Pro Wrestling Time Tunnel Territory History Show

Episode 65 of the Pro Wrestling Time Tunnel History Show drops this morning, and I’m excited to bring you an absolute gem of a conversation with my special guest, Michael St. John — Memphis Wrestling Hall of Famer and one of the legendary TV announcers for both Nick Gulas and Jerry Jarrett in the classic Tennessee Territory. We sit down and pay our respects to the recent passing of Phil Hickerson, dive deep into the great tag teams that defined Tennessee wrestling, talk about the various TV announcers who helped carry the territory on the airwaves, and explore the fascinating parallels between the wrestling business and the broadcasting world. Michael is a tremendous storyteller with decades of firsthand experience, so this episode is packed with history, insight, humor, and plenty of “you can’t make this stuff up” moments. We go way beyond the surface and cover so much more. If you love old-school Nashville, Birmingham, Hunstville, Chattanooga and Memphis and just good old Tennessee wrestling territory history, this is one you don’t want to miss. Stay tuned for the release — Episode 65 with Michael St. John is coming your way this morning on the Pro Wrestling Time Tunnel History Show! And don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share the show. Chapters (00:00:02) - Pro Wrestling Time Tunnel: Territory History(00:01:52) - Frankincense and Myrrh Soap(00:03:22) - When the AWA debuted in San Francisco(00:08:56) - Michael St. John on WGN Radio(00:14:13) - Phil Hickerson(00:20:55) - Phil Hickerson on Teaming With Al Green(00:29:06) - Tennessee Tag Team Wrestling(00:34:57) - Phil Hickerson on His Leg Breakdown(00:38:00) - Working in television with WWE in 1977(00:40:09) - George Gulas on the Briscoe and Bradshaw Interview(00:45:01) - KICKS104(00:52:08) - The Bicentennial Kings and Harry and Grady Reeves(00:57:45) - Sterling Brewer: Underrated In Birmingham(01:02:55) - What Made Lance Russell So Good?(01:08:10) - Jerry Jarrett on Working For Jerry Jarrett(01:12:41) - Bruno on His Favorite Memories(01:14:21) - Jimmy Kimmel on His Birth and His Heroics(01:15:30) - The Secret to A Good General Manager(01:17:49) - I nearly died during COVID(01:22:12) - Favorite Food in St. Louis, Louisville and Cincinnati(01:26:00) - Michael Jackson in the Studio(01:26:57) - Tony Jones on Jimmy Cornett's '(01:31:18) - The Pro Wrestling Time Tunnel(01:33:46) - We have our mailbag second mailbag issue coming up on June 24(01:35:00) - Pro Wrestling Time Tunnel

It's Episode 64 of The Pro Wrestling Time Tunnel History Show. Today, I’m thrilled to be joined once again by the one and only Pro Wrestling Time Tunnel analyst and special AWA Historian George Schire. We’re stepping back into the Time Tunnel to review the American Wrestling Association in 1976 — a pivotal year in one of wrestling’s most iconic territories. In this episode, George and I break down the major storylines, title scenes, and larger-than-life personalities that defined AWA that year. Nick Bockwinkel was firmly entrenched as the AWA World Heavyweight Champion after dethroning Verne Gagne late in 1975. He carried the promotion with technical mastery and arrogant heel brilliance, defending against top challengers while drawing huge crowds. We talk about his key programs, including those tense encounters with Verne Gagne himself — most notably their big draw in Chicago that kept the title scene sizzling. The tag team division was on fire too. We cover Bobby Duncum and Blackjack Lanza capturing the AWA World Tag Team Titles from the legendary duo of The Crusher and Dick the Bruiser in July. That heel team, backed by Bobby Heenan, brought serious heat and power. Meanwhile, the Bruiser and Crusher remained massive fan favorites and kept the rivalries boiling all year long. We also dive into other standout names and moments: the rising roles of guys like Greg Gagne and Jim Brunzell, appearances and impacts from stars like Billy Robinson, Ray Stevens’ memorable face turn, and even special attractions like Muhammad Ali’s involvement in AWA rings earlier that year to build his Inoki bout. George brings his unmatched knowledge and personal insights from following the territory for decades, painting a full picture of how Verne Gagne’s AWA balanced athleticism, rugged brawling, and strong regional storytelling in the heart of the Midwest. If you love classic territory wrestling — with its blood feuds, scientific matches, wild crowds in places like Chicago, Milwaukee, and the Twin Cities — this one’s for you. George Schire delivers the history like no one else can.Tune in now to Episode 64 and join us as we travel through the Time Tunnel back to AWA 1976. Let’s relive the glory days together! And don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share the show. Chapters (00:00:02) - Pro Wrestling Time Tunnel: The AWA(00:08:00) - Grizzly Up Soap Company(00:09:23) - George Shire On The American Wrestling Association(00:10:42) - Nick Bockwinkle on His Golden Age of Wrestling(00:14:28) - The AWA World Championship Change Hands(00:22:38) - Larry Hennig on His Impact(00:31:06) - Tony Jones on The NWA's Last Great Champion(00:34:13) - Bob Backlund vs Steve Khosrow(00:42:58) - Andre vs Andre in the AWA(00:49:25) - The Valiants Should Have Won the AWA Championship(00:56:13) - Using Wilbur Snyder in the AWA(01:03:36)

Episode 63 of The Pro Wrestling Time Tunnel is live right now!I’m joined today by Gulf Coast Wrestling Historian Michael Norris, who literally grew up in the territory and even laced up the boots and worked as a wrestler there himself. Nobody knows 1976 Gulf Coast Championship Wrestling like Michael does, and he brings the stories, the details, and the memories straight from the locker room. We go month-by-month through one of the wildest years in the territory’s history: the explosive return of Cowboy Bob Kelly, the comeback of Eddie Sullivan, the power of Rip Tyler, the electricity of Sweet Daddy Watts, and a whole lot more. Plus, we take a deep dive into the famous (and still talked-about) shoot incident between The Poffo Brothers and the Original British Bulldogs—Heath & Foley—that went down right in front of the fans.If you love old-school Southern territory wrestling with real heat, real angles, and real characters, this episode is loaded. Tune in this week to the Pro Wrestling Time Tunnel History Show as I sit down with the phenomenal historian, Michael Norris for a complete 1976 GCCW time capsule – the wrestlers, the feuds, the angles, the matches, and the Bicentennial spirit that made it all unforgettable. Let’s take the ride back through the Time Tunnel together. Chapters (00:00:02) - Pro Wrestling Time Tunnel(00:01:00) - St. Louis Wrestling Fan Fest 4(00:06:52) - Gulf Coast Championship Wrestling(00:09:37) - 1976 Gulf Coast Wrestling(00:11:38) - Gulf Coast Championship Wrestling(00:20:01) - Gulf Coast Wrestling: The 60s(00:29:10) - Lee Jones picked up Selma and Montgomery(00:33:18) - WWE on Channel 3 in Pensacola(00:42:23) - Randy and Lanny Poffo Tag Team(00:47:07) - The Pothos vs The British Bulldogs(00:54:32) - John Foley on Training Carl Gotch(00:58:48) - Eddie Sullivan(01:05:17) - Rip and Eddie the Mask Man(01:11:01) - Terry Funk vs Dusty Rhodes in Georgia(01:18:35) - Dutch Mantel vs Rip Steinborn(01:25:59) - Jerry Miller Killed In A Car Crash(01:31:22) - Bob Ellis Was Called Sweet Daddy Banks(01:36:50) - Abdullah the Butcher in 73(01:38:10) - Sweet Daddy Banks vs Levi Banks(01:43:38) - Bootlegger on Selma, Alabama(01:51:01) - Ken Lucas Left NWA Gulf Coast(01:54:49) - Jim Barnett Bought the Gulf Coast Wrestling(02:02:33) - Dothan's TV show(02:03:04) - Bob Jones on Lee Levi and the Gulf Coast(02:09:05) - Gulf Coast Legends(02:11:14) - Grizzly Up Soap(02:15:09) - Tony Richards

This week, we’re firing up the Time Tunnel and heading straight into the heart of the Carolinas and Virginia territory for a full-hour celebration of Jim Crockett Promotions in 1976 – America’s Bicentennial year, when the red, white, and blue was flying high and the squared circle in the Mid-Atlantic was on absolute fire. Joining me is one of the sharpest wrestling historians around when it comes to the JCP territory: Todd Goss!Todd knows this era inside and out – the arenas, the angles, the promos, the blood, the sweat, and the unforgettable crowds that packed the Greensboro Coliseum, Charlotte Coliseum, Richmond Coliseum, and every armory in between. We’re going to flashback to a year that helped shape the future of the business, when a young “Nature Boy” Ric Flair was just beginning to strut his stuff and legends like Wahoo McDaniel were proving why they were must-see TV every Saturday afternoon.The Major Wrestlers Who Defined JCP 1976 Ric Flair: Still early in his “Nature Boy” journey but already a heat magnet and multiple-time NWA Mid-Atlantic Heavyweight Champion. Flair was trading the title back and forth with Wahoo in one of the greatest rivalries the territory ever saw. Wahoo McDaniel: The ultimate babyface hero – tough, no-nonsense, and ready to chop anyone in half. Wahoo held the Mid-Atlantic title multiple times in ’76 and was the man the fans rallied behind Gene & Ole Anderson (The Minnesota Wrecking Crew): Arguably the greatest tag team of the era. They were NWA World Tag Team Champions for much of the year, defending against all comers with their signature roughhouse style. Dino Bravo & Tim Woods (Mr. Wrestling): The duo that actually dethroned the Andersons for the World Tag titles in a huge upset before the epic back-and-forth began. Blackjack Mulligan: The dominant NWA United States Heavyweight Champion, running roughshod over challengers like Paul Jones and Rufus R. “Freight Train” Jones. Angelo Mosca: Long-reigning Mid-Atlantic TV Champion who brought the chaos. Rufus R. Jones: The beloved “Freight Train” who was right in the middle of the hottest six-man tag wars. Plus newcomers who would become huge: Greg Valentine (billed as Johnny Valentine’s “brother,” already breaking boards with that bionic elbow) and the mysterious Masked Superstar (Bill Eadie) debuting late in the year. We’re talking blood feuds, lumberjack matches, hair-vs-hair stipulations, and the kind of old-school heat that made JCP one of the hottest territories in the entire NWA. Todd and I will break down the big matches, the TV angles that hooked the fans every week on Mid-Atlantic Championship Wrestling, and how 1976 set the stage for the explosive growth that would come later in the decade.Whether you lived through these Saturday afternoon TV tapings or you’re discovering this era for the first time, this episode is a

From Territories to Towns, Personalities to Buildings – Every Era Comes Alive Again In this special bonus episode of The Pro Wrestling Time Tunnel History Show, I am joined by two legendary wrestling media veterans: former WWE Magazine editor and historian Brian R. Solomon, and Bob Smith of the iconic London Publishing Group. Drawing on their deep media experience — along with the host’s own background in radio and television — the trio delivers a fascinating deep-dive into the profound influence of television pioneer Ted Turner on professional wrestling. From the birth of Georgia Championship Wrestling to early Superstation days that brought wrestling into millions of American homes to the creation of WCW and the cable-television revolution that forever changed the industry, this episode uncovers how one man’s bold vision turned pro wrestling into a national phenomenon. A must-listen for wrestling historians, media fans, and anyone who wants to understand the real story behind the rise of modern wrestling television. Chapters (00:00:02) - PODCAST: Pro Wrestling Time Tunnel(00:00:34) - Ted Turner's Passing(00:04:13) - Bob Turner on Ted Turner(00:11:12) - Wrestling on UHF Stations(00:16:38) - Ted Turner's Obituary(00:22:13) - Georgia Championship Wrestling(00:27:38) - Jim Barnett on World Championship Wrestling(00:33:00) - Bob Barnett on Ted Turner and His Controlling Style(00:37:05) - What If Bill Watts and Ted Turner Would Have teamed up?(00:44:30) - Paul Heyman on Ted Turner's Wrestling(00:50:55) - Ted Turner and Ric Flair(00:55:38) - Vince McMahon on The Monday Night Wars With Ted Turner(01:01:03) - Steve Austin on Hulk Hogan's Declining Power(01:03:43) - Top 10 Greatest Heel Turns(01:09:28) - Final Thoughts on Ted Turner(01:11:15) - Favorite Moments of Wrestling on TBS(01:15:30) - Bob Downey on Ted Turner(01:21:23) - Grizzly Up Soap Company(01:22:54) - Pro Wrestling Time Tunnel

