Professional wrestling is an art. Yes, it can be ridiculous with its over-the-top storylines, silly characters, and absolutely cringe moments on television that make even the most diehard fan want to cover their head with a paper bag. But it’s also enthralling, captivating, and emotionally complex, sometimes taking years for a story to finally come to fruition. It’s full of heartbreak, desire, despair, and triumph, all while mixing in the most incredible athleticism you’ll ever see. There’s nothing like it, and when the wrestling bug bites you it’s often for forever, as was the case for a young Rebecca Quin who would go on to become one of the greatest professional wrestlers and WWE Superstars of all time.
“Becky Lynch: The Man: Not Your Average, Average Girl” by Rebecca Quin is a fantastic memoir written from the perspective of someone who chased her greatest desire all the way to the top of her industry. The journey to the top was not easy, however, with many pitfalls and swerves that made it seem like she would never get her break. Starting her career in Ireland where pro-wrestling training was basically non-existent, Becky took the hard route from day one. Despite these shortcomings she managed to make a name for herself on the independent scene before a mix of injuries, bad timing, and too much too soon took her out of the industry she loved for seven years.
I must admit, I was pretty impressed with Rebecca’s writing style. Most wrestling personalities rely on cowriters or even ghost writers to tell their stories, but Rebecca (as is her style) chose to do it the hard way and pen the entire book herself. Much like her hero Mick Foley, Rebecca’s book is entirely in her own words. She doesn’t hold back when it comes to potential controversial topics, allowing the reader to experience her life through her eyes, while also being willing to show her faults. It’s a welcome breath of fresh air coming from a talent whose livelihood is wrapped up in the audience’s perception of who she is, but her frankness makes her all the more endearing.
While reading memoirs, especially wrestling related ones, I try to put my fandom aside and look at the work objectively. I ripped through this book at a heavy pace, only being unable to finish it for reasons that were out of the books control. But if I were able to, I would have read it all in one sitting. Becky’s voice is very distinct, and her prose is easy to read and paced incredibly well. As far as wrestling memoirs go, this is about as good as it gets. Aside from Mick Foley’s “Have a Nice Day!” I can’t even think of another one of its contemporaries I enjoyed more. If you’re looking for a unique journey into the world of professional wrestling, written by a person who has a real knack for writing, and has a story full of twists and turns that will keep you engaged I highly recommend picking up this book. It’s a must read for any WWE fan.