Hello, wrestling fans! It’s time for Episode #136 of Shut Up and Wrestle, with Brian R. Solomon! This week, Brian is joined by promoter and longtime fan of professional wrestling and all things pop culture, Dan Farren! Dan has been a fan of the business and a denizen of the California/lucha libre wrestling scene for over 50 years, and has a wealth …

Hello, wrestling fans! It’s time for Episode #135 of Shut Up and Wrestle, with Brian R. Solomon! This week, Brian is joined by prolific wrestling podcaster and 1980s/90s WWF enthusiast Joe Marotta! Brian and Joe get deep into the weeds on all the announcers of the classic WWF, most notably Gorilla Monsoon, but also Bobby Heenan, Jesse Ventura, Vinc…

Hello, wrestling fans! It’s time for Episode #134 of Shut Up and Wrestle, with Brian R. Solomon! This week, join Brian for a roundtable discussion with both John McAdam and Steve Gennarelli of the Stick to Wrestling podcast! John and Steve have been deep diving into the 1984 WWF expansion on their show, and this week Brian gets a chance to pick the…

This week, Brian remembers the late, great Kevin Sullivan, sharing a November 2019 interview with Sullivan that was conducted in preparation for the writing of Brian’s biography of The Sheik, Blood and Fire. Kevin speaks not only about his close relationship with that other great wrestling icon, but also goes into detail on his thoughts and philoso…

Hello, wrestling fans! It’s time for Episode #132 of Shut Up and Wrestle, with Brian R. Solomon! This week, Brian is joined by Lucha Libre AAA superstar, Sam Adonis! With 16 years in the business across multiple organizations and countries, Sam has a unique perspective on pro wrestling, which is also informed by his vast appreciation for its histor…

Hello, wrestling fans! It’s time for Episode #131 of Shut Up and Wrestle, with Brian R. Solomon! This week, Toronto promoter Mike Clark makes his return to the podcast! Mike was a member of the Jack Tunney Toronto wrestling office during the WWF’s national expansion, and has lots more memories to share. Plus, he’s got a new nostalgia show happening…

Hello, wrestling fans! It’s time for Episode #130 of Shut Up and Wrestle, with Brian R. Solomon! This week, Brian is joined by wrestling critic/historian and lifelong fan, Verb Abrams! He’s the author of a recent Slam Wrestling piece on the phenomenon of 1960s wrestling sensation Ted Boy Marino, the biggest wrestling star in the history of Brazil, …

Hello, wrestling fans! It’s time for Episode #129 of Shut Up and Wrestle, with Brian R. Solomon! This week, Brian welcomes to the show Herb Gerwig, the son of Killer Karl Kox! Herb discusses the life and legacy of his dad, one of the most accomplished and respected wrestlers of the heyday of the territorial era. No one could get heat like the Kille…

Hello, wrestling fans! It’s time for Episode #128 of Shut Up and Wrestle, with Brian R. Solomon! This week, one of Brian’s most popular guests–author, editor and musician Mike Edison–returns to the show to discuss the strange phenomenon known as “wrestling journalism”. From the days of the kayfabe magazines right up to the head-scratching “press sc…

Hello, wrestling fans! It’s time for Episode #127 of Shut Up and Wrestle, with Brian R. Solomon! This week, Brian is joined by independent wrestler “The Cure” Lucas Chase! In addition to being a student of Dustin Rhodes, Lucas is a student of the history of the business, and is here to discuss that history from the point of view of someone who appl…

Hello, wrestling fans! It’s time for Episode #126 of Shut Up and Wrestle, with Brian R. Solomon! It’s time to go back to the message board days this week, as Brian welcomes to the show Vince Fahey, creator and founder of Kayfabe Memories! Brian talks with Vince about the creation of legacy of this unique … Continue reading Episode 126: Vince Fahey …

Hello, wrestling fans! It’s time for the 125th episode of Shut Up and Wrestle, with Brian R. Solomon! Argentina’s bizarre and wonderful Titanes en el Ring! The wild and wacky world of wrestling in Southern California! The beautiful legacy of classic lucha libre! All that and so much more are on tap as we welcome … Continue reading Episode 125: Vand…

Hello, wrestling fans! It’s time for Episode #124 of Shut Up and Wrestle, with Brian R. Solomon! What’s it like to be married to someone who won’t shut up about Frank Gotch and Baron Mikel Scicluna? Who uses the Mid-South theme song to lull the baby back to sleep? Find out this week, when Brian … Continue reading Episode 124: Jaimee Smith-Solomon →…

