Crowbar Press

 
The Solie Chronicles by Robert Allyn with Pamela S Allyn and Scott Teal

The Solie Chronicles by Robert Allyn with Pamela S Allyn and Scott Teal

 
BOOK DETAILS

Kindle edition: 300 pages

Publisher: Crowbar Press

Item #: cbp07-gs-kindle

Price: $9.99

 
The Solie Chronicles
ORDER THE KINDLE EDITION
 
Get information about
the print edition
HERE.

   
The Solie Chronicles


 
The Solie Chronicles
ORDER THE KINDLE EDITION
 
Get information about the print edition HERE.

Synopsis  |  Excerpts  |  Chapter Titles  |  Index  |  Reviews  |  Media Appearances  |  Crowbar Press

Excerpt from "The Solie Chronicles"
Copyright © Robert Allyn
One evening, he sat in the comfort of his family room — vodka in one hand and a cigarette in the other, and spoke to his son-in-law, Bob Allyn.   Gordon said McMahon’s company offered him a fair wage to continue on, and there was even a mention of him co-hosting with Gene Okerlund.   He didn’t have a problem with the money offer or with Gene Okerlund, but Gordon said they wanted him to wear a tuxedo, and "he wasn’t going to wear any go—amn tuxedo."


Since the late 1800s, professional wrestling has turned out many high-profile stars: names such as Frank Gotch, Ed "Strangler" Lewis, Lou Thesz, Dusty Rhodes and Hulk Hogan. Perhaps one of the most well-known pro-wrestling personalities, however, wasn't even a wrestler. 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).

"Gordon calling a world championship match was like Al Michaels or Bob Costas calling a Super Bowl or World Series ... just a perfect fit!"
Mike Tenay-broadcaster for TNA Wrestling

Wrestling fans of the 60s, 70s and 80s remember Gordon’s legendary broadcasts on Championship Wrestling from Florida, Championship Wrestling from Georgia, and World Championship Wrestling.

Born Jonard Frank Labiak on January 26, 1929, Gordon began working as a page and errand boy for a Louisiana radio station while he was in the U.S. Air Force. Known to his fellow servicemen as Gordy, he would later legally change his name to Gordon Solie, a name chosen to honor his family history. In 1950, he took a job as an announcer for WEBK in Ybor City, Florida. By starting his own radio sports interview program, Gordon made key contacts in professional wrestling and stock car racing. Subsequently, Gordon Solie set a course and made a major impact on the development of professional wrestling, national auto thrill show tours, stock car racing on Florida’s Suncoast, and ultimately, as the host for the highest-rated show on the largest cable network in America.

The background material for this biography was found in Gordon's personal files and taken from interviews with the people who knew him the best. It is written as a testament to a man who made his mark in many endeavors.

— INTERVIEWS with 65 people who knew Gordon the best! —

Family and Friends
•Dotty Curtis [wife of wrestling legend Don Curtis]
• Gaye Swenson [Gordon's sister]
• Greg Solie [Gordon's son]
• Jeff Bukantz [member of the U.S. National fencing team]
• Jim Oxley [head mechanic at the Pit Stop]
• Keith Mitchell [WCW staff member]
• Pamela S Allyn [Gordon's daughter]
• Robert Allyn [Gordon's son-in-law]
• Tom McEwen [sports editor and Gordon's friend]

Stock car drivers
• Buzzie Reutimann
• Cush Revette
• Jim Gallagher [stock car race announcer]
• "Little Jack" Arnold
• Pancho Alvarez
• Randy Alvarez [Pancho Alvarez' son]
• Wayne Reutimann
• Will Cagle

Wrestling Journalists
• Alex Marvez [Senior NFL Writer for FOXSports.com]
• Bill Apter [former editor of Pro Wrestling Illustrated]
• J Michael Kenyon [wrestling historian]
• Mike Mooneyham [wrestling journalist]
• Scott Teal [wrestling historian]

Wrestling Commentators
• Joe Pedicino
• Jim Ross
• Lance Russell
• Mike Tenay

Wrestling Photographers
• Danny Goddard
• Scooter Leslie

   Wrestlers, Managers, Referees and Promoters
•Abdullah the Butcher
• Adrian Street
• Bill Newman
• Bob Armstrong
• Bob Roop
• Bobby Simmons
• Buddy Colt
• C.J. West
• Danny Hodge
• Danny Miller
• David Marquez
• Dick Steinborn
• Dory Funk
• "Downtown Bruno" Lauer
• Dr. Ken Ramey
• Frankie Cain
• Gene Kiniski
• Harley Race
• Howard Brody
• Ivan Koloff
• Jack Brisco
• Jack Welch
• Jerry Prater [director-producer of Championship Wrestling from Florida]
• Jim Cornette
• Jimmy Hart
• Jimmy Snuka
• JJ Dillon
• Joe Turner
• Larry Zbyszko
• Les Thatcher
• Mike Graham
• Rocky Johnson
• Ron Garvin
• Roy Lee Welch
• Skip Gossett
• Stan Hansen
• Steve Keirn


 
The Solie Chronicles
ORDER THE KINDLE EDITION
 
Get information about the print edition
HERE.

Excerpts from The Solie Chronicles

Excerpt from Chapter 1: Loving, Hating, and the FBI
Copyright © Robert Allyn, Pamela S Allyn and Scott Teal
  What Jonard [later known as Gordon] didn’t anticipate was the quickness of the Denver police and the FBI.  An All Points Bulletin, or APB, was issued for Miller’s stolen car.  Outside of Boulder City, near the Boulder Dam, the local police stopped the oversized car with the undersized driver.  Arrested on Grand Theft Auto across state lines, Jonard was handcuffed and placed in the back of the squad car.  Appearing a lot smaller than his 5’8" frame, he was driven back to Denver to face the law and his parents.  Horrified, he envisioned the upcoming scene.  He could almost hear them: "You are a criminal, a juvenile delinquent! How could you have done this to us?"  At that moment, the last people he wanted to speak to were his parents!  There was no way he was going to use his one allowed phone call to speak with his mom and dad.  He needed a buffer, so Jonard decided to phone the pastor of his parent’s church and ask him to call his parents.
After the phone call, Jonard was left to sit in a cell at the Denver Juvenile Detention Center.  He sat — and he sat.


Excerpt from Chapter 3: Cracked by a Potato
Copyright © Robert Allyn, Pamela S Allyn and Scott Teal
  Earning the job on Championship Wrestling from Florida presented another challenge to Gordon. Early in his second stint as host for the show, Gordon had an overseer, a kind of babysitter appointed by the TV station. On one normal taping day at the WTVT studio, fans stretched all the way down the block as they waited in line in the hot Florida sun, and then packed themselves like sardines into the small studio. With the assistance of their "heel" manager, Saul Weingeroff, Kurt and Karl von Brauner won a tag team match. Saul had a habit of cheating by reaching into the ring with his cane and tripping their opponents. The fans screamed their disapproval of his dirty tactics. In response to the jeers emanating from the audience, the so-called "Germans" unfolded an American flag and spread it on the ring mat. The fans got louder and more insulting. Basically telling the fans, "Up yours," the Von Brauners proceeded to desecrate the American flag by jumping up and down on it. The louder the fans got, the more Saul Weingeroff egged on the Von Brauners. The fans in the studio were ready to riot.
After the police restored order, the studio manager made a beeline for WTVT’s office and marched in to see the station manager. "This has gone too far," he wailed to his superior. "The people who come in to watch are rude, crude and profane. They are disgusting. And those wrestlers, they are a disgrace with their anti-American, pro German antics. Something has to be done."

During the negotiations which followed between Luttrall and WTVT officials, it was decided that a station representative named Russ Benedict would be present on the air with Gordon until further notice.


Excerpt from Chapter 4: Wimpy Beats Pancho
Copyright © Robert Allyn, Pamela S Allyn and Scott Teal
  On the local scene, Buzzie Reutimann was establishing a "Chevrolet" take-over at the "Gate," while Pancho Alvarez was trying to change that with a brand new 1959 Pontiac. Cush Revette, who competed against both Buzzie and Pancho, said Gordon made the races at the "Gate" more fun for the drivers and the fans.

"He asked that the drivers unbuckle, get out of their cars, and lean against the front right fenders before we competed in the feature races," stated Revette, "and then Gordon announced our names and made comments about our cars or motors. In my case, Gordon made a big deal because I was seen drinking buttermilk one time. He went on and on about it to the point that I even put a little buttermilk container on the hood of my car before feature races. For a time, I was sponsored by the University Lounge and Restaurant and I invited the fans to meet me there after the races. Because of Gordon, they actually expected to see me there drinking buttermilk, and seemed surprised to see me drinking a beer. It got to the point that the crowd expected some humorous encounter whenever Gordon introduced me at the track.
"One night, Gordon was at the microphone and yelled at me, ‘Hey, Cush, what time is it?’ I yelled back from the track, ‘It’s nookie time. But right now we have to race.’ The crowd loved it."


Excerpt from Chapter 12: The Doll House
Copyright © Robert Allyn, Pamela S Allyn and Scott Teal
  "One of the guys had a question about a photograph, so I left for a moment to speak with him," said Scooter. "Andre was sitting there at the bar, Dusty was standing there, and then I saw Jody Hamilton who, of course, was wearing his (Assassin) mask. There were so many tuxedos there that it looked like a penguin convention. I finished quickly and came back to rejoin Gordon. By then, he was speaking to another man who had his back to me. As I came around Gordon and looked at the man, I just froze. My fiancé asked, ‘Are you okay? You look like you saw a ghost.’ I barely got out the words, ‘Do you know who that is?’
"My fiance answered, ‘No’
"‘That man hit 755 home runs!’ I replied. It was, indeed, Hank Aaron, the legendary home run king of Major League Baseball. That was the only time in my life that I wished I could pull a baseball out of my ass. I could picture the ball with the number '755' written on it with Hank Aaron’s autograph below. I shook his hand as I said, ‘Hi, Mr. Aaron,’ and probably still had a dumbfounded look on my face. As I looked at Hank and Gordon standing there, I noticed that they were about the same height, but it was apparent that Hank had much bigger biceps. To this day, I still have a clear picture in my mind of the time I stood there chatting with Gordon Solie and Hank Aaron."


Excerpt from Chapter 13: "Don't Make Me Raise My Voice"
Copyright © Robert Allyn, Pamela S Allyn and Scott Teal
  Gordon left WCW with a record of good performance, but he did leave an off-the-job situation hanging over his head. While still with WCW, the company changed Gordon’s flights from Delta to Kiwi. He wasn’t happy about the change. Not only did he and Smoky take vacation trips on Gordon’s Delta frequent flyer miles, but a lot of the attendants knew him. He was a regular and they treated him like one. They would make allowances if he occasionally drank too much, and perhaps even chastise him for lighting a cigarette on a plane. "Gordon used to sneak a wet towel into the bathrooms on the airplanes," said Harley Race. "He used to put the damp towel over the smoke detector and sit in the airplane restroom and smoke cigarettes. Gordon was the reason that the airlines added signs about not tampering with their smoke detectors."
When Gordon learned that some WCW staff members were still flying Delta, he was doubly ticked off. 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 flight attendant began to reprimand him, she got a strong dose of verbal abuse from him. When airline personnel complained to WCW about Gordon’s behavior, someone at WCW filed that away in their memory for use at a future date.


 
The Solie Chronicles
ORDER THE KINDLE EDITION
 
Get information about the print edition
HERE.

