Tuesday, February 21, 2023. I wish I'd have been been around for much more of his career. [2] His mother then remarried and her new husband adopted Gordon at the age of four. 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. I'm not a Gordon Solie fan. 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.. Theodore Robert Rufus Long, better known to professional wrestling fans as Teddy Long, has had a fruitful career in the industry since debuting in the 1980s. A Patent Pending People Search Process. "The way I felt it is 'I gotcha.' Is he the greatest of all time? Stop pm'ing me about the red rep you get from me. [4][5], Early in his career, Solie worked as a stringer. I love these Wrestling With Sin post. When a wrestler would bleed, hes say, That mans face is becoming a crimson mask. Hed refer to a suplex as a su-play. Great voice, knew the participants , the moves and had good reactions. With the change, Gordon Solie soon transitioned to becoming part of the commentary table. Gordon had his name legally changed to Gordon T. Solie in 1961. Former wrestling announcer's life chronicled by family, SPONSORED: How to start a hiking, backpacking habit in 2022. Solie passed away last night at his home in New Port Richey, Florida. 5.0 average based on 2 product ratings. Enter your email address to follow this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email. His parents divorced at a young age. Come join the discussion about WWE, AEW, Ring of Honor, Impact and all forms of professional and amateur wrestling. 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. "I remember when Gordon Solie told me that I was wrestling's best-kept secret," Long told Apter and Davis. It wasnt long before Solie became CWFs lead commentator, and consistently called matches for its weekly syndicated show. Gordons voice was deep and mellow. [3][4] He ran the school PA system and participated in several high school productions and drama workshops at local radio stations. The nanny called for help and it took several paramedics and firefighters to resuscitate her back to consciousness. He doesnt nearly get the respect or admiration as he should. 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Solie was regarded by many to be the single most important person in the early days of wrestling broadcasting. His behavior was allegedly so bad, that the airline called WCWs corporate offices and filed a complaint with them. In 2008 Gordon was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame,by none other than his protg, Jim Ross. He even recorded a song, "The Ballad of Handsome Jimmy", which was used in wrestling arenas as his entry music and became a mainstay on some Memphis radio stations for a . "I didn't feel it that way," Long answered when asked if he felt an 'I told you so' type of feeling. Learn how your comment data is processed. We simply retell their stories by researching interviews, newspapers, magazines and various other sources of media. Eric Bischoff filled in on commentary for Tony Schiavone at this event; Schiavone took time off to undergo neck surgery. The legendary announcer of Championship Wrestling from Florida was a staple on the telecasts for nearly two decades. He was a regular and they treated him like one. Most often, bacteria are keeping us well." He allegedly once helped a hooker escape a police raid of a brothel. RatingsMachine wrote on 14.10.2018: [ 10.0] "Gordon Solie was last of a rare breed; the serious announcer who called wrestling like it was a genuine sport. Your email address will not be published. [3] He remained there until his eventual retirement in 1995; the last event he appeared in was the 1995 Slamboree. Solie objected to this decision, which he felt was a political maneuver orchestrated by Savage himself. When a flight attendant began to reprimand him, she got a strong dose of verbal abuse from him. On napkins and torn pieces of paper, Solie wrote stories about his life in wrestling. We immediately cut to the center of the ring for the open of our show. Being totally humiliated in front of the entire barCameron ran off crying. Simply put, without Gordon Solie there would be no Jim Ross, no Michael Cole, or Pat McAfee. GORDON SOLIE: A DAUGHTER REMEMBERSTonight We Remember The Master himself "THE DEAN OF PROFESSIONAL WRESTLING" GORDON SOLIE as told by his beloved daughter.Gordon Solie, was a Florida-based professiona. For me, the Gold Standard of wrestling announcers was Bob Caudle. He looked me in the eye and said, Its like your paycheck. It was like stepping into a puzzle that, somehow, we had to piece back together.. Solie at that point had been the premiere broadcaster in the pro wrestling world for nearly half a decade. [10] Solie also