Wrestling fans thrilled to the exploits of the Hart family as they battled against the likes of Archie "The Stomper" Gouldie, Dynamite Kid, and J.R. Foley, to name a few.
In the Revised and Expanded edition of Pain and Passion: The History of Stampede Wrestling, author Heath McCoy crafts a study of the popular and influential wrestling promotion he grew up watching. Meticulous and detailed in its approach, McCoy leaves no stone unturned as he takes readers behind the scenes of both Stampede Wrestling and the family behind it - the Harts.
Stu Hart: Promoter And Patriarch
Pain and Passion tells the story of Stu Hart, a young amateur wrestler and shooter from Saskatchewan who entered the pro ranks in the 1940s and then moved into the role of promoter. With his wife Helen at his side, Stu started Klondike Wrestling in 1948 in Edmonton, Alberta, which would eventually become named Stampede.
From 1948 to 1984, Stampede Wrestling was a fixture throughout Western Canada until the expansion of the WWE under Vince McMahon led to Stu selling his territory to McMahon's burgeoning corporation. Stars from Stu's promotion would go on to great success in the WWE, including his sons Bret "Hitman" Hart and Owen Hart.
Upon buying back the territory in 1985, Stampede struggled to find its audience again in the face of the changing wrestling landscape, with second oldest son Bruce Hart the main proponent in keeping the ailing franchise alive.
Finally in 1989, Stampede under the ownership of Stu Hart closed its doors for good. Although Bruce and brother Ross reopened the promotion on their own in 1999, it has maintained a minimal presence on and off since that time.
Struggles In and out of the Ring
Author Heath McCoy does an excellent job of depicting life in and around Stampede Wrestling, including the constant struggles Stu and Helen had in keeping the promotion and themselves afloat. Problems with talent, financial hardships, and the ongoing drama within Hart House are covered in detail and make for compelling reading.
Some of the juiciest portions of the book deal not only with the members of the family but with several key figures who were as indelible as the Harts themselves were. McCoy succeeds in conveying the personalities involved, in addition to telling their respective stories.
Longtime announcer Ed Whalen was a key component of Stampede's success. However Whalen was at odds with both Stu over the violence displayed and with himself at being a serious broadcaster involved with the sideshow wrestling often could be.
Another individual who gets much discussion is Tom Billington a.k.a. The Dynamite Kid, who ignited his career in Stampede. Considered justifiably as one of the great innovators in the squared circle, Billington's personality is laid bare and his relationships with the Harts, along with his wife and family, make for some of the most haunting passages of the book.
The relationship between Stu and Helen and their children make for the more heartwarming and heart wrenching portions. The description of events leading to the passings of both Stu and Helen are particularly emotional.
Pain And Passion: The Final Word
On the back cover is a quote from Bret Hart praising Pain and Passion, at the end of which he states, "Of all the books that have come out on wrestling, this is my all-time favorite." Strong praise from the author of Hitman, a tremendous wrestling book in itself. (For a review of Hitman, click here.)
Pain and Passion is an exceptional book that could be considered the definitive word on Stampede Wrestling.
McCoy, Heath. Pain And Passion: The History Of Stampede Wrestling - Rev. ed. 2007. ECW Press, 333 pgs.
(ISBN:978-1-55022-787-1)