Chapter titles and contents

Dedication
Acknowledgements
Foreword
A Note from Gordon's Daughter

1  Loving, Hating, and the FBI
Growing up in Minneapolis, Minnesota ... Solie family history ... Saved from drowning by a mysterious stranger ... The stepfather ... A trusted companion ... Super heroes ... Saving money for a new bicycle ... Gardens for Victory ... Jonard begins to rebel ... Sneaking out at night ... The word game ... Stealing a car ... Gordon spends a month in jail ... Jonard joins the Air Force ... Breakfast in Hollywood ... Becoming "Gordon Solie" ... Gordon gets married

2  Cigars, Strawberries, Ovals and Rings
Going to work for WEBK ... Searching for sponsors ... Setting his sights on professional wrestling and stock car racing ... Meeting wrestling promoter Cowboy Luttrall ... Announcing at Speedway Park in Tampa ... A thank you letter from Bing Crosby ... Teaming with Milt Spencer on "Sportsreel" ... Gordon becomes a father ... Trouble at home ... Put in his place by Cowboy Luttrall ... Gordon takes on a "nine-to-five" ... $100 legacy ... On tour with Thrillcade ... Southern Wrestling Alliance ... Florida Sheriffs Boys Ranch

3  Cracked by a Potato
Hosting the new pro wrestling television show ... Divorce and remarriage ... Working with the "Dean of Florida Sportscasters" ... Helping develop Golden Gate Speedway ... NASCAR comes to Tampa

4  Wimpy Beats Pancho
Thrill-O-Rama ... Anatomy lessons ... Bringing Figure 8 stock car racing to Tampa ... Gordon's solo flight ... Appointed "Automobile Racing Commissioner of Ybor City" ... The NWA world junior heavyweight title changes hands in Tampa ... Danny Hodge goes fishing ... Gordon buys a fire engine ... Negative media coverage ... Turkey hunting ... Candidate for the Florida State House of Representatives ... The FCC's "equal time" policy ... Stock car racers picket Golden Gate Speedway ... The Buffalo Bomber

5  Solie’s Hog
Hog hunting ... Gordon's trademark closing ... Fan mail ... Dr. Ken Ramey and the Masked Medics ... Accolades from former NWA world heavyweight champion Gene Kiniski ... Technical advancements of "Championship Wrestling from Florida" ... Pulling ribs on the boys ... The Great Malenko and the wrestling bear ... Moving to Solie Road ... Working as technical director for the movie, "Jump" ... Outstanding Citizen award ... Mistaking Joe Frazier for "Bob" ... World title match at the Bayfront Center in St. Petersburg

6  The Abusive Polack
Eddie Graham blasts St. Petersburg Times newspaper hack ... Family matters ... Quickdraw and Monty ... The Pit Stop ... The alcoholic "gene" ... Threatened by Big Bob

7  N.W.A. — No Women Allowed
Debut on Georgia Championship Wrestling ... "Notice of Apparent Liability" from the FCC ... Refrigerator letters

8  You Say Suplex, I Say Suplay
The "fake" question ... Bicycling television tapes ... Super Bowl of Wrestling ... A target for the media ... The explosive growth of pro wrestling

9  The Great Malenko vs. The Mattress
Wrestling is syndicated on the Satellite Program Network ... Criticism of the Last Tangle in Tampa ... Championship Wrestling from Florida in financial trouble ... Competition for Championship Wrestling from Florida ... Gordon's "liquid lunch" ... Amway distributor ... World Championship Wrestling ... A letter from Jim Barnett ... More competition in Tampa ... The Great Malenko splits with Eddie Graham ... NWA Official Rules of Professional Wrestling ... Gordon appears on Equal Challenge

10  Black Saturday
Starrcade '83 ... Roy Shire exposes the wrestling business ... Television ratings ... Vince McMahon takes over Georgia Championship Wrestling ... Irate wrestling fans sound off ... The ABC's of Wrestling by Chuck Shepherd ... Gordon refuses to wear a tuxedo ... Eddie Graham takes his life

11  Without Benefit of Lubricant
Conflict and politics in the wrestling office ... Co-host of Pro Wrestling This Week ... Jim Crockett Promotions takes over the Florida wrestling promotion ... Negotiating with Global Wrestling Alliance ... Gordon gets the axe ... Paul E. Dangerously "fires" Gordon ... The formation of Florida Championship Wrestling, Inc. ... Discord on the homefront ... Dusty Rhodes buys controlling interest in Pro Wrestling Federation ... "Lionel" (Michael Lebron) calls Gordon's local radio show ... Florida Championship Wrestling on the ropes

12  The Doll House
Praise for Gordon from "J.R." Ross ... Gordon returns to WTBS ... "Vodka on the rocks, no vegetables" ... Pancho Alvarez returns to racing ... Relocating to Palm Harbor, Florida ... More family matters ... Cauliflower Alley Club ... Choreographed tumbling ... The mob ... The "900" line ... Chatting with Hank Aaron ... Gordon drafts a resignation letter to WCW ... Controversy over the Hall of Fame

13  "Don’t Make Me Raise My Voice!"
World Superstars of Wrestling ... Gordon learns to e-mail ... Smoky passes away ... Playing video trivia ... Selling air purifiers ... Gordon's health declines ... Gordon's last interview ... Larynx removal ... The electrolarynx ... Hospice ... Reminiscing with his daughter ... The Dean of Professional Wrestling Announcers passes away

Works Cited
Index


 
The Solie Chronicles
ORDER THE KINDLE EDITION
 
Get information about the print edition
HERE.

