this book.
August 13, 2024
As a subject-matter expert who has read hundreds of books on the subject, I can confidently say that "The Six Pack" by Brad Balukjian is the most accessible wrestling book I've encountered in the past five years.
Balukjian's travelogue approach proves highly effective, offering a fresh perspective on wrestling history. The author's journey through the lives and hometowns of wrestling legends in search of some greater truth about himself and the Iron Sheik (whose biography he had hoped to write decades earlier) is both engaging and insightful.
What sets this book apart is its attention to detail and commitment to authenticity. Balukjian doesn't just rehash well-known stories; he digs deeper, unearthing gems like conversations with Bob Remus's high school football coach and confirming the location of Tony Atlas's life-defining childhood fall (though, unsurprisingly, it's not quite as high as Atlas claimed in interviews). As it progresses through the Atlas material to Bill Eadie's story (the latter shares a hometown with my father), the narrative becomes increasingly compelling -- there's loads of content here that Balukjian has unearthed for the first time.
For wrestling fans seeking an engaging read that goes beyond the typical sports fare, "The Six Pack" is a must-read (if you've read his prior "The Wax Pack," reading this should be a no-brainer). It's a testament to the power of research-backed personal storytelling in bringing wrestling history to life.
Balukjian's travelogue approach proves highly effective, offering a fresh perspective on wrestling history. The author's journey through the lives and hometowns of wrestling legends in search of some greater truth about himself and the Iron Sheik (whose biography he had hoped to write decades earlier) is both engaging and insightful.
What sets this book apart is its attention to detail and commitment to authenticity. Balukjian doesn't just rehash well-known stories; he digs deeper, unearthing gems like conversations with Bob Remus's high school football coach and confirming the location of Tony Atlas's life-defining childhood fall (though, unsurprisingly, it's not quite as high as Atlas claimed in interviews). As it progresses through the Atlas material to Bill Eadie's story (the latter shares a hometown with my father), the narrative becomes increasingly compelling -- there's loads of content here that Balukjian has unearthed for the first time.
For wrestling fans seeking an engaging read that goes beyond the typical sports fare, "The Six Pack" is a must-read (if you've read his prior "The Wax Pack," reading this should be a no-brainer). It's a testament to the power of research-backed personal storytelling in bringing wrestling history to life.
September 7, 2024
For wrestling and non wrestling fans I can't recommend this book highly enough. Very well written and researched book mainly focussing on the Iron Sheiks amazing life story but lots of colourful and interesting characters and stories in between.
Once the Author explains why his quest to write a biography about the Iron Shiek failed, he centers the book around his quest to understand the enduring allure of professional wrestling and some if it’s most famous characters and the men (+ people) behind those characters.
Balukjian's approach to the subject matter is as much about the journey as it is about wrestling. He takes the reader through a deeply personal exploration of why wrestling holds such a powerful place in the lives of fans. The book delves into the mythology of wrestling, the larger than life personas, and the sense of escapism it offers, both for the audience and sometimes for the wrestlers themselves.
The authors reflections on wrestling and the wrestlers are very well researched, but thankfully the book never feels bogged down by academic analysis. Instead, Balukjian’s writing remains light and engaging.
The road trip aspect of the book adds a layer of adventure, with Balukjian reflecting on life, fandom, and identity during his long drives between cities. Balukjian’s blend of humor, insight, and personal reflection makes this a great read for wrestling fans and anyone interested in understanding the power of sports entertainment.
Once the Author explains why his quest to write a biography about the Iron Shiek failed, he centers the book around his quest to understand the enduring allure of professional wrestling and some if it’s most famous characters and the men (+ people) behind those characters.
Balukjian's approach to the subject matter is as much about the journey as it is about wrestling. He takes the reader through a deeply personal exploration of why wrestling holds such a powerful place in the lives of fans. The book delves into the mythology of wrestling, the larger than life personas, and the sense of escapism it offers, both for the audience and sometimes for the wrestlers themselves.
The authors reflections on wrestling and the wrestlers are very well researched, but thankfully the book never feels bogged down by academic analysis. Instead, Balukjian’s writing remains light and engaging.
The road trip aspect of the book adds a layer of adventure, with Balukjian reflecting on life, fandom, and identity during his long drives between cities. Balukjian’s blend of humor, insight, and personal reflection makes this a great read for wrestling fans and anyone interested in understanding the power of sports entertainment.
January 22, 2024
"The Six Pack" is author Brad Balukjian's effort to understand the mythos and legacy of wrestling in its WWF Hulk Hogan heyday. The book, a chapter by chapter investigation of the wrestlers on one fateful card, explores the way the now-WWE exploded in the 1980s and shaped the lives of its performers, their families, and the the families watching them.
