Episode 167: Tom Burke Returns

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 Boston, the great Killer Kowalski, Jack Pfefer, Tommy Dee and much more.

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

Episode 166: Tom Buchanan Talks WrestleMania

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 the company, including memories of other early WrestleManias. Plus, Tom’s unique friendship with Lord Alfred Hayes, and more.

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

Episode 165: Ed Helinski

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 from being in on the ground floor at Titan Sports during the national expansion days.

From Jim Barnett to Tony Altomare to Mel Phillips to Chief Jay Strongbow and more, Ed has some tales to tell that you’re not going to want to miss.

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

Episode 164: Mike Bessler

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, Mike talks his love of Memphis wrestling, and Mike and Brian discuss how they first became wrestling media professionals.

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

Episode 163: Barbara Goodish

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 toward the business, and so much more.

And yes, the mysterious beef with Gorilla Monsoon is mentioned, as is The Berzerker. All that and more!

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

Episode 162: Keith Elliot Greenberg Returns

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 III and the WWF’s national expansion, stay for the theology lesson, and the ethics of kayfabing your children about wrestling.

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

Episode 161: George Schire Returns

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 about the greatness of Verne Gagne, Nick Bockwinkel and Dick the Bruiser, but also the classic NWA World champions, the legacy of Bruno Sammartino, Flair/Steamboat and so much more.

It’s the kind of conversation that this podcast was created for, and we hope you enjoy it!

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

Episode 160: From the Archives – Ric Flair

“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 took place during a WWE Magazine photo shoot in Utica, New York, and features Slick Ric discussing everything from his insecurities, his skills as a heel and his second divorce, to his arrests, his favorite matches and why Rudy is his favorite movie of all time.

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

Episode 159: Tom Carlucci

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 McMahon and Kevin Dunn, rubbing shoulders with the likes of Mean Gene, Jesse the Body and more.

Tom had quite an interesting run with WWE, and is here this week to share some great memories and insights on the show.

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

Episode 158: Steven Johnson Talks Jim Londos

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 Steve and Brian go in-depth on exactly why that was, as well as Londos’ legacy to the business in general.

It’s a journey back in time to the first half of the 20th century and the accomplishments of the immortal Golden Greek.

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