In later years, I would discover what I was missing through the miracle of video tape. When I got my hands on tapes from the NWA and WCCW I finally got to experience with my own eyes the brilliance of this remarkable wrestling character. My research eventually led to the realization that The Link had previously become famous under a completely different name, AND he was a Canadian (like me). As a clean-cut babyface named Dewey Robertson, he became a major star in Canada and around various territories in the United States. It was a career I would surely anticipated seeing chronicled in the pages of an autobiography some day. I would come to realize that I severely underestimated the intrigue involved with the personal life and career of Dewey "The Missing Link" Robertson.
BANG YOUR HEAD!, the real story of The Missing Link is a mesmerizing account of the journey made by a man whose life was separated into several distinct eras. This book covers it all with brutal honesty and an clear intent to pass on the wisdom of experience. We begin with Dewey's troubled upbringing, leading into his compulsion with health and fitness, to getting into the wrestling business, and eventually his twisted transformation into the Missing Link character. The story gets even grittier as The Link goes into the battle of his life against the many demons that have attached themselves to him as a result of living in the fantasy world known as professional wrestling. It is a dark and most likely an accurate portrayal of your average professional wrestler.
There are three basic interpretations readers could take away from this book; First, the story of a professional wrestler; second, the story of one human being fighting his ghastly addictions; and third, the effect of the first and second points on family life. It all becomes interlaced as Dewey Robertson's journey unravels before your very eyes. The tale ends with an inspirational realization and a refreshing intention to help children make better choices and not end up going down the same roads as The Link did.
I enjoyed this book for what it was worth. It was short and sweet, exactly 201 pages of consistent good material, and with the exception of a few careless minor spelling errors it was pretty much a flawless and easy to read. It did make me think seriously about a lot of things in this crazy world, and I believe that was one of the underlining goals. Anybody that has a thirst for wrestling history will find this book a pleasure to read. It's more than a wrestling book; it's also a learning experience which you will find informative and thought-provoking.
You can pick up this book directly from ECWPress.com or from Amazon.com, Highspots.com or from 1WrestlingLegends.com
Rating: 7 / 10 Today's lesson is: Don't do what Dewey did.
Reviewed by Brad Dykens on December 9, 2006.
BANG YOUR HEAD
The Real Story of the Missing Link
by Dewey Robertson & Meredith Renwick
Description: Dewey Robertson lived a hard life from his humble beginnings to his many years on the road as a wrestler. Despite his many battles with personal demons (Marijuana, alcohol, steroids and sex) he remembers and pulls from along rich past of years on the territory circuit. Being from Pittsburgh and growing up watching Studio Wrestling, his beginnings there were of special interest to me. Dewey takes us through his long career as Dewey Robertson as he travels from Pittsburgh to Toronto (where he becomes a partner with Whipper Watson in promoting the territory), to his visits to New Orleans, Mid Atlantic and the Central states. We learn that Dewey's success is always curbed by his demons in his days after leaving Toronto. With his wife and kids in tow, Dewey moves from place to place and tells of his tortured life and his enabling wife. Whenever it looks the bleakest Dewey reinvents himself as the Missing Link and his career is revived. We follow the Link through Mid South, Texas, WWF and Florida and he moves from nudist trailer parks and alcohol and drug addictions.
A feel good book this is not. You get some good glimpse at Dewey's career and his ups and downs. He goes out of his way to preach of the evils of pot, alcohol and steroids. Dewey's belief that he could and should have been an NWA World Champion or at least a regular contender is a reoccurring theme in his moves to various territories but does not amount to but a handful of title shots. Much is spent on the demise of his wrestling career, his marriage and family and finally his health. Dewey was able to turn it around, clean up and stay that way and is out to stop others from falling down the same path he took.
Rating: 7 out of 10 for me on this one. While there is excellent historical documentation of Deweys career, it leaves the reader with a somber tone when you are finished. His personal demons are a major impact on his life and story and belong there for all to see. I highly reccomend reading this book and you will learn a lot about Dewey Robertson/The Missing Link. You just won't come away feeling happy. Then again, you may learn a lot about yourself as well.
Reviewed by Greg Mosorjak aka Count Grog on July 25, 2006.
