Fact: Magnus is TNA’s new champion

I very much like being right.

And as Magnus is TNA’s new champion after last night’s episode of Impact, I feel it is time to reflect on my words this summer when I was interviewed by Collar & Elbow:

Magnus has the look that US pro wrestling companies have loved for years, and he has charisma and loves to talk on the mic. He’s adept at playing the heel or being the good guy – as long as he’s allowed to chat, he can put that character over…It took TNA a while to let him unleash that brash, pantomimey persona, choosing instead to make him into a stoic, silent type. But now they’ve let him do what he’s best at, and there is no question he can handle main eventing.

If you’ll let me peer behind the curtain briefly, it’s also heartening that he speaks very well of Kurt Angle and Sting, who he says have given him advice and helped him settle in; and certainly Angle speaks equally well of him. This willingness to listen to the senior pros and to get along with the roster’s elite bodes well for his longevity in US pro wrestling.

Obviously I’m slightly biased as Magnus is the cover star of my book ‘Spandex, Screw Jobs and Cheap Pops’ and has been extremely complimentary in his endorsement of it – but after years of the best British talent being wasted by the US promotions, it’s exciting to see one with gold around his waist. Congratulations, Magnus!

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Fact: win a copy of ‘Spandex, Screw Jobs and Cheap Pops’!

It’s now nearly six months after the initial release of ‘Spandex, Screw Jobs and Cheap Pops’ – so to celebrate, and to mark the end of 2013, The Void are hosting a competition to win a copy!

Their review says:

Reading like a who’s who of UK wrestling, barely a page goes by without a top name being quoted or a report from one of the country’s many independent companies, and it’s clear that this has been a labour of love for Dunn. The affection she feels for the industry pours from the page, and the relationships she has built over the years with the wrestlers themselves pays dividends here, as they open up and are unflinchingly honest about their trade.

And other reviewers have been equally kind.

We have named the book The British Wrestling Bible when discussing it on the show and it is every bit as good as we have been describing it. (The Wrestling Mania)

It is a book that is difficult to put down, is a pleasure to read, and will appeal to fans both old and new, casual or hardcore. (Screen Jabber)

Much more than just a catchy title, Spandex, Screw Jobs and Cheap Pops is a fascinating read for both ardent wrestling fans and those with just a passing interest in the sport…truly essential reading. (CollarandElbow.com)

Plus so have some stars of wrestling – cover star Magnus describes the book as “a well-researched book that shows that the author clearly has an enormous passion for this industry” and Nigel McGuinness called it “thorough and extensive”.

Enough shilling. If you haven’t got a copy already, get yourself over to The Void and enter the competition – or order it from any good book store as a perfect Christmas gift for a wrestling fan!

Fact: Magnus reads ‘Spandex, Screw Jobs and Cheap Pops’

Apologies for the brief hiatus – busy with promoting ‘Spandex, Screw Jobs and Cheap Pops’, but normal service will resume in November as WWE hits the UK!

In the meantime, here’s a picture emailed to me from the man who beat Sting at Bound for Glory last week – the UK’s very own Magnus!

News: latest media round-up for Spandex, Screw Jobs and Cheap Pops

In case you missed it…

Collar and Elbow gave Spandex, Screw Jobs and Cheap Pops a great review this week.

Carrie was a guest on this week’s Off The Top Rope podcast, talking about RAW, Smackdown, Impact, and then a special feature on 1997’s One Night Only WWF pay-per-view. She also tried to convince the show’s host that his wife would enjoy WWE because all ladies love the Shield.

Carrie will be at IPW:UK in Swanley, Kent, tomorrow (Saturday 20th July), selling and signing copies of the book. It’s a double-header event, with the matinee card Ferocious Females beginning at 4pm, and the evening show Face Off starting at 7pm.

She’ll then be at Total Action Wrestling in her hometown of Dunstable next Saturday, 27th July. There may also be a little bit of local press around that – but watch this space!

Spandex, Screw Jobs and Cheap Pops is available via Amazon – currently priced at £3.82 for the Kindle edition!

News: all the latest from ‘Spandex, Screw Jobs and Cheap Pops’

It’s been a busy six weeks since the publication of ‘Spandex, Screw Jobs and Cheap Pops: Inside the Business of British Pro Wrestling’ so thought I’d flag up some of the media and podcasts that have featured the book – and TOWIS!

Interview with Wrestling Fusion

Interview with Alternative Wrestling magazine 

Interview with WWE Blog

Guest on Interesting People Talking Wrestling (podcast)

Competition on Wrestlegasm

Guest blog for the Mirror on British wrestling and its TV coverage

And there are also two lovely reviews up on Amazon now!

Thank you to Future Pro Wrestling, who invited me down to their Summertime Brawl last weekend to draw their raffle and judge their sign competition.

Thank you also to Triple X Wrestling, who featured flyers for the book at their show last weekend; and to House of Pain: Evolution and Insane Championship wrestling, who are featuring flyers for the book at their shows this weekend.

I’m also delighted to say that I’ll be in my hometown of Dunstable on Saturday 27th July at Total Action Wrestling’s show at the Leisure Centre, signing and selling copies of the book.

I’ll also be a guest on this week’s edition of Off The Top Rope podcast – I shall post a link when it’s live!

I told you it had been busy…
If you’ve not yet got your copy, click through to Amazon now!

Interview in Alternative Wrestling Magazine: Carrie Dunn on ‘Spandex, Screw Jobs and Cheap Pops’

In case you’re interested, TOWIS editor Carrie was interviewed this month for Alternative Wrestling Magazine – a free digital download. Check out the piece on the Alternative Wrestling Magazine website!

They’re also running a competition to win a copy of ‘Spandex, Screw Jobs and Cheap Pops’ – head over to their Facebook to find out more.

Fact: ‘Spandex, Screw Jobs and Cheap Pops’ will soon be available on Kindle!

Thanks to those of you who’ve got in touch to ask if ‘Spandex, Screw Jobs and Cheap Pops’ will be available for e-readers – I’ve checked and can confirm that the e-book version should be available to buy in the next few days.

And thanks to everyone who’s bought a copy so far – do let me know when you’ve got your copy, I really hope you enjoy it.

You can look forward to reading about:

• the stars’ thoughts on wrestling training schools in the UK
• what it’s like behind the scenes at a show
• the women of British wrestling, including Nikki Storm, Rhia O’Reilly, Sweet Saraya and the Blossom Twins
• why being at a WWE tryout is “like having a football trial with the whole of the Manchester United team watching”
• what it’s like balancing a “real job” with wrestling – and what happens when you get injured

and, of course, much, much more!

The book is available to buy now online and at all good book shops.

There’ll also be another competition coming up soon, so keep an eye out for that.

(PS – normal TOWIS service,complete with return to our normal name and artwork, will resume on July 1st.)