Review: ‘Life Is Short and So Am I’
Hornswoggle’s autobiography belongs on your Christmas list.
WWE took forever to let Hornswoggle speak.
As you can imagine, he has a lot to say.
In his new autobiography “Life Is Short and So Am I: My Life Inside, Outside, and Under the Wrestling Ring,” Dylan Postl bares his soul about living with dwarfism, achieving his dream of joining the top pro wrestling company in the world and then venturing into the unknown after his release. He takes you behind the scenes of his decade-long run as WWE’s resident leprechaun, delving into the creative process, enduring years of catering purgatory, rubbing shoulders with his childhood heroes and competing in one of the greatest matches of all time: WeeLC.
It’s peculiar that this book hasn’t made more headlines because Postl opens up about everything he experienced during his WWE tenure, which included the Chris Benoit tragedy, the anonymous RAW GM, Vince McMahon’s illegitimate son, the end of the first Cruiserweight Championship, Ultimate Warrior’s death, celebrity guests on RAW, the Greatest Royal Rumble in Saudi Arabia, Impact going to head with Raw and much more.
Even though the door to McMahonland will never be closed, Postl remains brutally honest. Although he airs his grievances against WWE, such as a major issue with its Wellness Policy, as well as his numerous dropped storylines and scrapped matches, he doesn’t shy away from exposing his own flaws. He criticizes his less-than-stellar performances, his weight struggle and his epic bombing of a planned heel turn. His life outside the ring is also put under a microscope, as he admits to taking advantage of his fame and all the trappings that come with it.
When he talked about his childhood and life before pro wrestling, I expected it to focus solely on his dwarfism. Naturally, he discusses that in length, which includes many funny anecdotes, but his size was the least of his worries growing up. The various issues that he dealt with at home are very relatable for readers, and you’re left blown away at all he was able to overcome.
At 287 pages, you will devour this book in less time than WrestleMania 36 will take. It’s a juicy page-turner, quenching your thirst for backstage drama, family strife, hilarious ribs, heartwarming memories and a promising conclusion. If you’re an aspiring pro wrestler, you’ll be inspired. If you’ve just gotten laid off, you’ll find hope. If you’re approaching fatherhood, you’ll be comforted. If you’re a single dad, even more so.
In penning his memoir, Postl was assisted by an experienced tag team: Ross Owen Williams, responsible for Bob Holly and Al Snow’s autobiographies, and Ian Douglass, responsible for Dan Severn and Bugsy McGraw’s autobiographies. They clearly know what Postl’s readers want, and they make sure the former WWE Superstar delivers. Published by ECW Press, the book also includes forewords from Curt Hawkins, who got Postl booked for 13 dates less than an hour after being informed of his release, and Kofi Kingston, whose hilarious stories alone are worth the purchase.
I consider this one of the greatest autobiographies I’ve ever read, and as Sam Gladen recommended, this belongs on our list of the 20 Best Wrestling Books of the Last 20 Years.
You can order “Life Is Short and So Am I” on Amazon.
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