Listen free for 30 days
-
Ringmaster
- Vince McMahon and the Unmaking of America
- Narrated by: Alyss Weissglass
- Length: 15 hrs and 11 mins
Failed to add items
Add to Cart failed.
Add to Wish List failed.
Remove from wish list failed.
Follow podcast failed
Unfollow podcast failed
Buy Now for $29.13
No default payment method selected.
We are sorry. We are not allowed to sell this product with the selected payment method
Publisher's Summary
This definitive biography of Vince McMahon, former WWE chairman and CEO, is “riveting, essential reading” (Rick Perlstein, New York Times bestselling author) as it charts his rise from rural poverty to the throne of one of the world’s most influential media empires. Featuring exclusive interviews with more than 150 people who witnessed, aided, and suffered from his ascent.
Even if you’ve never watched a minute of professional wrestling, you are living in Vince McMahon’s world.
In his four decades as the defining figure of American pro wrestling, McMahon was the man behind Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, “Stone Cold” Steve Austin, John Cena, Dave Bautista, Bret “The Hitman” Hart, and Hulk Hogan, to name just a few of the mega-stars who owe him their careers. For more than twenty-five years, he has also been a performer in his own show, acting as the diabolical “Mr. McMahon”—a figure who may have more in common with the real Vince than he would care to admit.
Just as importantly, McMahon is one of Donald Trump’s closest friends—and Trump’s experiences as a performer in McMahon’s programming were, in many ways, a dress rehearsal for the 45th President’s campaigns and presidency. McMahon and his wife, Linda, are major Republican donors. Linda was in Trump’s cabinet. McMahon makes deals with the Saudi government worth hundreds of millions of dollars. And for generations of people who have watched wrestling, he has been a defining cultural force and has helped foment “the worst of contemporary politics” (Kirkus Reviews).
Ringmaster built on exclusive interviews with more than 150 people, from McMahon’s childhood friends to those who accuse him of destroying their lives. “Smart, entertaining, impressively reported, and beautifully written. Wrestling fans will devour it, but everyone who wants to better understand this crazy country and one of its truly original characters ought to read it” (Jonathan Eig, author of Ali: A Life).
You may also enjoy...
-
There's Just One Problem...
- True Tales from the Former, One-Time, 7th Most Powerful Person in WWE
- Written by: Brian Gewirtz
- Narrated by: Greg Baglia
- Length: 9 hrs and 20 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
For decades, wrestling was shrouded in secrecy. It had larger-than-life personalities, bone-crunching physicality and jaw-dropping theatrics, but backstage, it was an industry devoid of outsiders. Then in 1999, after working together on a special for MTV, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson turned to 26-year-old television writer Brian Gewirtz and asked, “You ever consider writing for WWE?” That question, and its answer, would have a profound effect on both of their lives for years to come. There's Just One Problem is a story about perseverance, tenacity, and steel chairs.
-
-
Great book
- By Harry Antoine on 2024-09-18
Written by: Brian Gewirtz
-
Slobberknocker
- My Life in Wrestling
- Written by: Jim Ross, Paul O'Brien
- Narrated by: Jim Ross, R.C. Bray
- Length: 10 hrs and 43 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
There are few people who have been in the wrestling business longer than Jim Ross. Slobberknocker is the story of how an Oklahoman farm kid with a vivid imagination and seemingly unattainable dreams became "The Voice of Wrestling" to record TV audiences and millions of fans around the world. Jim opens up about his life as an only child on a working farm, who became obsessed with professional wrestling having first seen it on his grandparents' TV.
-
-
very entertaining
- By Aaron on 2023-01-02
Written by: Jim Ross, and others
-
The Death of WCW
- Written by: R.D. Reynolds, Bryan Alvarez
- Narrated by: Bryan Alvarez
- Length: 14 hrs and 27 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
In 1997, World Championship Wrestling was on top. It was the number-one pro wrestling company in the world, and the highest-rated show on cable television. Each week, fans tuned in to Monday Nitro, flocked to sold-out arenas, and carried home truckloads of WCW merchandise. Sting, Bill Goldberg, and the New World Order were household names. Superstars like Dennis Rodman and KISS jumped on the WCW bandwagon. It seemed the company could do no wrong.
