No-holds-barred, honest, and objective, this is a definitive look at the greatest pro wrestlers who ever stepped through the ropes. Blending the old and the new and delving into what made these 50 remarkable performers the best in their sport, this guide illustrates their contributions to the massively popular spectacle of the wrestling world. The antidote to the marketing-motivated claims made by World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) is provided here, sweeping aside the corporate profit motive of listing standouts who can sell DVDs and dolls and instead shooting from the hip, revealing who sincerely belongs among the cream of the crop. The complexity of choosing—and ranking—the 50 finest ever from a strong group of talented candidates also spins a secondary tale about the evolution of pro wrestling and how this unique sport operates. Revealing these stars’ compelling stories in detail, this collection adds up to an entertaining and enlightening description of a monumental business through the history of its legends.

Larry Matysik's profile page

Larry Matysik is a wrestling promoter and the author of Brody, Drawing Heat the Hard Way, and Wrestling at the Chase. He has worked with Sam Muchnick, cofounder and former president of the National Wrestling Alliance, and Vince McMahon, chairman and CEO of World Wrestling Entertainment. He lives in Belleville, Illinois.