How is wrestling fixed

Turns out it's a slippery slope from two wrestlers grappling in a believably competitive way until one deliberately takes a dive, to two wrestlers fighting over a magical funeral urn with one wrestler burying the other alive in a giant pile of dirt and then that dirt being struck by lightning to bring that wrestler back to life. This actually happened.

As the characters and storylines became more outlandish, the pretence to legitimacy was abandoned and today, the world's biggest wrestling promotion — the World Wrestling Entertainment WWE — has openly admitted that its wrestlers are performers engaging in storylines. But the deception dies hard and wrestling struggles to overcome the stigma of its sporting pretence and be accepted for its theatrical reality. You don't call Wuthering Heights or Star Wars "fake", you call it fiction.

Also, while the events in wrestling are staged, the physicality is real. Like stunt performers, wrestlers execute feats of athleticism, fly, collide with each other and the floor — all while staying in character. Unlike stunt performers, wrestlers perform these staged contests in one take, before a live audience.

The ultimate theatre in the round, great wrestling is part complex choreography and part improvisation — with wrestlers feeding off each other and the crowd to create a unique work of art. It all hurts. Everything we do is designed to minimise damage, but it's inevitable. A dentist knows how to drill but that doesn't mean drilling's not both painful and risky.

Likewise, we know how to hit each other and crash to the mat as safely as possible but things can still go wrong. Even when things go right, studies reveal the physical consequences of a match to be comparable to being in a small car accident. Even one time having a "match" in front of horrified strangers where Bill used fake blood on himself, making them think he had been busted open.

This all turned into Bill's faux wrestling organization, C. W Championship Office Wrestling and there are many funny stories about it, throughout the book. There's also some very interesting stories throughout the book that I had no clue about, like the one about how he helped Taz and Tommy Dreamer break into the business. A story about Curt Hennig getting him into a George Strait show just before he passed away.

Also, there are some revealing personal stories about Randy Savage, Hulk Hogan and how Apter is the reason why Andy Kaufman and Jerry Lawler met and began their legendary feud!

The book doesn't follow any set timeline; it will jump around from chapter to chapter. From Bill's early days, to something modern, to something in the mid-eighties and Bill explains the reasoning for that, early in the book.

Also, the book doesn't really get too deep into any one subject, but rather offers snapshots of Bill's legendary career. I think most wrestling fans will really enjoy this book, especially those like me who grew up reading Mr.

Apter's article and looking at all of his awesome pictures. Bill's humble nature makes you realize he's ultimately just a fan like us, that just happened to get lucky. Aug 31, Lance rated it it was amazing Shelves: blog , sports , arc , net-galley , wrestling. Review: If you have ever watched a professional wrestling show and noticed photographers that seemed to be part of the entertainment because they are so close to the ring, then you have may have seen the author of this book, Bill Apter.

He has been shooting pictures of wrestlers for various publications and websites for over 40 years. He is as well-known in the business as many wrestlers and executives.

Therefore, it is safe to say that he has pretty much seen it all when it comes to wrestling an Review: If you have ever watched a professional wrestling show and noticed photographers that seemed to be part of the entertainment because they are so close to the ring, then you have may have seen the author of this book, Bill Apter. Therefore, it is safe to say that he has pretty much seen it all when it comes to wrestling and he shares many of his experiences in this book.

It is simply a collection of stories told by Apter about all things wrestling. If the reader has any interest in professional wrestling, he or she is certain to learn something new here. Some of the stories will also bring memories back to the reader if he or she followed wrestling in past decades.

This is sure to be the effect on other long-time fans as well. Apter does include bits and pieces of his personal life, including a touching story about his parents. The vast majority of the book, however, is about his interaction with people in the wrestling business, whether for work or pleasure. No matter who Apter is talking about, the reader will be entertained and informed. An excellent book on the form of entertainment we know as professional wrestling.

I wish to thank ECW Press for providing an advance review copy of the book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Pace of the book: This was a very fast read, as it took me less than two hours. The format of shorter stories, along with plenty of pictures, made this book very easy to read.

The light-hearted mood of the book helps in this area as well Do I recommend? Apr 16, Ed rated it liked it. You would think a man who spent his life writing about wrestling could write a better book about his life in wrestling May 27, Jason rated it it was ok. Apter is nowhere near as funny, entertaining or important as he thinks he is.

Sep 01, Oliver Bateman rated it really liked it. The most important stuff concerns how Apter began working for Weston magazines, the heat he had with some promoters over those partially made-up stories, and how he pivoted after his long run with PWI and his short run with WOW came to an end he became a gig hustler, freelancing for various places, managing 1Wrestling, and working as a full-time career advisor for folks with physical and mental disabilities.

Feb 21, Joshua Jenkins rated it really liked it. I grew up in the Mid-Atlantic Jim Crockett area in the late 70's through the 90's. Stories from that era really peak my interest. Bill Apter's book is an excellent view into the wacky world of professional wrestling. His stories are varied across the landscape of the sport and they are always engaging. The book is not in chronological order. Instead, Bill takes us on a trip through his memories of working with some the most color characters ever to lace up a pair of wrestling boots.

I wouldn't call this an historical book about pro wrestling since we see only Bill's POV, but I would say that Bill takes us on a meaning trip to the past to help us understand the inner workings of the wrestling business. Highly recommended! Visit my blog at www. Mar 14, Timothy Bishop rated it it was amazing.

His stories from his childhood up to and thru his career are entertaining and admirable as he worked his was to becoming the BEST at what he did. Lots of funny stories in here too! Well written and very hard to put down. And he never once said a negative word about anyone! I grew up reading articles and stories by Bill Apter in the wrestling magazines. I was and still am a fan of Mr. Apter and his works. I bought it from Bill Apter himself and it is autographed.

Thank you Mr. May 17, Adam rated it it was amazing. This is my uncle's book! This collection of personal stories and anecdotes is a fun read if you're a huge pro wrestling fan or if you're a big Bill Apter fan. I am the latter. Beach Wrestling World Series Back to trending. Ambitious athlete line-up fixed for Italian Beach Wrestling debut. When wrestlers enter the ring, they already know who's going to be the winner, and the whole match is choreographed to that end.

Very much like a Broadway play. The difference between a wrestling match and a Broadway play, though, is that stunts can go terribly wrong in wrestling.

The most tragic example that comes to mind is that of Owen Hart, who died when his harness failed during a choreographed descent into the ring.