-
-
Nice walk down memory lane.
- By Amazon Customer on 2022-05-14
Written by: R.D. Reynolds, and others
-
The Last Real World Champion
- The Legacy of "Nature Boy" Ric Flair
- Written by: Tim Hornbaker
- Narrated by: Joe Hempel
- Length: 11 hrs and 55 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
For more than a century, professional wrestling has cultivated some of the most eccentric and compelling personalities. As the embodiment of flamboyance and intensity, the "Nature Boy" Ric Flair stood at wrestling's apex for decades, cementing his place as a once-in-a-lifetime athlete and performer. When he was in the ring, fans knew they were witnessing the very best, and he not only became a multi-time world heavyweight champion in the NWA, WCW, and the WWE, but his status as a generational great has been confirmed with inductions into numerous Halls of Fame.
Written by: Tim Hornbaker
-
The Stone Cold Truth
- Written by: Steve Austin, Dennis Brent, J. R. Ross
- Narrated by: Steve Austin
- Length: 2 hrs and 26 mins
- Abridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
He's wrestled as "Stunning" Steve Austin, The Ringmaster, and even his own name, Steve Williams. But to fans he is and will always be Stone Cold Steve Austin. His quick wit and colorful use of language combined with his everyman character captured the hearts of fans worldwide. It was Steve's ability inside the ring and his quick-witted responses that lead to his becoming one of the most popular WWE Superstars of all time.
-
-
EXCELLENT
- By Arthur on 2018-09-13
Written by: Steve Austin, and others
-
Death of the Territories
- Expansion, Betrayal and the War That Changed Pro Wrestling Forever
- Written by: Tim Hornbaker
- Narrated by: Kyle Tait
- Length: 11 hrs and 9 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
By creating WrestleMania, jumping into the pay-per-view field, and expanding across North America, Vince McMahon changed professional wrestling forever.
-
-
Amazing Wrestling History
- By Nicolas on 2022-12-09
Written by: Tim Hornbaker
-
There's Just One Problem...
- True Tales from the Former, One-Time, 7th Most Powerful Person in WWE
- Written by: Brian Gewirtz
- Narrated by: Greg Baglia
- Length: 9 hrs and 20 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
For decades, wrestling was shrouded in secrecy. It had larger-than-life personalities, bone-crunching physicality and jaw-dropping theatrics, but backstage, it was an industry devoid of outsiders. Then in 1999, after working together on a special for MTV, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson turned to 26-year-old television writer Brian Gewirtz and asked, “You ever consider writing for WWE?” That question, and its answer, would have a profound effect on both of their lives for years to come. There's Just One Problem is a story about perseverance, tenacity, and steel chairs.
-
-
Great book
- By Harry Antoine on 2024-09-18
Written by: Brian Gewirtz
-
Slobberknocker
- My Life in Wrestling
- Written by: Jim Ross, Paul O'Brien
- Narrated by: Jim Ross, R.C. Bray
- Length: 10 hrs and 43 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
There are few people who have been in the wrestling business longer than Jim Ross. Slobberknocker is the story of how an Oklahoman farm kid with a vivid imagination and seemingly unattainable dreams became "The Voice of Wrestling" to record TV audiences and millions of fans around the world. Jim opens up about his life as an only child on a working farm, who became obsessed with professional wrestling having first seen it on his grandparents' TV.
-
-
very entertaining
- By Aaron on 2023-01-02
Written by: Jim Ross, and others
-
The Death of WCW
- Written by: R.D. Reynolds, Bryan Alvarez
- Narrated by: Bryan Alvarez
- Length: 14 hrs and 27 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
In 1997, World Championship Wrestling was on top. It was the number-one pro wrestling company in the world, and the highest-rated show on cable television. Each week, fans tuned in to Monday Nitro, flocked to sold-out arenas, and carried home truckloads of WCW merchandise. Sting, Bill Goldberg, and the New World Order were household names. Superstars like Dennis Rodman and KISS jumped on the WCW bandwagon. It seemed the company could do no wrong.
-
-
Nice walk down memory lane.
