Shut Up and Wrestle with Brian Solomon

Hello, wrestling fans! It’s time for Episode #245 of Shut Up and Wrestle, with Brian R. Solomon!

This week, Brian welcomes internet wrestling pundit Raj Giri to the show! In addition to being the founder of WrestlingInc and a highlight of Wrestling Twitter, Raj also grew up a fan of wrestling in the ’80s and ’90s, and speaks with Brian this week about his fandom, as well as how wrestling differs then vs. now, and the trials and tribulations of tweeting about wrestling in 2026.

Shut Up and Wrestle is a production of the Arcadian Vanguard Podcas...

Hello, wrestling fans! It’s time for Episode #244 of Shut Up and Wrestle, with Brian R. Solomon!

Joe Marotta is back this week to discuss the phenomenon of Sid in the WWF! It’s a continuation of Joe and Brian’s previous discussions of pre-WWF creations who made legacies in the WWF, including Ric Flair, Lex Luger and the Road Warriors.

Whether it was as Sid Justice, Sycho Sid or just plain Sid, the former Sid Vicious made major waves in the WWF over the years, after first making his name in WCW. This week’s episod...

Hello, wrestling fans! It’s time for Episode #243 of Shut Up and Wrestle, with Brian R. Solomon!

This week features the man who puts the 500 in the PWI 500, the one and only Sidney Bakabella!

Brian and Mr. Bakabella discuss his auspicious ranking in this year’s 500, as well as the legacy of the PWI 500 itself, as well as his unique wrestling persona and the love of wrestling history that he brings to the indie circuit.

Plus–in defense of Bob Backlund! The genius of Capt. Louis Albano! Larry Zbyszko, master psychologist! And a whole...

Hello, wrestling fans! It’s time for Episode #242 of Shut Up and Wrestle, with Brian R. Solomon!

This week, Brian welcomes to the show, from across the Atlantic Ocean in Italy, Frank Mandolini!

A former wrestling podcaster and contributor to Pro Wrestling Illustrated, Frank joins the show with a unique perspective on the history of wrestling in Italy–both WWE/WCW as well as Italy’s own long-forgotten pro wrestling legacy!

Hear about how over Nunzio was in the early 2000s! Bruno Sammartino’s visits to his homeland! Plus lots more stuff on Italian...

Hello, wrestling fans! It’s time for Episode #241 of Shut Up and Wrestle, with Brian R. Solomon!

This week, Brian welcomes back to the show Jeff “The Booker” Bowdren, to discuss his new book, The Best of the ’80s: One Man’s Choices for the Best Matches of a Decade of Change!

It’s a far-reaching conversation about the best matches of that unforgettable decade and what made them great. Plus: The greatness of Jimmy and Gary Hart! The underrated Hulk Hogan! And even some movie talk!

Shut Up and Wrestle is a production o...

Hello, wrestling fans! It’s time for Episode #240 of Shut Up and Wrestle, with Brian R. Solomon!

This week, Brian welcomes back to the show writer and historian Brad Balukjian, author of THE SIX-PACK!

Brian and Brad discuss their latest Patreon project, breaking down the WWF Big Event, 40 years later. Plus, there’s talk of attendance figures in wrestling, including that elusive WrestleMania III number…

Plus– Brian’s take on the Star Wars prequels/sequels, as if you needed that…

Shut Up and Wrestle is a production of the Arcadian Vanguard Podcast Netw...

Hello, wrestling fans! It’s time for Episode #239 of Shut Up and Wrestle, with Brian R. Solomon!

This week, Brian dips back into his audio archive to share a 2020 interview he conducted with Canadian journeyman wrestler “Beautiful” Bruce Swayze, who just passed away last week at the age of 84.

Conducted during the writing of Blood and Fire, the interview includes Bruce’s remembrances of The Sheik, as well as his own experiences working in Ontario, Buffalo, the Carolinas and other places for a variety of promoters over the course of his 25-year career.

It’s a l...

The final chapter of Shut Up and Wrestle’s NWA World Champions series is here, as Brian R. Solomon chats with Stick to Wrestling’s John McAdam about the championship career and legacy of the final touring NWA World heavyweight champion in the classic mold, “The Nature Boy” Ric Flair.

From Flair’s first NWA title win in September 1981 through his forfeiture of the title in September 1991, he dominated the title picture for a full decade, and from 1981-1986, he fulfilled the traditional role of the touring champ–the last one to do so.

