Gordon Solie

Biography

Francis Jonard Labiak was a legendary professional wrestling announcer, known for his work with promotions like Georgia Championship Wrestling and Championship Wrestling from Florida. His distinctive voice and unique style made him one of the most influential wrestling commentators in history. Born in Minneapolis and a U.S. Air Force veteran, Solie began his wrestling career as a ring announcer in Florida and quickly stood out due to his knowledge and passion for the sport. He was a pioneer in bringing wrestling to a national audience through WTBS and popularized terms that became classics in wrestling. Throughout his career, Solie avoided using wrestlers’ real names to respect their characters and was so involved that he even learned wrestling moves to describe them more accurately. He declined an offer from WWE due to creative differences and retired in 1995. He passed away from cancer in 2000, but his legacy lives on. He was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame and is remembered as “The Walter Cronkite of Wrestling.”

Known For

Mid-South Wrestling

USWA Championship Wrestling

Mid-Atlantic Championship Wrestling

Andre the Giant

WCW Slamboree 1993

NWA Starrcade 1983

NWA Battle of the Belts

All Movies (9)

Andre the Giant2018 · as Self (archive footage)
WWE Hall of Fame 20082008 · as Himself
WCW: Ric Flair - 2 Decades of Excellence1995 · as Gordon Solie
WCW All Nighter 19951995
WCW Slamboree 19931993 · as Gordon Solie (Announcer)
NWA Battle of The Belts II1986 · as Gordon Solie
NWA Battle of the Belts1985 · as Gordon Solie (Commentator)
NWA Starrcade 19831983 · as Gordon Solie (Commentator)
Jump1971 · as Technical Advisor (uncredited)

All TV Shows (4)

Mid-South Wrestling1981 · as Gordon Solie (Color Commentator) (voice)
Mid-Atlantic Championship Wrestling1981 · as Gordon Solie (Interviewer) / Gordon Solie (Color Commentator)
Mid-Atlantic Championship Wrestling1981 · as Gordon Solie (Interviewer) / Gordon Solie (Color Commentator)
USWA Championship Wrestling1977 · as Self - Announcer