What's good: The author's efforts to speak personally with the wrestlers about their experiences is the hook here. The author gives great respect to these performer-athletes, stressing the physical costs of their jobs as well as the nature of kayfabe in this entertainment. In addition, for anyone who grew up with the WWF/now-WWE, this is a nostalgia trip for them, not just for the author.
What's iffier: The book in many ways opens up the possibilities of more discussions on these themes (health insurance for the wrestlers, the role of addiction, the financial choices of the WWE) but, due to the nature of its structure (focusing on the players on one night in WWE-history) it can only go so far. In this way, the book is like walking a hallway and glimpsing stories left untold as we pass open doorways.
With gratitude to the publisher for the chance to read and review an ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an unbiased review.
What's good: The author's efforts to speak personally with the wrestlers about their experiences is the hook here. The author gives great respect to these performer-athletes, stressing the physical costs of their jobs as well as the nature of kayfabe in this entertainment. In addition, for anyone who grew up with the WWF/now-WWE, this is a nostalgia trip for them, not just for the author.
What's iffier: The book in many ways opens up the possibilities of more discussions on these themes (health insurance for the wrestlers, the role of addiction, the financial choices of the WWE) but, due to the nature of its structure (focusing on the players on one night in WWE-history) it can only go so far. In this way, the book is like walking a hallway and glimpsing stories left untold as we pass open doorways.
With gratitude to the publisher for the chance to read and review an ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an unbiased review.
July 30, 2024
Back in 2005, Brad Balukjian set out to write an autobiography of his childhood wresting hero The Iron Sheik. That attempt ended with The Sheik threatening Balukjian’s life—so a step-back and regroup was required. The next idea: tracking down as many wrestlers as possible from the 1984 Madison Square Garden event in which The Sheik squared off against Hulk Hogan.
Ultimately, Balukjian ends up covering the following figures: Tony Atlas (Anthony White), Vince McMahon, Tito Santana (Merced Solis), Sgt. Slaughter (Bob Remus), Demolition Ax (Bill Eadie), The Conquistador (Marcelino Rivera), The Sheik (Khosrow Vaziri), & Hulk Hogan (Terry Bollea).
For readers relatively new to the world of professional wrestling, The Six Pack would be a great introduction to the topic, as it covers a lot of the “classic tales” and quests to chronicle the night that wrestling literally went world-wide to immense popularity.
Folks like myself who have read quite a few 80s wrestling tomes can also really enjoy this book because Balukjian’s writing is so strong and endearing. He approaches these subjects from unique angles and blends in the perfect amount of personalizing to make the narrative relatable.
Overall, I really enjoyed The Six Pack and would highly recommend it to anyone who has any sort of interest (nostalgic, historic, or otherwise) in 80s/early 90s wrestling whatsoever.
Ultimately, Balukjian ends up covering the following figures: Tony Atlas (Anthony White), Vince McMahon, Tito Santana (Merced Solis), Sgt. Slaughter (Bob Remus), Demolition Ax (Bill Eadie), The Conquistador (Marcelino Rivera), The Sheik (Khosrow Vaziri), & Hulk Hogan (Terry Bollea).
For readers relatively new to the world of professional wrestling, The Six Pack would be a great introduction to the topic, as it covers a lot of the “classic tales” and quests to chronicle the night that wrestling literally went world-wide to immense popularity.
Folks like myself who have read quite a few 80s wrestling tomes can also really enjoy this book because Balukjian’s writing is so strong and endearing. He approaches these subjects from unique angles and blends in the perfect amount of personalizing to make the narrative relatable.
Overall, I really enjoyed The Six Pack and would highly recommend it to anyone who has any sort of interest (nostalgic, historic, or otherwise) in 80s/early 90s wrestling whatsoever.
January 9, 2025
This is a beautifully written, meticulously researched book. As a lifelong wrestling fan, who came of age to the performances of the people/characters written about here--I couldn't put it down. Being an obsessive and researcher (by profession) sometimes I read books about wrestling from this era and I don't learn new things. This book taught me a lot. There's something so subtle and emotionally delicate with how Mr. Balukjian renders these stories/portraits.
He tackles the ultimate question fans, historians and most certainly the performers themselves must confront: where does Khosrow Vaziri end and the Iron Sheik begin?
