Kayfabe: Stories You're Not Supposed to Hear from a Pro Wrestling Production Company Owner

By: Sean Oliver

Narrated by: Sean Oliver

Length: 7 hrs and 57 mins

Publisher's Summary

"Sean's story, beginning as a renegade, outlaw company and evolving to redefining the shoot video genre, is extremely fascinating. Who knew that the man asking the questions was as fascinating as his subject matter?" - Justin Barrasso, Sports Illustrated

"Kayfabe brings to life a world that once had its own version of ‘omerta’ in a fascinating, well written book that will intrigue long time fans, new fans, and just those who are hoping to take a peek behind the curtain of this unlikely cultural phenomenon." - Eric Bischoff, WCW President

"I worked in a business full of liars, cheaters, workers, con artists and of course...politicians. I can name maybe 3 people over the years that I 100% trusted, or even believed for that matter. Sean Oliver is one of those men. In reading Kayfabe, you can believe that 100% of this masterpiece is accurate - yes, even the parts about me. The most stand-up guy perhaps ever associated with the business of Pro Wrestling. You want truth - you'll find it right here." - Vince Russo, Former WWE/WCW Head Writer

If you thought the world of pro wrestling was wild, imagine what you haven’t seen on TV and in the ring. Add to that the backdrop of building a renegade production company, negotiating with impossible wrestling talent, and hosting groundbreaking, shoot-style programming, and you have the story of Sean Oliver.

Sean has seen industry-wide accolades for the company he co-founded and for which he serves as front man. But there are also the threats, stories of abuse, and moments of downright hilarity that you haven’t known...until now.

Watch the unpredictable and unconventional story through Sean’s eyes.

©2017 Sean Oliver (P)2017 Sean Oliver

BEHIND THE SCENES GALOUR

the story of an american dream in the making of a wrestling fan trying to give other wrestling fans a sneak peek of what wrestlers do after the game winds down and the boat starts to rock...

Sean Crushed It

Loved this book!! It is wonderfully performed by Sean Oliver with great impressions which helped his amazing stories of these figures come to life. A truly enjoyable listen start to end.

A great book wonderfully read

'Kayfabe' is a wonderful look into the modern business of wrestling content, complete with all the triumphs and occasional missteps that can happen along the way. Sean Oliver affords the reader (or listener, in this case) all the candor that has made his Kayfabe Commentaries enterprise so successful. Listeners of the audiobook get the added delight of Oliver's spot-on impressions; his Bruno Sammartino and Terry Funk are especially perfect. My only complaint, if you can call it that, is that it's not twice as long, but as they say in pro wrestling, the money's in the chase!

So informative!

I have seen many of Sean's Kafabe Commentary shoot interviews and I found it fascinating to hear his journey of successes and failures in the shoot world of wrestling.

Great!

really great look into Sean's perspective and some really great stories to enjoy through out the book.

Great Listen!

If you dig backstage stories about pro wrestling, you'll love this book. Sean Oliver's reading was great, lots of humor and passion.

Kafabe: is through, funny and filled with stories!

Kafabe: is interesting, it provides a wide-ranging look behind the scenes of an industry behind an industry... However, what really comes through in this memoir is how much Mr. Oliver cares about the fan base of his business. Not to mention, how much he actually cares about the People behind the personalities that he and his team's interviews often center around. Sean does a very good job of allowing the listener to not only feel as though they're along for the journey; but indeed as a friend who is apart of the journey of the story's ups and downs throughout! I would recommend this title to anyone who enjoys the work of Kayfabe Commentaries and the pro wrestling industry in general.

Amazing

Sean is a great story teller, these were stories I didn't think I needed to hear until I heard them. This book is fantastic.

Great Book, even better Audiobook!

If you think a wrestling book by a NON-wrestler wouldn't be compelling - YOU ARE WRONG! This story was surprisingly compelling! Sean's impressions are amazing and makes this a must listen. In particular I popped for his Raven, Bruno, and Todd Gordon impressions (he delivers the whole forward in the Todd impression!)

Highly entertaining for fans of KC!

Sean Oliver is a terrific narrator, and his imitations are spot on. I laughed out loud so many times listening to this title, and just couldn't stop listening.

below par

Not the best not the worst , some good storys but a lot of the book is the author bigging himself up

Just great

Couldn’t stop after starting this one, been a Sean fan since I first came across Kayfabe Commentaries.

5 star

Brilliant insight to the mad world of wrestlers and very different to any other wrestling book.

Interesting.... Alot of self promotion

Overall some good stories that kept me engaged... Did drag in places but worth a listen..

Gets boring and all about me me me

Starts of well but it’s very same old same old.
Basically half way through he starts saying how great he and his company is and everyone else just copies them.
But of a mark for himself

Not worth a credit. Nothing ground breaking

Overall, an enjoyable listen for fans of KC

For fans of Kayfabe Commentaries, this is a well put together collection of stories and anecdotes about Sean Oliver's time conducting interviews, and running a small business. If you've seen other interviews with Oliver, then you may have heard some of the stories before, but you'll still spend an enjoyable couple of hours listening to him narrate them here.

That being said... Oliver can sometimes come across like he's giving a speech in an investor meeting, trying to convince you of how KC was the all-time best when it comes to The Shoot Interview Business, and you should prepare to roll your eyes every time he starts to have a moan about how underappreciated his "innovative content" was.

Missy Hyatt having a "Pyjama Party" with Lacey Von Erich? Innovative content, completely oblivious to why it wasn't a runaway success.

Raven pitching stupid gimmick ideas to some random indie geek who nobody has ever heard of? Innovative content, should have revolutionised the "shoot" industry.

And did you know that Jim Cornette despises Vince Russo, so it makes sense that he would never want to contribute to Russo's Roast? Well, Oliver thinks that makes Cornette just as bad as Donald Trump and he's going to spend 5 minutes whining about it.

While these moments don't ruin the book, they do drag things down more often than I would have liked. Also, I couldn't recommend this to an average wrestling fan; if you haven't watched any of the KC interviews before, then there isn't much for you here.

Great listen.

Sean Oliver comes across as a smart, honorable gentleman with great passion for the sport he covers.

Some production mishaps

Which is ironic given the content but overall v good. Five more words required here.

One for the fans

Great listen for someone who considers himself a casual wrestling fan. Funny stories and insightful information on both the KC shows and the ongoings of everyday shoot style shows

Top Notch

Long time fan of the interview series. I really enjoyed Sean’s story, I’ve officially become a Kayfabe Commando.