Physical Chess

Behind the scenes with a pro wrestling and MMA legend


In this fascinating autobiography, Billy Robinson recounts his upbringing in post–WWII England amid a family of champion fighters, his worldwide travels as a wrestler, his time as a pro wrestling TV star, and his career as a coach to some of the biggest names in mixed martial arts.

For the first time, Billy Robinson sets the record straight on:

• who won the infamous street fight between him and the grandfather of superstar Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson.

• how his family was pivotal in introducing “God of Wrestling” Karl Gotch to Billy Riley’s gym and the sport of catch–as–catch–can wrestling.

• the accomplishments of some of the greatest competitive grapplers the world has ever seen and that you’ve likely never heard of before.

This memoir fills a crucial gap in the history of catch–as–catch–can wrestling and shares the intriguing details of Billy’s life, in his own inimitable voice.