From Press Release
How is it that four simple words, “Wrestling at the Chase” can stir vivid and special memories across multiple generations of people across our nation?
Reedy Press announces the release of the nnew local interest book, Wrestling at the Chase by Ed Wheatley.
When Sam Muchnick and Harold Koplar had a chance conversation on a plane in the fall of 1958, they had no inclination that their unique idea would turn into the iconic program Wrestling at the Chase. Spanning multiple generations of fans, the premier of the show in 1959 would launch a phenomenon and the onset of professional wrestling’s golden years. Today, the WWE rules television and arenas nationwide, but without the leadership and promotion of this show, it may never have reached the standing it enjoys today.
Hundreds of men and women, dressed to the nines, would be drawn ringside every Saturday night in the Khorassan Room of the opulent Chase Park Plaza Hotel while hundreds of thousands more tuned in at the stroke of nine to enjoy the spectacle. They would marvel at such heroes of the sport as Bruiser, the Fabulous Moolah, Gorgeous George, King Kong, and Nature Boy. Then the next morning, a brand new audience of thousands would tune in for the re-airing of the show. The fans loved it. Since most Americans couldn’t come cheer their idols in person, Sam Muchnick, who was the Vince McMahon of his day, brought wrestling to the living rooms of America.
Emmy-award winning producer Ed Wheatley brings the story of professional wrestling’s rise to prominence to life in this exciting, ride-of-a-lifetime book. The book is filled with hundreds of photos and stories, as well as personal tales from those involved both inside and outside the ring. See how the three legs of the stool (the location, the delivery, and the product) came together in Wrestling at the Chase to support nearly three decades of entertainment that today still provide countless memories for past, current, and future generations.
Wrestling at the Chase is available wherever books are sold. Book Details: Wrestling at the Chase, by Ed Wheatley, ISBN: 9781681063447, hardcover 11 x 11, 168 pages, $39.95
There are several upcoming book signings including one with Ric Flair:
Scheduled Events for Wrestling at the Chase
Book Signing featuring Cowboy Bob Orton
Wednesday, October 6 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
West End Grill & Pub
358 N. Boyle
Open to the public
Book Signing featuring Ric Flair
Thursday, October 7 from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.
The Missouri Athletic Club
405 Washington Avenue
Saint Louis, MO 63102
SOLD OUT EVENT
Book Signing
Saturday, October 9 from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Swansea Firehouse
144 Huntwood Road
Swansea, IL 62226
Open to the public
Book Signing
Saturday, October 30 from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Belle-Clair Fairgrounds
200 S Belt E #2650
Belleville, IL 62220
Open to the public
Presentation and Book Signing
Tuesday, November 23 from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Alpha Brewing Company
4310 Fyler Avenue
Saint Louis, MO 63116
(314)621-2337
Free and open to the public
Presentation and Book Signing
Wednesday, December 1 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Men of Beaumont Luncheon
Lombardo’s Restaurant
10488 Natural Bridge Road
Saint Louis, MO 63134
Ticketed Event
2022 Presentation and Book Signing
Thursday, March 24 from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m.
The Downtown Rotary Club
The Missouri Athletic Club
405 Washington Avenue
Saint Louis, MO 63102
A Rotary Membership Event
About the Author
Ed Wheatley is an award winning author, film producer, and sports historian. He is also a weekly sports contributor on a St. Louis drive time radio program. His book, The St. Louis Browns-The Story of a Beloved Team, received numerous accolades and awards including Sports Collectors Digest selection as the best book published on baseball in 2017, a 2017 nomination for the Lawrence Ritter Award by the Society for American Baseball Research for the best book in baseball, and the St. Louis Post-Dispatch selected his recent book, Baseball in St. Louis-Little Leagues to Major Leagues as one of the top 25 books of 2020. Recently two of his books were selected in a Book Authority buyer’s guide of the “100 Best Baseball Books of All Time”. He has produced two films shown on the PBS network that each received EMMY award nominations, as well as a win in 2020. His films were also selected for inclusion in the prestigious National Baseball Hall of Fame’s Annual Film Festivals in 2018 and 2019.
