Tag Archives: NWA

Podcast

Episode 238: The NWA World Champions Series, Part 13 – Ric Flair

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.

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Episode 236: Greg Klein Returns

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.

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Episode 234: The NWA World Champions Series, Part 12 – Dusty Rhodes

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.

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Episode 231: Joe Marotta Talks the Road Warriors in the WWF

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 in wrestling history during the 1980s and 1990s. Their WWF period(s) played a part in that, for good and for bad, and Brian and Joe get into both.

From the Demolition feud, to the tag team title trifecta, to the return of Paul Ellering, and yes, even to Rocco the Dummy and LOD 2000, it’s all here.

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

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Episode 228: The NWA World Champions Series, Part 11 – Harley Race

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 earth, Handsome Harley Race.

Dan Murphy, this year’s winner of the Jim Melby Award from the Cauliflower Alley Club and a noted author and historian, joins Brian to get into the weeds on just what made Race so great, and why he stood out so much from the champions before and after.

From his great matches and classic opponents like Dusty Rhodes, Dory Funk Jr., Jerry Lawler, Superstar Billy Graham and so many more, to his classic promos and reputation in the business, it’s all here.

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

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Episode 222: The NWA World Champions Series, Part 10 – Terry Funk

Hello, wrestling fans! It’s time for Episode #222 of Shut Up and Wrestle, with Brian R. Solomon! It’s part ten of the NWA Word Champions Series, with special guest Dr. Tom Prichard.

This week, we look at the career, and especially the NWA World title reign, of Terry Funk, from 1975-1977. Known as one of the greatest of all time, Terry was a unique kind of champion, and represented a turning point in the history of the title, as Brian and Dr. Tom get into on this episode.

For the second Funk family member to win the gold, it was a pinnacle of a career that, in hindsight, was just getting started. So saddle up as we pay a visit this week to the Double Cross Ranch!

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

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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