- By Amazon Customer on 2022-05-14
Written by: R.D. Reynolds, and others
-
The Last Real World Champion
- The Legacy of "Nature Boy" Ric Flair
- Written by: Tim Hornbaker
- Narrated by: Joe Hempel
- Length: 11 hrs and 55 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
For more than a century, professional wrestling has cultivated some of the most eccentric and compelling personalities. As the embodiment of flamboyance and intensity, the "Nature Boy" Ric Flair stood at wrestling's apex for decades, cementing his place as a once-in-a-lifetime athlete and performer. When he was in the ring, fans knew they were witnessing the very best, and he not only became a multi-time world heavyweight champion in the NWA, WCW, and the WWE, but his status as a generational great has been confirmed with inductions into numerous Halls of Fame.
Written by: Tim Hornbaker
-
The Stone Cold Truth
- Written by: Steve Austin, Dennis Brent, J. R. Ross
- Narrated by: Steve Austin
- Length: 2 hrs and 26 mins
- Abridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
He's wrestled as "Stunning" Steve Austin, The Ringmaster, and even his own name, Steve Williams. But to fans he is and will always be Stone Cold Steve Austin. His quick wit and colorful use of language combined with his everyman character captured the hearts of fans worldwide. It was Steve's ability inside the ring and his quick-witted responses that lead to his becoming one of the most popular WWE Superstars of all time.
-
-
EXCELLENT
- By Arthur on 2018-09-13
Written by: Steve Austin, and others
-
Death of the Territories
- Expansion, Betrayal and the War That Changed Pro Wrestling Forever
- Written by: Tim Hornbaker
- Narrated by: Kyle Tait
- Length: 11 hrs and 9 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
By creating WrestleMania, jumping into the pay-per-view field, and expanding across North America, Vince McMahon changed professional wrestling forever.
-
-
Amazing Wrestling History
- By Nicolas on 2022-12-09
Written by: Tim Hornbaker
-
Best Seat in the House
- Your Backstage Pass Through My WWE Journey
- Written by: Justin Roberts, Tommy Dreamer - foreword
- Narrated by: Justin Roberts
- Length: 11 hrs and 4 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Justin Roberts always dreamed of being a ring announcer at World Wrestling Entertainment. From playing with action figures of the Ultimate Warrior, the Heartbreak Kid Shawn Michaels, Bret Hitman Hart and Hulk Hogan to actually announcing these larger-than-life characters to the ring, Roberts lived out the dream of countless, passionate wrestling fans worldwide.
-
-
Many great stories told by a great story teller
- By Joshua Nelson on 2022-06-25
Written by: Justin Roberts, and others
-
Macho Man
- The Untamed, Unbelievable Life of Randy Savage
- Written by: Jon Finkel
- Narrated by: Michael Bower
- Length: 9 hrs and 35 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Macho Man: The Untamed, Unbelievable Life of Randy Savage is the sensational, definitive biography of the WrestleMania headlining, Spider-Man fighting, Slim Jim snapping, minor league baseball playing American original: Randy Savage. Savage, a WWE wrestling hall of famer, was an A-list celebrity who sat atop the entertainment universe for much of the '80s and '90s. His outfits were as flamboyant as anything worn by Liberace, Elton John, or Prince. His charisma surpassed Hulk Hogan's and is rivaled only by "Stone Cold" Steve Austin and The Rock.
-
-
Why
- By Amazon Customer on 2024-09-03
Written by: Jon Finkel
-
Business Is About to Pick Up!
- 50 Years of Wrestling in 50 Unforgettable Calls
- Written by: Jim Ross
- Narrated by: Jim Ross
- Length: 9 hrs and 25 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
For wrestling fans, Jim Ross’ voice is the soundtrack of an era. This book is your ringside ticket to wrestling’s most unforgettable moments—from the announcer who made them iconic. In the last 50 years, professional wrestling has risen up from a collection of regional territories to become a global phenomenon—and Jim Ross has been there for it all. From the grit and glory days of the 1970s with NWA, to the rise of WCW and the heyday of WWF and WWE, to signing on as on-air talent and senior advisor for wrestling’s newest chapter at AEW, Jim Ross has long had the best seat in the house.
