Pro Wrestling Time Tunnel Territory History Show

Episode 80 of The Pro Wrestling Time Tunnel History Show is a special one, with a trip to Japan and a heartfelt look back at our friend Jerry Oates. Segment 1:We travel to Japan as wrestling historian Fumi Saito joins us from Tokyo. Fumi looks back at Giant Baba’s All Japan Pro Wrestling in 1976, the year Jerry and Ted Oates won the All Asia Tag Team Championship. Segment 2:Two of our regulars, Georgia wrestling analyst Bobby Simmons and Gulf Coast expert Michael Norris, join me to share their friendship and memories of Jerry Oates. We laugh, we reflect, and we get sad at times talking about our friend. Segment 3:My last conversation with Jerry Oates for the show — recorded a couple of weeks before his passing — as Jerry discusses his career in 1976. This is a history-packed and deeply personal episode. Episode 80 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. Chapters (00:00:02) - Intro and Show Overview(00:01:35) - Remembering Jerry Oates and Show Roadmap(00:04:59) - Catfish, Cornmeal, and Southern Cooking Talk(00:09:50) - Wrestling Observer Hall of Fame Campaign for Roy Welch(00:12:44) - Fumi Saito Joins: Remembering Dory Funk Jr(00:19:06) - All Japan's NWA Connection and Title History(00:23:20) - Jumbo Tsuruta's Rise and the 10 Match Series(00:26:47) - Foreign Talent Tours and Dick Murdoch's Impact(00:30:10) - Understanding the Japanese Tour System(00:34:58) - Champion Carnival and Abdullah the Butcher's Win(00:38:46) - Oates Brothers Win All Asia Tag Titles(00:47:44) - Fall Tours, Title Changes, and Kim Duk's Rise(00:53:26) - Comparing All Japan and New Japan in 1976(00:59:47) - Reflecting on Dory Funk Jr's Legacy in Japan(01:03:23) - Wrap-up with Fumi and Show Promotion(01:06:12) - Introducing Bobby Simmons and Michael Norris(01:10:06) - How Bobby and Michael Met Jerry Oates(01:13:52) - Jerry and Ted Oates as a Tag Team(01:21:52) - Jerry's Georgia Career and Barnett Relationship(01:26:50) - Wrestlers Jerry Trained and Mentored(01:35:43) - Funny Ribs and Road Stories About Jerry(01:43:28) - Jerry's Gym, Milo Steinborn, and Business Ventures(01:56:16) - Remembering Kathy Oates and Jerry's Faith(02:07:07) - Remembering Bill Dundee(02:20:22) - Final Thoughts and Tributes to Jerry Oates(02:31:56) - Texas Wrestling Series Promotion(02:37:33) - Final Jerry Oates Interview Begins: 1976 in Kansas City(02:42:36) - Leaving Kansas City and Return to Georgia(02:52:36) - Back in Georgia: New Feuds and Territory Politics(03:07:08) - Working with Gordman, Goliath, Thornton and Charles(03:10:31) - Milo Steinborn's Incredible Backstory(03:15:33) - Injury, Surgery, and Return to Action(03:20:52) - Trip to All Japan: Winning the Tag Titles(03:28:43) - Reflections on Tag Team Trust and Territory Politics(03:35:58) - Joining Bill Watts' Territory(03:40:17) - Reflecting on Career Choices and the AWA Path Not Taken(03:46:45) - Closing Thoughts on 1976 and Gratitude(03:53:12) - Show Support, Sponsors, and Sign-off

Episode 79 of The Pro Wrestling Time Tunnel History Show welcomes two first-time guests to the show — and we also pause to remember three wrestlers we’ve lost recently. Segment One: I pay tribute to Paul LeDuc, one of the Canadian Lumberjacks along with his kayfabe brother Jos LeDuc. Then we welcome Lucha Libre historian and enthusiast Roy Lucier for his first appearance on the show. Roy and I discuss wrestling in Mexico as we cover the EMLL and UWA promotions in 1976. Segment Two: I offer a heartfelt tribute to Jerry Oates, a Southern territory legend and a member of our Pro Wrestling Time Tunnel family. Then we welcome Ross Hart of the famous Stu Hart family for his first appearance on the show. Ross and I cover Stampede Wrestling in 1976. Segment Three: I wrap up the episode with thoughts on Superstar Bill Dundee, who passed away over the weekend.It’s a history-packed episode with new voices, important tributes, and another look at 1976 around the wrestling world. Episode 79 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. Chapters (00:00:02) - Pro Wrestling Time Tunnel(00:03:36) - Paul Leduc(00:12:18) - Roy Lucher(00:18:54) - Dory Dixon In The Observer Wrestling Hall of Fame(00:20:01) - Luderoth on CMLO and His Retirement(00:24:53) - What's the atmosphere at Arena Lucha?(00:27:39) - Are You Ready for The Mask Unmasking?(00:29:25) - Dr. Wagner(00:33:29) - The Psychology of Lucha Libre's Mask Match(00:38:56) - Phil Fishman on Mill Masters' popularity in America(00:44:14) - NWA National Welterweight Championship(00:48:22) - How Did They Work Their Way Up the Card in Mexico?(00:51:20) - The Truth About Ringo Mendoza(00:55:52) - UWA vs AAA(01:00:45) - The UWA vs Lucha Libre(01:02:57) - Perca Ag(01:04:01) - Roy Lucher on Rey Mysterio Senior's Inclusion(01:08:50) - Roy on SNL(01:09:00) - Roy Lucier On WWE and Lucha Libre(01:17:38) - Jerry Oates on Terry Funk's WWE Championship(01:26:56) - Ross Hart On Stampede Wrestling In 1976(01:31:15) - Stu Hart on His Family's History in Wrestling(01:35:04) - Stampede in Lethbridge and Edmonton(01:42:24) - Bob Stuart on Wrestling Honours(01:47:06) - What Was Your Dad's Overall Mindset About Pro Wrestling?(01:49:52) - Keith Miller(01:55:02) - Alberta Heavyweight Championship(02:02:06) - Andre the Giant At The Stampede(02:07:00) - How Stampede affected ticket prices(02:08:13) - Stu Hart on Gil Hayes vs Keith Hart(02:13:20) - Ed Whalen On His Stampede Days(02:21:15) - Larry Lane(02:24:02) - Raven Collins and Larry Sharp(02:25:07) - The Mara brothers in Canada(02:32:47) - Ross Hart On His Recent Trip To Canada(02:35:19) - Jerry Oates and Bill Dundee Pass Away(02:47:05) - Bill Dundee on Jerry Oates Tribute(02:47:31) - Grizzly Up Soap Co.(02:49:08) - The History of Texas Wrestling

