+John Vickers I feel bad for everyone who grew up with Jim Ross or worse, Tony Shivone and never saw Solie or Lance. They have no idea what a good announcer is.
+Double Agents I actually like Jim Ross. You gotta admit he and the "King" made quite a combo back in the WWF (I still refuse to call it WWE, lol) Attitude Era.
Their combo amounted to ross screaming "BAH GAWD HE'S GOT A FAMILY AT HOME" and lawler screaming "PUPPIES" over and over again. The trio on Raw now is pretty solid though. Not Solie or Russell solid but decent.
One of MANY tv tapings Gordon has micced. This is special coming from watching and living in this area all my life. To hear/and see Gordon call a match in Memphis is a dream.
I live about halfway between Atlanta and Chattanooga. I grew up watching GCW/WCW on channel 17 (TBS) and seeing Memphis wrestling on channel 12 out of Chattanooga. Those were the days.
Jim Ross Lance Russell and Gordon solie are the three greatest wrestling announcers ever cause on Saturday mornings watching Memphis wrestling hearing Lance Russell Gordon solie voice on championship wrestling from Florida then hearing Ross in WCW in the late 80s
from the mid-atlantic gateway.. " On October 20, the complexion of the WTBS program began to change. An announcement was made on WTBS of a “merger” of three promotions which included Championship Wrestling from Georgia, Jim Crockett Promotions, and (surprisingly for fans) Jarrett Promotions out of Memphis. The merger storyline was in actuality a loose agreement by the three promotions to trade talent, and have combined talent featured on the national program on WTBS.
On November 17, the syndicated show taped in Macon changed to a combined show of Memphis and Georgia regulars, hosted by both Lance Russell and Gordon Solie. This show aired in syndicated markets only, and did not last too long, although it's unclear when that arrangement ceased. Like many talent swapping arrangements between promoters, this one seemed to fall apart pretty quickly."
In a roundabout way Bill you've gotten to the very heart of why I have been pro WWE in some form or fashion since 1978 or moreover 1983. Not anti NWA really however I have very significant very special reasons why I have a soft spot for Mcmahon's company. Hint: I grew up in an Owensboro of sorts. Called Bessemer, Alabama.B.W.
Jim Crockett Promotions/Championship Wrestling from Georgia (GCW/NWA) and Fred Ward Promotions merged with the Jarrett Promotions (CWA/USWA/Memphis Wrestling) until early 1985.
nice! I just came across an episode from late '84 with russell & solie announcing throughout, which is an indie commentator's super wet dream, but I can't seem to find out whether this was a recurring thing on memphis TV? they definitely teamed up twice, because their outfits are different from these (very marginally, but still).
Well, the fact that there is a crawler announcement, about a show being cancelled in Owensboro, which is one hour north-west of me, provides insight to what is about to happen in the wrestling industry. The irony of it all. Multiple territories was the key to having quality, nation-wide wrestling. Jim Cornette would agree with me.
Great idea to merge Memphis and Georgia Wrestling. Unfortunately the promoters Jerry Jarrett and Ole Anderson didn't agree with each other's theories on how to run business forming the two promotions. And the exchange of talent was limiting itself on the Memphis studio programs as the year went along. It was superb seeing Lance Russell and Gordon Soile sitting at the same desk during these broadcasts.
To bad that WCW ruined everything with Georgia and Memphis merging.. Ted Turner ruin this wrestling promotion. Then selling to Vince McMahon totally destroyed it...
As a fan living in Atlanta, I was super excited when this happened. Finally Georgia would get some decent talent(I thought), and Finally Memphis would get some bigger names in there. Neither really happened.
WOW! The two greatest wrestling announcers in history! So happy you shared. Never saw this!
Gordon Solie on the set of Memphis Wrestling with Lance Russell on co-commentary? The epitome of awesome.
+John Vickers I feel bad for everyone who grew up with Jim Ross or worse, Tony Shivone and never saw Solie or Lance. They have no idea what a good announcer is.
+Double Agents I actually like Jim Ross. You gotta admit he and the "King" made quite a combo back in the WWF (I still refuse to call it WWE, lol) Attitude Era.
Their combo amounted to ross screaming "BAH GAWD HE'S GOT A FAMILY AT HOME" and lawler screaming "PUPPIES" over and over again. The trio on Raw now is pretty solid though. Not Solie or Russell solid but decent.
One of MANY tv tapings Gordon has micced. This is special coming from watching and living in this area all my life. To hear/and see Gordon call a match in Memphis is a dream.
Jim Ross certainly deserves his place amongst the greats of wrestling commentators, but he cannot touch either Solie or Russell.
