Wrestling's New Golden Age: How Independent Promotions Have Revolutionized One of America?s Favorite Sports

by Ronald Snyder

Overview

Ever since the “Monday Night Wars,” where WWE and WCW battled for wrestling supremacy (with the WWE coming out on top), there was now only one game in town. If fans wanted to watch wrestling, it was WWE or bust. That is no longer the case.

Wrestling’s New Golden Age is both a historical look at the sport, while showing how everything has finally come full circle. Going back to the past, the sport was originally territory-based, with wrestlers traveling across the country from promotion to promotion. From the East coast (Jim Crockett, WWWF) down to Texas (World Class) and all the way up to Canada (Stampede), wrestling was run on an individual level. But once Vince McMahon Jr. came into the picture, that all changed.

While the territory system is long gone, indie wrestling is bigger than ever. Whether it’s ROH, CZW, NXT, NJPW, or any of the other numerous promotions, wrestling has a new face. With information spreading online through social media and video streaming, fans are able to watch wrestling on a consistent basis, as opposed to only when the WWE is on TV. They not only have more options, but are able to watch wrestlers travel up the ranks to the “big show.” Now when a wrestler from the indie’s makes his WWE appearance, he already has a gimmick, a storyline, and a faithful fanbase. As can be seen with CM Punk, Daniel Bryan, and many others, the independent promotions are the new face of professional wrestling.

Featuring interviews with wresting stars, including Jake Roberts, Jim Ross, Rob Van Dam, Matt Hardy, Tommy Dreamer, and numerous others, Wrestling’s New Golden Age shares how the wrestling world has finally come full circle, to the joy of fans across the globe.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781683580218
Publisher:	Sports Publishing LLC
Publication date:	08/08/2017
Sold by:	SIMON & SCHUSTER
Format:	eBook
Pages:	248
File size:	3 MB

About the Author

Ron Snyder is an award-winning journalist with more than fifteen years of experience. He has covered everything from the 9/11 attacks to the NFL playoffs to multiple elections in his career. Ron is based in Baltimore, Maryland, where he lives with his wife, son, and twin daughters.
Ronald Snyder is an award-winning journalist with more than fifteen years of experience. He has covered everything from the 9/11 attacks to the NFL playoffs to multiple elections in his career. The author of Wrestling’s New Golden Age, Ronald is based in Baltimore, Maryland, where he lives with his wife, son, and twin daughters.

Table of Contents

Introduction ix

Chapter 1 The Territory Years 1

Chapter 2 The Transitional Period 15

Chapter 3 The Evolution of Independent Wrestling Promotions 23

Chapter 4 A Wrestling Education 41

Chapter 5 Life as an Independent Wrestler 53

Chapter 6 Independent Wrestling Tournaments 75

Chapter 7 Triumphs and Tragedies 83

Chapter 8 Looking to Be No. 2 97

Chapter 9 Building a Brand 113

Chapter 10 The Daniel Bryan Effect 121

Chapter 11 Life After the WWE 129

Chapter 12 The Legends Return 149

Chapter 13 A Women's Revolution 173

Chapter 14 Social Media Explosion 199

Chapter 15 The Future of Independent Wrestling 207

Listing of Independent Wrestling Promotions in the United States 213

Acknowledgments 221

Editorial Reviews

Wrestling’s New Golden Age provides an in-depth look at the rise of independent wrestling and its significant impact on the industry. Revealing interviews with big-name wrestling stars and independent wrestlers and promoters allow readers to go behind the curtain and discover the fascinating realities of pro wrestling’s fantasy world.”
—Kevin Eck, veteran wrestling journalist/former member of WWE creative team

“[ Wrestling’s New Golden Age ] is a non-threatening read that will appeal to wrestling fans interested in a fun yet unsweetened look at all things independent wrestling. Nothing is left out as Snyder covers the emergence of the independents from the days when it was considered taboo and frowned upon to its turn in the spotlight in the ashes of the Monday Night Wars. He also discusses the tolls and triumphs faced in the lives of independent wrestlers, how indy promotions are building their own unique brands, and how Daniel Bryan and the women's revolution have set off major changes in both the indy and big-time squared circles.”
—Jamie Melissa Hemmings, SLAM! Wrestling

“ Wrestling’s New Golden Age provides a terrific window into how indie promotions are impacting the big time and shaping the future. By first delving into the old territory days, Snyder explains how the best of the territories are reflected in today’s modern indie renaissance, offering insight from promoters and talent alike . . . I was thoroughly impressed by the wide net cast by Snider. . . . This was a well-researched, thorough look at America’s indies.”
— San Francisco Book Review

“Even I learned some things about the indie world from this book!”
—Bill Apter, former publisher of Pro Wrestling Illustrated and author of Is Wrestling Fixed?

" Wrestling's New Golden Age is the most up-to-date history lesson on pro wrestling that digs deep into everything that's going on—and not just the WWE bubble."
—Luke Hawx, WildKat Sports CEO

"Ron Snyder's comprehensive look at professional wrestling today is a fabulous read for the promoter, the performer, and, most of all, the fan. Thank you, Ron."
—Joe Koff, Ring of Honor COO

From the Publisher