Hello, wrestling fans! It’s time for Episode #123 of Shut Up and Wrestle, with Brian R. Solomon! Join Brian this week for his second roundtable of former WWE employees. Johnny “Photo” Giamundo, former head photographer; Melissa Costabile of Publications; and Dave Barry of Creative Services sit down to discuss their unique memories and perspectives …

Hello, wrestling fans! It’s time for Episode #122 of Shut Up and Wrestle, with Brian R. Solomon! This week, Brian is joined by legendary ring announcer, David Penzer! David has a new book out about his years in WCW, Sitting Ringside. He talks about that, plus growing up on Florida and Georgia wrestling, the ill-fated … Continue reading Episode 122:…

“Why am I still alive? A question I ask myself a lot… God takes care of fools and babies.” We go back into the archives this week for part 2 of Brian’s July 2006 interview with Roddy Piper! Turn back the clock and hear Roddy talk about the infamous Lord Alfred Hayes rib, the making … Continue reading Episode 121: From the Archives – Rowdy Roddy Pip…

“If you have any creativity in you, and you have enough balls, there’s nothing that you can’t do in that squared circle… And that’s freedom.” In the summer of 2006, Brian went to a warehouse in Utica, New York and spent two hours interviewing Roddy Piper. We go back into the archives this week for … Continue reading Episode 120: From the Archives –…

Hello, wrestling fans! It’s time for Episode #119 of Shut Up and Wrestle, with @BrianRSolomon! This week, Brian is joined by Brad Balukjian, author of The Six Pack: On the Open Road in Search of WrestleMania! Brad discusses his interesting new book on the early years of Vince McMahon’s WWF and the wrestlers who took … Continue reading Episode 119: …

Hello, wrestling fans! It’s time for Episode #118 of Shut Up and Wrestle, with Brian R. Solomon! This week, Brian is joined by Arcadian Vanguard’s very own Lou Kipilman! Join Brian and Lou for a conversation that wanders everywhere. Hollywood voiceover legends! San Francisco wrestling history! NWA World Champion Harley Race in the WWF! Samoans! … C…

Hello, wrestling fans! It’s time for Episode #117 of Shut Up and Wrestle, with Brian R. Solomon! This week, Brian is joined by the accomplished wrestling promoter and historian, Matt Farmer! Join Brian and Matt for a discussion of old school vs. new school, WWF vs. NWA, the life of a wrestling researcher, Singapore, the … Continue reading Episode 1…

Hello, wrestling fans! It’s time for Episode #116 of Shut Up and Wrestle, with Brian R. Solomon! This week, Brian is joined by wrestling reporter and interviewer, Pro Wrestling Illustrated’s own Candace Cordelia! Join Brian and Candace for a discussion of PWI, wrestling reality shows, women’s wrestling, early 2000s fandom, life on the red carpet … …

Hello, wrestling fans! It’s time for Episode #115 of Shut Up and Wrestle, with Brian R. Solomon! This week, Brian is joined by DeSean “Whipdog” Whipple and Mr. Joe Walker of the Wrestling Heroes and Insiders Podcast! It’s an in-depth three-man panel talking about everything from the ins and outs of wrestling journalism, to hip-hop … Continue readin…

Hello, wrestling fans! It’s time for Episode #114 of Shut Up and Wrestle, with Brian R. Solomon! In honor of WrestleMania week, and in light of recent discussions of WWE corporate culture, Brian has put together a roundtable of former WWE employees. Brian and his guests, former head of security Jimmy Noonan, former creative director … Continue read…

Hello, wrestling fans! It’s time for Episode #113 of Shut Up and Wrestle, with Brian R. Solomon! This week, Brian is joined by vintage wrestling footage curator extraordinaire, Kris P. Lettuce! The proprietor of Armstrong Alley on YouTube and the keeper of the best wrestling Google Drive in existence, the elusive Mr. Lettuce joins Brian … Continue …

Hello, wrestling fans! It’s time for Episode #112 of Shut Up and Wrestle, with Brian R. Solomon! This week, Brian is joined by Portland Wrestling historian, Mike Rodgers! Recipient of the 2019 Jim Melby Award from the Cauliflower Alley Club, Mike is the author of such books as The Encyclopedia of Portland Wrestlers, Katie Bar … Continue reading Epi…

