Tag Archives: WWF

Podcast

Episode 205: Jimmy Korderas

Hello, wrestling fans! It’s time for Episode #205 of Shut Up and Wrestle, with Brian R. Solomon!

This week, Brian welcomes to the show one of the most instantly recognizable wrestling referees of all time, Jimmy Korderas.

From the mid 1980s through the 2000s, Jimmy worked for the WWF/WWE (as well as Jack Tunney’s Toronto office), and saw it all during that time as one of wrestling’s third men in the ring.

Join Brian and Jimmy for a fascinating conversation on in-ring psychology, the changing role of the referee over the years, the value of house shows, and so much more.

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

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Podcast

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.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Podcast

Episode 202: Joe Marotta Talks Ric Flair in the WWF

Hello, wrestling fans! It’s time for Episode #202 of Shut Up and Wrestle, with Brian R. Solomon!

This week, Joe Marotta joins Brian for a record-setting fourth time, this time to discuss the early 1990s run of Ric Flair in the WWF.

Brian and Joe discuss all the what-ifs, as well as all the highs and lows of this important, if relatively short phase of the Nature Boy’ legendary career.

From the Piper feud to facing Hogan at MSG to the Royal Rumble, WrestleMania VII and the war for Miss Elizabeth, to dropping the title to Bret Hart and more, it’s all here.

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

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Podcast

Episode 201: From the Archives – Hulk Hogan

“I wanted to become the Babe Ruth of the WWF. I wanted to go down as the guy that was responsible for the foundation of what we’ve laid out.”

As a Christmas gift to listeners, Brian R. Solomon has dug into his audio archives for this 2002 interview with Hulk Hogan.

Recorded at Hogan’s home in Clearwater, Florida, shortly after Hogan’s historic match with The Rock at WrestleMania X8, it’s a snapshot of a moment in time, with Hulkamania breaking loose in WWE one last time.

The Hulkster discussed his comeback, his falling out with the comeback, his legacy and so much more, including a look back at his most iconic in-ring rivals.

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

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Podcast

Episode 200: John “Bradshaw” Layfield

He’s the Wrestling God. He’s a WWE Hall of Famer. He was the longest-reigning world champion in SmackDown history. And this week, John “Bradshaw” Layfield is the special guest for the 200th episode of Shut Up and Wrestle with Brian R. Solomon!

Listen in as Brian and JBL talk wrestling history, including the Von Erichs, Memphis, New York and more! John talks about his memorable interview of Bruno Sammartino, his years as a young fan in Texas and his memories of Gorilla Monsoon, among many other things.

Celebrate Episode 200 with the one and only JBL.

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

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Podcast

Episode 192: From the Archives – Maureen Marella

“My husband used to say to me, the only ones you got to worry about is me and you. So don’t ask me anything about the business. And I never did. I said OK. When the phone rang, and he was in his office, I closed the door. I didn’t wanna know nothing.”

In July 2023, Brian R. Solomon interviewed Maureen Marella, the widow of Gorilla Monsoon, for his book, Irresistible Force: The Life and Times of Gorilla Monsoon. It was the only interview she would ever give.

Although Mrs. Marella was never able to officially be a guest on the podcast due to her passing last February, this week Brian is dipping into his archives to share that 2023 book interview. It provides unique insights and memories from a woman who was true wrestling royalty.

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

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Podcast

Episode 190: James Dixon

Hello, wrestling fans! It’s time for Episode #190 of Shut Up and Wrestle, with Brian R. Solomon!

This week, Brian welcomes author James Dixon to the show to talk about his new book on wrestling in 1992, Titan Shrinking: How Wrestling’s Muscle Lost Its Power.

It’s a deep dive into the WWF (and a little WCW) in that tumultuous year. If you’re a fan of that era, or looking to learn more, this is the show for you.

Bret vs. Davey! Irwin R. Schyster! Nailz attacks Vince! Sid gets suspended! Papa Shango! All that and more this week on Shut Up and Wrestle.

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

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Podcast

Episode 189: Valerie Marella-Jankowski

Hello, wrestling fans! It’s time for Episode #189 of Shut Up and Wrestle, with Brian R. Solomon!

Brian’s guest this week, for the first time ever on any podcast, is Valerie Marella-Jankowski, the daughter of Gorilla Monsoon!

IRRESISTIBLE FORCE: THE LIFE AND TIMES OF GORILLA MONSOON has finally arrived, and it would not be what it is without Valerie’s participation and support. This week, she’s here to talk about her memories of her dad, and everything he meant to the business.

Plus, Valerie dishes the dirt about the time Ivan Putski killed her hamster. It’s gonna be a happening!

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

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Podcast

Episode 188: Sean Mooney

Hello, wrestling fans! It’s time for Episode #188 of Shut Up and Wrestle, with Brian R. Solomon!

Straight out of the WWF Event Center, it’s the one and only Sean Mooney, Brian’s guest this week!

Sean and Brian were unable to connect during the process of IRRESISTIBLE FORCE, Brian’s book on Gorilla Monsoon, but Sean is here this week to talk about his memories of Gorilla, as well as others like Bobby Heenan, Mean Gene, Lord Alfred Hayes and many others he worked with during his memorable run with the WWF of the late ’80s and early ’90s.

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

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Podcast

Episode 187: From the Archives – Shawn Michaels

“I do know that at least at one time in my 21 years of doing this, I was better than absolutely anybody else… Around ’96/97, I don’t think there was anybody better than me at that time.”

We go back into the Brian R. Solomon archives again this week on Shut Up and Wrestle, for a 2006 interview Brian did with the Heartbreak Kid himself, Shawn Michaels!

Recorded at the time of the DX revival, it’s a candid conversation in which Shawn discusses his comeback, his faith, his reputation, changes in the locker room, the Barbershop, the Kliq, and his status among the all-time greats.

Plus, Brian even got him to talk about Playgirl and his “Sexy Boy” theme song, among other things…

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

Podcast: Play in new window | Download