Pro Wrestling Time Tunnel Territory History Show

Pro Wrestling Time Tunnel Territory History Show Episode 86

Episode 86 of The Pro Wrestling Time Tunnel History Show continues our 1976 territory reviews as we head to the Pacific Northwest.

Segment 1: We look at Don Owen’s Portland Territory in 1976 with two of the finest experts on the territory — author and historian Mike Rodgers and his collaborator Frank Culbertson. There are no two better people to walk us through the buildings, the talent, and the business of Portland that year.

Segment 2: We hop across the border to the Vancouver Territory. Steve Verrier joins the show. He’s the author of the Gene Kiniski biography, the George Gordienko biography, and Pacific Wrestling in the Northwest, a comprehensive history of wrestling in that part of the country. Steve helps us break down Vancouver in 1976.

Segment 3: Steve Gennerelli returns for our latest Mailbag segment. He and I dig into questions from our listeners and viewers.Portland, Vancouver, and the Mailbag — all in one episode.

Episode 86 is available now on Castos, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, and all your usual platforms.Hit play, leave a review, and keep riding with us through the Time Tunnel!

Episode 85 of The Pro Wrestling Time Tunnel History Show is all about the Wrestling Observer Hall of Fame 2026 ballot.

We go down the ballot with plenty of expertise, advocates for their favorites, and deep historical and career reviews to help voters make their decisions this year.

Segment 1:

Our Hall of Fame panel looks at the Historical and Non-Wrestler categories. Steve Gennerelli, Greg Klein, and Brian R. Solomon join me for this discussion.

Segment 2:

Allan Blackstock makes his first appearance on the show from Great Britain to discuss the Rest of the World category. Allan shares his research and deep knowledge with our listeners and viewers.

Segment 3:

Also joining us for the first time is Matt Farmer. Using his year of researching Mexico, Matt helps educate our audience on the candidates in the Mexico category.

It’s a full look at the ballot — history, advocacy, and the names that deserve a closer look before the votes are cast.

Episode 85 – The Wrestling Observer Hall of Fame 2026 Show is available now on Castos, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, and all your usual platforms.

Hit play, leave a review, and join us as we go down the ballot in the Time Tunnel!

Episode 84 of The Pro Wrestling Time Tunnel History Show is a different kind of night — The “What If” Episode.

Segment 1:

We go back 40 years to the car accident that ended Magnum TA’s career. Jimmy Garvin joins the show as we look at the hot program the two of them had just started. What if that accident never happens? Where does the program go? Does it build into a World Title series between Magnum and Jimmy? How does Precious fit into the story? This one gets intriguing in a hurry.

RIP Ricky Sexton

Segment 2:

Mid-Atlantic analyst and historian Todd Goss returns. Todd and I dig into what a Magnum TA World Title run would have looked like. How would it have affected business in the Carolinas and across the NWA? We kick it around, chase a few other ideas, and see where the road might have led.

RIP Clary Fleming

Segment 3:

Steve Gennerelli and Jammie Ward join me for another big “what if”: Ric Flair going to the WWWF in the 1980s. Several strong theories get tossed around — how it would have changed New York, the NWA, and the man himself.

Three segments. Three alternate histories. One episode built for territory fans who love the questions that never got answered.

Episode 84 – The “What If” Episode is available now on Castos, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, and all your usual platforms.

Hit play, leave a review, and come ride the “what if” with us through the Time Tunnel!

Promo for Pro Wrestling Time Tunnel History Show – Episode 83
The Detroit Territory, 1976

Hey everyone, Tony Richards here!Episode 83 of The Pro Wrestling Time Tunnel History Show takes a trip to the Detroit territory and Big Time Wrestling in 1976.

We open with a short congratulations to one of our family members and AWA analyst, George Schire. The George Tragos–Lou Thesz Hall of Fame Board announced this past weekend that George will be honored with the James C. Melby Award for 2027 at Hall of Fame weekend in
Waterloo, Iowa. Well deserved.

Segment 1:
I welcome longtime Detroit television announcer Terry Sullivan to discuss the Detroit Territory in 1976.

Segment 2:
A short, heartfelt tribute to Bart Batten, one of the Batten Twins tag team, who passed away on October 1st. I also give a little profile of the in-ring career of Klondike Bill — more than a ring truck driver.

Segment 3:
Brian Solomon, author of Blood and Fire, the biography of The Original Sheik, returns to the show. Brian and I discuss what was happening in the Sheik’s life and territory in 1976. To close, I recap the other territories The Sheik traveled to and wrestled in during 1976.
It’s the Detroit Territory, all in one episode.

