Greetings All,

I'm glad someone started a thread for those who have read the book; I've been looking forward to sharing some thoughts. I had heard that Sheik burnt many bridges over the years, but I was surprised how badly his relationships with other promoters had been destroyed. There had been whispers in other forums about the marriage problems, but I never remember anyone mentioning a drug problem before. When Big Time Wrestling needed Sheik's full attention, the gambling and drug problems couldn't have come at a worse time (not there's ever a good time for addictions). Other workers have protected their ring persona before, but Sheik is the only one it seems to have done it to his detriment.  

Sheik's not the first, nor will he be the last person who couldn't change with the times. The personality and drive that made him the greatest heel in pro wrestling history made it impossible for him to change his way of thinking.

I wondered why, during the 1980s, Shiek couldn't have the career that Abdullah the Burcher did at the time. I'm sitting here watching a video of Championship Wrestling of Florida (CWF) from 1985 with Abdullah working on top with Wahoo McDaniel and Dusty Rhodes. Abdullah worked a major program on top with Sting during the late 1980's. But Abduallh put Dusty over in Florida and Sting over in WCW. I now understand Sheik never would have done the job, no matter how much sense it might have made.  

To me, the book paints a complete picture of the man and it makes his achievements that much more admirable. There is something noble about a man who lives his life on his terms and Sheik certainly did that. There is a cautionary note in Sheik's story as well, about controlling your excesses and accepting that change comes rather we like it or not.  

Thanks

Quoted from: horhna, May 30^th, 2022 22:31  GMT Thanks for the post. Do you think the Sheik could have changed? He reminds me of DTB, who lasted too long. But in regards to the Sheik, he did not know anything else. I know DTB invested in real estate and toward the end lived in Florida part of the year. It just seemed like Sheik was "The Sheik" his entire life, and wrestling was all he knew how to do. He had to have known sooner or later that would end.

      Horna, to your point...it was just a follow up to the big gate the Sheik drew in Detroit.  It wasn't like they were offering him a full time gig.  The Sheik had his price and even if he priced himself out, he did know that he was worth something.
       The book to me is arguably the best wrestling book I've ever read.  Probably the best wrestling bio I've ever read.  
        Brian did a very good job covering the Sheik's story from different perspectives.  I truly liked how he told how the entire NWA was coming to pieces in the late 70's/early 80's at the same time Sheik's promotion was having so much difficulty.
         It's great that someone (Brian Solomon) took the time to really restore the Sheik's place in history as one of the All Time Great Heels and acknowledge his overall importance to the business.

         
        Vince would have promoted the match right.

Couple more observations,though he was a decade older ,my attention was drawn  to the similarities  between Danny Thomas and the Sheik. Both were sons of Lebanese immigrants ,Michigan born ,from large families,shared the same faith .Both were driven and rose to the top and forever changed their industries.Danny's acting and as founder of St Jude's and the impact on wrestling the Sheik made . Also a  small highlight for me was seeing that Bull Ortega,two years after getting a MSG shot against Bruno, getting two main events at the Cobo against the Sheik,still viable and not forgotten.