Product Description

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #345916 in Books
• Published on: 2006-04-01
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 300 pages

Review

About the Author

Customer Reviews

An Honest Look At What Might Have Been
For those who remember pro wrestling before the explosion of popularity fueled by Hulk Hogan and WWF, there was territories where certain wrestlers were the superstars.

Dewey Robertson was one of these stars in regions - especially in Canada and Texas - before and during his gimmick as The Missing Link. In the classic Sports Illustrated story on pro wrestling - which featured Hulk Hogan on the cover - The Link had a photograph that essentially anchored the article on the emergence of pro wrestling in mainstream athletics.

But Robertson's climb through the ranks of the industry came with a price; a too-often told tale by those who sacrificed so much to get to the top. He doesn't blame anyone but himself for the actions that almost killed him.

Robertson - in a style that makes him sound as if he is sitting down and talking with you - does not cut corners in discussing how a variety of addictions left him virtually penniless, homeless for a period of time and estranged from a variety of family members and friends.

It is not a story without its light moments, especially when The Link finds himself in situations where he remains in character within daily settings.

From page one, Robertson stays the course of talking about experiences and individuals from what he recalls. It is an inspirational story, especially since the character remains a favorite with kids today; years after his national appearances in the WWF and WCCW.

There are plenty of wrestling autobiographies on the market, and so many become a means for the person to settle grudges outside the ropes. Robertson keeps the focus on his life and - for that alone - makes it a very special read.

Today's lesson is: Don't do what Dewey did.
My first introduction to the "Missing Link" was as a young child, growing up experiencing Vince McMahon's new vision of professional wrestling. The WWF expansion was in its infancy and I was lucky enough to receive the WWF Wrestling Album as a gift from my parents. A quick scan of the album cover revealed many familiar Saturday morning faces, but one face stuck out like a sore thumb. It was the green-faced monster character whom I had never seen before. I would later find out that it was the Missing Link, and his cup of coffee with the WWF happened to coincide with the making of this album. His stint with the company was so short that I had somehow missed all his appearances on TV. I felt cheated.

In later years, I would discover what I was missing through the miracle of video tape. When I got my hands on tapes from the NWA and WCCW I finally got to experience with my own eyes the brilliance of this remarkable wrestling character. My research eventually led to the realization that The Link had previously become famous under a completely different name, AND he was a Canadian (like me). As a clean-cut babyface named Dewey Robertson, he became a major star in Canada and around various territories in the United States. It was a career I would surely anticipated seeing chronicled in the pages of an autobiography some day. I would come to realize that I severely underestimated the intrigue involved with the personal life and career of Dewey "The Missing Link" Robertson.

BANG YOUR HEAD!, the real story of The Missing Link is a mesmerizing account of the journey made by a man whose life was separated into several distinct eras. This book covers it all with brutal honesty and an clear intent to pass on the wisdom of experience. We begin with Dewey's troubled upbringing, leading into his compulsion with health and fitness, to getting into the wrestling business, and eventually his twisted transformation into the Missing Link character. The story gets even grittier as The Link goes into the battle of his life against the many demons that have attached themselves to him as a result of living in the fantasy world known as professional wrestling. It is a dark and most likely an accurate portrayal of your average professional wrestler.

There are three basic interpretations readers could take away from this book; First, the story of a professional wrestler; second, the story of one human being fighting his ghastly addictions; and third, the effect of the first and second points on family life. It all becomes interlaced as Dewey Robertson's journey unravels before your very eyes. The tale ends with an inspirational realization and a refreshing intention to help children make better choices and not end up going down the same roads as The Link did.

I enjoyed this book for what it was worth. It was short and sweet, exactly 201 pages of consistent good material, and with the exception of a few careless minor spelling errors it was pretty much a flawless and easy to read. It did make me think seriously about a lot of things in this crazy world, and I believe that was one of the underlining goals. Anybody that has a thirst for wrestling history will find this book a pleasure to read. It's more than a wrestling book; it's also a learning experience which you will find informative and thought-provoking.

Should be required reading for wrestlers
Dewey Robertson was a man who seemed to be doing well in his life with a successful wrestling career in Canada, thriving gym, good family life and his health. Through making some bad decisions he managed to lose the lot.

He did this by heading to the US to seek fame and fortune but found that he needed to keep up with the other wrestlers and take drugs and drink heavily.

Robertson tells a sad story of a life ruined.

A good read and one in which you learn that the consequences of your actions have lasting effects.