{"type":"rich","version":"1.0","provider_name":"Transistor","provider_url":"https://transistor.fm","author_name":"The Retro Wrestling Archive Podcast Network","title":"Retro Wrestling with Gene Jackson – Episode #38: Author/Podcaster/Historian Brian R. Solomon","html":"","width":"100%","height":180,"duration":4208,"description":"This week, Gene sits down with the acclaimed wrestling author and historian Brian R. Solomon, the man behind two of the best biographies ever written about professional wrestling:Blood & Fire: The Unbelievable Real Life Story of The Original SheikIrresistible Force: The Life and Times of Gorilla Monsoon\nIn this deep, candid conversation, Gene and Brian talk about:\nThe creative process of tackling massive subjects like The Sheik and Gorilla Monsoon\nHow Brian unearthed lost history about Capitol Wrestling Corporation, Toots Mondt, and Vince McMahon Sr.\nMonsoon’s transformation from a 400-pound “Manchurian Giant” into one of the most beloved commentators in wrestling\nThe real story behind Gorilla’s family life, his friendship with Bobby Heenan, and his shocking in-ring moment with Big Van Vader\nWhy so many great wrestling stories are nearly impossible to tell—and what makes them worth fighting to preserve\nIt’s one of the most insightful, fascinating, and downright fun interviews we’ve ever done on Retro Wrestling.If you’re a fan of Gorilla Monsoon, The Sheik, or classic wrestling history, this is must-hear stuff!\nListen now and check out Brian’s podcast “Shut Up and Wrestle” Get Irresistible Force and Blood & Fire on Amazon.\n\nThis is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit retrowrestlingarchive.substack.com","thumbnail_url":"https://img.transistorcdn.com/kf0ZTqBFprO952Wt3UH_SshPb356wrIpWyiK4IH5dYc/rs:fill:0:0:1/w:400/h:400/q:60/mb:500000/aHR0cHM6Ly9pbWct/dXBsb2FkLXByb2R1/Y3Rpb24udHJhbnNp/c3Rvci5mbS8wZjBl/YThhYzQ4MDZkNjRm/MzY2YTlmNDRiMDRj/NmY4Mi5wbmc.webp","thumbnail_width":300,"thumbnail_height":300}