Shut Up and Wrestle with Brian Solomon

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 episode pays episode to the Master and the Ruler of the World.

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 #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 lot more.

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

The post Episode 243: Sidney Bakabella Returns appeared first on Shut Up And Wrestle with Brian Solomon.

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 culture, movies and language than you’ll ever hear on any other wrestling podcast!

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 #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 of the Arcadian Vanguard Podcast Network.

The post Episode 241: Jeff Bowdren Talks the Best of the 1980s appeared first on Shut Up And Wrestle with Brian Solomon.

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 Network.

The post Episode 240: Brad Balukjian Returns appeared first on Shut Up And Wrestle with Brian Solomon.

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 look back at one of the many hard-working wrestlers who made their living in the territorial era, and whose memories must be preserved.

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

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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 talk about why that was, what made Flair so great, plus a variety of other tangents including the murky transition from NWA to WCW, the burdens of being a wrestling magazine collector, and a whole lot more.

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

The post Episode 238: The NWA World Champions Series, Part 13 – Ric Flair appeared first on Shut Up And Wrestle with Brian Solomon.

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.

The post Episode 237: Jon Langmead Talks Jack Pfefer appeared first on Shut Up And Wrestle with Brian Solomon.

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.

The post Episode 236: Greg Klein Returns appeared first on Shut Up And Wrestle with Brian Solomon.

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 promos! 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 #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 changed expectations of wrestling babyfaces forever.

And it wouldn’t be a Howard Baum appearance without other random non-sequiturs, including Memphis Lawler vs. WWF Lawler, the kayfabe of Gilbert Gottfried, Jewish Dusty Rhodes and more!

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

The post Episode 234: The NWA World Champions Series, Part 12 – Dusty Rhodes appeared first on Shut Up And Wrestle with Brian Solomon.

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, the wonder of squash matches, and a whole lot more!

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

The post Episode 233: Ed Helinski Returns appeared first on Shut Up And Wrestle with Brian Solomon.

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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