Posted on 10/07/125 by Alan Wojcik
Robert Marella lived an amazing life in and out of the
professional wrestling world. He graduated college and
wrestled as an amateur. He helped Capital Wrestling in front
of and behind the TV cameras develop into what fans now call
World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE.) He made the transition
from wrestler to commentator you probably grew up hearing on
TV. He served many capacities in his hall of fame career.
But you probably don’t know him by his legal name, you know
him as GORILLA MONSOON. The larger than life Manchurian
monster who became the partner of both Jesse “the Body”
Ventura and Bobby “the Brain” Heenan. His career is
something to study and writer BRIAN SOLOMON has crafted a
wonderful book; IRRESISTIBLE FORCE: THE LIFE AND TIMES OF
GORILLA MONSOON (ECW Press, 504pp)
This book takes you from Mr. Marella’s upbringing in upstate
New York to college to the wrestling world that before the
1980’s, which was broken up into territories with imaginary
boundaries. Mr, Solomon spent what feels like years of
research to guide us through all of the roads and
international flights before Mr, Marella arrived under the
charge of Vincent J McMahon and the “New York” territory
which was ruled by the legendary Bruno Sammartino.
Mr. Marella and Mr. Sammartino became in ring rivals and
backstage confidants. Many wrestling fans might not be aware
that McMahon had partners who helped run specific towns in
the northeastern based promotion. Marella was given towns in
New Jersey plus Philadelphia. Ever hear the entrance area of
a WWE event called the “gorilla position?” Well its called
that thanks to Mr. Marella who was the proverbial air
traffic controller at TV tapings.
Mr. Solomon is no stranger to Mr. Marella, as Solomon worked
for WWE during the time Mr. Marella was in his TV announcing
prime. So he has first hand knowledge and tons of research
at his disposal. The main surprise is the mere fact no one
had done a biography of Mr. Marella until now. Get this book
and enjoy the wonderful life and career of the Gorilla!!
You can buy this work in traditional book form or digital
through www.ECWPress.com or your bookstore on or off line.
Alan Wojcik can be found on Twitter/X as MyNameIsWojcik