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Grappler: Memoirs of a Masked Madman
He defeated Andre the Giant in the New Orleans Superdome and helped Jake "The Snake" Roberts invent the DDT. He tutored The Ultimate Warrior and strangled Bret Hart with a dead chicken. This is the true story of pro wrestling's overlooked legend. GRAPPLER chronicles the rags to almost-riches journey of Lynn "The Grappler" Denton. A star of pro wrestling's territorial era, Denton worked alongside the biggest names of the 1980s. Readers will learn about his adventures with ring icons such as Roddy Piper, Ric Flair and Harley Race. In addition, GRAPPLER features previously untold stories involving Bill Goldberg, Junkyard Dog, Ted Dibiase, Rick Rude, Curt Hennig and countless others. Denton also gives wrestling fans a behind-the-scenes look at several legendary promotions, including Mid-South, World Class, Memphis and Portland Wrestling. The book chronicles the territories' "glory days," and offers a ringside seat for their demise. From Denton's humble beginnings in a Texas dance hall, to the bright lights of the "Monday Night Wars," this is the story of one man chasing his dream through 35 years of wrestling history. With a foreword from WWE legend "Rowdy" Roddy Piper, GRAPPLER is a must have for any fan who wants to learn about the unsung heroes of professional wrestling. This humorous and heartfelt autobiography is proof that not every legend wears a Hall of Fame ring.
240 pages, Paperback
First published July 12, 2014
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143 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
September 1, 2014
Grappler: Memoirs of a Masked Madman is the biography of pro-wrestler Lynn Denton, aka The Grappler.
Unlike most of the wrestling bios I've read, I've never actually seen The Grappler wrestle. What I know of him, I gleaned from wrestling magazines back in the day. This book makes me wish I'd seen him in action during his prime.
The way I normally gauge how much I'm going to enjoy a wrestling book is by how much time is devoted to his pre-wrestling life. I think this one went less than 3% by the time the Grappler was in the ring. My attention was bear-hugged almost immediately.
This book is surprisingly funny. Denton's self-deprecating sense of humor sets this appart from most wrestling books. Lines like "After a year of lifting weights, I put on fifty pounds of muscle thanks to Porkchop's training methods. That and the steroids" pepper the text. I don't think I would be exaggerating by saying every page has at least one smile- or chuckle-inducing line.
The book covers The Grappler's humble beginnings as plain old Lynn Denton, to his days with Bill Watts, the Funks, the Crocketts, and the Stampede territory, to his transformation into The Grappler and making $3000 a week headlining for Bill Watts at age 22. And then quitting Watts' territory when he found out how much more The Junkyard Dog was making per week.
From there, The Grappler was on the road again, eventually making it back to Bill Watts' Mid-South, then to World Class to work with Bruiser Brody, the Von Erichs, and Rick Rude, to Kansas City with Harley Race, eventually ending up in Portland, where he would finish his career.
Unlike a lot of wrestling books, Denton doesn't make himself sound like the best thing to come along since sliced Lou Thesz. He freely admits to some bonehead moves that hurt him personally and/or financially in the long run. The honesty plus the sense of humor makes this wrestling book several cuts above all the rest.
It's hard to pin down what my favorite moments in the book were. His reaction when he found out he and his partner were going to win a tag match against Dusty Rhodes and Andre the Giant, his final match in Kansas City with Harley Race, and working with Bruiser Brody are all pretty memorable. I also loved how free he was when talking about where he borrowed the various bits of the Grappler persona from.
For my money, Grappler is now the measuring stick against all future wrestling biographies will be measured. Five out of five loaded boots to the head.
Unlike most of the wrestling bios I've read, I've never actually seen The Grappler wrestle. What I know of him, I gleaned from wrestling magazines back in the day. This book makes me wish I'd seen him in action during his prime.
The way I normally gauge how much I'm going to enjoy a wrestling book is by how much time is devoted to his pre-wrestling life. I think this one went less than 3% by the time the Grappler was in the ring. My attention was bear-hugged almost immediately.
