Wrestling Observer's Tributes: Remembering Some of the World's Greatest Wrestlers

This book is not based on morbid details or fascination with deaths of the included wrestlers. What it is, is a very well researched and written series of tributes covering some of wrestlings notable performers. The writings of Dave Meltzer are informative on each of these performers careers and what made these men special in the world of wrestling. The book is a quick easy read that is divided up into sections based on the particular man being given the tribute. There are many wonderful full color pictures throughout the entire book. This is a good book for those who want to learn more about the history of individual wrestlers covered.

Obituaries are often the best way to present a history of a person, place, or thing. These stories cover different eras of wrestling and do a great job of covering the person, the place, and the wrestling industry. Wrestling History is only well written in a handful of places, although with good recent entries, it may be up to two handfuls. This book is certainly among the best of its kind. If anything, it could be longer. I hope this is the start of more books by Dave Meltzer. He's busy writing daily for his website and for his weekly newsletter, but I hope he can consolidate his vast knowledge into more great books.

This has to be one of the saddest books I've ever ordered. That's not a negative opinion. The basis of this book is a sort of snapshot at the lives and deaths of some of wrestling's biggest names. Meltzer has done his research and tells the truths that maybe we wouldn't really want to know about these people. The great majority of these wrestling stars were lost due to alcohol abuse, drug addiction, and the pursuit of the top of the wrestling ladder. Owen Hart is deservedly the first "salute" in this book and the chronology of events around his tragic accidental death will leave you in tears. He truly was a great figure and is missed. Most of the others had very sad events surrounding their passings. This is a "coffee table" style book and is very nicely done. If you have been a wrestling fan for a long time, you will look at these photos and read these stories and remember the events as they are told. Newer fans will appreciate the price many wrestlers paid to entertain us. Great book!

This is, quite simply, a must have for wrestling fans. Dave Meltzer of the Wrestling Observer has written an astonishing book paying tribute to 20 of the biggest deceased names of the sport. The writing style is intelligent, well researched and informed. What is most asonishing about this book is the collection of pictures. Meltzer has obtained some stunning images, including Andre the Giant with hockey great Bobby hull, and Bruiser Brody at his bloody best. Overall, a fine effort, and by covering merely 20 superstars, it allows for hopefully a second volume of tributes by Dave Meltzer. Highest recommendation.

Anyone who is serious about professional wrestling has probably come across Dave Meltzer's Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Beginning in the early-1980s, the Observer virtually invented the "shoot" style of reporting on wrestling, in part paving the way for the sport's renaissance in the 1990s. The Observer is in many ways the opposite of the traditional wrestling magazines that pretend the competitions in the ring are real. The Observer really is a newsletter: the November 12th issue, for instance, was twelve pages long and jammed with well over 30,000 words. Though it has no photos or glossy cover, the Observer is the pro wrestling's journal of record.Meltzer is well known for his obituaries. When someone prominent in the business dies, Meltzer produces an amazingly complete and insightful story of their life that appears in the Observer typically days after their death. Given the fragmented and uncertain nature of pro wrestling history, these obituaries may be the most important and compelling accounts of wrestling's past currently available. This obit collection is different from the 1998 edition of Tributes published in partnership with Powerbomb.com. The 2001 edition has been re-edited, contains many more photographs, and some of the obits have been replaced by newer stories. The current edition presents stories on the lives of Andre the Giant, Art Barr, Boris Malenko, Brian Pillman, Bruiser Brody, Buddy Rogers, Dino Bravo, Eddie Gilbert, Fritz Von Erich, Giant Baba, Gordon Solie, John Studd, Jumbo Tsuruta, Junkyard Dog, Kerry Von Erich, Louie Spicolli, Owen Hart, Ray Stevens, Rick Rude, and Yokozuna. All of the stories are detailed and fascinating, but some stand out, particularly Meltzer's Bruiser Brody obituary.