Tag Archives: NWA

Episode 218: The NWA World Champions Series, Part 9 – Jack Brisco

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 NCAA heavyweight title to the NWA heavyweight title in the pro ranks, Brisco was one of the most formidable athletes the business ever produced, and elevated the NWA belt just by his holding it.

From the infamous Funk truck accident to the title switch with Giant Baba to the rigors of the road and so much more, Jerry speaks at length about his very favorite topic of conversation.

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

Episode 211: The NWA World Champions Series, Part 8 – Dory Funk Jr.

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 an expert on the Funk family and West Texas wrestling (among many other things.) This week, he’s here to take a look at the man who held the title for four years, and is currently the earliest living former champ.

From the backstage machinations of the NWA, to Dory’s role in Vietnam-era America, to the war with the Briscos and the infamous “truck accident”, it’s all here, and then some.

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

Episode 209: Gary Juster

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 Holland Hotel! Rubbing elbows with Willie Gilzenberg! Dinner with Ole Anderson! All that and more, this week on Shut Up and Wrestle.

Episode 207: The NWA World Champions Series, Part 7 – Gene Kiniski

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 look at the three-year reign of “Big Thunder”, plus his time in the WWWF, the AWA, the WWA and more!

It’s a look back at the real “Canada’s Greatest Athlete” this week on Shut Up and Wrestle!

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

Episode 203: The NWA World Champions Series, Part 6 – Buddy Rogers

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. This week, we look at the original Nature Boy and his massive influence on the future of the business.

The Bruno/Buddy beef! Attacked by Karl Gotch! The record Comiskey crowd! All that and more!

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

Episode 195: The NWA World Champions Series, Part 5 – Pat O’Connor

Hello, wrestling fans! It’s time for Episode #195 of Shut Up and Wrestle, with Brian R. Solomon! It’s part five of the NWA Word Champions Series, with special guest Herb Simmons.

NWA champ from 1959 into 1961, Pat O’Connor took the title out of its Dick Hutton doldrums, and was the bridge between the golden age of the ’50s and the more tumultuous 1960s, when the sovereignty of the title would be challenged.

The birth of the AWA! Pat wrestles Luca Brasi! Pat passes on Ric Flair! Grumpy Lou Thesz! All that and more!

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

Episode 191: The NWA World Champions Series, Part 4 – Dick Hutton

Hello, wrestling fans! It’s time for Episode #191 of Shut Up and Wrestle, with Brian R. Solomon! It’s part four of the NWA Word Champions Series, with special guest Mike Chapman.

Despite being the hand-picked successor to Lou Thesz and NWA World champion from 1957-1959, Dick Hutton is the least discussed titleholder from the classic NWA World title era. This week, we do him justice with a look into his life, career and accomplishments.

Plus, more on Thesz, some talk about Danny Hodge, and even a little boxing talk!

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

Episode 184: The NWA World Champions Series , Part 3 – Whipper Billy Watson

Hello, wrestling fans! It’s time for Episode #184 of Shut Up and Wrestle, with Brian R. Solomon! It’s part three of the NWA Word Champions Series, with special guest Greg Oliver.

Although often considered one of the “forgotten” NWA World champs, Whipper Billy Watson was not only a significant figure in the history of the title, but also one of, if not THE greatest pro wrestling star in Canadian history.

Canada’s premier wrestling journalist, Greg Oliver, joins Brian this week to discuss Watson’s amazing legacy, and his place in wrestling history.

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

Episode 177: Rick Del Santo

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 fans, it’s all here.

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

Episode 176: The NWA World Champions Series, Part 2 – Lou Thesz

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 with Nomellini, Hutton, Carpentier, Watson and Rogers… How Thesz was at the center of the NWA/AWA/WWWF world title splintering of the early ’60s… Plus, Strangler Lewis tries to get Lou to forgive Toots Mondt, and much more!

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