This book is surprisingly funny. Denton's self-deprecating sense of humor sets this appart from most wrestling books. Lines like "After a year of lifting weights, I put on fifty pounds of muscle thanks to Porkchop's training methods. That and the steroids" pepper the text. I don't think I would be exaggerating by saying every page has at least one smile- or chuckle-inducing line.
The book covers The Grappler's humble beginnings as plain old Lynn Denton, to his days with Bill Watts, the Funks, the Crocketts, and the Stampede territory, to his transformation into The Grappler and making $3000 a week headlining for Bill Watts at age 22. And then quitting Watts' territory when he found out how much more The Junkyard Dog was making per week.
From there, The Grappler was on the road again, eventually making it back to Bill Watts' Mid-South, then to World Class to work with Bruiser Brody, the Von Erichs, and Rick Rude, to Kansas City with Harley Race, eventually ending up in Portland, where he would finish his career.
Unlike a lot of wrestling books, Denton doesn't make himself sound like the best thing to come along since sliced Lou Thesz. He freely admits to some bonehead moves that hurt him personally and/or financially in the long run. The honesty plus the sense of humor makes this wrestling book several cuts above all the rest.
It's hard to pin down what my favorite moments in the book were. His reaction when he found out he and his partner were going to win a tag match against Dusty Rhodes and Andre the Giant, his final match in Kansas City with Harley Race, and working with Bruiser Brody are all pretty memorable. I also loved how free he was when talking about where he borrowed the various bits of the Grappler persona from.
For my money, Grappler is now the measuring stick against all future wrestling biographies will be measured. Five out of five loaded boots to the head.
September 4, 2014
Lynn Denton’s The Grappler: Memoirs of a Masked Madman is the Forrest Gump of wrestling books. The man may not have been known on the world stage, but he was around during one of the biggest eras in wrestling interacting with some of the biggest names in the industry.
Although he worked with household names like The Ultimate Warrior, Andre the Giant, Jake the Snake Roberts and Goldberg, he didn’t achieve super-stardom in the big leagues (World Wrestling Federation or World Championship Wrestling). His true success came within regional territories like Mid-South Wrestling, World Class Championship Wrestling (WCCW) and Don Owen’s Portland territory.
You get the sense that Denton’s a very humble man who shows no signs of ego, he’s appreciative for all the opportunities he’s had and offers candid opinions on those he worked with. The book has a very conversational tone, almost like Denton is telling you his life story over a beer.
The book is filled with great stories about working for Stu Hart up in Calgary (a great Owen Hart story as well), performing in front of forty thousand plus fans in the New Orleans Superdome and his time as booker in Portland, Oregon (wrestlers can be a temperamental lot). There’s a lot crammed into these nearly three hundred pages and not once did I feel it really dragged.
Coming from someone who considers himself a big fan of the industry, I’d never heard of The Grappler before picking up this book and I’m glad I took the time to sit down and read his story. While it doesn't have the built in audience Bret Hart, Mick Foley or Chris Jericho would have with their books, it deserves a look from any wrestling fan who is interested in a career spent outside the grip of Vince McMahon.
Also posted @ Every Read Thing.
Although he worked with household names like The Ultimate Warrior, Andre the Giant, Jake the Snake Roberts and Goldberg, he didn’t achieve super-stardom in the big leagues (World Wrestling Federation or World Championship Wrestling). His true success came within regional territories like Mid-South Wrestling, World Class Championship Wrestling (WCCW) and Don Owen’s Portland territory.
You get the sense that Denton’s a very humble man who shows no signs of ego, he’s appreciative for all the opportunities he’s had and offers candid opinions on those he worked with. The book has a very conversational tone, almost like Denton is telling you his life story over a beer.
The book is filled with great stories about working for Stu Hart up in Calgary (a great Owen Hart story as well), performing in front of forty thousand plus fans in the New Orleans Superdome and his time as booker in Portland, Oregon (wrestlers can be a temperamental lot). There’s a lot crammed into these nearly three hundred pages and not once did I feel it really dragged.
Coming from someone who considers himself a big fan of the industry, I’d never heard of The Grappler before picking up this book and I’m glad I took the time to sit down and read his story. While it doesn't have the built in audience Bret Hart, Mick Foley or Chris Jericho would have with their books, it deserves a look from any wrestling fan who is interested in a career spent outside the grip of Vince McMahon.
