Laser-focused, like its subject, this is a WWE autobiography like no other.

Traditionally such books are filled with life stories and anecdotes about amusing or jaw-dropping incidents on the road. This is simply an account of one man’s drive to become a pro wrestler and get to the top and how he did it.

When I interviewed the then Drew Galloway for Fighting Spirit Magazine it was clear this was somebody who obsessed over learning every detail and nuance of his profession and rarely if ever stopped thinking about the business. That’s borne out in this book which is effectively an account of what he was thinking at every moment of his rise, fall and resurgence.

Those looking for gossip and dirt will be out of luck. His entire relationship with fellow performer Tiffany is covered in barely a paragraph. Other than the death of his mother and meeting his second wife, there’s virtually nothing about his private life. There’s no detail about outlandish ribs or road stories. Beyond the 2020 Royal Rumble, there’s very little detail about any individual match or angle.

Instead what you have is a remarkably detailed insight into the lessons he learned, the mistakes he made and the constant refinements he made to his persona and ring style. At times this creates an odd effect as, despite being so focused on the detail of the profession, parts of the book are written as if for somebody unfamiliar with professional wrestling, even explaining what a tag match is.

These quirks aside, both the content and style feel utterly authentic. McIntyre doesn’t hide his frustrations with some elements of his WWE journey, but they are always presented as challenges to overcome rather than complaints or excuses. The book is short on neither detail nor positivity when it comes to the independent scene, with the emphasis on his taking the opportunity to rebuild his name and no suggestion that promotions outside of his current employer are either invalid or irrelevant.

The closest thing to a disappointment in the book is the timing. While the WrestleMania title win is the obvious conclusion (bar a brief postscript acknowledging his title exchange with Randy Orton), it would have been fascinating to learn how McIntyre adjusted to the challenge of performing without a live audience to give real-time feedback.

Ultimately how readers respond to this book may depend on their expectations. Those looking for juicy stories or wanting to know more about the broader life of a WWE champion may not find it. But anyone with an interest in the detail of being a wrestler – and eventually a successful one – may well find themselves racing through it in a single sitting. It’s a strong recommendation for any wrestling fan, but for any wrestler (or would-be wrestler) it’s a genuine must read.

Amazon