Forgiven: One Man's Journey from Self-Glorification to Sanctification

by Vince Russo

Ask pro wrestling fans about Vince Russo and you're sure to get a heated reaction: either the guy's a genius, or he single-handedly ruined the sport. What's weird about being "the most hated man" in an industry where public ire is money in the bank? Vince Russo wasn't even a wrestler -- he just wrote the stuff. Forgiven is the book that every wrestling fan has been waiting for. As lead writer, he took WWF's flagship show Monday Night Raw to unimaginable...

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1550227041
• ISBN13: 9781550227048
• Release Date: November 2005
• Publisher: ECW Press
• Length: 340 Pages
• Weight: 1.52 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.1" x 6.7" x 9.2"

Customer Reviews

Interesting for 90's Wrestling Fans

Let me begin by stating that religion plays a huge role in this book. Vince Russo published his original manuscript from 2002 before he became a Christian, however he often interupts the manuscript to include his views on how he has changed from that point due to his religious beliefs. If you are a Christian or even interested in this, I would suggest reading the entire book. If you are simply reading for the wrestling information there is plenty available, but you'll need to skim over quite a bit from time to time. As for the wrestling information it was quite interesting as Russo documents his long journey to get into the WWE and then work his way up to becoming head writer. He talks in depth about his relationship with Vince McMahon as well as WWE Superstars Stone Cold Steve Austin, Shawn Michaels, and Sable among others. Russo discusses many of the ideas and happenings in wrestling from the mid-90's to the "Attitude Era" boom of the late 90's. Some of his topics include the Montreal Screw Job of Survivor Series '97, the creation of D-Generation X, and the tragic death of Owen Hart. The original manuscript is somewhat confusing to read as Russo has a tendency to jump around and get off topic, I often found myself skipping entire sections as he would go off on a tangent about Jerry Springer, the San Francisco Giants, or Leah Remini. However the wresting history is really interesting to read as Russo takes his fair share of the credit of WWE's success but in a realistic manner. If you are a an of the WWE and especially if you were a fan in the 90's (era of Bret Hart, Shawn Michaels, Undertaker, Stone Cold, The Rock...) I would strongly suggest picking this book up and giving it a read.

Interesting stories about the WWF

A great look at how the WWF was ran in the second half of the 90's. For instance, there was talk of hiring O.J. Simpson to wrestle Piper, and stories on the Clique, Goldust, and the fake Razor and Diesel.