Gordon Solie and Lance Russell in the same building side to side??? Priceless!
I live about halfway between Atlanta and Chattanooga. I grew up watching GCW/WCW on channel 17 (TBS) and seeing Memphis wrestling on channel 12 out of Chattanooga. Those were the days.
Two of the greatest of all time together. Chills
Jim Ross Lance Russell and Gordon solie are the three greatest wrestling announcers ever cause on Saturday mornings watching Memphis wrestling hearing Lance Russell Gordon solie voice on championship wrestling from Florida then hearing Ross in WCW in the late 80s
from the mid-atlantic gateway..
" On October 20, the complexion of the WTBS program began to change. An announcement was made on WTBS of a “merger” of three promotions which included Championship Wrestling from Georgia, Jim Crockett Promotions, and (surprisingly for fans) Jarrett Promotions out of Memphis. The merger storyline was in actuality a loose agreement by the three promotions to trade talent, and have combined talent featured on the national program on WTBS.
Wrestling history is before your eyes! The 2 greatest play by play announcers at work!
JR couldn't hold a candle to either of these two gents.
Don't get me wrong though..JR put the time in like the rest.. I respect Ross, just not on my Mount Rushmore of Announcers
This was the first step towards fighting off Vince McMahon and on its way to the creation of Pro Wrestling USA promotion
Flop
On November 17, the syndicated show taped in Macon changed to a combined show of Memphis and Georgia regulars, hosted by both Lance Russell and Gordon Solie. This show aired in syndicated markets only, and did not last too long, although it's unclear when that arrangement ceased. Like many talent swapping arrangements between promoters, this one seemed to fall apart pretty quickly."
#1 and #1 sitting next to one another..
these legends are on my Mount Rushmore of Wrestling Announcer's Lore!
Sucks to be the people in Owensboro back then. You hear of the merger and then the show won't air in your town.
In a roundabout way Bill you've gotten to the very heart of why I have been pro WWE in some form or fashion since 1978 or moreover 1983. Not anti NWA really however I have very significant very special reasons why I have a soft spot for Mcmahon's company. Hint: I grew up in an Owensboro of sorts. Called Bessemer, Alabama.B.W.
I think the live show was canceled not the tv show
Jim Crockett Promotions/Championship Wrestling from Georgia (GCW/NWA) and Fred Ward Promotions merged with the Jarrett Promotions (CWA/USWA/Memphis Wrestling) until early 1985.
How did I never know this existed?!
The Dream Team!!!
Oh what could have been!
2 of the greats, and with deep respect for all others, IMO not nor ever equaled.
The two greatest of all time at the same desk!!! No doubt this was something special!! God I miss real rassl'in
I remember hearing about the merger. Unfortunately it didn't work out.
nice! I just came across an episode from late '84 with russell & solie announcing throughout, which is an indie commentator's super wet dream, but I can't seem to find out whether this was a recurring thing on memphis TV? they definitely teamed up twice, because their outfits are different from these (very marginally, but still).
Well, the fact that there is a crawler announcement, about a show being cancelled in Owensboro, which is one hour north-west of me, provides insight to what is about to happen in the wrestling industry. The irony of it all. Multiple territories was the key to having quality, nation-wide wrestling. Jim Cornette would agree with me.
I missed Good old days of Wrestleing.
No doubt the two best announcers ever.
Great idea to merge Memphis and Georgia Wrestling. Unfortunately the promoters Jerry Jarrett and Ole Anderson didn't agree with each other's theories on how to run business forming the two promotions. And the exchange of talent was limiting itself on the Memphis studio programs as the year went along. It was superb seeing Lance Russell and Gordon Soile sitting at the same desk during these broadcasts.
When did this take place? I never knew GCW and Mid South (CWA) merged.
I cannot see Ole agreeing on this. He hated Tennesee wrestling.
So did Dusty. As much as said so cutting a Heel promo for an eagerly anticipated showdown between Lawler and Rhodes in The very early Nineties.B.W.
This has got to be fan made!
Well as they say that didn’t last long
The two best in the business. Lance looks like Marty Lagina,
When did this happen?
To bad that WCW ruined everything with Georgia and Memphis merging.. Ted Turner ruin this wrestling promotion. Then selling to Vince McMahon totally destroyed it...
As a fan living in Atlanta, I was super excited when this happened. Finally Georgia would get some decent talent(I thought), and Finally Memphis would get some bigger names in there. Neither really happened.
Gordon Solie on the scene to show Lance Russell the PROPER&CORRECT way to call a wrestling match.