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 must-listen for any fan who loves real territorial wrestling history.Tune in this week to the Pro Wrestling Time Tunnel History Show as I sit down with Todd Goss for a complete 1976 JCP 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.

• (00:00:02) - Pro Wrestling Time Tunnel Podcast
• (00:01:34) - Fighting Legends: Jim Laundis and More
• (00:04:32) - WWE Championship Wrestling
• (00:10:09) - Paul Jones vs Terry Funk
• (00:16:26) - George Scott vs Rich Homie
• (00:22:31) - Interview
• (00:23:58) - Was Jack Briscoe the First NWA Champion to Wrestle on
• (00:25:48) - Dusty Had Trouble Getting Over In The Crockett territory
• (00:28:30) - The IWA Was A Different Kind Of Wrestling
• (00:34:57) - Charlie Babb on The IWA
• (00:41:17) - Chris Blackwell in the Minneapolis
• (00:41:56) - Ali Anoki vs Rocky Marciano
• (00:43:18) - The Murnick Family
• (00:47:03) - Andre the Giant vs Blackjack Mulligan
• (00:52:12) - The Mass Superstar in WWE
• (00:54:40) - Greg Valentine Worked For The IWA In Florida (2008)
• (01:00:56) - Ruffien Flair vs Paul Jones
• (01:02:17) - Mr. Wrestling vs Rick Valentine
• (01:07:04) - Terry Briscoe on The IWA World Championship Match
• (01:12:26) - Former WWE World Champion Harley Harley on His Time as Champion
• (01:16:29) - Jack Briscoe vs Nick Bachwinkle
• (01:19:55) - Jim Crockett Promotions: A Good Year
• (01:22:24) - Tony Atlas on His Career
• (01:24:42) - TRAVEL THROUGH THE TIME TUNELESS
• (01:27:41) - Deadly Weapon Soap

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.

• (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!

• (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.

• (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
• (00:19:17) - The WWWF
• (00:26:57) - Ivan Putzky vs Billy Graham
• (00:28:36) - Heel Manager vs Superstar Graham
• (00:34:57) - Brian McIntyre on WWE Referees
• (00:37:18) - Cody Working As A Heel
• (00:45:42) - Had Ali Anoki Wrestled, Would He Have Made It?
• (00:47:06) - Stan Hansen
• (00:57:22) - Rejuvenating the Territories
• (01:00:26) - Bruno Sammartino's Madison Square Garden Debut
• (01:06:34) - Bruno vs Hanson in WWF 76
• (01:11:33) - The First Half of 76
• (01:12:44) - Steve Anagnosti on MMA and The Observer
• (01:17:44) - Podcast

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!

• (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) - Bob Backlin on Being Groomed By Dusty and Eddie
• (01:10:24) - Bob Group on Steve Kern's Death Threats
• (01:16:09) - Bobby Orton on His Florida Career
• (01:22:50) - Steve Austin on His WrestleMania
• (01:24:05) - Miami vs Tampa
• (01:29:37) - Paul Heyman on His Book
• (01:34:32) - Ian Snowden on His Dad's Book
• (01:37:22) - Tony on His Love Letter to Steve
• (01:38:10) - Wrestling's Paradigm Changes
• (01:41:29) - Florida 1976
• (01:52:01) - Pro Wrestling Time Tunnel: Florida 76

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!

• (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 WrestleMania Main Event
• (01:13:22) - The WWE Hall of Fame vs The Wyatt 6
• (01:16:46) - Stephanie McMahon Going In to the WWE Hall of Fame
• (01:24:24) - AJ Styles on The WWE Retiring Kurt Angle
• (01:27:46) - Demolition Is A Ripoff Of The Road Warriors
• (01:35:26) - Vince McMahon On Ric Flair's WWF Match
• (01:38:31) - Dennis Rodman Inducted Into The WWE Hall of Fame
• (01:41:41) - Sid Vicious Should Be In The WWE Legacy Wing
• (01:47:11) - Lex Luger Was Put In The WWE Hall of Fame
• (01:55:03) - Bad News Brown on Roddy Piper vs Hulk Hogan
• (01:57:08) - immortal moment
• (01:58:19) - WrestleMania 42
• (02:01:20) - The Referees Should Be More Involved in Wrestling
• (02:07:51) - Tony Jones on WWE Referees
• (02:12:27) - WrestleMania 33 Match
• (02:16:54) - Rhea Ripley vs Alexa Bliss
• (02:20:33) - Brock Lesnar vs Sami Zayn
• (02:24:46) - Rhea Ripley vs Jade Cargill
• (02:29:10) - CM Punk vs Roman Reigns
• (02:35:35) - WrestleMania 33 And The WWE Hall of Fame
• (02:37:26) - WrestleMania 3
• (02:41:22) - John Mayer McCall On The WWE Podcast
• (02:42:39) - WrestleMania 20
• (02:47:31) - George Goulis On The Roy Welch Legacy Episode 11

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!

• (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 on His Last Book
• (00:41:07) - Fan Fest 2013
• (00:46:53) - Glendon Williams on His Hall of Fame Match
• (00:53:49) - Butch Reed Inducted Into The WWE Hall of Fame
• (00:58:30) - St. Louis Wrestling FanFest 4
• (00:59:29) - Sam Backstage: Terry Funk in St. Louis
• (01:08:19) - Sam Hill on St. Louis
• (01:15:34) - Give and Take in Pro Wrestling
• (01:21:20) - St. Louis Wrestling FanFest 4
• (01:22:50) - Terry Funk vs Pat O'Connor St. Louis
• (01:32:50) - NWA Wrestling in St. Louis
• (01:40:29) - 1976
• (01:43:17) - Darla Staggs On The Pro Wrestling Time Tunnel History Podcast
• (01:44:28) - Cauliflower Alley Legends Association
• (01:50:34) - St. Louis Wrestling's Legends
• (01:53:03) - Jack Briscoe In St. Louis Wrestling Hall of Fame
• (01:54:19) - Jack Briscoe vs. Dorie Funk
• (01:55:36) - Terry's St. Louis Championship Run
• (02:03:53) - Sam Mushnick Was Also the NWA President-St. Louis
• (02:12:18) - Bruno Sammartino Didn't Sell In St. Louis
• (02:17:33) - St. Louis Wrestling Legends
• (02:21:43) - What's A Night at the Keel Auditorium?
• (02:25:56) - Sam Hill's Season Ticket
• (02:33:15) - He Bought Cheap Seats For The Cardinals
• (02:34:40) - St. Louis Wrestling
• (02:41:44) - TRAVEL IN THE TIME TUNEL