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Pain and Passion The History of Stampede Wrestling Heath McCoy 9781550227871 Books

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Pain and Passion The History of Stampede Wrestling Heath McCoy 9781550227871 Books

"Pain & Passion" is a deep insight into Stampede Wrestling through it's transformations, growths, and declines. Stu Hart struck out on his own and created this territory business that would change from Klondike Wrestling into Stampede. This book is not just about Stampede Wrestling but obviously and naturally goes hand in hand with the history of the estranged Hart Clan. Family dynasties in wrestling have been strong such as the Guerreros and Von Erichs but none have come close to the dynasty of the Harts, whether it be Stu & Helen's twelve children or the extended families of in-laws, 'adopted' wrestlers, and grandkids.

The book starts off with Stu's parents and some of the ordeals they went through when he was a child and quickly moves into Stu's young life and establishing of his own wrestling franchise. We get a rich rundown of stories and personalities that flowed through Stampede, focusing well on the beginnings of Tom 'Dynamite Kid' Billington, before entering into the Hart family offspring. Here is why my rating is only 4 stars instead of 5. Once the story progresses to Bret and Owen, Stampede is left behind and the story focuses on Bret & Owen's success and journey through the WWF/E. From this point on there is less and less talk of Stampede and the book becomes a more focused biography of the Bret/Owen successes and then the Harts' hardships instead. It's difficult not to separate the two topics but from here on, there is little about Stampede itself. The unfortunate death of Owen then brings forth the division of the family and the legal battles which arose from it that nearly (and some may claim did) destroys the family. There are some fascinating stories regarding the Hart Dozen and you learn some interesting items regarding them. So you know, the Hart Dozen are (in no particular order) Smith, Keith, Ross, Dean, Wayne, Bruce, Bret, Owen, Alison, Diana, Ellie, and Georgia.

Just prior to the Bret/Owen segment of the story is the Stampede Wrestling I am most familiar with, having watch it regularly as a grew up in the early 80s. Unfortunately, there is not much written about this decade and it's stars other than pass-by mentioning of the Karachi Vice foregoing the likes of Biff/Beef Wellington (not mentioned until the third to last page of the book), early Benoit, Lethal Larry Cameron, Viet Cong Express (briefly mentioned). There was nothing about the continued training of future performers through the Dungeon or Hart Brothers Training Camp (Jericho, Storm).

After the Owen's death, the book continues with the many downfalls (legal issues, drug/steriod abuse, Bret's career in WWE) and deaths (Davey Boy, Pillman, Helen & Stu, Bad News Allen) which then beseiged the family. On an upturn, the re-release of this book brings us an extra chapter regarding the next generation of Hart family stars, Benoit's downfall, and Bruce Hart's continuing refusal to let Stampede Wrestling rest, instead clinging off and on to what is nothing but a shadow of what once was one of the most intriguing and star producing territories in wrestling history.

Overall, it's a fantastic and well researched text on arguably Canada's most important wrestling organization. The history, trials, and successes of the Hart family is well documented here and the author weaves a story intrigue and fascinate the readers. Certainly one of the best wrestling books in print.


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Pain and Passion The History of Stampede Wrestling Heath McCoy 9781550227871 Books Reviews

This is the October 2007 rerelease of one of the greatest wrestling books ever written. It was originally published two years ago, but ECW Press struck a deal to publish it once more with a brand new cover design and an additional bonus chapter focusing on various important Stampede-related developments. Author Heath McCoy brings us up-to-date on Bret Hart's WWE Hall of Fame induction, the uprising of the third generation Hart family members signing with the WWE and the horrific events that unfolded at the Benoit household on June 25, 2007 that became known as "Wrestling's Darkest Day."

To wrestling fans around the world, the city of Calgary represents the home base of a promotion known for producing some of the greatest stars the industry has ever seen. Men like "Dynamite Kid" Tom Billington, "British Bulldog" Davey Boy Smith, "Bad News" Allen Coage, "Flyin'" Brian Pillman, "The Rocket" Owen Hart, and of course WWE Hall of Famer Bret "The Hitman" Hart are at the top of the list of distinguished Stampede alumni. That list is long and glorious and full of big names that, even though did not achieve mega-stardom, played a dramatic role in one of the most under-rated and often-sheltered territories in the world of pro-wrestling. The show was run by one of the most beloved men in wrestling history, the tough-as-nails patriarch of the Hart family, Mr. Stu Hart. Along with his devoted wife, Helen, Stu assembled a roster of stars that prominently featured many of his own sons. The Hart family was the "heart" of the promotion, but the endless parade of heels that came in to face the Harts (and their allies) was definitely the blood that ran through its veins. Stampede was a promotion known for its heat, its pride, and its passion.

