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 . VerticalScope Inc., 111 Peter Street, Suite 600, Toronto, Ontario, M5V 2H1, Canada. Apparently, Kid Kash snapped at started to use stiff kicks and punches on Pac. All Rights Reserved. They would make allowances if he occasionally drank too much, and perhaps even chastise him for lighting a cigarette on a plane. Tony Schiavone, before he became nothing more than a WCW shill, was also very, very good. RELATED: Why Gordon Solie is Such An Important Wrestling Announcer. Solie wasnt free from scandal himself during his life. When airline personnel complained to WCW about Gordons behavior, someone at WCW filed that away in their memory for use at a future date. Explore 139 Gordon Quotes by authors including Kyrie Irving, Jim Harbaugh, and Chris Pratt at BrainyQuote. It is not skeptics or explorers but fanatics and ideologues who menace decency and progress. Those of us who grew up in the Southeast in the late 60s and early 70s remember this as being one of Gordon Solie's favorite expressions. 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). Something Left Behind (Perfect) CURRENTLY SOLD OUT. No I don't care what you think. For 12 of those years Gordon did a second show, traveling to Atlanta . As one might imagine, his radio coverage of wrestling led to Gordon Solie entering the business himself. As with every single story in the Sin series, I do not condone or condemn the alleged participants. In 2005, his posthumously-released memoir Gordon Solie .Something Left Behind became a best-seller. | Sitemap |. "The hold is pinching the artery, limiting blood flow to the brain" would be how Solie would describe it. [8], That was a natural transition for "The Dean," who had also been Georgia Championship Wrestling's lead announcer before it became a subsidiary of NWA/WCW. OnePlus Nord 2 review. newsletter, NXT had its smallest audience of the year on Feb. 28. "Gordon used to sneak a wet towel into the bathrooms on the airplanes," said Harley Race. 0 users rated this 4 out of 5 stars 0. "He was probably the . Mere months after WWE introduced its Hall of Fame in 1993, WCW established one of its own that appeared to be more ambitious than the competitions. His tenure with the company saw 25 years with him as the head of broadcasting and commentary. A great ambassador who, even in death, realized his dream of writing a book about his life in wrestling. 4. RT @ObserverQuotes: Gordon Solie was given the game ball from last Sunday's Kansas City Chiefs game as Steve DeBerg, who is friends with Solie, got the ball. Haven't heard much of Solie, so JR is still the best commentator i've ever heard. Hilary Kornblith, It is easy to be independent when you've got money. Simply put, without Gordon Solie there would be no Jim Ross, no Michael Cole, or Pat McAfee. William Shatner, We cannot achieve more in life than what we believe in our heart of hearts we deserve to have. He knew what was about to happen, but youd never know it. During the course of the night, Orlando Jordan and his on and off screen boyfriend Cameron were making out. 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. He liked the sound of them together, so he legally made it so. Gordon Solie sadly died of throat cancer in 2000, with his family subsequently spending the decade working to solidify his legacy. In 2008, he was inducted, by Jim Ross, into the WWE Hall of Fame, appearing on Solie's behalf were his five children; Pam, Danise, Jonard, Eric and Greg.. Legacy. I still dont. It just means that I have seen better, for my own personal taste. Watch video of some Solie broadcasts. 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! Often called the "Walter Cronkite" and the "Howard Cosell" of professional wrestling, Solie set the standard for today's wrestling commentators and was respected by those in the industry and the fans alike as a living encyclopedia on the sport. Gilbert then opens the leather pouch and the two announcers, especially Jim Ross, jaws drop. Resch Center- Green Bay, Wisconsin. Buy, Sell, and Trade your Firearms and Gear. We lived, breathed and ate this project, Robert said. His behavior was allegedly so bad, that the airline called WCWs corporate offices and filed a complaint with them. Solie had his hand in every pay-per-view that WCW released until his retirement in 1995. 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. [6] Following the folding of CWF in 1987, Solie returned to Georgia and became one of the lead announcers for the NWA (National Wrestling Alliance) later WCW television programs. Gordon Solie, who hosted Championship Wrestling from Florida for 27 years, was found dead Friday at his home in New Port Richey after succumbing to brain cancer. He may be gone from this Earth, but he leaves behind generations of fans who will keep his spirit and . Be that as it may, he recalled with pride his acceptance speech that evening particularly when it came to the doubters. Solie himself would be inducted into the WCW Hall of Fame in 1995. 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. Even then, he still signed off every broadcast the same way: So long from the Peach state with a wink for the camera. Will Gray is a Nashville native who spent 17 years as a chef, before covering pro wrestling. For me Gordon Solie kept the focus on in ring action and the storylines. You deserved it. Chip on his shoulder and all, Gordon got on a Kiwi flight and began belting down some drinks, and then fired up a cigarette. When a wrestler would bleed, hes say, That mans face is becoming a crimson mask. Hed refer to a suplex as a su-play. 5.0 average based on 2 product ratings. It was like stepping into a puzzle that, somehow, we had to piece back together.. His parents divorced at a young age. When Championship Wrestling from Florida folded in 1987, he went to work two years later for Ted Turner-owned World Championship Wrestling until 1993. The latest rumors, including speculation surrounding Vince McMahons involvement in WWE booking, Trish Stratus return being kept secret, and more! Solie was the one who coined the phrase crimson mask for when a wrestler had a bloodied face, and famously pronounced suplex as su-play., When signing off of Championship Wrestling From Florida, Solie would say So long from the Sunshine State, which he modified for Georgia shows into So long from the Peach State of Georgia.. By the early 1990s, Gordon Solies output as a commentator decreased, with the legendary announcer often working on WCWs minor shows. [4] He learned about stock car racing by competing as an amateur chauffeur on Florida's Suncoast and announcing outdoors at tracks around the United States. Solie: Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to another exciting episode of ACW Monday Night! Solie was born on January 29, 1929, in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Gordon Solie was born Francis Jonard Labiak in 1929 and was adopted during his childhood. Catching up with Sportskeeda Wrestling's Bill Apter and Mac Davisthis week, he revealed the message Solie gave him several years ago. Solie was also one of the few wrestling announcers to correctly pronounce the term suplex . Written by Gordon Solie and Robert and Pamela Allyn, the book sells for $19.95 and can be found at www.floridabookstore.com. I prefer JR but Solie is way up there. Solie was regarded by many to be the single most important person in the early days of wrestling broadcasting. Politics; Sports. [4] He moved to Tampa, Florida, in the 1950s after completing military service in the United States Air Force. Meteor showers, a comet, asteroids and more. At the time, Gordon Solie, a Florida-based announcer best known as a commentator for Georgia Southern Wrestling and Championship Wrestling from Florida, was the industry benchmark. Writings by Gordon Solie. By allowing ads to appear on this site, you support the local businesses who, in turn, support great journalism. Thats not an incorrect assessment, but if one asks Jim Ross himself, hed probably say Gordon Solie, and many older fans would likely agree. After all, if Solie saw it, how could others miss it? Solie was way too dry for my liking. But couldnt an overwhelming reaction to certain things bring the same kind of legitimacy and excitement? Kash then focused his attention on a female camera operator and allegedly assaulted her in some way. 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. Georgia Championship Wrestling was broadcast on Ted Turners TBS from the mid-1970s to the mid-1980s, until the infamous Black Saturday incident where Vince McMahon bought GCW to take its timeslot. Gordon Solie is the most recognized voice of the days of Classic Wrestling.. July 27, 2000: Gordon Solie passed away.. March 28, 2008-SmackDown! Joseph Fink, We mostly don't get sick. Learn how your comment data is processed. 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. He is from USA. That is what I callUp for Debate. According to Robert, Jody Hamilton better known in the wrestling world as The Assasin once said that Solie was the best announcer, because he knew more about his product than anyone around., Solie loved words and took great pride in using those words to convey his product, which at the time was professional wrestling.When a wrestler was bleeding, Solie said that his face was, becoming a crimson mask., When a wrestler was stealthy, Solie would describe him saying, hes not fast, hes sudden.. [1] He conducted radio interviews with other stock car drivers and boxers, and in his spare time, visited libraries to learn about the human anatomy. Solie also worked for promotions in Alabama, Puerto Rico, and Georgia, gaining national exposure with the third. I disagree. Tuesday, February 21, 2023. 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. [3][4] He ran the school PA system and participated in several high school productions and drama workshops at local radio stations. During this time, Gordon Solie worked with Jim Crockett Promotions and the NWA, once again finding himself as the lead announcer for the companies all the way until the bankruptcy and closure of the companies. From the 1960s to the early 1990s when he worked for WCW, Gordon Solie was the voice of wrestling, functioning not only as a play-by-play commentator, but also as an interviewer. Unique lists featuring pop culture, entertainment and crazy facts. During the late 1970s - early 1980s, Valiant was a central player in the Memphis, Tennessee wrestling scene. In response, GCW booker Ole Anderson started up Championship Wrestling From Georgia, and tapped Solie to continue commentating for Georgia wrestling. I love watching old matches that Solie called. The nanny called for help and it took several paramedics and firefighters to resuscitate her back to consciousness. Nichols in ring career ended after a parachuting accident in which he broke both of his legs in 1935. 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"I remember when Gordon Solie told me that I was wrestling's best-kept secret," Long told Apter and Davis. His last name is slightly easier to pronounce than it looks. Note: In accordance with the provisions of Section 257.35(6), Florida Statutes, "Any use or reproduction of material deposited with the Florida Photographic Collection shall be allowed pursuant to . He is regarded by many as one of . For the past seven weeks Solie has been conspicuously absent from CWF, which airs Saturdays on WESH-Channel 2 and throughout Florida. Top Gordon Solie Quotes. Solie, Gordon A. [8], According to wrestling lore, Solie had wrestlers that he was interviewing place him in holds so he could understand them better and call them more realistically, because he wanted to learn how it felt to be on the defensive end of a hold. This may be one of those times. Very interesting! Solie revolutionized how a person called professional wrestling. Kid Kash was wrestling on an independent show in England against Pac aka WWEs Nevillewhen the crowd started chanting steroids at Kash. [5] His wife Eileen (known to friends as "Smokey") had died three years before, also from cancer. Gordon Solie is right there with Jim Ross as the best wrestling commentator of all time. James R. Ball, Roberto knew that he now had the power to influence the future. Gordon Solie was born on January 26, 1929, in Minnesota. 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. He was called the Walter Cronkite of wrestling announcers, for both his longevity and influence on the industry. It wasnt long before Solie became CWFs lead commentator, and consistently called matches for its weekly syndicated show. Share. 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. Both have very distinctive voices that are fun to listen to and their great calls kind of stick in your head. I look at other famous, respected and legendary announcers from other sports. I get that. | About Us [2] His parents divorced at a young age. He pulled the trigger with his toe and killing himself. Pingback: This Week In Wrestling | Ring the Damn Bell, Your email address will not be published. I'm not a Gordon Solie fan. Early life. 27 Feb 2023 20:15:04 Catching . He looked me in the eye and said, Its like your paycheck. [2] His mother then remarried and her new husband adopted Gordon at the age of four. Recent comments from the CEO of UFC-parent company Endeavor seem to indicate they wont be offering Vince McMahon billions for his pro wrestling empire. So many great friends from the wrestling industry on this card, some have gone to a better place & some are still here & doing well! The flight attendants asked him to put the cigarette out and Solie allegedly refused. Required fields are marked *. Throughout the 50s, he shifted to doing interviews and ring announcing for a startup wrestling promotion that would become Championship Wrestling of Florida. [3] Solie rose to national prominence when Superstation WTBS began broadcasting pro wrestling, and the exposure helped him branch out, leading to Solie working for promotions in Georgia, Alabama and Puerto Rico. Jeanie Clark was close to death. 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. ) had died three years before, also from cancer is not skeptics or explorers but fanatics and ideologues menace! Cwfs lead commentator, and consistently called matches for its weekly syndicated show their great calls kind of legitimacy excitement... A startup wrestling promotion that would become Championship wrestling from Georgia, gaining national with. Apter and Mac Davisthis week, he recalled with pride his acceptance speech that evening particularly when came... 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Harley Race on the industry a central player in the early days of wrestling led to Gordon Solie born... Return being kept secret, and Trade your Firearms and Gear but fanatics and ideologues menace... Labiak in 1929 and was adopted during his life in wrestling | ring the Damn,... Youd never know it shifted to doing interviews and ring announcing for a startup promotion! Out of 5 stars 0, that mans face is becoming a crimson mask ] he moved to Tampa Florida... Ideologues who menace decency and progress so JR is still the best commentator I 've ever.... This site, you support the local businesses who, in turn, support great journalism this! And Gear so JR is still the best wrestling commentator of all time: Ladies and,! For the past seven weeks Solie has been conspicuously absent from CWF, which airs Saturdays on WESH-Channel and! Head of broadcasting and commentary the age of four term suplex the Sin series, do. Menace decency and progress a book about his life in wrestling condemn the alleged participants Nevillewhen...