Written by: Jim Ross
-
Wrestling for My Life
- The Legend, the Reality, and the Faith of a WWE Superstar
- Written by: Shawn Michaels, David Thomas
- Narrated by: Daniel Butler
- Length: 5 hrs and 49 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
As a WWE wrestler with millions of fans, Shawn Michaels had adulation and all the attention he could ask for, but he found himself longing for something more. When he became a committed Christian at the height of his career, Shawn learned what it's like to be a man of faith in a secular arena. Wrestling for My Life documents Shawn's journey to finding a new way of life - one that's marked by faith, family, and forgiveness.
-
-
Not a Wrestling Memoir
- By Amazon Customer on 2020-07-09
Written by: Shawn Michaels, and others
-
A Chosen Destiny
- Written by: Drew McIntyre
- Narrated by: Drew McIntyre
- Length: 8 hrs and 7 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
From a young age, Drew McIntyre dreamed of becoming a WWE Champion and following in the footsteps of his heroes “Stone Cold” Steve Austin and The Undertaker. With his parents’ support, he trained and paid his dues, proving himself to tiny crowds in the UK’s Butlin circuit. At age twenty-two, McIntyre made his WWE debut and was touted by none other than WWE Chairman Vince McMahon as “The Chosen One” who would lead WWE into the future. With his destiny in the palms of his hands, Drew watched it all slip through his fingers.
-
-
A must read for any wrestling fan.
- By Amazon Customer on 2024-05-31
Written by: Drew McIntyre
-
The Best in the World
- At What I Have No Idea
- Written by: Peter Thomas Fornatale, Chris Jericho
- Narrated by: Roger Wayne
- Length: 11 hrs and 55 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The Best in the World chronicles some of the incredible and often preposterous highlights of Jericho's recent career, including how Mickey Rourke challenged Jericho to a match then backed out; his escape from the 2010 Icelandic volcanoes in a broken-down, European rental-car shuttle; his encounters with Bob Barker, Ozzy Osbourne, Metallica, Al Sharpton, and Mike Tyson; and his on-again, off-again relationship with WWE chief Vince McMahon.
-
-
Enjoyed this very much!
- By Anonymous User on 2021-02-09
Written by: Peter Thomas Fornatale, and others
-
MOX
- Written by: Jon Moxley
- Narrated by: Jon Moxley
- Length: 9 hrs and 6 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Ride alongside Jon Moxley as he retraces some of the highways traveled on his remarkable journey. Revel in the never-before-told stories about his early life in Cincinnati, Ohio; the gritty independent wrestling scene where he cut his teeth; the complicated corporate landscape of the WWE where he bucked against authority; and the rebellious upstart AEW, where he won the championship in 2020 and was finally free to achieve the vision of the wrestler he'd always wanted to be. With plenty of pitstops and revelatory insights, MOX is the riveting account of the life of a brawler.
-
-
A wonderful surprise
- By Amazon Customer on 2024-05-22
Written by: Jon Moxley
-
Positively Unstoppable
- The Art of Owning It
- Written by: Diamond Dallas Page, Mick Foley - foreword
- Narrated by: Joe Barrett, Diamond Dallas Page
- Length: 5 hrs and 56 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
After decades of helping others make radical transformations in health and fitness, fitness guru Diamond Dallas Page knows what is really holding you back from profound life change. He has watched countless people take ownership of their lives, physically, mentally, and emotionally - and he has witnessed, time and again, the precise instant when a real and massive shift occurs in a person’s attitude. In Positively Unstoppable, he brings his understanding of what really moves people to change and own their lives.
-
-
Felt like a 5 and a half hour DDP informercial
- By Matt on 2020-11-06
Written by: Diamond Dallas Page, and others
-
Becky Lynch: The Man
- Not Your Average Average Girl
- Written by: Rebecca Quin
- Narrated by: Rebecca Quin
- Length: 9 hrs and 58 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Raised in Dublin, Ireland, in a devoutly Catholic family, Rebecca Quin constantly invented new ways to make her mother worry—roughhousing with the neighborhood kids, hosting secret parties while her parents were away, enrolling in a warehouse wrestling school, nearly breaking her neck and almost kneecapping a WWE star before her own wrestling career even began—and she was always in search of a thrilling escape from the ordinary.
