Professional Wrestling in Mississippi: A History - Paperback

by Jeffrey Martin (Author), Gil Culkin (Foreword by)

Bounce off the ropes for a high-flying jaunt through the history of Magnolia State professional wrestling.

At its peak, professional wrestling was arguably the most popular sport in Mississippi. The pageantry and colorful personalities appealed to grandparents and grandchildren alike. Author Jeffrey Martin invites readers to step inside the squared circle and revisit everything from the carnival wrestling days of the late 1800s to the chiseled melodrama of modern wrestling. Along the way, readers will learn about Billy Romanoff, the old-school wrestler turned promoter who made wrestling a weekly staple at the Jackson City Auditorium; Jerry Lawler and Bill Dundee, who brought down the house on Friday nights at the Tupelo Sports Arena; and George and Gil Culkin, the father-and-son duo who split with Cowboy Bill Watts to create their own Mississippi territory, kickstarting the careers of Kamala, Terry Gordy, Michael Hayes and many other pivotal figures.

Author Biography

Jeffrey Martin lives in Fulton, Mississippi, with his wife, Sarah, and two children, Silas and Jude. He has been a public librarian for twelve years. This is his first book. He was inspired to write this book by Silas, who has become a wrestling superfan in recent years. It reminded Martin of his own love and devotion for the sport as a young man.