The Pro Wrestling Time Tunnel Territory History Show returns with Episode 60 and the debut of an exciting new series: “Towns of the Tennessee Territory.” This week I am joined on the show by special guest Sean Dulaney — the leading historian and author of the acclaimed The History of Professional Wrestling in Evansville book series — for the series premiere. Together we spotlight the town I used to go to on Wednesday night for Gulas-Welch Company wrestling, Evansville, Indiana, one of the most important stops on the classic Memphis/Tennessee territory circuit. Drawing on Dulaney’s deep archival research, the episode explores Evansville’s territorial-era legacy: the major promoters, unforgettable nights at the Evansville Coliseum, the stars who regularly passed through town, and the city’s unique place in the broader Tennessee territory story. This new series will run alongside the popular ongoing 1976 Territory Review Series, giving fans always distinct deep dives into the golden age of regional wrestling each week. Don’t miss the launch of “Towns of the Tennessee Territory” — available now on all major podcast platforms, YouTube, and the Pro Wrestling Time Tunnel Substack. Step into the Time Tunnel and discover the towns that built the territories! Chapters (00:00:02) - Pro Wrestling Time Tunnel: Territory History Podcast(00:00:52) - Kentucky Derby: My Picks and More(00:05:15) - History of Evansville, Indiana(00:08:29) - Sean Delaney At Herb Simmons Fan Fest(00:16:01) - WWE in Evansville(00:22:30) - Balkan on His Time in Evansville(00:32:44) - Evansville Wrestling in the 70s(00:42:56) - Phil Golden on Jarrett's Owensboro Incident(00:52:00) - George on The Von Brauners(00:57:13) - Dr. Ralph Wilson(01:07:33) - A Taste of WWE in Evansville(01:08:07) - Billy Gibbon at FanFest 4(01:14:53) - The IBEW Hall. That's it, man. Have a nice evening(01:15:01) - Pro Wrestling History of the Tennessee Territory(01:17:55) - Pro Wrestling Time Tunnel

This week our 1976 Territory Review Series rolls on as we head to the northeast portion of the United States for the World Wide Wrestling Federation territory. With the expert analysis of my special co-host analyst, Steve Gennerelli, we begin the year in January as the story between Superstar Billy Graham and WWWF Champion, Bruno Sammartino continues in what will be a very hot year for both men! Not only will Bruno face Graham in 1976, but in the first five months along, he will also be challenged by Ivan Koloff, “The Big Cat” Ernie Ladd and a huge moment in wrestling history in April of 1976! In one of the most dramatic moments we have ever covered—and a true turning point in WWWF History—comes on April 26, 1976, at Madison Square Garden. In what many historians regard as one of the most consequential matches of the decade, Stan Hansen unleashed his devastating lariat on Bruno Sammartino. The champion bled heavily; the referee stopped the contest. The neck injury that resulted would sideline Bruno for weeks and force him to wrestle with a protective brace for the rest of his reign. It wasn’t just a match—it was the beginning of the end of an era, even if fans at the time didn’t fully realize it. Gennerelli’s deep knowledge of the WWWF booking sheets and Richards’ storytelling flair turn these moments into vivid, you-are-there radio theater. What makes this particular release special is the chemistry between Richards and Gennerelli. Steve has been a staple on the show—whether recapping the final months of 1975 WWWF or lending his encyclopedic recall to mailbag episodes. As the designated WWWF Analyst, he brings the kind of granular detail that only a true student of the territory can: the way certain angles played differently in Boston versus Philadelphia, the quiet contributions of undercard talent like Kevin Sullivan (already paying his dues in enhancement matches), and the subtle shifts in crowd psychology that told McMahon the product was evolving. If you’re a longtime fan who remembers flipping through Pro Wrestling Illustrated in the checkout line, or a newer viewer curious about how the Northeast territory became the launching pad for Hulkamania, today’s release is essential listening (or watching on YouTube). Head over to Tony Richards’ Pro Wrestling Time Tunnel channel, Substack, or your favorite podcast platform and step into the Tunnel. With Tony Richards and Steve Gennerelli at the wheel, you’ll emerge on the other side with a deeper appreciation for why 1976 wasn’t just another year in wrestling—it was the year the old guard started to feel the future breathing down its neck. Welcome back to 1976, friends. The Time Tunnel is open. Chapters (00:00:02) - Podcast(00:00:35) - Pro Wrestling Time Tunnel(00:04:27) - 1976(00:05:07) - Bruno Guerrero's Third Reign as NWA World Heavyweight(00:13:56) - Paul Levesque on the WWE-Ring of Honor Merger

This week’s episode continues our Pro Wrestling Time Tunnel 1976 Territory Review Series and for this installment of the show, we review one of, if not the strongest, NWA territory at the time, Championship Wrestling From Florida. Along for the journey is our regular Pro Wrestling Time Tunnel Florida Analyst, Howard Baum, from Miami, Florida, whose first full year as a fan was in the year of 1976. Howard’s memories of the matches and the cards of the Miami Bean Auditorium as well as the weekly television are pure gold in every episode. In this special show, we have as our special guest, Howard’s all time favorite wrestler, Steve Keirn. We have the extra special opportunity to travel back in the time tunnel with Steve and his memories of his biggest singles push thus far in his career, which takes place in 1976! New booker, Jody Hamilton, also known as the masked Assassin, has arrived to take the book from Harley Race and manage and coordinate the talent, the television and the house shows under the watchful mentorship of Eddie Graham, Due to Graham’s relationship with both Sam Muchnick and Vince McMahon, Sr, Graham is asked who would bea great next babyface champion for the WWWF in the mold of Jack Brisco as NWA World Champion. Graham recommends Keirn, based on his in-ring ability and the angle of his father, the war and POW veteran who had just returned home to this family in 1973. McMahon has his eyes on Bob Backlund, who had had a run in the Amarillo territory in 1974 and had returned to Florida in 1975 as a mid-card performer, still refining his abilties. Keirn and Backlund are put into a tag team program to put a shine on both of them with the faather-son heel tag team of Bob Orton Sr and Bob Orton Jr along with their top heel associate Bob Roop. As we know, McMahon chooses Backlund to be his next guy and that’s where we will pick up the story in today’s episode as Steve relates how he came up with the angle, his conversation with his father about it to get his approval, and the emotions and incredible heat that built during the Summer of 1976 in the Sunshine State of Florida. Sit back, relax and enjoy as we review the year of 1976 in Championship Wrestling From Florida! Chapters (00:00:02) - Pro Wrestling Time Tunnel(00:02:35) - Buddy Fuller Was Involved In Building The Tallahassee(00:09:12) - Crown Wrestling From Florida(00:13:31) - The Wrestling World Should Be True To Its Roots(00:21:56) - Neville on The Internet and Wrestling(00:28:15) - Buddy Rogers on Jaden Price(00:28:39) - Steve Kern(00:30:44) - Steve Kern(00:38:17) - Eddie Guerrero on Starting Out Wrestling(00:43:08) - Bob Orton on His Match With Rupin Orton Jr(00:49:09) - Five Things I Learned From Working For Vince McMahon(00:54:41) - Steve Kern on His Florida(01:00:32) - Steve Kern on His Jobber Era(01:04:34) - B

What a BIG show we have for you today! In the broadcasting business, especially with the music formatted stations, we used to have a term when we “went outside the rules” or “played a song or songs not on the authorized playlist”, we called that “breaking format”. It was just a term for going outside the norm and doing something outside the box or beyond the regullar programming. Well we are “breaking format” today and doing something a little different. I kick off the show with a visit with a first-time guest on the show, John Mayor McCall who has been doing a podcast for the last three years centered on the Memphis Territory in the 80s and 90s. John recently accounced that these next 4 or 5 shows will be the last and before he does that, I wanted to have him on the program here at The Rance for a conversation. He’s such a good dude, I dont think you are going to want to miss this. Then, I also recently had my wrestling buddies, Steve Gennerelli and Brian R. Solomon over to the Bunkhouse for a roundtable discussion about Wrestlemania 42. We talk all things Wrestlemania, from the basics of the brand, to what have become fans’ expectations for the show, how the show started and many of its changes through the years and we discuss this weekend’s line-up from Smackdown to Raw and the Two-Day Card over the weekend match by match. We will also run the down this year’s Hall of Fame inductees and provide plenty of analysis and commentary around those. Its a little something different and we had a whole lot of fun doing it and I hope you’ll enjoy it as well. We will return to 1976 next week with a little layover this week in Las Vegas! Chapters (00:00:02) - Podcast(00:00:33) - Pro Wrestling Time Tunnel(00:02:58) - I Had A Fun Evening With John Mayer McCall(00:04:03) - Tracking the World Champions for the Month of March in Professional Wrestling(00:08:06) - letters from the Pro Wrestling Time Tunnel(00:15:03) - Interview at the Richards Ranch With John Mayer McCall(00:16:05) - Former Memphis wrestler on Ending His Podcast(00:19:24) - Willie and Foxy on The Handsome Podcast(00:23:40) - Pat Tanaka Send Care Package to His Sister(00:26:20) - Pod Talk: Hard to Get Talent on-Air(00:31:20) - Ken Patera On Talking To Ric Flair(00:31:52) - Tony Jones on His First Experience With WWE(00:35:56) - Jerry Lawler Knows Who My Dad Is(00:37:22) - Memphis Heat vs Bullfrog Corner(00:41:55) - John Brody on Being an Old Guy on Wrestling(00:46:01) - Ric Flair on His Favorite Person In His Life(00:48:05) - Jerry Lawler On My Son's Birthday(00:51:56) - Jerry Lawler on His Last Day(00:53:31) - John Mayer McCall On His Retirement(00:57:13) - WWE 14: The Paradigm Shift(01:05:16) - Steve Austin on WWE's WrestleMania(01:09:25) - Roman and Punk's

Welcome everyone to the kick-off episode of our 1976 Territory Review Series! We will start our tour of the territories in ouir bicentennial year in the wrestling capital of the world, St. Louis, Missouri. In 1976, St. Louis was still going strong in the second year of the Fragmentation Era of the Territory Era in Pro Wrestling. Sam Muchnick had been retired as President of the National Wrestling Alliance for about six months, but in St. Louis, he was still very active and going strong as a promoter locally. Shows at the Kiel Auditorium were drawing between 8,000 and 10,500 for most big shows, they took July off from house shows, experienced a little lull in the Fall but were rolling again by Thanksgiving. The new NWA World Champion, Terry Funk was drawing well in The Gateway City, along with the other major names in the NWA such as other NWA World Champions brother Dory, Jr., Harley Race, and Jack Brisco. Also special supplementation by former NWA World Champion and booker Pat O’Connor as challenger and special referee. The other primary push would be for Bob Backlund, which we will explain during the show. My two special co-hosts for this trip in the Pro Wrestling Time Tunnel will be SICW Promoter Herb Simmons and Califlower Aller Board Member, Darla Staggs. Herb is once again presenting Fan Fest IV this year, just outside St. Louis in Fairview Heights, Illinois. We will talk about the wide array of superstars who will appear there as well as this year’s inductees to the St. Louis Wrestling Hall of Fame. Herb will also share his memories of the cards at the Kiel in 1976. Darla Staggs works tirelessly as a productive member and driving force in the Caulfiflower Alley Club in assisting members of our wrestling community who need assistance. Darla also was a lifelong fan who attended here first Kiel Auditorium card as just a baby, then grew up as a fan going to shows and attending television tapings for Wrestling At The Chaase on KPLR-TV. Join us as we travel back in the Pro Wrestling Time Tunnel this week to the historic Kiel Auditorium in St. Louis, Missouri for Terry Funk World Championship title defenses, epic Funk and Brisco battles and a tag team match that may be one of the greatest of all time in the squared circle in the history of St. Louis Wrestling. And that takes in some ground! Enjoy this awesome ride as we kick off our 1976 Series in the Pro Wrestling Territory History Show! Chapters (00:00:02) - Podcast(00:00:35) - St. Louis Pro Wrestling History(00:06:46) - Tony Richards: My Facebook and Instagram Accounts Suspended(00:09:19) - Facebook: My Daughter's Facebook Account Gets Shut Down(00:11:32) - Eric Westland Remembered on ICW Podcast(00:21:16) - Herb Simmons(00:22:05) - St. Louis Wrestling Hall of Fame Announcement(00:31:15) - SICW 53th Anniversary(00:32:36) - Rich Engling(00:38:34) - Larry Matazek o

On Friday, March 20th, 2026, our Pro Wrestling Community lost one of the all time greats, Dennis Condrey of The Midnight Express, passed away at his home in Nirth Alabama at the age of 75. I don’t have to introduce this episode by telling you all about the attributes and wonderful talents of Dennis, by now you have undoubtedly heard and seen many wonderful tributes and salutes to his storied career, including the emotional delived by his partner\manager Jim Cornette and my own feature article on his life and career here in the Pro Wrestling Time Tunnel. If you haven’t had a chance to read and review that piece, you can access it here. This show will be a retrospective of sorts with four different friends stopping by The Ranch today to talk about Dennis and what he meant to them. First of all, there’s Greg Anthony from Dyersburg, Tennessee, who runs wrestling shows each week in Dyersburg and Ripley at the building known as the Herb Welch Wrestleplex. Greg shares his connection to Dennis and how Dennis shaped his own life and career in the businsss. Then. there is my longtime frined, Michael St. John of Talking Memphis Wrestling, who also was a television announcer for Nick Gulas both in Nashville and Chattanooga, and Jerry Jarrett in Memphis. Michael was a co-worker with Dennis and also the recipient of one of Dennis’ famous ribs. Next, our Tennessee Historian and Analyst, Tim Dills will be here to document muct of Dennis’ career with Phil Hickerson as the Bicentennial Kings from 1975 to 1979 and we will also talk about his tag team with David Schultz and the infamous angle that was first done in Tennessee that later became famous in Mid-South Wrestling and Jim Crockett Promotions. Last, Ron Fuller the owner, promoter and booker of Southeastern Championship Wrestling will be here to visit about Dennis and Phil Hickerson in the Knoxville end of his promotion and the inception of The Original Midnight Express in the Pensacola Territory, the famous angle with Norvell Austin and the armstrong Family that made The Original Midnight Express a 3-Man team using the “Freebird” Rule. We are all set to pay our respects to Dennis Condrey today in a little longer show than usual, but Dennis deserves it! I think one of things that is special about our show giving respect to Dennis is that he was one of our own here in the Tennessee Territory.. He started here, became a star here and went out to achieve fame and fortune from here along with other hometown guys, Bobby Eaton and Jim Cornette as the greatest tag team of all time, The Midnight Express. I hope you enjoy today’s show in honor of Dennis Condrey. Chapters (00:00:02) - Podcast(00:00:34) - Dennis Condrey(00:04:31) - Dennis Condrey Tribute(00:05:45) - Herb Welch Remembering(00:11:10) - If You Had A Wrestling Memorabilia Box, What Would It Be(00:14:24) - Mid South Wrestling(00:16:49

