Gordon Solie: Well, of course a lot of it I relied upon my memories of individuals, competitors, I also instituted, and I guess I was the first one to do it in pro-wrestling, but I was the one who made up sheets on the guys, had them fill it out with their background so that I knew what schools they went to, where they participated in sports . We understand the lights above the Arby's. As one might imagine, his radio coverage of wrestling led to Gordon Solie entering the business himself. Yes. The flight attendants asked him to put the cigarette out and Solie allegedly refused. Jeanie Clark was close to death. Solie had his hand in every pay-per-view that WCW released until his retirement in 1995. "I don't think there's a guy behind the wrestling microphone in the world today that wasn't affected by Gordon Solie," said "Mean" Gene Okerland in a 1997 article. Don't be afraid of making an ass of yourself. Jim Ross, the voice of AEW and for WWE during the Attitude Era, credits Solies style as being one of the most important influences on his career. Explore 139 Gordon Quotes by authors including Kyrie Irving, Jim Harbaugh, and Chris Pratt at BrainyQuote. These are some of the best places to take them in Hall County, Best breakfast in Hall County? Other announcers at the time treated wrestling like a comedy act, Solie said during his final media interview before passing away from cancer in 2000. Especially wrestling fans, a generation of which were weaned on the gravel-voiced Solie's unique call of the action inside the ring and unparalleled commentary on the business. 1:15. Much of his early career was in the NWA's Championship Wrestling from Florida territory where Gordon Solie was the head . When a flight attendant began to reprimand him, she got a strong dose of verbal abuse from him. [3][5] Solie had also worked for New Japan Wrestling as a commentator for overseas tapes and videos. The 1995 Slamboree was the third Slamboree professional wrestling pay-per-view (PPV) event produced by World Championship Wrestling (WCW). Solie was regarded by many to be the single most important person in the early days of wrestling broadcasting. Like any pro wrestling commentator worth remembering, Gordon Solie had a number of famous go-to phrases that he would use while calling matches, some of which continue to show up in modern broadcasts. His voice and style brought a sort of legitimacy to an otherwise predetermined product. Those philosophers took a stand on all sorts of questions which nowadays we would classify as questions of psychology, and their views about psychological questions shaped their views about epistemology, as well they should have. Solie was pretty much the blueprint for wrestling commentators, but many younger fans likely dont know much about this legend. Boris Trajkovski, Don't be afraid of making an ass of yourself. Sign up for the Gordon left WCW with a record of good performance, but he did leave an off-the-job situation hanging over his head. Its turning into a Pier 6 brawl! Hes not fast, hes sudden!etc. | Privacy Policy [4] A technique that Solie used was when he wasn't speaking words into a microphone, he actually recorded them on paper for remembering. I don't think that Solie probably coined the term itself, although he might have had a hand in elevating its familiarity. Solie wasnt free from scandal himself during his life. Rufus Lackland Taylor Jr.1 January 6 1910 September 14 1978 was an officer in the United States Navy.23 Eventually he became Director of the Office [3][5] In 2005, Florida Media, Inc. published a collection of Solie's short stories and poetry in Gordon Solie Something Left Behind. Originally formed as a side project to Nine Shocks Terror, GSMF (a combination of legendary pro-wrestling announcer Gordon Solie and Italian hardcore band Cheetah Chrome Motherfuckers) was formed to pretty much destroy the watered down, wholesome and fashionably safe hardcore punk that was dominating the scene. For the past seven weeks Solie has been conspicuously absent from CWF, which airs Saturdays on WESH-Channel 2 and throughout Florida. Very interesting! Unique lists featuring pop culture, entertainment and crazy facts. Mini Bio (1) Dubbed the Walter Cronkite of pro wrestling by the sport's most dedicated fans, Gordon Solie was one of the most respected commentators wrestling had ever been privy to for almost five decades. Something that apparently wasnt uncommon during his days as an announcer. Sometimes called The Walter Cronkite of pro wrestling Gordon Solie continued to make a name for himself in the American territories and Puerto Rico. Look at this! Like any pro wrestling commentator worth remembering, Gordon Solie had a number of famous go-to phrases that he would use while calling matches, some of which continue to show up in modern broadcasts. For Humperdink to cross the line and rough Solie up was a rarity. I do not feel that I have become president of this country by accident, but that I have been chosen because nobody can accuse me of favouring the Albanian Muslims or the Orthodox. Linda Banana, The great philosophers of the 17th and 18th centuries did not think that epistemological questions floated free of questions about how the mind works. [3][4] He ran the school PA system and participated in several high school productions and drama workshops at local radio stations. [2] Jim Ross cites him as the most significant influence on his career as an announcer. And