Book Review: The BILLY WATTS Story
Posted: Feb 14th 2008 By: mikeiles
The Cowboy and the Cross
The Billy Watts Story
by "Cowboy" Bill Watts & Scott Williams
Description: You may have seen or read arguments over the years in support of Bill Watts having one of the greatest mind's for professional wrestling. After all, he was the promoter and mastermind behind one of the hottest wrestling promotions before the monopolization of Vince McMahon. However you probably have not heard anyone pushing the name Bill Watts as one of the greatest at anything else - until now. The Billy Watts Story is 300+ pages of self gratifying stories of Bill Watts proclaiming himself the world's greatest everything.
Let's start with the positives. I thoroughly enjoyed the chapters about his stint as President of World Championship Wrestling and a three-month stay in the World Wrestling Federation. I guess because it was familiar to me. Watts surprisingly had a lot of good things to say about Vince McMahon, so don't pick up this book expecting an angry tirade against the infamous WWE chairman. He was, however, not as gracious when talking about his predecessor, Eric Bischoff.
The first few chapters were so bad that it literally took me months to get through it because I simply did not want to read it. I kept picking it up, and then putting it down for days and even weeks before pulling together the strength to tackle it again. I read all about Mr. Watts' meathead antics as a young man, growing up in the College football system, showing all the discipline of a toddler with a dirty diaper. Bill exemplified and glorified the very behavior that he would deem unacceptable later in life when he found himself in a position of authority. Somehow this behavior was okay when he did it, but deplorable when performed by others. If I ever had the opportunity to ask Mr. Watts one question, it would be "what would you have done if you were forced to work with the young version of yourself?" I suspect he would have fined and fired himself faster than you could say the word "hypocrite."
I do, however, admire Mr. Watts for turning over a new leaf and giving his life to God. But that doesn't mean that I wanted to listen to the constant preaching on numerous pages of this book. With scattered references during the first 100 pages, and an all-embracing spiritual testimonial dominating the final thirty pages of the book. Do yourself a favor and skip that section of the book.
The book was really well written and I give a lot credit to Scott Williams for that. He is an incredible writer and has a history of writing great wrestling books. I did find the guts of the book very entertaining, once I got into a groove, and found the chapters that really probed into the world of professional wrestling through Cowboy Bill's eyes. So the book has enough content to satisfy the average wrestling fan, but unfortunately contains just enough garbage to cause a little reader remorse.
Rating: 5 / 10
Supplemental Information
Latest News
Jerry Lawler says his 'health is great' following February 2023 stroke
Jerry Lawler has provided a health update. The 74-year-old suffered a stroke in Februa... Read More
The Scoop
NEWS Footage revealing Carlito as Dragon Lee’s mystery attacker was shown on the April 26th episode of “WWE Friday Night SmackDown”. There had been... Read More
“Make yourself undeniable” – Bodyslam.net speaks with Walker Stewart of NJPW
In the realm of professional wrestling, I wear two hats – one as a wordsmith for Bodys... Read More
