Hello, wrestling fans! Join Brian R. Solomon this week for the Best of Shut Up and Wrestle, Vol. 3! To fill the void while he’s away this week at the Cauliflower Alley Club Reunion, Brian has dipped into the archives of Shut Up and Wrestle once again to bring you some of the cream of the proverbial crop! * The Blue Meanie meets Buddy Rogers! * Joe Marotta on his infamous Gorilla Monsoon AI podcasts! * Kevin Sullivan pays tribute to The Sheik! * Keith Elliot Greenberg remembers Leaping Lanny Poff...
Aug 20, 2025•1 hr 22 min
Hello, wrestling fans! It’s time for Episode #183 of Shut Up and Wrestle, with Brian R. Solomon! This week, Brian welcomes author Ross Benes, author of the provocative new book, 1999: The Year Low Culture Conquered America and Kickstarted Our Bizarre Times. Needless to say, there are many intersections with that topic and the world of pro wrestling at the time, and Brian and Ross get into that, as well as a host of other topics cultural, political, social and otherwise. It’s a chance for Brian t...
Aug 14, 2025•1 hr 15 min
Hello, wrestling fans! It’s time for Episode #182 of Shut Up and Wrestle, with Brian R. Solomon! This week, Brian welcomes author Dan Murphy back to the show to talk about his new book, Ed Don George: The Remarkable Life of an Olympian and Pro Wrestling Champion. Ed Don was a superstar in his day, although sometimes overlooked today, and Brian and Dan give him his full due this week, with a look at the amazing career of this dominant world champion of the 1930s, as well as his years as a promote...
Aug 06, 2025•1 hr 10 min
Last week, the wrestling world saw the passing of its biggest superstar, as Hulk Hogan died at the age of 71. This week, for Episode #181 of Shut Up and Wrestle, Brian R. Solomon is joined by wrestling magazine legends Craig Peters and Bob Smith to look back on the life and legacy of the most famous pro wrestler of all time. It’s a nuanced conversation covering the good, the bad and the ugly with regards to the man who was somehow wrestling’s most celebrated and controversial figure, and who for...
Jul 30, 2025•1 hr 40 min
Hello, wrestling fans! It’s time for Episode #180 of Shut Up and Wrestle, with Brian R. Solomon! This week, Brian has put together a raucous panel of some of the finest running guests of the 6:05 Superpodcast–Howard Baum, Vandal Drummond and Lou Kipilman! Howard, Vandal and Lou kept so many of us entertained on the Mothership, and now Brian as assembled them once again for a bit of a reunion, to catch up on old times, relive the glory days of the territories, and of course, dump on modern pro wr...
Jul 23, 2025•1 hr 27 min
Hello, wrestling fans! It’s time for Episode #179 of Shut Up and Wrestle, with Brian R. Solomon! This week, Brian welcomes Cauliflower Alley Club executive board member and lifelong wrestling fan Darla Staggs to the show! Darla has been been a die-hard fan since she saw Pat O’Connor win the NWA World title from Dick Hutton in 1959 at six months of age, and is here to talk about her lifelong wrestling fandom, including friendships with Eddie Gilbert, the Briscos and others, as well as her memorie...
Jul 16, 2025•1 hr 15 min
Hello, wrestling fans! It’s time for Episode #178 of Shut Up and Wrestle, with Brian R. Solomon! This week, Brian welcomes former WWE creative team member Dan Madigan to the show! It’s a peek inside the WWE writer’s room that you won’t want to miss! Brian and Dan both worked for WWE during the Ruthless Aggression era, and have a lot to say about working for the McMahons and lots of other stuff. Plus, Dan talks about writing the script for See No Evil, and there’s other horror movie talk slipped ...
Jul 09, 2025•1 hr 22 min
Hello, wrestling fans! It’s time for Episode #177 of Shut Up and Wrestle, with Brian R. Solomon! This week, Brian welcomes podcaster, journalist, lifelong wrestling fan and fellow Connecticutian Rick Del Santo to the show! Brian and Rick get into all the wrestling they loved as young fans in the ’80s and ’90s, bringing back more WWF/NWA/WCCW/WCW/ECW nostalgia than you can handle! From the wonders of cable television, to the glory of late night radio shows, and all the great stuff that made us fa...
