The Hardcore Truth: The Bob Holly Story

Hey now, don't get the wrong idea just because I am The World's Greatest Holly Mark(tm), I honestly didn't really have any expectations for Bob's book but bought it on principle anyway. As it turns out, this is one of the best books on wrestling ever written, and considering the other candidates (Foley, Jericho) that's saying a lot. Holly completely opens up and tells his story; punches are not pulled, which is exactly what you'd expect from a guy like him. "The Hardcore Truth" is completely free of any agendas (apart from the ones that are HUGELY justified in the book) or over-glorification of Holly.Even if you don't agree with some of his actions behind the scenes (I'm still not sure I do), he rationalizes them in a way that would make sense to me if I were a wrestler. To be honest, us fans on the internet aren't in a place to judge anybody; lots of stuff goes on backstage and whether we ever find out about it depends on whether there's a whistleblower. Bob posits the blame of his being made a scapegoat for stuff that occurs backstage all the time, on one Hunter Hearst Helmsley, and I for one have about as much reason to doubt that claim as I do the odds of the sun rising when tomorrow comes.By all accounts, Robert Howard the person is a passionate, friendly guy who was a far better worker than his acclaim (or lack thereof) would indicate, and he knew it, as did a whole lot of his colleagues. It's heartbreaking to see how many times he came up with ideas on how to use him right that were shot down due to carelessness, apathy, or politics. In the end, when you're talking about a guy with Holly's workrate and look, the blame is entirely on Creative not deciding to go in a direction that would recompense Holly for all his years of hard work, and earn the company some money at the same time.The chapters about Owen, Eddie and Benoit are heartbreaking reads. In fact, Holly's hypothesis as to how the latter would go on to do what he did is one of the most sensible and level-headed rationales you'll come across. Amidst all this are a bunch of hilarious road stories, between-chapter segments on different aspects of the business like travel, exercise and getting over, and a truly touching happy ending. I don't think you could ask for a less bitter retrospective (as disenfranchised retirees are wont to provide), because Bob seems content with his life now, even with pain that'll probably never stop. That's the price a man pays. WWE are definitely missing out on safeguarding the future of their company by not keeping Bob Holly around to teach rookies to respect the business and all that entails. My markdom aside, this was truly a great read, and I recommend it to any and all wrestling fans. It should by all rights sway the opinion of even his biggest detractors; if not, that's their loss.

In many ways, Bob Holly's book was better than his wrestling career- no offense implied. As he mentions in his book, he never got a real push, was underpaid, and underappreciated for 15 years. It was refreshing to read about the perspective of a jobber to the stars in the WWE who was there for around 3-4 eras.He actually was a good wrestler and performer but was always labeled as a "good hand" and someone who could be relied upon to test new wrestlers, work in tag and opening matches, and be an undercard roleplayer. He guesses it was because of his mic work or HHH buried him.Bob Holly repaired his reputation with this book- beforehand he was considered a bully like JBL, but when he did his podcast book tour he came off as being personable, honest, and just stated his opinions from his point of view.I think some of his opinions are too subjective because the front office never told it to him straight and he was forced to make up explanations for them. I guess they never had the heart to tell him he was never going to be a draw and was going to be a jobber for life to them.

It is a great biography of Hardcore Holly and a fantastic history of the inner workings of the WWE. Also it is filled with interestic stories about other wrestlers. So glad I read it.

I didn't think much about picking up Bob Holly's book when I first heard about it - I grew up watching him from his debut to his Hardcore Holly run, but wasn't ever much of a fan (though I enjoyed his chemistry with Crash Holly and the Hardcore belt). However, I decided to give it a shot after a review said he would go into a lot of the backstage stuff around the WWF in the 90's, which is always fascinating to me.The book does deliver much of Bob's perspective on many important moments in WWF history, from the Clique's drama to the Montreal screwjob to the Attitude era and beyond, plus a lot of how Vince McMahon's mind works, how he created his characters, and what being inside a wrestling locker room is really like. He also gives very honest opinions about other wrestlers and sheds a light on what they're like behind-the-scenes. It's all very detailed, written in a straightforward fly-on-the-wall manner, and enthralling.That said, I did not expect to be so drawn into his life story as well, including doing toughman fights to feed his family at a young age, or that he never forgot his first high school love. I didn't even know he was an actual auto racer before he wrestled, and passionate about it too - I always assumed it was a corny gimmick he was given.Through reading his story, you really sense that he's a relatively normal, relatable, loyal, hard-working guy underneath the tough skin he always portrayed. And that he would have been just as hard a worker in any field he chose - whether he raced, welded, or wrestled. His dedication may not have earned him the title belts he deserved, but he enjoyed a long, respectable career.Unfortunately Bob never really got his due in the WWE, always relegated to the midcard and putting other guys over, but I get the sense he came out of the business a better person because of it. After reading it I definitely got a new perspective and whole new level of respect for a wrestler I honestly never thought much about before. One of the most enjoyable and eye-opening wrestling bios I've read. Highly recommended to all 90's wrestling fans and more!

