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Nitro
- The Incredible Rise and Inevitable Collapse of Ted Turner's WCW
- Narrated by: Guy Evans
- Length: 17 hrs and 37 mins
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Nitro
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Summary
In April 1999, Entertainment Weekly asked its readers what many were surely wondering to themselves: How did wrestling get so big?
As a consequence of the heated ratings competition between World Championship Wrestling (WCW) and the World Wrestling Federation (WWF), the spectacle had taken over Monday nights on prime-time cable television. But in a departure from the family-friendly programming produced by the last industry boom - the 1980s wave, which made household names of Hulk Hogan, "Rowdy" Roddy Piper, and Andre the Giant - the new era of wrestling combined stunning athleticism with a raunchy sex appeal, engrossing story lines, and novel production techniques that reflected a changing society and its shifting values.
Once again, wrestling was a ubiquitous phenomenon - only this time, it seemed as though the fad would never end. With both WCW and WWF expanding into other forms of entertainment - movies, video games, music, and the like - the potential for growth appeared to be limitless.
But with uncertainty surrounding its corporate future, and increasingly uninspired programming eroding its audience, WCW stood on the verge of collapse. Three years into a five-year plan devised by its charismatic leader - a former Blue Ribbon Foods salesman named Eric Bischoff - the company whose unexpected ascension initiated the entire boom was operating on borrowed time.
For by the end of the five-year plan, WCW ceased to exist.
But Nitro is a story about much more than WCW and the Monday Night Wars. It is a story of an era, a time in which the media and cultural landscape precipitated - and later supported - pro wrestling's mainstream popularity. It is a story of how a company made in the image of an intuitively brilliant risk-taker betrayed its original promise. It is a story of how a handful of men, each struggling with their own limitations, facilitated a public obsession that changed television forever.
*Features interviews and comments from 120+ WCW/TBS employees*
What listeners say about Nitro
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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Overall3 out of 5 stars
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Performance3 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- Amazon Customer
- 18-08-20
Good, not great
This book is stuffed with fascinating insights into the juggernaut that was Nitro and Guy Evans is to be commended for compiling it into a singular narrative.
However, some of the excerpts and quotes could have been condensed for clarity and length, becoming a distraction instead of a plus. Some of the artistic flourishes are trying a bit too hard to reach for a grander meaning in what is essentially a business story.
Additionally, while Evans gets a plus for effort in recreating some of wrestling's greatest voices, the performance overall was subpar.
Definitely one for existing fans of wrestling.
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall1 out of 5 stars
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Performance1 out of 5 stars
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Story2 out of 5 stars
- Philip
- 25-07-20
what is this voice?
i can't take this fake voice longer than 20 minutes. i think the reader is from the west country but this could just be an Englishman doing his best american accent? I can't take it, it goes from smooth english, to west country twang to replacing all "t" for "d" ('straddagie' [aka strategy] or 'addedude' [aka attitude]). it is awful. the content is intriguing but someone else ought to read it
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Anonymous User
- 04-12-23
Monday night wars
This books gives a good behind the scenes look at WCW and the down fall of it. Would recommend this if your a classic wrestling fan.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Chris Barker
- 30-11-23
We’ll researched and thorough
This is an amazingly deep dive into the highs and lows of WCW, giving a glimpse behind the curtain of such an amazing period in the industry. I absolutely loved the whole thing, I just wish it had a happy ending.
I would love to have the audiobook separated into chapters though, the chapters are grouped together and it can be difficult to find a particular chapter.
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Overall3 out of 5 stars
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Performance2 out of 5 stars
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Story3 out of 5 stars
- Starstel
- 20-10-23
Thoroughly researched but disjointed
This book is very well researched and very thorough in what it aims to deliver, which is a glow by blow account of what made WCW great and then equally awful. I felt that the book jumped from one subject to another with little segue and in audio form felt jumbled and disjointed.
Some of the previous reviews allude to having a more experienced voice in the audiobook and sometimes Guy sounded bored reading his own work. A couple of mispronounced words also rankled but that’s a minor complaint.
Great book. Probably better on paper than audio.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Andrew T.
