Looking at the Lights: My Path from Fan to a Wrestling Heel

Description

How did an untrained former college football player end up in the middle of a ring, wrestling during the highest-rated segment during the WWE's acclaimed Attitude Era? That's the story behind Looking at the Lights. As a childhood friend of Shane McMahon, Pete Gas was given the opportunity most only pray for. Beginning with appearances to interfere in McMahon's matches, his role blossomed into becoming a full-fledge wrestler and leading the Mean Street Posse to WrestleMania, becoming one of the most fascinating success stories of the era. From his humble upbringing and friendship with Shane (and the McMahon family as a whole), Gas shares how a 9-to-5 average Joe got the chance of a lifetime and made the most out of it. But getting your foot in the door is one thing; staying is a completely different animal. With all eyes on him, knowing his lack of training and meal ticket being the boss's son, Gas knew he had to win over all those doubters: from the fans and announcers to the wrestlers themselves. Knowing he had to prove himself, Gas took beatings, chair shots, and additional training to not only show that he could wrestle, but that he belonged with such superstars as The Rock, "Stone Cold" Steve Austin, and The Undertaker. Featuring forewords by Edge and JBL, who famously nailed Gas in the head with a steel chair, readers will get an inside look into not only the training and sacrifice these athletes go through, but the behind-the-scenes workings of a day in the WWE.

Pete Gas is a retired wrestler who first made his first WWE appearance in 1999, at the age of twenty-nine. As a part of the "Mean Street Posse," Gas, along with friend Rodney Leinhardt, were Shane McMahon's muscle. During his time in the WWE, Gas was a two-time Hardcore Champion and feuded with Test and the Acolytes. He still makes appearances on the independent circuit and is a recurring guest on the Edge and Christian Show. Jon Robinson is the author of numerous books on wrestling, including WWE: The Attitude Era, My Favorite Match, and Ultimate Warrior: A Life Lived "Forever", which won the 2016 IBPA Benjamin Franklin Award for best biography. John Bradshaw Layfield is a retired professional wrestler and the current color commentator for the WWE. He spent twenty years in the squared circle, winning 24 championships during his career. Aside from his time in the ring, he is also a guest panelist on Fox News Channel's The Cost of Freedom, as well as the author of the financial planning book Have More Money Now. Adam "Edge" Copeland is a retired professional wrestler who starred with the WWE. During his career he won 31 championships, as well as the 2001 King of the Ring and 2010 Royal Rumble. Currently working with the WWE as the host of The Edge and Christian Show That Totally Reeks of Awesomeness, he is also the best-selling author of Adam Copeland On Edge.

"An enjoyable romp through one of pro wrestling's golden ages, as seen through the eyes of one of its most unlikely stars. Think of Pete Gas as Charlie Bucket, regaling you with stories from a three year tour of Willie Wonka's chocolate factory." - Mick Foley, WWE Hall of Famer and New York Times bestselling author of Have a Nice Day and Foley Is Good "[An] unusual and incredible journey." - ESPN "Pete Gas is one of the legit good guys I know in the business. Looking at the Lights is an easy read with honest stories of friendship and perseverance. He's living proof of what can happen when the door of opportunity is opened up just a crack . . . and just like Gas, you can kick it open and strut through the other side (sweater vest and dumb haircut optional)." - Jay "Christian" Reso "Former WWE Superstar Pete Gasparino-better known as Pete Gas-was never supposed to be a wrestler, but for a short time during the Attitude Era, he lived the dream and left an undeniable mark on the business. It has been almost twenty years since Gas and the Mean Street Posse made money for WWE as characters we loved to hate, but fans of the Attitude Era will always remember the moments the unlikely Superstars created. For aspiring wrestlers or fans who dream of one day being on WWE programming, Gas proved that all you need is the right character and storyline to garner heat and make money." - Donald Wood, Forbes.com "Pete is about as real and honest as you're ever gonna get, and you can take that from another East Coast Guy. The guy is REAL-100% REAL-and that is exactly how Looking at the Lights comes across. He was a guy who was humbled, honored to be there and took great pride in everything he did. There wasn't an ego with Pete, as a matter of fact . . . I think he's incapable of having one. This is his story coming from that of a fan's perspective. Reading this is just like having a conversation with him. Truth is: I love the guy even more now." - Vince Russo, former WWE writer, RELM Network/PodcastOne "I can relate to a lot of scenarios that Pete Gas has been through. I too started in 1999 with no wrestling experience and was in the WWE Developmental program with him. I'm happy that he wrote this book to share the inside and outside of wrestling. A lot of people don't realize that once you make it, you always have to prove yourself. This book will help you appreciate the sacrifice that each and every wrestler goes through. I am honored that I was able to work with such a great talent, kind, and hard worker. I'm so proud to call him my friend. Please enjoy Looking At The Lights or I will slam ya." - Lisa Marie Varon, Victoria on WWE and Tara on TNA "An enjoyable romp through one of pro wrestling's golden ages, as seen through the eyes of one of its most unlikely stars. Think of Pete Gas as Charlie Bucket, regaling you with stories from a three year tour of Willie Wonka's chocolate factory." Mick Foley, WWE Hall of Famer and New York Times bestselling author of Have a Nice Day and Foley Is Good "[An] unusual and incredible journey." ESPN "Pete Gas is one of the legit good guys I know in the business. Looking at the Lights is an easy read with honest stories of friendship and perseverance. He's living proof of what can happen when the door of opportunity is opened up just a crack . . . and just like Gas, you can kick it open and strut through the other side (sweater vest and dumb haircut optional)." Jay "Christian" Reso "Former WWE Superstar Pete Gasparino-better known as Pete Gas-was never supposed to be a wrestler, but for a short time during the Attitude Era, he lived the dream and left an undeniable mark on the business. It has been almost twenty years since Gas and the Mean Street Posse made money for WWE as characters we loved to hate, but fans of the Attitude Era will always remember the moments the unlikely Superstars created. For aspiring wrestlers or fans who dream of one day being on WWE programming, Gas proved that all you need is the right character and storyline to garner heat and make money." Donald Wood, Forbes.com "Pete is about as real and honest as you're ever gonna get, and you can take that from another East Coast Guy. The guy is REAL-100% REAL-and that is exactly how Looking at the Lights comes across. He was a guy who was humbled, honored to be there and took great pride in everything he did. There wasn't an ego with Pete, as a matter of fact . . . I think he's incapable of having one. This is his story coming from that of a fan's perspective. Reading this is just like having a conversation with him. Truth is: I love the guy even more now." Vince Russo, former WWE writer, RELM Network/PodcastOne "I can relate to a lot of scenarios that Pete Gas has been through. I too started in 1999 with no wrestling experience and was in the WWE Developmental program with him. I'm happy that he wrote this book to share the inside and outside of wrestling. A lot of people don't realize that once you make it, you always have to prove yourself. This book will help you appreciate the sacrifice that each and every wrestler goes through. I am honored that I was able to work with such a great talent, kind, and hard worker. I'm so proud to call him my friend. Please enjoy Looking At The Lights or I will slam ya." Lisa Marie Varon, Victoria on WWE and Tara on TNA