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!

• (00:00:02) - Podcast
• (00:00:34) - Pro Wrestling Time Tunnel History: Dory Funk Tribute
• (00:03:03) - The 7 Different Stations of Wrestling
• (00:09:04) - The Final Stage of Wrestling: The Territory Era
• (00:18:19) - In the Elevator With Vince
• (00:20:00) - Jim Crockett vs Vince McMahon
• (00:27:28) - Steve Austin on Trying to Take the AWA to National
• (00:31:10) - The Story of the WWF and Universal Wrestling
• (00:38:15) - Sam Muchnick's Retirement
• (00:46:14) - The NWA vs AWA
• (00:54:12) - The Hedonic Cycle of Entertainment
• (01:02:20) - Greg Klein on The Wrestling Wars of the 1950s
• (01:03:12) - Greg Klein On The Trago Says Hall of Fame Banquet
• (01:08:02) - David Sierra on the Cuban Assassin Panel
• (01:11:33) - Dan Gable on His New Book
• (01:17:27) - Roy Lee On The NWA War
• (01:20:10) - Texas Wrestling's TV Wars of the 1950s
• (01:27:41) - Ed McLemore and the Texas Wrestlers
• (01:32:38) - Texas Wrestling on TV
• (01:35:04) - The Sportatorium Fire: James Beard on Wrestling
• (01:43:43) - Tony Jones on The Texas Wrestling Wars
• (01:45:48) - Greg Klein's New Book, The Texas Wrestling Wars of the 1950
• (01:47:36) - Grizzly Up Soap Company
• (01:49:22) - History of Wrestling in Evansville
• (01:51:54) - Sean Delaney on His New Book '
• (01:52:46) - EVENTSVILLE PRO WRESTLING: History of Wrestling in
• (02:03:10) - The Nut Club Fall Festival
• (02:04:29) - Jerry Lawler's First Year in Paducah
• (02:11:23) - Advertisements for Wrestling in El Dorado, Illinois
• (02:19:06) - EVERY WEEK: 100 Years of Wrestling in Evansville
• (02:26:04) - Pro Wrestling Time Tunnel: Florida Wrestling 1976

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

• (00:00:02) - PODCAST: Pro Wrestling Time Tunnel
• (00:00:34) - Pro Wrestling Time Tunnel History: The Territory Era
• (00:05:17) - Dorie Funk Jr Tribute
• (00:10:52) - Sam Muchnick vs Dorie Funk Jr.
• (00:11:59) - Dorie Funk Jr. Tribute
• (00:16:07) - Dorie Funk Jr
• (00:25:11) - Dory the NWA Champion
• (00:31:12) - The NWA Championship Transition
• (00:38:55) - Sam Harris on The NWA's Elite
• (00:41:25) - Tony Dory on Former NWA Champs
• (00:47:20) - NWA World Champion Lou Kaniski
• (00:50:52) - Dory Funk Jr's Look in the 1970s
• (00:59:29) - Fez vs Dory Funk: The Greatest NWA Champion
• (01:01:03) - NWA Champions' Ranking
• (01:07:11) - Lou Harris on His Controversial Comments
• (01:13:27) - Fabulous Four
• (01:19:56) - Harley's Career
• (01:26:16) - Dory Funk Jr. Should Be In The WWE Hall of Fame
• (01:31:53) - George Costanza at the ALS Survivor's Ball
• (01:32:24) - Celebrating The Life Of Dorie Funk Jr
• (01:33:56) - Red Dog Larry Lane on Dory Funk's Death
• (01:40:23) - Dory Funk Junior
• (01:47:55) - Terry Funk vs Dory Hart
• (01:52:49) - Keith Hart Reaches Out to Former Best Friend
• (01:57:19) - Dory and the Phonics in Amarillo
• (02:01:59) - Dory Funk's Passing Away
• (02:04:50) - Dory Funk Jr. on His Last Moments
• (02:07:10) - Pro Wrestling Time Tunnel History
• (02:12:38) - Interview With Ted DiBiase
• (02:14:52) - Ted Dibiase on Dory Funk Junior's Death Match
• (02:23:06) - Crazy Horse's Death
• (02:27:48) - Arizona Wrestler on Being Born in the Country
• (02:33:07) - Terry Hanson on His College Decision
• (02:38:16) - "Cowboy Bill Watts"
• (02:39:32) - Bill Watts on The NWA Superdome Match
• (02:45:03) - "I Should've Stay With Stan"
• (02:46:09) - Harley Race on His First NWA Title Challenge
• (02:49:42) - Terry Funk on Dory Jr.'s Success
• (02:53:21) - Wrestler Dory Funk and His Dad's Texas Death Match
• (02:58:00) - What's Most Underappreciated About Dory Funk Jr's
• (03:02:58) - Amarillo Wrestling Legend Terry Briscoe on Dory's
• (03:06:47) - Jerry Briscoe on The Funk-Briscoe Feud
• (03:10:24) - Jerry Briscoe on Dory Funk Jr. Tribute
• (03:17:51) - Terry and Junior Briscoe on Their Friendship
• (03:24:14) - Eric Briscoe on Jim Crockett's Thanksgiving Match
• (03:28:15) - Dory Wyatt vs Terry
• (03:29:46) - Dory on Booking The First Starcade 83
• (03:31:37) - Eddie and Dorie's Pickup Truck Accident
• (03:37:59) - Terry Funk on Working With Dory Funk Jr.
• (03:44:50) - Thieves Steal Motorcycle From Ship
• (03:48:29) - Terry Funk on Dory Funk Jr.'s Death
• (03:51:48) - Story with Jerry Briscoe and Bradshaw
• (03:55:39) - Dory Funk Passing
• (03:58:52) - Pro Wrestling Time Tunnel

