Pam and Robert Allyn kept their word.
Gordon Solie's daughter and son-in-law promised the legendary pro wrestling announcer that two books he wanted to write would be published after his death in July 2000. Nine years later, the project is finished.
"The Solie Chronicles'' is a different tome than 2005's "Gordon Solie ... Something Left Behind,'' which was largely a compilation of his short stories and poetry. "The Solie Chronicles" provides a no-punches-pulled look at the fascinating man behind the microphone.
In 1950, Solie began producing local pro wrestling segments on a Tampa radio station. He then moved onto television, becoming the voice of Championship Wrestling from Florida until it folded in 1987. Solie also worked for a host of Southeastern U.S. promotions, including the first company (Georgia Championship Wrestling) with a major cable television slot in the late 1970s. Solie's last prominent gig was in the 1990s with World Championship Wrestling before cancer led to his death at age 71.
"He loved the microphone," Pam Allyn said this week in a telephone interview. "It's where he felt most comfortable. If he could have announced 24 hours a day, he would have."
In an era where 'rasslin was presented as legitimate competition, the smooth-talking Solie had no equals. The "Dean" -- as he was respectfully nicknamed -- called the matches with such a convincing deadpan delivery that you could believe the action was on the up-and-up. Solie studied anatomy so he could explain the physical damage a hold could cause to regions like the "quadriceps femoris." Some of Solie's trademark expressions also became part of the wrestling lexicon. Solie referred to the face of a bloodied grappler as a "crimson mask," while a melee usually denigrated into a "pier-six brawl."
Solie's style and personal tutoring influenced Jim Ross and Mike Tenay, who are today's top announcers. Solie was so influential that he was inducted into World Wrestling Entertainment's Hall of Fame in 2008 despite having never worked for the company. Solie was even the focus of a 2008 special on the company's 24/7 nostalgia cable channel featuring interviews and announcing from the film libraries of other promotions that WWE has purchased.
"He was the best at his craft," said Robert Allyn, who has been married to Solie's daughter for 38 years. "He knew more about the product than anybody else."
The Allyns, though, don't try to shy from Solie's personal shortcomings in this 300-page book. While never evident to viewers, Solie's alcoholism was no secret in the industry.
"The guys on the circuit knew because everyone partied with him," a laughing Robert Allyn said. "That was a common thread in every interview we did."
Solie's childhood and personal life also were tumultuous, especially through his 30s. Because of a messy divorce from his first wife at a young age, Pam Allyn was forced to forge a relationship with Solie through childhood weekend visits and time spent together later in life.
"Some people may think I'm airing dirty laundry, but he was a human being like you and me," said Pam, a 58-year-old retired school teacher. "I've read a lot of biographies and they just show what people see in public. It was important that this one was truthful."
"The Solie Chronicles" was an eight-year labor of love for the Allyns. Working with esteemed wrestling historian and co-author Scott Teal, more than 70 interviews were conducted about Solie. The Allyns researched Solie's background to learn about the genealogy he rarely discussed (Solie was actually born Jonard Frank Labiak in Minneapolis before legally changing his name).
The couple also reviewed more than 2,000 files containing news clippings about Solie's involvement in wrestling and auto racing, which was an equally big passion. During the 1950s and 1960s, Solie called stock car action in Tampa and was even involved in track ownership.
"If Tampa racing had been syndicated (nationally) back when Gordon was starting, he might not ever been in wrestling or he would have done both," Robert Allyn said. "He was actually much better announcing racing."
Long-time wrestling fans will find that impossible to believe.
(For more information on "The Solie Chronicles ($19.95; Crowbar Press), ''visit www.solie.org or www.crowbarpress.com.)
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