How did an untrained former college football player end up in the middle of a ring, wrestling during the highest-rated segment during the WWE’s acclaimed Attitude Era?

That’s the story behind Looking at the Lights. As a childhood friend of Shane McMahon, Pete Gas was given the opportunity most only pray for. Beginning with appearances to interfere in McMahon’s matches, his role blossomed into becoming a full-fledge wrestler and leading the Mean Street Posse to WrestleMania, becoming one of the most fascinating success stories of the era.

From his humble upbringing and friendship with Shane (and the McMahon family as a whole), Gas shares how a 9-to-5 average Joe got the chance of a lifetime and made the most out of it.

But getting your foot in the door is one thing; staying is a completely different animal. With all eyes on him, knowing his lack of training and meal ticket being the boss’s son, Gas knew he had to win over all those doubters: from the fans and announcers to the wrestlers themselves.

Knowing he had to prove himself, Gas took beatings, chair shots, and additional training to not only show that he could wrestle, but that he belonged with such superstars as The Rock, “Stone Cold” Steve Austin, and The Undertaker.

Featuring forewords by Edge and JBL, who famously nailed Gas in the head with a steel chair, readers will get an inside look into not only the training and sacrifice these athletes go through, but the behind-the-scenes workings of a day in the WWE.

“I can relate to a lot of scenarios that Pete Gas has been through. I too started in 1999 with no wrestling experience and was in the WWE Developmental program with him. I'm happy that he wrote this book to share the inside and outside of wrestling. A lot of people don't realize that once you make it, you always have to prove yourself. This book will help you appreciate the sacrifice that each and every wrestler goes through. I am honored that I was able to work with such a great talent, kind, and hard worker. I'm so proud to call him my friend. Please enjoy Looking At The Lights or I will slam ya.”

Lisa Marie Varon, Victoria on WWE and Tara on TNA

Jon Robinson Books
2020-07-29T21:03:53+00:00

Lisa Marie Varon, Victoria on WWE and Tara on TNA

“I can relate to a lot of scenarios that Pete Gas has been through. I too started in 1999 with no wrestling experience and was in the WWE Developmental program with him. I'm happy that he wrote this book to share the inside and outside of wrestling. A lot of people don't realize that once you make it, you always have to prove yourself. This book will help you appreciate the sacrifice that each and every wrestler goes through. I am honored that I was able to work with such a great talent, kind, and hard worker. I'm so proud to call him my friend. Please enjoy Looking At The Lights or I will slam ya.”
"An enjoyable romp through one of pro wrestling's golden ages, as seen through the eyes of one of its most unlikely stars. Think of Pete Gas as Charlie Bucket, regaling you with stories from a three year tour of Willie Wonka's chocolate factory."

Mick Foley, WWE Hall of Famer and New York Times bestselling author of Have a Nice Day and Foley Is Good

Jon Robinson Books
2020-07-29T21:04:17+00:00

Mick Foley, WWE Hall of Famer and New York Times bestselling author of Have a Nice Day and Foley Is Good

"An enjoyable romp through one of pro wrestling's golden ages, as seen through the eyes of one of its most unlikely stars. Think of Pete Gas as Charlie Bucket, regaling you with stories from a three year tour of Willie Wonka's chocolate factory."
“Pete is about as real and honest as you're ever gonna get, and you can take that from another East Coast Guy. The guy is REAL—100% REAL—and that is exactly how Looking at the Lights comes across. He was a guy who was humbled, honored to be there and took great pride in everything he did. There wasn't an ego with Pete, as a matter of fact . . . I think he's incapable of having one. This is his story coming from that of a fan's perspective. Reading this is just like having a conversation with him. Truth is: I love the guy even more now.”

Vince Russo, former WWE writer, RELM Network/PodcastOne

Jon Robinson Books
2020-07-29T21:03:26+00:00

Vince Russo, former WWE writer, RELM Network/PodcastOne

“Pete is about as real and honest as you're ever gonna get, and you can take that from another East Coast Guy. The guy is REAL—100% REAL—and that is exactly how Looking at the Lights comes across. He was a guy who was humbled, honored to be there and took great pride in everything he did. There wasn't an ego with Pete, as a matter of fact . . . I think he's incapable of having one. This is his story coming from that of a fan's perspective. Reading this is just like having a conversation with him. Truth is: I love the guy even more now.”

"[An] unusual and incredible journey."

ESPN

Jon Robinson Books
2020-07-29T21:02:15+00:00

ESPN

"[An] unusual and incredible journey."
"Pete Gas is one of the legit good guys I know in the business. Looking at the Lights is an easy read with honest stories of friendship and perseverance. He's living proof of what can happen when the door of opportunity is opened up just a crack . . . and just like Gas, you can kick it open and strut through the other side (sweater vest and dumb haircut optional)."

Jay "Christian" Reso

Jon Robinson Books
2020-07-29T21:02:36+00:00

Jay "Christian" Reso

"Pete Gas is one of the legit good guys I know in the business. Looking at the Lights is an easy read with honest stories of friendship and perseverance. He's living proof of what can happen when the door of opportunity is opened up just a crack . . . and just like Gas, you can kick it open and strut through the other side (sweater vest and dumb haircut optional)."
"An enjoyable romp through one of pro wrestling's golden ages, as seen through the eyes of one of its most unlikely stars. Think of Pete Gas as Charlie Bucket, regaling you with stories from a three year tour of Willie Wonka's chocolate factory."

Mick Foley, WWE Hall of Famer and New York Times bestselling author of Have a Nice Day and Foley Is Good

Jon Robinson Books
2020-07-29T21:01:55+00:00

Mick Foley, WWE Hall of Famer and New York Times bestselling author of Have a Nice Day and Foley Is Good

"An enjoyable romp through one of pro wrestling's golden ages, as seen through the eyes of one of its most unlikely stars. Think of Pete Gas as Charlie Bucket, regaling you with stories from a three year tour of Willie Wonka's chocolate factory."
"Former WWE Superstar Pete Gasparino—better known as Pete Gas—was never supposed to be a wrestler, but for a short time during the Attitude Era, he lived the dream and left an undeniable mark on the business. It has been almost twenty years since Gas and the Mean Street Posse made money for WWE as characters we loved to hate, but fans of the Attitude Era will always remember the moments the unlikely Superstars created. For aspiring wrestlers or fans who dream of one day being on WWE programming, Gas proved that all you need is the right character and storyline to garner heat and make money."

Donald Wood, Forbes.com

Jon Robinson Books
2020-07-29T21:02:57+00:00

Donald Wood, Forbes.com

"Former WWE Superstar Pete Gasparino—better known as Pete Gas—was never supposed to be a wrestler, but for a short time during the Attitude Era, he lived the dream and left an undeniable mark on the business. It has been almost twenty years since Gas and the Mean Street Posse made money for WWE as characters we loved to hate, but fans of the Attitude Era will always remember the moments the unlikely Superstars created. For aspiring wrestlers or fans who dream of one day being on WWE programming, Gas proved that all you need is the right character and storyline to garner heat and make money."
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Jon Robinson Books

About the Author

Jon Robinson

Jon Robinson is an award-winning author and journalist whose work has appeared across media including ESPN, Sports Illustrated, GamePro, and IGN.com. He has written eight books, including Rumble Road, The Attitude Era, NXT: The Future is Now, and Creating the Mania. His book, The Ultimate Warrior: A Life Lived Forever won the IBPA Benjamin Franklin Award for Best Biography.