My Life Outside The Ring review

My Life Outside The Ring
Hulk Hogan
320 pages
Rating: 4.75/5


Source: Purchased
Challenges: 100+ Challenge, 144 Books in 2010



Synopsis:


Hulk Hogan, born Terry Bollea, burst onto the professional wrestling scene in the late seventies and went on to become a world wrestling champion many times over. From humble beginnings, this giant of a man escaped a pre-ordained life of dock and construction work in Port Tampa, Florida, to become one of the most recognizable celebrities on the planet. He did it through sheer will, grit, determination, and a drive to always go over the top and do more than what others thought possible. From the outside, his story was one of a charmed life—he was at the top of his career, had a wonderful and loving family, and a lifelong fan base who worshipped him. Of course he had his up and downs—including hints of steroid abuse and his falling out with WWE and Vince McMahon—but it’s been the last two years that have tested Hogan more than any other in his lifetime. In 2007, while riding the massive success of his VH1 reality show, Hogan Knows Best, his son Nick was involved in a tragic car accident that left his best friend in critical condition. Then Linda, his wife, left him after 23 years of marriage, his beloved daughter Brooke blamed him for the breakup and his son went to jail. The tabloid media had a field day. When unflattering jailhouse conversations between him and his son were released to the press the tabloids were in a frenzy. The sudden turmoil and tragedy surrounding Hogan took its toll. He fell into a deep depression, seeing no way out, until one fate ful phone call. In My Life Outside the Ring, Hogan will unabash edly recount these events, revealing how his new found clarity steadied him during the most difficult match of his life—and how he emerged from the battle feeling stronger than ever before.

I was right there leaning on the side of the car with my hands when I finally saw Nick—my only son—folded up like an accordion with his head down by the gas pedal. “Nick!” I yelled. I could see he was alive. He turned his head, he stuck his hand out, and gave me a thumbs-up. For a second I was relieved. Then the chaos set in. The noise of engines. Sirens. A saw. Para - medics pulling John from the passenger seat. So much blood. I can’t even describe to you how panicked I was. The police and firefighters surrounding us seemed panicked, too. The firefighters started cutting the side of the car open to try to get Nick out, and I’m still standing right there when I hear my boy screaming, “No, no, no, stop! Stop! You’re gonna cut my legs off. Dad! Just unbuckle the seatbelt. I can get out!” So I reach in and I push the button on his seat belt, and Nick just crawls right out. His wrist was broken. His ribs were cracked. None of that mattered. He was gonna be okay. But not John. John wasn’t moving. —from MY LIFE OUTSIDE THE RING



Review:

I have a confession to make....I'm a wrestling fan....There I said it. Honestly, when I picked this book up I didn't really know what to expect from it. I'm glad I picked it up though...I really liked it A LOT! It's written from Hulk's perspective not just as a wrestler but as a man, husband, and father...In short it's very real and very honest, from the highest high to the lowest low. There were times where I was going "why did he put up with it for so long?" and times when I was saying "WOW." I learned a lot of things that I didn't know about the Hulkster too....Like he plays guitar and was a bowler when he was younger. I really liked how the book opens....you just know that you are going to be going on one heck of a roller coaster ride. Even if your not a wrestling fan I recommend this book....I'd say a good chunk of the book really isn't even about wrestling.....it's about life.

What I was really thinking:

The Beginning: AWESOME beginning!

The Middle: What a roller coaster ride!

The End: HOLY CRAP HULKSTER!