when he described to viewers the pain being inflicted from wrestler to wrestler, it was because he ensured that exact pain was inflicted on him in an effort to paint a true-to-life picture. For 12 of those years Gordon did a second show, traveling to Atlanta . His last name is slightly easier to pronounce than it looks. He may be gone from this Earth, but he leaves behind generations of fans who will keep his spirit and . When Championship Wrestling from Florida folded in 1987, he went to work two years later for Ted Turner-owned World Championship Wrestling until 1993. Gordon Solie An article by Mike Mooneyham (Published July 30, 2000) When Gordon Solie talked, people listened. By allowing ads to appear on this site, you support the local businesses who, in turn, support great journalism. He feuded regularly with Jerry Lawler and teamed with Bill Dundee to dominate the tag team matches of that time. Solie.org is considered a valued reference among wrestling fans and the internet wrestling community. . I wish I'd have been been around for much more of his career. Speedy Hugh Nichols was a professional wrestler turned promoter in the 1920s to the 1950s. Resch Center- Green Bay, Wisconsin. Ric Flair noticed this and stepped in between Orlando Jordan and Cameron and asked them to tone it down. This Week In Wrestling | Ring the Damn Bell, Black Drop: A History of Black Trailblazers in Pro Wrestling, Downed On The Farm: Top WWE Developmental Prospects That Never Made ItPart 100, Beginner's guide to New Japan Pro Wrestling, History of the WWE Intercontinental Title, Styles Clash: Clash of The Champions Revisited, The Many Failures That 14 Year Old Me Would Never See Coming. News on all your favorite celebs, reality TV, and movies. [2] He is regarded by many as one of the greatest and most influential wrestling announcers. Nichols in ring career ended after a parachuting accident in which he broke both of his legs in 1935. A forum community dedicated to all Wrestling enthusiasts. He pulled the trigger with his toe and killing himself. Solie's background meant that he sounded like a real sportscaster, and it was a treat to listen to. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission, which supports our community. Solie also worked for promotions in Alabama, Puerto Rico, and Georgia, gaining national exposure with the third. Danny Djeljosevic is a writer based in San Diego, CA. Gilbert then opens the leather pouch and the two announcers, especially Jim Ross, jaws drop. As a journalist, he would find himself working as a stringer (or freelancer), becoming the go-to guy covering minor league sports as well as less high-profile sports like stock car racing and pro wrestling. ''No, I mean 'Carnal Knowledge, the movie. I mean, for storylines and angles and . [5] His wife Eileen (known to friends as "Smokey") had died three years before, also from cancer. Gordon Solie interviews the new NWA World Champion Terry Funk. Joseph Fink, We mostly don't get sick. The couple both agreed, but later in the evening Cameron started dancing very provocatively on the dance floor making sexual gestures. Solies big commentary gigs would be for the 1994 and 1995 editions of the Slamboree pay-per-view, which had the theme of Legends Reunion and featured some older legend wrestlers on the card. Only thing I really liked about Gordo was they way he'd pronounce suplex as "su-play", Gordon Solie, Jim Ross, Lance Russell, Bobby Heenan. Gordon Solie was called the "Dean of Professional Wrestling Announcers" by the industry and the "Walter Cronkite of Professional Wrestling" by Entertainment Tonight. Gordon Solie had a great life and was the best at what he did." Solie, a Minnesota native, became a fan of wrestling through his father, who was an amateur champion. Some of his quotes are in factlegendary. After Turner Broadcasting bought out JCP, the remaining pieces of GCW and the Southeast territories, Solie joined the broadcast team of World Championship Wrestling. It just means that I have seen better, for my own personal taste. Shouldnt a big moment be called as one? He promoted matches after his retirement in Southern California in places like Hollywood and San Diego. Wahoo McDaniel, Angelo Poffo, Terry Funk, Antonio . Come join the discussion about WWE, AEW, Ring of Honor, Impact and all forms of professional and amateur wrestling. In 1995, WCW signed WWE star Macho Man Randy Savage and there were plans to induct his father, Angelo Poffo, in the Hall of Fame. His parents divorced at a young age. And while he didn't single anyone out by name, he knew some were in attendance that night. This angered Flair and he got into Camerons face and in front of everybodyripped into Cameron verbally. Please enter a valid email and try again. On March 29, 2008, Jim Ross posthumously inducted Solie into the WWE Hall of Fame in the Class of 2008. Something Left Behind (Perfect) 5.0 out of 5 stars 2 product ratings Expand: Ratings. From Wikipedia: Solie's Vintage Wrestling is an historical professional wrestling website which first appeared in 1995, named in honor of announcer Gordon Solie. Mark Buehrle, Any chance you might sit on my face? Hailed as the greatest commentator during the "Golden Age of Wrestling," and the best ever by many, Solie wooed millions of television viewers with his . 5. Gordon Solie was born Francis Jonard Labiak in 1929 and was adopted during his childhood. I get why people loved him. Solie was even offered a position inside WWE at one point, but turned it down, because he didnt want to wear a tuxedo. 