Rob Reads: Atlas: Too Much Too Soon

Rob Faint

The Tony Atlas story is a typical rag to riches one.  From growing up in poverty to becoming a world champion, he has seen and done it all.  His amazing climb to the top and his equally amazing fall from grace are chronicled here, and he pulls no punches about who should take the credit/share the blame.

My Thoughts:

It’s amazing and refreshing to hear about someone taking full responsibility for his actions.  Atlas blames no one for his issues with drugs and women but himself.  I give him a ton of credit.

I wasn’t surprised to read about racism in wrestling: I was surprised at its source.  The people who tried to hold Atlas back were other African American wrestlers.  Both Thunderbolt Patterson and Tiger Conway Jr tried to sabotage Atlas’s career. 

Atlas’ obsession with ladies’ feet was a fact I was aware of, but I didn’t know it cost him jobs and relationships. 

I had no idea Rocky Johnson and Tony Atlas did not want to team or even get along.  They only defended the WWF Tag Team championship 2 times in a 5-month reign.

Tony Atlas contends that if it wasn’t for his outside issues he could have been world champion:  He claims he could have been the man to defeat the Iron Sheik (rather than Hulk Hogan) to win the WWF championship.  I’m not sure I agree.  I think a combination of racism and unreliability played a part in he not receiving a bigger push but I don’t believe he was in consideration for that role. 

The Bruiser Brody segment of the book never fails to anger/upset me every time I read it.  It was murder, plain and simple.  The fact that the Jose Gonzales got away with it was even worse. 

Atlas claims he was paid $2,000 not to appear at the first Wrestlemania.  He claims the WWF was afraid he would cause a problem (He was fighting with Mr. Saito and others at the time).  SD Jones took his place and famously lost in 24 seconds.

Conclusion

This book is a fascinating tale of the rise and fall (and rise) of Tony Atlas.  He has experienced the highest of highs and the lowest of the lows, but somehow he is still here to tell the tale.  That, not the championships and accolades, is his greatest accomplishment.