Subject index
A&E Television Network, 264, 265
A Date with Judy, 25
A World Apart, 115
A.C. Nielson, 197, 208
Aaron, Hank, 243-244
AAU, 122, 141
Abbondolo, Frank, 226
Abbott and Costello, 20
ABC-TV, 112-113, 115, 117, 140, 164
Abdullah the Butcher, 188
Ackerman, Al, 62
ACLU, 254
Acuff, Roy, 69
Adams, Chris, 214
Adams, Nick, 113
Adkisson, Jack (aka Fritz Von Erich), 170, 234
Afflis, Dick the Bruiser, 53, 55, 145
Air Force Radio, 30
Al Lopez Field, 172
Albano, Lou, 178
Ali, Mohammad, 152, 176
Alice’s Restaurant, 115
All American Wrestling, 210
All South Wrestling Alliance (ASWA), 139, 142
Allen, Herb, 101
Allen, Mel, 255
Allen, Paul, 244
Allen, Ron, 199
Allen, Terry (aka Magnum TA), 187, 245
Allen, Woody, 201
Allison, Bobby, 86, 92, 94
Allison, Davey, 244
Allyn, Bob, 130, 133, 135, 180, 189, 201, 228, 262-263, 269-274, 279
Allyn, Jameson, 262, 269, 272-273, 275, 279
Allyn, Kirstin, 172, 187 (also see Steward, Kirstin)
Allyn, Pam, 130-132, 135, 189, 194, 239, 262-263, 265-266, 269-275, 277-280 (also see Sjoblom, Pam)
Allyn, Ryan, 172, 187, 262-263, 275
Alvarez, Betty, 232, 237
Alvarez, Pancho, 41, 42, 68, 77-79, 81, 99, 153-154, 232, 237
Alvarez, Randy, 68
Alvis, Jim, 60, 108
American Bandstand, 119
American Cancer Society, 209
American Championship Wrestling, 213
American Diabetes Association (ADA), 190
American Wrestling Association (AWA), 149,215-216, 241, 265
Amos 'n’ Andy, 37
Amusement Business, 206
Anderson, Gene, 143, 178, 198
Anderson, Ole, 143, 169-170, 178, 187, 198, 200, 202-203, 245
Anderson, Paul, 53
Anderson, Ray, 117, 118
Andre the Giant, 152, 156, 168, 170, 175, 201, 243
Andrews, Blythe C., 94
Andrews, Tom, 108
AOL-Time Warner, 234
Apter, Bill, 176, 203, 207, 253, 266
ARB, 208
Armstrong, Brad, 193, 238, 256
Armstrong, Bullet Bob, 140, 145, 163, 199
Armstrong, Lewis, 37
Army of Darkness, 202
Arnold, Jack, 41, 62, 81
Arnold, William, 189
Ash, Bill, 266
Askew, Governor Reuben, 117
Asner, Ed, 145
Atlanta Braves, 150
Atlanta City Auditorium, 161, 165
Atlanta Hawks, 239
Atlanta Journal and Constitution Magazine, 170
Atlanta Municipal Auditorium, 170
Atlanta Open, 192
Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, 177
Atlanta Weekly, 182
Atlas, Tony, 169
Atomic Dogg, 268
Auburn University, 215
Austin Idol, 170
Austin, Bob, 165
Austin, Norvell, 140, 216
Austin, Steve, 261-262
Austin’s Greater Flying Circus, 48
Autry, Gene, 48
Auxier, Robert, 208
Avcom, Inc., 214, 221, 229
B. Dalton Books, 205
Baba, Shohei, 124
Bacharach, Bert, 79
Backlund, Jim, 230
Bailey, Thomas K., 246
Baker, Buck, 72
Baker, Buddy, 72
Baker, Ox, 139, 155, 157, 245
Balough, Gary, 108, 109
Baltimore Colts, 102
Banner, Penny, 44
Barber, Marion, 38, 57, 58
Barber, Red, 38
Barksdale Air Force Base, 30, 31
Barnett, Jim, 146, 165-167, 169-170, 174, 176, 177, 183, 185, 198, 267
Barr, Jesse, 208, 213
Bash at the Beach, 251
Basilio, Carmen, 249
Bastien, Red, 106, 245
Batman, 19
Battle of the Belts, 210
Bayfront Center, 118-121, 123-128, 159, 161, 169, 218, 229-230, 238, 264
Beard, Senator Malcolm, 178
Beasley, Lee, 182
Beaudroux, Blade, 268
Beautiful Bobby, 268
Beiro, Mark, 245
Bellots, Jennifer, 181
Bench, Johnny, 183
Bennedict, Russ, 64
Bergen, Edgar, 20
Bergman, Ingrid, 184
Berry, "Wild" Red, 72
Beverly, Steve, 215-216, 243
Bevis Jr., John T., 92-93, 109, 115, 117
Big Brothers and Big Sisters, 181, 192
Big Sky, 268
Big Steel Man, 231
Big Time Wrestling, 109
Big Van Vader, 242
Bigelow, Bam Bam, 231, 231, 260
Bilarakis, U.S. Congressman Michael, 218
Bill Denny’s Sports Beat, 190
Billy Jack, 197
Bischoff, Eric, 248, 252-253, 261
Black Saturday, 197, 199, 244
Blackburn, Sheriff Ed, 55, 178, 205
Blackstone, Boni, 213, 246, 247
Blair, Brian, 151, 273, 276-278
Blanchard, Joe, 189
Blassie, Fred, 89, 105, 203
Blears, Lord Tally-Ho, 145, 245
Blekkenk, Billy, 264, 276
Bloomfield, Crusher, 181
Blount, Archie, 100-101, 104, 112, 114
Bob Newhart Show, 149
Boca Raton News, 149
Bockwinkel, Nick, 245, 265
Boesch, Paul, 157
Boggs, Wade, 277-278
Boldgett, Bill, 81
Bonanno, 241
Boston Red Sox, 277
Bowman, Bill, 113
Boyle, Peter, 115
Bozo the Clown, 113
Brack, Bobby, 97
Brady, Margaret, 172
Brandi, 268
Brannon, Dr. Michael P. (Dr. Red Roberts), 221-224
Branson, Don, 76
Brantley, Scott, 184
Brazil, Larry, 61, 102
Breakfast in Hollywood, 30-31
Breneman, Tom, 30
Brent, Dennis A., 258
Brevard County Fair, 210, 214
Brewer, Sterling, 139
Brigham Young University, 122
Brisco, Jack, 111, 117-120, 122-123, 125, 127, 129, 135, 139, 152, 163, 166, 168, 170, 172, 175, 182, 184, 198, 220, 237, 259, 261, 276-278
Brisco, Jerry, 166, 170, 172, 175, 182, 184, 198, 259
Brody, Howard, 235, 256, 258-261, 274, 279
Brody, Bruiser, 267
Bronson, Charles, 216
Brooks, Killer, 144
Brown, Dave, 203
Brown, Leroy, 170
Browning, Barbara, 190
Browning, Logan, 161, 178, 190
Brubaker, Bill, 157-158, 162
Bryant, Butch, 112
Buda, Danise, 60-61 (also see Solie, Danise & Lanciault, Denise)
Buda, Eric, 60-61 (also see Solie, Eric)
Buda, Greg, 60-61 (also see Solie, Greg)
Buda, Eileen, 60-61 (also see Solie, Eileen "Smoky")
Buffalo Bills, 102
Buffalo University, 103
Bukantz, Danny, 162
Bukantz, Jeff, 162, 192
Buono, Tony, 231
Burcham, Bobby, 92
Burnham, Chip, 238
Burrough, Bryan, 189
Burzichelli, John, 207
Cabot, Gil, 206-207, 230, 245, 257-258, 260-262
Cactus Jack (Mick Foley, Mankind), 242, 258, 268
Cagle, Will, 61, 68, 99-100, 108, 137
Cain, Frankie, 83
Calhoun, Haystack, 55
Calvacade of Comics, 56
Cameron, Ed, 91
Canadian National Exposition, 50
Candy, Ray, 170
Cannon Films, 114, 115
Cannon Group, 114, 135
Capetta, Gary, 269
Capone, Al, 166
Capone, Joe, 270
Capral, Ed, 139
Captain America, 19
Captain Marvel, 19
Carlton, Bob, 47
Carras, Don, 215
Carroll, John, 134
Carter, President Jimmy, 177
Cash, Johnny, 177
Caudle, Bob, 196, 234, 256
Cauliflower Alley Club (CAC), 239, 248-250, 259, 265
Cavanaugh, Doreen, 176
CBS, 37
Center Stage, 234, 243
Chambers, Pat, 39, 41
Champion, Mark, 172, 183
Championship Wrestling from Florida (CWF), 62-63, 73, 81, 86, 91, 94, 98, 102, 105-107, 109-111, 116, 121, 123, 131, 135, 140-141, 144-146, 148-150, 154-157, 159, 162, 166-168, 172, 175-182, 184, 186, 191-192, 194, 197, 199-200, 202-204, 206, 208-213, 215, 218-221, 228-229, 232, 235, 248, 258, 260, 267, 271, 274
Chapman, Mike, 246
Charles M. Davis Special Events Center, 228
Charles, Tony, 140, 152
Charleston Post and Courier, 73
Chavez, City Council member Helen, 190
Cherne, Bill, 69
Chicago Sun Times, 161
Chief Little Eagle, 89, 105
Chitwood, Joie, 48-49, 118
Chokehold Radio Show, 270
Chono, Masahiro, 260
Choshu, Ricky, 260
Christie, George, 47
Christy, Paul, 123
Citrus County Speedway, 112
Clapton, Eric, 177
Clark, Dick, 79, 144, 231
Clary, Barbara, 182, 194
Clash of Champions, 233, 243
Clayton Henry Sun, 172
Clearwater Sun, 126, 164
Cleaver, Marshall, 51
Cline, Patsy, 177
CNN, 231, 234, 248, 261
CNN Plaza, 208, 234, 247-248
Coast to Coast Advertising, 212
Cohen, Andy, 148
Cohn, Al, 75
Colon, Carlos, 196
Colt, Buddy, 133, 191, 219
Columbia Restaurant, 38
Commercial Appeal Northwest Ark. Bureau, 187
Concorde Arena, 208
Conga the Barbarian, 215
Conlin, Bill, 195
Connors, Paul, 92
Consumer Products Corporation, 242
Continental Championship Wrestling, 208, 213, 215-216, 218, 220-221, 226, 229
Cook, Charlie, 163
Coolidge, Calvin, 12
Cornette, Jim, 191-192, 256, 258
Corsica Jean, 89
Corsica Joe, 89
Cosell, Howard, 155
Costas, Bob, 251
Country Music Television (CMT), 261
Cow Palace, 108, 195
Cowboy Lang, 208
Craver, Walt, 61
Crist, C. M., 222
Crockett Jr., Jim, 170, 195, 208, 213, 215, 219-221, 228-229, 232, 242-243, 267
Crockett Sr., Jim, 53, 119, 135
Crockett, David, 196, 215, 252
Cronkite, Walter, 185, 210, 255
Crosby, Bing, 20, 37
Crowe, Allen, 76
Cruise, Chris, 236
Crusher, 245
CTN Network, 232
Culverhouse, Hugh, 238
Curtis, Don, 54-55, 57-58, 72, 77, 81, 84, 95, 101-103, 117-118, 120, 130, 145, 179-180, 239, 256, 258-259, 275-276
Curtis, Dotty, 84, 95, 103, 145, 180, 240, 275-276
Curtis, Jack, 226
CW Network, 205
Dade City Fairgrounds Speedway, 112
Dangerously, Paul E., 226, 237-238, 258
Daniels Racing Team, 62
Darlington Raceway, 71, 77
Daudt, Douglas, 267
Davis, Ancil, 206
Davis, Mike, 202
Davis, Sharon, 158
Day, Beth, 55
Daytona "500", 71, 237, 244
Daytona International Speedway, 66-67, 69
de Naruaez, Panfilo, 33
de Soto, Hernando, 33
De Young, Karen, 143-144
DEADFROMTHENECKUP, 201
DeBartolo, Eddie, 183
DeBerg, Steve, 238, 246
Dee, Lenny, 134
Deep South Sports, Inc., 36, 43, 51, 54, 59-60, 74, 97, 135-136
Deep South Wrestling, 216
Delbuchi, Francis Lionel "Lion", 231
Dempsey, Jack, 35, 83
Dery, Frank, 42, 60, 62, 66-70, 72, 75-76, 78, 81, 92-93, 99, 115, 136-137
Dery Sports Promotion, 60, 76
DeSalvo, Joe, 154
Devane, Kim, 230, 245
Devins, Robert S., 179
Dewey, Christopher, 115-116
Dials, Gerry, 253
Diamond Lil’, 94
DiBiase, Mike, 96
Dietrich, Marlene, 79
Dillon, Jim (J.J.), 178
Dinsmore, Tex, 52
Disney, 261
Disney World, 143
Disneyland, 56
Divine, Candy, 216
Divine, Father Michael, 275
Doench, Reverend Delores, 210
Dolin, John, 263
Douglas County Sentinel, 199
Douglas, Shane, 265
Dr. Jekyll, 20
Drill Instructor, 268
Duffy, Tom, 123
Dumont Network, 176
Duncan, Dorothy, 79
Duncum, Bobby, 140, 152
Dundee, Chris, 90-91, 157
Dunn, Dick, 107
Dunning, Roy, 61
Duran, Roberto, 197
Durham, Yank, 118
Dusty Woods Entertainment, 214
Dykes, J. C., 105
Dyna, 58-59
Eagle, Don, 54-55
Eastern Star, 23
Eastwood, Clint, 115
Eck, Marvin, 56
ECW, 265
Eddie Graham Memorial Benefit, 218
Eddie Graham Memorial Foundation, 205
Eddie Graham Sports Complex, 173
Edenfield, Jane, 269
Edmonson, Terry, 205
Edwards, Marion, 112
Einhorn, Eddie, 147
Ellering, Paul, 193
Ellis, Cowboy Bob, 105
Ellis, John, 253
Embry, Eric, 222
Engstrom, Carl, 259
Entertainment Tonight, 184-185
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), 136
Equal, 190
ESPN, 191, 261, 265
Esposito, Phil, 257
Eurosport, 257
Fabulous Kangaroos, 72
Fair Park Coliseum, 45
Fall Brawl, 251
Family Feud, 238
Farakan, 254
Fariss, Wayne, 33-34
Farley, Cal, 55
Fay, Bill, 209
Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), 27, 241
Federal Communications Commission (FCC), 98-99, 146, 154, 189
Felt Forum, 196
Fernandez, Johnny, 178, 196, 241
Fernandez, Manny, 170, 172, 218
Fisher, Freddie, 75
Fitzgerald, Ella, 37
Flair, Ric, 187, 195-196, 210, 218, 229, 233-234, 251, 258
Fleenor, Dan, 61, 67, 75, 79, 97, 134
Fleischman, Sol, 63, 86
Florian, Jim, 75
Florida Championship Wrestling (FCW), 227-232, 235, 237
Florida Child’s Wish Come True, Inc., 236-237
Florida National Sports Car Races, 42
Florida Racing Association, 99-100