Pro Wrestling Time Tunnel Territory History Show Episode 78 Hey everyone, Tony Richards here!Episode 78 of The Pro Wrestling Time Tunnel History Show is another loaded episode with three strong segments. Segment 1:Steve Gennerelli and I open the show with a salute and review of the career of Dolly Parton, the Hall of Fame singer-songwriter who recently passed away at the age of 80. We share our thoughts and pay tribute to one of the greats. Segment 2:Pro Wrestling Time Tunnel Florida analyst Howard Baum is joined by former Florida referee and office employee Bruce Owens. The guys review the career of The American Dream Dusty Rhodes in 1976 and his legendary battles with NWA World Champion Terry Funk, Don Jardine, The Spoiler, Jody Hamilton (The Assassin), and more — all in the Spirit of ’76 as well as more memories of Dory Funk Jr in Florida as booker. Segment 3:Tennessee analyst Tim Dills joins me as we document the career of UWA personality and Nashville legend Big Tussie. We also review the cards from the outlaw UWA group and the Gulas Tennessee office in Nashville and the surrounding towns.Three great segments. One history-packed episode. Episode 78 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, your Home for the History of Territory Wrestling! Chapters (00:00:02) - PODCAST: Pro Wrestling Time Tunnel(00:00:34) - Tony Richards(00:02:38) - Dolly Parton Dies at 80(00:11:22) - Dolly's Career in 60 Seconds(00:18:10) - Dolly Parton on Her Top 5 Female Vocalists of(00:24:33) - Dolly the Musical's Life(00:31:14) - Dolly Parton's 80th Birthday Tribute(00:32:59) - American Dream(00:33:33) - Florida Wrestling Analyst Howard Baum Back with Bruce Owens(00:39:14) - Bruce Funk on Dory Funk Jr's Death(00:46:32) - Jack Briscoe on Dory Funk vs Terry Funk(00:53:06) - Dory Funk Was Not The Most Exciting Wrestler...(01:00:20) - Dory Funk Sr. and the Jack Briscoe feud(01:07:54) - Evel Knievel, Jack Briscoe(01:14:11) - "It's a Family Business"(01:14:54) - Terry Jones on Dusty's Turn(01:21:26) - Dusty Rhodes: Winning The NWA World Heavyweight Championship(01:26:44) - Dusty Rhodes on Terry Funk's Paralyzed Face(01:30:56) - Jody Rhodes Had To Rob a Liquor Store(01:37:40) - Florida Championship Wrestling(01:43:41) - Dusty Rhodes vs Ox Baker(01:46:06) - Bruce Lee on Driving Dusty Rhodes Around(01:52:08) - PWF Champion on Dusty's Death(01:57:11) - Dusty Funk on His Career(01:58:54) - 1976(02:00:31) - Grizzly Up Soap Co.(02:01:59) - Tennessee 1976(02:02:47) - Tennessee Wrestling History(02:12:38) - Christine Jarrett on the Split(02:13:57) - Big Tessie(02:15:09) - Big Tussie Jackson(02:20:27) - Big Tussie Jackson's story(02:21:24) - Child Abuse Case in Nashville(02:27:43) - The Story of Tussie Kennedy(02:32:11) - The Kennedys: Big Tussie's Trial(02:34:52) - UWA Bringing Big Tussie Jackson to the Ring(02:40:38) - Tony Fox on Jerry Jarrett's Use of Pop Culture in Pro Wrestling(02:42:46) - Big Tussie's Pro Wrestling License Application(02:48:24) - Big Tussie's Pro Wrestling Career(02:51:20) - Big Tussy(02:54:36) - The UWA vs Nick Goulis(03:01:28) - UWA Championship Match(03:03:30) - Nick Gulas vs Ernie Ladd(03:07:38) - Andre the Giant vs Nick Golis(03:14:42) - Ray Parker and the UWA Split(03:18:53) - Tennessee sports talk(03:22:42) - Interview(03:23:37) - Pro Wrestling Time Tunnel

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! Chapters (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 Chapters (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