Hello, wrestling fans! It’s time for Episode #111 of Shut Up and Wrestle, with Brian R. Solomon! This week, Brian is joined by Colin Hunter, the man behind Kayfabe News! Colin has also spent time as a wrestling referee, and created the documentary, The Ref Didn’t See It. We chat about everything from the importance … Continue reading Episode 111: C…

Hello, wrestling fans! It’s time for Episode #110 of Shut Up and Wrestle, with Brian R. Solomon! This week, Brian is joined once again by Mike Sempervive to remember the life, career and legacy of Ole Anderson. Mike has done extension work commemorating the legacy of Mid-Atlantic Championship Podcast and elsewhere, and he and Brian … Continue readi…

Hello, wrestling fans! It’s time for Episode #109 of Shut Up and Wrestle, with Brian R. Solomon! This week, Brian is joined by his former WWE Publications colleague Melissa Costabile for a trip back to Titan Tower! Melissa has loads of amusing tales and anecdotes from her days in Stamford, so listen in as she … Continue reading Episode 109: Melissa…

Hello, wrestling fans! It’s time for Episode #108 of Shut Up and Wrestle, with Brian R. Solomon! This week, Brian is joined by longtime pro wrestling journalist, author and historian, Steve Johnson! Listen in for a conversation on the inner workings of the craft of writing wrestling books, not to mention a dip into history … Continue reading Episod…

Hello, wrestling fans! It’s time for Episode #107 of Shut Up and Wrestle, with Brian R. Solomon! This week, Brian is joined by fellow Pro Wrestling Illustrated contributor and advocate of women’s wrestling, Kristen Ashly! Join us for a look at wrestling past and present, and where women have fit into that equation. From Fabulous … Continue reading …

Hello, wrestling fans! It’s time for Episode #106 of Shut Up and Wrestle, with Brian R. Solomon! This week, Brian is joined by Jon Langmead, author of BALLYHOO: THE ROUGHHOUSERS, CON ARTISTS AND WILD MEN WHO INVENTED PROFESSIONAL WRESTLING! It’s a deep dive into early 20th history wrestling history, including Jim Londos, Jack Curley, Joe … Continue…

“Those people were loyal, they believed. I used to get goosebumps, after all those years, because every time I showed my face in the Garden, the whole building would start chanting, ‘Bruno! Bruno!'” We go back into the Brian R. Solomon archives this week for a 2007 interview Brian did with “The Living Legend” Bruno … Continue reading Episode 105: F…

Hello, wrestling fans! It’s time for Episode #104 of Shut Up and Wrestle, with Brian R. Solomon! This week, Brian is joined by the most recognizable lucha libre fan in the world, Roy Lucier! Brian and Roy discuss lucha and its proud traditions and influence on American wrestling, as well as Japanese wrestling, and even … Continue reading Episode 10…

Hello, wrestling fans! It’s time for Episode #103 of Shut Up and Wrestle, with Brian R. Solomon! This week, Brian is joined by film critic, film maker and wrestling aficionado BJ Colangelo for a discussion of The Iron Claw! BJ shares the experience of attending the Iron Claw premiere in Dallas, plus we give our … Continue reading Episode 103: Discu…

Hello, wrestling fans! It’s time for Episode #102 of Shut Up and Wrestle, with Brian R. Solomon! This week, Brian is joined by Jon Finkel, author of the upcoming book, Macho Man: The Untamed, Unbelievable Life of Randy Savage! It’s a deep dive into the life and career of one of wrestling’s most popular figures, … Continue reading Episode 102: Jon F…

Hello, wrestling fans! It’s time for Episode #101 of Shut Up and Wrestle, with Brian R. Solomon! This week, Brian is joined by devoted old school fan and frequent Stick to Wrestling co-host, Steve Gennarelli! Join Steve and Brian for a conversation that covers everything from Bruno’s HOF induction, possible heat between Flair and The … Continue rea…

The epic 100th episode of Shut Up and Wrestle is upon us, and Brian has a guest worthy of that milestone–none other than Jim Cornette! The Louisville Lip and leader of the Cult of Cornette is here to discuss his years in WWE and OVW, his legendary gift of gab, breaking into the business, and … Continue reading Episode 100: Jim Cornette → The post E…

Hello, wrestling fans! It’s time for Episode #99 of Shut Up and Wrestle, with Brian R. Solomon! This week, Brian is joined by Arcadian Vanguard editor and producer, Jayce Naccarato! Jayce shares his interesting perspectives on becoming a fan in the early 2000s, discovering wrestling history, the merits and pitfalls of the “dirtsheets”, the frustrat…