This week on my podcast I am exited to welcome a very accomplished and talented friend, the author of ten pro wrestling books, both biographies and historical-focused materials, the author, Ian Douglass. Douglass is originally from Southfield, Michigan. He graduated from the University of Michigan in 2001, earned a master’s degree from the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University in 2005, and completed an MBA at the Quantic School of Business and Technology in 2021. He also graduated from the Specs Howard School of Media Arts (now the Michigan Media Arts Center) in Southfield in 2002. He began his professional career as a reporter for WEYI-TV in Flint, Michigan, in early 2006, then worked on the staff of Michigan House Speaker Andy Dillon. Later he became a freelance writer and editor with a focus on fitness, health, nutrition, and professional wrestling. He served as the final fitness editor of MEL Magazine, has contributed to The Ringer, Men’s Health, InsideHook, and other outlets, and has done SEO, communications, and project-management work (including for Firepoint Energy). In 2020 he began contributing to Splice Today, and in 2021 he joined MEL Magazine’s writing staff. He is also a Webby Award–winning content creator as part of TNBAST’s 2025 sports-documentary team. Douglass has published or co-published approximately 11–13 titles: The Realest Guy in the Room: The Life and Times of Dan Severn (2016) — co-authored with UFC/PW legend Dan Severn Brute Power: The Autobiography of Bugsy McGraw (2019) — co-authored with Bugsy McGraw (co-published with Kenny Casanova’s WOHW) Life Is Short and So Am I: My Life Inside, Outside, and Under the Wrestling Ring (2019) — autobiography of Dylan “Hornswoggle” Postl; co-authored with Ross Owen Williams (ECW Press). The Incredible Brute (circa 2020) — wrestling-themed coloring book/comic tied to the Bugsy McGraw project (illustrated by MW Leitzel). Truth Bee Told: The Autobiography of B. Brian Blair (2021) — co-authored with B. Brian Blair. Bahamian Rhapsody: The Unofficial History of Pro Wrestling’s Unofficial Territory, 1960–2020 (2022) — solo historical work on Bahamian pro wrestling. Keirn Chronicles Volume One: The Fabulous Wrestling Life of Steve Keirn (2023) — co-authored with Steve Keirn (Darkstream/WOHW). Keirn Chronicles Volume Two: The Phenomenal Wrestling Resurgence of Steve Keirn (2024) — co-authored with Steve Keirn (Darkstream/WOHW). A Decided Novelty: The Essential Guide to Black Pro Wrestling History, 1880–1950 (2025) — solo deep historical guide. Gentleman Jack and Rough Rufus: The Rise of Black American Wrestling (February 2025) — solo biography/history of pioneers Jack Claybourne and Rufus Jones (Darkstream Press). Highland Games and Hippodromes: Scottish Ide

This week on the Pro Wrestling Time Tunnel History Show, I am excited to present the first of our Mailbag Shows for 2026! Our great viewers, listeners and members of our various communities have submitted questions that we have curated for the show. Steve Gennerelli, our WWWF Analyst and Time Tunnel family member is here to assist with the fun. Come along for this week’s show as we dive deep into the Pro Wrestling Time Tunnel Mailbag to answer the questions our community members want to know! Chapters (00:00:02) - Pro Wrestling Time Tunnel History Mailbag(00:07:07) - Who Would Have Been the NWA Champion?(00:13:33) - Steve Austin on Wrestlers Who Throw Fire(00:18:28) - Was There Anything That Could Have Been Done To Prevent The NWA(00:25:18) - What's The Best Territory in Wrestling?(00:28:39) - If Fritz and Verne Could Have Played Nice...(00:36:26) - Dusty Factor on the UWF(00:39:47) - Pro Wrestling Magazine(00:46:48) - Honorizing Southern Territory Managers(00:50:13) - Gary Hart on Mark Matsuo and More(00:53:01) - Tony Stark on His Memorabilia Collection(00:59:35) - Who Is The First Masked Wrestler?(01:07:33) - Mailbag(01:11:23) - Pro Wrestling Time Tunnel

This week on the Pro Wrestling Time Tunnel History Show, I am pleased and thrilled to welcome back one of my best friends and esteemed colleagues in the professional wrestling history space, it’s Brian R. Solomon, host of the Shut Up and Wrestle Podcast. Brian just was announced as the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Book of the Year Award for 2025 for his excellent biography of WWE superstar, announcer, owner and executive, Gorilla Monsoon. Brian is the first two-time winner of the Observer Book of the Year Award, having previously won for his book on The Original Sheik, Ed Farhat. When I invited Brian to come on the show to talk about winning the award, I intentionally did not tell him I had invited another three of his esteemed friends and peers to the show to help us with this surprise celebration. Noted AWA Historian George Schire, Bob Smith, the host of the Outdated Wrestling Hour podcast and Steve Gennerelli, our WWF Analyst at the Time Tunnel and co-host of the Stick to Wrestling podcast show. It’s a surprise party to celebrate Brian’s success and in the process, a really great pro wrestling conversation among four passionate lovers of this crazy business. I could tell Brian was touched by the celebration and I’m happy to have pulled this off and together for him. I hope you enjoy this special episode of the Pro Wrestling Tunnel History Show! Chapters (00:00:02) - Pro Wrestling Time Tunnel(00:02:41) - SEC Tournament Preview(00:10:10) - Kentucky Bourbon Soap(00:12:57) - Brian R. Solomon Surprise Party(00:15:44) - Brian Solomon on Shut Up and Wrestle(00:17:35) - Dory Funk on the NWA World Champions(00:20:48) - Book of the Year(00:25:44) - Baby's First Birthday(00:26:06) - Brian Solomon's Surprise Party(00:26:47) - Gorilla's Best Book(00:31:45) - Brian on The Sheik's Book(00:35:06) - The Life and Times of Gorgeous George(00:42:10) - Bookmark: The Making of Professional Wrestling(00:44:27) - Understanding the History of Wrestling(00:45:32) - Bob Ley on The Old School Wrestling(00:50:52) - Brian Fallon on Bobby Heenan's Letter(00:51:13) - Brian Hill on His Own Audio Book(00:54:54) - Brian McIntyre on His Audio Book(00:57:40) - Vince McMahon On Gorilla Monsoon's Drug Test(01:02:24) - Kurt Hennigan on the Drugs in Wrestling(01:06:01) - Bob and Tony on the AI Comment(01:13:05) - Brian Stokes on Dissent(01:16:20) - Wonders of Wrestling: Brian Last(01:21:09) - Buffalo in the Honeymoon(01:21:23) - Brian Solomon(01:25:41) - Brian Solomon's Book of the Year Surprise(01:26:18) - Pro Wrestling Time Tunnel: The Q&A Mailbag

We are in the middle of our “1985 Territory Review” Series! Its a a weekly review of the territories in the year of 1985. In order to add context on where 1985 falls in the spectrum of the territory era of professional wrestling, here is my historical framework entitled: “Stages of Growth of the Territory Era”: Stage One: Conception (1925 to 1935) Stage Two: Formation (1935 to 1945) Stage Three: Innovation and Expansion (1945 to 1955) Stage Four: Investigation (1955 to 1965) Stage Five: Re-Consolidation (1965-1975) Stage Six: Fragmentation (1975-1985) Stage Seven: Disintegration (1985-1995) 1985 is the first year in the last stage of the territory era, and we are reviewing what is remaining of the system as the Disintegration Stage gets started. By the time we reach the halfway point in this stage, 1990, only a bare thread of the vast network of wrestling territories will remain. By the end of the Disintegration Stage, 1995, only one territory, in Memphis, is barely breathing, and by 1997 would be gone. Portland Wrestling is a territory that didn’t get a lot of magazine coverage during the territory era and its owners, The Owen Family, were quite content with that. They were wrestling promoters going back another generation to Herb Owen, who carved out a wrestling territory using Portland, Oregon as the center office and extending out through the state of Oregon, as well as parts of Washington as well. Herb’s son, Don Owen took over after Herb retired and was an early member of the National Wrestling Alliance. The territory drew steady money, kept a small roster of talent and featured the traveling NWA World Champion a couple of times per year. They ran every Saturday night in Portland and sometimes added an additional show on Tuesday nights. This business model lasted multiple decades and was still drawing some decent money heading onto 1985. The Wrestling Supershow concept was sweeping through the territory booking offices and Portland was no exception, adding the Extravaganza shows in 1985 and doing some big business. Aided with help from former Portland superstar and now WWF employee, Roddy Piper, Portland Wrestling stayed relevant to its local fanbase, successfully holding the WWF at bay in Oregon, also with Piper’s promise not to work on any shows opposite Don Owen. Today, I am joined by the foremost Portland Wrestling Historian, Mike Rodgers along with Frank Culbertson and we travel in the Pro Wrestling Time Tunnel back to review the year of 1985 in Portland Wrestling! Chapters (00:00:02) - PODCAST(00:00:34) - Pro Wrestling Time Tunnel: 1985 Territory Review Podcast(00:04:50) - 1985(00:06:20) - 1985(00:09:08) - Maharishi Ahmed In Portland As Ed Wiskowski(00:11:55) - Buddy Rose on His

We are in the middle of our “1985 Territory Review” Series! Its a a weekly review of the territories in the year of 1985. In order to add context on where 1985 falls in the spectrum of the territory era of professional wrestling, here is my historical framework entitled: “Stages of Growth of the Territory Era”: Stage One: Conception (1925 to 1935) Stage Two: Formation (1935 to 1945) Stage Three: Innovation and Expansion (1945 to 1955) Stage Four: Investigation (1955 to 1965) Stage Five: Re-Consolidation (1965-1975) Stage Six: Fragmentation (1975-1985) Stage Seven: Disintegration (1985-1995) 1985 is the first year in the last stage of the territory era, and we are reviewing what is remaining of the system as the Disintegration Stage gets started. By the time we reach the halfway point in this stage, 1990, only a bare thread of the vast network of wrestling territories will remain. By the end of the Disintegration Stage, 1995, only one territory, in Memphis, is barely breathing, and by 1997 would be gone. One of the strongest territories left in 1985 was Mid-South Wrestling, which started off 1985, much the way 1984 ended, very strong. Bill Watts, due to his over a decade long relationship with Ted Turner, which was established during the Georgia Wrestling War in 1972, had secured a spot for his Mid-South Show on WTBS. Not only was the show performing, but there were talks of Watts and Turner teaming up to promote shows together. But in stepped Jim Barnett and Jim Crockett, worked out a deal to get Jim Crockett Promotions show on WTBS in place of the WWF and also secure exclusive rights to wrestling on the channel, which left Watts out in the cold. This was more than likely the beginning of Mid-South’s decline, as Watts own interest in pro wrestling was slowly waning. Coming off a highly successful year in 1984, wanting to put more time and energy in his family and looking for new worlds to conquer, all made pro wrestling struggle to get Watts’ attention. On today’s show, we take a look back at the year of 1985 as I am joined by frequent guest co-host Greg Klein, who details a lot of Mid-South history on his own show, Greg Klein’s Old School Rasslin Talk. We hope you will come along for the ride as we take the Time Tunnel back to 1985 and Mid-South Wrestling! Chapters (00:00:02) - Podcast(00:00:34) - Pro Wrestling Time Tunnel Podcast(00:05:42) - Time Tunnel: A Guest Appreciation(00:06:48) - An audience in every state in the United States(00:09:15) - The Top 5 States That Listen To Pro Wrestling Time Tunnel History(00:10:34) - 1985 Territory Review(00:11:34) - 1985 Pro Wrestling Time Tunnel History Match(00:12:20) - 1985(00:23:08) - NWA Mid-South(00:23:55) -