Jul 02, 2025•1 hr 23 min
Hello, wrestling fans! It’s time for Episode #176 of Shut Up and Wrestle, with Brian R. Solomon! It’s part two of the NWA Word Champions series, with special guest Mark Fleming. The name “Lou Thesz” is synonymous with wrestling greatness, and with being world champion. This week, Brian sits down with a man who was trained and mentored by Thesz, and shares his priceless memories and insights on this iconic figure. Learn what Joe DiMaggio thought of Thesz… Behind the scenes of the title switches w...
Jun 25, 2025•1 hr 20 min
Hello, wrestling fans! It’s time for Episode #175 of Shut Up and Wrestle, with Brian R. Solomon! This week, Brian welcomes podcaster and classic WWF enthusiast Joe Marotta to the show once more, this time to discuss the legacy of WrestleMania IX! In light of WWE’s recent documentary, WrestleMania IX: Becoming a Spectacle, Brian and Joe break down this controversial and much-discussed watershed event in WWE history, and happily go on lots of other early ’90s WWF tangents as well… It’s everything ...
Jun 18, 2025•1 hr 40 min
Hello, wrestling fans! It’s time for Episode #174 of Shut Up and Wrestle, with Brian R. Solomon! This week, Brian welcomes Paige “Von Hess” Sutherland and Bob Smith to the show to look back on the classic NWF territory of the early 1970s! Pedro Martinez and Johnny Powers embodied this vintage Buffalo/Cleveland territory that’s rarely … Continue reading Episode 174: Paige “Von Hess” Sutherland and Bob Smith Talk the NWF → The post Episode 174: Paige “Von Hess” Sutherland and Bob Smith Talk the NW...
Jun 11, 2025•1 hr 33 min
Hello, wrestling fans! It’s time for Episode #173 of Shut Up and Wrestle, with Brian R. Solomon! This week, Brian is joined once again by film critic, film maker and wrestling aficionado BJ Colangelo, this time for a discussion of Queen of the Ring! Brian and BJ give their unfiltered views on the new Mildred … Continue reading Episode 173: Discussing Queen of the Ring w/ BJ Colangelo → The post Episode 173: Discussing Queen of the Ring w/ BJ Colangelo appeared first on Shut Up And Wrestle with B...
Jun 04, 2025•1 hr 13 min
Hello, wrestling fans! It’s time for Episode #172 of Shut Up and Wrestle, with Brian R. Solomon! It’s part one of the NWA Word Champions series, with special guest Dr. Robert Stinson. This week, Brian and the good doctor look back at the life and career of an often-overlooked legend, the very first National Wrestling … Continue reading Episode 172: The NWA World Champions Series, Part 1 – Orville Brown → The post Episode 172: The NWA World Champions Series, Part 1 – Orville Brown appeared first ...
May 28, 2025•1 hr 10 min
Hello, wrestling fans! It’s time for Episode #171 of Shut Up and Wrestle, with Brian R. Solomon! This week, Brian is joined by podcaster and historian Tony Richards to discuss the legacy of Dory Funk Sr., patriarch of the Funk family, as well as the West Texas territory he ruled. Tony is the author of … Continue reading Episode 171: Tony Richards Talks Dory Funk Sr. → The post Episode 171: Tony Richards Talks Dory Funk Sr. appeared first on Shut Up And Wrestle with Brian Solomon ....
May 22, 2025•1 hr 17 min
Hello, wrestling fans, and welcome to Episode #170 of Shut Up and Wrestle, with Brian R. Solomon. This week, Brian is joined by “Blue Meanie” Brian Heffron to remember the life and legacy of the legendary Sabu, who passed away several days ago at the age of 60. Meanie recalls some classic moments from ECW … Continue reading Episode 170: The Blue Meanie Remembers Sabu → The post Episode 170: The Blue Meanie Remembers Sabu appeared first on Shut Up And Wrestle with Brian Solomon ....
