Podcast

Episode 230: George Schire Strikes Again

Hello, wrestling fans! It’s time for Episode #230 of Shut Up and Wrestle, with Brian R. Solomon!

This week, George Schire returns to the show once again for a far-ranging conversation about vintage professional wrestling of the 1950s-1980s!

In praise of Nick Bockwinkel! The struggles of being a wrestling memorabilia collector! Bruno Sammartino’s estate sale! The changing nature of kayfabe! And so much more…

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

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Podcast

Episode 229: Dan Higgins

Hello, wrestling fans! It’s time for Episode #229 of Shut Up and Wrestle, with Brian R. Solomon! This week’s guest is Dan Higgins, author of the new book, Lords of the Ring: The World According to Wrestling.

It’s a far-reaching conversation looking at pro wrestling from a social, political and cultural perspective, including the changing face of women’s wrestling, problematic gimmicks of the past, kayfabe in the political space, the genius of Andy Kaufman, and a whole lot more.

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

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Podcast

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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Podcast

Episode 227: Ben Lewin

Hello, wrestling fans! It’s time for Episode #227 of Shut Up and Wrestle, with Brian R. Solomon!

This week’s guest is one of Brian’s fellow Titan employees of the early 2000s, Ben Lewin.

Ben is here this week to reminisce with Brian about working for WWF/E back in the day, including Ben’s experiences on both the corporate and TV side! And most importantly, we get into the all-important question: Is he related to Mark Lewin? The answer is yes and no…

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

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Podcast

Episode 226: Mailbag Episode, w/Jayce Naccarato

Hello, wrestling fans! It’s time for Episode #226 of Shut Up and Wrestle, with Brian R. Solomon!

This week, Shut Up and Wrestle is dipping back into the mailbag, as Brian answers questions submitted by podcast listeners on the SUAW Facebook page–with the help of Arcadian Vanguard’s own Jayce Naccarato.

Brian talks about his time at WWE, his writing, his opinions on wrestling history and more. From his research on Gorilla Monsoon, to his phone conversation with Nancy Benoit, to the greatness of Ray Stevens, to what they really thought about Eugene and Katie Vick in Titan Tower, and much more.

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

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Podcast

Episode 225: Maxwell Jacob Friedman

Hello, wrestling fans! It’s time for Episode #225 of Shut Up and Wrestle, with special guest Maxwell Jacob Friedman!

This week, Brian R. Solomon chats with MJF about old-school territorial wrestling, and its value to wrestlers and wrestling today.

The AEW World champion shares his love of stuff like Freebirds vs. Von Erichs, the greatness of Nick Bockwinkel, his pick for greatest wrestling promo of all time, Buzz Sawyer, Adrian Adonis, Mid-South, World Class, Portland and much more.

Plus: How Max met Cody! The champ’s opinions on the AEW roster! Why Roddy Piper deserved to be WWF Champion! Why every wrestler owes a debt of gratitude to Hall and Nash! And more…

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

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Podcast

Episode 224: Mike Murphy

Hello, wrestling fans! It’s time for Episode #224 of Shut Up and Wrestle, with Brian R. Solomon!

This week’s guest is political consultant, screenwriter and old school wrestling fan Mike Murphy.

Mike has worked in politics for decades, and knows full well how much that world has in common with the world of pro wrestling. This week, he and Brian discuss those intersections, plus his experiences as a young fan in the Detroit area, the fine art of storytelling in wrestling, the universality of kayfabe and a whole lot more!

Where else can you listen to a conversation that includes mentions of Jesse Helms, George HW Bush and Mitt Romney, as well as Dick the Bruiser, The Sheik and Jerry Lawler?

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

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Podcast

Episode 223: Alison Lyn Miller

Hello, wrestling fans! It’s time for Episode #223 of Shut Up and Wrestle, with Brian R. Solomon!

This week’s guest is Alison Lyn Miller, author of the new book, Rough House: A Father, a Son and the Pursuit of Wrestling Glory!

Brian talks with Alison on the history of Georgia wrestling and its current thriving indie scene, as well as thoughts on Ted Turner and his importance to the wrestling business, and much, much more.

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

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Podcast

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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Podcast

Episode 221: Steven Bell Talks Big Daddy vs. Giant Haystacks

Hello, wrestling fans! It’s time for Episode #221 of Shut Up and Wrestle, with Brian R. Solomon!

Returning to the show this week to discuss his new book, Big Daddy vs. Giant Haystacks: A Super Heavyweight Story, is author and historian Steven Bell!

Steve and Brian delve into the history of wrestling in Great Britain going back nearly a century. It’s a fascinating history lesson this week, centered on the UK’s ultimate in-ring showdown.

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

Podcast: Play in new window | Download