Regional Rasslin' - Territory Talk

This week on Regional Rasslin’, guest Rick Fields is back with host Ray Russell to continue their discussion of Georgia Wrestling history. They pick back up with 1958 and continue into the year of 1960 as they talk Freddie Blassie versus Ray and newcomer Dickie Gunkel in a Southern Title picture filled with championship changes, grudge matches, and a Christmas night title switch. Olympic gold medalist Paul Anderson brings his incredible strength to the ring, taking on Dick the Bruiser and unmasking the Great Bolo along the way. Plus, appearances by Gorgeous George and Verne Gagne, as well as the arrivals of Gypsy Joe, Johnny Weaver, and Lenny Montana. Announcer Ed Capral finds himself in an unusual handicap match against Blassie, with partner Don McIntyre putting his career on the line to keep him out of danger. Things get even wilder when Blassie tangles with wrestling bears before finding himself across the ring from Haystacks Calhoun. Plus, we'l follow Calhoun and Huge Happy Humphrey (the original Triple H) around the Georgia circuit as two of wrestling’s biggest attractions work the territory!Help keep WrestleCopia growing by joining us on Patreon:https://www.patreon.com/WrestleCopiaMembers receive premium VideoCast series, early podcast releases, extensively researched show notes, digital downloads, access to our large wrestling archive at select tiers, and much more.Give the gift of WrestleCopia: Patreon Gift MembershipMerchandise: WrestleCopia on TeePublicDirect Support: Donate Through PaypalVisit the WrestleCopia Podcast Network https://wrestlecopia.comFollow WrestleCopia on “X” (Formerly Twitter) @RasslinGrenadeFollow & LIKE our FACEBOOK PAGE – https://www.facebook.com/RasslinGrenadeSubscribe to the WrestleCopia Youtube Channel at https://www.youtube.com/RasslinGrenade ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

This week on Regional Rasslin’, guest Jammie Ward joins us to dive into more Georgia Championship Wrestling in July 1982, as the territory expands into separate northern and southern touring groups! The Fabulous Freebirds wage war with Ole Anderson and Stan Hansen, with a vicious locker room ambush adding fuel to an already explosive rivalry between the World and National Tag Team Champions. Roddy Piper puts his money behind Don Muraco’s campaign to eliminate Dusty Rhodes and Tommy Rich, but the American Dream has other plans.. including serving as special referee at the Omni! Mr. Wrestling II and the Masked Superstar trade mind games, with a shredded robe pushing their bitter feud toward a lumberjack showdown. Meanwhile, Tommy Rich and Paul Orndorff both set their sights on Ric Flair’s NWA World Heavyweight Championship, with a coin toss determining who gets the first opportunity. We also discuss Brad Armstrong’s Rookie of the Year honors, the Wild Samoans, Buzz Sawyer, Omni Results, and the action unfolding on television and around the territory. Plus, listener John Walker shares his vivid memories from the July 30th Marion, Ohio show including a fan pulling a knife on the Samoans! It's more than 90 minutes of good times, great memories, and stories for days!Help keep WrestleCopia growing by joining us on Patreon:https://www.patreon.com/WrestleCopiaMembers receive premium VideoCast series, early podcast releases, extensively researched show notes, digital downloads, access to our large wrestling archive at select tiers, and much more.Give the gift of WrestleCopia: Patreon Gift MembershipMerchandise: WrestleCopia on TeePublicDirect Support: Donate Through PaypalVisit the WrestleCopia Podcast Network https://wrestlecopia.comFollow WrestleCopia on “X” (Formerly Twitter) @RasslinGrenadeFollow & LIKE our FACEBOOK PAGE – https://www.facebook.com/RasslinGrenadeSubscribe to the WrestleCopia Youtube Channel at https://www.youtube.com/RasslinGrenade ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Regional Rasslin' returns with a SPECIAL EDITION as Alabama superfan Aaron Gartlan returns to relive the Dothan TV debut of Southeastern Championship Wrestling, culminating with the historic October 18, 1980 television episode featuring the debut of the all-new Southeastern promotion in Alabama, as Ron Fuller and crew take over WTVY Studios in Dothan! Featuring Bob Armstrong, Eddie Mansfield, Don Carson, Dennis Condrey, Ricky Gibson, Charlie Cook, Tony Charles, Mongolian Stomper, The Tennessee Stud, & more! Plus, Aaron shares insight and details to many of the talents, the era, Charlie Platt, and much more!Help keep WrestleCopia growing by joining us on Patreon:https://www.patreon.com/WrestleCopiaMembers receive premium VideoCast series, early podcast releases, extensively researched show