Bodyslams! (By Gary Michael Cappetta) Review

Rating 3.00 out of 5

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Bodyslams!: Memoirs of a Wrestling Pitchman
By Gary Michael Cappetta
Published by ECW Press
Released on October 6, 2000
300 Pages (Paperback)
Available in Paperback & Kindle

Many wrestling fans may not be familiar with the name Gary Michael Cappetta, however they may be familiar with his voice. Cappetta was a ring announcer for the WWF from 1974 until 1985 (the territorial days), as well as for the AWA and then for WCW from 1989 until 1995. If you are a long-time wrestling fan, you are almost sure to have heard his voice in some form or fashion.

Most wrestling autobiographies are not by announcers. Very few are by wrestling personalities besides the wrestlers themselves. However, Bodyslams! is not simply a breakdown of GMC's day-to-day work - which sounds extremely boring. Instead, it's a collection of insightful observations of Gary's throughout his career. The book doesn't focus on him, but rather the much more interesting world that is going around Gary Michael Cappetta. In Bodyslams!, GMC writes about what wrestler grabbed his attention and caused him to become a wrestling fan, how he got to become a ring announcer for the WWWF and the politics involved in the territory, what Gorilla Monsoon was like as a boss, run-ins with George "The Animal" Steele, his stalker/fan club president, his departure from the WWF, working for the AWA and the independents, sharing a Coke with a bear, his WCW career, the Sid Vicious-Arn Anderson scissors incident, Mick Foley losing his ear in Germany as well as some excellent stories involving people such as Stone Cold Steve Austin, The Undertaker, Ric Flair Abdullah the Butcher, Verne Gagne and more.

The paperback re-release of Bodyslams! includes some additional bonus content. There is an interview with George "The Animal" Steele, feedback from Jim Cornette, Superstar Billy Graham, Mick Foley and Steve Corino. Cappetta prints their feedback in full, including corrections to the book that they have. That goes to show that Cappetta did not write this book to further his agenda and is willing to offer the reader a look at the other side of the coin, or the big picture. Gary's wit, a ton of great stories as well as insights into the business from a non-wrestler's perspective comprise a recipe for a wrestling book that overachieves. Bodyslams! receives high marks all around and is recommended for any wrestling fan who studies the business closely.

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