Think more the Channel 4 version of Fighting With My Family than the Hollywood remake and you’ll be closer to the feel of this no holds barred book.

Explaining the movie to some non-wrestling fan viewers, I noted that while much of the story may have been fictionalised, everything that happened before Saraya/Paige’s move to to the US certainly felt like something that was believable, if not true. This book, which shows no signs of toning things down to appease a wrestling employer, reveals that this was quite the understatement. Knight appears to hold nothing back in her description of an extremely unorthodox childhood in a family which was, to say the least, not typical. It’s affectionate without being naive, highlighting the very clear realisation that what we each experience as normal is not always what the rest of society would see the same way.

The movie of course ended with the dream moment of debuting on the main roster and winning the WWE womens title and wrestling fans will no that what happened next was far from a Hollywood dream story. Knight doesn’t shy away from discussing her subsequent highs and lows, the pressures of fame at a young age, dealing with serious injury, the unwanted attention of obsessive fans, the leaking of intimate photos, and the struggle to adjust to what appeared to be an end to her career.

It’s written in a style that suggests skilful editing, combining a truly authentic voice with clear organization and pacing. Many wrestling autobiographies either feel like they don’t resemble the subject’s natural voice, or are left as a rambling, unfocused recollection. This perfectly finds the right balance.

It’s an obvious recommendation for any fans of Saraya/Paige or her era, along with anyone familiar with the British wrestling scene of the 2000s, but it’s worth giving it a shot even if the subject matter doesn’t instantly appeal.

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