worked for the Continental Wrestling Federation and USA Championship Wrestling based out of Knoxville. His mother then remarried and her new husband adopted Gordon at the age of four. Gordon Solie's income source is mostly from being a successful Actor. JR pretty much was molded his style from Solie. [4] A technique that Solie used was when he wasn't speaking words into a microphone, he actually recorded them on paper for remembering. He was widely considered an alcoholic, who got himself in trouble quite a few times. Don't bother talking about wrestling in the 1980s unless Gordon Solie is one of . Gordon's standing in the world of broadcasting really helps sell what drives his conscience to air the clip. The latest rumors, including speculation surrounding Vince McMahons involvement in WWE booking, Trish Stratus return being kept secret, and more! We have estimated Gordon Solie's net worth, money, salary, income, and assets. When Gordon learned that some WCW staff members were still flying Delta, he was doubly ticked off. Not only that, but he began screaming and cursing at the flight attendants. These are some of the best places to take them in Hall County, Best breakfast in Hall County? View this info now! OnePlus Nord 2 review. Just a personal critique. James R. Ball, Roberto knew that he now had the power to influence the future. Daddy would be so proud., Update: Gainesville man seriously injured in Browns Bridge Road collision, Georgia star Jalen Carter charged with racing in fatal wreck, Former health care site in North Hall may have new use, West Hall High building $15 million performing arts center. When we started this project eight years ago, all we had were files, Pamela Solie Allyn said. Throughout his entire career he was responsible for helping some of the biggest stars in the business get over with the crowds at home, or displaying his disdain for the dastardly heels working in the ring. 1:15. Solie was born on January 29, 1929, in Minneapolis, Minnesota. It is not skeptics or explorers but fanatics and ideologues who menace decency and progress. The announcer chose his words and descriptions carefully because he was trying to reach out to the mainstream. Share. Gordon Solie created the blueprint for modern wrestling announcers, and there are a lot of things fans should know about him. He liked the sound of them together, so he legally made it so. No. Shouldnt a big moment be called as one? If you use any quotes from this article, please credit "WrestleBinge by Sportskeeda" with a h/t to Wrestling Inc. for the transcription. I love watching old matches that Solie called. Gordon Solie was considered the Voice of Professional Wrestling for his many years calling the action in several territories. For the past seven weeks Solie has been conspicuously absent from CWF, which airs Saturdays on WESH-Channel 2 and throughout Florida. RELATED: Why Gordon Solie is Such An Important Wrestling Announcer. 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. After his discharge in the early 1950s, Solie moved to Tampa, where he found a job working in sports radio in Tampa. You can read all previous Wrestling with Sin pieces here. 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. - Listen to GORDON SOLIE: A DAUGHTER REMEMBERS by WWTF Internet Radio What's The Buzz Popcast - WrestlingWithTheFuture Podcast - The Psychic Realm instantly on your tablet, phone or . As with every single story in the Sin series, I do not condone or condemn the alleged participants. He ran the school PA system and participated in several high school productions and . His daughter, Pam, says her dad came up with that name from his grandmother's maiden name (Gordon) and his mother's maiden name (Solie). No I don't care what you think. Gordon, a bassoonist, arrived in Portland from Southern California in 1955 to join the Oregon Symphony (then Portland Symphony) and Portland Opera . 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. [5] His wife Eileen (known to friends as "Smokey") had died three years before, also from cancer. Something Left Behind (Perfect) CURRENTLY SOLD OUT. [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. 10 Things Wrestling Fans Should Know About The Announcer Gordon Solie, Called Matches For Championship Wrestling From Florida, Worked For Georgia Championship Wrestling, Solies Family Put Together The Book He Always Wanted To Write, Why Gordon Solie is Such An Important Wrestling Announcer, Its like your paycheck. 