As a kid growing up in Pikesville, Ron Snyder always loved watching professional wrestling on TV. The wild action and over-the-top drama attracted him, and Snyder often went to the then-Baltimore Arena with his parents to see live wrestling matches.
Snyder also loved writing and became a local community journalist. But he never lost his passion for professional wrestling – the WWE (World Wrestling Entertainment) kind, not the competitive type of wrestling found in high schools and colleges.
A 1996 Pikesville High School graduate, Snyder has combined his writing and reporting skills and knowledge of wrestling to put together his first book, “Wrestling’s New Golden Age: How Independent Promotions Have Revolutionized One of America’s Favorite Sports” (Sports Publishing).
Over the years, Snyder has covered sports at all levels, including professional wrestling, for such media outlets as The Capital, WMAR and WBAL. The 39-year-old Middle River resident and father of three always longed to write a book, and everything finally came together early in 2016 thanks to a deal with New York-based Skyhorse Publishing (of which Sports Publishing is a division).
The recently published book is about the world of pro wrestling and how the growth of independent wrestling promotions helped change the landscape of the sport.
“I think there’s a market for a wrestling book out there,” Snyder says. “There’s a lot of wrestling books that have made the best-seller lists nationally. I think there’s a big interest in it.”
Professional wrestlers like Ric Flair and Mick Foley have written books that have made The New York Times best-seller list, and the various pro wrestling shows usually draw well. Snyder already had plenty of sources and material when starting the project.
“I’m a fan, and I had that knowledge base,” Snyder says. “I talked to people from Baltimore to New Orleans to California to New York. It was kind of surreal. I’ve been a reporter that’s written articles [all over], but the book was like [building] a whole house.”
Snyder spoke to a number of well-known members of the pro wrestling fraternity such as Jake “The Snake” Roberts, WWE Hall of Famer and Maryland resident Nikolai Volkoff and Rob Van Dam. In all, Snyder interviewed more than 50 people for the book.
Kevin Eck, associate editor for PressBox, Jmore’s sister publication, is a former WWE creative team member who writes about professional wrestling for Sporting News. He says Snyder’s book offers a unique glimpse into the inner workings of pro wrestling.
“It takes people behind the curtain, especially at the independent wrestling level,” says Eck, who is quoted in the book. “If fans are curious as to what it’s like before guys get to the WWE or become stars, this book really shows you what that life is like and also how the independents have sort of changed the industry.”
Snyder’s wife, Lori Pickle-Snyder, says her husband told her right after they first started dating about 20 years ago that writing a book was on his to-do list.
“I think it was a dream come true,” she says. “It was the perfect topic for him. It was easier for him to do, and it was interesting for him.”
The Snyders’ eldest child, William, 14, also loves wrestling. He often accompanies his father on interviews, and some wrestlers have taken an interest in him.
In fact, when William was hospitalized a few months ago, several Maryland Championship Wrestling members signed a huge belt and sent it to him during his recovery.
Snyder says it took about 16 months to research, interview, write, edit and get the book published. He says he’s considering a number of other projects, but is glad this one is finished.
“It felt like the weight of the world had lifted off of my shoulders,” says Snyder, who is now working with his publishing company to set up book signings. “It felt like a real accomplishment.”
Top photo: Ron Snyder: “I’m a [pro wrestling] fan, and I had that knowledge base.” (Photo by Steve Ruark)
Jeff Seidel is a Baltimore-based freelance writer.
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