Missy Hyatt: First Lady of Wrestling
by Missy Hyatt, Mark Goldblatt, Charles Salzberg
List Price:
Our Price: $10.16
You Save: $7.79 (43%)
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Buy Used: from $5.96 (click here)
Category: Book
See more book details and other editions
Book Summary Information
Author: Charles Salzberg, Mark Goldblatt, Missy HyattEdition: Paperback
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language); English (Published)
Published: 2001-10-01
ISBN: 1550224980
Number of pages: 176
Publisher: ECW Press
Book Reviews of Missy Hyatt: First Lady of Wrestling
Book Review: Missy Hyatt; First Lady of Wrestling
Summary: 5 Stars
When it comes to Pro Wrestling literature, the true test of the books appeal comes from the number of times you remove it from your book shelf, dust it off, and begin rereading it again because the stories told from within both captivate and remind you of the Pro Wrestling History you grew up with. Mick Foley's first book "Have a Nice Day; a Tale of Blood and Sweat socks" is a perfect example of that type of book. In it there was the perfect mixture of a captivating story, insider information, and a chronicled history of his early career involvement in the old territorial system, which old time fans can relate too and find the inner workings of the business at that time interesting.In contrast, there are works circulating out there involving Pro Wrestlers such as The Rock, Kurt Angle, and the performer formally know as Chyna, that leave the reader questioning his or her decision on the purchase. Being a hard core fan of Pro Wrestling, one will more than likely purchase any book in which an in ring performer tells their story, but in the case of the aforementioned WWF creations, with the exception of Foley, I found myself likening the purchase to that of spending money on an outfit I will only wear once before packing it away. The stories of The Rock, Angle, and Chyna (well, maybe not Chyna's) can be likened to that of a movie that is a good rental for a Friday night, but not one you would purchase for your collection. The reason being is that these 3 Sports Entertainers are still in the midst of living their stories. Instead of adding to their history, they chose to ride the wave of Pro Wrestlers telling their stories in book form rather than waiting for their lives to provide them with the proper material to make their Pro Wrestling Career an Eventful tale to be told and looked upon with historical impact.
With that being said, I would like to express my views on one of the newer books put out by an older performer in Pro Wrestling. "Missy Hyatt: The First Lady of Wrestling" was probably the most anticipated and hyped Pro Wrestling book to hit the markets since I can remember. Missy promised a juicy tell all book that would reveal "the dirt" on many Pro Wrestling performers from both past and present. From some, I have heard that the book did not live up to their expectations. Complaints ranged from the book being too short, the events were not chronologically correct, and that there were not any jaw dropping revelations in between the pages.
Now, I've been a die-hard Pro Wrestling fan for 20 years. That means my early exposure to the product occurred during the early 1980's. Not only was Missy Hyatt starting her career during this period but also in doing so she was revolutionizing the role of the Pro Wrestling Valet along with holding the title of "Pro Wrestling's Sexiest Women". Missy had the looks, the interview skills, and the charisma that is unmatched by any of the current crop of female eye candy you see on WWF TV there days.
Not only was Missy Hyatt a true pioneer for female Pro Wrestling performers, but she also had exposure to some of the greatest minds in the business. From her first Pro Wrestler Boyfriend, Jake Roberts, to her late ex husband, Eddie Gilbert, to the former owner of ECW and now WWF writer, Paul Heyman, Missy had the opportunity to witness first hand how the business operated.
Once Missy broke into the business, transforming from wrestling fan to wrestling diva, she paid her dues and made her rounds from territory to territory such as Georgia Championship Wrestling, Fritz Von Erich's World Class Championship Wrestling, Bill Watts UWF, Crocket Promotions NWA, The Memphis Circuit, Alabama Continental Wrestling, Ted Turner's World Championship Wrestling, ECW, and even a brief unsuccessful run in the WWF. What makes this book such an exceptional read for fans of wrestling history is the fact that each territory and their history with Missy are covered within the book. This gives us the reader the opportunity to not only here a self centered story about Missy Hyatt herself but more so an opportunity to read stories that range from joy, sorrow, and sometimes outright bizarre concerning such legends as Eddie Gilbert, The Fabulous Freebirds, Jerry Lawler, Sting, Ric Flair, Vince McMahon, Bill Watts and so many others.
For those who complained that the details provided did not live up to the shock value hype, I think you are missing so much more that this book has to offer. Her accounts of her marriage and divorce to Eddie Gilbert was a book within itself and she truly represented the late superstar in a respectful light which could not help but come across as both sad and tragic. The quote that stuck out in my mind was Missy speaking about the untimely death. She writes " Two human beings fell in love, got married, fell out of love, got divorced...and then one of them died. There's no gimmick about that, There's no angle to work. "Hot Stuff Eddie Gilbert" didn't die, My ex-husband did....And it hurts"
Missy Hyatt comes across in the book as both honest and critical, concerning fellow workers and herself. She gives praise to those she feels deserve it and bashes those she felt warrant the attacks. Right or wrong, this book is written from her viewpoint and should be taken as such. Nonetheless, I find the book similar to what I described in the beginning of the review. Just as Mick Foley's "Have a Nice Day" Missy Hyatt's story is one that I find myself reading and rereading over and over because I pick up a different aspect or emotion she is trying to relay to that of the reader every time...