May 14, 2025•1 hr 23 min
Hello, wrestling fans! It’s time for Episode #169 of Shut Up and Wrestle, with Brian R. Solomon! This week, Brian welcomes MLW and AAA commentator Joe Dombrowski to the show! Listen in as Brian and Joe discuss the glories of old-school wrestling VHS tapes, as well as Joe’s current efforts to make as much vintage … Continue reading Episode 169: Joe Dombrowski → The post Episode 169: Joe Dombrowski appeared first on Shut Up And Wrestle with Brian Solomon ....
May 07, 2025•1 hr 30 min
Hello, wrestling fans! It’s time for Episode #168 of Shut Up and Wrestle, with Brian R. Solomon! This week, Brian welcomes author and podcaster Lavie Margolin to the show! Lavie is one half of the Business of the Business podcast, and author of the 2018 book TrumpMania: Vince McMahon, WWE and the Making America’s 45th … Continue reading Episode 168: Lavie Margolin → The post Episode 168: Lavie Margolin appeared first on Shut Up And Wrestle with Brian Solomon ....
Apr 30, 2025•1 hr 20 min
Hello, wrestling fans! It’s time for Episode #167 of Shut Up and Wrestle, with Brian R. Solomon! This week, Brian welcomes collector, historian and old-school wrestling fan supreme Tom Burke back to the show! Tom brings his 65+ years as a wrestling fan to bear on another wonderful conversation that encompasses Paul Bowser’s Bedlam from … Continue reading Episode 167: Tom Burke Returns → The post Episode 167: Tom Burke Returns appeared first on Shut Up And Wrestle with Brian Solomon ....
Apr 23, 2025•1 hr 16 min
Hello, wrestling fans! It’s time for Episode #166 of Shut Up and Wrestle, with Brian R. Solomon! This WrestleMania week, Brian welcomes longtime WWF photographer Tom Buchanan back to the show to remember the first WrestleMania and beyond! Tom talks all about getting started with the WWF in 1985, and his sixteen subsequent years with … Continue reading Episode 166: Tom Buchanan Talks WrestleMania → The post Episode 166: Tom Buchanan Talks WrestleMania appeared first on Shut Up And Wrestle with Br...
Apr 16, 2025•1 hr 19 min
Hello, wrestling fans! It’s time for Episode #165 of Shut Up and Wrestle, with Brian R. Solomon! This week, Brian welcomes former WWF Magazine editor Ed Helinski to the show! Brian and Ed both worked for WWE Publications in different eras, and in this conversation they compare notes, but also–Ed shares incredible stories and memories … Continue reading Episode 165: Ed Helinski → The post Episode 165: Ed Helinski appeared first on Shut Up And Wrestle with Brian Solomon ....
Apr 09, 2025•1 hr 25 min
Hello, wrestling fans! It’s time for Episode #164 of Shut Up and Wrestle, with Brian R. Solomon! This week, Brian welcomes Mike Bessler of Pro Wrestling Illustrated to the show! This week’s joyful conversation includes loads of warm nostalgia, and not just wrestling nostalgia, but a discussion of the appeal of nostalgia in general. Plus, … Continue reading Episode 164: Mike Bessler → The post Episode 164: Mike Bessler appeared first on Shut Up And Wrestle with Brian Solomon ....
Apr 02, 2025•1 hr 22 min
Hello, wrestling fans! It’s time for Episode #163 of Shut Up and Wrestle, with Brian R. Solomon! This week, Brian welcomes Barbara Goodish, the widow of the legendary Bruiser Brody, to the show. Brian and Barbara discuss her late husband’s incredible legacy, his imitators, his relationship with many of the power broker businesses, his philosophy … Continue reading Episode 163: Barbara Goodish → The post Episode 163: Barbara Goodish appeared first on Shut Up And Wrestle with Brian Solomon ....
