Oklafan.com v5 Beta > News > Review of Dr. Death's book

Home
News

Review of Dr. Death's book

Posted: Mar 15th 2007 By: mikeiles

Description: Having grown up as one of Vince McMahon's children, I was not fortunate enough to be introduced to Steve "Dr. Death" Williams - except for what I read in magazines - until I discovered the miracle of video tape trading. Through magazine articles, and later the internet, I became familiar with the husky grappler and realized that he was truly a force within the wrestling business. The wrestlers I was being exposed to in the WWF were often portrayed as fluffy and cartoonish, but this Dr. Death character actually looked like he could kick some major butt for real. After viewing some of his matches on rented video tapes such as Starrcade 1987 and 1988, and Great American Bash 1989, I quickly developed a firm level of respect for the man named Dr. Death.

Of course a lot has happened since then; I've had the pleasure of viewing many of Steve Williams' matches from everywhere he's worked, such as Mid South, Bill Watts' UWF, NWA, WCW, Japan, Herb Abrams' UWF, MLW, and of course the WWF. I've remained a huge fan of Dr. Death the entire time, which is why I was extremely saddened by the news back in 2004 that he was suffering from throat cancer. Thank God that Steve Williams beat cancer's butt and survived to tell his story in his biography, appropriately named "How Dr. Death Became Dr. Life."

I was lucky enough to receive a complimentary copy of the book in my mailbox out of the blue several days ago. I was not expecting it, therefore I was pleasantly surprised when I saw the face of Steve "Dr. Death" Williams looking back at me when I opened the package. I simply could not wait to dive into this one; setting aside the book I was already reading, I made Dr. Death's book my number one priority. I read the entire book in three days, which is very uncharacteristic for me - but I just couldn't help myself. I was immediately sucked in from the first chapter, which revealed the details of Doc's courageous battle with throat cancer and the absolutely terrifying treatments he endured. I became emotionally attached to the person being profiled. I continued to read page after page chronicling Steve's personal life, playing football in college and in the pros, wrestling professionally all over the world, and later humbly giving his life to God.

He's literally done it all, and he's got something to say about every major wrestling organization in the world because he's worked for them all at some point in his career. Once you get past the football years, Doc writes about getting started in the business by the legendary Bill Watts, and learning the ropes in the Mid South territory. He eventually makes a huge name for himself in Jim Crockett's NWA (which became WCW), followed by lengthy stints working for both Antonio Inoki's New Japan, and Giant Baba's All Japan promotions. Dr. Death also talks about his experiences in Herb Abrams' UWF as well as MLW - and don't forget his short stint in the WWF, which includes the story of the infamous Brawl for All fiasco. All-in-all, the book is a fantastic tribute to a tremendous wrestler and a wonderful man who deserves to have his story told. He credits God (yes, there is some preaching near the end of the book) with his transformation from Dr. Death into Dr. Life. Doc's rebound from near death to being full of life is nothing short of inspirational.

The hardcover version of "How Dr. Death Became Dr. Life" will be available some time in March 2007 for $24.95 (US) at major chain and independent bookstores (Borders, Barnes & Noble, Waldenbooks, etc) or by calling Sports Publishing toll-free 24-hours-a-day 1-877-424-BOOK (2665) in the continental U.S. (217-363-2072 outside of the continental U.S.) or online at SportsPublishingLLC.com.

Rating: 9 / 10 -- Great book about a great guy, you will learn a great deal!

Supplemental Information

Upcoming Events

Complete Calendar

Spotlight in History

1979 Bruiser Brody def. Mark Lewin for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Title
1985 Tim Brooks def. Scott Casey for the WCCW Television Title
2006 Dexter Hardaway became the AACW Mid-American Light Heavyweight Champion
2023 MLP became the XDWF New GenX Champion

