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First and foremost “Ring Of Hell” which has been making the headlines lately with its killer quotes, is a beautifully written (maybe over descriptive in parts) and insightful piece, but it feels more like a negative pro wrestling history book with some Chis Benoit lightly interspersed to stay on topic. I personally feel it would be far more effective by not even mentioning Benoit and leaving the tragedy for a completely separate book – focusing this book on the shocking aspects of the industry.

The main point of the 352 page encyclopedia of wrestling hell is to get across the author’s view that Benoit was such a mark (believer) in the business that he allowed himself to be abused and took far more legitimate punishment than was ever necessary – pickling his brain and leading to his eventual downfall. It does this by pulling out the most shocking, sleazy and downright fascinatingly diabolical incidents in wrestling history and relating them (sometimes convincingly and sometimes loosely) to Chris Benoit, building up a humongous list of things that may have possibly shaped the crippler in to a killer. One theme that is brought up throughout, is Chris Benoit’s idolization of Tom “The Dynamite Kid” Billington a man that lives in government paid housing on a rough estate in the UK, literally crippled (confined to a wheelchair) from his relatively short but steroid filled career, where stiff bumps took him to stardom.

Fair enough, idolizing Dynamite may have caused Benoit to take nasty bumps and mimic his style, but the author takes it one step further claiming that Benoit’s “unhealthy” obsession for Dynamite may have caused him to take on the horrible mannerisms and personality of, by all accounts, a despicable human being. Despite this most people post the tragedy claim Benoit to be a caring natured person when he was around them and Matthew Randazzo offers no specifics regarding Benoit being a bully backstage apart from calling a young referee a “gay bitch” for crying over a personal matter, which in the previous context written about Japan means Benoit was just doing his job at the time. That particular quote felt a little contextless.

For those that think they are insiders or have a good knowledge of the inner happenings of the business will be surprised by the amount of new ground covered here, or at least by the depth it goes in to. Things you may know about in passing, such as Stu Hart’s dungeon or the lack of Stephanie McMahon creative juice are shown in a new and more complete light by Randazzo.

But without a doubt the biggest talking points from this book come from its insight in to the shocking and seedy undertones of wrestling. Every point is backed up by at least one source, although for a writer that claims most people in the wrestling industry are liars, by listening to people in the wrestling industry dish dirt about it, kind of defeats the purpose. Still I’m a believer that there is no smoke without fire.

According to this book wrestlers find in humorous to drug their pals so they can’t move, feed them laxatives and watch the show. According to this book using piss in pranks or punishment is completely acceptable. According to this book in Japan rape, cum, slavery and death is all just a part of being an aspiring wrestler – not to forget the Yakuza’s (Japanese mafia) control over the sport. According to this book sex scandals, filming the deflowering of a virgin in a satanic ritual and WWE creative asking both male and female wrestlers to let them fuck them in the face is part of everyday work. According to this book Vince McMahon fired young wrestlers for using the company doctors when they are injured despite there being no contractual rule against this. According to this book if you are a heel wrestler in Mexico get ready to be stabbed by the fans. The list goes on and on and on.

According to me you should definitely read this book to expand your wrestling knowledge, but I think it would be dangerous to take everything here at face value. Use it to make your own decisions or learn the basics of a story but do not take every details or slant as gospel. The author obviously has a negative agenda and uses his descriptive writing skills to paint an incredibly dark picture in your mind whenever he wants to. That being said, either way once you’ve put it down you’ll probably yell “holy shit” about what you’ve just read.

Title: Ring Of Hell, The Story of Chris Benoit & The Fall of The Pro Wrestling Industry.
Author: Matthew Randazzo V.
Published by: Phoenix Books.
Purchase From: Highspots Books & Magazines