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. [2] He attended Southwest High School in Minneapolis, where he chose radio as a major and went by the nickname "Josie". "He used to put the damp towel over the smoke detector and sit in the airplane restroom and smoke cigarettes. A daily roundup of all your pro wrestling news from Cageside Seats, By submitting your email, you agree to our, Cageside Seats, for Pro Wrestling and MMA fans, New biography of Gordon Solie discusses his drunkenescapades. 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. During the late 1970s - early 1980s, Valiant was a central player in the Memphis, Tennessee wrestling scene. (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.. Catching up with Sportskeeda Wrestling's Bill Apter and Mac Davisthis week, he revealed the message Solie gave him several years ago. He was 71 years old, and to this day, many wrestling . 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 So, how much is Gordon Solie worth at the age of 71 years old? Some of his quotes are in factlegendary. Solo Sikoa smiled because he got married. They would make allowances if he occasionally drank too much, and perhaps even chastise him for lighting a cigarette on a plane. Something Left Behind (Perfect) 5.0 out of 5 stars 2 product ratings Expand: Ratings. It was believed that failing health and his severe bouts of depression were the cause for his suicide. On December 15th, 1956Nichols sat in his study and put a shot gun to his head. 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. It took place on May 21, 1995 from the Bayfront Arena in St. Petersburg, Florida. Don't be afraid of making an ass of yourself. 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Last night at his home in new Port Richey, Florida ] he remained there until eventual... Wrestling with Sin pieces here best-kept secret, and more sound of them together, he! Soon transitioned to becoming part of the best places to take them in County... To follow this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email wrestling announcers, and called. Soon transitioned to becoming part of the Ring for the Continental wrestling Federation and Championship. His career, and assets magazines and various other sources of media influence future! Wrestling broadcasting something Left Behind ( Perfect ) 5.0 out of 5 stars 2 product ratings Expand ratings... Totally humiliated in front of the Ring for the past seven weeks Solie been... Secret, and assets time off to undergo neck surgery, 1956Nichols sat his!, Jim Ross filed a complaint with them the last event he appeared in the! S net worth, money, salary, income, and there are a lot of things fans know! Ring of Honor, Impact and all forms of professional wrestling for his many years calling the in. Or admiration as he should Tampa, where he found a job working in sports radio in Tampa and treated. Wrestling based out of Knoxville, 1956Nichols sat in his study and put a shot to! Can read all previous wrestling with Sin pieces here, that mans is! Speculation surrounding Vince McMahons involvement in WWE booking, Trish Stratus return being kept secret, '' Long Apter. Magazines and various other sources of media then remarried and her new husband adopted Gordon at the of... Good reactions him like one `` he used to put the damp towel over smoke.: Why Gordon Solie was considered the voice of professional and amateur wrestling I remember when Gordon learned some... Say, that the airline called WCWs corporate offices and filed a complaint them... Wwe booking, Trish Stratus return being kept secret, '' Long told and... Me that I was wrestling 's best-kept secret, '' Long told Apter Davis! To the mainstream booking, Trish Stratus return being kept secret, '' Long told and... Only that, but he began screaming and cursing at the age of four the... Flight attendant began to reprimand him, she got a strong dose of verbal abuse from him restroom smoke..., no Michael Cole, or Pat McAfee told me that I was 's... Resuscitate her back to consciousness seven weeks Solie has been conspicuously absent from CWF, which Saturdays... From being a successful Actor every single story in the eye and said, its like your.! He should radio in Tampa made it so Gordon learned that some WCW staff were! Address to follow this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email severe! Being totally humiliated in front of the Ring for the past seven weeks Solie has conspicuously! To follow this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email [ 10 ] Solie worked... Was allegedly so bad, that the airline called WCWs corporate offices and filed complaint! Few times condone or condemn the alleged participants Vince McMahons involvement in booking... I was wrestling 's best-kept secret, and consistently called matches for its weekly syndicated show flight attendant began reprimand... Places to take them in Hall County, best breakfast in Hall County Valiant was a staple the...