Our podcast focuses in on a by-gone era of regional booking offices of wrestling talent in historic towns and legendary buildings around the world. Jimmy Ault aka Frankie Cain aka The Clubfoot Inferno aka The Great Mephisto and on and on was one unique individual. Born in Columbus, Ohio in the early 1930s, Cain grew up mostly destitute and in extreme poverty, often homeless and starving. He learned how to survive on the streets, working gimmicks and cons just to stay alive with the other street kids he hung around. He learned learned how to box, became a “smoker” and became a traveling carnival worker . At one point, he learned how to become a wrestling shooter and was indoctrinated into the business in Al Haft’s Columbus promotion where he saw the guy he still considered the greatest professional wrestler he ever saw, a guy who called himself, “The Great Mephisto.” Cain then set about traveling through almost every territory of the 20th century during the territory era becoming beloved by Cowboy Clarence Luttrall, Roy Welch and others. He became teenage friends with Eddie Gossett (Graham) while living near Chattanooga, Tennessee traveling the roads and talking about their dreams together when they made it in the wrestling business. Frankie Cain was probably the last living person in the wrestling business who dated back to Jim Londos’ time in professional wrestling. Later in life, Cain became friends with Crowbar Press publisher, Scott Teal while the two were attending a Gulf Coast Wrestlers’ Reunion Event. After gaining Cain’s trust, Teal began to record and document Frankie’s memories both in audio and video form and published some of them in his “Whatever Happened To?” newsletter while also making Frankie a regular columnist. After Teal stopped doing the newsletter and starting publishing books, the two took their conversations about Cain’s life and published a two-volume set of books documenting the life of Franke Cain. In the last few days, Frankie Cain passed away and today, I am proud to welcome Scott Teal to the Richards Ranch to pay tribute to the life and career of his close, personal friend, Frankie Cain. I hope you enjoy our conversation. Chapters (00:00:02) - Podcast(00:00:33) - Pro Wrestling Time Tunnel History Bonus Episode(00:02:01) - Frankie Kane: From The Inferno to Raising Cain(00:06:56) - Tribute To Frankie Kane(00:12:08) - Frank Sinatra on His Early Days(00:18:47) - WWE Legends(00:22:32) - How long was it before you met Frankie Monroe's(00:25:13) - Frankie's Whatever Happened To My Book...(00:31:48) - Was Rocky Smith Your Best Friend?(00:32:06) - Frankie Chicane(00:38:53) - Frankie Jones on Working For Nick Jackson(00:45:31) - Favorite Memory Of Frankie(00:50:31) - Frank Sinatra on Frankie Ray's Contribution To Wrestling(00:55:21) - Crowbar Press Remembrance of Fran

We are in the middle of our “1985 Territory Review” Series! Its a a weekly review of the territories in the year of 1985. In order to add context on where 1985 falls in the spectrum of the territory era of professional wrestling, here is my historical framework entitled: “Stages of Growth of the Territory Era”: Stage One: Conception (1925 to 1935) Stage Two: Formation (1935 to 1945) Stage Three: Innovation and Expansion (1945 to 1955) Stage Four: Investigation (1955 to 1965) Stage Five: Re-Consolidation (1965-1975) Stage Six: Fragmentation (1975-1985) Stage Seven: Disintegration (1985-1995) 1985 is the first year in the last stage of the territory era, and we are reviewing what is remaining of the system as the Disintegration Stage gets started. By the time we reach the halfway point in this stage, 1990, only a bare thread of the vast network of wrestling territories will remain. By the end of the Disintegration Stage, 1995, only one territory, in Memphis, is barely breathing, and by 1997 would be gone. In 1985, Jim Crockett Promotions was thriving. In mid-1984, they replaced the booker, Dory Funk, Jr. with Dusty Rhodes from the Florida Territory. Although ‘84 ended in a lukewarm fashion with the terrible finish and future plan blown up from Starrcade ‘84, during the first three months of 1985, Rhodes’ talent changes and new programs were taking hold. Then, the most important catalyst for the growth of JCP happened in the month of March. Jim Barnett, then an employee of the WWF brokered a deal with Jim Crockett, Jr to buy the WWF’s contract for the Saturday night time slot on WTBS, Channel 17 in Atlanta. With the stroke of a pen on a contract and a check for $1,000,000, Jim Crockett Promotions had national exposure beyond their syndicated television network, which primarily served the JCP loop of towns in the Mid-Atlantic Territory. Crockett, Jr. also made a deal with Ole Anderson and Fred Ward to take over the Championship Wrestling from Georgia company, which mainly included a few rings and the talent roster serving Georgia, Ohio, West Virginia and Michigan. The new WTBS contract also carried a clause giving Crockett the exclusivity for pro wrestling on the TBS channel, knocking off the Bill Watts’ Mid-South Wrestling show from the channel. In the Summer, Crockett also acquired the Rock and Roll Express from Mid-South along with Buddy Landel and Terry Taylor, while also getting The Midnight Express with Jim Cornette from World Class. The big show concept was also expanded as Rhodes created The Great American Bash for July in Charlotte, drawing a record crowd at the baseball stadium. It was an amazing year of expansion for Jim Crockett Promotions and helping me review the year of 1985 is a new member of our Time Tunnel family, Jammie Ward. With Jam

One of the negative aspects involved in following or being a fan of any form of entertainment is when we lose talented performers in the very early stages of really promising careers. One such notable example is Gino Hernandez, known by the moniker “The Handsome Halfbreed”. Hernandez made his pro wrestling debut in 1975 in the markets of San Antonio and Houston and almost immediately started rising through the ranks. In the 9th year of his rocketing rise, his life was cut short. Joining me for this special episode of The Pro Wrestling Time Tunnel History Show is Lizzy Flanagan. Lizzy is one of our young, enthusiastic historians and authors who has written a biography on the life and death of Hernandez entitles, “I Am Your Champion” published by McFarland Press and is now available. We discuss Gino Hernandez’ debut and his rise to success including his opportuninty to work with one of South Texas biggest babyfaces of all time, Jose Lothario, his close relationship with the Blanchard Family in San Antonio and his outstanding tag team run with Tully Blanchard, his run in Houston, his relationship with the Von Erichs, his move into one of the hottest promotions at the time, World Class Championship Wrestling, his tag team with Chris Adams and more. We discuss the circumstances around his lifestyle in Dallas at the time of his death, his wife and family and yes, we dispel the rumors of Paul Boesch being his biological father. Its all in this special bonus episode commemorating the 40th anniversary of the loss of one of pro wrestling’s brightest and biggest stars, Gino Hernandez. We hope you will take this ride back in the Pro Wrestling Time Tunnel with Lizzy Flanagan and myself as we go back to 1975 and travel forward to February 1984. Chapters (00:00:02) - Pro Wrestling Time Tunnel History: Bonus Episode 1(00:03:09) - Gino Hernandez's Death(00:04:47) - Pro Wrestling Time Tunnel History: The Death of Gino Hernandez(00:07:19) - Philadelphia wrestler Gino on his early life(00:14:17) - Louisiana Stars on His Stepfather's Name(00:14:49) - Paul Bosch On Gino's Stepfather's Death(00:21:36) - Gino Lewis Turns From Baby Face to Heel(00:26:25) - Gino Hernandez vs Jose Lothario(00:32:46) - Pro Wrestling's Historical Stylization(00:35:23) - Paul Bosch in the Hair Match(00:36:17) - The David Von Erich vs Gino(00:41:22) - Gino vs David Blanchard(00:42:34) - The Tully vs Geno Tag Team(00:45:45) - Geno Had A Farrah Fawcett Girlfriend(00:51:20) - Gino in WCCW(00:56:49) - Kevin Von Erics on Gino's Death(01:04:28) - Gary Hart on His Sons(01:04:49) - Gary Hart on Gino Hernandez's Drug Problem(01:09:57) - Gino Hernandez on His Book(01:13:58) - Remembering Gino Hernandez(01:14:55) - Memphis Wrestling Podcast and Pro Wrestling Time Tunnel<l

We are kicking off the year of 2026 with a weekly review of the territories in the year of 1985. Here is my historical framework entitled: “Stages of Growth of the Territory Era”: My framework for understanding and analyzing the history and growth of Professional Wrestling are the 7 Stages of The Territory Era: Stage One: Conception (1925 to 1935) Stage Two: Formation (1935 to 1945) Stage Three: Innovation and Expansion (1945 to 1955) Stage Four: Investigation (1955 to 1965) Stage Five: Re-Consolidation (1965-1975) Stage Six: Fragmentation (1975-1985) Stage Seven: Disintegration (1985-1995) 1985 is the first year in the last stage of the territory era, and we are reviewing what is remaining of the system. After buying the Gulf Coast Championship Wrestling office and territory from his family member, Lee Fields in the late 1970s, Ron Fuller had brought the territory back from almost nothing to a thriving enterprise. He changed the name of the promotion to Southeastern Wrestling and in the first year, he gave back money to the fans due to not having enough of a crowd to wrestle in front of, to purchasing Birmingham and all of Northern Alabama to add to South Alabama and the Florida Panhandle. Even with all this success, Fuller knew the wrestling game was changing in 1985. After a meeting with his partners, brother Robert Fuller, cousin Jimmy Golden and close friend, Bob Armstrong, the decision was made to change the brand from Southeastern to Continental, in order to reflect a more national enterprise, should be opportunity present itself to expand beyond the territory’s borders. For the first time here on the Pro Wrestling Time Tunnel History Show, we have a territory owner, who can tell us the thoughts and motivations at the time of making the decisions that shaped the territory in 1985, while facing the encroachment of both invaders from the North and old friend and allies from the South. This is the story of Continental Wrestling in 1985 with our new co-host for today’s show, The Tennessee Stud, Ron Fuller. Chapters (00:00:02) - Pro Wrestling Time Tunnel History Podcast(00:00:53) - 1985 Territory Review(00:03:47) - A Surprise Birthday Party for 82-Year-Old Mother(00:08:23) - Bumps and Thumps: Gino Hernandez's Passing Anniversary +(00:12:32) - Regional Review: Continental Championship Wrestling(00:13:32) - Tennessee Stud Ron Fuller on His Promotion in 1985(00:18:11) - Vince McMahon Selling Knoxville To Jim Barnett(00:26:37) - Southeastern Championship Wrestling's Brand Change(00:32:34) - Gordon Campbell on WWE's TBS(00:36:07) - Adrian Street Was One of The Lord Humongous's Assist(00:41:23) - Bob Armstrong on His Turn on

We are kicking off the year of 2026 with a weekly review of the territories in the year of 1985. Here is my historical framework entitled: “Stages of Growth of the Territory Era”: My framework for understanding and analyzing the history and growth of Professional Wrestling are the 7 Stages of The Territory Era: Stage One: Conception (1925 to 1935) Stage Two: Formation (1935 to 1945) Stage Three: Innovation and Expansion (1945 to 1955) Stage Four: Investigation (1955 to 1965) Stage Five: Re-Consolidation (1965-1975) Stage Six: Fragmentation (1975-1985) Stage Seven: Disintegration (1985-1995) 1985 is the first year in the last stage of the territory era, and we will review what is remaining of the system. Verve Gagne and Bernie Karbo had been buying points in the NWA Minneapolis Booking Office and Territory starting in the late 1950s and by 1960 were ready to pull away from the National Wrestling Alliance to start a new wrestling federation. At the time, the NWA had been under investigation by the Department of Justice for monopolistic business practices and were eager to have another group in existence to show they weren’t the only game in town. After several years of prosperity and building one of the largest geographic areas fully controlled by one office in the entire North American continent, by 1985, things had begun to change. After losing Hulk Hogan to the WWF in late 1983, Gagne was still trying to find a new champion to carry the AWA banner forward into a new era. Rick Martel was the champion for most of th eyear before the decision was made to switch the title to Stan Hansen. All in all, in 1985, the AWA was still drawing very healthy crowds and staying very much in competition with the other entities that were “going national.” 1985 would prove to be a pivotal year leading into the future. My friend and noted historian, George Schire joins me on the show to review the year in the AWA that was 1985. Chapters (00:00:02) - PODCAST: Pro Wrestling Time Tunnel(00:00:34) - Honorary Guest on the Pro Wrestling Time Tunnel History Show(00:07:09) - American Wrestling Association's Territorial Dissolution(00:10:59) - George Shire(00:12:40) - WWE 8, The AWA and The WWF(00:20:23) - George Hart on WWE's Lengthy Card(00:23:28) - Jimmy Garvin Challenging Rick Martell(00:28:22) - Where Does Rick Martell Rank Among All the AWA Champions?(00:35:08) - The Road Warriors in 85(00:40:05) - Sergeant Slaughter Came to the AWA(00:46:48) - Brody on Verne's Run Detroit(00:52:50) - Ric Flair on Verne Crockett's(00:57:56) - The AWA Television Situation in 1985(01:06:28) - The AWA in the 90s(01:10:46) - The Free Bi

