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Bodyslams!: Memoirs of a Wrestling Pitchman Paperback – January 24, 2006

by Gary Michael Cappetta (Author)
4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 65 ratings
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They’re held captive by the glamour and the grotesque of the oldest spectacle known to man. But the inquisitive public at large, along with a vast international network of pro wrestling aficionados, yearn for more than the intriguing soap opera scenarios and daring athleticism that they view every week on television and live at venues around the world. They want a behind-the-scenes view beyond what is routinely represented to the public. In short, curious observers and ardent wrestling fans will be captivated by what Gary Michael Cappetta has delivered in Bodyslams! Memoirs of a Wrestling Pitchman. A tome about one of those guys who rents a tuxedo and tells us who's about to enter the ring? How informative could that be? The answer is: “Very, if you open your mind and open the book.” Unenlightened fans may be quick to dismiss ring announcers when considering who is part of wrestling's inner circle. They fail to realize these people occupy the same locker rooms, hotels and vehicles as their athletic counterparts, and deal with the same bosses, road temptations and co-workers. Though a mike man shares only a fraction of the glory, he is definitely “one of the boys.” Originally a schoolteacher, Cappetta spent over 20 years working the wrestling arenas. Starting as a part-timer with the WWWF in 1974, when he was paid the sum of $25 per show, Cappetta stuck with it until he lost his spot in the asylum that was WCW in 1995. It would be an exaggeration to say Gary has known everyone and seen everything - but only a slight one. The author was in the thick of things when Vince McMahon began his take-no-prisoners national expansion, and later watched Verne Gagne destroy the once-mighty AWA and Eric Bischoff resurrect WCW. Who was there when the infamous hotel bloodbath between Arn Anderson and Sid Vicious erupted? Who wound up with Mick Foley's ear when it was torn off in Germany? The only witness to an incident wherein rookie Mark Callaway nearly sent Buzz Sawyer to meet a real undertaker? The one and the same G.M. Cappetta. Bodyslams! seamlessly weaves commentary about the business and the people who populate it, travel tales and insight into the personal life of its author. Unlike many other mat biographies, this is neither a boast or a bitch-fest―and there is no promotion behind the publication attempting to rewrite history to its liking. Bodyslams! is the first book to shed light on the dangerous games that both the performing wrestlers and their corporate employers play in order to acquire power, fame and wealth. The book runs chronologically and serves as both a history and an expose of American wrestling as Mr. Cappetta has witnessed during the three decades he spent as an announcer for America's two dominant wrestling promotions.
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Previous page
  1. Print length
    305 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    ECW Press
  4. Publication date
    January 24, 2006
  5. Dimensions
    6.75 x 0.79 x 9.75 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    1550227092
  7. ISBN-13
    978-1550227093
  8. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

Review

"Bodyslams! is the most realistic book about pro wrestling."  —Chicago Sun-Times

"What makes Bodyslams! a must-read is Cappetta's analysis and scrutiny of the wrestling business as a whole."  —John Molinaro, Slam! Wrestling

"From the first page, Cappetta takes his readers on an odyssey into the secretive world of professional wrestling. He ends up seeing the good, the bad, and everything in between, all without losing his unquenchable passion for the business."  —Chris Sabga, editor, IGN Wrestling

About the Author

Gary Michael Cappetta spent over 20 years working the wrestling arenas as a ring announcer. He was in the thick of things when Vince McMahon began his take-no-prisoners national expansion. He later watched Verne Gagne destroy the once-mighty AWA, and Eric Bischoff resurrect WCW.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ ECW Press; Expanded edition (January 24, 2006)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 305 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1550227092
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1550227093
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.47 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6.75 x 0.79 x 9.75 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 65 ratings

Customer reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars
4.4 out of 5
65 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Weston C. Childers
5.0 out of 5 stars The 2nd Best Wrestling Autobiography!
Reviewed in the United States on July 6, 2007
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And the best wrestling autobiography belongs to, of course, Mick Foley for his Have A Nice Day: A Tale Of Blood and Sweatsocks. However, that is not to say that Bodyslams!: Memoirs of a Wrestling Pitchman is not a great book in its own right.
Unlike other wrestler biographies on the market today, Cappetta does not cater to his own ego with hyperbole-laden narcissistic ancedotes. Nor does he attempt to use his book as an agenda-driven vehicle from which to spew venomous accusastions against former colleagues. Rather, Cappetta potrays himself as simply a piece of a much larger picture of pro wrestling history. With his eagle-eyed observations of many stars of yesteryear and today, Cappetta comes across as an everyman with a love for professional wrestling rather than a grandious character of mythic proportions. While characterizations of certain figures are not always flattering, Cappetta's refrain from vitriolic diatribes adds more credibility to his opinions and recollections of events. He does not feel the need to exaggerate claims to boost his image. And as such, displays a greater appreciation for his craft. Much like Foley's Have A Nice Day, it is easy to empathize with Cappetta. He is, after all, a fan living out his dream despite obstacles and circumstances. While newer fans and younger readers may feel aliented with stories from days gone by, Bodyslams is manna from Heaven for older fans and purists who always wanted an inside track to the professional wrestling before the days of the internet.
Funny, insightful, and heartwarming, Bodyslams develops instant rapport with the reader and is a literary breath of fresh air in an industry built largely on illusion.
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Jill
5.0 out of 5 stars Absolutely the best book on wrestling
Reviewed in the United States on July 17, 2009
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Gary Michael Cappetta's book is very well written, funny, insightful, intelligent and authentic. As an announcer rather than wrestler he has a different insight than books written by wrestlers. This is a fresh and refreshing perspective on the industry! Equally outstanding are the chapters added in later versions. Gary includes criticism about his book from those he wrote about, criticism that is unedited and with thoughtful response.
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Scott
4.0 out of 5 stars One of The Best Announcers!
Reviewed in the United States on April 21, 2019
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Gary Michael Capetta penned a great book here! I recall Gary's work very well from WWWF & WCW. His stories are phenomenal and bring back tons of great memories. Give this book a read, you'll count it among your favorites!
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steve blance
5.0 out of 5 stars Body slams Delivers
Reviewed in the United States on June 6, 2022
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Gary Michael Capetta presents a wrestling biography filled with great stories and characters from someone who had the best seat in the house.
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Dave
3.0 out of 5 stars Interesting
Reviewed in the United States on January 31, 2014
Verified Purchase
It was very interesting with the many adventures of the wrestlers and the behind the scenes antics. I did seem Gary was a bit over "impressed" with himself. Just don't remember him as the top announcer. But a lot of interesting stories hope they are true.
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Jerry
5.0 out of 5 stars Great
Reviewed in the United States on February 25, 2018
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Great read!!! who knew GMC was so interesting? LOL Tons of great stories about some of the greatest wrestlers ever! Looking forward to seeing whats next
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Henry Spiller
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent behind the scenes look at professional wrestling
Reviewed in the United States on November 1, 2016
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Well written book! Excellent behind the scenes look at professional wrestling! A must read for every true wrestling fan!
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Ryan Chumley
4.0 out of 5 stars Very good read
Reviewed in the United States on March 6, 2013
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I thoroughly enjoyed Cappetta's adventurous reliving of his career. If anything this book inspired me to track down a VCR so that I could enjoy some my older wrestling tapes.
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