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The Gimmick
A PRO-WRESTLING SLASHER NOVELLAWashed-up and aging professional wrestler Eddie Vance is chasing his last shot at relevance when he discovers a mask in an empty locker after taking another loss in the ring. Eddie’s body is breaking down, he is estranged from his family, struggling financially and addicted to painkillers. But when he wears the mask, he is Revenant, a strong and powerful monster in the ring.
His new persona and mask isn’t just a gimmick however, it has its own thirst for destruction. Every time Eddie puts on the mask the line between performance and violence quickly blurs. The fans can’t get enough and Eddie can’t stop it.
As the bodies begin to pile up and Eddie’s sanity starts to unravel, he is faced with a decision. Retire from professional wrestling and reunite with his family or chase the superstardom he has always desperately desired.
In the world of professional wrestling they say “the show must go on.” But for Eddie Vance the final bell may have already tolled.
His new persona and mask isn’t just a gimmick however, it has its own thirst for destruction. Every time Eddie puts on the mask the line between performance and violence quickly blurs. The fans can’t get enough and Eddie can’t stop it.
As the bodies begin to pile up and Eddie’s sanity starts to unravel, he is faced with a decision. Retire from professional wrestling and reunite with his family or chase the superstardom he has always desperately desired.
In the world of professional wrestling they say “the show must go on.” But for Eddie Vance the final bell may have already tolled.
125 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 3, 2026
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5 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
January 4, 2026
Eddie has seen better days. Hooked on pills and chasing his former glory, he is pushing his body to the absolute limits, in an attempt to stay relevant. Not only ignoring his health but, also, the commitment to be there for his daughter, Addie, and Laura, the mother of his child, and his love. Eddie finds a mask, almost like a luchador demon mask (I imagined it as looking like a bit of a mix of La Parka, Psycosis, and Bray Wyatt's The Fiend), and he is instantly drawn to it. Even though it seems a bit sinister, Eddie tries on the mask. The mask seems to give him increased vitality, stamina, and strength, but it comes with a blood lust that seems unquenchable. Sporting his new ring attire, Eddie Vance becomes Revenant, a gimmick given to him by TWA promotor, Jasper, in an attempt to give Eddie the final push that he wants. However, along the way, the world of Kayfabe, and reality begin to collide, and works become shoots, as everyone who opposes Revenant end up on the shelf. Match, after match, the stakes get higher, as the stipulations become more hardcore, and as the brutality increases, so does the power that the mask holds over Eddie's very soul. How far can Eddie take this gimmick before it destroys him? Can he fight his demons? I absolutely loved this! Any book that starts out with a quote from the late, great Bray Wyatt aka Windham Rotunda (R.I.P.) is absolutely worth a read. Not just for the fact that it introduced something very unique to my reading experience, but the content really speaks to me, as not only a horror fan, but a professional wrestling/sports entertainment fan, as well. I really enjoyed all of the lingo used, being a hardcore fan, that really spoke to me. The mention of Jelly Roll on the radio, I loved that because we all know Jelly Roll can go in the ring. The focus on addiction, and being far from your family really added a great authentic touch, as these are the really dark parts of the business. I absolutely recommend this, and would reread!
5⭐/5
5⭐/5
December 29, 2025
First off I wanna say I grew up watching wrestling whether it was WWE, WCW, Saturday morning Memphis wrestling. So this book was right up my alley because it took two of my favorite things wrestling and horror so I jumped at a chance to read this as an ARC. I honestly can say that I wasn’t disappointed.
The story centers on Eddie, an experienced wrestler who finds a mysterious message and mask in his locker after the show. This was a quick and engaging read that drew me in right away. The author's use of graphic descriptions to depict the main character's brutal acts of torture was particularly striking.
The story centers on Eddie, an experienced wrestler who finds a mysterious message and mask in his locker after the show. This was a quick and engaging read that drew me in right away. The author's use of graphic descriptions to depict the main character's brutal acts of torture was particularly striking.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Eddie Vance is a washed-up, pill-popping, aging pro wrestler. When he discovers a mysterious mask, he puts it on and suddenly feels powerful. Soon, he’s winning every fight—both in the ring and out. But the victories come at a cost, and before long, Eddie isn’t sure if he’s in control… or if the mask is.
I’m not a big wrestling fan. It’s never really appealed to me, and I won’t lie—I’ve always found it kind of dumb (don’t come at me, I bite). Still, the cover pulled me in, even though I was worried I wouldn’t enjoy it. Turns out, I was pleasantly surprised. While wrestling is the main focus, the story also leans into slasher territory—and we all know how much I love a slasher. It’s a short read, but well worth it. The fights are brutal, and it left me wanting more by the end.
I’m not a big wrestling fan. It’s never really appealed to me, and I won’t lie—I’ve always found it kind of dumb (don’t come at me, I bite). Still, the cover pulled me in, even though I was worried I wouldn’t enjoy it. Turns out, I was pleasantly surprised. While wrestling is the main focus, the story also leans into slasher territory—and we all know how much I love a slasher. It’s a short read, but well worth it. The fights are brutal, and it left me wanting more by the end.
