What do you think?
Rate this book
The Wrestling Observer Complete Collection: 1989 Part 1
The first in the new WRESTLING OBSERVER COMPLETE COLLECTION series in which the Wrestling Observer Newsletters are reprinted in full, chronologically.
In this 1989 (Part 1) edition you will find every issue of the world-famous Wrestling Observer Newsletter from January through to June 1989, reprinted in full for the first time ever. Included
In this 1989 (Part 1) edition you will find every issue of the world-famous Wrestling Observer Newsletter from January through to June 1989, reprinted in full for the first time ever. Included
347 pages, Paperback
Published September 11, 2023
53 people are currently reading
10 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
December 26, 2023
Apart from one Saturday afternoon in 1986, when the World Wrestling Federation took over ITV Wrestling for an episode, 1989 was the year I was introduced to American professional wrestling.
With that prefaced, it seems perfect for me that Dave Meltzer's decision to republish old issues of his Wrestling Observer Newsletter started off with the release of every issue from '89.
I didn't get to start watching the WWF shows until late-August when we had satellite TV installed, but it was interesting to read all the backstage news leading up to the period where I first came across WWF programming on my TV.
It isn't just the WWF covered in these lengthy issues. Meltzer covers companies from all over the world.
I was particularly interested in reading how Meltzer covered the Japanese business back then. I would have been three or four years off from watching my first Japanese tapes at that time in my life.
Another thing I enjoyed reading in this collection was the sections for the readers to write in. I noticed a lot of names from those correspondences who would end up going on to work in pro wrestling.
1989 is the year Hulk Hogan's movie - No Holds Barred - came out. It was intriguing to read the coverage of its release and how it fared at the box office (and later on videotape and PPV). I always assumed the movie bombed and was the reason why Vince McMahon shied away from making movies for many years.
However, I feel history has been rewritten. These 1989 issues prove that the film didn't do too badly in its opening weeks. It may not have done well for McMahon (the WWF reportedly broke even), but I am sure the film companies did okay out of NHB despite competing against some summer blockbusters like Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade.
That is one of many take aways I have from the journey back to '89 through this collection. It is a must have for wrestling fans interested in the history of the business.
With that prefaced, it seems perfect for me that Dave Meltzer's decision to republish old issues of his Wrestling Observer Newsletter started off with the release of every issue from '89.
I didn't get to start watching the WWF shows until late-August when we had satellite TV installed, but it was interesting to read all the backstage news leading up to the period where I first came across WWF programming on my TV.
It isn't just the WWF covered in these lengthy issues. Meltzer covers companies from all over the world.
I was particularly interested in reading how Meltzer covered the Japanese business back then. I would have been three or four years off from watching my first Japanese tapes at that time in my life.
Another thing I enjoyed reading in this collection was the sections for the readers to write in. I noticed a lot of names from those correspondences who would end up going on to work in pro wrestling.
1989 is the year Hulk Hogan's movie - No Holds Barred - came out. It was intriguing to read the coverage of its release and how it fared at the box office (and later on videotape and PPV). I always assumed the movie bombed and was the reason why Vince McMahon shied away from making movies for many years.
However, I feel history has been rewritten. These 1989 issues prove that the film didn't do too badly in its opening weeks. It may not have done well for McMahon (the WWF reportedly broke even), but I am sure the film companies did okay out of NHB despite competing against some summer blockbusters like Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade.
That is one of many take aways I have from the journey back to '89 through this collection. It is a must have for wrestling fans interested in the history of the business.
July 12, 2025
Solid Collection
As someone who didn't start reading the Observer until 1993, this particular volume fills in many gaps and offers intriguing insights.
As someone who didn't start reading the Observer until 1993, this particular volume fills in many gaps and offers intriguing insights.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews