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

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!

• (00:00:02) - Intro and Show Open
• (00:00:52) - George Shire's Hall of Fame Announcement
• (00:07:54) - The Secret Phone Call Story
• (00:13:46) - Reflections on Family, Age, and Legacy
• (00:16:59) - Honoring Jim Melby's Friendship
• (00:19:33) - Thanking Supporters and Closing with George
• (00:26:03) - Terry Sullivan Introduction and Early Detroit Fandom
• (00:29:53) - Jack Kane's Role and Backstory
• (00:34:51) - Ali vs Inoki Closed Circuit Fallout
• (00:37:26) - US Title Shuffles and Killer Carl Krupp
• (00:40:39) - Andre the Giant and Crowd Psychology
• (00:44:09) - Thunderbolt Patterson's Return
• (00:48:21) - Cincinnati, Columbus and Territory Decline Causes
• (00:51:37) - Al Haft and Ohio Wrestling History
• (00:58:10) - Studio Wrestling Origins and TV Economics
• (01:00:33) - Promoter Transitions and Town Drawing Power
• (01:01:48) - Johnny Valentine and Bobo Brazil Classics
• (01:05:36) - Don Jardine the Spoiler and Booking Missteps
• (01:10:38) - Don Kent, Kangaroos, and Al Costello Memories
• (01:19:01) - Bull and Fred Curry Tribute
• (01:22:59) - Wrestling Then vs Now - Authenticity Discussion
• (01:29:07) - Closing Thoughts with Terry Sullivan
• (01:38:12) - Show Transition and George Shire Recap
• (01:40:03) - In Memoriam: Bart Batten
• (01:46:19) - Klondike Bill Tribute and Career Retrospective
• (02:01:06) - Introducing Brian Solomon and the Sheik Discussion
• (02:04:12) - The Sheik's Peak and the Ali-Inoki Closed Circuit Flop
• (02:08:06) - Declining Attendance Numbers at Kobo Arena
• (02:11:59) - Recycling Talent and Missed Opportunities
• (02:16:15) - Captain Ed George and Booking Failures
• (02:18:20) - The Sheik's Psychology and Trust Issues
• (02:21:20) - Wrestler-Promoters and Territory Longevity
• (02:24:36) - Timing, Place, and Business Momentum
• (02:28:56) - The Sheik's Addiction and Personal Struggles
• (02:32:49) - Desperation Booking and Outside Bookings
• (02:40:07) - Eddie Creatchman the Manager
• (02:43:45) - Outlaw Promotions and Loyalty Issues
• (02:47:30) - Momentum, Fan Loss, and Lasting Damage
• (02:55:26) - Modern Wrestling's Global Expansion Parallels
• (03:01:06) - Why Territories Can't Return Today
• (03:04:25) - Closing Thoughts on 1976 and the Sheik's Legacy
• (03:07:56) - The Sheik's Outside Bookings in 1976 Detailed
• (03:18:32) - Sponsor Segment: Grizzly Up Soap Company
• (03:23:35) - Show Wrap-up and Next Week Preview

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!

• (00:00:02) - Intro and Kentucky weather update
• (00:03:14) - Remembering PAC (Benjamin Satterley)
• (00:07:06) - Roy Welch Hall of Fame campaign
• (00:13:06) - Idealism vs realism in getting Roy Welch elected
• (00:19:06) - Show preview for today's episode
• (00:20:24) - Welcoming Bob Smith and podcast recording marathon
• (00:23:21) - Copyright, music licensing and YouTube issues
• (00:24:41) - Outdated Entertainment Hour origins and topics
• (00:26:33) - Polka music tangent
• (00:28:12) - Reconnecting with old wrestling magazine friends
• (00:32:07) - Bill Apter stories and Apter's Alley collection
• (00:33:29) - Life at PWI: magazines and workplace
• (00:36:57) - Dusty Rhodes' Florida comeback and Terry Funk feud
• (00:38:55) - Creating the PWI 500 rankings
• (00:41:43) - Bob's Memphis wrestling trip in 1991
• (00:44:04) - Studio wrestling nostalgia
• (00:45:49) - Leaving PWI and career after the magazine days
• (00:47:53) - Getting hired via Mike Tyson article and PWI duties
• (00:49:33) - Naming the Rob Van Dam split-legged moonsault
• (00:51:08) - Favorite Outdated Entertainment Hour: The Guess Who
• (00:52:38) - Joe Puccio co-host relationship
• (00:56:49) - Generational gaps in wrestling fandom
• (00:58:17) - Detroit wrestling legends and the Sheik's outlaw walkout
• (01:03:13) - Lord Layton and Detroit territory nostalgia
• (01:04:22) - Amarillo tape preservation and Mario Savoldi
• (01:05:46) - Origins of Bob's own podcast after being dropped
• (01:11:17) - Ian Douglas and modern wrestling authors
• (01:13:41) - Personal reflection questions: memories, heroes, values
• (01:19:31) - Favorite things: music, food, and places
• (01:22:28) - Success, legacy, and life advice questions
• (01:25:13) - Favorite sound and lessons on screens/kids
• (01:28:12) - Best lesson learned: don't beat yourself up
• (01:31:08) - Wrapping up with Bob and mutual appreciation
• (01:36:10) - Tribute to Beautiful Bruce Sweetan/Swayze
• (01:40:39) - West Texas 1966: Odessa promoter Pat O'Dowdy background
• (02:03:38) - Odessa Tuesday night cards January 1966
• (02:18:24) - Mailbag intro with Steve Giannarelli
• (02:19:34) - Mailbag: Backlund and NWA/AWA title questions
• (02:30:34) - Mailbag: Harley Race's travel schedule
• (02:34:02) - Mailbag: Underrated managers and forgotten footage
• (02:38:42) - Mailbag: Observer Hall of Fame candidates
• (02:43:28) - Mailbag: Booking WCW after Dusty's firing in 1989
• (02:50:27) - Mailbag: Saving the territory system hypothetical
• (03:02:53) - Mailbag: Dusty Rhodes' NWA title reign travel
• (03:10:09) - Mailbag: George Scott's underrated booking genius
• (03:14:52) - Mailbag: Andre the Giant's exclusive WWF deal
• (03:19:46) - Mailbag: JYD in Crockett hypothetical
• (03:22:26) - Magazine collections and closing mailbag segment
• (03:27:13) - Show wrap-up, sponsor read, and closing