Also posted @ Every Read Thing.
April 7, 2020
A wrestler who almost made it big, but never quite made it to national acclaim tells his story.
Chock full of information about how the business works, and of personal stories.
Highly recommended for any wrestling fan.
Chock full of information about how the business works, and of personal stories.
Highly recommended for any wrestling fan.
December 17, 2014
Denton’s easy-going, easy-reading wrestling memoir is great fun. Started and finished in a day, the 230 or so pages fly by as Denton tells stories about his experiences with most of the major stars of the 1970s and 80s.
Whether it’s Abdullah the Butcher saving his career, accidentally inventing the DDT with Jake Roberts or driving Ric Flair around the Carolinas, Denton’s recollections are mostly funny, sometimes oddly touching, and never feel like pointless name-dropping. There’s some fascinating stuff about dealing with the notorious Oregon State Athletic Commission and a story about a monumentally angry Flair that’s worth the purchase price all by itself.
Far more positive than most wrestling books, ‘the Grappler’, despite a long career in the final years of the territories, and the usual injuries, seems to have emerged relatively unscathed, mentally and emotionally, accepting his own limitations and mistakes, blaming no-one else for his difficulties, and just enjoying the fact he had some success and earned the respect of his peers.
True, he skates over some of the more unpleasant aspects of the business (steroids are briefly mentioned and justified) and not every story or stat rings true (did he really work so many hour-long matches in front of sellout crowds?) but his story feels authentic, and told in his own words.
Whether it’s Abdullah the Butcher saving his career, accidentally inventing the DDT with Jake Roberts or driving Ric Flair around the Carolinas, Denton’s recollections are mostly funny, sometimes oddly touching, and never feel like pointless name-dropping. There’s some fascinating stuff about dealing with the notorious Oregon State Athletic Commission and a story about a monumentally angry Flair that’s worth the purchase price all by itself.
Far more positive than most wrestling books, ‘the Grappler’, despite a long career in the final years of the territories, and the usual injuries, seems to have emerged relatively unscathed, mentally and emotionally, accepting his own limitations and mistakes, blaming no-one else for his difficulties, and just enjoying the fact he had some success and earned the respect of his peers.
True, he skates over some of the more unpleasant aspects of the business (steroids are briefly mentioned and justified) and not every story or stat rings true (did he really work so many hour-long matches in front of sellout crowds?) but his story feels authentic, and told in his own words.
October 9, 2019
Laughter is the best medicine.
Having heard so much about the Grappler from my husband, El Rojo, and finally meeting Lynn in person, reading this book give me more insight into Lynn. Initially I have to say, yes! I was rather star struck. However through all the stories I have heard, never once have I heard about the loaded boot. I was told about his injury and that he had a raised boot, but I gotta say honestly, I really thought it was from the injury. My hubby just got through a monster belly laugh when informed about that! This book, it was written perfectly! Reading it was just like visiting with family and listening to their wild stories in the the living room. I had to stop many times just to laugh and laugh hard. Sometimes wiping my eyes from the laughing tears! Now I have to buy the book and donate to the Grapplers retirement fund. A special request from my loving Rojo! The book is available on Amazon, thank you God! Now I still watch wrestling mind you, and this revealing book has taken nothing from my enjoyment of this sport. Wrestling is not fake. If you think so, have one of those tough guys DDT you! Then tell me if the pain is fake.....love the book!!!
Having heard so much about the Grappler from my husband, El Rojo, and finally meeting Lynn in person, reading this book give me more insight into Lynn. Initially I have to say, yes! I was rather star struck. However through all the stories I have heard, never once have I heard about the loaded boot. I was told about his injury and that he had a raised boot, but I gotta say honestly, I really thought it was from the injury. My hubby just got through a monster belly laugh when informed about that! This book, it was written perfectly! Reading it was just like visiting with family and listening to their wild stories in the the living room. I had to stop many times just to laugh and laugh hard. Sometimes wiping my eyes from the laughing tears! Now I have to buy the book and donate to the Grapplers retirement fund. A special request from my loving Rojo! The book is available on Amazon, thank you God! Now I still watch wrestling mind you, and this revealing book has taken nothing from my enjoyment of this sport. Wrestling is not fake. If you think so, have one of those tough guys DDT you! Then tell me if the pain is fake.....love the book!!!
