RELATED: Why Gordon Solie is Such An Important Wrestling Announcer. In 2005, Solie's posthumously released memoir Gordon Solie Something Left Behind became a best-seller. His net worth has been growing significantly in 2020-2021. @RicFlairNatrBoy . Your email address will not be published. But to be independent when you haven't got a thing, that's the Lord's test. Published: Oct 14, 2009, 2:23 PM. I never really understood why he was considered by many, as the greatest announcer in wrestling history. With his . He liked the sound of them together, so he legally made it so. "[8] His oft-imitated signature call of a suplex as a "su-play. But the committee opted to induct Poffo despite Solies protestations, so Solie resigned from the company. 1 [full album] 20:11. Jim Ross who idolized Solie, was the best announcer of the modern era, always told a story with his voice. If you use any quotes from this article, please credit "WrestleBinge by Sportskeeda" with a h/t to Wrestling Inc. for the transcription. So many great friends from the wrestling industry on this card, some have gone to a better place & some are still here & doing well! Solie was born on January 29, 1929, in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Stop pm'ing me about the red rep you get from me. He knew what was about to happen, but youd never know it. "He used to put the damp towel over the smoke detector and sit in the airplane restroom and smoke cigarettes. American Championship Wrestling. New biography of Gordon Solie discusses his drunken escapades. After Turner Broadcasting bought out JCP, the remaining pieces of GCW and the Southeast territories, Solie joined the broadcast team of World Championship Wrestling. The couple both agreed, but later in the evening Cameron started dancing very provocatively on the dance floor making sexual gestures. But once I got cut from my high school team, I figured there wasn't much chance of that ever happening. Is he the greatest of all time? [8][3][5] Solie was once asked to join the World Wrestling Federation but declined the offer as the company wanted him to wear a tuxedo. His behavior was allegedly so bad, that the airline called WCWs corporate offices and filed a complaint with them. Gordon Solie Something Left Behind is a tour through the previously unpublished writings of the "Dean of Professional Wrestling announcers, " the late Gordon Solie. 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]. [3][4] He ran the school PA system and participated in several high school productions and drama workshops at local radio stations. 3. He wanted to keep the job raw and pure, so thats how he wanted to know the characters he was interviewing and commentating for. [8], In 1987, a board game, Gordon Solie's Championship Wrestling Trivia Game, was released by Sports Entertainment International, Inc.[9] Solie eventually entered wrestling myth, and often stayed out of angles, but lots of them became historic once he was involved; one such angle was in Georgia when the Magnificent Muraco confronted Solie, threatening to hurt him. Some criticized Flair for gay bashingwhile others praised Flair for trying to protect the company. [2] His mother then remarried and her new husband adopted Gordon at the age of four. Gordon Solie is right there with Jim Ross as the best wrestling commentator of all time. When Gordon learned that some WCW staff members were still flying Delta, he was doubly ticked off. On December 15th, 1956Nichols sat in his study and put a shot gun to his head. A forum community dedicated to all Wrestling enthusiasts. [3] Following his retirement from the sport, he started to dislike the product, saying it was a damn shame that wrestlers had turned into roid freaks and lamented the lack of respect for the history of the business. The Wrestling Video Collection below . Related: 10 Bad WWE Commentators We Completely Forgot About. The way we send the message is often just as important as the content of the message itself. ''No, I mean 'Carnal Knowledge, the movie. And while he may be the first to tell you of his shock at being inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame, legendary play-by-play announcer Gordon Solie could've seen it coming from miles out. Solie.org is considered a valued reference among wrestling fans and the internet wrestling community. Gordon T Solie of New Port Richey, Pasco County, Florida was born on January 26, 1929, and died at age 71 years old on July 28, 2000. Speedy Hugh Nichols was a professional wrestler turned promoter in the 1920s to the 1950s. Solie wasn't free from scandal himself during his life. Sometimes called The Walter Cronkite of pro wrestling Gordon Solie continued to make a name for himself in the American territories and Puerto Rico. I love watching old matches that Solie called. Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window), Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window), Click to share on Pocket (Opens in new window), Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window), Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window). He wanted golf fans, tennis fans, football fans and basketball fans to be wrestling fans. ''Well, is there? Politics; Sports. 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. [11] Later the same year WWE's WWE Classics on Demand video service began offering The Film Room with Gordon Solie, hosted by Ross, focusing on Solie's announcing and interviewing of a specific wrestler or group of wrestlers involved in a feud. He pulled the trigger with his toe and killing himself. From Wikipedia: Solie's Vintage Wrestling is an historical professional wrestling website which first appeared in 1995, named in honor of announcer Gordon Solie. No. Unfortunately, Graham would commit suicide in 1985 and financial trouble would lead to CWF folding in 1987. He felt a strong sense of guilt and responsibility about the situation in which he found himself, but he knew that he had to make it work. 