Synopsis
Hacksaw: The Jim Duggan Story is the autobiography of WWE Hall of Famer "Hacksaw" Jim Duggan, written with co-author Scott E. Williams. It chronicles his life from a working-class upbringing in Glens Falls, New York, as the son of a longtime police chief, through his days as a standout college football player at Southern Methodist University (SMU) and a brief, injury-shortened stint in the NFL with the Atlanta Falcons.
When his football dreams faded, Duggan made a roundabout entry into professional wrestling, starting in regional territories where he evolved through various gimmicks before creating the iconic "Hacksaw" persona—complete with his signature 2x4, American flag, and booming "HOOOOO!" battle cry—that would define his career. The book details his rise through promotions like Mid-South Wrestling (including his memorable tag-team partnership with "Dr. Death" Steve Williams), feuds with legends such as Bruiser Brody and others, his breakthrough in the WWF/WWE where he won the inaugural Royal Rumble in 1988, and later runs in WCW as a champion.
Duggan offers candid reflections on the highs and lows of the wrestling business, including the partying, drugs, and tragedies that marked the era, without excuses or sensationalism. He balances tales of legendary bouts and road stories with personal moments, such as finding love, family life, and his hard-fought battle against kidney cancer. The narrative blends humor, tough-guy honesty, and heartfelt insight, giving fans a ringside view of one of wrestling's most enduring and patriotic babyfaces across decades of the industry.
Overall, it's an inspirational yet grounded look at perseverance, from gridiron aspirations to wrestling immortality, capturing the golden era of the sport through the eyes of a straightforward, blue-collar everyman who became a fan favorite.