Wrestling will be nostalgic for many of us who grew up watching it, and its appeal hasn’t faded. In fact, with WWE Raw now available on Netflix, the sport has never been more accessible. Both men and women are stepping into the ring, celebrating its mix of showmanship and athleticism.
But there’s more to wrestling than dramatic storylines and flamboyant costumes. It’s a demanding sport, requiring discipline, strategy and resilience. So how does one truly get into it? A great place to start is with the right reading materials. But with so many books out there, how do you choose the best ones?
What aspect of wrestling interests you?
Are you looking to understand the sport’s technical side? Do you want to dive into the history of wrestling legends? Or are you keen on behind-the-scenes stories from the industry’s biggest names? Defining what you want to learn will help narrow your choices.
Few people can tell the story of wrestling better than the wrestlers themselves. Autobiographies and biographies from icons such as Tripple H, John Cena, Cody Rhodes and Charlotte Flair provide an insider’s perspective on the trials and triumphs of a wrestling career. They offer not only inspiration but also an unfiltered look at the reality of life in the ring.
Explore books on wrestling techniques and training
If you’re interested in the sport beyond entertainment, books that break down wrestling techniques can be valuable. Manuals like Wrestling Tough provide detailed breakdowns of moves, strategies, and conditioning tips for those who want to train or simply appreciate the sport on a deeper level.
Read about the history and evolution of wrestling
Understanding how wrestling evolved from its territorial days to the global spectacle it is today adds depth to your appreciation of the sport. Books like The Evolution of Women’s Wrestling: Sisterhood of the Squared Circle shed light on wrestling’s past, offering a fascinating look at the business side of things.
Look out for behind-the-scenes industry insights
For those fascinated by the inner workings of the wrestling business, books by industry insiders are a must. Ringmaster: Vince McMahon and the Unmaking of America by Abraham Riesman or Under the Black Hat by Jim Ross provide a glimpse into the world of promoters, broadcasters, and decision-makers who shaped wrestling into what it is today.
Read on for the best wrestling books.
Memoirs of a Masked Madman by Lynn Denton
Pro wrestling is built on larger-than-life personas, but behind every main event superstar is a veteran who shaped the business without the fanfare.
Grappler pulls back the curtain on the industry’s wildest era without the revisionist history or sugarcoating. Denton lived it all, from battling Andre the Giant to helping Jake The Snake Roberts invent the DDT. His firsthand accounts of working with Bret Hart, Ric Flair and Roddy Piper bring readers into a world that modern wrestling fans can only imagine.
But this isn't just another name-dropping nostalgia trip. Denton’s story is about survival in an unforgiving industry. It’s about the heartbreak of near-misses, the hustle to stay relevant as the territories collapsed, and the reality of being an unsung hero in a business that only remembers its megastars.
Buy now £8.74, Amazon
Wrestling for My Life by Shawn Michaels
Unlike most wrestling autobiographies, Wrestling for My Life doesn’t just recount legendary matches or backstage drama. Instead, Shawn Michaels opens up about his greatest personal battle; the transformation from a troubled superstar into a man of faith. His journey through addiction, ego and redemption offers a rare glimpse at the cost of fame and the search for something greater than championship gold.
For wrestling fans, the book delivers never-before-shared stories from his iconic WWE career. But it also delves into the Shawn Michaels that existed outside the ring; a man devoted to family and his faith. His reflections on maintaining belief in an industry built on spectacle and excess make this memoir stand out.
Buy now £7.95, Amazon
Business Is About to Pick Up! by Jim Ross
For 50 years, Jim Ross has witnessed wrestling’s greatest transformations, from the territorial days to the global powerhouse that WWE became, and now to AEW’s rise as a new force in the industry. This book isn’t just about the matches but it’s about the moments that shaped the business.
From Stone Cold Steve Austin’s unforgettable clashes to The Rock’s first steps toward superstardom, Jim Ross brings readers into the action with the same passion and insight that made him the sport’s most legendary announcer.
Buy now £16.54, Amazon
Hitman: My Real Life in the Cartoon World of Wrestling by Bret Hart
This is one of the most brutally honest wrestling autobiographies I’ve read. Bret Hart doesn’t just tell his story; he lays bare the reality of a business that gave him everything and took just as much away.
Drawing from decades of audio diaries, Hart delivers an unfiltered look at life inside and outside the ring. From gruelling travel schedules to locker room politics, from the highs of championship glory to the devastating betrayals that defined his career, no wrestling book captures the true cost of the industry quite like this one. Hart’s firsthand account of his brother Owen’s tragic death, the infamous ‘Montreal Screwjob’, and his own life-threatening stroke makes this one a must-read.
Buy now £7.99, Amazon
Hooker Wrestling Book by Lou Thesz and Kit Bauman
Before wrestling became sports entertainment, there was Lou Thesz. This book offers a no-nonsense account of the wrestling world before theatrics took centre stage.
Thesz, widely regarded as one of the greatest wrestlers of all time, takes readers behind the curtain of a closed-door industry, revealing the discipline, technique and politics that defined the golden era of professional wrestling. From learning the art of hooking and shooting to carrying the NWA World Heavyweight Championship with integrity, Thesz’s story is a masterclass in pure wrestling.
Buy now £7.20, Amazon
Wrestling Tough by Mike Chapman
Wrestling isn’t just about physical strength; it’s a test of will, grit and the ability to push past limits. Wrestling Tough is the ultimate guide to developing the mental edge needed to dominate both on and off the mat.
Award-winning author Mike Chapman dives deep into the psychology of wrestling, offering rare insights from icons like Cael Sanderson, Dan Gable, Vince Lombardi and Tom Brands. Through gripping stories and hard-earned lessons, this book reveals what separates champions from the rest.
Whether you're a competitor, coach, or simply fascinated by the psychology of elite athletes, this book delivers the blueprint for unlocking peak performance.
Buy now £15.25, Amazon
Sisterhood of the Squared Circle by Pat Laprade
Once a sideshow act, women’s wrestling has fought its way into the spotlight, headlining WWE events and drawing audiences on par with their male counterparts. Sisterhood of the Squared Circle charts this journey, from the carnival circuits of the 1800s to the global stage of modern professional wrestling.
With over 100 wrestler profiles, the book uncovers the grit, rivalries and behind-the-scenes struggles that shaped the industry. It celebrates the likes of Mildred Burke, the Fabulous Moolah and Mae Young, alongside modern icons such as Trish Stratus, Lita, Charlotte Flair and Sasha Banks.
Buy now £16.13, Amazon
A Lions Tale: Around the World in Spandex by Chris Jericho
From wrestling in smoky halls in Canada to headlining the biggest arenas in the world, Chris Jericho’s rise to superstardom is the story of a relentless drive to succeed.
A Lion’s Tale takes readers through Jericho’s early days alongside Chris Benoit and Lance Storm, his legendary rivalries with The Rock, Steve Austin, and Triple H, and the twists and turns of a career built on charisma and sheer willpower. Retiring in 2005, Jericho left behind a legacy of unforgettable moments.
Buy now £11.65, Amazon
