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!

• (00:00:02) - Intro and Episode Preview
• (00:02:41) - Listener Mail: Grizzly Soap and Sportatorium Revival
• (00:05:53) - Interview: Jimmy Garvin and Magnum TA Introduction
• (00:10:12) - How Jimmy and Magnum First Met
• (00:18:25) - Planning the Garvin-Magnum Program and Precious's Role
• (00:24:50) - What the Feud Could Have Become
• (00:34:02) - Hall of Fame Memories and Waterloo Stories
• (00:36:41) - The Greenville Match and In-Ring Chemistry
• (00:39:44) - Dan Gable, Jim Crockett's Expansion, and Trust in the Push
• (00:46:34) - The Night of the Accident and Aftermath
• (00:48:48) - Patty's Role and Fan Stories
• (00:58:14) - Final Thoughts from Garvin and Magnum
• (01:00:55) - Remembering Ricky Sexton (Mario Chriacia)
• (01:07:35) - Todd Goss Joins: Magnum's Title Reign What If
• (01:10:35) - Would Magnum Have Worked as a Heel or Face Champion?
• (01:13:16) - Territory Struggles: Dallas, Atlanta, Georgia
• (01:18:07) - Booking Philosophy and Dusty Rhodes Critique
• (01:21:04) - Who Could Magnum Have Worked With as Champion?
• (01:25:07) - Management and Business Mistakes in Crockett Promotions
• (01:34:39) - Starrcade Booking Decisions Debate
• (01:40:36) - Wrapping Up: Nikita, Luger, and the Butterfly Effect
• (01:49:05) - Wrestling History Preservation and Tape Trading
• (01:54:16) - Overlooked Historical Figures and Hall of Fame Advocacy
• (02:00:21) - Final Thoughts on the Magnum What If
• (02:01:20) - Remembering Clary Fleming
• (02:04:59) - Baron Von Raschke News and Dusty Trivia
• (02:08:10) - What If Segment Intro: Ric Flair to the WWF
• (02:11:08) - Setting the Scene: 1982 WWF/NWA Unification Match
• (02:22:31) - Booking Flair as WWF/NWA Unified Champion
• (02:29:14) - The Before Horsemen and Flair's WWF Opponents
• (02:33:56) - NWA Promoters Rebel Against the Arrangement
• (02:42:13) - The NWA Championship Tournament Concept
• (02:49:26) - Tournament Bracket and Results Discussion
• (02:52:03) - Dibiase's Reign and Territory Programs Set Up
• (03:00:52) - Flair's WWF Run and Jerry Lawler Praise
• (03:03:27) - Closing Plugs and Wrestling Podcast Mentions
• (03:11:10) - Wrap-Up and Grizzly Soap Co Promotion
• (03:15:12) - Outro and Next Week Preview