- 17-04-23
Top class listen from start to end
Excellent and richly detailed book covering both WCW and WWF. Interesting for anyone into media and business - not t iist wrestling.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Anonymous User
- 08-04-23
Absolutely loved it
It was really good listening to the history of WCW deffo recommend to any pro wrestling fan
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Anonymous User
- 24-03-23
Awesome book awesome memories
Wasn’t sure if this book was for me given the length and whether I’d stick it out, but it was easily one of, if not best, wrestling books I’ve ever ready! Awesome work author, even though I was a wwf / wwe kid, I still have fond memories of watching WCW on tnt on Friday nights flicking channels to see what’s happening on each and also WCW worldwide on a Friday evening on channel 5! Great times!
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- C. Katema
- 27-01-23
Wow....
Now this book,I TOTALLY loved ..12 hours I have kabooshed, couldn't get enough of it
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Jack James Humphrey
- 06-12-22
JackHumphreyDFS
Fantastic insight into WCW with its rise and fall. Loved wrestling in the 90s and this book bought back so many memories
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- DMCizzle
- 05-01-21
way better than the death of wcw
Guy Evans took the time to interview key executives that were actually there and knew what was going on behind the scenes at the corporate level. Bryan Alvarez and RD Reynolds' the death of wcw as entertaining as it is was based off of 3rd hand information and an axe to grind with Eric Bischoff. If you are looking for the definitive WCW book this is the book for you.
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3 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Amazon Customer
- 23-11-20
SO good, it brought me to anger tears!
I was a huge wcw fan, and was aware of some of this stuff going on. But I didn't know ALL of this went on!
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3 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Tony
- 14-03-21
Fun Listen
It's about the most in-depth retelling of the Nitro era ever. I knew most of it going in, but I learned some things and a few more details about what I already knew. The narrator is great and the story flows well. Some parts get glossed over a tad, but you could write a book about a lot of the topics covered. If you're into pro wrestling history (why else would you be reading this?) then it's a must-buy in my mind.
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2 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- jamie
- 04-11-20
a must listen for wrestling fans
The Monday night wars was the biggest time if pro wrestling history. This is the story of WCW nitro and the in depth analysis of what was a success and what ultimately went wrong.
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2 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- BangoSkank
- 24-09-20
The Best Book on The Monday Night Wars
Can't suggest this book enough. This is my favorite era of wrestling for many reasons and I have always tried to fully understand what ultimately contributed to the complete collapse of WCW. Guy Evans demonstrates very clearly what the internal and external issues were that Bischoff faced. It's so detailed and well-researched that I started to get stressed as he described the mismanagement of WCW & Turner Broadcasting.
Highly recommend this book for all serious wrestling fans.
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2 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Chris
- 26-05-20
Excellent Account of the WCW story
Guy Evans has produced probably the most thorough & reliable account of the WCW story. Evans talks to people in many facets of the companies involved and actually has the facts to back up the narrative.
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2 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Steven Gerweck
- 14-12-22
A must have for wrestling historians
"Nitro" is the essential book on the rise and ultimate demise of Ted Turner's World Championship Wrestling. Guy Evans provides the pertinent components of the astonishing downfall of what was the world's most prominent wrestling promotion. The author provides statistical analysis, and breaks down the monumental bone-headed decisions that landed WCW into the hands of their rival, Vince McMahon. Evans documents the on going legal battles between wrestling giants WCW and WWF. In "Nitro," you will relive the final days of WCW, and discover the plans a potential buyer had for the impoverished wrestling company. Evans also examines the evidence of a plausible sabotage of the organization. The author's meticulous research is phenomenal, and the story-telling is sensational.
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Andrew Belet
- 22-07-22
Comprehensive Look at a sad story
I watched WCW from a very young age, and was 17 when it shut down. It was always sad to see the company dissappear, and this book does evoke those same feelings. Still, it is so superbly written, that the conclusion is more than satisfying. I reccomend this book to any and all wrestling fans!
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Benjamin Dingess
- 13-07-22
Great listen
I really enjoyed the full story of the wrestling I grew up on. I loved hearing the distinct memories I recall vividly and the thoughts that went behind them. This book provided profound finances and submissions from those who were behind the scenes. To any WCW fan of the 90’s, this is a must-have in your library. Kudos to Guy Evans on a great write, and a great read.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Neil Moss
- 12-07-22
Growing up watching Nitro, this is the book!
I grew up watching WCW with my brother. We got around when the nWo was forming. This is THE WCW book to read/listen. Great details from not only WCW wrestlers and management, but also the workings at Turner. also Guy Evans with the awesome narration!
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