Episode 83 is available now on Castos, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, and all your usual platforms.

Hit play, leave a review, and keep riding with us through the Time Tunnel!

Pro Wrestling Time Tunnel Territory History Show Episode 82

Hey everyone, Tony Richards here!

Episode 82 of The Pro Wrestling Time Tunnel History Show is another history-packed episode with three strong segments.

Segment 1:

We welcome Bob Smith of The Outdated Wrestling Hour and Outdated Entertainment Hour. Bob was also a staff member at Pro Wrestling Illustrated, worked on the first PWI 500, and played in B.B. King’s band. It should be a fascinating visit.

Segment 2:

I go back to the 1966 West Texas Territory, this time covering the Tuesday night town of Odessa. We take a deep dive on promoter Pat O’Dowdy and look at the January cards in Odessa.

Segment 3:

Another fun Mailbag segment. Steve Gennerelli and I take a crack at fascinating questions from our viewers and listeners.

Episode 82 is available now on Castos, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, and all your usual platforms.

Hit play, leave a review, and keep riding with us through the Time Tunnel!

Episode 81: A Farewell for Superstar Bill Dundee

This week's special episode features Dr. Tom Prichard, Randy Hales, and Pat Trammell of Talking Memphis Wrestling. Together we share stories, personal remembrances, and words of tribute for Bill Dundee.

It is the only segment on this week’s show — a full episode dedicated to remembering one of the great personalities of Memphis and the territory era.

Thank you for being part of this community as we honor the people who built this business.

Do us and territory wrestling fans a favor, subscribe, like, give a 5-Star review and share this show so more and more territory wrestling fans can find us.

The Pro Wrestling Time Tunnel: Your Home for the History of Territory Wrestling!

Episode 80 of The Pro Wrestling Time Tunnel History Show is a special one, with a trip to Japan and a heartfelt look back at our friend Jerry Oates.

Segment 1:We travel to Japan as wrestling historian Fumi Saito joins us from Tokyo. Fumi looks back at Giant Baba’s All Japan Pro Wrestling in 1976, the year Jerry and Ted Oates won the All Asia Tag Team Championship.

Segment 2:Two of our regulars, Georgia wrestling analyst Bobby Simmons and Gulf Coast expert Michael Norris, join me to share their friendship and memories of Jerry Oates. We laugh, we reflect, and we get sad at times talking about our friend.

Segment 3:My last conversation with Jerry Oates for the show — recorded a couple of weeks before his passing — as Jerry discusses his career in 1976.

This is a history-packed and deeply personal episode.

Episode 80 is available now on Castos, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, and all your usual platforms.Hit play, leave a review, and keep riding with us through the Time Tunnel.

Episode 79 of The Pro Wrestling Time Tunnel History Show welcomes two first-time guests to the show — and we also pause to remember three wrestlers we’ve lost recently.

Segment One: I pay tribute to Paul LeDuc, one of the Canadian Lumberjacks along with his kayfabe brother Jos LeDuc. Then we welcome Lucha Libre historian and enthusiast Roy Lucier for his first appearance on the show. Roy and I discuss wrestling in Mexico as we cover the EMLL and UWA promotions in 1976.

Segment Two: I offer a heartfelt tribute to Jerry Oates, a Southern territory legend and a member of our Pro Wrestling Time Tunnel family. Then we welcome Ross Hart of the famous Stu Hart family for his first appearance on the show. Ross and I cover Stampede Wrestling in 1976.

Segment Three: I wrap up the episode with thoughts on Superstar Bill Dundee, who passed away over the weekend.It’s a history-packed episode with new voices, important tributes, and another look at 1976 around the wrestling world.

Episode 79 is available now on Castos, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, and all your usual platforms.

Hit play, leave a review, and keep riding with us through the Pro Wrestling Time Tunnel.

Pro Wrestling Time Tunnel Territory History Show Episode 78

Hey everyone, Tony Richards here!Episode 78 of The Pro Wrestling Time Tunnel History Show is another loaded episode with three strong segments.

Segment 1:Steve Gennerelli and I open the show with a salute and review of the career of Dolly Parton, the Hall of Fame singer-songwriter who recently passed away at the age of 80. We share our thoughts and pay tribute to one of the greats.

Segment 2:Pro Wrestling Time Tunnel Florida analyst Howard Baum is joined by former Florida referee and office employee Bruce Owens. The guys review the career of The American Dream Dusty Rhodes in 1976 and his legendary battles with NWA World Champion Terry Funk, Don Jardine, The Spoiler, Jody Hamilton (The Assassin), and more — all in the Spirit of ’76 as well as more memories of Dory Funk Jr in Florida as booker.