Florida Sheriffs Youth Boys Ranch, 54-55, 69, 82, 91, 174, 204, 238
Florida State Fair, 59, 75
Florida State Fairgrounds, 48, 51, 60, 66, 227
Florida State House of Representatives, 98
Florida State Late Model Championships, 79-81, 85-86, 91, 96-97, 102, 108, 114
Florida Sun-Bulletin, 94-95
Florida Times-Union, 144, 148, 152, 155, 179
Florida’s West Coast, 152
Folse, Pete, 51, 62
Fonda, Jane, 248
Fort Homer Hesterly Armory, 37, 44, 72, 77, 82, 85-86, 99, 109-110, 125, 129, 139, 144, 156, 164, 184, 186, 192, 194, 219, 236
Fort Myers News Press, 159
Fort Pierce News-Tribune, 154
Foster, Bob, 117-118
Fox Network, 265
Fox Sports, 265
Fox Sports Network, 267
FoxSorts.com, 235
Foyt, A. J., 92
France Sr., William, 69
Frank, Thomas, 268
Frankel Capital Management, Inc., 226
Frazier, Joe, 118
Freebirds, 178
Freed, Ralph, 198, 200
Freeman, Frank, 157
French, Ed, 124
Frey, Kip Allen, 237
Friedland, Dennis, 115
Friend, George, 36
Fryar, Freddie, 86, 92
Fujinami, Tatsumi, 214-215
Full Effect Entertainment, 245
Fuller, Buddy, 105
Fuller, Robert, 208, 212, 223, 226
Fuller, Ron, 163, 208, 226
Funk Jr., Dory, 109-110, 118-119, 123-124, 127, 129-130, 152, 170, 218, 220, 245, 261
Funk Sr., Dory, 55, 107
Funk, Terry, 105, 230-233, 252
Gable, Dan, 246, 260
Gabreski, Fancies, 18
Gaddis, Carter, 258
Gagne, Greg, 245
Gagne, Verne, 145, 241, 245, 265
Gallagher, Jim, 44-45
Gallery, 201
Ganter, Ed, 218
Garcia, Orlando, 241
Garcia, Woody, 47
Garland, Judy, 37
Garlits, Big Daddy Don, 120
Garrett, Billy, 107
Garvin, Ron, 197, 199
Gaspar, Jose, 39
Gasparilla Parade, 38, 46
Geare, Axle (Gordon Solie), 244
Geigel, Bob, 170, 195, 199, 245
Genovese, Chico, 101
Gentleman Ben, 113
George, Ed Don, 240
Georgia Championship Wrestling (GCW), 139-140, 142-143, 145, 147, 150, 154-155, 158, 160-161, 165-168, 170, 174, 176, 180-182, 184-185, 188, 192, 197-201, 267
Georgia Council for the Arts, 177
Georgia Wrestling Superstars, 191
Gibbons, U.S. Congressman Sam, 143
Gibron, Abe, 190
Gibson, Reuben, 163
Giftos, Elaine, 145
Gilbert, Doug, 163
Gilbert, Eddie, 226
Giles, Jimmy, 172
Gill, Billy, 109
Gilman, Bill, 248
Gladitorial Origins of Professional Wrestling, 229
Global Wrestling, 187, 190-191
Global Wrestling Academy, 222, 224
Global Wrestling Alliance, 221-226, 236
Glover, Judy, 54, 254
Goddard, Danny, 143, 159-160
Goldberg, Sheldon, 257
Golden Gate Speedway and Sports Mecca, 66-70, 74-76, 78-81, 85-86, 91-92, 97, 99-102, 108-110, 112-113, 115, 117-118, 120, 136-137, 154, 244
Gomez, Pepe, 220
Gonzales, Paul, 181
Gordon Solie Championship Wrestling Trivia Game, 221, 227-228, 238, 242
Gordon Solie Enterprises, Inc., 169, 208, 210-212, 214-215, 264
Gordon, Gene, 143, 188
Gordon, Jeff, 244
Gordy, Terry, 151, 180-181
Gorgeous George Jr., 170
Gorgeous Ladies of Wrestling (GLOW), 215
Gossett, Mitch (Skip), 91, 98
Goulet, Rene, 119
Governor’s Cup, 91-92, 96-97, 109
Gowdy, Curt, 150
Graham, A. L., 271
Graham, Billy "Superstar", 157, 162, 164
Graham, Eddie, 53, 55, 63-65, 77, 81, 84, 89, 91, 95-96, 101, 104, 107-109, 117, 120, 122-124, 127-128, 135, 139-140, 145, 153, 156, 165, 173-174, 177-178, 186, 191, 204-205, 211, 218, 220, 236, 241-242, 245, 258-259, 261, 271, 274
Graham, Mike, 63, 120, 133, 144, 152-153, 166, 168, 170, 175, 183, 186, 204, 227, 323
Grapevine, 220
Gravitt, James, 211, 215
Great American Bash, 251, 253
Great Muta, 258, 260
Greco, Mayor Dick, 115, 119, 178, 257
Green Bay Packers, 102
Greenburg, Herb, 149
Greensboro Coliseum, 45, 195-196
Greensboro Daily News, 196
Gregory, Don, 114
Griffith, Andy, 45
Grim, Bobby, 76
Guerrero, Hector, 208
Gulas, Nick, 170
Gulley, Jim, 116
Gunkel, Ann, 139, 142, 187, 190, 200
Gunkel, Ray, 138, 139, 155, 267
Haiti Kid, 152
Hall, Millie, 79
Hall, Scott, 232
Halloween Havoc, 251
Hamel, Larry, 175-176
Hamilton, Jody (aka Assassin #2), 81-82, 132, 155, 157, 163, 243, 245, 249
Hansen, Chris, 266-267
Hansen, Stan, 161
Hanson, Swede, 105
Happy Days, 164
Happy the Clown, 133
Harbough, Raymond, 125
Hardy, Andy, 84, 258-259
Harkness, Bill, 66
Harley Davidson, 252
Harrell, Jim, 153
Harris, Blimp (George Harris), 106
Harris, Jack, 257
Harris, Two Ton (George Harris), 94
Hart, Bret, 203, 261, 265
Hart, Gary, 141, 233
Hart, Jimmy, 202
Hart, Owen, 269
Hart, Stu, 245
Hartley, Jeremy, 260
Haslam’s Bookstore, 205
Hatch, Robert, 147
Havana Post, 47
Hawk, Rip, 105
Hayes, Lord Alfred, 175
Hayes, Michael, 258
Haynes, Roy, 66
HBO, 154
Heath, John, 81, 141, 150, 154, 156, 218, 259
Heavner, Howard, 199
Hednesford Hills Raceway, 80
Heenan, Bobby ‘the Brain", 248, 257
Heinrick, Sheriff Walter, 178
Heller, Peter, 249
Hemphill, Paul, 83, 85
Hendrickson, Paul, 152
Hennepin County Schools, 25
Hennig, Larry, 268
Herd, Jim, 238, 242
Herndon, Houston, 75
Herndon, Linda, 72
Heston, Charlton, 184
Heston, Frazier, 184
Hicks, Johnny, 68, 70, 79-81, 92-93, 98, 104, 218
Higgins, Hacksaw, 215
Higgins, Monsignor, 178, 196
Highlander, 154
Highlands Media Company, 231
Hill, David, 265
Hillsborough County Cancer Society, 98
Hinson, Judge Ed, 154, 161, 178, 200, 236, 241
Hirsch, Judd, 135
Hitler, 177
Hixon, Mayor Curtis, 83
Hoak, Bob, 227
Hodge, Danny, 84, 86-87, 145, 155, 261, 265
Hoffer, Richard, 195
Hoffman, Dustin, 184
Hoffman, Ken, 159
Hogan, Hulk, 206, 208, 273, 278
Holliman, Ray, 149
Hollywood Star Wars Championship ‘80, 170
Homecoming, 230-231
Homecoming II, 232
Hope, Bob, 37, 62
Hope, Dick, 61
Horton, Sheriff, 55
Hotseat, 163
Hulkamania, 206
Human Bomb, 69
Human Torch, 19
Humperdink, Sir Oliver, 172-173, 231-232, 257, 259-260
Hunter, Chris, 229
Huntington, Woody, 75
Hutchinson, Betty, 32 (also see Sjoblom, Betty & Locke, Betty)
Hutton, Dick, 250
Hyatt, Missy, 242
I Quit Match, 233
In Sports, 196
Indy "500", 62, 92
Infernos, 94, 105
Ingram, Jack, 92
Inoki, Antonio, 152, 214-215, 252
Inside the Squared Circle, 267
Inside Wrestling, 163
Integrated Business Company, 224
International Amphitheater (Chicago), 152
International Championship Wrestling (ICW), 181, 210
International Motor Contest Association (IMCA), 48-49, 51, 62, 70, 76
International Wrestling Alliance, 209
International Wrestling Association (IWA), 147-148, 156
Inter-Social Baseball League, 38
Irish Tenors, 177
Iron Sheik, 193, 209, 268
Irwin, Scott (aka the Super Destroyer), 173, 208
Islanders, 163
Italian Stallion, 231
Ivey Communications, 167
IWG, 214
IWWA, 185
Jackson, Keith, 73, 150
Jackson, Mark, 177
Jacksonville Coliseum, 101, 179
Jago, Gordon, 186
James, Dinita, 196
James, Jimmy, 51
Jarrett, Jerry, 191, 202-203
Jarrett, Ned, 71,77
Jett, Jeff, 267
Jett, Johnny, 268
Jim Crockett Promotions, 195, 208, 218-220, 228
Joe, 115
Johnny and Jack, 75
Johnson, Joe Lee, 86
Johnson, Junior, 71
Johnson, Rocky, 146, 163, 276
Jones, Burrhead, 163
Jones, Dan, 79
Jones, Everett Q., 98
Jones, Lewis "Possum", 71
Jones, Norman, 33
Jones, Paul (broadcaster), 39
Jones, Paul (promoter), 135, 139, 142-143, 198, 267
Jones, Paul (wrestler), 133, 166, 173 (Mr. Florida), 175
Jones, Robert T., 114
Jonnard, Clarence, 13
Jonnard, Claude, 13
Joplin, Dick, 112
Jump, 115, 116, 135
Junior Olympics, 117
Junkyard Dog, 207
Jurassic Powers, 258
Juster, Gary, 252
Kansas City Chiefs, 171
Kaye, Danny, 50
KBU Network, 232
KCOP Championship Wrestling, 146
KCOP-TV, 146-147, 213
KDFI-TV, 213
KDTU-TV, 213
Keefe, Francis, 236
Keirn, Steve, 154, 168, 170, 218-219, 227, 231-232, 236, 277-278
Keller, Al, 62, 91-92
Kelley, King, 72
Kelly, Bronco, 101
Kelly, Tom, 119
Kemper Arena, 268
Kennedy, Pamela J., 192
Kennedy, President John F., 65, 82
Kentuckians, 105
Kenyon, J Michael, 49, 73, 83, 218
Kenyon, Mel, 76
Keomuke, Duke, 219
Kerr, Peter, 229
KGMC-TV, 213
Khayyam, Omar, 181
Kiel Auditorium, 45
Kilgore, Michael, 166
Killer Kahn, 170
Kimura, Kengo, 215
King, Peter, 163-164, 215
King, Sonny, 166, 168
Kiniski, Gene, 105, 109-110, 245, 250
Kirby, Bill, 108-109
Kirby, Roger, 178
Kirk, Governor Claude R.115
Kitts, Elmo, 34
Klein, Frank, 106, 185
Klinkenburg, Jeff, 274
Klondike Bill, 105
Knopke, Florida State Representative Ray, 66, 94, 95
Kofoed, Jack, 164
Kojak, 149
Koloff, Ivan, 170, 175, 187
Korean Assassin, 144
Kowalski, Killer, 55
Kox, Killer Karl, 170
KSCH-TV, 213
KTMA-TCV, 213
KTRV-TV, 213
Kuhns, Lydon, 152
KWKH Radio, 31
L & G Promotions, 125-126, 135-136, 141
L’eggs World Series of Women’s Tennis, 149
L & G Promotions, 135-136, 141
La Gaceta, 33, 117-118, 120, 134, 189, 245
Labiak, Amy, 131
Labiak, Andrew, 12
Labiak, Fancizek, 12, 14
Labiak, Frank, 12-14, 131-132, 135, 266
Labiak, Jerome, 131
Labiak, Katherina, 12, 14
Labiak, Luella, 13-15 (also see Solie, Luella & Sjoblom, Luella)
Labiak, Mary Lee, 131
Ladd, Ernie, 105, 170-171, 175, 181, 249
Lake, Larry, 41
Lakeland Ledger, 41
Lamphier, Al, 69, 111
Lamphier, Jack, 69, 75
Lancaster, Keith, 185
Lanciault, Danise, 275 (also see Buda, Danise & Solie, Danise)
Lane, Dick, 73-74
Lane, Mayor Julian, 61
Lane, Stan, 218
Lanza, Black Jack
Larkin, Bob, 47
Larsen, Greg, 144-145, 179
Lasorda, Tommy, 183
Last Tangle in Tampa, 175-176
Lauer, Downtown Bruno, 226-227
Lauer, Karl, 259, 267-268
Laverne and Shirley, 164
Lawler, Jerry, 191
Layton, Lord Athol, 158
Leahy, Tim, 259
LeBell, Mike, 168, 170
LeBron, Michael (Lionel), 210, 213, 231, 257, 266
LeDuc, Joe, 155, 242
Lee, Dennis, 237
Leggat, Al, 120, 124-126
Leisure Concepts, Inc., 258
Lennon Sisters, 48
Leslie, Scooter, 151, 188, 243
Lewin, Mark, 152, 212, 256
Lewis, Dale, 115
Lewis, Dale, 115, 119, 122, 127
Lewis, Ed "Strangler", 240
Lewis, Steve, 154-155
Liberace, 79
Light in August Films, 263
Ligon, Tom, 115, 135
Lil’ Kids Publishing Company, 184, 205
Liles, Mardii, 39
Limbaugh, Rush, 257
Lindsay, John, 92
Linkletter, Art, 37
Lisowski, Reggie "Crusher", 152, 249
Little Kato, 268
Little Tokyo, 208
Locke, Betty, 278 (also see Hutchinson, Betty & Sjoblom, Betty)
Locke, Kenneth, 130
Locke, Ray, 61, 74
Logan, Horace, 31
Lombardo, Guy, 79
London, Jerry, 95
Londos, Jim, 49
Lords of the Ring-Superstars and Superbouts, 207
Los Angeles Coliseum, 48
Los Angeles Dodgers, 255
Los Angeles Times, 195f
LoScalzo, Vincent, 241
Lost in Space, 273
Lothario, El Grande (Jose), 94, 101, 105, 119
Love Radio, 205
Lowrance, Mark, 215
Lowry Park Zoo, 57
Lufberry, Raoul, 18
Luger, Lex, 212-213
Lusk, Ken, 122
Luttrall & Graham Development Company, 74
Luttrall, Cowboy, 35-37, 43-44, 48, 51, 53, 55, 62-63, 65, 82-83, 86-87, 91, 95, 106, 108, 117, 135-136, 140-141, 204-205, 220, 241, 259
Lyger, Justin Thunder, 258
Lynch, Jimmy, 48
Maccabiah Games, 193
MacDill Air Force Base, 42, 69
MacLaine, Shirley, 115
Maddox, Johnny, 50
Madison Square Garden, 47, 53, 206
Madison Square Garden Network, 200
Main Event: The World of Professional Wrestling, 260
Major League Baseball, 119, 161, 243-244
