Shut Up and Wrestle with Brian Solomon

Ciao, wrestling fans! It’s time for Episode #246 of Shut Up and Wrestle, with Brian R. Solomon!

This week, Brian welcomes Italian wrestler and historian Il Drago to the show for an in-depth discussion on the pre-WWF history of professional wrestling in Italy. Following up on the recent episode with Frank Mandolini, this week we take an even deeper dive into this unique and largely unknown area of wrestling history.

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

The post Episode 246: Il Drago Speaks on Pro Wrestling in Italy appeared first on Shut Up And Wrestle with Brian Solomon.

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.

The post Episode 245: Raj Giri appeared first on Shut Up And Wrestle with Brian Solomon.

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.

The post Episode 244: Joe Marotta Talks Sid in the WWF appeared first on Shut Up And Wrestle with Brian Solomon.

Hello, wrestling fans! It’s time for Episode #243 of Shut Up and Wrestle, with Brian R. Solomon!

This week features the man who puts the 500 in the PWI 500, the one and only Sidney Bakabella!

Brian and Mr. Bakabella discuss his auspicious ranking in this year’s 500, as well as the legacy of the PWI 500 itself, as well as his unique wrestling persona and the love of wrestling history that he brings to the indie circuit.

Plus–in defense of Bob Backlund! The genius of Capt. Louis Albano! Larry Zbyszko, master psychologist! And a whole lot more.

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

The post Episode 243: Sidney Bakabella Returns appeared first on Shut Up And Wrestle with Brian Solomon.

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.

The post Episode 242: Frank Mandolini appeared first on Shut Up And Wrestle with Brian Solomon.

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.

The post Episode 241: Jeff Bowdren Talks the Best of the 1980s appeared first on Shut Up And Wrestle with Brian Solomon.

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.

The post Episode 240: Brad Balukjian Returns appeared first on Shut Up And Wrestle with Brian Solomon.

Hello, wrestling fans! It’s time for Episode #239 of Shut Up and Wrestle, with Brian R. Solomon!

This week, Brian dips back into his audio archive to share a 2020 interview he conducted with Canadian journeyman wrestler “Beautiful” Bruce Swayze, who just passed away last week at the age of 84.

Conducted during the writing of Blood and Fire, the interview includes Bruce’s remembrances of The Sheik, as well as his own experiences working in Ontario, Buffalo, the Carolinas and other places for a variety of promoters over the course of his 25-year career.

It’s a look back at one of the many hard-working wrestlers who made their living in the territorial era, and whose memories must be preserved.

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

The post Episode 239: From the Archives – Bruce Swayze appeared first on Shut Up And Wrestle with Brian Solomon.

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.

The post Episode 238: The NWA World Champions Series, Part 13 – Ric Flair appeared first on Shut Up And Wrestle with Brian Solomon.

Hello, wrestling fans! It’s time for Episode #237 of Shut Up and Wrestle, with Brian R. Solomon!

This week, Brian welcomes back to the show writer and historian Jon Langmead, for a conversation on eccentric mid 20th century wrestling promoter Jack Pfefer.

Brian and Jon compare notes on their visits to the Jack Pfefer Archive at Notre Dame University. Plus, an important conversation on the problem of generative AI in the world of wrestling history writing and research.

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

The post Episode 237: Jon Langmead Talks Jack Pfefer appeared first on Shut Up And Wrestle with Brian Solomon.