Week of Sun 06-07 to Sat: 06-13

06-07 1969 Jose Lothario def. Johnny Valentine for the WCCW Texas Heavyweight Title
06-07 2008 Ky-ote Johammed def. Dane Griffin for the 3DW Violent Division Title
06-07 2008 Mo'Body Gillespie def. Ky-ote Johammed for the 3DW Violent Division Title
06-07 2013 Bobby Starr def. Steven Sterling for the ComPro Showtime Title
06-07 2013 Ignition def. Super Skunk Ape, Jr. for the ComPro Oklahoma X Division Title
06-07 2013 The Canadian Red Devil def. Michael York for the ComPro Heavyweight Title
06-07 2014 Steven Sterling def. Sam Stackhouse for the ComPro Showtime Title
06-07 2014 Jake O'Brien def. The Canadian Red Devil for the ComPro Heavyweight Title
06-07 2014 Terry Montana def. Ignition for the ComPro Oklahoma X Division Title
06-07 2014 Havoc def. Buster Cherry for the SWCW All-American Title
06-07 2014 Rick Russo def. David Kyzer for the SWCW Luchadore Title
06-07 2014 Kevin James Sanchez def. Kareem Sadat for the SWCW Hardcore Title
06-07 2014 Kareem Sadat def. Kevin James Sanchez for the SWCW Hardcore Title
06-07 2014 Terry Pantera became the BPPW Junior Heavyweight Champion
06-07 2025 Frankie Lee def. K. J. Gold for the RDW Iron Man Title
06-08 1959 Frankie Kovacs & Jerry Miller def. Pretty Boy Collins & Duke Scarbo for the TSW Louisiana Tag Team Titles
06-08 2013 L. J. McDaniels became the SWCW Hardcore Champion
06-08 2013 Hurricane Ross def. Billy Ray for the NAW Heavyweight Title
06-08 2019 Michael Duplanti def. Anarchy [2nd] for the NAW Lightweight Title
06-08 2019 Big Smooth def. Hurricane Ross for the NAW Heavyweight Title
06-08 2024 Billie the Kiid became the NAW Indigenous Land Champion
06-08 2024 Daniel Aaron Michalles def. Pastor Brent for the WAH Hunger Dojo Title
06-08 2024 Eddie LeVaughn def. Romeo Reese for the WAH Heavyweight Title
06-08 2024 Michael Duplanti became the NAW Openweight Champion
06-08 2024 Speeding Bullet (Mike Gunnz & Stephen Nitro) def. The Texas Outlaws (Bobby Burns & Manico) for the NAW Tag Team Titles
06-09 1959 The Golden Giant became the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Champion
06-09 1966 Johnny Valentine def. Fritz Von Erich for the WCCW American Heavyweight Title
06-09 1980 The Fabulous Freebirds (Terry Gordy & Buddy Roberts) def. Junkyard Dog & Buck Robley for the MSW Mid-South Tag Team Titles
06-09 1989 Jeff Jarrett & Mil Mascaras def. Super Zodiac & Cactus Jack for the WCCW World Tag Team Titles
06-09 2017 The Rising (Matt Durden & Riker) def. Team Dean Machine (Christopher Dean & Jerry Dean) for the BPPW Oklahoma Tag Team Titles
06-09 2023 Koko became the CPW Heavyweight Champion
06-09 2023 The Regime (Derek James & Logan Knight & Merc & Skylar Slice/Sgt. Slice) def. The Roll Modelz (Malik Mayfield & Olivier Vegos) for the CPW Tag Team Titles
06-09 2023 Mr. Nasty def. Mascara Purpura for the CPW 918 Title
06-09 2023 Red James def. Mr. Nasty for the CPW 918 Title
06-10 1979 Bruiser Brody def. Mark Lewin for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Title
06-10 1985 Tim Brooks def. Scott Casey for the WCCW Television Title
06-10 2006 Dexter Hardaway became the AACW Mid-American Light Heavyweight Champion
06-10 2023 MLP became the XDWF New GenX Champion
06-11 1984 Chris Adams became the WCCW Television Champion
06-11 2009 Sage became the SWCW Art of War Champion
06-11 2011 Jake O'Brien def. Robbie Awesome for the MERC Patriot Title
06-11 2011 The Ring Intruders (Jon Cross & Fuel) became the SRPW Tag Team Champions
06-11 2011 Jake O'Brien became the SRPW Patriot Champion
06-11 2011 Kareem Sadat def. Rick Russo for the SWCW Hardcore Title
06-11 2011 Tim Storm def. Michael Faith for the NWA-OK Oklahoma Heavyweight Title
06-11 2022 Pastor Brent & Andrew Fenix def. The Rejecs LM (Elijah Sparks & Dr. Corvus) for the WAH Tag Team Titles
06-11 2022 Connor Smith def. Romeo Reese for the WAH Spotlight Title
06-11 2022 Umbra def. Koko for the WAH Living Hope Title
06-11 2022 Dan Webber def. Paul Puertorico for the WAH Heavyweight Title
06-12 1982 The Spoiler def. Frank Dusek for the WCCW Television Title
06-12 2009 El Latino became the NWA-OK Oklahoma Light Heavyweight Champion
06-12 2021 Brawler Morrison def. Blade [2nd] for the UWO Heavyweight Title
06-13 1960 Tony Borne def. Bull Curry for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Title
06-13 1969 Chuck Karbo became the TSW North American Champion
06-13 1978 Karl Krupp became the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Champion
06-13 1998 The Bad Boys (Splash Jackson & Bull Schmitt) def. The Texas Outlaws (Dan Wilder & Bernard Funk) for the OPW Oklahoma Tag Team Titles
06-13 2008 Brent Albright def. Slam Shady for the NWA-OK Oklahoma Heavyweight Title
06-13 2008 High Society (Al Farat & Thomas Trump) became the NWA-OK Oklahoma Tag Team Champions
06-13 2008 Josh Michaels became the ACW Heavyweight Champion
06-13 2009 The Canadian Red Devil became the ComPro Showtime Champion
06-13 2015 Seth Angel & Adrian Dell def. Nemesis (Bobby Starr & Damien Morte) for the ComPro Tag Team Titles
06-13 2015 Killista def. Paul Puertorico for the ComPro Oklahoma X Division Title
06-13 2015 Rolling Thunder def. Michael Duplanti for the NAW Heavyweight Title
06-13 2015 Paige Turner def. Erica for the IZW Queens Title
06-13 2015 Michael Wolf def. Jake O'Brien for the ComPro Heavyweight Title
06-13 2015 Jake O'Brien def. Michael Wolf for the ComPro Heavyweight Title