Major, Jr., Charlie, 213
Make-A-Wish Foundation, 230
Malenko, "The Great" (Larry Simon), 72, 77, 105, 113, 122, 133, 168, 181, 185-186, 223, 248-249, 261, 271
Malenko, Dean, 186
Malenko, Joe, 186
Malia, 268
Malio’s, 131, 183, 277-278
Malloy, Vince, 41
Malone, Art, 69, 100
Manduke, Joe, 115
Mankiewicz, Brandi, 266
Mann, Jimmy, 111
Manning, Louise, 200, 208
Maridon, Harold, 159, 161, 190
Marquee Enterprises, Inc., 266
Marquez, David, 266-268
Martin, Mary, 37
Marvez, Albert, 173
Marvez, Alex, 173, 235
Marvin, Lee, 115
Mary Tyler Moore Show, 149
Mascaras, Mil, 119, 196
Mase, Sam, 107
Maseda, Alcade Marcelo, 85
Masked Cockroach, 156
Masked Medics, 94, 107, 108
Masked Superstar, 181
Master of the Ring, 200, 205-206
Matlock, 45
Matsuda, Hiro, 86-87, 89, 105, 140, 211-212, 219, 223, 256, 261, 273-274
Matthews, Tom, 39
Maxey, Ron, 187
Maxim, Joey, 53
Mayport Mirror, 72
McCall, Betty, 34
McCarthy, Charlie, 20, 37
McCarty, Governor Dan, 42
McCluskey, Roger, 76
McDaniel, Chief Wahoo, 105, 160, 208, 210, 245, 252, 259
McElroy, Jack, 30
McEwen, Tom, 43, 59, 69, 71, 91, 105, 157, 178, 196, 218-219, 257, 259, 264, 271
McGee, Fibber, 20
McGhee, Scott, 187
McGovern, Bernie, 115-117
McGraw, Bugsy, 170, 245
McGuirk, LeRoy, 90, 220
McInnis, Dave, 80-81, 86, 100
McKay Auditorium, 122
McKay, John, 183
McLain, Tim, 186
McLaughlin, Daniel, 204
McMahon, Vincent J., 145, 146, 170
McMahon, Vincent K., 150, 152, 191, 197-201, 203, 206, 208, 215, 218-219, 229, 236, 265-267
McShain, Molly, 259
Meffert, Neil, 65
Meltzer, Dave, 243
Mena, Eddie, 60
Menninger, Dr. Karl, 152
Mercer, Bill, 215
Metzger, Gary, 164
Meyer, Ed, 164
Meyers, Billy, 97
Miami Beach Auditorium, 157
Miami Beach Convention Center, 173
Miami Dolphins, 102, 149
Miami Heat, 239
Miami Herald, 164, 171, 235
Miami News, 157, 162
Michael Waltrip Racing, 137
Michaels, Al, 251
Mickey "J", 230
Micro Cellular, Inc., 226
Mid-Atlantic Championship Wrestling, 143, 210, 256
Midget Racing Association, 237
Mid-South Coliseum, 44, 187
Mid-South Wrestling, 143, 208, 229
Mid-Southern Championship Wrestling, 216
Mighty Maccabee, 193
Miller, Andy, 112
Miller, Cookie, 185
Miller, Danny, 89-90, 105
Miller, Dr. Bill, 89
Miller, Freddie, 142, 165-167, 183-185, 191, 197, 199, 211
Miller, Guy, 27
Miller, Karen, 91
Miller, Mike, 155
Minnesota State Fair, 48
Minnesota Vikings, 102
Miss Linda, 216-217
Missing Link, 207
Mississippi State College, 186
Missouri Mauler, 94, 105
Mitchell, Keith, 234
Mod Squad, 218
Monday Night Football, 141, 149
Money for Nothing, 246
Money fro Nothin, 245
Monroe, Sputnik, 94, 105
Monsoon, Gorilla, 215
Monteiga, Roland, 117
Montgomery, George, 134
Montgomery, Henry, 70
Moolah, the Fabulous, 44, 53, 170, 245
Moondogs, 178
Mooneyham, Mike, 73, 233-234, 253
Moore, Benny, 97
Moore, Blue, 135
Moore, Mike, 138
Moore, Terry, 134-135
Moore, Vicki, 271
Morales, Daady-O, 86
Morgan, Roberta, 260
Morrell, Frank (aka the Angel), 191
Morris, Bill, 80, 226-227, 244-245
Mortier, Baron Hans, 113
Morton, Hank, 69
Motley, Tom "Chokester", 270
Mountain Man Mike, 191
Mr. "T", 206
Mr. Fujinami, 170
Mr. Hyde, 20
Mr. Okuma, 119
Mr. Rogers, 201
Mr. Wrestling (Tim Woods), 120, 125, 158-160
Mr. Wrestling II (Johnny Walker), 142, 172, 183, 245
Mr. X, 90
Muchnick, Sam, 83, 127-129, 135, 145, 254
Municipal Auditorium (Tampa), 54
Muraco, Don, 145, 169, 172, 175, 184
Murdoch, Dick, 119, 214, 229
Murdoch, Rupert, 265
Murdock, Jimmy, 95, 148
Murphy, Chuck, 241
Murphy, Dan, 153
Murray, Ken, 134
Murrow, Edward, 20, 31
Musgrave, Leo, 69
Mutoh, Kenji, 215
Myerson, Russell, 205, 208, 260
Nafe, Rick, 259
Nagasaki, Kendo, 173, 213
Naimoli, Vince, 257
Namath, Joe, 152
Napoli, Michael, 200, 241
Napolitano, Dominick, 241
Nasalla, Jimmy, 229
NASCAR, 62, 69-72, 75, 81, 86, 112, 137, 275
Nasty Boys, 231-232
Nasty, Bill, 268
National Basketball Association (NBA), 239
National Football League (NFL), 141, 238, 244, 257, 259
National Observer, 151, 152
National Speed Sport News, 70, 72
National Speedways, Inc., 62
National Sportscasters and Sportswriters Awards (NSSA), 149
National Wrestling Alliance (NWA), 83, 86, 97, 106, 109-110, 118-119, 127, 129, 138-140, 142, 145-146, 148-149, 156, 162-164, 168, 170, 175, 178, 180-181, 186, 189, 195-196, 198-200, 206-207, 210, 215, 228-229, 236, 256, 260, 266-267, 274, 276
NBC, 13, 186, 218
NCAA National Soccer Championship, 178
NCAA wrestling, 86, 122, 127
Neal, Bob, 158
Nelson, Art, 142
Nelson, Larry, 215
Nelson, Willie, 177
New Japan Pro Wrestling, 257
New Smyrna Beach Speedway, 112
New York Fencers, 192
New York Giants, 102
New York Knockout, 233
New York Mets, 265
New York Times, 73, 182, 229
New York Yankees, 255, 265
Newman, Bill, 190
Newman, Christopher, 259-260
News of the Weird, 192
Newsday, 268
Nielson Media Research, 265
Nietzsche, 177, 210
Nixon, President Richard, 273
North Side Coliseum, 45
Northwest Lives, 22
Novak, Jerry (aka Bounty Hunter), 191
NWA Power Hour, 233
O’Brien, Pat, 79
O’Dell, Homer, 132
O’Hara, Pat, 91
Ohio Center, 178
Ohlingher, Fred, 68-69
Okerlund, Gene, 201, 203, 248, 252
Oldfield, Barney, 48
Olin Mott Tire Company, 67, 70
Oliver, Earl, 260
Oliver, Walker, 42
Olympic Auditorium, 73, 196
Olympics, 53, 83, 127, 141, 162, 192-193, 198
Omni, 139-140, 152, 161, 165, 174
On Thin Ice, 245
Oppenheimer, Dick, 258
Orange Bowl, 162
Orlando Arena, 250
Orlando Speedway, 112
Orlando Sports Stadium, 173
Orndorff, Paul, 151, 206, 273
Orton Jr., Bob, 154, 268
Orton Sr., Bob, 89, 105, 153
Ovack, Kathleen, 241
Owen, Don, 170, 245
Oxley, Jim, 133, 135
Pacino, Al, 231
Packs, Tom, 129
Page, Diamond Dallas, 230-232, 237-238
Paint Your Wagon, 115
Pak Song, 144, 152
Palance, Jack, 113
Palm Beach Polo Grounds, 89
Palm Beach Post, 89
Pan American Games, 122
Panch, Marvin, 72
Pappas, Mike, 150
Paradise Alley, 252
Parker, Colonel Tom, 44
Parker, Fess, 113
Parsons, Ross, 104
Paschal, Jim, 72
Pasco County Speedway, 115
Patera, Ken, 162, 192
Patterson, Pat, 265
Paulsen, Johhny, 51
Pavarotti, 177
Pecaro, Daniel, 182
Pedicino, Joe, 213-214, 221, 226, 246
Pedley, Brian, 80
Penn State Teacher’s College, 141
Pep, Willie, 249
Pepin, Art, 178
Perez, Al, 229
Perez, Lou, 232, 230
Perlmutter, Marty, 140
Perry, Corinne, 210
Peters, Craig, 207
Peters, Ted, 274
Petty, Lee, 72
Petty, Maurice, 72
Petty, Richard, 72, 77, 244
Phillips Field, 60-63, 70
Phillips, Bill, 75
Phillips, Tiger Treach, 268
Picasso, Pablo, 177
Pierce, Webb, 271
Pillman, Fly’in Brian, 238, 269
Pinellas Park Art Museum, 192
Piper, Roddy, 184, 206
Plant Field, 60, 62, 100
Platt, Charlie, 208, 226
Poffo, Angelo, 252, 259
Popular Agencies, N.V., 163
Pops (Thibaut, Ralph), 114, 131, 135
Portz, Skip, 156
Powell, Angela, 200
Power Pro Wrestling (Mid-South), 215
Prater, Jerry, 64-65, 109-110, 121-123, 145, 220, 260
Presley, Elvis, 44, 196
Prime Time Wrestling (WWF), 210, 215
Princess Diana, 217
Pringle, Percy (Paul Bearer), 258, 270
Pro Wrestling Career and Educational Series, 258
Pro Wrestling Federation (PWF), 229-231
Pro Wrestling Illustrated, 203, 207, 215, 243, 253, 266
Pro Wrestling International, 147
Pro Wrestling This Week (PWTW), 213, 216, 221, 223, 226, 229
Pro Wrestling USA (AWA), 215
Professional Championship Wrestling, 210
Professional Wrestling of Florida, Inc. (PWF), 236
Purcell, Pat, 69
Quarles, James, 44
R2D2, 273
Race, Harley, 162, 164, 166-168, 170, 175-176, 192, 195-196, 212, 249, 251, 256, 265-268
Ramey, Ken, 107-108
Random House, 261
Reagan, President Ronald, 196
Red River Valley State Fair, 53
Remington Entertainment Complex, 267
Renesto, Tom (aka The Assassin), 151, 163
REO National, 258
Reuben, Art, 108
Reutimann, Buzzie, 68, 71-72, 77, 80, 85, 94, 97, 100, 136-137, 245
Reutimann, David, 137
Reutimann, Emil, 68, 137
Reutimann, Wayne, 68, 80, 85, 92-94, 108
Revette, Cush, 68, 77
Rhodes, Dustin, 230-232
Rhodes, Dusty, 144, 148, 152-153, 157, 162, 164, 166, 169-170, 172, 175-176, 178, 186, 195, 197, 201-202, 215, 218-220, 229-232, 238, 242-243, 245, 248, 251-253, 258-259
Rich, Tommy, 170, 181, 192
Richter, Wendi, 170, 175
Rickenbacker, Eddie, 18
Riddle, Frank, 70
Riddle, Jimmy, 99
Riley, Rock, 259
Ring Warriors, 257-262, 268
Ringley, John, 143
Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus, 50
Ringsider, 140
Ripley’s Believe It Or Not, 252
Ritter, Tex, 69
RLM Associates, 210
Road House, 252
Road Warriors, 199, 265
Roames, Chuck, 159
Roat, Polly, 81, 103
Robarts Arena, 141
Roberts, Glenn "Fireball", 71-72
Roberts, Johnny, 61
Roberts, Randy, 229-230
Roberts, Red, 223-225
Robinson Arena, 95
Robinson Auditorium, 45
Robinson, Billy, 145
Robinson, Will, 273
Rocco, Antonino, 53, 55
Rocke, Knute, 49, 79
Rocky V, 252
Rodee, Chuck, 76
Rodriguez, Joe, 67
Rodriguez, Rudy, 66
Rogers, Roy, 48
Roop, Bob, 111-112, 119, 122, 125, 127, 211, 213, 215, 223, 225
Roop, Molly, 223-224
Rose, Pete, 244
Rose, Shannon, 230
Rosin, James, 210
Ross, Jim (JR), 215, 229, 233-234, 238, 241-244, 248, 255, 258
Rotundo, Mike, 197, 208, 218
Rowdies, 186
Roynon, Bill, 85
Rubin, Bob, 170-171
Rude, Rick, 218
Rushe, Paul, 156
Russ Craft Broadcasting of Tennessee, 146
Russell, Audrey, 243
Russell, Lance, 202-203, 234, 236, 242-243, 247, 256, 258
Russo, Harry, 189
Ruth, Babe, 12-13
Rutledge, Chet, 60, 79, 99
Sabu, 265
Sacramento Bee, 195
Sakaguchi, Seiji, 215
Sammartino, Bruno, 185, 257, 259-260
Samu, 218
Santana, Tito, 193
Satellite Program Network, 174
Satellite Syndicated Systems, 174
Saturday Night Live, 218
Savoldi, Joe, 49
Savoldi, Mario, 210
Sawyer, Buzz, 192
Scarborough, Dave, 61, 80, 84, 99
Scarecrow, 231
Scarpa, Joe (Jules Strongbow), 81
Scarpello, Joe, 145
Schaffer, Patrick, 223
Schenkel, Chris150
Schiavone, Tony, 215, 241, 248
Schneider, Barbara, 170
Schofield, Lemuel E., 146
Schopenhauer, 177
Schultz, David, 163
Schwartz, Marvin, 79
Scipps Howard News Service, 162
Scotty Flamingo, 242
Scully, Vin, 255
Sebring International Raceway, 45
Selman, Jim, 141, 204
Seslar, Max, 113
Sevaraide, Eric, 31, 157
Severn, Dan, 267
Shadow, 19
Shaffer, Paul, 207
Shamrock, Ken, 265
Shands Hospital, 236-237
Shane, Bobby, 139-140, 191
Sharpe, Pretty Boy Kevin, 268
Shaw, Bill, 245-247, 255
Shea Stadium, 152
Shepherd, Chuck, 192, 201, 203, 231
Sherk, Bud, 39-40
Sherwood, Don, 79
Shevin, Florida Attorney General Robert, 158
Shire, Roy, 135, 195, 212
Shirer, William, 31
Shreve, Dave, 85
Shufelt, Wayne, 76, 92
Simmons, Bobby, 150-151, 183
Simmons, Ellsworth, 66
Simmons, Ron, 258
Sinatra, Frank, 79
Sirois, Jigger, 75
Sjoblom II, Jonard, 41, 58, 61, 130, 133 (also see Solie, Jonard)
Sjoblom, Betty, 34, 39, 50, 56-57, 61 (also see Hutchinson, Betty & Locke, Betty)
Sjoblom, Gaye, 16-17, 19, 22-24, 29, 38, 41, 46 (also see Swenson, Gaye)