Mar 26, 2025•1 hr 22 min
Hello, wrestling fans! It’s time for Episode #162 of Shut Up and Wrestle, with Brian R. Solomon! This week, Brian’s great friend and colleague, the author and historian Keith Elliot Greenberg, returns to discuss his new book, BIGGER! BETTER! BADDER! WRESTLEMANIA III AND THE YEAR IT ALL CHANGED. Come for the in-depth conversation on WrestleMania … Continue reading Episode 162: Keith Elliot Greenberg Returns → The post Episode 162: Keith Elliot Greenberg Returns appeared first on Shut Up And Wrest...
Mar 19, 2025•1 hr 18 min
Hello, wrestling fans! It’s time for Episode #161 of Shut Up and Wrestle, with Brian R. Solomon! This week, Brian welcomes wrestling historian, author and super-fan George Schire back to the show for a classic old-school conversation. George is one of top authorities on the AWA, but is here this time to talk not only … Continue reading Episode 161: George Schire Returns → The post Episode 161: George Schire Returns appeared first on Shut Up And Wrestle with Brian Solomon ....
Mar 12, 2025•1 hr 28 min
“I knew every day I woke up I was the best wrestler alive, I went to bed knowing it. I didn’t think about it, it was so natural.” It’s time to go back into the Brian R. Solomon archives this week for a 2006 interview Brian did with “The Nature Boy” Ric Flair! The interview … Continue reading Episode 160: From the Archives – Ric Flair → The post Episode 160: From the Archives – Ric Flair appeared first on Shut Up And Wrestle with Brian Solomon ....
Mar 05, 2025•47 min
Hello, wrestling fans! It’s time for Episode #159 of Shut Up and Wrestle, with Brian R. Solomon! This week, Brian welcomes longtime WWE TV producer Tom Carlucci to the show! Tom has some priceless stories of working for the company from 1988 all the way to 2020, including riding with Gorilla Monsoon, working with Vince … Continue reading Episode 159: Tom Carlucci → The post Episode 159: Tom Carlucci appeared first on Shut Up And Wrestle with Brian Solomon ....
Feb 26, 2025•1 hr 13 min
Hello, wrestling fans! It’s time for Episode #158 of Shut Up and Wrestle, with Brian R. Solomon! This week, author and journalist Steven Johnson returns to the show to discuss his new book, Jim Londos: The Golden Greek of Professional Wrestling! Londos was in many ways the greatest star that pro wrestling ever produced, and … Continue reading Episode 158: Steven Johnson Talks Jim Londos → The post Episode 158: Steven Johnson Talks Jim Londos appeared first on Shut Up And Wrestle with Brian Solom...
Feb 19, 2025•1 hr 23 min
Hello, wrestling fans! It’s time for Episode #157 of Shut Up and Wrestle, with Brian R. Solomon! This week, Brian welcomes to the show, the General Manager of Monday Night Raw himself, Adam Pearce! Not only can Adam be seen on Raw each and every week, but he also happens to be a 5-time NWA … Continue reading Episode 157: Adam Pearce → The post Episode 157: Adam Pearce appeared first on Shut Up And Wrestle with Brian Solomon ....
Feb 12, 2025•1 hr 4 min
Hello, wrestling fans! It’s time for Episode #156 of Shut Up and Wrestle, with Brian R. Solomon! Something a little different this week, as by popular demand, Brian pays tribute to his grandfather, Anthony Salica. Often referred to on the show, Brian wanted to pay tribute to his late grandfather on the occasion of his … Continue reading Episode 156: Remembering My Grandfather → The post Episode 156: Remembering My Grandfather appeared first on Shut Up And Wrestle with Brian Solomon ....
Feb 05, 2025•2 hr 6 min
Hello, wrestling fans! It’s time for Episode #155 of Shut Up and Wrestle, with Brian R. Solomon! This week, Brian welcomes wrestling’s leading financial reporter and analyst, Brandon Thurston of Wrestlenomics, to the show! Brandon joins Brian to discuss the business of professional wrestling, how attention to TV ratings have changed over the years, plus … Continue reading Episode 155: Brandon Thurston → The post Episode 155: Brandon Thurston appeared first on Shut Up And Wrestle with Brian Solom...
Jan 29, 2025•1 hr 19 min