- AEW’s Ricky Starks recalls sneak-eating king cakes, washing cars for money ahead of champions’ homecoming show
- Mickie James on Her Next Chapter In Impact Wrestling & ‘Bound for Glory’
- Ric Flair Interview Recap
- AEW ‘Grand Slam’: Sammy Guevara on His Journey from Working at Taco Bell to Facing Chris Jericho
Spotlight in History
- 1959 Pretty Boy Collins & Duke Scarbo became the TSW Louisiana Tag Team Champion
- 1969 Ramon Torres & Alberto Torres def. Karl Von Stroheim & Treacherous Phillips for the TSW United States Tag Team Champion
- 1974 Rip Tyler def. Bob Sweetan for the TSW Brass Knucks Champion
- 1984 The Rock & Soul Connection (Buck Zumhofe & King Parsons) def. The Super Destroyers (Super Destroyer 1 & Super Destroyer 2) for the WCCW American Tag Team Champion
- 1984 The Von Erichs (Fritz Von Erich & Kevin Von Erich & Mike Von Erich) def. The Fabulous Freebirds (Terry Gordy, Michael Hayes, & Buddy Roberts) for the WCCW World 6-Man Tag Team Champion
- 1984 The Von Erichs (Kerry Von Erich & Kevin Von Erich & Mike Von Erich) became the WCCW World 6-Man Tag Team Champion
- 1985 The Fantastics (Tommy Rogers & Bobby Fulton) became the WCCW American Tag Team Champion
- 2005 Shane Morbid def. Kenny Campbell for the SRPW X Division Champion
- 2005 The 918 Boyz (Timmy J & Cade Sydal) became the SRPW Tag Team Champions
- 2011 Jeff Starchild became the MWA Heavyweight Champion
- 2017 Lone Star, Inc. (Cody Burns & Trey Cole & The Longhorn Outlaw) def. Simply the Future (J. D. & Alex) for the WFC Tag Team Champions
- 2017 Team Dean Machine (Christopher Dean & Jerry Dean) def. El Greengo Loco & Karnage for the BPPW Oklahoma Tag Team Champion
- 2023 Thrash def. Jason Jones for the WFC Prime Champion
- 2023 MLP def. Red James for the RDW Brass Knucks Champion
- 2023 Red James def. MLP for the RDW Brass Knucks Champion
Week of Sun 05-05 to Sat: 05-11
- 05-05 1941 Maurice Shapiro became the TSW Missouri Junior Heavyweight Champion
- 05-05 1958 Jim LaRock became the TSW United States Junior Heavyweight Champion
- 05-05 1958 Jim LaRock def. Sandor Kovacs for the TSW Oklahoma Junior Heavyweight Champion
- 05-05 1978 Jerry Brown & Bobby Jaggers def. Ray Candy & Steven Little Bear for the TSW United States Tag Team Champion
- 05-05 1982 King Kong Bundy def. Kerry Von Erich for the WCCW American Heavyweight Champion
- 05-05 1982 Junkyard Dog & Mr. Olympia def. The Wild Samoans (Afa & Sika) for the MSW Mid-South Tag Team Champion
- 05-05 1986 Rick Rude def. Lance Von Erich for the WCCW Television Champion
- 05-05 2002 Red Eagle def. Terry Montana for the OCW Oklahoma Hardcore Champion
- 05-05 2002 Terry Montana def. Red Eagle for the OCW Oklahoma Hardcore Champion
- 05-05 2007 The Compound Varsity (Romero Contreras & Justin Lee) became the FCW Tag Team Champions
- 05-05 2012 Kareem Sadat def. David Kyzer for the SWCW Hardcore Champion
- 05-05 2017 El Greengo Loco & Karnage def. Team Dean Machine (Christopher Dean & Jerry Dean) for the BPPW Oklahoma Tag Team Champion
- 05-05 2024 Tzuki def. Guerrerito for the EDW Heavyweight Champion
- 05-06 1959 Pretty Boy Collins & Duke Scarbo became the TSW Louisiana Tag Team Champion
- 05-06 1969 Ramon Torres & Alberto Torres def. Karl Von Stroheim & Treacherous Phillips for the TSW United States Tag Team Champion
- 05-06 1974 Rip Tyler def. Bob Sweetan for the TSW Brass Knucks Champion
- 05-06 1984 The Rock & Soul Connection (Buck Zumhofe & King Parsons) def. The Super Destroyers (Super Destroyer 1 & Super Destroyer 2) for the WCCW American Tag Team Champion
