[WWW] Slam 10.24.03 Book Review - Lita's book an interesting R.E.A.D.

http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2003/10/24/236043.html

Lita's book an interesting R.E.A.D.

By 'Bloodthirsty' BOB KAPUR -- SLAM! Wrestling

Not being a big fan of Lita, I wasn't sure that reading her life story
would hold much appeal. Fortunately, the latest literary offering from
WWE, Lita: A Less Traveled R.O.A.D. - The Reality of Amy Dumas is
better than I expected it would be. The book is an open and honest
recounting of Dumas' journey from the bottom of a dumpster all the way
up to the top of the wrestling world, and everywhere in between.

Dumas describes her childhood as being quite lonely, stemming from
growing up in a family that wasn't very close. As a result, she was
forced to become more independent and self-reliant at an earlier age
than most. She found her true identity among the hardcore punk rock
scene, where she befriended many of the bands, sometimes travelling
with them across the country. Bouncing around from city to city, Dumas
did whatever she could to survive, from stripping in clubs for rent
money to scrounging meals out of trash dumpsters. Dumas is quite frank
and unashamed about both of those activities, as she is with every
aspect of her life covered in the book, which she co-wrote with
Michael Krugman.

Of course, the majority of the book is about her pro wrestling career.
Using a generous amount of anecdotes about many names familiar to
wrestling fans, Dumas describes her time spent with the lucha libre
companies in Mexico and her North American training, including her
stint in Dory Funk's training camp. She then recounts her time on the
independent North American scene, particularly her time training with
other WWE stars in their humble beginnings, notably the Hardy Boyz.

Her brief time in ECW is also documented, and she provides an
interesting glimpse into the backstage going-ons during that company's
last days. Of the ECW locker room, for example, she comments that it
was rife with political maneuvering and backstabbing. She drops plenty
of names and tells the reader exactly how she felt, and currently
feels, about much of that company's roster, including some people who
she now works with in WWE.

The second half of the book is devoted to her WWE career thus far. She
tells about her "Heat" days back in 1999 when her main role was
accompanying Essa Rios to the ring, to her main-eventing with stars
like The Rock and Stone Cold Steve Austin. The past four years have
brought major changes to WWE, so it's appreciated, then, that Dumas
was allowed to be honest in the book, and didn't have to toe the party
line about WWE and its booking during this period. On the contrary,
she is very forthright with her feelings and opinions on how she (and
the Hardyz with whom she is closely linked both in and out of the ring
-- she's dating Matt in real life) has been used. At one point, Dumas
notes that "I got screwed all the way around, on every possible
level." With equal candour, she criticizes poor storylines such as the
atrocious necrophilia angle, the concept of Tough Enough, the "Diva"
label (she prefers being regarded first and foremost as a "wrestler"),
and is overall quite open about her feelings towards many of her past
and present WWE co-workers. It is this part of the book that is the
most interesting, since it doesn't just describe the events that took
place from a peripheral point of view, but the actual opinions and
emotions of someone who went through them.

The last portion of the book discusses her recent neck injury --
suffered on the set of the Dark Angel TV show -- and her road back to
in-ring action. Again, her true sentiments during this entire period
are brought to the surface within the pages, including all her fears
and concerns about the surgery. Finally, she tells us about the
activities she kept busy with while on the shelf, primarily her work
as an animal activist.

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A life-long animal lover -- indeed, the book is dedicated to her
now-deceased pet dog Cody -- Dumas spent much of her time off working
at animal shelters and adoption agencies. "There are a lot more
important things in life than wrestling," she writes, and includes
animal rights within that statement. So much so, that Dumas has even
started up an organization of her own (adoreyourpets.org) to help
educate people about the cause. It is this avenue, she writes, that
she will undoubtedly end up in when her wrestling career comes to an
end.

Of course, that should still be some time away, given that her career
is still relatively young. It's that fact, perhaps, which brings to
mind one of the only criticisms of the book: clearly, given her
limited years in the sport, Dumas couldn't possibly tell as
interesting a life story as, say, Mick Foley did in his
autobiographical offerings. However, that being said, Lita: A Less
Traveled R.O.A.D. - The Reality of Amy Dumas is still an interesting
read. It offers an honest and unapologetic look at the real life story
of one of wrestling's most popular current stars. And, even if you're
not a fan of the Lita character, is still worth picking up.