We are kicking off the month of January with a weekly review of the territories in the year of 1985. Here is my historical “Stages of Growth of the Territory Era”: My framework for understanding and analyzing the history and growth of Professional Wrestling are the 7 Stages of The Territory Era: Stage One: Conception (1925 to 1935) Stage Two: Formation (1935 to 1945) Stage Three: Innovation and Expansion (1945 to 1955) Stage Four: Investigation (1955 to 1965) Stage Five: Re-Consolidation (1965-1975) Stage Six: Fragmentation (1975-1985) Stage Seven: Disintegration (1985-1995) 1985 is the first year in the last stage of the territory era, and we will review what is remaining of tbe system. The Memphis Wrestling Territory was an offshoot of the original Tennessee Territory, possibly the largest geographic territory in the United States founded by Roy Welch. The town of Memphis was purchased by Gulas-Welch Wrestling in 1957. The town got really hot from 1959 to 1961, then carried forward to the 1970s when it was under the supervision of Jerry Jarrett. Jarrett broke away from Gulas in 1977 and ran the town as a hub from the Memphis television show, recorded on Saturday mornings and cycled through the towns the next week. In 1985, Jarrett and his partner Jerry Lawler are in their 8th year of running the territory and coming off some fantastic years from 1982 through 1984. As in all the territories 1985 kicked off the “Disintegration Stage” which would eventually end with the death of every territory but one, the WWF.. I’m joing by my Tennessee Co-Host and Historian , Tim Dills for a look back at the still-strong and excellently booked, 1985 in Memphis Wrestling! Chapters (00:00:02) - Pro Wrestling Time Tunnel Podcast(00:02:35) - The Jim Melby Award(00:07:34) - Tennessee Wrestling History: The Tennessee Territory in 1985(00:08:36) - Tennessee Wrestling(00:12:25) - 1985 in Review(00:19:23) - Randy Savage on His Career(00:23:09) - Memphis Wrestling: The Turnaround(00:29:00) - Eddie Gilbert(00:34:51) - Jerry Lawler in Japan(00:37:26) - Jimmy Hart Dumps Flour on Lance Russell's Head(00:43:24) - Randy Savage on Tux Newman(00:48:49) - David Schultz on Being Fired by Vince McMahon(00:50:45) - Jerry Lawler on Bruiser Brody(00:52:45) - Lawler vs Randy Savage(00:59:46) - Jerry Lawler vs The Free Birds(01:05:35) - NWA Superstar Jim Crockett vs Jeff Jarrett(01:11:51) - Jerry Lawler Turned On Tom Ernesto(01:16:48) - Jerry Jarrett on Tom Ernesto's WWE Split(01:22:10) - The Jerry Lawler vs Bill Dundee(01:23:26) - Midnight Express(01:29:12) - Jerry Jarrett on His

We are kicking off the month of January with a weekly review of the territories in the year of 1985. Here is my historical “Stages of Growth of the Territory Era”: My framework for understanding and analyzing the history and growth of Professional Wrestling are the 7 Stages of The Territory Era: Stage One: Conception (1925 to 1935) Stage Two: Formation (1935 to 1945) Stage Three: Innovation and Expansion (1945 to 1955) Stage Four: Investigation (1955 to 1965) Stage Five: Re-Consolidation (1965-1975) Stage Six: Fragmentation (1975-1985) Stage Seven: Disintegration (1985-1995) 1985 is the first year in the last stage of the territory era, and we will review what is remaining of tbe system. 1984 was a blockbuster year for World Class Championship Wrestling with the low point being the death of David Von Erich and the high point being in May when Kerry Von Erich winning the NWA World Heavyweight Title from Ric Flair at the huge stadium show in Dallas. Lance Peterson is my special co-host as we quickly review the end of 1984 and roll through the year of 1985 for both the Von Erich Family and the World Class wrestling promotion. Lance was both a fan and a super supporter of the promotion. He attended both television tapings at the Sportatorium and some of the biggest Star Wars shows in ‘85. As both the WWF and Jim Crockett Promotions had national expansion in the games plans, World Class was expanding internationally to Israel. Gino Hernandez and Chris Adams are the hot heel tag team in the territory facing the ever popular Von Erich Family. After Kerry winning the NWA’s biggest prize the year before, Head of the family and the company, as well as a former Preisdent of the NWA, Fritz Von Erich contemplates pulling out of the Alliance and having his own company world champion. These stories and more unfold in the year 1985 and Lance Peterson and I cover them all on today’s episode 43 of The Pro Wrestling Time Tunnel History Show. Chapters (00:00:02) - Pro Wrestling Time Tunnel History Podcast(00:00:58) - The Roy Welch Wrestling Dynasty(00:05:21) - Pro Wrestling Time Tunnel History: Gene Kinisky(00:06:36) - World Class Championship Wrestling(00:08:06) - 1985(00:12:19) - World Class vs WWF in 1985(00:17:02) - The Average Age of the WWF Stars(00:19:19) - Kevin Von Erich on The Fantastics(00:21:41) - Jimmy Fallon on Cornet and the Midnights(00:26:55) - WWE Legend Gino on WCW In Texas(00:30:54) - Charlotte and Flair vs The Fantastics(00:34:05) - Buddy Roberts vs Terry Gordy in Texas(00:40:12) - Von Eric vs Ric Flair at Texas Stadium(00:43:16) - David Von Erich on Charlotte Flair(00:49:38) - Gino an

Throughout most of the territorial era of professional wrestling, one man was chosen as the very best wrestler in the world to carry the sport’s most coveted trophy, the National Wrestling Alliance World Heavyweight Championship. At the 1965 NWA Convention, the Championship Committee put forth the name of Gene Kiniski to succeed it’s perennial champion, Lou Thesz. That man was Gene Kiniski, who won the title from Thesz in a two out of three falls match at the Kiel Auditorium in St. Louis on January 7th, 1966. Today, two amazing historian friends join me as we discuss the life and career of Gene Kiniski. Steve Verrier, who chronicled the life of the champion in his book, “Gene Kinski: Canadian Wrestling Legend” and the co-host for our Vancouver Territory Shows. George Schire, AWA Historian and co-host of our AWA History Shows. These two wonderful lovers of wrestling history have so much to share about Kiniski’s storied career in this special bonus episode honoring the g0th anniversary of Kiniski being crowned “the best in the world. Chapters (00:00:02) - Pro Wrestling Time Tunnel: Gene Kiniski(00:03:36) - Gene Kinisky On The Pro Wrestling Time Tunnel(00:05:07) - Gene Kinisky, Canada's Greatest Athlete(00:13:53) - Bob Kinisky on Wilbur Snyder and the AWA(00:21:03) - Whipper Billy Watson vs Gene Kinisky(00:29:53) - Gene Kanisky Was Recognized As The National Wrestling Alliance World Champion(00:40:53) - Giant Baba vs Gene Kinisky(00:50:38) - Gene Kinisky vs Verne Haggerty(00:57:53) - Steve Kovac on Gene Kiniski's Suicide(01:05:41) - Gene Kinisky On The 60th Anniversary(01:07:44) - Final thoughts on Gene Kinisky(01:08:48) - Gene Kiniski Induction into the Wrestling Hall of Fame(01:12:11) - Pro Wrestling Time Tunnel(01:15:00) - Pro Wrestling: The Time Tunnel(01:15:40) - Podcast

We are kicking off the month of January with a weekly review of the territories in the year of 1985. Here is my historical “Stages of Growth of the Territory Era”: My framework for understanding and analyzing the history and growth of Professional Wrestling are the 7 Stages of The Territory Era: Stage One: Conception (1925 to 1935) Stage Two: Formation (1935 to 1945) Stage Three: Innovation and Expansion (1945 to 1955) Stage Four: Investigation (1955 to 1965) Stage Five: Re-Consolidation (1965-1975) Stage Six: Fragmentation (1975-1985) Stage Seven: Disintegration (1985-1995) 1985 is the first year in the last stage of the territory era, and we will review what is remaining of tbe system. The year of 1984 had seen Championship Wrestling From Florida lose some of it’s biggest stars, including The American Dream, Dusty Rhodes, to Jim Crockett Promotions. Yet, the biggest impact was yet to come in 1985. In January, on Super Bowl Sunday, the territory’s “captain of the ship”, Eddie Graham would take his own life. In today’s podcast show, we will cover thins and more of the year’s events in 1985 with someone whop was there for it all. I am joined, as always by our Championship Wrestling from Florida analyst, Howard Baum and special guest, Bruce Owens. Bruce became a fan in the 1960s, joined the company in 1973, became a close friend of several within the promotion, including Eddie Graham himself. This relationship led Owens to be trained to serve in various capacities, including as referee for some of the biggest events in The Florida territory’s history. He worked with the biggest stars and the biggest matches in every one of the Florida towns in the loop. Even with the departure of Dusty Rhodes in ‘84 and then Eddie Graham, the loyal fans of Florida wrestling were still coming through the turnstiles to suppport shows, includin gthe first “Battle of the Belts” show at the Tampa Sun Dome, which was also carried on a network of television stations in many major cities. Join Howard, Bruce and myself as we go backward in the Pro Wrestling Time Tunnel to Championship Wrestling From Florida in the year of 1985. Chapters (00:00:02) - Pro Wrestling Time Tunnel(00:04:44) - Florida Legend Bruce Owens on Pro Wrestling Time Tunnel(00:07:09) - Jack Briscoe On The Transition From Eddie Graham To Dory(00:15:10) - Eddie Guerrero On His Advice To(00:17:05) - Eddie Moreno Was More Involved With the Promotion(00:18:47) - West Palm, Tampa and Orlando(00:22:29) - Bruce Flannery on Becoming A Referee(00:30:19) - Terry Funk on His Babyface Run in ECW(00:36:21) - Eddie Guerrero on Andre vs Terry Funk(00:40:58) - Don Curtis on His Life(00:45:15) - Eddie Grah

We are kicking off the month of January with a weekly review of the territories in the year of 1985. Here is my historical “Stages of Growth of the Territory Era”: My framework for understanding and analyzing the history and growth of Professional Wrestling are the 7 Stages of The Territory Era: Stage One: Conception (1925 to 1935) Stage Two: Formation (1935 to 1945) Stage Three: Innovation and Expansion (1945 to 1955) Stage Four: Investigation (1955 to 1965) Stage Five: Re-Consolidation (1965-1975) Stage Six: Fragmentation (1975-1985) Stage Seven: Disintegration (1985-1995) 1985 is the first year in the last stage of the territory era, and we will review what is remaining of tbe system. The WWF was the death star of the system with it’s “national expansion”, as it started erasing the geographic lines that had defined the territories as it’s leader, Vince McMahon set out to prove his company could “color outside the lines” and ex[and beyond it’s previous borders. Join Steve Gennerelli and I as we walk through the year of 1985 as the stage of disintegration of the territory era begins. Thank You for Watching and Listening I’m Tony Richards, Pro Wrestling Historian, Author and Storyteller. I share pro wrestling historical items in each issue of the Time Tunnel Pro Wrestling History Newsletter on Substack and each episode of our podcast show. Thanks for your support! If you enjoy my information on select events, matches and insights, please share with folks you think might like to be a free Substack subscriber! Remember, Premium subscribers get access to exclusive and special content such as some special issues including a multi-part deep dives on wrestling territories, wrestler bios and championship title histories, special audio and video interviews on territory pro wrestling and more available in the Pro Wrestling Time Tunnel for Premium Subscribers. Being a Premium Subscriber also means you support me in my efforts to document Pro Wrestling History through my research, writing, books, vidoes and podcasts. And…I have something very special planned for our Premium Subscribers on the Podcast side of things in 2026! A Premium Investment is only $5 per month or $50 per year. Details soon here in the Pro Wrestling Time Tunnel. Chapters (00:00:02) - Podcast(00:00:34) - Pro Wrestling Time Tunnel: The Territory Era Podcast(00:03:17) - The Future of Pro Wrestling: The WWF(00:07:13) - Reviewing The WWF in 1985(00:09:46) - 1984(00:13:37) - Jim Crockett Promotions' Mistake in Not Expanding(00:23:21) - What We Missed With The Briscoes(00:27:15) - Jerry Briscoe on Hulk Hogan's National Expansion(00:32:36) - Vince McMahon's Decision To Sell TBS

We’ve counted down the first 50 from 100 to 51, now its time to get to my list of the 50 Best Wrestlers of 1975. This list is my list/ I’ve taken into consideration other lists avaailable of ranked wrestlers for the year, along with my own research notes from our podcast shows throughout the year as well as extra study into territories and wrestlers i didn’t know very much about in order to be fair as possible/ I took into consideration: The Territory or territories the wrestler worked in and the significance and importance of that territory The programs and matches they had during the year The position on cards they held throughout the year How much time they spent as singles wrestlers vs being in tag teams during the year What championships they held and the importance of that title in drawing money on the cards and in the buildings How significant was the wrestling to that terriory, how dependant was the territory on them to draw money How significant was 1975 to their overall career? Was thier career trajectory swing up, peaked or on the down swing? And a few other things, but that was the main criteria I took into consideration I freely admit my own biases and preferences did come into play in this process, however I did try to maintain awareness of those biases and suspend them and honestly, i felt like I made some tough calls as far as assignments on the list. Here it is, my Top 50 Best Professional Wrestlers for the year of 1975! Chapters (00:00:02) - Podcast(00:00:35) - Top 100 Wrestlers of the Year 1975(00:09:30) - Top 25 Wrestlers in WWE 1975(00:20:33) - Ric Flair Won His First Singles Title in 1975(00:29:18) - Ken Mantel(00:35:20) - Rocky Johnson's Greatest Moments(00:40:27) - Waldo Von Erich in the WWF(00:50:35) - Baron Von Reschke(00:58:51) - Billy Robinson(01:07:32) - Dusty Rhodes(01:12:52) - Abdullah The Butcher(01:17:50) - Top 100 Wrestlers of All Time(01:28:08) - Jerry Briscoe and Bobo Brazil(01:34:34) - Top 25 Masked Wrestlers in Mexico(01:43:02) - Top 20 Wrestlers of 1975(01:52:06) - The Making of Pero Ag(01:59:46) - Ron Fuller(02:06:49) - Giant Baba vs Jumbo Saruta(02:15:06) - Mil Mil Mask(02:19:26) - Terry Funk at #7 in the Top 10(02:24:48) - Top 5 Wrestlers in 1975: Andre the Giant(02:32:09) - AWA World Championship Book(02:34:04) - The Top 3 Wrestlers in 1975(02:44:50) - The Top 100 Wrestlers of All Time Countdown

