The Hardcore Truth: The Bob Holly Story

Bob Holly · Ross Williams

May 2013 · ECW Press

About this ebook

“How do you like me now?” In the ring and behind the scenes with Hardcore Holly 

Long before he became “Hardcore Holly,” Robert Howard was a fighter. From humble beginnings — a boy dominated by his disciplinarian stepfather but fueled by an unquenchable passion for pro wrestling — Bob grew up struggling to make ends meet. 

As an adult with a family of his own to provide for, Bob fought in bars for money before finally following his dream of wrestling. From regional promotions all the way to the bright lights of the WWF, from false starts as Thurman “Sparky” Plugg and “Bombastic” Bob to fame as an internationally known superstar, The Hardcore Truth tells the story of Bob’s life including his 16 years working for Vince McMahon. 

In this rollercoaster tale of success and frustration, replete with missed opportunities, broken promises, and a broken neck — a story of fast bikes and faster cars, lost loves and wrestling bears, bar fights and betrayal — Bob shares his uncompromised views on the present wrestling landscape with fascinating insights into the world leader in sports entertainment. 

Ratings and reviews

Very exciting read. Once I picked it up, I couldn't put down. Mr Holly has a very unique writing style which I appreciate, he gives you his honest opinion whether right or wrong & throws being "politically correct" out the window. I feel as far as a bio is concerned that what we as readers, fans, wanna read. We wanna be able to close our eyes & almost feel as if we're living through u in that moment. I've read a lot of pro wrestling bio's & have to admit in terms of sheer quality this is one of the best. Definitely a must read for any fan. Any wrestlers writing a bio, take notes. Mr Holly has crafted a classic.

Bob Holly...weve all heard the endless dirtsheet chat, but this book is a brilliant insight and so befitting of the phrase '2 sides to every story'. If you don't finish this book a Bob Holly fan and just want to go drink a beer with him then you've read it wrong. A real mans man in a changing world of millennial snowflakes. Underrated underused but undeterred. A lesson to everyone on how to conduct yourself as an employee without being a whiny bi*ch. Better than HBKs book, as good as Jerichos. Get it.

A great book. Like the title says it really IS the hardcore truth. He does tell it like it is. There are a few people he considers friends and even they have their bad sides. But if he didn't like you at least you would know it. Did not know some of the things that went on but it does explain a lot of what happened! I have read a few wrestling autobiographies but this is the only one that actually tells you why someone with as much talent as Bob Holly was never able to go further than he did which is a shame . Watch out for the "sunny days" comment which was quite funny. If your a wrestling fan like me your going to love this. Great book!