You don’t have to be a pro wrestling fan to appreciate these 12 must-read memoirs from pro wrestling icons like Bret Hart, Jerry Lawler, and The Bella Twins. Fans worldwide know there’s more to professional wrestling than fighting and entertainment. They look beyond the show’s spectacle and find a deeper connection with the pro wrestlers, admiring them for countless reasons, from their humble beginnings to inspirational careers.
Have A Nice Day: A Tale of Blood and Sweatsocks by Mick Foley
Cactus Jack, Dude Love, and Mankind. These are just a few of the faces that Mick Foley has worn throughout his illustrious professional wrestling career. Overcoming some of the most famous injuries in pro wrestling, from a broken jaw to a missing ear to second-degree burns, he proved that he was fearless. When asked if he misses the thrill of the fight after retiring, Foley says, “I feel the same adrenaline rush when I’m writing.” Relive his rise to superstardom by reading his bestselling autobiography.
Mox by Jon Moxley
Known as the first 3-time All Elite Wrestling world champion, Jon Moxley proudly penned his self-titled memoir to tell fans how he went from being a nobody to a somebody. With his wife and daughter serving as motivation, Moxley’s story writing goal was to “say what you want to say and mean what you want to say and get your point across.”
Incomparable by Brie and Nikki Bella
The iconic World Wrestling Entertainment Hall of Fame tag team, The Bella Twins, sought the healing power of co-writing their memoir together. Their story reveals the trauma they faced during childhood, showing how perseverance molded them into more than just strong women. The identical twins became household names with their reality TV shows and winning several championships, like WWE Divas.
Under the Black Hat: My Life in the WWE and Beyond by Jim Ross
Pro wrestling fans will be delighted to read a new memoir by legendary commentator and WWE Hall of Famer Jim Ross. As a follow-up to his bestselling memoir, Slobberknocker, Ross speaks the truth about his career, relationships with wrestlers, aging, and disability. Chris Jericho dubs Ross a master storyteller, stating, “this book is the perfect forum for his 40 years’ worth of tales.”
Yes!: My Improbable Journey to the Main Event of WrestleMania by Daniel Bryan
Daniel Bryan is arguably one of the greatest WWE superstars. From winning epic ca reer-defining matches to being crowned a champion several times, this underdog won fans over with his moving “Yes!” chant every time he entered the squared circle. His memoir will inspire many as it tells the tale of someone who never gave up on pursuing their dreams, despite the odds stacked against them.
Hitman: My Real Life in the Cartoon World of Wrestling by Bret Hart
This memoir from WWE Legend Bret “The Hitman” Hart was a New York Times Bestseller and still ranks high as one of the most honest tellings of life as a pro wrestler. Born into the wrestling business, Hart chronicles his five-decade-long career in his memoir, noting his struggles with addiction and career-ending injuries. Regardless of the setbacks, he won numerous championships, proving “he’s the best there is, was, or ever will be.”
Heartbreak & Triumph: The Shawn Michaels Story by Shawn Michaels
A WWE superstar is an all-encompassing enigma, combining wrestling and entertainment skills to build a character everyone loves. Shawn “The Showstopper” Michaels is a true superstar with a career spanning 22 years, which he describes in his touching memoir about success and heartache. Michaels regards writing his memoir as a way “to review my life and attempt to figure out how I became the person I am.”
A Lion’s Tale: Around the World in Spandex by Chris Jericho
Chris Jericho, a highly-revered man who wears many hats, is unstoppable in the squared circle and on the silver screen. Jericho added “two-time New York Times bestseller” to his impressive list of achievements with this autobiography detailing the start of his career in 1999. This kid from small-town Canada became the first undisputed Heavyweight champ in the WWE and World Class Wrestling, showing fans that anything is possible.
Crazy is My Superpower by AJ Mendez
There is no argument in saying that pro wrestler AJ Mendez is inspirational. Her memoir is a story of pure human determination and how success is achievable as long as you believe. Mendez overcame childhood homelessness, drug addiction, and mental illness to become an honored WWE Divas Champion. This pro wrestler turned bestselling author now advocates for mental health, encouraging others to keep going.
It’s Good to Be the King…Sometimes by Jerry Lawler
Jerry “The King” Lawler is one of the most highly-decorated pro wrestlers with a career spanning 40 years and over 160 winning championships. His schemes, theatrics, and scandalous storylines made him a fan favorite and landed him a spot in the WWE Hall of Fame. His memoir gives a hilarious look into how he got his start and how he played his part with never-been-told stories that will leave you laughing.
Young Bucks: Killing the Business from Backyards to the Big Leagues by Matt and Nick Jackson
Known as The Young Bucks, this tag team of brothers had a promising start to their pro wrestling careers when they were just teenagers. They grew up wrestling in their backyard as kids and have since won several championships, including AEW World Tag Team twice. In their endearing autobiography, serving as an ode to their love of wrestling, Matt and Nick Jackson detail the sacrifices they made to become the successes they are today.
My Fight / Your Fight by Ronda Rousey
“Rowdy” Ronda Rousey has taken her incredible career in mixed martial arts as the Women’s Bantamweight Champion in the Ultimate Fighting Championship and turned it into an entertainment form in the WWE. Her memoir gives an honest look into her struggles as a woman in the fighting world. From her intense training to losing her father, Rousey gives readers wisdom on how to prevail through the toughest battles.