It’s out with the old year and in with the new…New Year’s Eve 2025 that is..and this holiday, I am counting down my Top 100 Wrestlers of 1975 right here in the Pro Wrestling Time Tunnel. Today’s show starts at Number 100 and we count down to Number 51! Tomorrow on New Year’s Day, we run through the Top 50…all the way down to my pick for the Number 1 wrestler for the year of 1975. Get your favorite beverage and maybe a snack and sit back, relax and check out my list. I’d love to hear your thoughts or maybe even your own list for The Top 100 Wrestlers for the year 1975! Chapters (00:00:02) - Pro Wrestling Time Tunnel Podcast(00:05:38) - Living on a ranch with my mom's death(00:11:48) - The Top 100 Wrestlers in 1975(00:16:41) - Top 100 Wrestlers of the Year 1975(00:22:58) - Top 10 WWF Superstars of 1975(00:31:39) - Kentaro Oki and Bobby Duncomb(00:36:45) - Bob Backlin Dead at 89(00:44:46) - Ken Patera(00:47:00) - NWA Super Destroyer and Jimmy Snuka at #88(00:54:15) - George the Animal Steel at #82(01:02:15) - Ranking The Top 100 Wrestlers in the World For 1975(01:06:02) - Killer Kowalski at #79(01:12:36) - Legendary Names of The UWA(01:19:13) - Bob Armstrong on Wrestling Hall of Fame Voting(01:26:01) - Red Bastine In Dallas(01:37:27) - Cyclone Negro's International Heavyweight Championship(01:38:42) - Blackjack Mulligan(01:44:06) - Russia Kimura vs Ken Lucas(01:53:33) - El Gran Marcus(01:55:44) - Top 100 Wrestlers in 1975: Jose Lothario, Dust

It’s here! Our 2025 Christmas Super Show from the Pro Wrestling Time Tunnel! This year we are focusing on the 3 world championships in the world during 1975. My first guest is Steve Gennerelli and we reflect and discuss Bruno Sammartino’s year of 1975 as the WWWF Champion. Bruno has even been declared the wrestler of the year in some historian circles for the year of 1975. Steve and I discuss this and more in Bruno’s championship year of 1975. Next up, my friend George Schire stops by the Richards Ranch and we discuss the world title in the American Wrestling Association, the AWA. Verne Gagne had been the champion since 1968. Why did he hold the title for so long? Why was the time right in Verne’s mind to end his reign and pass the title to Nick Bockwinkel in November of 1975? George and I discuss these things and more during out visit about the AWA Championship. Terry Funk won the NWA World Championship in Miami, Florida on December 10th, 1975 winning it from Jack Brisco. Funk had to immediately assume the schedule of the World Champion, which would be taking him to the Central States Territory. Jerry Oates, my next guest was the first challenger on December 11th at Memorial Hall. When did Jerry find out he was wrestling Terry and not Jack? What did Jerry and Terry say to each other? Did they talk before the match or after the match or both? Jerry and I talk about these things and more during our visit about Terry’s first defenses of the NWA Title. And Gerry Brisco joins me at the Richards Ranch to talk about his brother, Jack Brisco and his reign as NWA WOrld Champion from 1973 to 1975, We discuss Jack’s collegiate career, breaking in for LeRoy McGuirk in Oklahoma, Jack’s first television match, his NWA Title run, the title change with Giant Baba in 1974 and when he decided he wanted to give up the NWA Title and late on, give up pro wrestling and retire. Its a fabulous discussion with all four of my guests on this year’s 2025 Pro Wrestling Time Tunnel Christmas Super Show! Chapters (00:00:02) - Podcast(00:00:37) - Christmas Super Show(00:01:40) - Story with Briscoe and Bradshaw(00:06:08) - WWE Christmas Special(00:08:00) - 1975(00:09:13) - Bruno Sammartino's Most Frequent Opponents(00:15:10) - Bruno vs Jack Briscoe(00:23:25) - Bruno Briscoe on Being the WWF Champion(00:26:11) - WWE Legend: Bruno Bockwinkel(00:27:53) - Bruno vs Ivan Koloff(00:31:16) - Did Spiros Aragon Need A Manager?(00:33:49) - Do You Think Bruno's Second Reign Was Better Than His First?(00:42:07) - Interviewing George Shire(00:44:03) - AWA World Championship in 75(00:45:09) - Verne Luthez(00:52:38) - The AWA Champion Transition(01:00:12) - The AWA Championship Belt Stealing(01:03:36) - Bobby Heenan Loses A Family Member(01:06:12) - St. Paul Championship Change Hands

This is a special bonus episode in your stocking for Christmas Week as I am joined by our WWWF Analyst and Storyteller, Steve Gennerelli! The Mongolian Stomper (Archie Gouldie) was one the Top 10 heels in all of Pro Wrestling in 1975. He held both versions of the NWA Southern Title in the first half of the year in 1975 in Florida and in the second half of the year in Tennessee, then wrapping up the year as Texas Brass Knuckles Champion working and being booked out of Dallas at the end of 1975. He seemed perfect as a heel for Bruno Sammartino in the WWWF, why did that never happen? Well Steve Gennerelli has the story on why that program never materialized! Also, a famous World Champion Japanese Wrestler appeared in New York at Madison Square Garden for the first time ever in 1975! Who was it? Steve and Tony have the story as well as the Stomper story in this special Christmas Bonus Stocking Stuffer episode of The Pro Wrestling Time Tunnel history podcast! Happy Holidays from all of us here at the Richards Ranch and the Pro Wrestling Time Tunnel, from our home to yours! Chapters (00:00:02) - Podcast(00:00:34) - The Mongolian Stomper(00:07:58) - Dr. Jerry Graham's WWE Run(00:14:53) - Antonio Inoki Wrestling The First Time In Japan(00:20:14) - A Taste of Wrestling: Howard Baum and Donald De Leon(00:23:02) - Pro Wrestling Time Tunnel

This week we reach the pinnacle of 1975 in the Championship Wrestling from Florida Territory on an exciting night in Miami Beach at the Convention Center on December 10th! It’s the night where Jack Brisco had been advertised to defend his NWA World Heavyweight Championship against Dory Funk, Jr. Fans in Miami thought it would be another mat classic with two of the best wrestling technicians of this or any eraa met once again in combat. Surprise filled the air when it was announced that Funk, Jr was unable to make flight connections to be there and that younger brother Terry Funk would be taking his place in the match. Howard Baum, our regular Florida Territory analyst and commentator joins me aling with our special guest Don DeLeon, who was the photographer that night at the Convention Center. Having backstage access, DeLeon was the first human being to witness Terry Funk come into the dressing room that night after beating the best wrestler in the world and now holding the NWA World Title belt and that distinction for himself. Join Howard and I as we welcome Don to our show and have a special and unique conversation at The Richards Ranch about that historic night 50 years ago in Miami Beach. Chapters (00:00:02) - Tony Richards on the Pro Wrestling Time Tunnel Podcast(00:05:18) - Florida Pro Wrestling Legends(00:06:59) - Florida Championship Wrestling in 1975(00:09:19) - 1975(00:11:25) - Don Was Ringside When He Was 16(00:18:09) - Photographing WWE Superstars(00:24:25) - Big John Stud On His First Night(00:25:31) - The First Night In The WWE Dressing Room(00:31:12) - Meet Don Bradly(00:31:48) - Talking To The Mongolian Stomper(00:32:20) - Terry Briscoe Wins The World Title(00:35:27) - What Was the Atmosphere in Miami in the 1970s?(00:37:12) - Miami Beach Auditorium(00:40:29) - Wrestling in Miami vs Fort Lauderdale(00:44:11) - Terry Funk Wins the NWA World Heavyweight Championship(00:48:42) - Terry Rhodes on the Fans in North Carolina(00:52:34) - Terry Funk Walked Away From the Title to Be With Vicky(00:55:04) - Don DeLeon on Eddie Graham's IWA In Florida(01:00:39) - Don Blankenship on Wrestling(01:06:06) - Bob Roop on His Friendship With Terry Funk(01:09:04) - Eddie Graham's Success in Wrestling(01:14:33) - Who were some of the regulars at the Miami Beach Arena?(01:17:21) - Don Hardy On His Last Appearance(01:20:29) - Don Deleon On The Pro Wrestling Time Tunnel(01:21:27) - Pro Wrestling Time Tunnel Social Media Channels(01:23:39) - Christmas Pro Wrestling Special

My personal thoughts and remembrances of Ricky Romero, Jr, who passed away this past Thursday, December 11th in Amarillo, Texas. Ricky, Jr was a member of our group who didn't post or comment very much but was always very proud of my work and supported and helped me privately to a great degree. I will miss him tremendously. Chapters (00:00:02) - Ricky Romero Jr. Dead(00:07:32) - Ricky Romero Sr.'s obituary(00:11:35) - Ricky Romero Jr. Passed Away

This week, we wrap up the year of 1975 in the great state of Texas! We begin our show in the Dallas Big Time Wrestling Territory as our good friend and analyst Greg Klein joins us once again to travel the roads to all the towns and building in the Dallas loop! The arrival of The Mongolian Stomper and the classic show down in the Sam Houston Coliseum with the Man of 1,000 Masks, Mil Mascaras. All the matches, angles and feuds that close out the year of 1975 with Fritz Von Erich, Red Bastien, Joe Blanchard, Paul Boesch and others! Then, I head out to West Texas with a new guest on our show, my friend Dan Black, who grew up in the Amarillo territory and has some great memories to share. We talk about the debut of The Silver Streak from a very famous wrestling family in West Texas, the Western States Title run of Frank Goodish, the arrival and angle of the masked Super Destroyer and his program with Terry Funk. We will also discuss the Poffo Family, Angelo, Lanny and Jim Pride. Thank you for going on this amazing ride of miles and miles of Texas on this week’s Pro Wrestling Time Tunnel History Show! Chapters (00:00:02) - Podcast(00:00:36) - Thanksgiving(00:02:50) - The Evolution of Wrestling: The Year 1925(00:07:07) - 1984(00:10:16) - NWA World Junior Heavyweight Championship Match(00:16:26) - Rick Martel vs Stan Hansen(00:22:08) - Andre the Giant vs. John Tolos(00:28:11) - Johnny Valentine Plane Crash Update(00:34:44) - Terry Funk Gets The NWA American Heavyweight Title(00:39:45) - Thanksgiving in the NWA(00:43:36) - Fritz Von Erich vs Terry Funk(00:50:47) - The Mongolian Stomper in Houston(00:53:38) - Christmas Gifts given away in Houston in 1975(00:57:47) - Did Mill Come to the Ring With His IWA World Title?(01:02:27) - Terry Funk Wins World Heavyweight Title(01:06:07) - End of 1975(01:08:25) - Dan Black On His First Appearance On The Pro Wrestling Podcast(01:13:24) - West Texas Wrestling(01:16:28) - Terry Funk vs Sputnik Monroe in West Texas(01:22:31) - Andre the Giant vs Terry Funk in West Texas(01:27:04) - Terry Funk's Lubbock run(01:33:23) - Ricky Romero in Lubbock(01:36:21) - Terry Funk(01:41:29) - Dori Funk Jr vs Frank Goodish in November(01:46:33) - Randy Tyler in Lubbock(01:53:12) - Terry Funk vs. Junior Junior(01:56:16) - Terry Russell Winning the NWA World Heavyweight Championship(02:01:05) - Terry Funk on His NWA Championship Run(02:04:07) - The New NWA Western States Championship Match(02:07:47) - Dan Black on Terry Jones' Death(02:10:56) - Terry Funk's NWA World Championship Run