06-10

Dick Dunn Jun 10th Today!
Largus RagnaBrok Jun 10th Today!
Magnum T. A. Jun 11th
J. D. Richards Jun 11th
Mathmagician Jun 11th
King Parsons Jun 11th
Stan Pulaski Jun 12th
Rolling Thunder Jun 12th
Lady Sensacion Jun 12th
Zac Royal Jun 12th
Deuce Rodriguez Jun 12th
Baby Blimp Jun 12th
D'Licious Jun 12th
Dustin Heritage Jun 13th
Alex Shepard Jun 13th
John Pfanz Jun 13th
Neo Genesis Jun 13th
Chandler Hopkins Jun 13th
Mikey D Jun 13th
Geronimo Jun 13th
Bill Ash Jun 13th
Buzz Sawyer Jun 14th
Jaxon Stone Jun 15th
Sean Ryan Jun 15th
Lilith Grimm Jun 15th
Trey the Bae Jun 15th
Brad Armstrong Jun 15th
Paul Linam Jun 15th
Chuck Hinds Jun 16th
Leslie Lorenzo Jun 16th
Paul Jones Jun 16th
Ultimate Warrior Jun 16th
Jef Tiger Jun 16th
Ted Arcidi Jun 16th
Shawn Matthews III Jun 16th
Brock Landers Jun 16th
Ray Martinez Jun 17th
Mario Galento Jun 17th
Talos Jun 17th
Rob Justice Jun 17th
Bruiser Brody Jun 18th
Bad Boy Jun 18th
Johnny Angel Jun 18th
Andy Dalton Jun 18th
Cam the CODA Jun 18th
Sashimi Deluxe Jun 18th
Abe Jacobs Jun 18th
Miguel Padilla Jun 19th
Top Dollar Bill Jun 19th
Kodi Ocean Jun 19th
Mike Two Jun 19th
Wahoo McDaniel Jun 19th
Canadian Red Devil Jun 19th
Billy the Kid Jun 19th
David Kyzer Jun 20th
Professor Ito Jun 20th
Koko B. Ware Jun 20th
Jon Cross Jun 20th
Super Star Jun 21st
Jeff the Ref Jun 21st
Phantom Star Jun 21st
Milton Winkelman Jun 21st
Rick Russo Jun 21st
Athena Jun 23rd

1979 Bruiser Brody def. Mark Lewin for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Title
1985 Tim Brooks def. Scott Casey for the WCCW Television Title
2006 Dexter Hardaway became the AACW Mid-American Light Heavyweight Champion
2023 MLP became the XDWF New GenX Champion

More Look Back In History

Most Active Members

Striker
Michael York
The Mayne Event
cphs_sweethearts
Talon