Wrestling at the Chase: The Inside Story of Sam Muchnick and the Legends of Professional Wrestling

by Larry Matysik

Wrestling at the Chase is a fond, informative, amusing, and even poignant look at the who’s who of professional wrestling and legendary St. Louis promoter Sam Muchnick. St. Louis was the capital, and Muchnick the ruler of professional wrestling, before Vince McMahon’s World Wrestling Entertainment took over. What happened in St. Louis paved the way for today’s multi-billion-dollar sports entertainment industry. The centrepiece of this magical operation was “Wrestling at the Chase,” a television program which broadcast from 1959 to 1983 from the majestic Chase Hotel. Larry Matysik was Muchnick’s protégé and longtime announcer for the television show. With an insider’s eye for detail and accuracy, he recalls funny and amazingly touching tales about the characters who created professional wrestling as we know it. Ric Flair, “King Kong” Brody, Dick “the Bruiser,” the Von Erichs, Lou Thesz, Gene Kiniski, Pat O’Connor, Johnny Valentine, Dick Murdoch, Harley Race, Buddy Rogers, Jack Brisco, and Andre the Giant are all prominently featured. So is Muchnick himself, the Damon Runyan of wrestling, a man who helped mould the bizarre business of circus and sport. The savage twists of the politics of wrestling are on display as well, particularly the changes that rocked the mat world during the early ’80s.

Genres: Sports, Biography, Nonfiction

232 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 2005

About the author

Larry Matysik was a legendary wrestling announcer.

Reviews

[Dan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Larry Matysik takes us on a trip inside the inner workings of pro wrestling in St. Louis from the 50's until its demise in 1984, telling stories about such legendary pro wrestlers as Harley Race, Lou Thesz, and Dick Murdoch.

Here's a confession. I was a pro wrestling fan from age five until probably age thirty. And being a Missourian, I still have memories of Wrestling at the Chase. This book is loaded with interesting stories and anecdotes of what went on behind the scenes of what was, at one time, the most important show in the most important territory in wrestling. It's a must-read for any wrestling fan.

[Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m a big fan of NWA wrestling and loved this nostalgic look at Wrestling in St Louis which was promoted by the founder of the NWA Sam Muschnick. Loved the stories of the wrestlers who came thru, which was a who’s who of wrestling from the 40’s to the early 80’s, Ric Flair, Harley Race, Bruiser Brody, David Von Erich and others.

[David Quattrocchi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love letter to the glue that held together the owners union that was the NWA. Unexpected twist: You'll wanna watch Dick the Bruiser matches. What you already knew: Vince, Jr. monopolized the mainstream wrestling scene, and here's one of his greatest casualties. Recommended if you like: easy breezy narratives of pro wrestling's recent past that makes the heroes and the villains all look like good guys. Except maybe Blackjack Mulligan.

[Lance Lumley · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book about some of the history of the St. Louis wrestling territory, which I only knew about via the Stanley Weston wrestling magazines in the 1980s-1990s. The book not only covers some of the great legends like Bobby Heenan, Bruno Sammartino, and others, but the author's relationship with the promoter Sam Muchnick. There is a heartwarming friendship and respect the writer gives to the promoter, along with his friendship with wrestler Bruiser Brody as well. This book is not just wrestling stories, but also about friendships and a man who worked hard to move up in a career that he was in love with.
For an in depth review, go to my page at : https://lancewrites.wordpress.com/201...

[Brandon Mudd · Rating 5 out of 5]

A heartfelt love letter to St. Louis wrestling

I grew up on Wrestling at the Chase & had the chance to meet Larry later in life. He still had the youthful exuberance & joy for wrestling he had as the show’s lead announcer & I’ll always remember those meetings fondly. This book represents everything I loved about wrestling growing up in the 70s & is a must-read for anyone who loved & still loves old-school NWA wrestling.

[Matt Murphy · Rating 5 out of 5]

In a business full of shady characters, St. Louis promoter and NWA pioneer Sam Muchnick was in a class of his own. By all accounts, he ran one of the finest territories in the world, bringing class and prestige to the arenas and treating fans with utmost respect.

Matysik, who worked side-by-side with Muchnick for many years, is an outstanding storyteller who brings a gone-but-not-forgotten territory back to life in Wrestling at the Chase. His passion for St. Louis wrestling is apparent on paper and his book will hopefully keep the memories of St. Louis wrestling alive.

[Mark James · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading about the old days of St Louis wrestling. The author (Matysik) was there for many of the years it existed and does a wonderful job of telling the story of a great promotions glory days and later decline.

[Patrick · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best wrestling books ever

[Brad · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ah, the memories!

[David Cassidy · Rating 5 out of 5]

very detailed on st louis being king of nwa and how much better the fans got their moneys worth,back in the day. Wrestlers were in it to give a good show