An advance reader copy of this book was provided by NetGalley for review. 

I remember my excitement to this day. As a gift for my 40th birthday, my dad bought tickets to SummerSlam in 2018. There were many matches I was looking forward to, but none more so than my expectation of seeing Becky Lynch win the title. This was her moment. While I have been a fan since the moment I saw her on NXT, it felt like the rest of the world finally caught up. All of which would culminate that night in Brooklyn. Alas, it was not meant to be. The feeling of disappointment rippled throughout the Barclay Center. Only to be eclipsed by the celebration when Becky slapped Charlotte down. She was not a heel, she did not suddenly turn her back on the fans. She finally got tired of waiting her turn and instead she demanded and took her time in the spotlight. That loss became her greatest win because it started the momentum that not only made her The Man but also made her (arguably and in my opinion) the biggest star in all of wrestling until she went away to have her child. I saw the Horsewoman who was always the underdog become the most over star in the business. There is nothing I as a forty something unathletic male could possibly have in common with this Irish icon. Thus, as someone who used to hero worship Hulk Hogan and Stone Cold, I now put the Lass Kicker up as the reason I watch wrestling every week. A Superstar who exudes charisma,, who is the coolest person in the room, and who has more confidence than I could ever hope for.

Then, thanks to this book, it turns out we have more in common than I could have possibly imagined. 

Who would think or believe for a moment that Becky has ever doubted herself. I saw strength and beauty and determination and other qualities I felt I lacked. As I read every page of this book (and then started it all over too) I was shocked to hear how much doubt Becky has/had in herself. One of the worst things about finally achieving success (or so I’ve been told) is wondering when it will all be taken away. Becky didn’t think she was good enough, strong enough, pretty enough. She doubted her body, her words, her mind, her heart. Every silver lining had a cloud. Despite her being the silver lining for so many fans on cloudy days. School sucks, work sucks, relationships suck, but at the end of the day there’s an escape. Whether she is dancing, or looking brilliant in her steampunk gear, or the reigning, defending, and undisputed Man — she gave her fans so much positive energy it appears there was nothing left for herself. 

I have an entire bookshelf full of wrestling biographies. Most are alright, some are up there with the worst things I’ve ever read in my life. Mick Foley has the best. But now I have to wonder if this book goes up front with Foley as one of the best, or if it goes on the Becky Lynch shelf with her figures and other merchandise. 

This book made me feel less alone. The crippling doubt, the impostor syndrome, all of the fears and anxiety. There’s no way that a superhero could feel the same. Reading this book is like discovering a god came down to live as a human – with all our flaws. I would be one of the first to put Becky on a pedestal and it was incredible to learn she would be the first to say someone else should be on it instead. 

While others will scream for Cody, or Seth, or Roman, or the Rock (and rightfully so) I’ll be in that arena as well losing my voice for Becky. Through this book she has taught me that I can’t be the one that is always standing at the top, but I can be the one that always gets back up.