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 . (It's blasphemous for some to have . Kash then focused his attention on a female camera operator and allegedly assaulted her in some way. By David Bixenspan Aug 30, 2009, 2:09pm EDT. He sort of made wrestling seem like a legitimate sport with his commentary even though you knew going in it was scripted. Afterwards, (Solie) said, That was a very painful experience., You cant sell a product unless you know it, Pamela said. Not only that, but he began screaming and cursing at the flight attendants. Some of his quotes are in factlegendary. Author: Bonnie Bassler. : They announced that Gordon Solie will be inducted into the Class of 2008 WWE Hall of Fame.. March 29, 2008 - WWE Hall of Fame: Jim Ross inducted Gordon Solie into the WWE Hall of Fame in Orlando . For me Gordon Solie kept the focus on in ring action and the storylines. I prefer JR but Solie is way up there. Why Gordon Solie is Such An Important Wrestling Announcer, The Early Days Of Gordon Solie's Wrestling Career, Gordon Solie Impacted Everyone From Jim Ross To Michael Cole, 10 Bad WWE Commentators We Completely Forgot About, had started picking up wrestling from the American Southeast and Florida, 10 Pictures Of Jim Ross Like You've Never Seen Him Before, After Turner Broadcasting bought out JCP, the remaining pieces of GCW and the Southeast territories, In 2008 Gordon was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame. All Rights Reserved. Nichols in ring career ended after a parachuting accident in which he broke both of his legs in 1935. He kept newspaper articles and even went so far as to outline what he wanted to be an autobiography. "People have told me I look like Gordon Lightfoot." . There's something about his voice.I'd listen to the guy read the dictionary. Haven't heard much of Solie, so JR is still the best commentator i've ever heard. 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. Unique lists featuring pop culture, entertainment and crazy facts. News on all your favorite celebs, reality TV, and movies. Read breaking stories and opinion articles on Gordon Solie at Firstpost. After a TNA Impact TV taping in March of 2010a large contingent of TNA wrestlers and personnel went to a bar in the area. Solie revolutionized how a person called professional wrestling. I dont expect everybody to agree with everything I say. He is regarded by many as one of . A surprise turn or upset win should be just a shock to the announcer as to the fans watching. Gordon T. Solie (born Francis Jonard Labiak, later Jonard Pierre Sjoblom, January 26, 1929July 27, 2000), was a Florida-based professional wrestling play-by-play announcer working for World Championship Wrestling.Solie was also the regular announcer for Georgia Championship Wrestling, Championship Wrestling from Florida and Continental Championship Wrestling, among others. Solie, Gordon A. Her childrens nanny found her slumped on her couch unconscious and couldnt wake her up. Most often, bacteria are keeping us well." Gordon Solie was, simply put, the sport's greatest ambassador and the GORDON SOLIE OBITUARY. Gordon Solie sadly died of throat cancer in 2000, with his family subsequently spending the decade working to solidify his legacy. However, the term appears in print as early as 1933: Learn how and when to remove this template message, George Tragos/Lou Thesz Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame, Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame and Museum, "AS I SEE IT 10/28: Wrestling loses two of its best", "Gordon Solie: So Long From The Sunshine State", "Gordon Solie, Wrestling's Lost Voice, Still Lingers", "Gordon Solie's Championship Wrestling Trivia Game", "Examining Jim Ross' Legacy Following Retirement from WWE", "Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame Finalizes 2021 Class: Mark Henry, Trish Stratus, More", Gordon Solie feature from SLAM! Primarily remembered for his time as ECW and "WWE SmackDown" General Manager, and fondly remembered for his habit of booking tag team matches, it was only ever a matter of time until people realized what he brought to the table. During his time with the company he was an integral part of the broadcast team. I get that. [3][5] Solie had also worked for New Japan Wrestling as a commentator for overseas tapes and videos. newsletter, NXT had its smallest audience of the year on Feb. 28. Perhaps because I've always been more a "sports entertainment > bah gawd real 'rasslin~!" 4. 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 . Tuesday, February 21, 2023. News on all your favorite celebs, reality TV, and movies. 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. "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. 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. We immediately cut to the center of the ring for the open of our show. Gordon Solie was born Francis Jonard Labiak in 1929 and was adopted during his childhood. We understand so much. While Gordon Solie was the voice of Championship Wrestling From Florida, the promotion was a regional presence. 87 Feb. 20, 1929 April 20, 2016 Gordon A. Solie, a prominent figure in Portland's Classical music scene, passed away April 20, 2016, at Terwilliger Plaza. Oops. It took place on May 21, 1995 from the Bayfront Arena in St. Petersburg, Florida. According to Robert Allyn, at the peak of popularity in 1976, Solie had 5,000,000 people a week watching him on Championship Wrestling from Florida and by the early 1980s, 10,000,000 people a week saw Solie on the two combined WTBS programs; Georgia Championship Wrestling on Saturday night and The Best of Championship Wrestling on Sundays. [2] His parents divorced at a young age. James R. Ball, Roberto knew that he now had the power to influence the future. Any less talented? Yes. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission, which supports our community. Solie himself would be inducted into the WCW Hall of Fame in 1995. When I first got into wrestling he was on the Sunday night TBS show. Your email address will not be published. Gordon Solie is standing by with co-commissioner Tex McKenzie. Enter your email address to follow this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email. He is from USA. While the money wasnt much, Luttralls advice would be indispensable: Its like your paycheck. Ric Flair noticed this and stepped in between Orlando Jordan and Cameron and asked them to tone it down. My faith is a very important part of my life. I still don't. Solie had a knack for being extremely descriptive in calling matches. [5] His wife Eileen (known to friends as "Smokey") had died three years before, also from cancer. Gordon Solie (born Francis Jonard Labiak, later Jonard Pierre Sjoblom, January 26, 1929 - July 27, 2000), was an American Florida-based professional wrestling play-by-play announcer working for Georgia Championship Wrestling, Championship Wrestling from Florida, USA Championship Wrestling, Continental Championship Wrestling, and World Championship Wrestling. [4], Much of his fame stems from the gravelly sound of his voice calling the in-ring action and his unique lingo, and is often called "The Walter Cronkite of Wrestling"[6] or the Howard Cosell of Wrestling. 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