Plus get our latest book recommendations, author news, and competitions right to your inbox.
There's No Such Thing as a Bad Kid
How I Went from Stereotype to Prototype
By Titus O'Neil
With Paul Guzzo
Published by ECW Press
Distributed by Simon & Schuster
Table of Contents
About The Book
An inspiring story from a humanitarian role model and WWE superstar, known to fans as Titus O’Neil
One caring person can change the course of a child’s life — Titus O’Neil knows that first-hand. Growing up, he was repeatedly confronted with negativity. By the time he was a teenager, he figured that he was the bad kid everyone said he was — until an adult looked him in the eye and said, “There is no such thing as a bad kid.” Unfortunately, many children across North America are labeled “bad.” They may have short attention spans, unstable home environments, or learning difficulties. Often, these young people are diagnosed with an emotional or behavioral disorder and placed in special classes. They internalize these labels, and the imposed limitations affect their ability to learn, behave, and fit in.
There’s No Such Thing as a Bad Kid chronicles Titus’s turbulent childhood years as he was helped to shed the label and realize his unique greatness, his value and potential. His remarkable story will provide hope and inspiration to children in similar circumstances and will help guide well-meaning adults in how to pay forward their successes to a generation of disadvantaged children.
One caring person can change the course of a child’s life — Titus O’Neil knows that first-hand. Growing up, he was repeatedly confronted with negativity. By the time he was a teenager, he figured that he was the bad kid everyone said he was — until an adult looked him in the eye and said, “There is no such thing as a bad kid.” Unfortunately, many children across North America are labeled “bad.” They may have short attention spans, unstable home environments, or learning difficulties. Often, these young people are diagnosed with an emotional or behavioral disorder and placed in special classes. They internalize these labels, and the imposed limitations affect their ability to learn, behave, and fit in.
There’s No Such Thing as a Bad Kid chronicles Titus’s turbulent childhood years as he was helped to shed the label and realize his unique greatness, his value and potential. His remarkable story will provide hope and inspiration to children in similar circumstances and will help guide well-meaning adults in how to pay forward their successes to a generation of disadvantaged children.
Excerpt
April 17, 2018. Jeddah, Saudi Arabia--King Abdullah International Stadium.
It is the Greatest Royal Rumble – a 50 man over the top battle royal in front of 60,000 screaming fans. This is the type of event entertainers dream about. I was pumped.
I’m entrant 39. My music hits. It’s Titus Worldwide Time. I sprint from the backstage area into the arena and down the aisle. My plan is to slide into the ring at full speed, start kicking some butt, get a pop from the crowd and make a lasting impression.
But as I got a few feet from the ring, it happened. I hit a wet spot on the ground. Instead of sliding into the ring, I slipped and slid under it.
There was a pop alright, but it was laughter from the crowd.
As I lay in the darkness, my first reaction was to make sure I was not hurt. (I was fine.) Then, it hit me – I had just made one of the most epic blunders in the history of the WWE and did so in front of the tens of thousands of fans inside the arena and the millions watching at home.
I got up, entered the ring as though nothing happened and did my job.
A few minutes later, Braun Strowman eliminated me. Once backstage, as expected, those in the locker room clowned me for my trip and fall. But it didn’t end there.
Footage of my slip went viral. Dubbed the “Titus World Slide” it was shared all over social media with comedic background music. It became a meme. ESPN showed it on SportsCenter so many times that it made 2018 Not Top Ten List, finishing at a strong number 6.
The next night on RAW, the WWE and I decided to make it part of my storyline. I wore a “Titus World Slide” shirt and pretended the trip was on purpose. I was again stricken by clumsiness later that night.
I don’t take myself too seriously. The E in WWE stands for Entertainment. You play a super hero on TV, but in real life you are still just human, and humans are going to make mistakes. You need to laugh at mistakes rather than harp on them. If you get up with confidence, no one else with harp on it either.
I did not get down on myself about the fall. Why should I have? I made a mistake. I am human. I was not injured and there have been other people who have slipped and fell on even bigger stages and they turned out just fine.
Plus, yes, I will be a part of WWE video blooper packages for decades to come, but on a show in which other Superstars included John Cena, Rey Mysterio, Randy Orton, HHH and the Undertaker, the Titus World Slide will also forever be the most memorable moment… Basically, I stole the show.