Sjoblom, Luella, 16-17, 22-24, 26, 29, 32, 38, 214 (also see Solie, Luella & Labiak, Luella)
Sjoblom, Pam, 38, 46, 50, 57-58, 61, 74 (also see Allyn, Pam)
Sjoblom, Pierre, 16-17, 19-21, 23-26, 28-29, 47
Skolnick, David, 252
Sky King, 20
Slamboree, 245, 248, 251-252
Slater, Dick, 152, 175, 231
Sloan, Alex, 48-49
Smarten Up Say It Right, 276
Smirnoff, Alexis, 170
Smith, Bob, 66, 100
Smith, Carl, 75
Smith, Doug, 183
Smith, Dumont, 96, 108
Smith, Grizzly, 245
Smith, Harry, 53-54
Smith, Jim, 116, 189
Smith, Percy, 14-15
Smith, Phil, 183
Smith, Tom, 173, 179
Smoky Mountain Boys, 69
Snodgrass, Ray, 97
Snow, Hank, 44-45
Snuka, Jimmy, 180-181, 215
Solie, Arthur, 21
Solie, Caroline Gordon, 13, 31
Solie, Danise, 74, 130 (also see Buda, Danise & Lanciault, Danise)
Solie, Eileen (Smoky), 67, 74, 79, 84, 91, 103, 130-131, 135, 161, 172, 185, 190, 224, 226, 228, 232, 236, 238-241, 243, 246, 255, 259, 260-262, 265, 270, 273, 276-277, 280 (also see Buda, Eileen)
Solie, Eric, 74, 130, 133, 159, 166, 262, 270, 272-277 (also see Buda, Eric)
Solie, Floyd, 15
Solie, Floyd, 46, 47
Solie, Greg, 74, 116, 120, 130, 133, 146, 159, 166, 227, 275 (also see Buda, Greg)
Solie, Hans Larson, 13
Solie, Jolin, 262, 272, 275
Solie, Jonard, 262, 274-275, 278, 280 (also see Sjoblom II, Jonard)
Solie, Kjersti, 13
Solie, Luella, 12 (also see Labiak, Luella & Sjoblom, Luella)
Solie, Matthew, 275
Solie, Nicole, 262, 269, 272, 275
Solie, Oscar, 13
Solie, Samantha, 262, 272, 275
Solie, Sheila, 275
Solie, Tarah, 275
Solie’s Vintage Wrestling, 260
Sorvino, Paul, 135
Soto, Cyclone, 94
South Fulton Neighbor, 172
Southeastern Championship Wrestling, 145, 163, 208
Southeastern Wrestling Corporation, 176
Southern Wrestling Alliance (SWA), 53-54, 97, 135
Southside Sun, 172
Southwest High School, 23, 257
Southwest Texas Wrestling, 198-199
Spartan Auditorium, 65, 215
Speedway Park, 35, 41-42, 46, 48, 60
Speider, Mary, 239
Spencer, Milt, 37-39, 53, 150, 190, 209, 277
Spike TV, 249
Spivey, Randy, 108
Spoiler #1, 164
Spoiler #2, 164
Sportatorium (Dallas), 45
Sportatorium (Tampa), 65, 91, 103, 109, 111, 116, 131, 144, 192, 206, 219-220, 229-230
Sports Entertainment International, LTD, 221
Sports Huddle, 227
Sports South, 244
Sportscaster, 53, 55
Sportsreel, 37
Sportsweek, 158
Spoto, George, 35, 180
Springfield News-Leader, 267
Sprint Car Hall of Fame, 48
Square Circle, Inc., 266
SRN Radio, 251, 253
St. Clair, Tony, 215
St. Petersburg Times, 72-73, 75, 111, 120, 123, 126-128, 143, 149, 155-156, 241, 274
Stallings, Mike, 163
Stanlee, Gene, 53
Star Wars, 273
Starr, Bart, 152
Starr, Jim, 107-108
Starrcade, 45, 195-196, 251, 256
Steamboat, Laura, 84
Steamboat, Sam, 84, 89, 101, 104, 122, 258
Steen, Lias B., 188-189
Steere, Mike, 201
Stein, Len, 163
Steinborn, Dick, 65, 95-96, 105
Steinborn, Milo, 91
Steinbrenner, George, 183
Steward, Alec, 275
Steward, Benjamin, 275
Steward, Jakob, 275
Steward, Kaleigh, 275
Steward, Kirstin, 262 (also see Allyn, Kirstin)
Steward, Michael, 262
Sting, 238, 242
Stone, Derrick, 268
Stone, Senator Richard, 204
Stouffer, Dick, 47
Strawberry Festival, 43-44, 46, 89, 206, 212
Street, Adrian, 216-217
Studd, John, 178, 252
Sugar, Bert Randolph, 249
Sullivan, Ed, 51
Sullivan, Kevin, 157, 211, 202, 214, 218
Summit Media Group, 258
Sun Belt Wrestling, 179
Sun Dome, 194, 208, 210, 219, 262
Sun Valley Speedway, 82
Suncoast Chapter Leukemia Society, 178
Suncoast Speedways, Inc., 75-76, 169
Sunshine Dragstrip, 79, 85, 100
Sunshine Speedway, 66-67, 75, 79, 83, 85, 100, 111-112
Super Bowl, 119, 175, 238, 251, 279
Super Bowl of Wrestling, 162, 192
Super Destroyer, 175
SuperBrawl, 238, 251
Superman, 19
Superstars of Wrestling, 213
Sutton, Len, 76
Swan Lake, 268
Swayze, Patrick, 245
Swedler, Russ, 75
Sweeney, Al, 41-42, 48, 61
Swenson, Aut, 48-49, 50, 56, 60
Swenson, Gaye, 214, 275 (also see Sjoblom, Gaye)
Swenson, George, 275
Szymanski, David, 236
Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 157, 172, 183-184, 328, 246, 279
Tampa Bay Devil Rays, 137
Tampa Jai Alai, 245
Tampa Museum, 197
Tampa Scene, 124
Tampa Sports Authority, 259
Tampa Stadium, 175, 238
Tampa Times, 72, 76, 81-83, 85, 100-102, 104-105, 112, 114, 185
Tampa Tribune, 37, 44, 59, 65-66, 69-72, 77, 91-92, 99-101, 105, 108, 116, 141, 157, 165, 170, 175, 194, 204, 208-209, 229, 236, 258, 271
Tampa Tribune Times, 126, 183
Tanaka, Professor Toru, 160
Taylor, Lucy, 196-197
Taylor, Terry, 251, 253, 258
Teagarden, Jack, 37
Teal, Scott, 102, 124, 143, 145, 181, 186, 220
Temple Terrace Times, 83
Tenay, Mike, 235, 249, 251
Terhune, Albert Payson, 18
Texas Boys Ranch, 54-55
Texas Motor Speedway, 137
Texas Stadium, 207
Thatcher, Les, 139, 143, 191, 256, 259-260, 269
The ABC’s of Wrestling, 201
The Best of Championship Wrestling, 164, 210
The Daredevil, 134
The Grappler, 119
The Lone Ranger, 20
The Man without a Country, 25
The Marlborough Man, 252
The Marrying Man, 252
The Nashville Network (TNN), 261
The Price is Right, 263
The Protector, 252
The Shield, 19, 55
The Sheik, 55, 124
The Tennesseans, 75
The Unreal Story of Pro Wrestling, 264
The War of the Worlds, 152
The Wrestler, 145
The Wrestling Exchange, 174, 176
Thesz, Charlie, 260
Thesz, Lou, 104-105, 191, 220, 239-241, 245-246, 250, 256, 260, 265, 267, 276
Thomas Jefferson Hotel, 91
Thomas, Rick, 267-268
Thomas, Sailor Art, 105
Thornton, Les, 175
Thrillcade, 48-53, 56, 58, 60-61
Tierney, Mike, 155-156
Tillet, Louis, 179, 212
Time Magazine, 114, 239
Titan Productions, Inc., 150
Titan Sports, Inc., 200, 258
TNT, 265
Today, 159
Togie, David, 167, 213
Toledo Magazine, 201
Tolos, John, 196, 245
Tomlin, Jim, 149
Tomwil, Inc., 187
Tootsie, 184
Torme, Mel, 79
Total Nonstop Action (TNA), 249
Traatham, Ray, 92
Trafficante Jr., Santo, 241
Trafficante, Santo, 242
Tuesday Night Titans, 203
Tunney, Frank, 135
Turner Broadcasting, 238-239, 247
Turner Home Entertainment, 238
Turner, Joe, 113
Turner, Ted, 155, 159, 168, 182, 200, 228, 233-236, 238-239, 242, 245-246, 248, 251, 267
TV Ashai of Japan, 257
Tyler, Tarzan, 89, 94, 104-105
U.S. National Fencing Team, 192
Unitas, Johnny, 152
United Cerebral Palsy, 183
Unites States Air Force, 26, 30, 33
United States Auto Club (USAC), 76
United States Navy, 30
Universal Wrestling Corporation, 228
Universal Wrestling Federation, 229
University of Buffalo, 240
University of Florida, 165, 204
University of Minnesota, 20, 30
University of Nebraska, 42
University of Notre Dame, 49
University of South Florida, 182, 257
University of Tampa, 44, 48, 60, 65, 215
University of Wisconsin, 20
USA Network, 199-200, 265
Vachon, Maurice (Mad Dog), 188, 245
Valdez, Alcade Armando, 61, 67
Valentine, Greg, 208
Valentine, Johnny, 124, 188, 245
Valiant, Jimmy, 192
Vallee, Bob, 86-88, 135, 275-276
van Brechts, Pierre, 51
Variety, 118, 206
Vennett, Ken, 65-66, 181
Ventura, Jesse, 215, 248, 250
Vest, John, 209
Viatech Communications, 259
Villela, Edward, 268
Villmer, Ray, 53-54, 77
Virginia City Auditorium, 35
Volkoff, Nikolai, 208
Von Brauner, Karl, 63-64, 77, 105, 123
Von Brauner, Kurt, 63-64, 77
Von Stroheim, Karl, 105
Von Stroheim, Kurt, 105
Waldek, Ella, 53, 119, 259
Walden Books, 205-206
Walker, Clint, 113
Walker, Johnny (see Mr. Wrestling II)
Wall Street Journal, 189
WALT Radio, 86
Walters, Slick, 60
Ward, Fred, 170, 198
Ward, Roger, 76
Ward, Tom, 194
Warren, James, 161
WATL-TV, 213
Watson, Bonnie, 119, 259
Watts, Cowboy Bill, 139, 148, 152, 170, 208, 229
WCIX-TV, 173
WCKT-TV, 33
WCW Hall of Fame, 245, 248-249, 252-253, 264
WCW Main Event, 248, 252
WCW Pro Wrestling, 248
WCW Saturday Night, 248
WCW Uncensored, 251
WCW World Wide, 248
WDAE Radio, 41
WDZL-TV, 213
Weatherly, Joe, 71-72, 77
Weaver, Johnny, 119
Webb, Ted, 227-228, 245, 257, 259, 275
WEBK Radio, 33-34, 36-37, 41, 44
Web-Star, 259
WEDU-TV, 51, 105, 227
Weekend with the Stars, 183
Weingeroff, Saul, 64, 77
Welch, Jack, 106
Welch, Les, 97, 101, 105
Welch, Roy Lee, 106, 163
Wells, Kitty, 75
Wepner, Chuck, 152
West, Jay, 165-166
Weston, Stanley, 253
WEVU-TV, 34
WFEA Radio, 47
WFLA Radio, 37, 39-41, 79, 181, 227, 231
WFLA-TV, 53
WFTS-TV, 227
WGBA-TV, 213
WGN-TV, 182, 191
Whalen, Ed, 173
Whatever Happened to…?, 102, 181, 186
Wheelright, Richard, 135
White, Rex, 71-72
Whiteman, Paul, 48
Whitley, David, 270
Wide World of Sports, 113, 117
Wide World Wrestling, 238
Wildhaver, Willie, 75
Williams, Doug, 172
Williams, Everett, 120
Williams, Steve "Dr. Death", 242
Willoughby, Sandy, 164
Wilson, Hallie "Wrestling Doc", 270
Wilson, Rick, 244
WILZ Radio, 86
Wimpy, 79
Windham, Barry, 172, 175, 208, 218
Windham, Barry, 197
Windham, Kendall, 213
WJKS-TV, 208
WKYN Radio, 256
WLCY-TV, 149
WLW Beatdown, 268
WNJU-TV, 168
Wolf, Mark, 197
Wonder Woman, 19
Woods, David, 226
Woods, Tim (see Mr. Wrestling)
World Championship Wrestling (WCW), 184-185, 191, 193, 197-199, 208, 210, 215-216, 228-229, 233-238, 241-242, 244-257, 261, 263, 265, 267-268
World Class Championship Wrestling, 215-216
World Class Wrestling, 210, 222
World Legion Wrestling, 266-269
World Pro Wrestling from Japan, 214-215
World Series, 251
World Superstars of Wrestling (WSW), 256-259, 261
World Wide Wrestling, 216
World Wide Wrestling Federation (WWWF), 149, 162, 164, 175, 185, 196
World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE), 146
World Wrestling Federation (WWF), 197, 199-201, 203-204, 206, 208, 210, 215-216, 219, 229, 232, 234, 236, 241, 244, 257-258, 262, 264-265
Worldwide Championship Wrestling, 210
WOR-TV, 147, 200
WPLA Radio, 40-41, 43-45
WPMT-TV, 213
WPTT-TV, 213
WPWR-TV, 213
WRCB-TV, 146-147
WRCN Radio, 30
Wrestlemania, 206
Wrestler’s Eye View, 256
Wrestling Action, 113
Wrestling Book, 145
Wrestling Channel, 259
Wrestling Fans International Association (WFIA), 143, 174
Wrestling Hall of Fame, 246
Wrestling Network News, 234
Wrestling News Network, 259
Wrestling Observer Newsletter, 215
Wrestling Perspective, 252
Wrestling TNT, 210
Wrestling with the Past, 263
WSUN Radio, 51
WSWB-TV, 147
WTBS-TV (Super Station), 159, 167-168, 182, 185, 192, 197-202, 208, 233-235, 239, 242-243, 253, 255, 261
WTCG-TV, 140, 158
WTOG-TV, 149, 158, 164, 229
WTSP Radio, 47, 51
WTVT-TV, 33, 62-65, 82, 84, 258
WTVY-TV, 145
WUTV Radio, 44
WVFT-TV, 213
WVOJ Radio, 270
WWF Superstars of Wrestling, 216
WWTK-Radio, 231
WXIN-TV, 213
WXTX-TV, 213
Wyche, Sam, 257, 259
WYOU Radio, 108, 119, 131, 143
WZDX-TV, 213
Yarborough, LeRoy, 71
Yoffe, Martin, 274
Young Democrats, 98
Young, Skip (aka Sweet Brown Sugar), 242
Young, U.S. Congressman Bill, 218
Yukon Eric, 105
Zaatar, Ali, 163
Zaharias, Babe (Babe Didrikson), 83
Zaharias, George, 83
Zbyszko, Larry, 185, 248, 252
Ziener, Mary, 257
Ziglar, Nadine, 183
Z-Man, 238