3. He attended Southwest High School in Minneapolis, where he chose radio as a major and went by the nickname "Josie". Mahalia Jackson, [T]he great champion of the opponents of liberty, namely communism, had to find some other place to go and they basically went into the environmental movement. It is not skeptics or explorers but fanatics and ideologues who menace decency and progress. By 1960, he was moved to the announce team, and by 1961 he was the lead announcer for the entire promotion. Solie was the one who coined the phrase "crimson mask" for when a wrestler had a bloodied face, and . After Vince McMahon bought GCW for the TV deals, Ole and the remnants of the promotion joined as a subsidiary of the NWA. He called major moments like Flair's second NWA title win with all the enthusiasm of a man reading the phone book. All of the men, I mentioned, had a great style, voice and personality. Black Drop: A History of Black Trailblazers in Pro Wrestling, Downed On The Farm: Top WWE Developmental Prospects That Never Made ItPart 100, Beginner's guide to New Japan Pro Wrestling, History of the WWE Intercontinental Title, Styles Clash: Clash of The Champions Revisited, The Many Failures That 14 Year Old Me Would Never See Coming. I look at other famous, respected and legendary announcers from other sports. That brings me to the man often lauded as the Golden voice of Professional wrestlingGordon Solie. He ran the school PA system and participated in several high school productions and . Thank you @bobbynorton9115 for sharing this! Boris Trajkovski. I love these Wrestling With Sin post. In 2013, Ryan Dilbert from the Bleacher Report stated, "Debating the greatest pro wrestling commentator comes down to two men, Jim Ross and Gordon Solie."[12]. "The way I felt it is 'I gotcha.' Solie was also the regular announcer for Georgia Championship Wrestling, Championship Wrestling from Florida and Continental . [4], Solie began his pro wrestling career as a ring announcer, making $5 a night[5] emceeing weekly shows in the Tampa Bay area, learning about the sport from John Heath, Eddie Graham, and Don Curtis. He left soon after though. Something went wrong. Lets take a look at Solies career from his early days to his last broadcasts, as well as some of the classic phrases he coined while calling matches. Will graduated from MTSU, and writes and produces a pro wrestling podcast. Eric Bischoff filled in on commentary for Tony Schiavone at this event; Schiavone took time off to undergo neck surgery. His first gig was working for wrestler/promoter Cowboy Luttrall sometimes spelled Luttrell announcing and conducting interviews for $5.00 a night while also working his day job. Briefly describes the history of wrestling, traces Gordon Solie's broadcasting career, and explains how he became involved with professional wrestling Read more Previous page We understand so much. Allyn worked with her husband Robert Allyn and frequent wrestling book co-writer Scott Teal to piece together all these notes to form a clear picture about the legendary announcer, which was finally published in the late 2000s as The Solie Chronicles. The voice calling the action, should mimic what the fans may be feeling. He had spent his life with his wife Eileen who passed away three years prior from the same disease. Thats rad. The announcer chose his words and descriptions carefully because he was trying to reach out to the mainstream. Solo Sikoa smiled because he got married. (The book was written) because of my promise to a dying man, but also because talking to people, one of the statements that hit us early was that his story was one that needed to be told.. His behavior was allegedly so bad, that the airline called WCWs corporate offices and filed a complaint with them. Biography ID: 71509492 . For the announcers that had a limited knowledge of classic play by play, such as say Vince McMahon or Gorilla Monsoon.a great color man like Bobby Heenan or Jessie Ventura is essential. (Image courtesy of http://pwa.wrestlingx.net). While WWEs amounted to a video package and a non-existent physical location, WCW actually televised its induction ceremonies and planned for a physical location at Atlantas CNN building. Yes. "Dont let either company trick you into thinking its an us vs. them thing, you guys dont have to choose, you can fucking watch it all. He was a commentator and announcer named Gordon Solie.> Famous dead-pan style interviews and colorful play-by-play broadcasts of wrestling led to Gordon's induction into the WCW Hall of Fame (Class of 1995), the NWA Hall of Fame (Class of 2006), and the WWE Hall of Fame (Class of 2008). It was like stepping into a puzzle that, somehow, we had to piece back together.. With his . In the early 1980s, Solie did commentary for JCPs landmark Starrcade shows in 1983 and 1984. I still dont. Flair, lets not have anymore, before shoving the microphone back in the wrestlers face to let him continue ranting; ramping up the upcoming match with Atlas. No. RELATED: WCW's Forgotten Hall Of Fame Ceremonies, Explained. He doesnt nearly get the respect or admiration as he should. On March 29, 2008, Jim Ross posthumously inducted Solie into the WWE Hall of Fame in the Class of 2008;[2] appearing on Solie's behalf were his five children, Pam, Danise, Jonard, Eric and Greg. 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