January 3, 2026
Obviously right?
Now that release day is upon us, I wanted to say thank you to the ARC reviewers that took a chance on The Gimmick and left reviews on socials. I appreciate every one of you.
The Gimmick is my love letter to both professional wrestling and the slasher genre. I hope you enjoy it as much as I enjoyed writing it.
“You know it’s fake right?” 0.0
Now that release day is upon us, I wanted to say thank you to the ARC reviewers that took a chance on The Gimmick and left reviews on socials. I appreciate every one of you.
The Gimmick is my love letter to both professional wrestling and the slasher genre. I hope you enjoy it as much as I enjoyed writing it.
“You know it’s fake right?” 0.0
November 24, 2025
Perfect for horror fans who are also into their wrestling, The Gimmick is a fast paced addictive page turner of a novella that kept me engaged right through to the surprising end.
Growing up in the 90's, wrestling was a staple in my household and remains so to this day so when books come along that combine two of my favorite things in the world, I jumped at the chance at reading this one and I wasn't disappointed.
The story follows an aging wrestler, Eddie who finds a mask along with a message in his locker backstage after a wrestling show. Curious, he decides to try it out and suddenly, his in-ring career takes a whole new path when the Revenant persona is born. He quickly rises through the ranks of wrestling popularity but it comes at a huge cost as the true cost behind wearing the mask is revealed.
I had a blast reading this one. You can easily see that the author is fan of wrestling and horror both in the way it comes across in his writing and it ends up being a love letter to both of them. You don't need to be a wrestling fan to read it but it does help as there are some terms and references to moves in there that fans will appreciate. It also takes the troubled history of addiction in wrestlers and uses it to great effect, highlighting the trouble some had trying to balance fame, love of the sport, family and managing mental/physical pain.
This is definitely one you don't want to miss if you are a horror loving wrestling fan.
Growing up in the 90's, wrestling was a staple in my household and remains so to this day so when books come along that combine two of my favorite things in the world, I jumped at the chance at reading this one and I wasn't disappointed.
The story follows an aging wrestler, Eddie who finds a mask along with a message in his locker backstage after a wrestling show. Curious, he decides to try it out and suddenly, his in-ring career takes a whole new path when the Revenant persona is born. He quickly rises through the ranks of wrestling popularity but it comes at a huge cost as the true cost behind wearing the mask is revealed.
I had a blast reading this one. You can easily see that the author is fan of wrestling and horror both in the way it comes across in his writing and it ends up being a love letter to both of them. You don't need to be a wrestling fan to read it but it does help as there are some terms and references to moves in there that fans will appreciate. It also takes the troubled history of addiction in wrestlers and uses it to great effect, highlighting the trouble some had trying to balance fame, love of the sport, family and managing mental/physical pain.
This is definitely one you don't want to miss if you are a horror loving wrestling fan.
December 1, 2025
As a horror fan who loves wrestling, this book was able to hit all the right moves for me. It really felt like you were living the life of a wrestler going through not only his addictions, but the trials and hardships that this lifestyle can place on a person.
The struggle to find your way in this world and to do what is right plays so heavy in this book, that when Eddie is faced with a choice and he come to grips with what he has chosen, he then must face the true horror of what can and could be. If you are looking for a quick read that plays into both the world of pro wrestling and horror, this is the book for you.
I was given an early copy to read in exchange for an honest review
The struggle to find your way in this world and to do what is right plays so heavy in this book, that when Eddie is faced with a choice and he come to grips with what he has chosen, he then must face the true horror of what can and could be. If you are looking for a quick read that plays into both the world of pro wrestling and horror, this is the book for you.
I was given an early copy to read in exchange for an honest review
November 13, 2025
The cover of this book caught my eye and I had to read it!! As a young person I remember huddling around the television with my dad and brothers watching professional wrestling, cheering on our faves, booing others, and expertly dismissing the “wrestling’s fake crowd.” My siblings and I spent hours perfecting our moves as we mimicked our heroes.
Eddie, an aging wrestler, is fighting to remain relevant in the wrestling world when he finds a mask. It’s a showdown between Eddie, his Persona, the lengths some will go chasing their dreams and the legacy left behind. With a nod to 1990-2000s wrestling, this book was a fun, gory, Heart Punch of a read that will keep in a headlock until the last page!
Eddie, an aging wrestler, is fighting to remain relevant in the wrestling world when he finds a mask. It’s a showdown between Eddie, his Persona, the lengths some will go chasing their dreams and the legacy left behind. With a nod to 1990-2000s wrestling, this book was a fun, gory, Heart Punch of a read that will keep in a headlock until the last page!
November 9, 2025
A quick read that immediately pulls you in. If you’re a wrestling fan this book is definitely for you! I loved the aspect of Eddie, the main character, struggling with addiction. It is a huge part of the wrestling world and I’m glad the author included that struggle. The book had me on my toes at the end with a major twist! I was NOT expecting that ending.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews