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Physical Chess

My Life in Catch-as-Catch-Can Wrestling

Published by ECW Press
Distributed by Simon & Schuster

About The Book

Behind the scenes with a pro wrestling and MMA legend

In this fascinating autobiography, Billy Robinson recounts his upbringing in post-WWII England amid a family of champion fighters, his worldwide travels as a wrestler, his time as a pro wrestling TV star, and his career as a coach to some of the biggest names in mixed martial arts.

For the first time, Billy Robinson sets the record straight on:
  • who won the infamous street fight between him and the grandfather of superstar Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson.
  • how his family was pivotal in introducing “God of Wrestling” Karl Gotch to Billy Riley’s gym and the sport of catc-as-catch-can wrestling.
  • the accomplishments of some of the greatest competitive grapplers the world has ever seen and that you’ve likely never heard of before.

This memoir fills a crucial gap in the history of catch-as-catch-can wrestling and shares the intriguing details of Billy’s life, in his own inimitable voice.

About The Authors

Product Details

  • Publisher: ECW Press (June 1, 2012)
  • Length: 152 pages
  • ISBN13: 9781770410626

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Raves and Reviews

“If you are a true fan of professional wrestling history — your education cannot be complete without a good primer on European wrestling. In Physical Chess, legendary British Catch-As-Catch-Can/professional wrestler Billy Robinson and Jake Shannon will treat you to the most concise history of 20th century European wrestling that has ever crossed this reviewer’s desk.” — Wrestling Figs

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