WWE Encyclopedia
Encyclopedia
The WWE Encyclopedia is a reference book featuring in-depth knowledge surrounding the leading organization in professional wrestling
, World Wrestling Entertainment
(WWE). The book covers the 45-year history of WWE and features a comprehensive A-Z listing of nearly 1,000 former and current wrestlers from as early as the 1960s to the present day. The book also contains official listings for title histories, television and pay-per-view events, most notably, a detailed history of WrestleMania
. Also included are highlights of memorable merchandise, video games and fan signs as well as former WWE superstars who have gone on to have successful film careers.
Even people who left the company on bad terms were given favorable profiles, including Alundra Blayze and The Ultimate Warrior
. Even Chris Benoit
has a profile in the encyclopedia, even though WWE has tried to distance itself from him since his double murder and suicide
. The killings, however, are not mentioned.
It received mostly favorable review. Bob Kapur of SLAM! Wrestling was favorable toward the book, saying that it "is just the ticket for fans looking for a trip down memory lane." He praised the book for including lesser known personalities, but also criticized the absence of notable tag teams such as Doug Furnas and Phil LaFon
. Simon Rothstein of The Sun stated, "I cannot stress how much fun this book is to read."
Professional wrestling
Professional wrestling is a mode of spectacle, combining athletics and theatrical performance.Roland Barthes, "The World of Wrestling", Mythologies, 1957 It takes the form of events, held by touring companies, which mimic a title match combat sport...
, World Wrestling Entertainment
World Wrestling Entertainment
World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. is an American publicly traded, privately controlled entertainment company dealing primarily in professional wrestling, with major revenue sources also coming from film, music, product licensing, and direct product sales...
(WWE). The book covers the 45-year history of WWE and features a comprehensive A-Z listing of nearly 1,000 former and current wrestlers from as early as the 1960s to the present day. The book also contains official listings for title histories, television and pay-per-view events, most notably, a detailed history of WrestleMania
WrestleMania
WrestleMania is a professional wrestling pay-per-view event, produced annually in late March or early April by WWE, a professional wrestling promotion based in Connecticut...
. Also included are highlights of memorable merchandise, video games and fan signs as well as former WWE superstars who have gone on to have successful film careers.
Synopsis
The WWE Encyclopedia contains profiles for past and present WWE personalities, as well as event and title histories. While providing information primarily about the personalities career in WWE, information is also present about their careers in other companies. People who portrayed separate characters are often given separate profiles for each character.Even people who left the company on bad terms were given favorable profiles, including Alundra Blayze and The Ultimate Warrior
Warrior (wrestler)
Also see Warrior .Warrior is an American retired professional wrestler who notably performed under the ring names The Ultimate Warrior and Warrior...
. Even Chris Benoit
Chris Benoit
Christopher Michael "Chris" Benoit was a Canadian professional wrestler whose career and life ended in a murder–suicide...
has a profile in the encyclopedia, even though WWE has tried to distance itself from him since his double murder and suicide
Chris Benoit double murder and suicide
The Chris Benoit double murder suicide occurred over a three-day period ending on June 24, 2007. World Wrestling Entertainment professional wrestler Chris Benoit killed his wife, Nancy Benoit, strangled his seven-year-old son, Daniel, and subsequently committed suicide by hanging. Autopsy results...
. The killings, however, are not mentioned.
Writing
Brian Shields and Kevin Sullivan created the book together. WWE was given final say over who would be included in the book. Overall, the book took over one year to create. Sullivan and Shields divided some of the work load, dividing the research for championship title histories in half.Reception and criticism
The book debuted at No. 10 on the New York Times Hardcover Books Bestsellers List, and climbed as high as No. 8.It received mostly favorable review. Bob Kapur of SLAM! Wrestling was favorable toward the book, saying that it "is just the ticket for fans looking for a trip down memory lane." He praised the book for including lesser known personalities, but also criticized the absence of notable tag teams such as Doug Furnas and Phil LaFon
Doug Furnas and Phil LaFon
Doug Furnas and Phil LaFon were a professional wrestling tag team that wrestled in All Japan Pro Wrestling , Extreme Championship Wrestling , Universal Wrestling Association and World Wrestling Federation . They teamed up together for nine years from 1989 to 1999 and held success as tag team...
. Simon Rothstein of The Sun stated, "I cannot stress how much fun this book is to read."