Joe Vithayathil

Grappler: Memoirs of a Masked Madman Joe Vithayathil

"A fun read about an underrated talent."
- Dave Meltzer, Wrestling Observer

"One of the best-written wrestling books I have ever read... honest and endlessly entertaining."
- Jim Valley, Pro Wrestling Torch contributor

"Grappler: Memoirs of a Masked Madman is tough to beat." -Greg Oliver, SLAM! Wrestling
He defeated Andre the Giant, tutored the Ultimate Warrior and helped Jake "The Snake" Roberts invent the DDT. He was also Harley Race's booker, Ric Flair's driver and Roddy Piper's right-hand man. This is the true story of pro wrestling's overlooked legend.

GRAPPLER chronicles the rags to almost-riches journey of Lynn "The Grappler" Denton. A star of pro wrestling's territorial era, Denton worked alongside the biggest stars of the 1980s. GRAPPLER recounts his adventures with wrestling legends such as Bret Hart, Dynamite Kid, Junkyard Dog, Ted Dibiase, Rick Rude, Curt Hennig, Jerry Lawler and Bill Goldberg.

Denton also gives wrestling fans a behind-the-scenes look at several legendary promotions, including Mid-South, World Class, Memphis and Portland Wrestling. The book revisits the territories' "glory days", and offers a ringside seat for their demise. From Denton's humble beginnings in a Texas dance hall, to the bright lights of the "Monday Night Wars", this is the story of one man chasing his dream through 35 years of wrestling history.

With a foreword from WWE legend "Rowdy" Roddy Piper, GRAPPLER is a must have for any fan who wants to learn about the unsung heroes of professional wrestling. This humorous and heartfelt autobiography is proof that not every legend wears a Hall of Fame ring.