Summary of Missy Hyatt: First Lady of Wrestling
Missy Hyatt was professional wrestling's first character—the original sexy “socialite? sidekick whose trademark Gucci purse and tough-girl attitude made her the most loved—and most hated—woman in wrestling. Now, 15 years after she first shimmied up to the ring, Missy Hyatt takes fans inside the world of wrestling. From her high school days as a hard-core fan, cheering from her living room, to the cover of Wrestler magazine, Missy has done it all. In this no-holds-barred memoir, Missy discloses the behind-the-scenes secrets of table-throwing, chair-smashing, hair-pulling, and the technique of “juicing?—how wrestlers make themselves bleed on cue. Find out about her intimate relationships with Jake the Snake, Wonder Years' Jason Hervey, Hot Stuff Eddie Gilbert, and many more. Missy has worked with wrestling's biggest stars, from Hulk to Jesse, from Vince to the Rock, and she tells everything.
Women Books
Book Subjects
- Arts & Photography
- Biographies & Memoirs
- Business & Investing
- Children's Books
- Comics & Graphic Novels
- Computers & Internet
- Cooking, Food & Wine
- Entertainment
- Gay & Lesbian
- Health, Mind & Body
- History
- Home & Garden
- Horror
- Law
- Literature & Fiction
- Mystery & Thrillers
- Nonfiction
- Outdoors & Nature
- Parenting & Families
- Professional & Technical
- Reference
- Religion & Spirituality
- Romance
- Science
- Science Fiction & Fantasy
- Sports
- Teens
- Travel
Most talked about in Women Books
Lopsided: A Memoirby Meredith Norton
Penguin (Non-Classics); Published: 2009-05-26; Paperback; Book
Best price: $0.01
Price in other shops:
Eat, Pray, Love: One Woman's Search for Everything Across Italy, India and Indonesiaby Elizabeth Gilbert
Penguin Audio; Published: 2006-02-16; Audio CD; Book
Best price: $19.19
Price in other shops:
Epilogue: A Memoirby Anne Roiphe
Harper; Published: 2008-08-26; Hardcover; Book
Best price: $3.44
Price in other shops:
Summer at Tiffany LPby Marjorie Hart
HarperLuxe; Published: 2007-04-10; Paperback; Book
Best price: $6.88
Price in other shops:
Why Women Should Rule the Worldby Dee Dee Myers
Harper; Published: 2008-02-26; Hardcover; Book
Best price: $5.40
Price in other shops:
Mother Teresa: A Complete Authorized Biographyby Kathryn Spink
Harpercollins; Published: 1997-10-15; Hardcover; Book
Best price: $16.99
Price in other shops:
Going Rogue LP: An American Lifeby Sarah Palin
HarperLuxe; Published: 2009-11-24; Paperback; Book
Best price: $0.24
Price in other shops:
Model Patient: My Life As an Incurable Wise-Assby Karen Duffy
Harper Paperbacks; Published: 2001-11-13; Paperback; Book
Best price: $2.86
Price in other shops:
Clear Springs: A Family Storyby Bobbie Ann Mason
Harper Perennial; Published: 2000-04-26; Paperback; Book
Best price: $2.91
Price in other shops:
Truth & Beautyby Ann Patchett
HarperAudio; Published: 2004-05-11; Audio Cassette; Book
Best price: $3.19
Price in other shops:
Similar Books and other products
Minnesota's Golden Age of Wrestling: From Verne Gagne to the Road Warriorsby George Schire
Minnesota Historical Society Press; Published: 2010-05-01; Paperback; Book
Best price: $18.62
Price in other shops:
The Mouth of the South: The Jimmy Hart Storyby Jimmy Hart
ECW Press; Published: 2004-11-15; Paperback; Book
Best price: $11.05
Price in other shops:
Wrestling Observer's Tributes: Remembering Some of the World's Greatest Wrestlersby Dave Meltzer
Winding Stair Press; Published: 2001-10-31; Hardcover; Book
Best price: $14.99
Price in other shops:
Swimming with Piranhas: Surviving the Politics of Professional Wrestlingby Howard Brody
ECW Press; Published: 2009-11-15; Paperback; Book
Best price: $4.29
Price in other shops:
Bodyslams!: Memoirs of a Wrestling Pitchmanby Gary Michael Cappetta
ECW Press; Published: 2006-01-10; Paperback; Book
Best price: $6.64
Price in other shops:
Bang Your Head: The Real Story of The Missing Linkby Dewey Robertson, Meredith Renwick
ECW Press; Published: 2006-04-01; Paperback; Book
Best price: $12.68
Price in other shops:
Terry Funk: More than Just Hardcoreby Terry Funk
Sports Publishing LLC; Published: 2005-03-01; Hardcover; Book
Best price: $23.99
Price in other shops:
The Road Warriors: Danger, Death, and the Rush of Wrestlingby Joe Animal Laurinaitis, Andrew William Wright
Medallion Press; Published: 2011-02-08; Hardcover; Book
Best price: $13.75
Price in other shops:
If You Don't Want The Answer, Don't Ask The Question: Bill Dundee's Life Storyby Bill Dundee
CreateSpace; Published: 2011-11-20; Paperback; Book
Best price: $21.99
The World According To Dutchby Dutch Mantell
CreateSpace; Published: 2009-12-14; Paperback; Book
Best price: $22.99