For years, the announcing style of Gorilla Monsoon was a topic of debate among hardcore wrestling fans, famously earning him multiple “Worst Announcer” awards from the Wrestling Observer Newsletter in the 1980s and ’90s. In his new biography, “Irresistible Force,” author Brian Solomon re-examines Monsoon’s legacy as a commentator and argues that history has been much kinder to the beloved voice of the Golden Era.
During a recent interview on the “Our Vantage Point Retro Wrestling Podcast,” Solomon discussed the historical criticism of Monsoon’s work. “The overwhelming majority of people who were watching the WWF in real time loved him,” Solomon stated, arguing that the negative perception was limited to a small segment of the audience. “I think that is the opinion that has really prevailed.”
Solomon’s book has already had a tangible impact on Monsoon’s legacy. He revealed that Dave Meltzer, the founder of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, confirmed he placed Monsoon back on the Hall of Fame ballot specifically because of the book. Monsoon had been dropped from the ballot 10 years prior after failing to gain enough votes for induction.
“Dave told me himself directly that he put Gorilla back on the ballot because of my book and because he expected a lot of reappraisals happening,” Solomon said.
Now that Monsoon is once again eligible, Solomon believes his induction is almost a certainty. “I predict, and I’m ready to put my foot in my mouth, that he will go in a landslide this year,” he stated. “I really do. I think it’s going to be like a no-brainer, where you’re going to have people looking at that ballot going like, ‘He’s not in?’ and just picking him immediately.”
The book also covers Monsoon’s continued announcing work late into his life, long after many fans thought he had retired. Solomon confirmed that Monsoon provided commentary for international broadcasts of WWE programming as late as 1999, right before his passing.
“He never wanted to fully walk away. He always had to be around it,” Solomon explained. This dedication, combined with his decades behind the microphone for WWE’s most iconic moments, is a key part of the legacy Solomon hopes to cement with his book and Monsoon’s potential Hall of Fame induction.
Book Information
Brian Solomon’s book is titled “Irresistible Force: The Life and Times of Gorilla Monsoon.” The official release date is September 30. The book is available for pre-order on Amazon and will be available wherever books are sold. Solomon also noted that some copies have already been spotted for sale in physical Barnes & Noble locations. Click here for book ordering details.
