Winningham’s first book, published by Allison Press in December of 1971, Friday Night in the Coliseum received immediate critical attention in reviews by A. D. Coleman in the Village Voice and Gene Thornton in the New York Times, as well as a special 6-page article in the April 16, 1972 issue of Life magazine featured the book and “The Rousing Rebirth of ‘Rasslin.”

Friday Night established a sort of paradigm for many of Winningham’s later books, as it combines his original photographs of professional wrestling, arranged in a cinematic flow, his text drawn from interviews with participants, and a brief history of pro wrestling in Houston.

A limited number of vintage gelatin silver prints, size 16”x20” and 20”x24”, made the 1970’s, are available for purchase. The book itself has been out of print since the 1970’s, though copies may be found through out-of-print book searches.