Balukjian has perhaps comes closest to capturing the essence of this question when he quotes Tony Atlas as saying: "Anthony White (his birth name) died a long time ago." It's a chilling admission in perhaps the most poignant segment of the book. Not only a dogged researcher, the author is very skilled in how adds it in for context in just the right places. His deep-dive into Hulk Hogan's origin story and the strange saga of Sgt. Slaughter's non-existent yet steadily proclaimed military service is fascinating.
Bravo
He tackles the ultimate question fans, historians and most certainly the performers themselves must confront: where does Khosrow Vaziri end and the Iron Sheik begin?
Balukjian has perhaps comes closest to capturing the essence of this question when he quotes Tony Atlas as saying: "Anthony White (his birth name) died a long time ago." It's a chilling admission in perhaps the most poignant segment of the book. Not only a dogged researcher, the author is very skilled in how adds it in for context in just the right places. His deep-dive into Hulk Hogan's origin story and the strange saga of Sgt. Slaughter's non-existent yet steadily proclaimed military service is fascinating.
Bravo
March 19, 2024
Thanks to NETGALLEY and Hachette Books for eARC
I found this road trip book to be engaging and interesting; I looked up the things Balukjian recommended and then some. I learned, I remembered, I mourned. If you're a current or former wrestling fan, I think this book is for you. Brad doesn't shy away from the real and raw, and the history nuggets throughout I felt were necessary for context and expansion.
Told in four parts, with the chapters named "Match (x)", plus an unexpected epilogue that addresses the death of Hossein Khosrow Ali Vaziri, A.K.A. the Iron Sheik. It was touching and well done. There's an author's note, a Kayfabe glossary, and a list of sources. My only complaint is that sometimes the writing/format is jarring, since it holds hints of the journalist style (Balukjian being just that, so maybe habitual?) and deviates from a consistent style.
P.S. Bonus love for a fellow Armenian!
I found this road trip book to be engaging and interesting; I looked up the things Balukjian recommended and then some. I learned, I remembered, I mourned. If you're a current or former wrestling fan, I think this book is for you. Brad doesn't shy away from the real and raw, and the history nuggets throughout I felt were necessary for context and expansion.
Told in four parts, with the chapters named "Match (x)", plus an unexpected epilogue that addresses the death of Hossein Khosrow Ali Vaziri, A.K.A. the Iron Sheik. It was touching and well done. There's an author's note, a Kayfabe glossary, and a list of sources. My only complaint is that sometimes the writing/format is jarring, since it holds hints of the journalist style (Balukjian being just that, so maybe habitual?) and deviates from a consistent style.
P.S. Bonus love for a fellow Armenian!
August 27, 2025
Fantastic read and what seemed like a fantastic journey to make one night mean so much, and a night that might mean everything to some people to this day. The stories from the Six-Pacers was a hell of a look into some of the characters, and human beings behind them, from the start of the wrestling boom in the 80's. Some characters you may be completely familiar with, and some of you may not be, but each story gives you a look into their personal lives and the business itself. As a fan from the mid 90's to current day, it's nice to see/read more stories of the years I may not not much about, or maybe see another side of a story you have heard or stories to go along with some of the classic matches you've seen. Brad did an amazing job with this book, and now I'm gonna have to go grab myself a copy of The Wax Pack, to read one of Brad's other journeys.
April 6, 2024
I found myself really pleasantly surprised to enjoy this book as much as I did. The author’s self depreciating humor lightens what can at times be a sad, depressing story to read. I’m not a wrestling fan, but this book was recommended and it’s more than just about wrestling, it’s about people and their psychological drive to achieve their dreams.
The authors style of writing is very thorough, historically detailed and accurate. I can’t imagine the task of taking on this project, but he is clearly very passionate about it.
I think this is a great read for anyone looking for a motivational boost to reach the next level, regardless of if they are wrestling fan or not.
The authors style of writing is very thorough, historically detailed and accurate. I can’t imagine the task of taking on this project, but he is clearly very passionate about it.
I think this is a great read for anyone looking for a motivational boost to reach the next level, regardless of if they are wrestling fan or not.
April 15, 2024
So many of us work to achieve our professional goals, grind to get to the top of our profession, and find ourselves standing on the afternoon side of the hill before we know it. These wrestlers achieved success pretending to be someone other than themselves and achieved superstardom complete with all of the excesses that came with such a life in the 1980’s, and I ate it up. The wrestlers tough backgrounds, struggles, and lack of transferrable skills led many of them to the deaths of despair, and these struggles are well documented. I am at the age that many of these guys were when their declines happened, and I can relate to the ups and downs of making sense of life with out the rush that comes with striving to establish and maintain your place in your profession. Awesome book, deeply researched, and loaded with messages both intended and perhaps not intended.
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