- 05-06 1984 The Von Erichs (Fritz Von Erich & Kevin Von Erich & Mike Von Erich) def. The Fabulous Freebirds (Terry Gordy, Michael Hayes, & Buddy Roberts) for the WCCW World 6-Man Tag Team Champion
- 05-06 1984 The Von Erichs (Kerry Von Erich & Kevin Von Erich & Mike Von Erich) became the WCCW World 6-Man Tag Team Champion
- 05-06 1985 The Fantastics (Tommy Rogers & Bobby Fulton) became the WCCW American Tag Team Champion
- 05-06 2005 Shane Morbid def. Kenny Campbell for the SRPW X Division Champion
- 05-06 2005 The 918 Boyz (Timmy J & Cade Sydal) became the SRPW Tag Team Champions
- 05-06 2011 Jeff Starchild became the MWA Heavyweight Champion
- 05-06 2017 Lone Star, Inc. (Cody Burns & Trey Cole & The Longhorn Outlaw) def. Simply the Future (J. D. & Alex) for the WFC Tag Team Champions
- 05-06 2017 Team Dean Machine (Christopher Dean & Jerry Dean) def. El Greengo Loco & Karnage for the BPPW Oklahoma Tag Team Champion
- 05-06 2023 Thrash def. Jason Jones for the WFC Prime Champion
- 05-06 2023 MLP def. Red James for the RDW Brass Knucks Champion
- 05-06 2023 Red James def. MLP for the RDW Brass Knucks Champion
- 05-07 1984 Killer Khan became the WCCW Television Champion
- 05-07 2010 Cody Jones became the NWA-OK Texoma Champion
- 05-07 2010 Jack Legacy def. Jeff Starchild for the MWA Heavyweight Champion
- 05-07 2010 Dustin Heritage def. Shane Morbid for the MWA MAX-Division Champion
- 05-07 2010 A. T. F. (Al Farat & Gurkha Singh) became the NWA-OK Oklahoma Tag Team Champion
- 05-07 2010 La Reina de Corazones became the NWA-OK Women's Champion
- 05-07 2011 Rudy Edwards def. Ryan Styles for the SWCW All-American Champion
- 05-07 2011 Bernie D & Max McGuirk def. Nemesis (Rage Logan & Damien Morte) for the IZW Tag Team Champions
- 05-07 2016 Tyson Jaymes def. Brandon Groom for the BCW Heavyweight Champion
- 05-07 2018 Jack Swagger became the WCR Heavyweight Champion
- 05-07 2018 The Von Erichs (Marshall Von Erich & Ross Von Erich) became the WCR Tag Team Champions
- 05-07 2018 Damon Windsor became the WCR Revolutionary Champion
- 05-07 2021 Jerome Daniel Griffey def. Tino Valentino for the ASP Heavyweight Champion
- 05-07 2022 Drake Gallows def. Oxley for the RDW Heavyweight Champion
- 05-07 2022 Derek James became the AWE Lion Heart Champion
- 05-07 2022 Luna Nightshade became the RDW Women's Champion
- 05-07 2022 Brandon Groom def. Derek James for the AWE Lion Heart Champion
- 05-07 2022 Becky def. Luna Nightshade for the RDW Women's Champion
- 05-08 1970 The Hollywood Blondes (Jerry Brown & Buddy Roberts) became the TSW United States Tag Team Champion
- 05-08 1985 The Snowman became the MSW Television Champion
- 05-08 1988 Kerry Von Erich def. King Parsons for the WCCW World Champion
- 05-08 2004 Brandon Groom def. Michael Barry for the NWA-OK Oklahoma Heavyweight Champion
- 05-08 2004 John O'Malley became the IZW Heavyweight Champion
- 05-08 2004 Kenny Campbell became the IZW Impact Division Champion
- 05-08 2004 Luc Lapointe & Se7en became the IZW Tag Team Champions
- 05-08 2010 Excellence Personified (Dustin Heritage & Se7en & Michael Barry & Jack Legacy) became the TAP Tag Team Champions
- 05-08 2010 Wage def. Eric Rose for the IZW Impact Division Champion
- 05-08 2010 John O'Malley def. Kevin Morgan for the IZW Heavyweight Champion
- 05-08 2010 Michael H def. Tex for the 412PE Heavyweight Champion
- 05-08 2010 J. R. Orullian & The Unknown def. The Trenchcoat Mafia (Ryan Reed & Dennis Williams) for the 412PE Tag Team Champions
- 05-09 1967 Gorgeous George, Jr. & Jack Brisco def. The Assassins (Assassin #1 & Assassin #2) for the TSW United States Tag Team Champion