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!

• (00:00:02) - Podcast
• (00:00:34) - Dorie Funk Jr Tribute
• (00:03:34) - WWE star George G Gets Help From His Community
• (00:07:59) - PWTS: History of Texas Wrestling
• (00:10:22) - Tennessee Part 2
• (00:13:39) - Tennessee
• (00:18:27) - Big Bad John in Tennessee
• (00:25:05) - Jerry Lawler on His Mental Condition
• (00:31:33) - Phil Hickerson on the Eastern End
• (00:39:15) - Rocky Johnson vs Jerry Lawler
• (00:46:05) - The Crash That Killed Pepe Lopez and Cliff Lily
• (00:50:55) - Jerry Lawler on The Accident
• (00:53:36) - Pepe Lopez and J.C.'s Redemption Story
• (01:00:40) - Jerry Lawler on National Wrestling Alliance
• (01:08:38) - Jerry Lawler vs Tommy Rich in the Memphis
• (01:16:39) - Tennessee Wrestling Match Attendance in 1976
• (01:22:39) - Drawing a tax-free paycheck
• (01:22:55) - The UWA's Declining
• (01:30:22) - Nick Gooastowns: What is the Alternative?
• (01:34:03) - American Legion involvement in Memphis Wrestling story
• (01:39:28) - Jerry Jarrett's Matchmaker License in Memphis
• (01:43:37) - Jerry Jarrett on Roy Welch's Disappearance
• (01:47:05) - Jerry Jarrett on His Presidential Runoff
• (01:48:36) - Herb Welch and the Memphis Split
• (01:53:52) - Memphis and Birmingham
• (01:54:16) - 1976
• (01:57:28) - Jerry Jarrett on UWA in 1976
• (01:59:13) - Dorie Funk Sr. and Doc Sarpolos
• (02:05:12) - WWE in Abilene
• (02:10:04) - Travel to and From the Wrestling
• (02:21:21) - The Fair Park Arena: An Abilene History
• (02:25:33) - Abilene Wrestling Proposal Stuck in Legal Obstacles
• (02:31:17) - Lawman Promoter to Return to Abilene Wrestling
• (02:41:24) - Tony Funk
• (02:42:54) - Abilene Wrestling Cards, January 1966
• (02:52:11) - Dory Funk Senior vs Tokyo Tom
• (02:56:49) - Abilene Wrestling Card
• (02:59:31) - Wrestling in West Texas
• (03:04:28) - Randy Hales on the Richards Ranch
• (03:07:49) - Tony Richards on Randy Hill's WWE Match
• (03:14:05) - Selling pictures at wrestling events
• (03:19:05) - Memphis Wrestling at the American Legion
• (03:26:35) - Randy Savage vs Rip Rogers
• (03:30:58) - Jerry Lawler on Promoting First-Pro Wrestling
• (03:39:08) - Jerry Lawler on His Time With Power Pro
• (03:47:35) - Dwayne Johnson on Starting Dewey Cavanaugh
• (03:52:06) - Kurt Angle on His First Professional Wrestling Match
• (03:54:36) - Talking Memphis Wrestling
• (04:00:26) - Jerry Lawler on His New Show
• (04:07:06) - Randy Hales