In this episode of The Mount Rushmore of Wrestling, Eric and Nate welcome author and wrestling historian Brian R. Solomon—former WWF Magazine and WWE.com writer, current journalist, and host of Shut Up and Wrestle. Brian joins the show to discuss his new book, Irresistible Force: The Life and Times of Gorilla Monsoon, a definitive look at one of wrestling’s most respected figures inside and outside the ring.

From Gorilla’s unexpected path from the squared circle to the commentary booth, to the stunning revelation that he was once earmarked to take over the WWF from Vince McMahon Sr., Brian shares his deep research, interviews, and personal insights into what made Gorilla Monsoon both a giant in stature and a giant in legacy.

The conversation explores:

• Brian’s lifelong love of writing and wrestling
• How WrestleMania III sparked his fandom
• The lost archives of 1960s wrestling footage and how historians preserve the past
• What might have happened if Gorilla had inherited the company
• The making of Irresistible Force and the surprising “gorilla-isms” appendix fans demanded

Brian also opens up about what didn’t make the book—including Gorilla’s old-school values and a telling story from a party at Hulk Hogan’s house.

Listen for: Brian's Mount Rushmore of wrestling play-by-play announcers, the secret side of Gorilla Monsoon, and the enduring art of telling wrestling’s greatest stories.

Get Irresistible Force: The Life and Times of Gorilla Monsoon on Amazon: https://amzn.to/4oeNhIs

Follow Brian R. Solomon:

• 🎧 Shut Up and Wrestle podcast — wherever you get your podcasts
• 💬 Twitter / Instagram: @BrianRSolomon
• 💻 Patreon: patreon.com/shutupandwrestle

Pro wrestling’s play-by-play announcers have shaped how we remember the biggest matches and wildest moments, turning our absurd fascination into lasting memories. From thunderous calls to smooth credibility to down-home honesty, these voices were the soundtrack of wrestling history.

On this episode of The Mount Rushmore of Wrestling, Eric and Nate ask: Who belongs on the ultimate monument of play-by-play announcers? Which voices defined eras, elevated stars, and connected fans to the action like no one else? And which near-misses and honorable mentions sparked the fiercest debate? Listen in!

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SHOW NOTES AND SPOILERS

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Jim Ross' Greatest Calls: "Shaking Hands With Satan Himself!"

Jim Ross Being A National Treasure For 25 Minutes Straight

Heenan Tributes Monsoon

Gorilla Monsoon & Bobby Heenan: Laughing Compilation

Lance Russell Tribute 1926-2017

Gordon Solie: WWE Hall of Fame Video Package [Class of 2008]

Ric Flair on Solie: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZOz2Q9f8r1w

Kevin Sullivan on Solie: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1FsrGELy9AM

Best of Lance Russell Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KTS3JDUwzD0&list=PLrceIZkpzcEtdd-LRQj_NyQV_dGG0a4G5

Jim Cornette and Jerry Lawler: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gWfwiiQ7eNw

Tons of Joey Styles links:

Shane Douglas: https://youtu.be/6cyPCx80e98?si=7tEyXIo9u-IaW5wf&t=87 to 4:55, kinda long

RVD: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/qZPhkPeXm5U

Stevie Richards: https://youtu.be/lKsXHPJI1E4?si=RVN2QEoN-gXa6QGe&t=11

Jim Ross: https://youtu.be/i-yTV81EfOM?si=jlkxVjM5S57G91DR&t=103 to 2:12

"One Night Stand" intro: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=deqJCOsqjqU

IMPORTANT NOTE: In this episode, I (Eric) was struggling to think of another way of saying a wrestler was being held down in terms of booking, and, like an idiot, I made a “put a knee on his neck” reference. I swear there was something else on my mind, but I couldn’t think of it, like a body part on another body part. And in my haste and confusion, I said it again. And as I was saying it, I felt 10 times stupider. I really do apologize for making that reference. I think the real-life scenario was absolutely awful, and I’m dumb for using it as an analogy for anything, let alone on this show.

Isn't it frustrating to see a pro wrestler on your screen who you know has the whole package: they can wrestle, they can talk, they don't look like a schlub, and they clearly want to grab that brass ring... but the front office keeps yoinking it away. When the gap between ability and booking is too hard to overcome, you've got an underutilized wrestler, and that's what Nate and Eric discuss in this episode. Who are the shoulda woulda couldas of pro wrestling--the ones who were around but not used as well or as much as they should have been? Who had more than just potential but *proof* that they could go, but they weren't allowed? Listen in and find out!

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SHOW NOTES AND SPOILERS

Larry Zbyszko on Lord Steven Regal in WCW

Arn Anderson On Why William Regal Ranks In His Top Ten

RVD on Bam Bam Bigelow

The perfect Mr. Perfect Tribute Video

Jim Cornette on If The Great Muta Could Have Been A Babyface World Champion

Shane Douglas on Why Great Muta is so Respected

When you're a huge, dorky, nerdy wrestling fan like Nate and Eric, you often end up where the wrestlers are. In this episode, the guys remember their favorite interactions with professional wrestlers over the years. At the arenas, conventions, halls of fame, airports, parking lots... even over the phone? Listen in for some incredible, ridiculous brushes with pro wrestling greatness.

