The Best in the World

October 27, 2014
World Wrestling Entertainment star Jericho (Undisputed) delivers the third chronicle of his unconventional life in and outside the ring, which should be a sure hit with his large fan base of "Jerichoholics." He recounts his life since 2007 when he returned to wrestling after his self-described "sabbatical," having left the WWE in 2005. Like his previous books, Jericho displays a keen understanding of the realities of being a character in the tightly-scripted wrestling world: "the second time you were made champion was the proof that you really deserved it and could make the company money by holding it." He offers an inside look at how wrestlers change their images to stay popular, as he details how he switched roles from his nice-guy persona to that of "the ultimate heel with no redeeming qualities," based on the villain played by Javier Bardem in the film "No Country for Old Men." Jericho also describes his encounters with the likes of Mickey Rourke, Metallica, and Bob Barker, as well as a long look at life on the road with his heavy metal band Fozzy. Overall, however, the book lacks the fast-pace of his earlier efforts; many of the stories sound like repeats of past exploits.

September 1, 2014
The WWE wrestler and entertainer chronicles his latest alcohol-fueled adventures and his push to become a bigger celebrity. Along with Fornatale, who co-authored his previous two best-selling books, Jericho (Undisputed: How to Become the World Champion in 1,372 Easy Steps, 2011, etc.) is back to regale us with tales from a life filled with drunken nights on the pro-wrestling circuit, performances with his heavy-metal band, Fozzy, and, increasingly, appearances on network TV. Along the way, we get to know Jericho's informal storytelling style, with its self-deprecating humor and many pop-culture references. Pro-wrestling fans, casual and hard-core alike, will have their interest piqued by the volatile relationship between Jericho and WWE's head honcho, Vince McMahon. Jericho also devotes plenty of space to the ways in which he carefully planned his wrestling feuds with recent icons like Shawn Michaels and older legends like Ricky Steamboat. The confrontations have never been limited to fellow wrestlers: Jericho took a punch from Mike Tyson, endured a tongue lashing from Bob Barker and narrowly escaped an all-out brawl with Mickey Rourke (and his crew of bone-breakers). Metalheads will certainly appreciate Jericho's encyclopedic knowledge of hard-core rock bands and his childlike anxiety when meeting stars like Ozzy Osbourne and the members of Metallica. Jericho also recounts his experiences on Dancing with the Stars, which allowed him to showcase his personality as an entertainer, not just a pro wrestler. Laced with deadpan comedic quips and diabolical schemes to further his position as a wrestling villain, this book makes a strong case for Jericho's extensive skill set as a performer. A rollicking ride through a large swath of the entertainment industry.

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