{"product_id":"living-the-gimmick-9780759550049","title":"Living the Gimmick","description":"From the time he was able to body slam a pillow, Michael dreamed of becoming a professional wrestler, vanquishing imaginary enemies and nagging self-doubt with every drop kick he landed. As his buddies hit the books, Michael got hit. When they left for college, he enrolled in Shane Stratford's Wrestling Academy, where cash -- and a particularly punishing \"audition\" -- afforded him a first look into a world part circus, part sport, and all spectacle. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e  From penny-ante matches to national notoriety, Michael rises through the ranks of professional wrestling. Hopped up on speed, pumped up on steroids, and fueled by a frustration he can't quite name, he adopts and discards identities in a bid to find the \"gimmick\" that will make him complete. His search will bring him in contact with people weird and wonderful: athletes and actors, crazy fans and crooked managers, the full rich range of folks who revel in the ring.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e  Combining elements of sports narrative a la \"North Dallas 40, \" the behind-the-scenes authenticity of \"Pumping Iron, \" and a flair for the bizarre that recalls John Irving, \"Living the Gimmick\" is a novel not soon forgotten.","brand":"Grand Central Publishing","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51106985017649,"sku":"9780759550049","price":24.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"url":"https:\/\/pageaday.com\/products\/living-the-gimmick-9780759550049","provider":"Page-A-Day","version":"1.0","type":"link"}