Segment 3:Tennessee analyst Tim Dills joins me as we document the career of UWA personality and Nashville legend Big Tussie. We also review the cards from the outlaw UWA group and the Gulas Tennessee office in Nashville and the surrounding towns.Three great segments.

One history-packed episode.

Episode 78 is available now on Castos, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, and all your usual platforms.Hit play, leave a review, and keep riding with us through the Time Tunnel, your Home for the History of Territory Wrestling!

Pro Wrestling Time Tunnel Territory History Show Episode 77

Episode 77 of The Pro Wrestling Time Tunnel History Show is another history-packed episode with three great guests and deep conversations.

Segment 1: Steve Gennerelli joins me as we go deep into the 7 Stages of the Territory Era framework. Steve and I discuss how the framework was created, its roots, and the original thoughts and ideas behind it. We talk about how it continues to evolve as new information comes to light. Then we focus specifically on Stage 7: Disintegration (1985–1995) — the critical ten-year period when the territory system collapsed, offices closed, and promotions disappeared. We examine the impact of cable television technology and the forces that drove national expansion.

Segment 2: Historian Greg Klein stops by the Ranch. We discuss his new book, The Texas Rasslin Wars of the 1950s, his recent guest appearance on Episode 9 of Stories with Brisco and Bradshaw’s The History of Texas Wrestling, and more.

Segment 3: Sean Dulaney visits to talk about his new book, The History of Wrestling in Evansville, Indiana 1972–1973, and the special exhibit at the Evansville Museum celebrating 100 Years of Pro Wrestling in Evansville.Three strong segments.

One loaded episode of territory history.

Episode 77 is available now on Castos, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, and all your usual platforms.

Hit play, leave a review, and keep riding with us through the Pro Wrestling Time Tunnel!

Episode 76 is a special one: The Dory Funk Jr. Tribute Show.

We honor the life and career of “The Champ” with four powerful segments and an incredible group of guests.

Segment 1:Historian George Schire joins me to discuss the career of Dory Funk Jr. For the first time ever, we walk through my personal scorecard framework that supports the statement that Dory Funk Jr. was the greatest NWA World Heavyweight Champion of all time. Follow along and score it yourself.

Segment 2:One of Dory’s longtime friends, tag-team partners, and opponents, “The Red Dog” Larry Lane, reflects on their relationship, their travels, and the years they spent working together.

Segment 3:“The Million Dollar Man” Ted DiBiase sits down for a deeply emotional conversation. Ted talks about his father, Iron Mike DiBiase, and Dory Funk Sr. — bitter enemies in the storylines but the best of friends behind the scenes. He also shares stories about breaking into the business in Amarillo while still playing football at West Texas State, and much more.

Segment 4:Gerry Brisco, the man who lived the legendary Brisco-Funk feud, shares memories, stories, and a few choked-up moments as we look back on one of the great rivalries in wrestling history.

This is a fantastic, heartfelt episode as we remember The Champ, Dory Funk Jr.

Episode 76 – The Dory Funk Jr. Tribute Show is available now on Castos, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, and all your usual platforms.

Hit play, leave a review, and join us in honoring one of the true greats.

We’ll see you in the Time Tunnel.

Your Home for the History of the Territory Pro Wrestling

Hey everyone, Tony Richards here!

Episode 75 of The Pro Wrestling Time Tunnel History Show is packed with three strong segments and drops this morning in all the usual places.

Segment 1:Tennessee wrestling historian Tim Dills joins me as we finish the second half of 1976. We dig into the failure of the UWA, some fascinating records from the Tennessee Athletic Commission, and the growing tension that would lead to the split of the Tennessee Territory in 1977. Plenty more territory history along the way.

Segment 2:I travel back through the Time Tunnel to West Texas in 1966, focusing on January in Abilene. The Lawman Don Slatton takes over as the new promoter. After some building problems with the city in 1965, things are smoothed out and the territory is up and running strong by the start of 1966.

Segment 3:Longtime Memphis hand Randy Hales stops by the Richards Ranch. Announcer, office assistant, Mid-South Coliseum ring announcer, booker, and promoter — Randy sits down to discuss his career in Tennessee wrestling and share stories from one of the most legendary territories of all time.

Three great segments. One history-packed episode.

Episode 75 is available now on Castos, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, and everywhere you listen.

Hit play, leave a review, and keep riding with us through the Time Tunnel!

Your Home For The History of Territory Wrestling!

Hey everyone, Tony Richards here!Episode 74 of The Pro Wrestling Time Tunnel History Show is focused on one of the most important gatherings in our industry — the Cauliflower Alley Club and their annual meeting taking place in Las Vegas this August 2026.