ALSO:

"The Tecmo Bowl" documentary lawsuit has been dropped, and the trailer is back up and live on YouTube! Watch Nate superkick a steel chair into Eric's face, among other Tecmo footage, here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wAaVt4Waceo

SHOW NOTES:

Bruiser Brody vs Bulldog Bob Brown Feud. 1986

IPW - Woodward Academy Highlights - Nov 15, 2014

Eric's "artistic success and financial failure" only show he's ever promoted: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S-HMdFFqQAw&list=PLidcTPhAYcQuyKTEyW4yQZMp_fXQwu8c3&pp=gAQB

We're back! We're here, we're finally not too tired to record, and we're chatting about what we did during our eight-or-so-week hiatus this summer. What kept Nate and Eric busy? Who reached out wondering if we were OK? And what's coming in the near (and a little farther out) future with the boys and the show? Stay tuned!

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SHOW NOTES

Public Access Wrestling, our basement wrestling league from high school: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CCqAUynM2is

"The Tecmo Bowl" documentary IMDB listing: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt15366926/?ref_=fn_all_ttl_1

Eric's silly commercial for his copywriting book: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/ericdnelsonin_what-did-i-do-oh-yeah-i-wrote-a-book-activity-7357026928911900672-K6iH?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop&rcm=ACoAAAPx49cBslTS-ggU2qoPdbIifARrs6eZFGY

Tragos/Thesz Hall of Fame: https://www.facebook.com/GeorgeTragosLouTheszProWrestlingHallOfFame/

Get ready for a blazing conversation as this week's episode sparks an explosive debate: Who belongs on the Mount Rushmore of Pyro in pro wrestling? From fireballs to fireworks, we’re breaking down the entrances that lit up arenas—and left lasting impressions. We’re talking fiery finishes, iconic eruptions, and the flames that fueled larger-than-life characters. Whether you're into hellfire, spark curtains, or smoke-breathing spectacles, this one brings the heat. Tune in for bold picks, hot takes, and maybe a few sick burns along the way.

SHOW NOTES AND SPOILERS

Baptista: https://youtu.be/fWaCzY5xf8A?si=aWA3O7twdB_jm33k&t=242

A fan sneaks backstage: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EeTMkRKqmkw

Duane Gill "Gillberg" entrance on RAW 1/11/1999 - YouTube

That's gotta be... that's gotta be KANE! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ASmdxXaOzd4

Kane New entrance 2012 - YouTube

Kane's Pyro Scared Coach Out Of His Chair YouTube

The Brood's Gothic Entrance

The Brood Entrance Was DANGEROUS

Gangrel Explains The Brood’s EPIC Entrance

Bill Goldberg's Greatest entrance - YouTube

Batista's Epic Entrance on RAW (Oct. 6, 2008) - YouTube

Edge returns at the Royal Rumble 2020: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zrLt2KGRMPs

Edge uses all the pyro: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6GFVJHCF0UQ

Edge's WrestleMania 24 entrance: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VRDZCg69lj8

Booker T's best entrance (of thousands): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FuSMA0fxVNw

Not all heroes wear capes, not all kings wear crowns—and in pro wrestling, some don’t even want them. This week, Eric and Nate climb the royal mountain to name their Mount Rushmore of the King of the Ring. Who used the tournament to launch a legendary career? Who embraced the gimmick and ruled with an iron fist? And who just beat a few guys and vanished into the midcard wilderness? We’re breaking down which winners truly wore the crown—and which ones just kept the cape warm.

We’re talking tournament performances, character transformations, long-term booking impact, and that promo that changed wrestling forever. All hail the kings—just maybe not Mabel. (R.I.P.)

Got your own picks? Hit us up and let us know who you’d crown.

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SHOW NOTES AND SPOILERS

• Owen Hart makes history: King of the Ring 1994 - YouTube
• The reign of King Booker: WWE Playlist
• King Booker Was Hilariously Entertaining - YouTube
• Who remembers KING BOOKAAAAHHH? https://www.youtube.com/shorts/BLOiRBQIplo
• Is King Booker the greatest king ever? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OIGyYwLzjks
• Bret Hart vs. Bam Bam Bigelow: King of the Ring 1993 - YouTube
• Remind me, what did Austin 3:16 say? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tjWPoQWdmjg

In honor of Father's Day, Nate Merz takes the reins and dedicates an episode to the hardest working guys in the profession, Wrestling Father Figures. Who gave their "kids" the best opportunities? The most daddy issues? And whose legacy still lives on even after a ladder match for custody of a child and the identity of the real father is still up in the air? Forget Maury Povich, because Nate Merz is about to show you who's your daddy--give it a listen!

SHOW NOTES

Cricket Sounds - Crickets Chirping at Night - Nature Sounds for Sleep & Relaxation - 11 Hours

Shrek (2001) - I’m All Alone

“IM YOUR PAPI”! #wwe #reymysterio #eddieguerrero #youtubeshorts #dominikmysterio #smackdown

Dominik Mysterio wishes he was Eddie Guerrero's son

Is Eddie Guerrero Dominik Mysterio’s Real Father?

Kane & Paul Bearer Take A DNA Test Is He The Biological Father Of Kane? 5/18/98

Mr.McMahon’s Illegitimate Son Is Revealed (Shocking) RAW Sep 10,2007

The day Finlay tried to sell Hornswoggle in the Philippines.

Torrie Wilson On The Al Wilson Storyline

Ladies and gentlemen: Al Wilson!!! (AKA "LOOK AT AL! LOOK AT DAWN!")

SmackDown!: Al Wilson's Funeral - 2003