Credit: WWE.com
Gorilla Monsoon, one of professional wrestling’s most iconic voices and personalities, is once again a contender for induction into the Wrestling Observer Newsletter (WON) Hall of Fame after a decade-long absence from the ballot. This renewed recognition comes in the wake of author Brian Solomon’s revealing new biography, Irresistible Force, which challenges the long-standing criticisms of Monsoon’s announcing style and highlights his lasting impact on wrestling commentary.
The Controversial Legacy of Gorilla Monsoon’s Commentary
For years, Gorilla Monsoon’s work as a wrestling announcer was a polarizing subject among fans and critics alike. While he gained widespread popularity during wrestling’s Golden Era, especially throughout the 1980s and early 1990s, Monsoon was simultaneously the recipient of multiple “Worst Announcer” awards from the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, a respected vote that reflects hardcore wrestling fan opinion and journalistic critique.
Much of the original disdain stemmed from his distinctive commentary style, which some fans and critics deemed less sophisticated or nuanced compared to other announcers. However, Irresistible Force author Brian Solomon argues that this perspective overlooked the broader context and the reality that mainstream wrestling audiences cherished Monsoon’s genuine, grounded presence behind the microphone.
“The overwhelming majority of people who were watching the WWF in real time loved him,” Solomon commented in an interview on the Our Vantage Point Retro Wrestling Podcast. He emphasized that the minority opinion accusing Monsoon of poor announcing unfairly shaped his legacy, but recent reassessments have started to acknowledge Monsoon’s unique contributions to the sport and its storytelling.
Brian Solomon’s Biography Boosts Monsoon’s Resurgence
Solomon’s biography delves deep into Gorilla Monsoon’s career, painting a fuller portrait of his dual role as both a commentator and backstage manager within WWE (formerly WWF). The book has influenced not only fans but also insiders, including Dave Meltzer, the influential founder of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter.
According to Solomon, Meltzer personally confirmed that Irresistible Force was pivotal in putting Monsoon back on the Hall of Fame ballot after being dropped for ten years due to insufficient votes. “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 revealed.
This act of reinstatement is significant in the wrestling community where Hall of Fame recognition not only honors in-ring performers but also key commentators and behind-the-scenes contributors who shaped the industry’s growth.
Gorilla Monsoon’s Impact Beyond Commentary
Monsoon’s journey in professional wrestling began as a towering super-heavyweight wrestler known as Gorilla Monsoon (born Robert Marella), famously a fan favorite in the 1970s and early 1980s. His in-ring career included memorable matches such as the improbable victory of a young Hulk Hogan over him at Madison Square Garden, an event that shifted wrestling fandom and character dynamics.
Transitioning out of full-time competition, Monsoon found his true calling as the voice of WWF during its most influential era. He was the lead announcer for the first eight WrestleManias (1985–1992) and hosted multiple flagship programs, including WWF All Star Wrestling, Wrestling Challenge, and Prime Time Wrestling. His commentary helped define the viewing experience for millions of fans worldwide during WWF’s explosive national expansion.
Beyond the mic, Monsoon also served as a backstage manager and was deeply involved behind the scenes during Vince McMahon’s early consolidation of wrestling territories, contributing to shaping modern WWE’s foundation.
Wrestling Insiders Reflect on Monsoon’s Legacy Today
Sources close to WWE revealed that within the company, Monsoon’s legacy has long been respected, if debated among hardcore fans. “Backstage, he’s remembered not just as a great announcer but as a mentor and a stabilizing force during wrestling’s busiest and most chaotic years,” a WWE insider shared on condition of anonymity.
This nuanced view aligns with Solomon’s thesis in Irresistible Force: that Gorilla Monsoon’s contribution went beyond his vocal delivery and that his role in the golden-age wrestling product deserves renewed appreciation. Solomon’s work encourages fans and historians alike to reconsider Monsoon’s place within wrestling history, moving beyond simplistic accolades and criticism.
What This Means for the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame
The Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame operates on a rigorous voting process by critics, historians, and industry insiders. Candidates for induction must receive significant support through repeated ballots. Monsoon’s return to the ballot signals that the industry’s critical lens is widening to reassess figures whose contributions might have been undervalued or misunderstood previously.
If inducted, Gorilla Monsoon would join an elite group of wrestling personalities whose impact transcended wrestling matches alone, encompassing vocal storytelling, promotion, and backstage influence.