Here it is! Episode 34 of the Pro Wrestling Time Tunnel Show and this week, we wrap up the year of 1975 in the Gulas-Welch Tennessee Territory with my Tennessee Historian and Analyst Tim Dills! Tim and I tour around the huge territory covering matches in Nashville, Chattanooga, Birmingham, Memphis and others! All the matches, angles,storylines and stars including The Mongolian Stomper finally meeting his Waterloo and leaving for Texas. Bob Armstrong, Bill Dundee and Jerry Lawler triangle that ends up with Lawler turning heel and the seeds of the beginnings of the Lawler-Dundee feud that will last for decades are sown! These terrific fun things and much, much more. Tim and I are joined at the beginning of our show by Kevin McCann, historian and author to discuss his book on the legendary heel, Rowdy Red Roberts who dominated rings in the Tennessee Territory with his ongoing decades-long deud with all the Welch Brothers, Tex Riley and others. We are excited to have Kevin on the show to talk about his first book and one about one of the forgotten but most wonderful heels in Pro Wrestling History. Join us and learn all about the life and career of Rowdy Red Roberts! Chapters (00:00:02) - Pro Wrestling Time Tunnel Podcast(00:07:09) - 31 Legends of Pro Wrestling Announcers(00:13:53) - Goulas Welch in Tennessee Wrestling(00:16:27) - Bookmark Review(00:23:02) - Jerry Jarrett on Red Bull(00:23:51) - What was the most interesting thing you found out about Red(00:29:53) - Bob Brownie Roberts Working With The Referee(00:36:21) - Roddy Piper on Rowdy Red Roberts(00:40:13) - Red Roberts(00:46:41) - Thank You, Tim Feist(00:47:22) - Dyersburg Pro Wrestling Legends on Uncovering Secrets(00:50:07) - 1975(00:55:19) - Pepper Gomez(00:59:53) - The Nashville vs Memphis Wrestling Wars(01:04:23) - Alabama Passed a Bill to Allow Wrestling on Sundays(01:08:59) - Jerry Lawler Supports Silky Sullivan's Run for City Council(01:11:11) - Eddie Gilbert(01:17:39) - Bob Armstrong vs Ole Anderson(01:25:26) - Jerry Lawler vs Bill Dundee(01:31:54) - David Schultz on Bill Ash's debut(01:36:57) - Jerry Lawler vs Andre the Giant in 1974(01:40:46) - Bounty Hunters vs Jackie Fargo in Tennessee(01:46:54) - Tennessee Management legend Saul Weingroth back(01:51:26) - Tennessee Athletic Commission Business(01:55:28) - John Ringley Asking for Promoter's Licenses in Tennessee(02:02:08) - Jerry Lawler and Harry Thornton in 1975(02:06:07) - Harry Thornton Worked Almost Every Territory in 1975(02:11:42) - Dave Brown Gets Attacked By His(02:16:30) - Arthur Williams, who wrestled under the name Rufus Jones(02:17:50) - Bill Warren and the Jackson Athletic Commission(02:22:02) - Tennessee Wrestling: How M

On this week’s episode, we present our 2025 version of our Pro Wrestling Time Tunnel Thanksgiving Spectacular Show! Eminating from The Richards Ranch in Western Kentucky, our show today is packed with Thanksgiving Memories! We cover Thanksgiving Shows from Tennessee, the AWA in Minneapolis, Amarillo, Charlotte, Norfolk, Atlanta, Kansas City and Miami! Our guests on the show are George Schire, Jerry Oates, Bobby Simmons and Mike George. Everything from Abdullah and The Sheik in a steel cage, a Mask vs The Georgia Title Match, A match involving Ernie Ladd and Bobo Brazil tag team, Bob Geigel’s booking, referees in wrestling, bookers, Jerry & Ted Oates vs Dutch Mantell and Ron Bass, The Destroyer, the Jerry Oates and Mike George Tag Team, Driving home to St. Joseph from Miami in a Thanksgiving snowstorm and much, much more! Chapters (00:00:02) - Pro Wrestling Time Tunnel Podcast: Thanksgiving Spectacular(00:01:31) - Jerry Lawler vs Bill Dundee(00:05:33) - A Taste of Thanksgiving in the AWA(00:06:37) - Thanksgiving Wrestling in the AWA(00:14:38) - The Impact of The Good Guy and Bad Guy(00:23:17) - Bill Watts on Ending His Matches(00:25:32) - Minnesota Wrestling's legendary Minneapolis Auditorium(00:31:00) - Khosrow Vasiri Refereeing in the AWA(00:37:10) - Bobby Duncomb vs Bull Balinski(00:43:56) - Death Match(00:49:37) - The German Heel vs. Tony(00:52:26) - The Do6 and Tom Andrews(00:54:42) - The AWA World Heavyweight Championship Match(01:02:40) - Bill Irwin on Vern Gagne's World Light Heavyweight Title(01:06:06) - The Road Warriors(01:10:50) - Thanksgiving Cards in 75, 65 and 85(01:12:46) - Terry Funk(01:20:36) - Thanksgiving in 1975(01:22:13) - Thanksgiving Wrestling Story(01:23:51) - NWA Wrestling Thanksgiving Memories(01:27:14) - Thanksgiving on the Air(01:29:02) - Jerry Oates on Thanksgiving in Watch Territory(01:33:24) - Thanksgiving and Christmas Wrestling(01:38:32) - Jerry Gaines on Dutch and Ron Bass(01:41:53) - Bob Geigel Was Never Good At Booking(01:46:42) - How to Build a Winning Team(01:47:09) - Thanksgiving of 75(01:52:10) - Bobby Whitlock on Referees(01:57:00) - Moondog Maine on(02:00:51) - Tony Jones on Working For Watts(02:05:45) - Bobo Brazil vs Harley Race(02:10:06) - Brody on Working With Dusty and Eric(02:13:13) - Jerry and Mike on Thanksgiving Wrestling(02:17:31) - A Taste of Thanksgiving(02:18:36) - Thanksgiving Wish List

Pro Wrestling Time Tunnel Presents: Personalities, Territories, Towns & Buildings Episode 32, this week on the Time Tunnel Wrestling History Show, I welcome regular WWWF Analyst and Commentator, Steve Gennerelli. On this week’s episode, we wrap up the year of 1975 with discussion on more classic Bruno Sammartino Title Defenses wotking with some of the hottest heels in the business, Wrestling Observer Hall of Fame class member in 2025, Spiros Arion, Waldo Von Erich, Ivan Koloff and even Captain Lou Albano was still getting a lot of heat in 1975. The tag team championship will change hands as The Blackjacks’ short run as champions comes to an end as Blackjack Mulligan is needed elsewhere. Those topics and much, much more! Chapters (00:00:02) - Podcast(00:00:50) - Pro Wrestling Time Tunnel: Ending 1975(00:03:22) - Bob Cottle Passes Away at 95(00:06:22) - Pro Wrestling Time Tunnel: WWW F 1975(00:09:14) - Gorilla in the WWF in 75(00:14:16) - Bobo Brazil Plane Crash Explained(00:22:23) - Bruno Sammartino vs Andre the Giant(00:30:53) - Bugsy McGraw On Working With Bruno(00:32:41) - Dominic Denucci on Working For Vince McMahon(00:35:30) - Gorilla Monsoon On Vince McMahon's Selling The WWF(00:43:57) - Bruno Sullivan's WWW debut(00:47:16) - The Grand Wizard vs Lou Albano(00:50:53) - George Scott Booking A US Title Tournament in November(00:59:22) - Bruno Sammartino vs The Black Jacks(01:01:31) - WWE Legends on The Arena Report(01:04:34) - Jerry Blackwell vs Billy Graham in the NWA(01:12:16) - Blackjack Mulligan Gets Stabbed By a Wrestling Fan(01:14:38) - Terry Funk Wins NWA World Championship in Just Three Months(01:20:39) - Bruno Sammartino vs Lou Albano in a Steel(01:25:54) - Bob Smith on The Stick to Wrestling Podcast(01:28:46) - Pro Wrestling Time Tunnel

Pro Wrestling Time Tunnel Presents: Personalities, Territories, Towns & Buildings Episode 31, this week on the Time Tunnel Wrestling History Show, I welcome Michael Norris, Pro Wrestling Historian for the Gulf Coast Wrestling Territory! On this week’s episode, we discuss more of the history of the territory including Michael’s favorite feud of all time and more of the happenings in the various towns and buildings across South Alabama, Mississippi and the panhandle of Florida. You will enjoy this episode on one of the least covered territories of the territory era in professional wrestling, the Gulf Coast Championship Wrestling territory! Chapters (00:00:02) - Podcast(00:00:40) - Pro Wrestling Time Tunnel Podcast(00:06:59) - Michael Norris on the History of Gulf Coast Wrestling(00:09:26) - Gulf Coast 101: The History Of The territory in 1975(00:10:38) - Gulf Coast History(00:13:15) - The Mysterious Medics vs Jerry Oates(00:20:08) - Kelly Jones(00:27:23) - Spears and Ricky Fields in Georgia(00:28:36) - Bobby Shane in Mobile(00:37:38) - Bob Kelly vs Shane Lee(00:44:36) - The Mighty Yankees in NWA(00:51:39) - McGurk vs Mantell(00:52:41) - Ricky Neal Was billed as Ricky Neal in 1975(00:58:49) - Pensacola and Biloxi on TV(01:00:53) - The Gulf Coast Six Man Tag Team Championship(01:04:25) - Pensacola vs Panama City Wrestling(01:09:47) - The Interns vs The Medics in Mobile(01:16:54) - Double Main Event at Alabama(01:21:25) - Wrestling in the Mississippi(01:27:36) - Bounty Hunters vs Frank Dalton(01:35:07) - How Much Money Did The Infernos Make In 75?(01:42:34) - Roy Welch and Nick Ghoulis(01:49:25) - Plowboy Frazier on Roy and Nick(01:53:51) - Albert Welch on His Hall of Fame Moment(01:58:34) - Roy Welch and Jerry Jarrett(02:05:23) - Welch on a Deal(02:10:09) - Goodbye Kentucky Pro Wrestling Time Tunnel Podcast

Pro Wrestling Time Tunnel Presents: Personalities, Territories, Towns & Buildings Episode 30, this week on the Time Tunnel Wrestling History Show, I welcome Steve Verrier, author of Wrestling in the Pacific Northwest, the Gene Kiniski biography and co-author of the Wilbur Snyder biography! On this week’s episode, we discuss the booking office, territory and promotion of Vancouver, British Columbia. Largely owned by former NWA World Heavyweight Champion, Gene Kiniski, we discuss the personalities, towns, buildings, angles, television product and legendary matches that took place in Vancouver throughout the year of 1975. You will enjoy this episode on one of the most overlooked territories of the territory era in professional wrestling, the Vancouver territory! Plus Tony answers these questions sent into the show: 1. Tony, other than Gordon Solie and Lance Russell I'm territory days who in your opnion who was good wrestling announcers in the day?2. What wrestlers have been forgotten that we need to remember? 3. What are your thoughts on multi-time world champions, such as 14-time world champion and such?4. I would like to hear about the All South and how they challenged Crockett promotions in NC and SC and what the internal challenges were? Did you know the promoter even backed one or two of them?5. Tony, What are your thoughts about David Von Erich as NWA World Champion?       Chapters (00:00:02) - Pro Wrestling Time Tunnel: History Podcast(00:01:24) - Audio Version of OUR Show Now Available(00:02:36) - The WFIA Podcast and The Hollywood Squares(00:06:13) - The WWE Hall of Fame Selection(00:12:50) - Pro Wrestling Time Tunnel(00:14:16) - Rod Fenton(00:22:38) - Vancouver and British Columbia(00:34:06) - Vancouver's dominant wrestlers in the mid-70s(00:40:34) - George Gordienko Was Blacklisted in the United States(00:48:35) - Jack Briscoe Came Through Vancouver Wrestling in 75(00:56:05) - Was Cross-Promotion Possible In Oregon?(00:58:58) - Gene Kaniski Was Never Promoter or Owner of a Wrestling(01:06:56) - Ron Maurier On All-Star Wrestling(01:14:27) - Vancouver's Wrestling(01:16:20) - Tony DiBienna on Wrestling(01:19:15) - Vancouver Wrestling(01:21:39) - My List of 31 Wrestling Announcers(01:30:54) - What Wrestlers Have Been Forgotten?(01:35:25) - Remembering Forgotten Wrestlers(01:39:19) - George Shire on Multi-Time World Champions(01:49:07) - Would David Flair Have Left the National Wrestling Alliance?(01:57:05) - The WWE World Championship(02:04:18) - All South Wrestling vs Crockett Promotions(02:13:51) - Tony Richards

Our podcast focuses in on a by-gone era of regional booking offices in the territory era of wrestling talent in historic towns and legendary buildings around the world. On this week’s episode, we discuss the promotion owned by Dick The Bruiser and Wilbur Snyder, the World Wrestling Association. What was the television like? And the towns, such as the home base of Indianapolis, Indiana, as well as Champaign, Illinois, Terre Haute, Fort Wayne, South Bend, Bloomington, Hammond, Lafayette, Gary, Indiana and sharing Chicago, Illinois with the AWA. We are going to dig into the history of the territory as well as the WWA World Champion for most of 1975, Ox Baker and the WWA World Tag Champs, Sgt Jaques Goulet and Pvt LaBeouf, The Legionnaires. Dave lets us in on some of Dick The Bruiser’s simple booking philosophy that kept the WWA rolling in dollars and television viewers throughout the mid-1960s and all through the 1970s. You will enjoy this episode on one of the least talked about territories of the territory era in professional wrestling, the WWA! Chapters (00:00:02) - Podcast(00:00:56) - FYIs(00:04:19) - A Tribute To Territory Era Commentators(00:07:49) - WWE From Indianapolis(00:09:51) - Bruiser vs Dave Dynasty(00:13:43) - In the Elevator With My Mother(00:13:53) - Dave Dark on Starting a Wrestling Podcast(00:18:48) - WOJO on Jerry Graham Jr.'s Death(00:23:50) - Bruiser Miller on His Controversy(00:28:27) - Bruiser vs Vince McMahon(00:33:58) - Bruiser's Indianapolis Studios(00:37:56) - Bruiser the Clown on Indiana(00:40:40) - Nick The Bruiser on His CHAIN(00:45:07) - Bruiser vs Sheiks in Indianapolis(00:48:30) - St. Louis Wrestling Legends reminiscing about Dog the Bruiser and(00:51:58) - Bruno Sammartino(00:56:14) - Bruiser vs Luther in Detroit(00:58:24) - Legionnaires vs The Crusher(01:02:23) - Paul Christie on His WWE Days(01:04:58) - Bob Bruiser on His Booking Plans(01:09:21) - BRUISER AND CROSSES(01:11:45) - WWE 125(01:15:43) - Pepper Gomez's Run With the WWE Championship(01:18:21) - Bruiser's Last Match of 1975(01:22:56) - Dave On Nostalgic Dave Dynasty(01:26:08) - Interviewing Raven on My Podcast(01:28:22) - 1975

