Shut Up and Wrestle with Brian Solomon

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 the beleaguered family members who have to put with Brian’s obsessions on a regular basis… Plus, the return of Jewish Dusty Rhodes! Brian (and Peter’s) Vince Russo impression! CAC and Pfefer Archive reminiscences! The greatest wrestling p...

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 fan, Howard Baum.

From Dusty’s initial fluke win over Harley Race in 1979, to the “Summer of Dusty” in 1981, to his 1986 win during the JCP days, Brian and Howard dissect it all–including Dusty’s unique appeal and charisma, and how they c...

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 the greater Tennessee territory. Plus some insight into the modern pro wrestling product, and even some talk on Sean’s other great obsession, the comic book and comic con industries.

Shut Up and Wrestle is a production of the...

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 in wrestling history during the 1980s and 1990s. Their WWF period(s) played a part in that, for good and for bad, and Brian and Joe get into both.

From the Demolition feud, to the tag team title...

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 face of women’s wrestling, problematic gimmicks of the past, kayfabe in the political space, the genius of Andy Kaufman, and a whole lot 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 #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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Hello, wrestling fans! It’s time for Episode #205 of Shut Up and Wrestle, with Brian R. Solomon! This week, Brian welcomes to the show one of the most instantly recognizable wrestling referees of all time, Jimmy Korderas. From the mid 1980s through the 2000s, Jimmy worked for the WWF/WWE (as well as Jack Tunney’s Toronto … Continue reading Episode 205: Jimmy Korderas →

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Hello, wrestling fans! It’s time for Episode #204 of Shut Up and Wrestle, with Brian R. Solomon! This week, Shut Up and Wrestle is doing its first-ever mailbag episode, as Brian answers questions submitted by podcast listeners on the SUAW Facebook page. Brian talks about his time at WWE, his writing, his opinions on wrestling … Continue reading Episode 204: Mailbag Episode! →

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Hello, wrestling fans! It’s time for Episode #203 of Shut Up and Wrestle, with Brian R. Solomon! It’s part six of the NWA Word Champions Series, with special guest George Schire. “To a nicer guy, it couldn’t happen!” So said the flamboyant Buddy Rogers when he captured the NWA title from Pat O’Connor in 1961. … Continue reading Episode 203: The NWA World Champions Series, Part 6 – Buddy Rogers →

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Hello, wrestling fans! It’s time for Episode #202 of Shut Up and Wrestle, with Brian R. Solomon! This week, Joe Marotta joins Brian for a record-setting fourth time, this time to discuss the early 1990s run of Ric Flair in the WWF. Brian and Joe discuss all the what-ifs, as well as all the highs … Continue reading Episode 202: Joe Marotta Talks Ric Flair in the WWF →

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Hello, wrestling fans! Join Brian R. Solomon this week for the Best of Shut Up and Wrestle, Vol. 4! During this special holiday week, Brian has dipped into the archives of Shut Up and Wrestle once again to bring you some of his favorite show moments! * Buff Bagwell on his infamous backstage brawl with … Continue reading The Best of Shut Up and Wrestle, Vol. 4 →

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“I wanted to become the Babe Ruth of the WWF. I wanted to go down as the guy that was responsible for the foundation of what we’ve laid out.” As a Christmas gift to listeners, Brian R. Solomon has dug into his audio archives for this 2002 interview with Hulk Hogan. Recorded at Hogan’s home … Continue reading Episode 201: From the Archives – Hulk Hogan →

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He’s the Wrestling God. He’s a WWE Hall of Famer. He was the longest-reigning world champion in SmackDown history. And this week, John “Bradshaw” Layfield is the special guest for the 200th episode of Shut Up and Wrestle with Brian R. Solomon! Listen in as Brian and JBL talk wrestling history, including the Von Erichs, … Continue reading Episode 200: John “Bradshaw” Layfield →

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