 
The Solie Chronicles
ORDER THE KINDLE EDITION
 
Get information about the print edition
HERE.

Reviews and comments

  I just wanted to let you know that I really enjoyed "The Solie Chronicles."  The personal detail of Gordon's life as told by his son-in-law is absolutely incredible.
Being only 26 years of age, I was only able to catch the later work of Gordon's career during his time with Turner and the WCW.  However, I've seen thousands of hours of old tapes and caught up with his career after his passing.  To read your book was simply fascinating and it shed new light on many topics I was curious about.
  While reading it, you seemed as if you were living Gordon's life right along with him through his radio days, his meetings with Eddie Graham, his struggles with his family (as I was reading the book, I was really hoping he would eventually make up with his son Jonard), his drinking, his investments, his love of stock-cars, and into his final days.
  I especially enjoyed the incredible details on Gordon's final years.  I had no idea he started an Internet wrestling program and I remember when he was scheduled to call the infamous "Heroes of Wrestling" Pay-Per-View back in 1999 and was unable to make it due to illness.
  Once again, I commend the detail on how Gordon lived life as a retiree, as I find it very similar to a situation my grandfather was in.  Trying to "find his way" on the computer and still meeting with his friends and having a few drinks after being told not to.
  Tears came over me after reading his final statement, as well.
  Keep up the good work (this is the fourth book I've read that you've helped edit and they just keep getting better) and please thank the Allyn family for their incredlible insight into Mr. Solie's life and for sharing it with the world.

Josh Harvoth, Video Director, Region Sports Network


  I met Gordon Solie in the early '70s, shortly after I was introduced to the wrestling business by Ron and Buddy Fuller.  Sadly, I never really got to know Gordon well enough to call him a close friend, but he accepted me as being part of the Florida organization without question.
  The book goes into great detail of Gordon's love of car racing.  I learned some of the behind the scenes activities of car racing, which was interesting to me even though I have never been a racing fan, but it primarily centered on Gordon's becoming the superstar of professional wrestling's announcers.  Many wrestling fans got their education by watching and listening to Gordon.  Some of these fans didn't know a hammerlock from a hemorrhoid, but by the time the show was over, they had had an education in the art of wrestling and didn't even know it.  The man was a superstar.
  A lot of Gordon's personal life is told in great detail, much of which was known only to his family and close friends.  He had his good points and his bad points, as we all do, which makes him human.  He was always a drinker, but I never knew of a time when he couldn't do his job with the professionalism that people expected.  I remember when he died in 2000.  I was in Tennessee working the independant wrestling circuit and we made sure Gordon received the memorial ten-bell salute for the next two weeks.  And to this day, he is spoken of with reverance by today's announcers and color commentators who never had the honor of actually meeting him.  He was, and always will be, a legend in the sport of professional wrestling.  His voice will never be silenced.
  RIP: Gordon.