Brian and John tal...

Hello, wrestling fans! It’s time for Episode #237 of Shut Up and Wrestle, with Brian R. Solomon!

This week, Brian welcomes back to the show writer and historian Jon Langmead, for a conversation on eccentric mid 20th century wrestling promoter Jack Pfefer.

Brian and Jon compare notes on their visits to the Jack Pfefer Archive at Notre Dame University. Plus, an important conversation on the problem of generative AI in the world of wrestling history writing and research.

Shut Up and Wrestle is a production of the Arcadian Vanguard Podcast Network.

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Hello, wrestling fans! It’s time for Episode #236 of Shut Up and Wrestle, with Brian R. Solomon!

This week, Brian welcomes back to the show Texas wrestling historian Greg Klein, whose new book The Texas Rasslin’ Wars of the 1950s delves into one of the most contentious battles of the territorial era.

It’s a look back at an often overlooked period of Texas wrestling history. Plus–comparing experiences at the Jack Pfefer Archives, deep dark family secrets, and more!

Shut Up and Wrestle is a production of the Arcadian Vanguard Podcast Network.

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Hello, wrestling fans! It’s time for Episode #235 of Shut Up and Wrestle, with Brian R. Solomon! This week’s “family edition” of the show brings the return of Brian’s wife, Jaimee! Plus, as a special bonus, the debut of Brian’s son, Peter–the little boy whose voice kicks off the show every week. Unique insights from … Continue reading Episode 235: Family Edition →

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Hello, wrestling fans! It’s time for Episode #234 of Shut Up and Wrestle, with Brian R. Solomon! It’s part twelve of the NWA Word Champions Series, with special guest Howard Baum. This week, Brian talks about the NWA title legacy of 3-time world champion Dusty Rhodes, with someone who lived through it all as a … Continue reading Episode 234: The NWA World Champions Series, Part 12 – Dusty Rhodes →

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Hello, wrestling fans! It’s time for Episode #233 of Shut Up and Wrestle, with Brian R. Solomon! This week, former WWF Magazine editor Ed Helinski returns, with more inside stories from 1980s Titan Sports! There’s some Jim Barnett talk, we get into some of the infamous scandals of the time… Plus, those glorious localized promos, … Continue reading Episode 233: Ed Helinski Returns →

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Hello, wrestling fans! It’s time for Episode #232 of Shut Up and Wrestle, with Brian R. Solomon! This week, historian Sean Dulaney returns to the show! Sean is best known to wrestling history aficionados for his work on the history of wrestling in Evansville, Indiana. And we get into that as well as wrestling in … Continue reading Episode 232: Sean Dulaney Returns →

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Hello, wrestling fans! It’s time for Episode #231 of Shut Up and Wrestle, with Brian R. Solomon! This week, Joe Marotta joins Brian once again! This time, they’re discussing The Road Warriors’ time in the WWF, where they were known as The Legion of Doom. The Road Warriors had one of the all-time great runs … Continue reading Episode 231: Joe Marotta Talks the Road Warriors in the WWF →

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Hello, wrestling fans! It’s time for Episode #230 of Shut Up and Wrestle, with Brian R. Solomon! This week, George Schire returns to the show once again for a far-ranging conversation about vintage professional wrestling of the 1950s-1980s! In praise of Nick Bockwinkel! The struggles of being a wrestling memorabilia collector! Bruno Sammartino’s estate sale! … Continue reading Episode 230: George Schire Strikes Again →

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Hello, wrestling fans! It’s time for Episode #229 of Shut Up and Wrestle, with Brian R. Solomon! This week’s guest is Dan Higgins, author of the new book, Lords of the Ring: The World According to Wrestling. It’s a far-reaching conversation looking at pro wrestling from a social, political and cultural perspective, including the changing … Continue reading Episode 229: Dan Higgins →

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Hello, wrestling fans! It’s time for Episode #228 of Shut Up and Wrestle, with Brian R. Solomon! It’s part eleven of the NWA Word Champions Series, with special guest Dan Murphy. This week, we look back at the man often considered the epitome of the NWA World heavyweight champion, the greatest wrestler on God’s green … Continue reading Episode 228: The NWA World Champions Series, Part 11 – Harley Race →