Hello, wrestling fans! It’s time for Episode #98 of Shut Up and Wrestle, with Brian R. Solomon! This week, Brian is joined by 65-year wrestling fan and former USA Network engineer Steve Dworkin! From Haystacks Calhoun to Triple H, Steve has encountered countless stars over the years, and shares many of his priceless stories! It’s … Continue reading…

Hello, wrestling fans! It’s time for Episode #97 of Shut Up and Wrestle, with Brian R. Solomon! This week, Brian is joined by the host of SiriusXM’s Busted Open Radio, Dave LaGreca! Brian and Dave talk about their early wrestling fandom in the Northeast back in the ’80s and ’90s, wrestling radio call-in shows, the … Continue reading Episode 97: Dav…

Hello, wrestling fans! It’s time for Episode #96 of Shut Up and Wrestle, with Brian R. Solomon! This week, it’s the second and final part of my in-depth discussion of the 2023 Observer Hall of Fame ballot, with the returning Mike Sempervive! We had such a great time getting into the weeds with this, so … Continue reading Episode 96: Wrestling Obser…

Hello, wrestling fans! It’s time for Episode #95 of Shut Up and Wrestle, with Brian R. Solomon! It’s Thanksgiving week, and Mike Sempervive returns to the show for Part 1 of a two-part discussion of this year’s Wrestling Observer Hall of Fame ballot! It’s WON HOF season, and we talk all about our own picks, … Continue reading Episode 95: Wrestling …

Hello, wrestling fans! It’s time for Episode #94 of Shut Up and Wrestle, with Brian R. Solomon! This week, Brian is joined by a long-time WWE colleague, former WWF/E Creative Director Andrew Wilson! It’s a deep dive into the inner workings of the New Generation/Attitude/Ruthless Aggression era WWF/E the likes of which you won’t hear … Continue read…

Hello, wrestling fans! It’s time for Episode #93 of Shut Up and Wrestle, with Brian R. Solomon! This week, Brian is joined by one of wrestling media’s most prominent figures, Figure Four Weekly and Wrestling Observer Radio’s own Bryan Alvarez! Join Brian and Bryan as they discuss growing up as wrestling fans and translating that … Continue reading …

Hello, wrestling fans! It’s time for Episode #92 of Shut Up and Wrestle, with Brian R. Solomon! This week, UK wrestling historian Bradley Craig returns to the podcast! Brian and Brad continue their discussion, from way back in Episode 24, on the history of UK wrestling and the impact of US companies, plus they talk … Continue reading Episode 92: Br…

Hello, wrestling fans! It’s time for Episode #91 of Shut Up and Wrestle, with Brian R. Solomon! This week, Brian is joined by wrestling journalist and Slam Wrestling contributor Jamie Hemmings! Join Brian and Jamie for a discussion of wrestling journalism, the joy of magazines, and the evolution of women’s wrestling, plus our hot takes … Continue r…

Hello, wrestling fans! It’s time for Episode #90 of Shut Up and Wrestle, with Brian R. Solomon! The following podcast is set for one fall, with a one-hour time limit! This week, Brian is joined by legendary ring announcer, Gary Michael Cappetta! Gary shares with Brian the story of growing up a wrestling fan and … Continue reading Episode 90: Gary M…

Hello, wrestling fans! It’s time for Episode #89 of Shut Up and Wrestle, with Brian R. Solomon! This week, Brian is joined by Pro Wrestling Illustrated Senior Writer, Harry Burkett! Join Brian and Harry for a discussion of the nostalgia of wrestling magazines (which may even include a bit about apartment wrestling), as well as … Continue reading Ep…

Hello, wrestling fans! It’s time for Episode #88 of Shut Up and Wrestle, with Brian R. Solomon! This week, Brian is joined by accomplished wrestling historian and author Tim Hornbaker! Brian and Tim discuss Tim’s new book, The Last Real World Champion: The Legacy of “Nature Boy” Ric Flair, plus Tim’s other books and his … Continue reading Episode 8…

Hello, wrestling fans! It’s time for Episode #87 of Shut Up and Wrestle, with Brian R. Solomon! This week, Brian is joined by former WWF and Raw Magazine writer Robert Bledsoe! Robert shares lots of memorable stories, including visiting The Hardys’ North Carolina compound and his encounters with the McMahons, plus learn how he blew … Continue readi…