notes, digital downloads, access to our large wrestling archive at select tiers, and much more.Give the gift of WrestleCopia: Patreon Gift MembershipMerchandise: WrestleCopia on TeePublicDirect Support: Donate Through PaypalVisit the WrestleCopia Podcast Network https://wrestlecopia.comFollow WrestleCopia on “X” (Formerly Twitter) @RasslinGrenadeFollow & LIKE our FACEBOOK PAGE – https://www.facebook.com/RasslinGrenadeSubscribe to the WrestleCopia Youtube Channel at https://www.youtube.com/RasslinGrenade ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Get ready as Florida superfan Harold Strassler joins us on this week’s Regional Rasslin’ as we wrap up Tampa’s final two shows of December 1979 (including a big Christmas card) and we'll ring in 1980! We follow the action into the first part of January, focusing primarily on the Tampa cards and television as Oliver Humperdink’s crew keeps Dusty Rhodes, Manny Fernandez, and Mike Graham fighting on multiple fronts. A controversial clash between Florida Champion Manny Fernandez and Southern Champion Leroy Brown sparks a wild aftermath that knocks Dusty out of a scheduled main event. Dusty’s war with Bugsy McGraw escalates into bullrope battles, while Eddie Graham steps into the ring to help settle the score. The new year brings Ernie Ladd into the mix, and even a Texas Death Match leaves room for controversy when Bugsy and company head for the hills! Meanwhile, Stanley Lane and Bryan St. John face the Briscos and an assortment of partners, Super Destroyer begins to make a name, Johnny Valiant leaves as fast as he arrives, plus we discuss stars like Don Diamond, Gordon Nelson, Mike Miller, Rip Oliver, Luis Astea, Ron Slinker, Don Serrano, and a young Terry Taylor. From Humperdink getting his comeuppance against Bubba Douglas, to Manny Fernandez's ascension, to television interviews and match footage keeping the rivalries boiling, we explore the stories carrying Championship Wrestling from Florida into a brand-new decade!Help keep WrestleCopia growing by joining us on Patreon:https://www.patreon.com/WrestleCopiaMembers receive premium VideoCast series, early podcast releases, extensively researched show notes, digital downloads, access to our large wrestling archive at select tiers, and much more.Give the gift of WrestleCopia: Patreon Gift MembershipMerchandise: WrestleCopia on TeePublicDirect Support: Donate Through PaypalVisit the WrestleCopia Podcast Network https://wrestlecopia.comFollow WrestleCopia on “X” (Formerly Twitter) @RasslinGrenadeFollow & LIKE our FACEBOOK PAGE – https://www.facebook.com/RasslinGrenadeSubscribe to the WrestleCopia Youtube Channel at https://www.youtube.com/RasslinGrenade ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Guest Steve Crawford is back from being “on assignment”, as he joins Host Ray Russell to continue the discussion of Henry Rogers’ Malden, Missouri wrestling territory. In Part 2, thanks to Henry’s daughter Dianna, we give answers to questions we were left with from the 1960s. From there, we follow the promotion from 1970 through 1975. Rogers filled his Saturday night cards with local regulars like Buddy Chandler, Bobby Guy, and Bo and Tuffy Taylor while bringing in wrestlers from surrounding territories. Mario Galento became a fixture in Malden, where the papers even announced plans to film scenes for a movie featuring Galento in the starring role(?). We look at the murder of wrestler Bearcat Jones, as well as the young wrestlers passing through, including Pez Whatley, Larry Latham, Bill Ash, and a future David Shultz working as “Rhode Island Red”. There were masked men, bloody feuds, stretcher matches, hair matches, and stipulations that grew stranger by the year. We also follow Rogers’ shows beyond Malden and his connections with other promoters. By 1973, the arena was being billed as “Little Madison Square Garden” and the “blood capital” names that tell you plenty about the show Rogers was selling to the local fans!Help keep WrestleCopia growing by joining us on Patreon:https://www.patreon.com/WrestleCopiaMembers receive premium VideoCast series, early podcast releases, extensively researched show notes, digital downloads, access to our large wrestling archive at select tiers, and much more.Give the gift of WrestleCopia: Patreon Gift MembershipMerchandise: WrestleCopia on TeePublicDirect Support: Donate Through PaypalVisit the WrestleCopia Podcast Network https://wrestlecopia.comFollow WrestleCopia on “X” (Formerly Twitter) @RasslinGrenadeFollow & LIKE our FACEBOOK PAGE – https://www.facebook.com/RasslinGrenadeSubscribe to the WrestleCopia Youtube Channel at https://www.youtube.com/RasslinGrenade ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★