ShareThisBy ALEX MARVEZ
Scripps Howard News Service
Thursday, October 11, 2007
The murder/suicide of World Wrestling Entertainment star Chris Benoit and his family was pro wrestling's biggest news story ever.
But almost two decades earlier, the stabbing death of Frank "Bruiser Brody" Goodish by a co-worker received scant media coverage. That is a shame, considering such attention could have influenced what followed legally.
Goodish died in July 1988 after a locker-room confrontation with fellow wrestler Jose "Invader 1" Gonzalez in Puerto Rico. Two recently-released Brody biographies cast a negative light on the police investigation and trial that followed.
"Bruiser Brody" (Crowbar Press, $24.95) and "Brody" (ECW Press, $19.95) include damning claims against Gonzalez, who successfully argued he acted in self-defense. Some of Brody's co-workers believe the stabbing stemmed from decade-long animosity that began building when Gonzalez and Brody worked in World Wrestling Entertainment.
Both books detail witness intimidation and character assassination that created a favorable courtroom atmosphere toward Gonzalez, who was cleared of murder charges.
"Bruiser Brody" author Emerson Murray said the murder investigation and Puerto Rican legal process "would have been looked at much more carefully" in the post-Benoit world. Murray said he unsuccessfully tried to reach Gonzalez for his side of the story.
"Things were so skewed with the murder investigation," said Larry Matysik, who penned "Brody" with Brody's widow Barbara. "All Barbara wanted to know is why this happened."
A legendary performer as complex as Brody is worthy of two biographies. Brody, 42, was an international superstar, having established himself as a Japanese headliner in the early 1980s. Brody also showcased his skills for regional and independent U.S. territories between overseas tours.
Some promoters had problems dealing with Brody, especially when it involved match finishes and payoffs. Brody was extremely protective of his in-ring image to remain "strong" in Japan, which is why he was rarely pinned in the U.S.
The 6-foot-6, 285-pound Brody would sometimes bully and embarrass inferior opponents. He did that to Gonzalez during one WWE match that may have laid the groundwork for their fatal encounter. But Brody also was known as being extremely loyal to his friends and savvy enough to thrive in an unscrupulous industry.
Highlighted by a spectacularly gory photo collection, "Bruiser Brody" features interviews with more than 100 Brody associates dating back to childhood. Murray said he hoped the format captures a complicated personality.
"He is a totally polarizing figure," said Murray, who lists Brody as his favorite childhood wrestler. "Fans either loved or hated him. People working in the industry felt the same way."
"Brody" takes a different approach. Matysik serves as a sympathetic biographer who worked professionally with Brody as a St. Louis wrestling promoter. Barbara Goodish tells a love story that began during Brody's Australian tours in the 1970s. Their chapters are interwoven throughout the book.
"Barbara and I both agreed we had to deal with how Frank died, but the story really should be as much about how he lived," Matysik said. "He entertained thousands of people and lived life the way he wanted to. That's a pretty good legacy."
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ANGLE ARRESTED: Total Nonstop Action Wrestling star Kurt Angle was arrested September 28 on a drunk-driving charge. Angle is still slated to headline Sunday's Bound for Glory pay-per-view against Sting emanating from Atlanta ... Five months after undergoing knee surgery, Shawn Michaels has resumed his feud with new World Wrestling Entertainment champion Randy Orton ... Rikishi is now wrestling in TNA as Junior Fatu ... Former National Wrestling Alliance President Howard Brody has started an on-line fantasy wrestling league at www.slamaddict.com.
Alex Marvez writes a syndicated pro wrestling column for Scripps-Howard News Service