We’ve got a fantastic lineup of guests this week:• New CAC board member and Director of Assistance Paige Sutherland•

James Melby Award winner for journalism, author, and historian Dan Murphy•

Ron Hutchinson Trainers Award winner Rip Rogers

Together we dig into the history, the mission, and the continued importance of the Cauliflower Alley Club, while sharing stories, insights, and updates from this year’s gathering.It’s another history-packed and entertaining episode you won’t want to miss.

Episode 74 drops this morning on Castos, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, and all your usual platforms.Hit play, leave a review, and keep supporting the clubs and organizations that help take care of the people who built this business.

We’ll see you in the Pro Wrestling Time Tunnel, Your Home for the History of Territory Wrestling!!

Episode 73 of The Pro Wrestling Time Tunnel History Show is loaded with three big segments and drops this morning at 5am Central / 6am Eastern.

Segment 1:

I welcome back World Class Championship Wrestling historian and expert Lance Peterson. Lance shares his thoughts on the recent Curse of the Von Erichs documentary — honest analysis, historical context, and insight you won’t hear anywhere else.

Segment 2:

We continue The Life and Career of Dory Funk Sr. as 1966 kicks off. The first card of the new year takes us to Albuquerque, New Mexico. I dig into the history of pro wrestling in Albuquerque, local town promoter Mike London, the TV show of the era, and profiles on Iron Mike DiBiase and Sailor Art Thomas. Plus, a complete look at every card from January 1966 in Albuquerque.

Segment 3:

Steve Gennerelli is back with a brand-new mailbag. He’s been collecting your questions, and I’m ready for him to fire them my way. Territory history, booking, wrestlers, “what ifs” — nothing is off limits.

Three strong segments. One powerhouse episode.

Episode 73 is available now on Castos, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, and everywhere you get your shows.

We’ll see you in the Time Tunnel, the home for the History of Territory Wrestling!

It's another loaded episode of The Pro Wrestling Time Tunnel!On Episode 72, Steve Gennerelli joins me as we step back into 1976 for a deep dive into the WWWF. We break down the dramatic Bruno Sammartino broken neck angle, the heated return match against Stan Hansen, and the massive impact it had on the territory. Plus, we examine the historic Inoki vs. Ali mixed wrestler-versus-boxer match and share more key insights into the WWWF during that pivotal year.

I’m also excited to launch a brand-new recurring segment: The Life and Career of Dory Funk Sr.! We kick things off by looking back at the significant events of 1965 and how they set the stage for the pivotal year of 1966. Then we head 60 years back in time to the Wild West Texas rings of Western States Sports for some raw, hard-hitting territory history.

And finally, the one and only George Schire returns to the show to answer a fan question with his personal thoughts on the Top 5 AWA World Heavyweight Champions of all time!This is a stacked episode packed with territory-era gold you don’t want to miss.Episode 72 is live now here on Substack and on Castos, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, and all your favorite platforms.

If you love old-school wrestling history, hit play, please subscribe and leave a review, and let us know what you think. Keep those questions and topic requests coming!

We’ll see you in the Time Tunnel, the home for the History of Territory Wrestling!

Episode 71: Tennessee Territory 1976 – The Gulas-Welch Territory in the First Half of the YearIn this episode, host Tony Richards is joined once again by Tennessee wrestling historian Tim Dills for a detailed review of the first six months of 1976 in the powerful Gulas-Welch Tennessee Territory.

We explore the behind-the-scenes workings and motivations of the new UWA promotion challenging the established order in Nashville, the heated and emerging Jerry Lawler vs. Tommy Rich feud that would become one of the territory’s biggest draws, the colorful program pitting The Bicentennial Kings against The Fabulous Fargos (including Jackie and Roughhouse), and much more.

Throughout the conversation, we see the early seeds of discontent being sown between Nick Gulas and Jerry Jarrett — tensions that would ultimately lead to the dramatic breakup of the territory in 1977.Packed with historical context, key angles, business insights, and classic territory storytelling, this episode is essential listening for fans of Mid-South/NWA action in the 1970s.

Episode 71 drops now — available on Castos, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, and all major podcast platforms.Brought to you by the Grizzly Up Soap Company.Ride with us through the Time Tunnel as we continue our deep dive into 1976!

We continue our 2026 Tragos-Thesz Hall of Fame Series with Episode 70, dropping this morning , July 8th — just days before the big Hall of Fame weekend in Waterloo.Joining us is Ron Fuller, who will be accepting the 2026 Lou Thesz Award on behalf of the Welch/Fuller Family. Ron shares heartfelt memories of his family’s legendary contributions to the business, stories from his own career, and his pivotal role promoting Southeastern Championship Wrestling in 1976. We dive deep into the family legacy that helped shape so many territories.