It is the Greatest Royal Rumble – a 50 man over the top battle royal in front of 60,000 screaming fans. This is the type of event entertainers dream about. I was pumped.
I’m entrant 39. My music hits. It’s Titus Worldwide Time. I sprint from the backstage area into the arena and down the aisle. My plan is to slide into the ring at full speed, start kicking some butt, get a pop from the crowd and make a lasting impression.
But as I got a few feet from the ring, it happened. I hit a wet spot on the ground. Instead of sliding into the ring, I slipped and slid under it.
There was a pop alright, but it was laughter from the crowd.
As I lay in the darkness, my first reaction was to make sure I was not hurt. (I was fine.) Then, it hit me – I had just made one of the most epic blunders in the history of the WWE and did so in front of the tens of thousands of fans inside the arena and the millions watching at home.
I got up, entered the ring as though nothing happened and did my job.
A few minutes later, Braun Strowman eliminated me. Once backstage, as expected, those in the locker room clowned me for my trip and fall. But it didn’t end there.
Footage of my slip went viral. Dubbed the “Titus World Slide” it was shared all over social media with comedic background music. It became a meme. ESPN showed it on SportsCenter so many times that it made 2018 Not Top Ten List, finishing at a strong number 6.
The next night on RAW, the WWE and I decided to make it part of my storyline. I wore a “Titus World Slide” shirt and pretended the trip was on purpose. I was again stricken by clumsiness later that night.
I don’t take myself too seriously. The E in WWE stands for Entertainment. You play a super hero on TV, but in real life you are still just human, and humans are going to make mistakes. You need to laugh at mistakes rather than harp on them. If you get up with confidence, no one else with harp on it either.
I did not get down on myself about the fall. Why should I have? I made a mistake. I am human. I was not injured and there have been other people who have slipped and fell on even bigger stages and they turned out just fine.
Plus, yes, I will be a part of WWE video blooper packages for decades to come, but on a show in which other Superstars included John Cena, Rey Mysterio, Randy Orton, HHH and the Undertaker, the Titus World Slide will also forever be the most memorable moment… Basically, I stole the show.
Product Details
- Publisher: ECW Press (August 6, 2019)
- Length: 240 pages
- ISBN13: 9781770414921
Browse Related Books
Raves and Reviews
“We all have the power to create our own destiny. Titus is living proof of that, and his story will inspire others to do the same.” — Roman Reigns, WWE Superstar
“Titus is the best example I’ve ever known of refusing to be a product of bad circumstances. He turned a heartbreaking situation into a lifetime of inspiration. I’m blessed to know him. I’m proud to call him a brother. I hope everyone will read his amazing journey and use it as inspiration to give, love, laugh, dream, work hard, and never make excuses …” — Dave Bautista
“Titus O’Neil gives from his heart, his head, and his hands. He is not only a world-class athlete, he is a world-class human being.” — Frank Sanchez, Boys & Girls Clubs of America National Vice President, Sports, Entertainment, and Alumni Development
“As a WWE Superstar and Florida Gator, Titus has entertained millions. But as a man, he changes lives one child and family at a time. Titus is living proof that the biggest and baddest can also be the best and kindest.” — Dr. Kent Fuchs, President of the University of Florida
“A true example of a servant leader, Titus O’Neil represents all that is good in our community. A big man with an even bigger heart for those less fortunate, he leads by his faith, his example, and an unwavering commitment to leaving Tampa better than he found it.” — Bob Buckhorn, former mayor of Tampa
“Titus O’Neil is committed to youth development and does wonderful work to help those from different backgrounds believe there are no limits on what they can achieve. His work to help our community is inspiring to everyone.” — Steve Spurrier, Titus’s football coach at the University of Florida
“A powerful, riveting story.” — Charleston Post Courier
“Truly an amazing tale of some of the worst hardship possible being overcome with the power of a caring adult mentor … Truly a commendable man and a much recommended book.” — BookAnon blog
“The book is a well-written argument about the need to give children positive reinforcement rather than dismiss them as inherently misbehaved … certainly might interest those in the education and social care sector.” — Pro Wrestling Books
“This is a book that educators, politicians, and anyone that works with, or wants to work with, children should read. This will, hopefully, make the reader want to get more involved with their communities to address a problem in our education system.” — Lance Writes blog
Resources and Downloads
High Resolution Images
- Book Cover Image (jpg): There's No Such Thing as a Bad Kid Hardcover 9781770414921
