Bounce off the ropes for a high-flying jaunt through the history of Magnolia State professional wrestling. At its peak, professional wrestling was arguably the most popular sport in Mississippi. The pageantry and colorful personalities appealed to grandparents and grandchildren alike. Author Jeffrey Martin invites readers to step inside the squared circle and revisit everything from the carnival wrestling days of the late 1800s to the chiseled melodrama of modern wrestling. Along the way, readers will learn about Billy Romanoff, the old-school wrestler turned promoter who made wrestling a weekly staple at the Jackson City Auditorium; Jerry Lawler and Bill Dundee, who brought down the house on Friday nights at the Tupelo Sports Arena; and George and Gil Culkin, the father-and-son duo who split with Cowboy Bill Watts to create their own Mississippi territory, kickstarting the careers of Kamala, Terry Gordy, Michael Hayes and many other pivotal figures. From the Foreword by legendary Mississippi Wresting Promoter Gil Culkin: "Whether you are a wrestling buff, a history buff in general or even a young wrestler today, this book is a must read. When you read about the wrestlers and promoters from the early days, you will find yourself picturing them in your mind. I know I did. This book is a great contribution to the wrestling community." Jeffrey Martin is a lifelong Mississippian and has been a public librarian for over a decade. He graduated from the University of Southern Mississippi with a Master's in Library and Information Science. He lives in Fulton, MS with his wife and two young sons. When he is not having family time, his chief interests are sports, wrestling, music, and history. His first book, Professional Wrestling in Mississippi: A History will be released by The History Press on June 5, 2023.