Brad Balukjian’s new book explores the people behind wrestling

MILWAUKEE – Milwaukee has long been known for its deep roots in professional wrestling.

I spoke to Brad Balukjian about his next book, which explores the boundaries between fact and fiction in wrestling.

“The AWA was huge in this area in the ’60s and ’70s. Milwaukee has always been a wrestling town,” says Brad Balukjian.

Balukjian is a journalist, scientist, professor and author of the book “The Six Pack, on the Open Road in Search of Wrestlemania”.

“There are so many who may not openly admit in mixed company that they are huge wrestling fans, but there are so many people out there who are, who like wrestling but don’t talk about it that much,” Balukjian says.

The book deals with truth in a world built on illusions.

“One thing that’s always fascinating about wrestling is where the line is between myth and reality, right?” Balukjian says. “Where is the line between truth and fiction? And when you’re playing, especially in the old days when you were playing a character 24/7. How did that character take over your life?”

With many interesting revelations about everyone from Hulk Hogan to the Iron Shiek.

“Most of them were quiet. They were kind of shy,” Balukjian says. “You know, unbelievable. Again, people like Sergeant Slaughter. Or this guy Bill Eadie, who played a character called Masked Superstar and Demolition Axe. They were humble, polite, quiet guys.”

What’s treacherous? Most wrestlers want to be known as real people. And sometimes things aren’t what they seem.

“In real life, the bad guys were always the nice guys,” Balukjian says. “In real life, the bad guys were the good guys and the good guys were the bad guys, and that’s an interesting phenomenon. But Hulk Hogan, I would say, in real life, you know he’s a good guy.”

The book also explores what happens when you meet your heroes and the humanity behind wrestling.

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