Tag Archives: WWE

Episode 245: Raj Giri

Hello, wrestling fans! It’s time for Episode #245 of Shut Up and Wrestle, with Brian R. Solomon!

This week, Brian welcomes internet wrestling pundit Raj Giri to the show! In addition to being the founder of WrestlingInc and a highlight of Wrestling Twitter, Raj also grew up a fan of wrestling in the ’80s and ’90s, and speaks with Brian this week about his fandom, as well as how wrestling differs then vs. now, and the trials and tribulations of tweeting about wrestling in 2026.

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

Episode 244: Joe Marotta Talks Sid in the WWF

Hello, wrestling fans! It’s time for Episode #244 of Shut Up and Wrestle, with Brian R. Solomon!

Joe Marotta is back this week to discuss the phenomenon of Sid in the WWF! It’s a continuation of Joe and Brian’s previous discussions of pre-WWF creations who made legacies in the WWF, including Ric Flair, Lex Luger and the Road Warriors.

Whether it was as Sid Justice, Sycho Sid or just plain Sid, the former Sid Vicious made major waves in the WWF over the years, after first making his name in WCW. This week’s episode pays episode to the Master and the Ruler of the World.

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

Episode 242: Frank Mandolini

Hello, wrestling fans! It’s time for Episode #242 of Shut Up and Wrestle, with Brian R. Solomon!

This week, Brian welcomes to the show, from across the Atlantic Ocean in Italy, Frank Mandolini!

A former wrestling podcaster and contributor to Pro Wrestling Illustrated, Frank joins the show with a unique perspective on the history of wrestling in Italy–both WWE/WCW as well as Italy’s own long-forgotten pro wrestling legacy!

Hear about how over Nunzio was in the early 2000s! Bruno Sammartino’s visits to his homeland! Plus lots more stuff on Italian culture, movies and language than you’ll ever hear on any other wrestling podcast!

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

Episode 241: Jeff Bowdren Talks the Best of the 1980s

Hello, wrestling fans! It’s time for Episode #241 of Shut Up and Wrestle, with Brian R. Solomon!

This week, Brian welcomes back to the show Jeff “The Booker” Bowdren, to discuss his new book, The Best of the ’80s: One Man’s Choices for the Best Matches of a Decade of Change!

It’s a far-reaching conversation about the best matches of that unforgettable decade and what made them great. Plus: The greatness of Jimmy and Gary Hart! The underrated Hulk Hogan! And even some movie talk!

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

Episode 240: Brad Balukjian Returns

Hello, wrestling fans! It’s time for Episode #240 of Shut Up and Wrestle, with Brian R. Solomon!

This week, Brian welcomes back to the show writer and historian Brad Balukjian, author of THE SIX-PACK!

Brian and Brad discuss their latest Patreon project, breaking down the WWF Big Event, 40 years later. Plus, there’s talk of attendance figures in wrestling, including that elusive WrestleMania III number…

Plus– Brian’s take on the Star Wars prequels/sequels, as if you needed that…

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

Episode 233: Ed Helinski Returns

Hello, wrestling fans! It’s time for Episode #233 of Shut Up and Wrestle, with Brian R. Solomon!

This week, former WWF Magazine editor Ed Helinski returns, with more inside stories from 1980s Titan Sports! There’s some Jim Barnett talk, we get into some of the infamous scandals of the time… Plus, those glorious localized promos, the wonder of squash matches, and a whole lot more!

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

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.

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.

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.

Episode 220: Noah Tarnow

Hello, wrestling fans! It’s time for Episode #220 of Shut Up and Wrestle, with Brian R. Solomon!

Get ready for some sweet ’80s nostalgia, as Brian welcomes ’80s wrestling fan, pop culture aficionado and quizmaster Noah Tarnow to the show!

Listen in as two disgruntled GenXers explain exactly why wrestling in the ’80s was so much better! Brian and Noah also get into the ’90s rebirth of their fandom, and exactly what made it all so special.

Learn how wrestling killed Brian’s high school romance! Get into the psychology of Big Boss Man vs. Nailz! Hear Noah’s first-hand experience of being at WrestleMania III! Find out why the Honky Tonk Man broke Brian and Noah’s heart! All this and more await you…

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