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Hello, wrestling fans! It’s time for Episode #227 of Shut Up and Wrestle, with Brian R. Solomon! This week’s guest is one of Brian’s fellow Titan employees of the early 2000s, Ben Lewin. Ben is here this week to reminisce with Brian about working for WWF/E back in the day, including Ben’s experiences on both … Continue reading Episode 227: Ben Lewin →

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Hello, wrestling fans! It’s time for Episode #226 of Shut Up and Wrestle, with Brian R. Solomon! This week, Shut Up and Wrestle is dipping back into the mailbag, as Brian answers questions submitted by podcast listeners on the SUAW Facebook page–with the help of Arcadian Vanguard’s own Jayce Naccarato. Brian talks about his time … Continue reading Episode 226: Mailbag Episode, w/Jayce Naccarato →

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Hello, wrestling fans! It’s time for Episode #225 of Shut Up and Wrestle, with special guest Maxwell Jacob Friedman! This week, Brian R. Solomon chats with MJF about old-school territorial wrestling, and its value to wrestlers and wrestling today. The AEW World champion shares his love of stuff like Freebirds vs. Von Erichs, the greatness … Continue reading Episode 225: Maxwell Jacob Friedman →

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Hello, wrestling fans! It’s time for Episode #224 of Shut Up and Wrestle, with Brian R. Solomon! This week’s guest is political consultant, screenwriter and old school wrestling fan Mike Murphy. Mike has worked in politics for decades, and knows full well how much that world has in common with the world of pro wrestling. … Continue reading Episode 224: Mike Murphy →

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Hello, wrestling fans! It’s time for Episode #223 of Shut Up and Wrestle, with Brian R. Solomon! This week’s guest is Alison Lyn Miller, author of the new book, Rough House: A Father, a Son and the Pursuit of Wrestling Glory! Brian talks with Alison on the history of Georgia wrestling and its current thriving … Continue reading Episode 223: Alison Lyn Miller →

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Hello, wrestling fans! It’s time for Episode #222 of Shut Up and Wrestle, with Brian R. Solomon! It’s part ten of the NWA Word Champions Series, with special guest Dr. Tom Prichard. This week, we look at the career, and especially the NWA World title reign, of Terry Funk, from 1975-1977. Known as one of … Continue reading Episode 222: The NWA World Champions Series, Part 10 – Terry Funk →

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Hello, wrestling fans! It’s time for Episode #221 of Shut Up and Wrestle, with Brian R. Solomon! Returning to the show this week to discuss his new book, Big Daddy vs. Giant Haystacks: A Super Heavyweight Story, is author and historian Steven Bell! Steve and Brian delve into the history of wrestling in Great Britain … Continue reading Episode 221: Steven Bell Talks Big Daddy vs. Giant Haystacks →

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Hello, wrestling fans! It’s time for Episode #220 of Shut Up and Wrestle, with Brian R. Solomon! Get ready for some sweet ’80s nostalgia, as Brian welcomes ’80s wrestling fan, pop culture aficionado and quizmaster Noah Tarnow to the show! Listen in as two disgruntled GenXers explain exactly why wrestling in the ’80s was so … Continue reading Episode 220: Noah Tarnow →

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Hello, wrestling fans! It’s time for Episode #219 of Shut Up and Wrestle, with Brian R. Solomon! Returning to the show this week, for the first time together, are Joe Marotta and Mike Quinn of the WWF Canon and Our Vantage Point podcasts! Joe and Quinn are here this week to talk about the somewhat … Continue reading Episode 219: Joe Marotta & Mike Quinn Talk Lex Luger in the WWF →

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Hello, wrestling fans! It’s time for Episode #218 of Shut Up and Wrestle, with Brian R. Solomon! It’s part nine of the NWA Word Champions Series, with special guest Jerry Brisco. Jerry is here this week to look back on the amazing career and accomplishments of his legendary older brother. From the heights of the … Continue reading Episode 218: The NWA World Champions Series, Part 9 – Jack Brisco →

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Hello, wrestling fans! It’s time for Episode #217 of Shut Up and Wrestle, with Brian R. Solomon! More pop culture goodness this week as Brian brings you the second part of his conversation with comedian/filmmaker/writer Kevin Maher! Brian and Kevin delve deeper this week into the presence of pro wrestling in movies, TV and beyond. … Continue reading Episode 217: Kevin Maher, Part 2 →