-
-
Big Time
- By TheEnemy on 2024-05-31
Written by: Rebecca Quin
-
No Is a Four-Letter Word
- How I Failed Spelling but Succeeded in Life
- Written by: Chris Jericho
- Narrated by: Chris Jericho
- Length: 5 hrs and 50 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Three-time New York Times best-selling author and six-time WWE champion Chris Jericho shares 20 of his most valuable lessons for achieving your goals and living the life you want, jam-packed with fantastic stories and the classic off-the-wall, laugh-out-loud Jericho references he's famous for.
-
-
Jericho's narration makes the story a lot better
- By Jordan on 2021-09-19
Written by: Chris Jericho
-
Mayor Kane
- My Life in Wrestling and Politics
- Written by: Glenn Jacobs
- Narrated by: Glenn Jacobs
- Length: 7 hrs and 39 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Even in his heyday in wrestling, Jacobs was inspired to pursue politics by popular libertarian figures such as former Republican presidential candidate Ron Paul, Republican Senator Rand Paul, Fox News' Judge Andrew Napolitano and others, and that led him to fulfill his own political ambitions. The wrestler-turned-politician hasn't hung up his wrestling boots yet. Politics is a contact sport and Jacobs is using his wrestling skills in that arena. Jacobs supports President Trump and his agenda, and is implementing conservative policies in Tennessee.
-
-
Mayor Kane audiobook book.
- By Kevin on 2022-12-13
Written by: Glenn Jacobs
-
Titan Sinking: The Decline of the WWF in 1995
- Written by: James Dixon
- Narrated by: Dean Ruple
- Length: 10 hrs and 5 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Throughout the history of the WWF, there have been times of prosperity and times of hardship, cycles that shape the ethos of the company by forcing changes to its infrastructure and on-screen direction. The one constant throughout three decades of change is Vincent Kennedy McMahon, the stalwart puppet-master who captains the ship. Unflinching, thick-skinned, and domineering, McMahon has ultimately outlasted all of his competition and come out on top of every wrestling war he has waged. In 1995, he very nearly lost.
-
-
good sh*t
- By Kayla Martin on 2022-07-15
Written by: James Dixon
What listeners say about Ringmaster
Average Customer RatingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Samuel
- 2023-07-15
The definitive wrestling history
As somebody who has absorbed a lot of wrestling history content. I can say with some authority if you only ever read one book on wwe history this is the one.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Mikaela Gorman
- 2023-04-17
Concise and comprehensive!
For someone who hasnt sat down and poured through literally every biography, autobiography, unauthorized biography and thousands of hours of interviews scattered across the internet, Ringmaster is a terrific companion to understanding the world of kayfabe, American politics, and the rise of Vince McMahon.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Anonymous User
- 2023-03-30
Don't waste your time with this.
Please, if you are a true wrestling fan or even if you thought you would learn something about a polarizing figure like Vince McMahon, look elsewhere. There are far more entertaining ways to find out about Vince McMahon, if you don't actually know who he is of course. His story is pretty much known for any wrestling fan and there are no shortage of videos about his controversy. This book is just a copy and paste of every other story thats out there. Couldn't hit refund fast enough with this one.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Nicolas
- 2023-03-29
ALL INFORMATION EVERY WRESTLING FAN ALREADY KNOWS!
Absolutely NO NEW INFORMATION, NO ACTUAL INTERVIEWS AND ABSOLUTELY NO INVESTIGATIVE JORNOLISIM
EVERY QUOTE WAS TAKEN OUT OF OTHER WRESTLERS BIOGRAPHIES that everyone of us could've read ourselves! BARELY ANYTHING PERSONAL ABOUT VINCE JUST WWE HISTORY THAT ANYONE CAN WATCH ON YOUTUBE AND A&E BIOGRAPHIES! MOSTLY JUST BASIC WRESTLING HISTORY EVERY TRUE FAN HAS KNOWN ABOUT FOR DECADES! IF YOUR LOOKING FOR A STORY ON VINCE MCMAHON YOULL BE HORRIBLY DISAPPOINTED
READ BRETT HEART'S BOOK AND WATCH DARK SIDE OF THE RING AND THE A&E BIOGRAPHIES AND YOULL KNOW EVERYTHING IN THIS BOOK
SHAMEFUL JOURNALISM!!!!!! SHAMEFUL WASTE OF MY TIME!!!! And I am a true wrestling fan
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
1 person found this helpful