A Work of Love: The Hidden World of Pro Wrestling

A crowd watching two wrestlers compete during a Victory Pro Wrestling show.
Wrestler Dante Drago, on the left, stands in front of a ring before a show. Right: Another wrestler, Pat Fitzpatrick, peeking through the curtains before the show.
An image from Schneider’s book, Way of the Blade. (Bryan)
Mitsuharu Misawa, Toshiaki Kawada, Akira Taue, and Kenta Kobashi. The “Four Pillars of Heaven,” as they were known, revolutionized professional wrestling in the 1990s.
An excerpt from my interview with Dr. Platt.
Francis Kip Stevens and Phillip Cardigan, a VPW tag team, warming up.
The wrestler of VPW gathered in the ring for a pre-show speech.
Sasha Banks. Banks is considered one of the greatest wrestlers currently. (WWE)
A photo of Samira. Her involvement in showing and extending stories in companies like Major League Wrestling and the National Wrestling Alliance is crucial. (@_ItsSamira)
The thumbnail for a Samira interview with Ella Jay. The two cite one another as inspirations, as well as best friends. (It’s Samira — YouTube)
Left: The Giant Andre, a VPW wrestler. Center: VPW owner, John Radioo. Right: The now-former New York State Champion: Eric James.
A photo of Matt Cardona at a GCW event. Cardona is NYWC’s most notable alumni.
The poster for VPW’s May show. (victoryprowrestling.com)
Left: “The GOAT of All Time” Bobby Orlando getting ready to make his entrance. Right: Wrestler Jarrett Diaz posing backstage.
Keith Elliot Greenberg. He is a New York Times bestselling author and a television producer.
The cover of Greenberg’s last book. He’s made it a point of emphasis to develop with wrestling as it changes.

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