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Hello, wrestling fans! It’s time for Episode #216 of Shut Up and Wrestle, with Brian R. Solomon! Join Brian this week for part one of his conversation with pop culture aficionado and general raconteur, Kevin Maher! You may have heard Brian and Kevin together recently on the Fun for All Ages podcast with Frank Santopadre. … Continue reading Episode 216: Kevin Maher, Part 1 →

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“Joyce always used to tell me, this business sucks, and Sheik never knew when to get out.” This week, Brian remembers the late, Flying Fred Curry, sharing a November 2019 interview with Curry that was conducted in preparation for the writing of Brian’s biography of The Sheik, Blood and Fire. Curry discusses not only his … Continue reading Episode 215: From the Archives – Flying Fred Curry →

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Hello, wrestling fans! It’s time for Episode #214 of Shut Up and Wrestle, with Brian R. Solomon! It’s part two of Brian’s conversation with former London Publishing and WWF photographer Roy London! Roy had so many great stories to tell that we couldn’t confine it to just one episode. This week, Roy recounts such gems … Continue reading Episode 214: Roy London, Part 2 →

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Hello, wrestling fans! It’s time for Episode #213 of Shut Up and Wrestle, with Brian R. Solomon! This week, Brian welcomes former London Publishing and WWF photographer Roy London to the show! In part one of the conversation, Roy remembers his many unique experiences alongside the likes of Eddie Ellner, Bill Apter and Craig Peters, … Continue reading Episode 213: Roy London, Part 1 →

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Hello, wrestling fans! It’s time for Episode #212 of Shut Up and Wrestle, with Brian R. Solomon! This week, Brian welcomes Brian Ferguson, author of the new book, VERNE: Inside and Outside the Ropes! It’s a discussion that gets into the life and legacy of the great Verne Gagne, as well as lots of other … Continue reading Episode 212: Brian Ferguson →

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Hello, wrestling fans! It’s time for Episode #211 of Shut Up and Wrestle, with Brian R. Solomon! It’s part eight of the NWA Word Champions Series, with special guest Tony Richards. Tony is the author of the upcoming book The Life and Times of Dory Funk, Sr: The King of the Texas Death Match, and … Continue reading Episode 211: The NWA World Champions Series, Part 8 – Dory Funk Jr. →

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Hello, wrestling fans! It’s time for Episode #210 of Shut Up and Wrestle, with Brian R. Solomon! This week, Brian welcomes old-school wrestling footage guru Richard Land to the show! Richard is the curator The HistoryofWWE.com, and is here this week to share his passion for vintage wrestling video! Plus: The glories of WWE 24/7! … Continue reading Episode 210: Richard Land →

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Hello, wrestling fans! It’s time for Episode #209 of Shut Up and Wrestle, with Brian R. Solomon! This week, Brian welcomes legendary promoter Gary Juster to the show! Gary talks about his experience working with Georgia Championship Wrestling, Crockett Promotions, the NWA, WCW and Ring of Honor, plus his early WWWF fandom. Hanging at the … Continue reading Episode 209: Gary Juster →

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Hello, wrestling fans! It’s time for Episode #208 of Shut Up and Wrestle, with Brian R. Solomon! Blood and guts! Apartment wrestling! Insane made-up stories! Lurid covers! Who doesn’t love the heyday of classic wrestling magazines? This week, Brian welcomes back to the show author and historian Jon Langmead, to take a fond look back … Continue reading Episode 208: Jon Langmead Talks Wrestling Magazines →

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Hello, wrestling fans! It’s time for Episode #207 of Shut Up and Wrestle, with Brian R. Solomon! It’s part seven of the NWA Word Champions Series, with special guest Steven Verrier. Verrier is the biographer of Gene Kiniski, the NWA World champion from 1966-1969, who is the subject of this week’s episode. We take a … Continue reading Episode 207: The NWA World Champions Series, Part 7 – Gene Kiniski →

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Hello, wrestling fans! It’s time for Episode #206 of Shut Up and Wrestle, with Brian R. Solomon! This week, Brian welcomes to the show Michael Quinn, one half of the Our Vantage Point podcast and a fellow 1980s/1990s WWF obsessive. Brian and Quinn get into so much nostalgic Gen X wrestling goodness, from the greatness … Continue reading Episode 206: Michael Quinn →

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