I wish to extend my sincerest gratitude to Bryan for welcoming me into your WrestleMania journey and three decades of very personal detail. This has been an incredible experience, a true pleasure, and a dream of my own fulfilled. I raise my reusable water bottle to you and your abilities, humility, and beliefs. Thank you to Bri as well for your openness and enthusiasm for this project.
Very special thanks to photographer Rich Freeda, WWE books aficionado Steve Pantaleo, and the St. Martin’s Press team, most notably, Michael Homler.
To Bret Hart, whose Sharpshooter on Curt Hennig at SummerSlam ’91 widened my eight-year-old eyes to what would become a career with WWE.
To every WWE talent who ever entertained a pitch or responded to an interview question of mine: thank you for your collaboration and the inspiration you evoke.
To the ever-diligent WWE.com staff—past and present—who consistently prove to be wildly talented, often underestimated storytellers. Hat tip to all WWE employees, who’ve helped power the machine daily. Thank you to Vince McMahon and, most especially, Stephanie McMahon for giving me my first opportunity in this world ten years ago.
I thank my loving mom for her sacrifice and always demonstrating the powerful combo of heart and hard work. Thanks to Stacey, John, and Anthony for their boundless support and love. Thank you to my entire family—Jersey side and Poland side. To Chris, who believed so much in me and made me know that I could accomplish anything.
At last … my deepest love and appreciation to my marvelous wife, Monika, who inspires me to be the best me, every minute of every day. And to our beaming baby girl, Ruby, who I hope to see chase and realize her own vivid dreams one day long from now. Kocham cie, my boos.