Our second guest is the noted wrestling historian George Schire. We discuss my own honor — the James C. Melby Award for excellence in journalism and wrestling history preservation — and I have a special surprise for George during the show that you won’t want to miss.Two outstanding guests, rich Hall of Fame conversation, and plenty of territory history. This is one of those episodes you’ll want to listen to more than once.

Brought to you by the Grizzly Up Soap Company — keeping the legends clean and the territory spirit alive!Set your reminders, download it fresh on Wednesday morning, and ride along with us through the Time Tunnel as we celebrate this year’s honorees. Can’t wait for you to hear this one!

Pro Wrestling Time Tunnel History Show, Your Home for the History of Territory Wrestliung!

We proudly launch our brand-new 2026 Tragos-Thesz Hall of Fame Series with Episode 69 of The Pro Wrestling Time Tunnel History Show, featuring 2026 Impact Award winner and legendary referee James Beard and Jack Brisco Red Belt Award winner “Gorgeous” Jimmy Garvin!James was a cornerstone official in World Class Championship Wrestling’s glory years at the Sportatorium and later in the WWF. Jimmy Garvin brings his iconic in-ring perspective from his legendary runs across the territories, including his deep Texas roots and time with the Freebirds. In this conversation we cover career highlights, behind-the-scenes stories from Dallas, and what these well-deserved honors mean to them ahead of the Hall of Fame weekend.

Episode 69 is live now on Substack,Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, and all major platforms.

Listen today and let us know what you think.

The Pro Wrestling Time Tunnel History Show is your Home for the History of Territory Wrestling.

We’re back with our second Mailbag Show of the year — Episode 67 — and I’m joined once again by my great friend and co-host, Steve Gennerelli!This one is pure fan interaction. Steve and I are diving into your questions from the community — everything from deep territorial history, booking decisions, hidden gems from the 70s and 80s, wrestler careers, and those classic “what if” scenarios that we all love to debate.You asked… we’re answering.

Expect plenty of stories, insight, laughs, and that signature Time Tunnel deep dive you’ve come to expect.Whether you’re a longtime territory fan or just discovering the golden age of regional wrestling, this episode is for you. Episode 67 – The Pro Wrestling Time Tunnel Mailbag Show #2 is live now on Castos, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and everywhere you get your shows.Drop a review, share your thoughts, and keep those questions coming for the next mailbag!

Thanks for riding with us through the Time Tunnel… let’s open some letters and talk some wrestling history!

It's Episode 67 of The Pro Wrestling Time Tunnel Territory Show as we continue pur 1976 Territory Review Series!

I am joined by Greg Klein this week as we we roll into the heart of Texas in 1976 and dive deep into one of the hottest territories in the NWA: Big Time Wrestling out of Dallas. From the roads stretching between Fort Worth, Dallas, San Antonio, Corpus Christi, Houston, and Austin, a stacked roster of talent was tearing it up night after night in arenas big and small.Homegrown hero and NWA American Champion Fritz Von Erich was the beating heart of the promotion. The legendary Iron Claw was working overtime as Fritz anchored fantastic programs, most notably his intense heel feud with The Mongolian Stomper, managed by the cunning J.J. Dillon.

These battles had Texas fans on the edge of their seats week after week.The territory was so hot that even top stars were navigating carefully. The great Red Bastien was reportedly steering somewhat clear of the red-hot scene, while still making selective appearances like his time-limit draw with Rick Martel on the big card.The crown jewel of the year? The Super Bowl of Wrestling on June 5, 1976, at Texas Stadium in Irving.

One of the biggest shows of the year drew a massive crowd (reported around 17,000) for a star-studded supercard. In the main event, NWA World Heavyweight Champion Terry Funk hooked up with Fritz Von Erich in a sizzling title match that spilled outside and ended in a double count-out, further fueling the ongoing Von Erich vs. Funk family feud that had Texas (and beyond) buzzing.We’ll break down the full card highlights, key angles, the business side of the territory, other top talent on the roads, and how this era set the stage for what would become World Class Championship Wrestling.

From blood feuds and big gates to the territorial grind, it’s classic 1976 Texas wrestling at its absolute peak.Tune in for another deep dive through the Time Tunnel—where the territories come alive again!https://tonyrichards4.substack.com/p/pro-wrestling-time-tunnel-history-0af

The Pro Wrestling Time Tunnel: Your Home for the History of Territory Wrestling.