Rough House

In Rough House, Alison Lyn Miller introduces Hunter James, an aspiring star born into a family of wrestlers in a small Georgia town. Hunter lifts, runs, and pounds protein, fortifying himself into a human action figure with one goal: to get signed by a major promotion. Wrestling was going to be a ticket out for Hunter's father, but it never came; he vowed his children wouldn't waste their lives chasing a dream with no guarantee of success. Despite his father's wishes, Hunter drops out of college to pursue his ambition, settling for the accessible catharsis of the sport's smallest stages where, for a few hours, they can be whoever they want to be.

Rich with drama, humor, and heart, Rough House peels back the curtain on one of America's most easily dismissed cultural phenomena. Within, Miller unpacks the history of wrestling, interweaving insights from iconic stars, industry insiders, and fellow journalists. Whether you're a die-hard fan or new to the spectacle, this universal story about the pursuit of dreams, the power of performance, and the intricate dance of good versus evil will leave you cheering from the sidelines.