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

Brian R. Solomon Talks "Irresistible Force," Gorilla Monsoon