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Interview Recap with Gordon Solie's Children and Danny Hodge

Posted: Sep 18th 2009 By: CMBurnham

Download this 2 hour episode here: http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/oww/radio/

Robert and Pamela Allyn Interview

Short break and then the interview with Robert and Pamela Allyn, son in law and daughter of the late, great, Gordon Solie. Mr. and Mrs. Allyn, along with editor Scott Teal are co-authors of The Solie Chronicles, a biography on the legendary announcer.

http://www.1wrestlinglegends.com/crowbarpress/solie/index-bd.htm

Mrs. Allyn talks about what it was like to grow up the daughter of Gordon Solie and Mr. Allyn talks of how Mr. Solie got him hooked on wrestling. They talk about the new book on Solie, The Solie Chronicles and the previous book they released in 2005 about Gordon Solie, Something Left Behind. Nick mentions that the books take the form of more of a scrapbook type format and sparks a discussion as to why they felt to go that route rather than a straight biography. The Allyn's discuss the differences between the books and also about what the new book contains, such as in depth coverage of Mr. Solie's youth, his beginnings in radio, and ultimately his career as a wrestling announcer. Mrs. Allyn notes that the new book gives a great deal of behind the scenes information on the business of pro wrestling. Nick asks them if they follow the current wrestling programs, and then asks what they think Mr. Solie would think of the current state of wrestling. They discuss how wrestling differs today, and the commentary differs from Mr. Solie's earlier time in the business, when often he would call matches on the fly with no idea what the outcome would be and only notes to go off of.

Nick asks if there are plans down the road for any other books on Mr. Solie and they acknowledge that there may be plans for something else in the future.

Danny Hodge Interview

After the break, Nick interviews the former 8 time NWA World Junior Heavyweight Champion and 3 time NCAA Wrestling Champion as well as the 1958 Golden Gloves Boxing Champion, Danny Hodge accompanied by his manager Tommy D.

Nick starts the interview asking Mr. Hodge about his amateur background and then goes into why Mr. Hodge got into professional wrestling.

Mr. Hodge is a great interview, and goes over aspects of his amateur days very succinctly, recalling details only he and the people that went through that time with him could.

He also discusses his boxing days, and how it came about that he ended up being a boxer.

Nick asks Mr. Hodge why he didn't pursue a career as a professional boxer, and Mr. Hodge explains why he chose wrestling over boxing.

He also explains how he was a shooter in the wrestling business, because he was never told to take it easy on anyone.

Nick asks if current wrestlers ever contact him for advice and Mr. Hodge touches on current WWE superstar Jack Swagger as being one of the current wrestlers he's helped develop into a well rounded pro wrestler.

Mr. Hodge talks about his relationship with other pro wrestlers that he's worked with, including Jack and Jerry Brisco.

He then talks about working with Ed "The Strangler" Lewis, a notorious shooter in his day, then about his time working with Leroy McGuirk.

Nick asks Mr. Hodge about the territory days, and Mr. Hodge has great things to say about Hiro Matsuda, who is known to have broken some big names into the business.

Mr. Hodge then talks about promoters he's worked with.

Nick brings up Mr. Hodge's NWA World Jr. Heavyweight title reigns, and also the fact that he was the longest reigning champion with that title ever. Mr. Hodge shares some memories of his time as reigning champion.

Mr. Hodge addresses the incident where his father intervened in a match and cut his opponent Angelo Savoldi for a comment he had made in an interview.

He then goes into some of his favorite opponents in the business, with Mr. Hodge actually naming his two toughest opponents ever.

Mr. Hodge talks about his numerous battles with Lou Thesz for the NWA Heavyweight Championship.

Nick brings up the difference between American wrestling and wrestling in Japan that Mr. Hodge discusses, and the numerous times he went to Japan to wrestle.

He also speaks of the great respect he was shown in Japan.

Nick brings up the car accident Mr. Hodge had in 1976 that broke his neck, and his subsequent forfeiture of the NWA Jr. Heavyweight Championship.

A great discussion ensues concerning his retirement and what he did afterward.

Mr. Hodge speaks about the change in pro wrestling, from the days he was in the business to the way it is portrayed today.

Mr. Hodge speaks on Elvis, Sugar Ray Leonard, Jim Ross, Vince McMahon and the Cauliflower Alley Club.

Nick asks Mr. Hodge about receiving the Lou Thesz award, the WWE Hall Of Fame, and about Mr. Hodge's book that's out, Oklahoma Shooter: The Dan Hodge Story.

A great interview, one of the best ever heard on OWW. A great guy to talk with, and just as genuine and real as you'd ever want to meet.

Tags: Danny Hodge, NWA, Tommy D, WWE, Jack Swagger, Jack Brisco, Jerry Brisco, Ed Lewis, Leroy McGuirk, Angelo Savoldi, Jim Ross, Hiro Matsuda, Lou Thesz