Author Brian Solomon has revealed the cover (see below) and release date for “IRRESISTIBLE FORCE: THE LIFE AND TIMES OF GORILLA MONSOON,” the first-ever biography of the WWE Hall of Famer. The book will feature a foreword written by fellow Hall of Famer, Bret “The Hitman” Hart.
Book Details and Release Information
The biography is being published by ECW Press and distributed by Simon & Schuster. Solomon announced on his social media that the book is scheduled to be released on September 30, 2025. He also credited JJ Albert with designing the cover. The trade paperback has a suggested retail price of $24.95 and is currently available for pre-order from major retailers. Click here to pre-order.
For those who may not have caught it at the end of the book trailer yesterday–here is the official cover for IRRESISTIBLE FORCE: THE LIFE AND TIMES OF GORILLA MONSOON. 🦍⛈️ pic.twitter.com/osF7tIsY1m
— Brian R. Solomon (@BrianRSolomon) July 11, 2025
The Definitive Story of a Legend
“Irresistible Force” promises to be a comprehensive look at the life of Robert “Gino” Marella, the man who became Gorilla Monsoon. The book will explore his entire journey, from his days as a standout collegiate wrestler to becoming a main event “monster heel” in the World Wide Wrestling Federation (WWWF), where he was also a part-owner of the company. The biography will also feature rare, never-before-seen photos and a detailed timeline of his incredible career.
A Main Event Monster
As a performer, Gorilla Monsoon was one of the most successful and feared “monster heels” of his generation. Billed at over 400 pounds, he was an incredibly formidable presence in the ring. His signature moves, including the Manchurian Splash and the Airplane Spin, were devastating finishers that fans genuinely believed could end any match. His long-running feud with WWWF Champion Bruno Sammartino in the 1960s was a box-office sensation, drawing massive crowds up and down the East Coast and establishing Monsoon as a legitimate main event attraction for decades. His career also included memorable encounters with legends like Muhammad Ali and André the Giant.
From the Ring to the Broadcast Booth
While he was a Hall of Fame performer, many fans remember Gorilla Monsoon best as the beloved voice of WWE’s “Golden Era.” As the lead television commentator and play-by-play announcer, he served as the knowledgeable and often exasperated straight man, perfectly setting up the hilarious and villainous color commentary of his famous partners, Bobby “The Brain” Heenan and Jesse “The Body” Ventura. Their chemistry is considered by many to be the greatest in wrestling history.
Monsoon’s voice and signature phrases are etched deep in the memory of wrestling fans around the world. His calls of a “humanoid international object” flying through the air or a “happening” occurring in the ring became part of the wrestling lexicon. His on-screen roles later evolved to include that of the storyline WWF President, where he often tried, and failed, to maintain order.
From his early days as a champion athlete to his time as a feared monster heel and finally to his most famous role as the beloved voice of a generation of wrestling fans, this biography will finally tell the complete and incredible story of one of the most important figures in the history of the business.
