Michael Cavacini

An award-winning arts and culture blog.

Archive for the category “Pro Wrestling”

26 Jun 2020

Audible Review: Dusty by Dusty Rhodes

Dusty Rhodes is one of the most influential and successful professional wrestlers of all time. He was a force to be reckoned with in the NWA, WWF, and WCW, among the other wrestling promotions he’s been affiliated with. This book, Dusty, came out in 2005. Today, 15 years later, Dusty is no longer with us. In the book he talks about how his son Cody is out in Hollywood trying to be an actor. These parts made me laugh because Cody now runs and wrestles in one of the top professional wrestling promotions in the world. Considering Dusty died just 10 years after this book came out, I’m glad he took the time to write it as it would have been a shame if he hadn’t done so.

Posted in Books, Pro Wrestling, Review and tagged AEW, Autobiography, Book, Cody Rhodes, Dustin Rhodes, Dusty, Dusty Rhodes, Michael Cavacini, NWA, Review, WCW, WWF | Leave a comment

09 Jun 2020

Ultimate Warrior: A Life Lived Forever

The Ultimate Warrior was my favorite wrestler as a child. His colorful, high-energy, over-the-top persona grabbed my attention and captivated my imagination. There were mat tacticians, high-flyers, brawlers, and then there was the Ultimate Warrior. He was an amalgamation of styles, which made him unique. He had a more impressive physique than Hulk Hogan, colorful attire that rivaled Macho Man Randy Savage’s iconic outfits, and he could fly around the ring like in a way unlike anyone his size was doing. Unfortunately, Warrior’s life was cut short at the age of 54. He died on April 8, 2014. I saw him the day before. Thankfully, there are several ways to reflect on the man and his career, including Ultimate Warrior: A Life Lived Forever, a beautiful hardback book from Insight Editions.

06 Jun 2020

Audible Review: More Than Just Hardcore by Terry Funk

Terry Funk is one of the most influential wrestlers of all time. With a career spanning decades, you’d think that his autobiography, More Than Just Hardcore, would be fascinating. While this Audible Original was an easy and entertaining listen, it didn’t blow my mind. There weren’t any shocking revelations, dirt on other wrestlers, or anything of that nature. What you get here is the story of a man who is content with the life he’s lived. To me, that makes for an inspiring audiobook replete with life lessons.

02 Jun 2020

Audible Review: Best Seat In The House

From 2002 through most of 2014 Justin Roberts served as one of WWE’s ring announcers. Fans who watched WWE during that time period, no doubt, recognize his signature sound, including the way he’d elongate “Johnnnnnnn Ceeeeeena!” Roberts is now the man behind the mic at All Elite Wrestling, the hot upstart in the pro wrestling industry. However, if you’re interested in reading (or listening to) his journey through the world of WWE, Best Seat In The House is your opportunity to do so.

Posted in Books, Pro Wrestling, Review and tagged Audible, Audible Original, Book, Justin Roberts, Michael Cavacini, Pro Wrestling, Review, WWE | Leave a comment

01 Jun 2020

The Unofficial Wrestling Figure Retrospective 1990-1994

I am a big pro wrestling fan. Growing up in the 1990s means I have fond memories of the wildly popular WWF Hasbro action figures that came out during the first few years of that decade. Crazy, over-the-top commercials promoting the wild and wacky toys, including a miniature WWF ring where my tiny titans could battle it out to become the World Wrestling Federation Champion! It was a glorious time to be a fan, and I still own my WWF Hasbro figures. When I heard that a book came out celebrating these cherished WWF Hasbro figures, I knew I had to check it out. So, is this 388-page tome of pro wrestling action figures’ glory days worth buying? Read on for my thoughts on The Unofficial Wrestling Figure Retrospective 1990-1994.

29 May 2020

Audible Review: The Death of WCW

I grew up watching professional wrestling in the 1990s, during the famous Monday Night War between Vince McMahon’s World Wrestling Federation (now WWE) and Ted Turner’s World Championship Wrestling (WCW). It was an exciting time to be a fan, as I’d switch back and forth on Monday nights between WWF Monday Night Raw and WCW Monday Nitro to see what both promotions were serving up that week. Both WWF and WCW eventually created secondary prime-time shows, over-saturating the market with their content. And WCW suffered so greatly that it was bought up by Vince McMahon for far less than it was worth just a few years prior.

20 May 2020

WWE: Kicking Down Doors

WWE: Kicking Down Doors, a new book from DK, highlights the female superstars who are at the forefront of WWE’s Women’s Evolution. Relive the very first all-women pay-per-view event, discover how legends such as Wendi Richter, Chyna, and Lita proved their dominance in the ring and chart their progression from glamorous sidekicks to fierce and fabulous Divas to the powerful superstars of today. Celebrate the likes of “The Man” Becky Lynch, “The Queen” Charlotte Flair, Naomi, Nia Jax, and Ronda Rousey as they set a new gold standard in WWE.

29 Mar 2020

Book Review: Wrestling With Pixels

We are one week away from WrestleMania, and everyone is cooped up in their houses; so, now is a great time to revisit some epic professional wrestling video games. Not sure which ones to fire up? Wrestling With Pixels, a new 242-page book all about the history of pro wrestling video games, is your guide.

24 Mar 2020

Audible Review: Kayfabe by Sean Oliver

Are you a wrestling fan holed up in your house because of the Coronavirus? If so, then you’ve got plenty of time to catch up on great wrestling books. Kayfabe by Sean Oliver is one of those books. Narrated by the author, Kayfabe is a collection of personal stories from the founder of Kayfabe Commentaries, a professional wrestling shoot interview company. The only complaint I have is that the editing of this audiobook is a little sloppy. For example, there were at least a couple times when the author did a second take of a line and both were included in the final version of this Audible Original. I’ve encountered this before with other audiobooks; however, it’s something that should have been caught and corrected in the editing process.

14 Mar 2020

Book Review: WWE Beyond Extreme

DK Publishing is back with another action-packed WWE book. In WWE Beyond Extreme you get 127 pages of high-flying, over-the-top WWE goodness from past and present to satiate even the most voracious of fans. Check out my video review below to learn more and get a preview of what’s inside.