One Fall

By Spencer Baum

With one kick, Joey Hamilton has sent the world of professional wrestling into chaos. In his first World Title match, on national television, Joey botched a simple maneuver, turning a scripted wrestling match into a nightmarish reality.

Now the World Champion is injured and the locker room is in tatters. With the top spot open, veteran wrestlers are jockeying for position, hoping to become the next megastar, and Joey is their target.

With a unique look behind the scenes at America's most violent dramatic art, One Fall shows the world of professional wrestling in its rawest form. It is a world of violence, drug abuse, backstabbing, and desperation. But it is also a world of pride, honor, guts, and most of all, passion.

The story plays to a wrestling fan's desire for behind-the-scenes knowledge and backstage intrigue. Thematically, my novel explores the most controversial issues in professional wrestling, such as the line between reality and fantasy on wrestling television; the role of women in the American wrestling scene; and drug abuse among professional wrestlers.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0595326757
• ISBN13: 9780595326754
• Release Date: September 2004
• Publisher: iUniverse
• Length: 304 Pages
• Weight: 0.99 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 6.0" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

I've Been Waiting For This Book

As a fan of professional wrestling for many years, I was excited when I heard this book was out there, as I've always thought a novel set in the world of pro wrestling would make for a good read. This novel exceeded my expectations. I was impressed at how the author created a multilayered plot that brought together pretty much everything that's happened in the real world of wrestling over the past ten years. I was also impressed at the creativity of the story itself, which re-imagined the Monday Night Wars of old as a believable tale of corporate conspiracy driven by politics and ego behind the scenes. As the plot got cooking, I literally couldn't put this book down, and I read the last half of the book in one big chunk. While I was reading the awesome climactic scene, I kept thinking, why can't WWE put together a story like this for their TV shows?

Fantastic Novel for Fans

If you're a pro wrestling fan who likes to read wrestling columns and reviews on the Internet, you must read this book. One Fall is a novel that takes place behind the scenes of a fictional wrestling promotion, where young wrestler Joey Mayhem has burst onto the scene and become an overnight sensation. As we watch Joey climb to the top, we also read along as an Internet columnist uncovers a monumental scandal in the wrestling world. These two plots collide in a thrilling and surprising climax. In just a few hundred pages, the whole modern world of pro wrestling gets its due. We see the struggle of those starving on the Independent circuit, trying to get their shot. We see veteran wrestlers playing dirty politics as they try desperately to hold onto their fading glory. We see how the Internet, for better or worse, has opened the curtain on the shady behind the scenes dealings of this staged sport. But my favorite part of the novel is all the nods to the real world of pro wrestling. There are characters in this story who remind us of HHH, Sting, Hogan, Flair, The Undertaker, and Vince McMahon. The plot takes place in an environment similar to the late 90's world of North American Wrestling, where two rival promotions fought over ratings on Monday night television. There's even a wink at the "Internet Wrestling Community" for those who know what they're looking for. One Fall perfectly captures the essence of pro wrestling, and is obviously written by someone who knows and loves it. I blazed through it and enjoyed every word, and I recommend it highly.

New Author with Great Potential

Spencer Baum's command of plot twists, suspense, and character development provides a great read. I was barely acquainted with professional wrestling, but he held my attention all the way through to the last page. If he can do this well with his first novel, I look forward to his next. Or maybe seeing the screen adaptation of this one.

One Fall has it All

One Fall is a fascinating glimpse into a world I will never experience - professional wrestling. Before reading this novel, I thought of professional wrestlers as simply cardboard cutout characters that filled the cable tv channels for the sleep impaired. This author changes that view with his three dimensional characters as people you really care about and the emotional, physical and professional turns of their lives. Against this colorful backdrop, a drama unfolds that keeps the reader guessing at every turn. As in every good mystery, I knew there was a plot twist coming and I was sure I knew what it was. For all my smugness, I was delighted to be wrong. This author delivers on his implied promise to both inform and entertain. I'm eagerly anticipating his next book.

A Look at Professional Wresling

Knowing nothing about professional wrestling I was amazed at how quickly this book captured my interest. The writer keeps this unusual and controversial subject alive with his unique characters and intriguing plot twists. A must read for all professional wrestling fans and anyone who would like to know more about this sport.