Tossing Salt Presents:
The Tossing Salt Book Review
Missy Hyatt: First Lady Of Wrestling
August 6, 2021
DougMaynard.com

Back in July, I had a quick conversation with the legendary Missy Hyatt on Twitter. It went a little something like this.

Missy: “I just started reading Jun Kasai autobiography. Always fascinated about the mindset of a death match wrestler. Too bad its translated in broken eng6.”

Doug: “If you can find a copy of Ole Anderson’s “Inside Out: How Corporate America Destroyed Professional Wrestling”, I would highly recommend it. It’s a great read and Ole has some very intriguing insights into the changes that wrestling has gone through. It’s hard to find, but good.”

Missy: “I have it.”

Doug: “I should have realized. It’s been out for a while. It’s a good read though. Speaking of good reads, when are we going to get a Missy Hyatt book. That would definitely be something I would love to see and read. Any plans in the works for something like that? Pretty Please…”

Missy: “Wrote one 20 years ago. Not a good book.”

Doug: “I’ll have to see if I can track it down. It can’t be that bad. And if you decide to give it another shot, I’d absolutely be interested in getting your take on today’s product and stars. I’m sure many others would agree.”

And so, I did just that and managed to easily find the book that Missy spoke of, called “Missy Hyatt: First Lady Of Wrestling”, written by Missy Hyatt with Charles Salzberg and Mark Goldblatt. in an internet search. It was written in 2001 and is available through ECW Press. And of course, I had to order it and give it a read. And well, now here we are. Are you ready for a book review? Let’s do this.

Missy Hyatt is an iconic figure in the world of professional wrestling and although she hasn’t worked for national promotion and hasn’t been featured on television in quite a while, she is still a stand-out character and recognizable figure that all true wrestling fans should know of and respect. As a manager, as an announcer, as a valet, and just as an interesting person, she definitely made an impact in the business and is a true wrestling legend in every sense of the word.

And this book? Well, I think the lady herself says it best. It’s not good. It’s not bad by any means and gives an interesting insight into the buxom blonde beauty that rocked Memphis, World Class, WCW, and ECW with her loaded Gucci purse, wild antics, and over-the-top style. But that being said, while it does go into some details about her relationship and marriage to “Hot Stuff” Eddie Gilbert, her various relationships with other wrestlers and a few football players, and actor Jason Hervey, it seems to gloss over more often than not and for a character with a career as fascinating as Missy’s should be, the stories and details just aren’t there. This covers a lot of territory, but instead of deep insight, you just get a few hints and teases instead. There are stories being told, but it feels as if more was left on the editing room floor than actually made the final cut.

I mentioned in our Twitter conversation that I would love to see Missy with a new book, giving insight into her career in Memphis, World Class, Crockett, WCW, USWA, WWE, and ECW, and the many other personalities and characters she’s met along the way, and if written correctly with a slightly different style, there is one hell of a story still left to be told. I place the blame not on Missy, but the two men who co-wrote the book with her. I think someone like Scott Teal or even Mark Madden might work better in bringing the woman we all enjoyed so much on TBS each week and her stories to life. Hell, I’ve never written a book, but I’d be willing to sit down with Missy and give it a shot myself. Just kidding. She needs a good cowriter with experience in writing books. The stories that I’m sure this amazing icon has to tell are there. I’m sure of that, but this book just seems to have missed more than it reveals and I really do hope that she finds someone and gives the job of “writer” and “author” another try.

As for this book, it’s a quick read and if you want to scratch the surface with a lot of great pictures, a few decent stories, and lots of teases to leave your imagination wanting more, give it a shot. And if you happen to meet or see Missy out and about, drop a hint that we, her fans, love her and would greatly enjoy a new Missy Hyatt book with some thoughts about the current product, WWE, AEW, past and present associations, and what this legend has been up to in recent years. I know I’m not the only one. Using the Meltzer system, I’ll give this a 3 out of 5 stars.

And with that, I bring this to an end. Thanks for reading. Comments, thoughts, and any questions are welcome and appreciated. Until the next time, take care of yourself and stay safe. And if Missy happens to see this, thank you for everything you’ve given and sacrificed for us, the wrestling fans, and this business we all know and love. Hopefully, the WWE Hall Of Fame is in your near future, and isn’t there an all-women NWA Pay-Per-View coming up in a few weeks. If you’re not booked, we riot. That’s it for me. Don’t forget to support your local Independent Wrestling promotions and wrestlers. I’ll see you at the matches.

Ubuntu!