- 05-09 2004 John O'Malley def. Chris Matthews for the ACW Heavyweight Champion
- 05-09 2004 Se7en became the ACW Hardcore Champion
- 05-09 2004 Bernie Donderwitz def. Se7en for the ACW Hardcore Champion
- 05-09 2009 Crazy Beautiful (Brett Taylor & Michael York) def. Team SuperBad (El Super Colibri & Justin Lee) for the ComPro Tag Team Champions
- 05-09 2009 Dane Griffin def. Dustin Heritage for the IZW Impact Division Champion
- 05-09 2009 BLK-OUT (Jermaine Johnson & Montego Seeka) def. Impact, Inc. (Johnny Z & Bernie D) for the IZW Tag Team Champions
- 05-09 2015 The Trenchcoat Mafia (Ryan Reed & Billy Ray [1st]) def. Hurricane Ross & J. R. Orullian for the NAW Tag Team Champions
- 05-09 2021 Erica def. Brandon Barricade for the ASP All Time Champion
- 05-10 1966 The Assassins (Assassin 1 & Assassin 2) became the TSW United States Tag Team Champion
- 05-10 2008 Jerry Bostic became the 3DW Violent Division Champion
- 05-10 2014 Billy Ray [1st] def. Running Wolf for the NAW Heavyweight Champion
- 05-10 2014 American Made def. Tim Rockwell for the UWE United States Champion
- 05-10 2019 Kody Lane def. Latrell Upton for the ComPro Oklahoma X Division Champion
- 05-10 2023 Leo Fox def. The Wolf of War for the RDW Iron Man Champion
- 05-11 1976 Karl Kox & Bob Sweetan def. Ted DiBiase & Dick Murdoch for the TSW United States Tag Team Champion
- 05-11 1981 Ernie Ladd def. Kerry Von Erich for the WCCW American Heavyweight Champion
- 05-11 2008 The Midnite Rider def. Outlaw for the MSWA Oklahoma Champion
- 05-11 2008 Limited Edition (Les Mayne & Dane Griffin) def. The South Side Soul Assassins (Tyson Jaymes & 3rd Rail) for the MSWA Mid-South Tag Team Champion
- 05-11 2013 Billy Ray [1st] became the NAW Heavyweight Champion
- 05-11 2013 The Trenchcoat Mafia (Ryan Reed & Billy Ray [1st]) def. Pretty In Pink (Mike Rose & Michael Duplanti) for the NAW Tag Team Champions
- 05-11 2019 Drake Gallows became the KCW National Champion
- Claire Watson May 6th Today!
- Hercules May 7th
- Richie Adams May 8th
- Jake Danielsson May 9th
- Rook Tyler May 10th
- Sunny War Cloud May 10th
- Tito Santana May 10th
- Billy Brown May 10th
- Jerry Brown May 10th
- Big J May 11th
- Charming Charles May 11th
- Psycho May 11th
- Sol Yang May 12th
- Bill Howard May 12th
- Sensei Jamo May 12th
- Brock Baker May 12th
- Pete Maguire May 13th
- Prince Mahalli May 13th
- Maggie Rae May 13th
- Stan Kowalski May 13th
- Dave Ryda May 13th
- Lars Manderson May 13th
- Danny Hodge May 13th
- Little Boy Blue May 13th
- Payton Scott May 13th
- Karl Krupp May 13th
- Big Van Vader May 14th
- Shawn Bragan May 14th
- Scott Irwin May 14th
- Tommy Rogers May 14th
- C. M. Burnham May 14th
- Steve Williams May 14th
- Robert Fuller May 14th
- Joe Cuedo May 15th
- Kevin Von Erich May 15th
- Koko May 15th
- Oscar Amazing May 15th
- Andrew Bridge May 15th
- Erwin IV May 15th
- Buddy Roberts May 16th
- Buddy Knox May 16th
- Alan Jefferson May 16th
- Ryan Martin May 16th
- Ryker James May 16th
- Billy Red Lyons May 17th
- Wage May 17th
- Mike Pappas May 17th
- Kyle Hawk May 17th
- Dan Maestro May 17th
- J. B. Pain May 17th
- Akuma Jones May 18th
- J. R. Wind May 18th
- Jimmy Snuka May 18th
- Matt Riviera May 18th
- Luna Nightshade May 18th
- Kristopher Haiden May 18th
- Gajo May 18th
- Andre the Giant May 19th
- Mongol May 19th
- Bateman May 19th
- Buzz Markley May 19th
- Will Chambers May 19th
- Dick Slater May 19th
Most Active Members
- Striker
- Michael York
- The Mayne Event
- cphs_sweethearts
- Talon
Oklafan Quiz
Which of the following couples are not married to each other or were never married to each other?