Tag Archives: WWF

Episode 123: WWE Employee Roundtable 2

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 on life in Titan Tower, and on the road!

This one’s got more inside WWE stories than you can shake a stick at, so pull up a chair and take a listen!

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

Episode 121: From the Archives – Rowdy Roddy Piper, Part 2

“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 of They Live, his many fallen comrades, Hulk Hogan’s acting chops, the time he and Ric Flair got stuck in Santo Domingo, and much more.

It’s Brian’s personal favorite interview from his seven years with WWE, and he’s excited and proud to finally share it in its entirety.

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

Episode 120: From the Archives – Rowdy Roddy Piper, Part 1

“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 part one of that interview!

Listen to Roddy as he expounds on the psychology of being a heel, talks about the time Jonny Fairplay tried to kill him, remembers the infamous MSG bagpipes rib, and so much more.

And be sure to come back next week for part two!

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

Episode 119: Brad Balukjian

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 part in it–plus Brian even shares a few memorable stories of his own time working behind the scenes for Vince.

Another amazing look behind the curtain this week on Shut Up and Wrestle!

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

Episode 114: WWE Employee Roundtable

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 Deb Jaswaye, and former WWE.com web editor Lou DiPietro, engage in a frank, nuanced discussion of what it was like to work inside the WWE machine.

It’s a complex, in-depth discussion and an emotional rollercoaster you won’t want to miss.

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

Episode 109: Melissa Costabile

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 and Brian take a look back at working for the McMahons, popping up on Monday Night Raw, and navigating the strange waters of WWE.

Vince rides his motorcycle, Shane vs. Stephanie, Benoit takes a nap, Stone Cold cracks up, plus much more…

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

Episode 105: From the Archives – Bruno Sammartino

“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 Sammartino!

The interview took place on the occasion of the passing of Bruno’s former manager Arnold Skaaland, but Bruno candidly discussed a wide range of topics, including his issues with WWE, the Hall of Fame, the infamous night he lost the title, and much more!

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

Episode 102: Jon Finkel

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, as Brian talks to Jon about his work researching and writing about the one and only Macho Man.

Ride the lightning bolt this week with Shut Up and Wrestle, dig it!

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

Episode 98: Steve Dworkin

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 a unique perspective from a lifelong wrestling aficionado!

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

Episode 94: Andrew Wilson

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 anywhere else, from a creative standpoint from inside Titan Tower at the time.

From the nWo in Stamford, to the importance of Austin 3:16, to lunch with The Rock, it’s all here and a lot more.

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