I've read them all. This is definitely up there in the Foley, Jericho, HBK and the Hitman league as far as a deep insight into the world of wrestling as well as the life of a wrestler. What you also get to see is Bob Howard's (real name) life outside of the business as well. As a wrestling fan from ever since I can remember I would have to say that Vince McMahon is undoubtably a genius, but he dropped the ball with Hardcore Holly. He was a solid worker who DID put together good matches and hit all his spots. The claim that he wasn't good with the mic is a load of bull. I enjoyed the cocky swag that he had, so did all my friends who were wrestling fans. I think he cuts himself short as he seems incredibly self reflective and is hard on himself - he would have easily made a great champion. He carried himself with morals and integrity in a business riddled with lies, jealousy and greediness. Stings back... Guess who wants to take him on in a programme. Triple H. Good worker but even the fans can see his selfishness.If you want real insight, an entertaining and most of all honest read, I recommend this book, highly.

This book is one of the best pro wrestling books I've ever read. A must read for any wrestling fan.

Endlich eine WWE-Bio ohne WWE-Maulkorb. Wunderbar prollig, wunderbar aufrichtig. Und nicht so bitter im Nachgeschmack wie Bret Harts Lebensbeichte. Eins der besten Wrestling-Bücher.

I'm exactly the same. I found the whole thing a little bit awkward when I heard about it; what did Hardcore Holly ever really do, other than be a solid in-ring worker? Wouldn't this just be an embarrassing attempt to make an at-best 'standard' lower mid-card career seem like more than it was? And furthermore, wasn't Hardcore Holly an unlikable, grumpy, aggressive bully? But it was recommended by PWTorch.com, so I gave it a go.I'm so glad I did. This is an excellent, totally honest, utterly gripping book for any wrestling fan.It got to the point where I'd be excited about sitting down to read some more of it, and watching the 'percentage complete' number on my Kindle going up with dismay. I guarantee you'll like Bob Holly a lot more by the end than you did at the start, and it's fascinating to see how some guys, not really through any fault of their own, don't manage to break through the glass ceiling (one of the reasons being, according to Bob...well, let's just say there's three letters in their name, and they're all the same.)Refreshingly honest - Bob slates Triple H horrendously, and Vince a little at times, throughout the book, but isn't bitter or blinded enough to deny their own high level of prowess at what they do - and a fascinating insight into the blue-collar approach to a world that is, on the surface, all glitz and glamour, this book gives an on-the-scene view of key events like the Montreal Screwjob and the death of Owen Hart, and a brilliant look at backstage relationships, many that you didn't expect. This, I would argue, is a major strength of this book; the depiction of life in the WWE locker room. Many big names are covered at length: Michaels, Hart, Lesnar, The Rock, Kurt Angle, Vince, Bradshaw, Steve Blackman (trust me, it's great believe it or not) Triple H, Cody Rhodes, and of course, Benoit. Bob even gives his views on the current product.My only criticism is that it does gloss over some MAJOR aspects of Bob's private life; the fact that he'd had 'a few divorces' is only mentioned at the end, and before then there was no indication whatsoever that he'd even been married! And also the writing style is, at times, a little basic, but this book is so good that these are rendered as only minor criticisms.This really is a vital book for any wrestling fan, or anyone that wants to read one of the best accounts ever of life as a professional wrestler. This is, in my opinion, second only to Bret Hart's book, and it's close; Bret only wins because he was a top, company leading guy, but this is the other side of the coin, and that's why it works. And to quote Bret, Hardcore Holly DEFINITELY left the business 'with his head up.'Nice work Bob. You have a new fan.

Cool stories. I now wish he had more of a chance to get over. He seems content and that's great!