"Wrestlers Are Like Seagulls": From McMahon to McMahon Kindle Edition

I've heard about this book for a few years now, and finally bought the kindle edition. JJ is VERY honest and pulls no punches, while not showing any malice.He covers everything from his beginnings as a ref in the old WWWF, to his first full time job as a worker in Crockett. I loved the stories and his time in the Amarillo territory, and also his time with Eddie Graham in Florida. I would have loved to see the show from the Maritimes, sounds very cool.If you are a fan of the 4 Horseman, he covers that pretty good as well. His time in WWF is also covered, and you can see how Vince McMahon is very selfish and self centered. He basically bankrupted JJ, which sucks.He also goes into how Eric Bischoff bankrupted Turner, and never used JJ's mind to get insight on what could be done to topple the WWF at the time. Also he took the heat from a LOT of the talent for things that he either had NO control over, or that other people precipitated, that has nothing to do with him. He seems like a man of integrity, and never fired a talent by Fed X, but always had a conversation with them, as it should be.I ordered the Kindle version, because the book itself is a few hundred dollars at this time it seems.Now, if they would just release Gary Hart's book, I could die a happy man!!!!!

Mr. Dillon is As loquacious in print as he ever was in the ring. The book is filled with interesting anecdotes from a bygone era and provides a peek behind a storied decades long career. The only negative about the book I have to share is that it could have used a bit more editing. At their endings the chapters of his stories lapse into repetition and ocasionally his narrative suffers from jumps in chronology. In sum: A fun read if you have an interest, even if it could stand a little polish.

I've been a wrestling fan since the early 80's. As an adult it is fascinating to hear the behind the scenes stories from folks who made it happen. Initially, would have never thought to read a book from J. J. Dillion... but I was glad I did. If you're a "smark" you'll love the stories in this book.Teaser... you'll never believe what he's doing now.

I chose this after hearing a podcast interview with JJ. I wanted to know the story, his story; and now I feel I have. the beginning of the book shows a youthful enthusiasm, an almost Forrest Gump journey through the territory era. Alas, the picture stays too much in focus. A man who was given chances to book areas, only to have them fail do to circumstances beyond his control. While referring to Dusty Rhoades "ego" JJ goes,n,about no one being able to time a PPV. Claiming that Vince Jr. would never bring somebody needs in to fail, then claim that he wouldn't work again for wwe, because he would never know when Vince would set him,up. still and all, I appreciated the effort. thank you!

I have read other biographies that other wrestlers have written, but JJ Dillon's book is the best because you get both his perspective as a wrestler/performer and his perspective as an businessman/executive at WWF and WCW. I have watched a few shoot interviews and JJ's are the best and most insightful and his book was no different. Today's WWE doesn't even want to call it 'Professional Wrestling.' They call it 'Sports Entertainment.' I prefer the 'Pro Wrestling' era. Today's product doesn't interest me the way it did during JJ's era. Most of today's stars will be forgotten, but people like JJ Dillon and The Horsemen will not. I mean no disrespect to today's performers. There are still independent circuit wrestlers who have to wait for their break and there are those trained by WWE's NXT. I am sure everyone pays dues, but not to the same degree. In JJ's day, you had to have total devotion to the sport. There were no big payouts and you wrestled where you could. This book is like a history of wrestling. JJ gives the perspective of what it took to get into and succeed in in pro wrestling. He also gives a very unique comparison of McMahon's style of management versus Bischoff's. I think JJ is quite candid and sincere about the things he says. He is fair in that he gives you both the good and the bad about those he discusses and he admits things about himself that aren't pleasant. This is truly a unique individual who has come full circle and seems to have found peace. I have nothing but appreciation and respect for him and those like him who love pro wrestling with a passion and are willing to sacrifice for the good of the business.

I completed reading "Wrestlers Are Like Seagulls" last evening. What a great read. Have you ever read a book and realized the author did a good job writing about the subject matter but didn't live it? That is what sets this book apart and above other's. As you read each chapter you realize "J. J. lived what he wrote what he wrote in this book".

I really enjoyed this book. It was very detailed about every point in his career. It was interesting as he relived his days in the territory circuits. I loved how he went into details about his days in WCW & WWE. It gave alot of insight into his duties as a booker and working in creative. I've never read a book that went into so much detail about what it was like to work for Vince McMahon. Very interesting. In fact, Dillon was there during one of my favorite eras (1980s NWA/WCW), WWE, and also during WCW's downfall with Eric Bischoff. Great stories from the road throughout the book.What a great wrestling creative mind. What a book about professional wrestling should be! Must read for the wrestling fan. loved it!

Growing up watching JJ Dillon managing the Four Horsemen, brought me hours of entertainment and so did this book.A lot of background on wrestling from the Seventies to the start of the 21st Century. If you miss the Territory days, I would recommend this to you.

I knew relatively little of JJ Dillon before I read this book, I knew him primarily as a member of the 4 Horsemen, and I also knew that he had held management positions in both the WWF (now WWE) and WCW, and so I figured this would be an interesting read. I was not disappointed! JJ comes across firstly as a decent and warm human being who is extremely knowledgeable about "the business" and has some brilliant stories to tell without coming across as bitter or being 'inflamatory'. This book avoids the overt mud slinging of other wrestling biographies and is instead a credible chronicle of a man who is/was first and foremost a fan and then got to live his dream inside this great industry.I can highly recommend this book and would say it would be of particular interest to those that have been fans of pro wrestling anywhere in the period from the 70's through to the end of the Monday night wars.

I heard this book recommended by the 605Superpodcast. This is a really fascinating story from how he got into the business, his years as a wrestler & manager, the back stage work he did in NWA/WCW, his 7 year stint behind the scenes at WWF and time during the dying days of WCW. The book involves many of the biggest names in wrestling from the 60s up to the 00s with lots of brilliant stories a long the way. It was refreshing to see that Dillon never buries people and goes into business for himself which is a trap that many wrestling books fall into. A great read and highly recommended.

Wonderful, wonderful book. Hadn’t realised the extent of JJ’s contributions to the business over such a long period of time. Such a pleasure to read.

Oh my, what a rollercoaster. I just hope JJ has better luck in the future.I would have liked to have read more on the feuds and matches (War Games etc). But a very enjoyable read.Good luck JJ, you come across as a decent fellow.

A great look behind the scenes in WWF and WCW and also a really interesting account of his time as a wrestler which I didn't know about. WCW really was dysfunctional according to JJ's account and it's a surprise the company didn't implode sooner.