The Road Warriors

Overview

A dynamic chronicle of one of wrestling's greatest teams

Delivering an inside account of one of wrestling's most famous fighters, this autobiography offers a rare chance to learn about Joe "Animal" Laurinaitis's life both inside and outside the ring. Revealing riveting stories about his participation in the 1980s and 1990s superstar wrestling team the Road Warriors, it recounts memorable fights with his partner Mike "Hawk" Hegstrand. He describes how he and Mike rose to become a revolutionary tag team—reinventing themselves with spiky accessories and wearing face paint before it was popular—and chronicles famous rivalries, movement between different wrestling associations, and dealing with Mike's longtime struggle with drugs and alcohol. He also invites fans into his personal life and discusses his family and newfound Christian faith. Featuring stories of incredible physical feats and deep-felt companionship, this testimony will help fans relive the glory days of a wrestling legacy.

Reviews

"A riveting memoir that pulls no punches and is every bit as powerful as the pair that once dominated the wrestling scene." —Mike Mooneyham, Post and Courier (March 2011)

"In a business where so many copy so many others, the Road Warriors stand tall as originals in both performance and presentation and are undoubtedly the greatest professional tag team wrestling duo of all time." –Powerlifting USA

"This excellent book will bring him back, hopefully to the WWE Hall of Fame."–Alan Wojcik, Gerweck.net: Pro Wrestling and MMA News (March 4, 2011)

"If you are a fan of The Road Warriors, then you definitely want to read this book. The writing is easy to follow, and once you pick it up, you won’t put it down. In the end, The Road Warriors: Danger, Death, and the Rush of Wrestling was a ‘rush.’" —Rick Rockwell, The Examiner

"An extraordinary tour de force, enthusiastically recommended to wrestling fans in general and Road Warrior fans in particular." —James A. Cox, Midwest Book Review (March 2011)

"A unique insight into professional wrestling. . . . Laurinaitis speaks with a welcome candor." —Publishers Weekly (February 2011)

Author Biography

Joe "Animal" Laurinaitis is an internationally recognized professional wrestling superstar. He is the cofounder of sporting clothes company Zubaz and an avid motivational speaker to youth groups across the United States. He lives in Minnesota. Andrew William Wright is a writer and a video producer who has written for several newspapers, including the Asbury Park Press. He produced the video series The Hardy Show and the online show RVD TV. He lives in Ocean, New Jersey. "Precious" Paul Ellering is the former manager of the Road Warriors.