I was sent an advanced copy of Sputnik, Masked Men and Midgets: The Early Days of Memphis Wrestling, a coffee table paper back, highlighting Memphis wrestling from the ’50 through ‘70s and found it to be a fun look at a wrestling era I had very little knowledge of. The book was created by Memphis historian Ron Hall, who spent years compiling the stories, biographies, photos, programs and advertisements that make up the pages. The book is published by Shangri-La Projects.
Anyone who was anyone in Memphis wrestling is covered to some extent through photos of little anecdotes. The book is helpfully broken up into chapters that highlight the different characters and gimmicks. It’s light on words but is a phenomenal photo album. Even “The King†Elvis Presley is shown in photos taking in some wrestling. Memphis wrestling legends like Sputnik Monroe, Jackie Fargo and Jerry Lawler are all highlighted in great detail. There’s actually a really great press clipping from the ‘60s about Monroe getting arrested for having a beer in “negroes-only†bar. Lawler himself provides the introduction for the book and puts his stamp of approval on the work Hall did with the subject manner.
The images from the old wrestling programs were a real treat, as they showed how a card was built back in those days. And as another added bonus there is an attached CD of songs from such guys as Sputnik Monroe, Jackie Fargo and Jimmy Valiant that just add to the unique nature of the presentation.
Overall the book is just a fun piece of pure nostalgia for those who knew and remembered that time and place. And for other wrestling fans it is quick history lesson told through images that paint a vivid picture of a wrestling era from days gone by.
For more information:
Check out Early Memphis Wrestling for more on the book and its author.
