Documenting the rise of women’s wrestling from sideshow to WWE main event
Sisterhood of the Squared Circlepresents the fascinating history of women’s wrestling, from the carnival circuit of the late 1800s to today’s hugely popular matches. With more than 100 wrestler profiles, find out how backstage politics, real-life grudges, and incredible personalities shaped the business. The careers of many well-known trailblazers, including Mildred Burke, the Fabulous Moolah, Mae Young, Penny Banner, Wendi Richter, Trish Stratus, Chyna, and Lita, are celebrated alongside today’s stars, like Charlotte, Sasha Banks, and Bayley.
With rare photographs and an exploration of women’s wrestling worldwide including chapters on Japan, Mexico, England, and Australia Sisterhood of the Squared Circleis a priceless contribution to the history of professional wrestling.
- Womens wrestling is at its all-time high in popularity with pay-per-view viewership on par with mens for the first time in history
- UFCs Ronda Rousey has brought a surge of attention to womens grappling that caused the world to take notice
- WWE platforms like NXT are featuring women and taking womens wrestling more seriously
- Jenji Kohan (Orange Is the New Black) is producing a new comedy-drama series about womens wrestling in the 80s titled G.L.O.W., due to air on Netflix with a 10-episode first season.
- The book features rare photographs
Pat Lapradehas been involved in pro wrestling for 15 years and has contributed to many women’s wrestling promotions, including SHIMMER and Femmes Fatales. He co-wroteWrestling Observer’s 2013 book of the yearMad Dogs, Midgets and Screw Jobsas well as a biography of Maurice Mad Dog” Vachon. He lives in Montreal, Quebec.Dan Murphyhas been a writer forPro Wrestling Illustratedsince 1997 and has overseen PWIlc2