Ep. 68 - 'The Brain, The Brilliance & The Boss' with British indie wrestling manager & wrestler, Big Manager Blanch

Chris welcomes back to the show wrestling writer, podcaster and ex-WWE Magazine editor Brian R. Solomon to discuss his newest release 'Irresistable Force', the long-awaited biography of wrestling icon Gorilla Monsoon.Monsoon was a larger-than-life character on- and off-screen and the voice of an entire generation of wrestling fans growing up in the 80s and 90s, but his story is one that has never been told in full - until now, and Brian Solomon is the man for the job.In this episode, Brian discusses the reasons behind wanting to bring Gorilla's story to the masses, the people he worked with to make it happen and the challenges in piecing together such a storied life and career, which included in-ring rivalries with Bruno Sammartino, becoming one of the key figures at the top of Capitol Wrestling alongside Vince McMahon Snr. and of course his legendary on-screen moments and real-life friendship with Bobby 'The Brain' Heenan.'Irresistable Force' is available to buy as of 30th September in the US, and due for release in the UK around November 2025.For his latest and upcoming news and events, be sure to follow Brian's social media pages and website:Website: https://brianrsolomon.wixsite.com/authorFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/BrianSolomonWriterInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/brianrsolomon/X: https://x.com/brianrsolomon#OnceUponATurnbuckle #podcast #interview #BrianRSolomon #GorillaMonsoon

Aaron Blanchard has been a recognisable face on the British indie scene for many years now, and after 3 years he makes his return to Once Upon A Turnbuckle to discuss his new ringside venture as Big Manager Blanch, not only manager, cheerleader and cohort of 'The Brilliance' James Ellis, but also the current Commissioner and Worldwide Champion of VCW Pro!In his latest visit to the show, Blanch discusses the roots of his latest personal, the chemistry between himself and The Brilliance and also a delve into the legendary wrestling managers of yesteryear that have inspired and shaped his character in and outside of the ring.For all his latest news, updates and appearences, be sure to check out Big Manager Blanch on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bigmanagerblanch/#OnceUponATurnbuckle #interview #BritishWrestling #indiewrestling #BigManagerBlanch

In this week's episode of Once Upon A Turnbuckle, Chris is joined by renowned podcaster and author Ben Veal, host of the famous 'Wrestling Life with Ben Veal' podcast and more recently co-author of the incredible autobiography of WWE and WCW legend Marc Mero, 'Badd to Good'.Ben discusses his earliest childhood memories of wrestling, which event captured and secured his lifelong fandom, through to the role of his first podcast Good Journeys in creating and establishing Wrestling Life with Ben Veal as one of the most recognised wrestling podcasts in the industry, and of course how he became the man to help tell Marc Mero's amazing life story.Ben releases a new episode of Wrestling Life Online every Tuesday, so be sure to subscribe and check out all of his previous interviews with wrestling greats past and present: https://www.youtube.com/@UCJWcY3n_ypqnj9vRp4lnRkg Be sure to also check out Ben's social pages to keep up-to-date with all latest news and future releases:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wrestlinglifeonline/ and https://www.instagram.com/benvealwrites/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wrestlinglifeonlineWebsite: https://www.wrestlinglife.online/ #onceuponaturnbuckle #podcast #BenVeal #WrestlingLifeOnline #interview

Wrestling fans of a certain age will take any opporunity to travel back in time to the golden days of the early-90s WWF. For us in the UK, it was a time where WWF was everywhere - on our TVs (if you were lucky enough to have Sky), on our newsstands, toy shops and even amongst our favourite snacks and in the pop charts!With his new book 'Rampage', author Lee Herbert has done what no-one else has before - taking us back in time to the era where the WWF exploded onto the scenes in the UK, giving us an insight into all the players that made it happen - including the top guys from Merlin (who gave us those gorgeous sticker albums) and Silver Vision (who gave us our loibrary of VHS tapes) amongst others.Lee drops into Once Upon A Turnbuckle to chat about his new book, the journey it took him on from inception to publication, and his own fond memories of being a childhood wrestling fan in the 90s.'Rampage' is available to order NOW via https://rampagebook.myshopify.com/ and https://www.wrestlinglife.online/The book is also available in eBook format from Amazon:https://amzn.eu/d/ePu2iDuTo keep up-to-date with Lee's latest news and future releases, be sure to follow him on social media:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wwframpagebook/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61568342758142To keep up-to-date with Chris' latest shows and news, be sure to follow his social media:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/onceuponaturnbuckle/ and https://www.instagram.com/thestorymanuk/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OnceUponATurnbuckle and https://www.facebook.com/DMTPodNet#OnceUponATurnbuckle #podcast #90swrestling #WWF90s #RampageBook

A lot has happened in the world of Jon Walker and  @SlammastersWrestling  since Chris last chatted to him on the show nearly 4 years ago! Back in 2021, Jon and his Slammasters co-founder Big D had a few shows under their belts after Covid derailed plans temporarily, and fast-forward a few years and the organisation is thriving, having found a spiritual home in Portland House in Cardiff, and fresh off the back of the latest show in which former WWE US and Cruiserweight champion Kalisto (now known as Samuray del Sol) made his debut!In this episode, Jon discusses attracting and working with international stars like Kalisto, Doug Williams, Danhausen, Rhyno and Eric Young, the quality Slammasters staple stars like Man Like Dereiss and 'The Brilliance' James Ellis and also the meteoric rise of the inaugural Slammasters Women's Champion Mariah May, who has since gone on to great success in AEW and to her recent debut in NXT.For those wrestling fans who love a story of dedication, commitment, the love of the one true sport and seeing the benefits of some good old-fashioned hard work, this one is for you!To keep up-to-date with all of the upcoming news and events from Slammasters Wrestling, be sure to check out their social media pages:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/slammasterswrestling/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/slammasterswrestlingTo buy tickets for their upcoming show 'Final Fall at the Banking Hall' on Sunday 19th October, go to the official Slammasters website: www.slammasterswrestling.comTo keep up-to-date with latest news and future episodes of the podcast:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OnceUponATurnbuckleInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/onceuponaturnbuckle#SlammastersWrestling #Cardiff #onceuponaturnbuckle #podcast

