Wrestling Reality: The Life and Mind of Chris Kanyon, Wrestling’s Gay Superstar
$12.95-
A rare glimpse not only into the life of a professional wrestler, but the life of a gay man in a straight world, this tragic memoir is told in Chris Kanyon’s own words, with the help of journalist Ryan Clark.
One of the most popular wrestlers of the late 1990s, Kanyon kept his personal life private from his fans until finally revealing his biggest secret in 2004: he was gay. Going through the various roles that Kanyon played, both in the ring and out of it, as well as his battle with manic depression, this book explores the factors that led to his suicide in 2010.
In his voice and the way he wanted it told, these are Kanyon’s last words about his experience rising through the ranks to the top of the professional wrestling world while keeping his sexuality hidden.
-
Chris Kanyon was an American professional wrestler, best known for his work in World Championship Wrestling and the World Wrestling Federation, under the ring names Chris Kanyon (or simply Kanyon) and Mortis. Ryan Clark is an editor and instructor at Northern Kentucky University and a writer for The Cincinnati Enquirer newspaper. He lives in Burlington, KY.
-
Published: November 2011
ISBN: 9781770410282
Dimensions: 6.75 x 9.75 in.
Pages: 336
Reviews
“Kanyon’s memoir is a candid, honest look into a little-discussed aspect of wrestling.” — Publishers Weekly
“Fascinating, both as a look at Kanyon personally and a trip through his wrestling career.” — Bleacher Report
“Kanyon is brutally honest about the wrestlers he meets, his decision to take steroids, and exploring his sexuality.” — Wrestling Reality
“Both inspiring and tragic, because you know the ending is his death at the age of 40. This knowledge makes the final chapter a difficult read.” — SLAM! Wrestling
“[Wrestling Reality] is in-depth, honest and touching. It is not only the best biography that I have read on a wrestler, it is one of the best biographies I had read ever . . . period.” — BookLegion.com