April 30, 2019
Outstanding read!!
I've read several autobiographies of some of the biggest names ever in professional wrestling, and this ranks right up there with the best of them. It's honest, compelling, and hard to put down. Anyone who grew up a fan of the glory days of territorial wrestling will enjoy the Grappler's fantastic tale of hard knocks and underrated glory. I can't recommend this one enough! An honest peek behind the curtain of kayfabe without any corporate spin. A must have addition to any true fan's collection.
I've read several autobiographies of some of the biggest names ever in professional wrestling, and this ranks right up there with the best of them. It's honest, compelling, and hard to put down. Anyone who grew up a fan of the glory days of territorial wrestling will enjoy the Grappler's fantastic tale of hard knocks and underrated glory. I can't recommend this one enough! An honest peek behind the curtain of kayfabe without any corporate spin. A must have addition to any true fan's collection.
August 28, 2014
A must read for all wrestling fans. Great insight and a real cool picture of the territory days. Looking forward to book two.
August 18, 2025
This is my kind of wrestling book. The Grappler, Lynn Denton, worked for just about every major wrestling territory around in the 70s into the 90s. While he never had a big run in the WWE or worked for the McMahon’s, he is full of magnificent wrestling stories. If there was a big name who came up in the territory days, chances are he’s worked with them. Because of this, I absolutely loved every page of this book. It’s written with humor, intelligence, and a real sense of history.
My only issue with this book is that it was way too short. I could have read another 200 pages of Lynn Denton stories. He’s a rarity in the wrestling business: a lifer who was respected by his peers and known within the industry, but he walked away with his sanity intact.
He discusses his career honestly as he doesn’t make himself out to be the biggest star of all time, and he also isn’t bitter or angry about anything. He’s earned a lot of respect in the business, and it’s easy to see why. He’s effortlessly likable, and he loves the wrestling business.
I’d love to sit down with Lynn Denton and pick his brain about working in various wrestling territories. This book is highly recommended for old-school wrestling fans.
My only issue with this book is that it was way too short. I could have read another 200 pages of Lynn Denton stories. He’s a rarity in the wrestling business: a lifer who was respected by his peers and known within the industry, but he walked away with his sanity intact.
He discusses his career honestly as he doesn’t make himself out to be the biggest star of all time, and he also isn’t bitter or angry about anything. He’s earned a lot of respect in the business, and it’s easy to see why. He’s effortlessly likable, and he loves the wrestling business.
I’d love to sit down with Lynn Denton and pick his brain about working in various wrestling territories. This book is highly recommended for old-school wrestling fans.
August 3, 2019
So - I'm a sucker for a good wrestling biography/autobiography. There's been some excellent books about world-famous wrestler (or "sports entertainers". . .if you will) and there's been some TERRIBLE ones. This one definitely falls into the EXCELLENT category.
While not as famous as the bigger names in his field from days of yore - Flair, Hogan, Savage, Piper - Lynn Denton is well known to those who remember the territory days. And while he may not have hit the big time for very long, Denton has crossed paths will all the greats.
The man knows how to tell a story. I was every bit as entertained with this book as I was with the Mick Foley or Jericho books - high-water marks in wrestling books in my opinion.
You may not recognize the name right off the bat, but pick this up and give it a read if you ever were into wrestling in the 80's or 90's. You WILL NOT be disappointed.
While not as famous as the bigger names in his field from days of yore - Flair, Hogan, Savage, Piper - Lynn Denton is well known to those who remember the territory days. And while he may not have hit the big time for very long, Denton has crossed paths will all the greats.
The man knows how to tell a story. I was every bit as entertained with this book as I was with the Mick Foley or Jericho books - high-water marks in wrestling books in my opinion.