In this episode, Chris sits down with Buddy Sotello Esq., who is something of a rarity in today's wrestling world - a heel manager with old school values and a talent for knowing how to create real believable heat with the crowd."The Master of the Contract" discusses his earliest memories of discovering wrestling in his childhood, the in-ring and ringside performers who inspired him, and the influences behind his own persona.We hear just some of his memories training and working independent promotions including All Pro Wrestling and Pro Wrestling Iron, taking bumps and working the crowd to create what he calls "Buddy's pockets of hate."As the first wrestling manager to appear thus far on Once Upon A Turnbuckle, this is definitely a perspective that wrestling enthusiasts will want to miss!Be sure to check out Buddy's podcast 'Wrestling & Everything - Coast to Coast', with co-host Evan Ginzburg:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WrestlingAndEverythingCoasttoCoastYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O4eRXnG48lo&list=PLZVZEnLbi7l57A_i6ddz-zpxFn_rpHAVH#onceuponaturnbuckle #podcast #BuddySotelloEsq #wrestlingmanager #interview

Wrestling fans of the '90s and 00s will best remember  @StroMaestro  as WCW's classical eccentric, The Maestro, but as we find out soon enough he had already had quite the storied career before even reaching Atlanta.From his early days in collegiate wrestling, to being for the professional ranks by legends Ivan Koloff and Nelson Royal, to his runs in Jim Cornette's Smoky Mountain Wrestling and USWA, en route to learning about his familial link to Gorgoeus George, tag-teaming with Jake 'The Snake' Roberts in Mexico and then eventually answering a call from 'Macho Man' Randy Savage which took him to WCW.Along the way, we are treated to some awesome wrestling trivia too, including "Which soon-to-be-famous WWF/E gimmick was Rob Kellum first considered for?"This is a must-see for all old-school and 90s wrestling fans!To keep up-to-date with Rob Kellum's latest news and appearances, be sure to follow his social media pages:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/StroTheMaestroInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/maestrorobkellumX: https://www.x.com/thestroTo donate to Rob's GoFund me:https://gofund.me/6f8d3938#OnceUponATurnbuckle #90sWrestling #00sWrestling #WrestlingLegends #TheMaestro #PapaStro

If you're looking for someone with some wrestling stories to tell - look no further!Evan Ginzburg is the Senior Editor for Pro Wrestling Stories and a contributing writer since 2017. He’s a published author, with his latest book, "Wrestling Rings, Blackboards, and Movie Sets," released on January 7th, 2025. He was an Associate Producer on the Oscar-nominated movie "The Wrestler" and the acclaimed wrestling documentary "350 Days." He is a 30-plus-year film, radio, and TV veteran and a voice-over actor on the radio drama "Kings of the Ring."In this episode, Evan chats to Chris about his life in and around wrestling, including:- His role and influence on set of hit movie, 'The Wrestler'- Improvising a scene for the movie with Mickey Rourke- Friendships and road stories with the likes of Johnny Valiant, Nikolai Volkoff and the Iron Shiek- His documentary movie '350 Days', which lifted the veil on the real-life experiences on the road through the lens of greats such as Bret 'Hitman' Hart, 'Superstar' Billy Graham, The Iron Shiek and Ox Baker- Old school versus current generation of wrestling- Evan's new memoir, 'Wrestling Rings, Blackboards & Movie Sets'And much more!Evan's new book is available now on Amazon:https://www.amazon.com/Wrestling-Rings-Blackboards-Movie-Sets-ebook/dp/B0DSB3Q25C?ref_=ast_author_dpTo keep up-to-date with Eva's latest news and musings, be sure to check out his Facebook page and group:https://www.facebook.com/EvanGinzburgsOldSchoolWrestlingMemories#OnceUponATurnbuckle #wrestling #podcast #wrestlingauthor #EvanGinzburg

When British wrestling sensation Rhiannon Jade was last on the show (as Echo Reed) her wrestling story was still in it's infancy and many a chapter was yet to be written. Fast forward 4 years and boy does she have some tales to tell!From moving from Devon to Wales to further her career, two summers spent training and performing under WWE legend Dr. Tom Prichard in the US through to making her TNA debut against a former Knockouts World Champion and winning her most important title yet...it's all here!This is certainly one you do not want to miss!#OnceUponATurnbuckle #podcast #RhiannonJade #britishwrestling

In this episode, Chris welcomes British wrestling star 'The Stallion' Chris Bronson to the show's 60th episode.Chris B shares his early memories of wrestling and beyond, including:- the first superstars that captivated him on screen;- the moment when he decided to go beyond fandom and pursue a career in the ring;the legendary names in British wrestling that he has learn from en route to becoming one of the brightest talents on the British wrestling scene;Forming the faction 'FourFront' with The Blockbusters and 'The Brilliance' James Ellis;His recent return to New Wave Wrestling to assist Ellis in capturing the heavyweight title,And much more!Sharing a love of old school wrestling, the two Chrises also find time to chat about The Stallion's choices for his wrestling Mount Rushmore, his dream WrestleMania opponent and even his take on the upcoming Cena-Cody showdown.To keep up-to-date with Chris Bronson's latest news and appearances, be sure to following him on his socials:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100075934617594Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chris__bronson/#onceuponaturnbuckle #podcast #StallionChrisBronson #ChrisBronson #BritishWrestling