Nationwide — Professional wrestling has become one of America’s most popular forms of entertainment. Research shows that 30 percent of Americans are consistent viewers of television and/or streaming wrestling programs. In a 2022 poll sponsored by the Hollywood Reporter, 90 million Americans between the ages of 8 and older identified as wrestling fans.
Streaming services such as Netflix and Max have taken the popular sporting event global with a growing fan base across the United Kingdom, Canada, Germany, India, Japan, and Mexico. In 2024, World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) was worth $6.8 billion, and its nearest competitor, All Elite Wrestling (AEW), was valued at $2 billion, according to Forbes. As the sports entertainment industry has grown, so have opportunities for African American professional wrestlers.
Pro Wrestling’s Black World Champions (3rd Edition) by Dr. David L. Shabazz is the most comprehensive overview of historical and contemporary Black professional wrestling champions. As the opportunities have increased, this edition showcases several prominent female wrestlers, including Mercedes Mone, Bianca Belair, Jade Cargill, and current women’s world champion Naomi.
The book continues to highlight the world heavyweight champions, but also new to this edition is a section profiling the all-Black tag team world champions. The book is available now on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and all bookstores worldwide. For more information about the publication or to order a copy, visit DavidLShabazz.com
Dr. David L. Shabazz, author and mass communications professor, is available for interviews on all media platforms. To schedule an interview, please send an email to david.shabazz360@gmail.com