Mac McMurray, former referee for Southeastern Championship Wrestling


  I just finished reading "The Solie Chronicles."  I decided to read this book because it was written by Mr. Solie's daughter (Pam), her husband Robert, and wrestling author Scott Teal.  I grew up watching NWA wrestling and was blessed to have access to Mr. Solie every Saturday from both the Sunshine and the Peach states.  This book chronicles Mr. Solie's life and includes memories of his involvement in stock car racing and hundreds of wrestling personalities.  It goes deep into the Florida and Georgia wrestling scene and pulls no punches, taking you behind the curtain to show what pro wrestling was really about.  It chronicles the NWA from its heyday to its tragic demise.  It includes stories about Mr. Solie's relationships with men like Eddie Graham, Dusty Rhodes, Jack Brisco, Ole Anderson, Jim Ross, Ted Turner, and many more.  If you are a fan of the "Dean of Wrestling Announcers," or just wish to relive the glory days of the NWA, you will more than enjoy this book.
Brad Hudson


  Brilliant, Professor!  I fell off the chair with tears in my eyes when I read about the deflating chair.  Back to you, Les!!  So Carson-esque!!!!!!!  That is the funniest bit ever and I can see Gordon doing it. He was portrayed well in the book and I think it was about as factual as you could get.  The last few pages were hard to read, because I was on the phone with Gordon when Pam, Bob and the kids arrived.  He said to me, "Gotta go. Pam just arrived," and I said, "Go! I'll talk to you tomorrow night!"  :-(
Dotty Curtis, wife of wrestling legend Don Curtis


  I consider myself a huge Florida wrestling fan, and have been since about 1975.  At the age of ten, I got turned onto wrestling, and from the first show, I began watching Championship Wrestling from Florida every Saturday night at seven o'clock on Channel 44 WTOG and never missed a show.  As a kid, I enjoyed it so much and tried to act like Dusty Rhodes at school.  Those who know me know Ii do a very good Dusty Rhodes voice.  It was just something I loved so much.  Over the years, I loved the way Gordon Solie called the action.  He was the greatest at what he did.  He made matches like Bubba Douglas vs Reggie Parks sound like the match of the year (no disrespect to either man, but it was usually an undercard match).  I remember Coach John Heath filling in for Gordon one week.  No disrespect to Heath, either, but it just wasn't the same without Gordon.  Today, when I bring up the good old days of Florida wrestling, the first name people remember is Gordon Solie.  Oh, how I miss these days, but I'm fortunate to have a huge library of the old shows from those days and enjoy watching them today.
  The Solie Chronicles is a must-read for every person who claims to be an old-school fan of Florida wrestling.  The book features so many great, detailed behind-the-scenes stories.  I can't say enough good things about the book.  I guarantee it will stir up great memories and will give the reader an inside look at the story of how Gordon got his start in wrestling, not to mention stock car racing.  My hat is off to Bob Allyn, Pamela Allyn, and Scott Teal, who put this book together for people just like me.  Having said that, I will close this note just as Gordon would have by saying, "So long from the Sunshine State."
Ron Weiss
Ocala, Florida


  The truth is, wrestling worst enemy has always been wrestlers.  There are so many individuals that step into the ring or have a part in what the fan sees, that have no business there.  I've checked all of the colleges, universities, and online schooling facilities, and even pre-kindergarden, and have yet to find any program to learn this wonderful love affair with the lady I call the ring.  You see, there are too many pimps in this world that will use anything to make a buck.  I would give you the list, but I won't live long enough to complete it.
  You don't have to have a diploma, doctorate, and in my day, you had to have tights and boots, but those are gone, too.  I bet you wonder where I'm going with this.  Here's where.
  Gordon Solie.  My God.  There is nothing I can say that hasn't been said about this man.  The accolades should go on forever.  Simply a class act.  You see, he was able to do what Vince McMahon has done without all the tv time, glitz and glamour, and the unending money flow that Vince uses to create.  Solie could do it with one word, or without a word, just a look.  You always listened to him.  You turned on the television, and sure, you wanted to see Dusty, the Briscos, the Grahams, and the rest, but the first thing you yearned for was to hear Gordon's voice.  This man was not an announcer, color guy.  He was the show.  Without Gordon, there wasn't a show.  This man, regardless of the situation, gave credibility and believability to whatever was being put on the platter.  You see, Vince, Mr. Solie was the first to make chicken soup out of chicken sh–.  There is NO way anyone will come up with the recipe any better, or even close to what he gave to us weekly.
  I myself watched him for many years, and then going to Florida early in my career, when I had no right even to be near the ring.  In fact, I was a part-time referee and job guy.  But I was hungry.  All he ever gave to anyone was respect, support, and a friendly smile.  My problem was, at the time, I did not feel worthy of even a glance.  I think what I'm trying to tell you guys, is, if you didn't know the man, or have any idea what he was about, or contributed, then you are very fortunate, because there are books, and if there was any book to talk about wrestling, this is the one you should read.  Why?  Because its not a hyped , pushed down your throat, and million-dollar marketed extravaganza of BS ... just this man's thoughts.  If I were to tell you of my many regrets and mistakes in my life, one of the biggest would have to be not taking advantage of this great man's friendship, love and knowledge.  Next week, I will tell you a story about this man, and no, it's not the giggles and smiles I used to give him during a production meeting at Georgia Championship wrestling, when I'd given Ole Anderson (my boss) with no power, a fake tv show on Friday, just so he would go nuts all night and be frothing at the mouth when he came to the meeting on Saturday morning at TBS.  Gordon knew the game I was playing with Ole without me ever saying a word to him.  Ole would rant, spit, and rave and Gordon would play it off like a child had spilt his milk in the high chair.  You see, the class of the man was to enjoy the presentation and the game without spoiling it.  Always to enhance whatever had been given.  He was cool before cool ever happened.  If you look up cool in the dictionary, there is Gordon Solie's picture looking back at you.  Simply put, the best that ever was, or will be.  More so than Gorilla and Heenan, 'cause he never stole the show.  THE man.
  Next week, we will give you my funniest, and I regret to say, most painful memory I've ever done to anyone.  And unfortunately, it was Gordon.  Buy the book, or get off my friend list. .;)

Jake "The Snake" Roberts


  Just wanted to let you know that I finished the book last week and enjoyed it very much.  I remember being able to watch CWF on a Philadelphia UHF station.  Unfortunately it would not come on until 11:30 on a weeknight and I was in high school at the time before there were VCR's.  I was only allowed to watch in the summertime.  Then it seemed to disappear for a while and then returned on Saturdays at one in the afternoon - that was so much better.
  A storyline that made a big impression on me was Bob Roop and I think Bob Orton Jr. "badmouthing" Steve Keirn's Dad who was a returning war veteran or prisoner of war and Keirn flying over the announcer table to get at Roop and a "pier six brawl" happening. Afterwards, Keirn was being interviewed and was practically crying over Roop's actions he was so upset.  I remember thinking, wow, he is really angry.  It seems since then I remember reading somewhere (maybe in one of your fine publications) that Keirn banged up his leg or knee and was in a lot of pain which brought on the tears.  What great times back then.
  Anyway, Gordon Solie was so much better than any announcers I watched locally from the WWWF.  When I tell my kids stories from when I grew up most of them are from the shows I was lucky enough to see that were syndicated.  They were just better shows overall.
  Thanks for reading and so long from the keystone state!

Don Overly


  I wanted to comment on the Solie Chronicles book.  I had the pleasure of meeting Bob and Pam at an event and bought the book.  They are definitely two great people.  The book was truly amazing and a wonderful insight into the life and times of the greatest wrestling announcer ever.  It was beautifully written with nothing held back.  A must read for any true wrestling fan.  It is definitely not a canned book that was "ghost written" and then passed off as being wrote by the wrestler.  In other words, if you are looking for a WWE book, then this book is not for you.  This book is for fans of old-school wrestling, not the stuff that is passed off today as sports entertainment.  Thanks again, Bob and Pam, for sharing your knowledge of a great man.  GOD bless.
Barry Jones


  I grew up in Miami, Florida and was a huge CWF fan for many years (I'm 48 years old now).  Jack Brisco was, and still is, one of my heroes.  But who can think about CWF without thinking of the raspy voice of Gordon Solie ...
  "Waaait a minute, waaait a minute ... Dusty Rhodes has just hit the ring.  Dusty Rhodes has just hit the ring and we have pier 6 brawl.  Rhodes and Leduc slugging it out in a pier 6 brawl.  Great day in the morning.  That would have ripped the head off the average man!"
Solie: You seem to have quite a bit of disregard for the rules Mr. Leduc.
Leduc: We don't care bout de rules.  We are citizen of de worl' ... you dink we not learn how to fight dirty in the Lumber Camp?  We don't got no rules, Solie.
Solie: Indeed.
Leduc: So whatcha dink bout dat Solie?  Eh?  Whatch dink?
Solie: Well, I am not impressed Mr. Leduc, and I think Dusty Rhodes will say it much better than I can in the ring.
(Leduc, frustrated, starts to backhand Gordon)
Solie: Hold on right there, Mr. Leduc!  I can assure you that you will rue the day you ever lay a hand on me sir!
  What a great gift he had, and as I think back over all those times in the Miami Beach Convention Center on Wednesday nights, and on TV on Saturdays at noon, I smile.
  And the book was signed, too!  What a bonus!
  Pam (ladies first), Bob and Scott — Thanks for all you've done to preserve this great time in our lives.

Walter Willis


 
The Solie Chronicles
ORDER THE KINDLE EDITION
 
Get information about the print edition HERE.

Media Appearances by Robert and Pam Allyn
——  AUDIO & PRINT INTERVIEWS  ——

Bill Apter-Gordon Solie Review on YouTube
Chris Scramm, SLAM Wrestling
Mr. Media, Bob Andelman
James Walsh, Wrestling Epicenter
Lance Russell
Casey Carnage-The Carnage Crew
Jobber Joe, Roundtable Wrestling Radio
Jim Varsallone, The Miami Herald
Bob D’Angelo, The Tampa Tribune/Tampa Bay Online
Ron’s World of Classic NWA Wrestling
Matt and Ben-Uncensored Wrestling Radio
Katie B. Davis, The Gainesville Times
John Gray, The Real Side of Wrestling
Mike Trash, Trash Talking Radio
Mike Mooneyham, Charleston Post-Courier
Alex Marvez's weekly look at professional wrestling (Scripps Howard News Service)
Earl Oliver's Solie's Vintage Wrestling
Joey and Audrey Roberts of Georgia Old School Wrestling
Rich Tate and Les Thatcher, Georgia Wrestling History Radio Network
Nick Anthony, Online World of Wrestling Radio
Eric Cohen, About.com: Professional Wrestling


 
The Solie Chronicles
ORDER THE KINDLE EDITION
 
Get information about the print edition
HERE.


To schedule radio interviews or other media appearances with the authors, please contact Scott Teal at

Scott Teal's e-mail address


Inside Out by Ole Anderson