Book review: Chris Jericho’s ‘Undisputed’
“A Lion’s Tale,” Chris Jericho’s 2007 autobiography, is my favorite pro wrestling memoir, so when I heard that Jericho was writing a sequel, I was excited, but I also wondered if he had set the bar too high with his first book.
After all, don’t sequels in most forms of entertainment usually fail to measure up to the original? Every once in a while, however, the follow-up actually equals or exceeds the first piece of work.
To use a movie analogy, Jericho’s just-released second autobiography, “Undisputed: How to Become the World Champion in 1,372 Easy Steps,” is definitely more “Godfather II” than it is “Breakin’ 2: Electric Boogaloo.”
“Undisputed” picks up where “A Lion’s Tale” left off, with Jericho’s first night in WWE in 1999, and it ends with his first night back in WWE in 2007.
Once again, Jericho proves to be a talented storyteller who can have you laughing so hard that you’ll cry in one chapter, and then make you get a lump in your throat in the next. The fact that the book is littered with obscure references to the rock group KISS only makes the reading experience that much more pleasurable (well, it did for me, at least).
Jericho takes readers behind the curtain in WWE and chronicles his rocky relationship with WWE chairman Vince McMahon, as well as his struggle to fit in backstage and live up to the hype that surrounded his debut.
For a number of wrestling fans (myself included), Jericho’s first appearance on Raw – when he interrupted The Rock’s promo and the two had an entertaining verbal exchange that had the crowd hanging on their every word – is one of the most memorable moments in the history of WWE television. Yet Jericho says that watching it now makes him cringe because he made the wrong choice in how he reacted to an insult from The Rock, and that miscue derailed his big push before it even got started.
Having always viewed Jericho as a very talented performer who is confident in his abilities and a genuinely good guy, it was surprising to learn just how much trouble he had making the transition from WCW to WWE.
Shortly after arriving in the company, Jericho was labeled as someone who didn’t know how to work and was “as green as grass,” in the words of McMahon. Humbled by the criticism, Jericho began to doubt himself, and to make matters worse, he had massive heat backstage because – according to what Triple H told him – he gave off the impression that he was a huge star and knew everything.
Much of Jericho’s story is told in a humorous tone, but he also delves into sobering subjects such as the Chris Benoit murder-suicide and the death of his mother, the latter of which will hit home for anyone who has lost a parent. The chapter on Benoit – the man Jericho once considered his best friend in wrestling – is a fascinating and insightful look at a complex and obviously troubled individual.
While Jericho’s initial six-year run in WWE is the main focus of the book, he also writes in detail about his band, Fozzy, as well as the other projects he was involved in during his 27-month hiatus from WWE. I suppose some wrestling fans may not be all that interested in the non-wrestling chapters in the book, but I enjoyed reading about Jericho’s experiences in other forms of entertainment.
In conclusion, I think it’s safe to say that anyone who liked “A Lion’s Tale” won’t be disappointed with “Undisputed.” In fact, when it comes to wrestlers writing their autobiographies, Jericho just may be the best in the world at what he does.
NOTE: Jericho will be signing copies of “Undisputed” tonight at the Enoch Pratt Free Library on Cathedral Street in Baltimore. The signing begins at 7 p.m. For more information, click here.
Comments
You are making me feel so much better about the fact that I picked up the book on Wednesday after work and had finished it by my Thursday morning break at work.
I've read all but one of Mick Foley's books (haven't read Countdown to Lockdown) and read Bret Hart's book and a myriad of other wrestling books but, hands down, Chris Jericho's two offerings are the best autobiographical works I've ever read. You can really hear his voice and he's hysterical. More to the point, however, he is completely real.
I'm now re-reading A Lion's Tale and am just waiting for the next paycheck so I can run out and get his DVD set.
Man, I feel like an addict who fell off the wagon. :) I take a haitus from anything wrestling related and within two weeks, I'm back to spending a lot of free time on wrestling and reading wrestling blogs (yours are the best, Kevin).
Posted by: Mina | February 18, 2011 3:46 PM
Bret Hart's book was better then this mainly due to all the Fozzy stories. Jericho's first book is by far the best wrestling book I've read. People forget, Jericho was never a main eventer before coming to WWE and as he admits, he had no clue how to put together a WWE style match so his struggles to adjust shouldn't have surprised me but they did. All the Cena haters(like me) now know Jericho is the guy to blame for putting him over huge to a skeptical McMahon.
Posted by: eric | February 18, 2011 6:17 PM
I'd always been disappointed with WWE books (the outstanding Mick Foley's aside) but Jericho's first book was just outstanding so i'm really looking forward to this one.
I got my copy from America last week so i'll be getting into it soon.
I won't enjoy the Fozzy stuff as i'd rather listen to a loop of Mysterio and Bobby Lashley promos than i would heavy metal but the wrestling chapters will get my through.
BTW Jericho's first book was right up there with Bret Hart's and a couple of Mick Foley's in terms of the best wrestling books i've read.
Now if only i could find a copy of The Dynamite Kid's book.
Posted by: John | February 18, 2011 10:09 PM
Kevin, I have a question; Madison Rayne said she was issuing an open challenge for her Knockouts title, do you think there is a chance that Kelly Kelly might answer that challenge. If not, what's going on with her.
RESPONSE FROM KE: No. Kelly Kelly is still with WWE. Her firing was story line.
Posted by: Magnificent Mark | February 19, 2011 6:59 AM
Just finished with the book, it was a great read. I dunno if it's better than his first one, but it's in the same league. I choked up a bit reading about his mother's passing.
Strangely, I still haven't read any of Foley's books, though I plan on rectifying that soon.
Posted by: loco | February 19, 2011 10:11 PM
Eck,
Lions Tale is your #1 wrestling book ... how about a top 5 or 10 list?
I started A Lions Tale on Friday and couldn't put it down. Going to plow through Undisputed this week. Looking for other great wrestling books to dive into after that.
Posted by: Anonymous | February 21, 2011 10:05 AM
I have ordered my copy as well.... Will get it in next 15-20 days.... And I'll be totally into Jericho's book once again...However I can't wait anymore after reading your review of the book.
Posted by: Kunal | February 21, 2011 1:45 PM
Waiting on that top10 book list Eck. I'll get you started, 1. Pure Dynamite.
Posted by: MM | March 5, 2011 5:11 AM