Author: Shawn “Crusher” Crossen

ISBN: 1879000121

 The following review was contributed by: NORM GOLDMAN:  Editor of Bookpleasures &CLICK TO VIEW  Norm Goldman's Reviews: To read Norm's Interview With The Author CLICK HERE

If there is a lesson to be taught at the heart of Shawn “Crusher” Crossen’s first book, Pro Wrestling Kid’s Style, it’s that you can accomplish practically anything, even if you are only fourteen years old, if you set your mind to it.

Crossen’s narrative recounts how in the mid 1980s, at the tender age of fourteen and showing great maturity, he was successful in setting up, managing and promoting a kid’s wrestling league, the National Wrestling Federation, whose matches were shown on  cable television . The participants were from Minnesota, and the bouts were staged in a similar manner as viewers would be accustomed to when watching professional wrestlers. There were tag team matches, multiples wrestlers in the ring at the same time, and some familiar comical shenanigans exhibited by the pros.
The wrestlers even adopted colorful stage names and characters as Rough Ryan, Bruiser Bradhoft, Luxury Lane, Man Man Nash, Merciless Mike, and many others.

All of the matches were creatively planned and rehearsed in advance, with the exception of those involving championship titles. Eventually, the latter events were likewise pre-determined.
There was in addition a ring announcer, who contributed to the drama we often associate with professional wrestling.
The popularity of these staged matches even came to the attention of the local media, resulting in several newspaper articles and write-ups.

As the author recounts, the success of the league culminated with the staging of block buster events at the local Armory that attracted sizeable audiences.
Quite amazing were the television camera skills, as well as the marketing and advertising skills Crossen and his participants displayed. They even were able to attract sponsors-something that is quite amazing for young teenagers with no business experience, yet displaying a great deal of maturity.

Although the author’s writing is in need of editing, the book is nonetheless an enjoyable read and learning experience, as its moral successfully captures many important lessons on life.