Pro Wrestling Time Tunnel Presents: Personalities, Territories, Towns & Buildings Episode 28, this week on the Time Tunnel Wrestling History Show, I welcome Lib Ayoub, the author of “It’s All About the Belt”, The World Heavyweight Title Belts of the American Wrestling Association 1960-1990. In the second half of the show today, I answer questions in our first Q&A segment. Questions for this week’s Q&A: What the Tony Richards’ Origin Story with Pro Wrestling? What were the “Peak Years” of the Territory Era? What World Title Changes Would You Have Wanted To Be There Live For? Can You Give A History of Wrestling In San Antonio, Texas? Can You Talk A Little About The Relationship Between Doc Sarpolis and Dory Funk, Sr?   Chapters (00:00:02) - Podcast(00:00:35) - Pro Wrestling Time Tunnel Podcast(00:04:37) - New Book Review(00:06:58) - Wrestling's Championship belts(00:10:11) - Replica AWA Rings(00:15:34) - The First AWA Champion's Belt With Snake Skin(00:18:21) - NWA US TV Championship Belt(00:21:27) - The Police Gazette Belt(00:25:46) - The AWA World Championship(00:27:37) - The Inmate Championship Belt(00:32:31) - Jerry Lawler On The AWA Championship Belt(00:36:33) - The Incentives Section of Your Book(00:39:47) - The History of the AWA World Championship(00:45:23) - Roy Welch Should Be Inducted Into The Wrestling Hall of Fame(00:50:10) - Fooled by the AWA Championship belts(00:51:32) - Tony Richards Origin Story(01:00:51) - Tony Richards Creates Pro Wrestling Time Tunnel(01:02:04) - What Were The Peak Years of Wrestling?(01:13:25) - Sam Mushnick vs National Wrestling Alliance: Stage 3(01:21:48) - What World Title Change Match Would You Have Wanted To Attend?(01:26:19) - Dori Funk Senior(01:33:04) - Texas Wrestling in the 1940s(01:42:16) - Pro Wrestling Time Tunnel Podcast

Pro Wrestling Time Tunnel Presents: Personalities, Territories, Towns & Buildings Episode 27, this week on the Time Tunnel Wrestling History Show, we review several names on this year’s Wrestling Observer Hall of Fame Ballot. I asked three of our regular guests and experts to come on the show to discuss who they believe should be elected to this year’s Hall of Fame Class. Steve Gennerelli, Brian R. Solomon and Greg Klein graciously accepted my invitation and are at the Richards Ranch for this great and thorough discussion and, of course, I have my own favorite that I am advocating for in this year’s voting. Come along for the ride as we discuss: Gorilla Monsoon The Junkyard Dog The Grand Wizard Roy Welch Morris Sigel George Scott Wild Bull Curry and a couple of others! Chapters (00:00:02) - Podcast(00:00:34) - Pro Wrestling Time Tunnel(00:03:40) - The Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame Vote(00:06:02) - Dave Meltzer on the WWE Hall of Fame(00:07:36) - The Wrestling Hall of Fame Ballot(00:13:01) - The 605 Super Podcast Hall of Fame(00:14:34) - The WCW Ballot(00:16:00) - Guilla Monsoon in the WWE Hall of Fame(00:19:01) - The Wrestling Hall of Fame(00:26:27) - The Worst Commentator In WWE History(00:29:29) - Steve Austin on Vince McMahon's Road Agents(00:34:37) - Honoring Gorilla Monsoon(00:39:31) - Dave Meltzer on the Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame(00:44:05) - Gorilla in the WWE(00:52:09) - What Killed New Orleans? The Junkyard Dog(00:59:10) - Oli Criticizes Tommy Jones' 1990(01:03:38) - Junkyard Dog: The History of Wrestling(01:06:50) - The Iron Sheik Should Be in the WWE Hall of Fame(01:14:29) - Junkyard Dog's WWF Run(01:21:47) - The Grand Wizard Is In(01:28:01) - The Grand Wizard vs Bul Curry(01:31:21) - The Wizard In WWE(01:36:47) - Honorizing Roy Welch(01:46:16) - Morris Siegel and Roy Hall of Fame(01:54:54) - Paul Bosch Owned Houston Wrestling(01:59:16) - COWBOY BOSS EXCLUSIVE(02:02:10) - June Byers for Women in Wrestling(02:08:52) - Wrestlers in the South: Cynical(02:11:49) - Final Vote for the WWE Hall of Fame(02:13:20) - Siegel vs Sylvester Siegel(02:14:14) - George Scott Should Be In The Wrestling Hall of Fame(02:17:31) - The Pro Wrestling Observer's Hall of Fame(02:18:49) - Pro Wrestling Time Tunnel

Pro Wrestling Time Tunnel Presents: Personalities, Territories, Towns & Buildings Episode 26, we go to Jim Crockett Promotions Mid-Atlantic Championship Wrestling in the year 1975. My new Mid-Atlantic analyst and commentator is the John Hitchcock. John was a fan in the Carolinas starting in the 1960s and became a regular at the Greensboro Coliseum for some of the most legendary cards of all time. In today’s episode, John relates (as best he can) what it was like to actually see the great Johnny Valentine, one of the greatest pro wrestlers of all time and how Valentine actually put “the stare” on his one night. His story about his conversation with Wahoo McDaniel about what it was like to work against Valentine. The change from a tag team territory to a singles-driven territory with the arrival of Dan Jardine as The Super Destroyer. The plane crash with Valentine, Flair, Woods, Bruggers and David Crockett, plus the aftermath and how booker George Scott and the Crockett team dealt with the loss of its biggest star. All that and more this week as we flashback to Mid-Atlantic 1975!   Chapters (00:00:02) - PODCAST: Pro Wrestling Time Tunnel(00:00:36) - Tony Richards(00:01:45) - Jim Crockett Promotions and Mid Atlantic Championship Wrestling(00:04:37) - John Hitchcock on Front Row, Section D(00:05:32) - Johnny Valentine's Plane Crash(00:07:23) - Jim Crockett Promotions(00:13:41) - Johnny Valentine in the WWE(00:19:36) - Paul Jones on His Friendship With Johnny Valentine(00:25:16) - John Valentine on His WWE Match(00:31:11) - Johnny Valentine and the US Belt(00:36:19) - Pedro Morales in the WWE(00:38:19) - The Ric Flair Plane Crash Story(00:47:12) - Paul Jones on His First WWE Championship(00:47:53) - Harley vs Paul Jones(00:53:22) - U.S. Heavyweight Championship(00:55:20) - Blackjack Mulligan vs Rick Flair(00:58:01) - The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame(01:03:04) - Paul Jones Gives Jack Briscoe The Paul Jones TV Trophy(01:06:46) - Ric Flair and The Horsemen(01:12:32) - The Horseman(01:15:47) - Who's The Biggest Heel In Jim Crockett Prom(01:22:22) - Pro Wrestling Observer's Hall of Fame

Pro Wrestling Time Tunnel Presents: Personalities, Territories, Towns & Buildings Episode 25, we go to Championship Wrestling from Florida in the year 1975. My new Florida analyst and commentator is the amazing Howard Baum. Howard’s experience with the Florida Territory started in 1975, so its only appropriate that is where we begin our journey. The Florida Territory was athletic and sports-based and most everything made logical sense. Harley Race was the booker for most of 1975, after the departure of Bill Watts to his home Oklahoma Territory in March of that year. We discuss the match-ups, the babyfaces, the heels, the matches, the angles and the incomporable television show, Championship Wrestling from Florida. Hang on, it’s a great ride as we go back in time to the Sunshine State for Florida 1975! Chapters (00:00:02) - Podcast(00:00:36) - Pro Wrestling Time Tunnel: Thank You!!(00:02:56) - The History of the Florida Territory(00:07:09) - Pro Wrestling Time Tunnel: Championship Wrestling From Florida(00:08:38) - Tony vs Dusty Rhodes(00:14:34) - Miami Wrestling Legend Dusty Rhodes on His Addiction(00:17:29) - Tony Hart on His Dad's Wrestling(00:24:56) - The Independence of Professional Wrestling(00:30:22) - Tony Robbins on The 70s(00:39:14) - Jim McKay On Gordon Soley's Commentary(00:46:13) - Dorie Funk vs Jack Briscoe(00:47:24) - Eddie Funk in Mid-Atlantic Wrestling(00:54:04) - Dusty and Cyclone Negro(00:56:43) - Hero Matsuda on His NWA World Junior Heavyweight Championship(01:00:11) - Miami vs Tampa(01:05:26) - Chris Dundee's Office(01:09:48) - Inside The Miami Beach Convention Center(01:10:03) - Chris Dundee On Jack Briscoe's Florida Wrestling(01:17:21) - Tennessee on Florida Wrestling(01:18:52) - No More Promotes(01:19:27) - Limited Edition Hard Way Art Promo Poster(01:21:46) - Tony Richards

Pro Wrestling Time Tunnel Presents: Personalities, Territories, Towns & Buildings Episode 24 Author & Historian Brian R. Solomon, Irresistible Force, The Life & Times of Gorilla Monsoon. Today on the show, I am visited by my dear friend and colleague, Brian R. Solomon and we discuss his latest book release, Irresistible Force, which documents and tells the story of Bob Marella, better and more widely known as Gorilla Monsoon. The story of his upbringing, his college career, being discovered and broken into the business, his amazing rise as a killer, monster heel in the mid-1960s, his administrative role in the 1970s and his familiar role as announcer and voice of Wrestlemania in the 1980s. This is a monumental work on a monumental life of a giant of a man. I hope you enjoy my visit with Brian R. Solomon on the show today! Chapters (00:00:02) - Brian R. Solomon on the Pro Wrestling Time Tunnel Podcast(00:02:18) - Pro Wrestling Time Tunnel(00:03:06) - The Book on Gorilla Monsoon(00:07:28) - Gorilla and His Wife(00:09:42) - Gorilla Was Connected With the WWF(00:16:48) - Gorilla Won the IWA World Championship(00:23:04) - Gino Monsoon Was Involved In The Gorilla Program(00:29:38) - Andre the Giant's WWF booking(00:31:34) - Gorilla on His Time on WWE TV(00:34:11) - How Much Difference Was There Between Gorilla Monsoon and Bob Mare(00:36:18) - What was the thing that you discovered about Gorilla that really reson(00:40:53) - Gorilla Has Diabetes For 25 Years(00:45:34) - The Legacy of Jim Howard(00:52:09) - Brian Fallon on His New Book(00:56:38) - Brian Solomon on Irresistible Force: The Life and Times of(00:58:22) - Pro Wrestling Time Tunnel

Our Personalities, Territories, Towns & Buildings podcast focuses in on a by-gone era of regional booking offices of wrestling talent in historic towns and legendary buildings around the world. Pro Wrestling Time Tunnel Presents: Episode 23 The St. Louis wrestling year of 1975. Today on the show, we continue to flashback 50 years in Pro Wrestling History and today we go to the Worldwide capitol of professional wrestling during the territory era, St. Louis, Missouri. My special guest is Herb Simmons, who began running shows for the St Louis Wrestling Club and Sam Muchnick in 1974. Herb was recently honored at the annual Caulflower Alley Club reunion. We discuss that, his Fan Fest and the St.. Louis Hall of Fame back in the Spring, this year’s wrestling event he promoted in Waterloo at the Tragos-Thesz Hall of Fame event and we flashback to the year of 1975 to some big cards and matches in St. Louis! Chapters (00:00:02) - Podcast(00:00:34) - Pro Wrestling Time Tunnel: History of Territory Wrestling(00:03:47) - Herb Simmons on The Year of Wrestling in St. Louis(00:05:19) - Pro Wrestling Time Tunnel(00:06:24) - St. Louis Wrestling Hall of Fame Celebration and Fan Fest(00:09:28) - Steve Austin on Being the Promoter in Waterloo, Iowa(00:17:40) - Herb Simmons on His SICW Award(00:21:13) - Bob Orton At The WWE Hall of Fame(00:25:26) - 1975(00:30:15) - Rufus Jones on His Advice For Wrestling(00:35:12) - Sam Muchnick on His Match Cards in 1975(00:41:33) - Bob Orton on His St. Louis Match(00:46:52) - Sam Sneed on Former St. Louis Heavyweight Dean Jones(00:52:17) - Sam Sneed on St. Louis Wrestling(00:54:57) - Sam Muchnick on The NWA(01:01:40) - Bruno Sammartino on His Drawing Card(01:06:45) - Baron Von Rashki on His Iron Claw(01:10:46) - Herb Simmons Discusses SICW Wrestling's Time Tunnel(01:11:31) - Herb Simmons on the Florida territory era(01:13:16) - Interviewing Gorilla Monsoon