Profiles

Franklin J. Lewis

Where Homer had his Iliad, GWA had Franklin J. Lewis—a silver-tongued scholar who transformed wrestling matches into epic sagas, his voice turning clotheslines into classical literature.

Joshua Schairbaum

— 2 min read
Franklin J. Lewis
"BY THE GODS OF THE SQUARED CIRCLE!" - Franklin J. Lewis

Basic Information

  • Name: Franklin J. Lewis
  • Nickname/Title: "The Voice of GWA's Tradition"
  • Origin: Chicago, Illinois
  • Years Active: 1962-1985
  • Primary Role: Color Commentary
  • Shows: Wrestling From The West (1962-1968), Grapple Gallery (1965-1972), Wrestling Junction (1968-1972), Western Wrestling Hour (1973-1985)

Broadcasting Style

  • Commentary Style: Theatrical and sophisticated, drawing heavily from Classical literature and mythology. Known for transforming matches into epic narratives by weaving references to Greek and Roman mythology throughout his commentary. His approach elevated wrestling beyond sport into a modern interpretation of ancient heroic tales, with each wrestler cast as a figure of classical magnitude.
  • Signature Phrases:
    • "Like Achilles pursuing Hector round the walls of Troy, Desert Eagle stalks his prey with vengeful purpose!"
    • "The Harlem Hurricane channels the spirit of Atlas himself, bearing the weight of championship glory upon his shoulders!"
    • "Behold Mountain Man Jensen, as unmovable as the Pillars of Hercules, standing defiant against the Titan's assault!"
    • "The Baron's betrayal cuts deeper than the blade of Brutus - another fallen friend in this modern Roman tragedy!"
    • "The Gentleman approaches the ring with all the calculated precision of Odysseus entering the court of Penelope's suitors!"
  • Notable Partnerships: Walt Whitaker (Wrestling From The West), who provided grounded play-by-play to balance Lewis's mythological flourishes, and Buck "Sagebrush" Thompson (Grapple Gallery), whose frontier wisdom created an engaging contrast with Lewis's classical references.
"The Harlem Hurricane channels the spirit of Atlas himself, bearing the weight of championship glory upon his shoulders!"

Background

  • Career History: Before joining GWA, Lewis trained as a stage actor in regional theater. His theatrical background and natural charisma caught the attention of GWA founder Miguel Ramirez, who saw in Lewis the perfect voice to elevate wrestling to a broader audience. Lewis joined during GWA's formative years and became synonymous with the promotion's growth from regional territory to national brand. His ability to draw out wrestlers' personalities during interviews and add dramatic weight to matches made him an invaluable part of GWA's expansion.
  • Character Dynamic: Lewis had a unique ability to humanize even the most outlandish characters while maintaining wrestling's mythological aspects. Wrestlers affectionately nicknamed him "The Professor" for his eloquent style. He formed particularly strong partnerships with his co-commentators, providing theatrical flair to balance their more grounded approaches.
  • Legacy: Franklin J. Lewis helped define GWA's identity during its crucial growth period. His theatrical commentary style and knack for storytelling elevated wrestling beyond simple sport into grand drama. By treating matches as epic tales and wrestlers as modern-day gladiators, he created a unique broadcasting style that influenced wrestling commentary for generations to come. His 23-year tenure spanning both the Frontier and Expansion eras made him one of the most recognizable and respected voices in professional wrestling history.

Read more