Calgary Herald writer Heath McCoy has put together the most thorough book about any single wrestling topic that I have ever come across. His dedication to the project is what makes all 296 pages (bumped to 333 pages in the 2007 rerelease) in this book so fascinating. McCoy researched Stampede's history for (I'm guessing) well over a year and pieced together everything from beginning to end hitting all points in between. I was happy to see that McCoy made a point of not stroking anybody's ego when discussing the many personalities that competed inside of the blood-stained Stampede ring. There were plenty of positive and negative things to say about all the Hart brothers.

Pain & Passion isn't just the story of Stampede wrestling. It also deals with the tumultuous history of the Hart family. Towards the end of the book, I started to get the impression that "Pain & Passion" referred to the two loves of Stu's life; Wrestling & Family. The author goes all the way back to Stu's youth, growing up in the prairies, and follows him as he finds his way into the wrestling, and eventually meeting his future wife on a beach in New York. You will also read chapters about the Hart kids growing up, the death of Owen Hart, the inevitable division of Hart's loyalties, the new generation of Hart kids, and so much more.

Rating 9.5/10 -- I can't say enough good things about "Pain & Passion The History of Stampede Wrestling." This is easily one of the top five wrestling books of all time and I recommend everyone pick up a copy today and read it. You will love it just as much as I did.
Any wrestling fan out there who loves to learn about the history of pro wrestling will love this book. Furthermore any fan of Bret "the Hitman" Hart will love this book as well because you can learn about his humble beginnings on the Stampede circut in western Canada. This book is great and well worth your time.
Hart family is one great wrestling family as I did not see funks back in the day I grew up watching harts in wwf
"Pain & Passion" is a deep insight into Stampede Wrestling through it's transformations, growths, and declines. Stu Hart struck out on his own and created this territory business that would change from Klondike Wrestling into Stampede. This book is not just about Stampede Wrestling but obviously and naturally goes hand in hand with the history of the estranged Hart Clan. Family dynasties in wrestling have been strong such as the Guerreros and Von Erichs but none have come close to the dynasty of the Harts, whether it be Stu & Helen's twelve children or the extended families of in-laws, 'adopted' wrestlers, and grandkids.

The book starts off with Stu's parents and some of the ordeals they went through when he was a child and quickly moves into Stu's young life and establishing of his own wrestling franchise. We get a rich rundown of stories and personalities that flowed through Stampede, focusing well on the beginnings of Tom 'Dynamite Kid' Billington, before entering into the Hart family offspring. Here is why my rating is only 4 stars instead of 5. Once the story progresses to Bret and Owen, Stampede is left behind and the story focuses on Bret & Owen's success and journey through the WWF/E. From this point on there is less and less talk of Stampede and the book becomes a more focused biography of the Bret/Owen successes and then the Harts' hardships instead. It's difficult not to separate the two topics but from here on, there is little about Stampede itself. The unfortunate death of Owen then brings forth the division of the family and the legal battles which arose from it that nearly (and some may claim did) destroys the family. There are some fascinating stories regarding the Hart Dozen and you learn some interesting items regarding them. So you know, the Hart Dozen are (in no particular order) Smith, Keith, Ross, Dean, Wayne, Bruce, Bret, Owen, Alison, Diana, Ellie, and Georgia.

Just prior to the Bret/Owen segment of the story is the Stampede Wrestling I am most familiar with, having watch it regularly as a grew up in the early 80s. Unfortunately, there is not much written about this decade and it's stars other than pass-by mentioning of the Karachi Vice foregoing the likes of Biff/Beef Wellington (not mentioned until the third to last page of the book), early Benoit, Lethal Larry Cameron, Viet Cong Express (briefly mentioned). There was nothing about the continued training of future performers through the Dungeon or Hart Brothers Training Camp (Jericho, Storm).

After the Owen's death, the book continues with the many downfalls (legal issues, drug/steriod abuse, Bret's career in WWE) and deaths (Davey Boy, Pillman, Helen & Stu, Bad News Allen) which then beseiged the family. On an upturn, the re-release of this book brings us an extra chapter regarding the next generation of Hart family stars, Benoit's downfall, and Bruce Hart's continuing refusal to let Stampede Wrestling rest, instead clinging off and on to what is nothing but a shadow of what once was one of the most intriguing and star producing territories in wrestling history.

Overall, it's a fantastic and well researched text on arguably Canada's most important wrestling organization. The history, trials, and successes of the Hart family is well documented here and the author weaves a story intrigue and fascinate the readers. Certainly one of the best wrestling books in print.