You may not recognize the name right off the bat, but pick this up and give it a read if you ever were into wrestling in the 80's or 90's. You WILL NOT be disappointed.
January 23, 2022
This is a great autobiography about a guy working the independent circuit from the late 70s through the early 90s. If the Internet were around back in his day, Lynn Denton would have been a huge cult figure whose fans would hope that he doesn’t sign with the WWE as “their creative wouldn’t know what to do with a guy like him.” Instead, he’s a much smaller cult figure respected by old school fans and by tons of wrestlers who he worked with and help break into the business.
This is a great book for anyone who wants to learn about the territory system during a time in which the WWF started taking over. Added bonus, I found out that a coal miner’s glove on a pole match is a real thing…I always thought it was an exaggerated joke symbolizing the ridiculousness of gimmick matches!
This is a great book for anyone who wants to learn about the territory system during a time in which the WWF started taking over. Added bonus, I found out that a coal miner’s glove on a pole match is a real thing…I always thought it was an exaggerated joke symbolizing the ridiculousness of gimmick matches!
December 24, 2025
I moved to the Portland area around the same time as The Grappler showed up in Portland Wrestling, and religiously watched Portland Wrestling on TV, and in person when it came to my area. I have great memories of those days. What I didn't know is how he got there, and all the things he went through to get there. It was a great read, with some interesting stories. especially the behind the scenes of Portland wrestling bits, because I remembered all of it from the other side. I had a hard time putting it down. I highly recommend it to anyone that is interested in professional wrestling and wrestling history.
July 1, 2020
Awesome Book.... Better Guy!
Anyone who has an unapologetic love of pro wrestling HAS to read this book. Careers like the one The Grappler had are what made this sport what it was. His writing style is cool and laid back, and he is VERY self-deprecating and funny. Come for the history, but stay for the entertainment.
By the end of this book you will know why they call the best wrestler in the world THE GRAPPLER! Now read it if you can!
Anyone who has an unapologetic love of pro wrestling HAS to read this book. Careers like the one The Grappler had are what made this sport what it was. His writing style is cool and laid back, and he is VERY self-deprecating and funny. Come for the history, but stay for the entertainment.
By the end of this book you will know why they call the best wrestler in the world THE GRAPPLER! Now read it if you can!
August 20, 2019
I heard about this book on roddy pipers podcast several years ago. I’m furious I took this long to pick it up. The Grappler is a great story of a guy working mostly in the middle of the cars in the territories. A must read if you like wrestling book, and books about guys you’ve probably heard of in passing.
April 21, 2021
A fun and fanciful autobiography from an underused veteran who, in spite of his many achievements in the ring and with the book, never got his moment in the national spotlight. It can get a little Partridge at times but the many and various road stories and match accounts are heartwarming and entertaining at the very least.
April 8, 2020
Another book by a wrestler to fill in the blanks.
I feel that Lynn's book gives another peek past the kayfabe. It shows how Important angles are in the squared circle.If you want to get schooled,talk to the Grappler!Bravo!
I feel that Lynn's book gives another peek past the kayfabe. It shows how Important angles are in the squared circle.If you want to get schooled,talk to the Grappler!Bravo!
January 15, 2023
A tremendous wrestling book. Never read through a book so quickly. Its a must read and if you are a fan of Chris Jericho or Mick Foleys style of writing then this book is for defintley up your alley.
August 16, 2020
Great read. Highly recommend
Great book. Watched this guy when I was growing up. Found out a lot of the behind the scenes stuff.
Great book. Watched this guy when I was growing up. Found out a lot of the behind the scenes stuff.
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September 29, 2022Best wrestling memoirs book out there IMO I laughed in public and didn't care
February 9, 2015
A concise and well-written account of career midcarder Len Denton's mostly admirable life spent "putting over" bigger names, with an especially nice 30 or so pages about booking Don Owen's Portland promotion when it was on its last legs (the material about the creation of Oregon's boxing and wrestling commission is fascinating).
August 26, 2014
I have finally found a wrestling novel that is better than both of Jericho novels
April 30, 2015
And absolutely must read for anyone interested in the life of a wrestler and what he must face to pursue his dream.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews