Regional Rasslin' - Territory Talk

Ray Russell / The WrestleCopia Network

Before the national expansion of Pro Wrestling the business was split into many different regional promotions referred to as "the territories". Each territory competed within their own regional boundaries with unqiue wrestling stars, championship belts, and local TV. We talk the good old days from the territory era, from the AWA to JCP, New York to Los Angeles, Memphis to Mid-South, Portland to Florida, Stampede to Maple Leaf, Houston to Dallas, well... you get the point!

  1. Rasslin 122: ICW 1982 (The Savage/Dundee "Gunfight", Ratamyus Debuts, Sheik's Blade)

    16H AGO

    Rasslin 122: ICW 1982 (The Savage/Dundee "Gunfight", Ratamyus Debuts, Sheik's Blade)

    Regional Rasslin goes back to the Poffo's ICW promotion once more, this time tackling 1982 with guest Steve Crawford. Among the long list of topics include... The Randy Savage/Bill Dundee handgun story, the debut of RATAMYUS, original Sheik arriving and blading poor Bill Martin a gusher, Ron Garvin stomps Ox Baker's teeth, changing TV venues, Crusher Broomfield leaving for Mid-South, bodybuilding competitions wirth Rip Rogers & Randy Savage, King Pez Whatley's push, the nearly 60-year old Great Kabooki returns to the ring after 7 years, Mop Hat Matches, Tio & Tapu finally unite, John Ruffin's mysterious push, Angelo Poffo gets his head shaved, announcer Edgar Wallace's sketchy past, Debbie Combs vs. a Wrestling Bear, Saul Weingeroff sighting, Big Willie Monroe, NFL'er Walter Johnson drops by, Brenda Britton mud wrestling, a Macho Face turn and a Garvin heel turn, a new Convertible Blondes, Thunderbolt Patterson's weird promos & agenda, a record setting crowd marred with substitutions, ICW tries to run Memphis one final time, movie night with Macho & Tim Tyler, El Bracero, Fazil Dean, Rick Link, Danny Fargo, Mike Doggendorf, Big Boy Williams, the infamous "Eye of the Tiger" Match, & more! If you're enjoying WrestleCopia and interested in helping us continue to grow, please consider Subscribing to our Patreon to help us cover some of our costs! https://www.patreon.com/wrestlecopiaYOU CAN ALSO GIFT SOMEONE A PATREON MEMBERSHIP (OR ASK THEM TO GIFT YOU ONE) AT https://www.patreon.com/WrestleCopia/giftIncludes the $5 “All Access” Tier $9 "VIP Superfan" Tier, and "The ULLLTIMATE Tier", featuring our various VIDEO-CAST Series, Early Show Releases, our insanely detailed show notes (for the Grenade, Monday Warfare, Regional Rasslin, Puro Academy, & Retro Re-View), monthly DIGITAL DOWNLOADS for your viewing and reading pleasure, & more! HELP SUPPORT THE SELF-FUNDED WRESTLECOPIA BRAND, CONSIDER DONATING TO OUR PAYPALWRESTLECOPIA MERCHANDISE - https://www.teepublic.com/user/wrestlecopiaVisit 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 ★

    1h 46m
  2. Rasslin 121: Georgia APRIL/MAY 1982  (The Animal Arrives!!!)

    FEB 3

    Rasslin 121: Georgia APRIL/MAY 1982 (The Animal Arrives!!!)

    Regional Rasslin' returns to Georgia 1982 with Ray Russell and Jammie Ward. This time around we tackle another 3 weeks of GCW action covering late April and early May as Dusty Rhodes brings in his "gorilla" to aid him in his war against Roddy Piper & Ole Anderson. That gorilla turns out to be none other than GEORGE "THE ANIMAL" STEELE, doing his babyface shtick long before the WWF turn in 1985! Plus, The Masked Superstar returns from Japan to rekindle his issues with "Bad" Leroy Brown, TWO National Title changes that ends with Buzz Saywer getting the gold, Paul Orndorff continues to rack up victories, Tommy Rich forms an alliance with the American Dream, the expansion continues into the northern States, plus action with Bob & Brad Armstrong, Kabuki, Tom Prichard, Ray Stevens, Mr. Wrestling #2, Ron Bass, John Studd, Super Destroyer, El Mongol, & many more! If you're enjoying WrestleCopia and interested in helping us continue to grow, please consider Subscribing to our Patreon to help us cover some of our costs! https://www.patreon.com/wrestlecopiaYOU CAN ALSO GIFT SOMEONE A PATREON MEMBERSHIP (OR ASK THEM TO GIFT YOU ONE) AT https://www.patreon.com/WrestleCopia/giftIncludes the $5 “All Access” Tier $9 "VIP Superfan" Tier, and "The ULLLTIMATE Tier", featuring our various VIDEO-CAST Series, Early Show Releases, our insanely detailed show notes (for the Grenade, Monday Warfare, Regional Rasslin, Puro Academy, & Retro Re-View), monthly DIGITAL DOWNLOADS for your viewing and reading pleasure, & more! HELP SUPPORT THE SELF-FUNDED WRESTLECOPIA BRAND, CONSIDER DONATING TO OUR PAYPALWRESTLECOPIA MERCHANDISE - https://www.teepublic.com/user/wrestlecopiaVisit 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 ★

    1h 20m
  3. Rasslin 120: Memphis 6/29/85 (BOTA'S REIGN BEGINS! LAWLER COMES FOR BRANCH!)

    JAN 6

    Rasslin 120: Memphis 6/29/85 (BOTA'S REIGN BEGINS! LAWLER COMES FOR BRANCH!)

    This week on Regional Rasslin' we head back to the Memphis territory to look at the week of June 29th - July 5th, 1985! Guest Gene Jackson joins Ray Russell as this week we answer the question, if a wrestling program has almost no wrestling, no angles, or promos, did it actually happen? Leslie Floyd Creatchman III is back is back this week, along with his charge the NEW Southern Heavyweight Champion... BOTA, The Witchdoctor, who makes his TV studio debut!!! Plus, the Jerry Lawler/Tom Branch feud escalates, the Fabs are back after Steve Keirn's injury last week at the hands of the Sheepherders, we dispel the rumor that BOTA was Tiger Conway Jr., we compare the booking careers of George Scott & Tom Renesto, Jerry Jarrett & Tojo Yamamoto continue their farewell tour as a team, Jerry Garmon & Benny Traylor arrive, & more music videos than you could ever fathom on one program. Three whole matches that go less than 3 minutes combined, where does this rank in the current CWA product? We break ot all down this week for you!If you’re enjoying WrestleCopia and interested in helping us continue to grow, please consider Subscribing to help contribute to our projects! https://www.patreon.com/wrestlecopiaYOU CAN ALSO GIFT SOMEONE A PATREON MEMBERSHIP (OR ASK THEM TO GIFT YOU ONE) AT https://www.patreon.com/WrestleCopia/giftIncludes the $5 “All Access” Tier $9 “VIP Superfan” Tier, and “The ULLLTIMATE Tier”, featuring our various VIDEO-CAST Series, Early Show Releases, our insanely detailed show notes (for the Grenade, Monday Warfare, Regional Rasslin, Puro Academy, & Retro Re-View), monthly DIGITAL DOWNLOADS for your viewing and reading pleasure, & more! HELP SUPPORT THE SELF-FUNDED WRESTLECOPIA BRAND, CONSIDER DONATING TO OUR PAYPALWRESTLECOPIA MERCHANDISE – https://www.teepublic.com/user/wrestlecopiaVisit 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 ★

    1h 28m
  4. Rasslin 119: ICW 1981 (Waffle House Madness, Sugarhold Escape, Miss Macho, Broomfield's Sister)

    12/23/2025

    Rasslin 119: ICW 1981 (Waffle House Madness, Sugarhold Escape, Miss Macho, Broomfield's Sister)

    Regional Rasslin' #119 has arrived, with Ray Russell & guest Steve Crawford talking Angelo Poffo's ICW in 1981. We cover it all from the year of 81, from the dark Crusher Broomfield storyline to Randy Savage's run-in with the law at the local Waffle House, from Pez Whatley as "Miss Macho" to the infamous Bob Roop Sugarhold Challenge escape by William Harding. From the Macho Man stealing a steak to the summer exodus of top talent like Orton, Roop, the Devil's Duo, Izzy. Plus, we discuss the business aspect of the promotion... Who was running what, how many "partners" had points in the company(?).. and what Crybaby Edwards meant behind the scenes during the early 1980s. A few great memories shared from fans who watched it, and even more quotes shared from many of the talents who lived it! It's quite possibly the most eventful and assuredly the most profitable year of the outlaw promotion's short run. It's all right here just in time for the hoidays. Merry Christmas & Happy Holidays to all! If you’re enjoying WrestleCopia and interested in helping us continue to grow, please consider Subscribing to help contribute to our projects! https://www.patreon.com/wrestlecopiaYOU CAN ALSO GIFT SOMEONE A PATREON MEMBERSHIP (OR ASK THEM TO GIFT YOU ONE) AT https://www.patreon.com/WrestleCopia/giftIncludes the $5 “All Access” Tier $9 “VIP Superfan” Tier, and “The ULLLTIMATE Tier”, featuring our various VIDEO-CAST Series, Early Show Releases, our insanely detailed show notes (for the Grenade, Monday Warfare, Regional Rasslin, Puro Academy, & Retro Re-View), monthly DIGITAL DOWNLOADS for your viewing and reading pleasure, & more! HELP SUPPORT THE SELF-FUNDED WRESTLECOPIA BRAND, CONSIDER DONATING TO OUR PAYPALWRESTLECOPIA MERCHANDISE – https://www.teepublic.com/user/wrestlecopiaVisit 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 ★

    1h 35m
  5. Rasslin 118: Georgia MARCH/APRIL 1982 (Blindfolds, Leather Straps, Rich vs. Sawyer, Orndorff)

    12/16/2025

    Rasslin 118: Georgia MARCH/APRIL 1982 (Blindfolds, Leather Straps, Rich vs. Sawyer, Orndorff)

    Regional Rasslin' makes its triumphant return as Guest Jammie Ward joins Ray Russell to discuss THREE WEEKS of Georgia Wrestling as we close out March and tackle the first several weeks of April in 1982! The Dusty Rhodes vs. Ole Anderson feud rages on as they prepare for a "Minnesota Logger's" Blindfold Match! Feuds entertwine as Dick Slater, Tommy Rich & Bob Armstrong battle Roddy Piper, Great Kabuki, & Gary Hart in a 6-Man Canadian Lumberjack w/Straps Match! Plus, one of the earliest televised bouts between Tommy Rich vs. Buzz Sawyer.. a tremendous angle with Brad Armstrong, a blindfold, & Ole Anderson... Paul Orndorff arrives in Georgia... the GCW expansion into the north takes form... and much more! If you’re enjoying WrestleCopia and interested in helping us continue to grow, please consider Subscribing to help contribute to our projects! https://www.patreon.com/wrestlecopiaYOU CAN ALSO GIFT SOMEONE A PATREON MEMBERSHIP (OR ASK THEM TO GIFT YOU ONE) AT https://www.patreon.com/WrestleCopia/giftIncludes the $5 “All Access” Tier $9 “VIP Superfan” Tier, and “The ULLLTIMATE Tier”, featuring our various VIDEO-CAST Series, Early Show Releases, our insanely detailed show notes (for the Grenade, Monday Warfare, Regional Rasslin, Puro Academy, & Retro Re-View), monthly DIGITAL DOWNLOADS for your viewing and reading pleasure, & more! HELP SUPPORT THE SELF-FUNDED WRESTLECOPIA BRAND, CONSIDER DONATING TO OUR PAYPALWRESTLECOPIA MERCHANDISE – https://www.teepublic.com/user/wrestlecopiaVisit 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 ★

    1h 29m
  6. Rasslin 117: Memphis 6/22/85 (Behold... Bota, The Witch Doctor!)

    11/11/2025

    Rasslin 117: Memphis 6/22/85 (Behold... Bota, The Witch Doctor!)

    Regional Rasslin is back with Guest Gene Jackson joining Ray Russell to look at Memphis Wrestling for June 22th - 28th, 1985, featuring the debut of Manager Leslie Floyd Cretchman III and... BOTA, THE WITCH DOCTOR!!! Plus, more terrible booking from Tom Renesto, another title change, Jerry Lawler has his own vision, more legends are dusted off for a underwhelming return, Rip Morgan is GREEN, Jonathan Boyd says BLOODY a lot, Steve Keirn IS Bloody, Referee Tom Branch begins rasslin, & more!  If you’re enjoying WrestleCopia and interested in helping us continue to grow, please consider Subscribing to help contribute to our projects! https://www.patreon.com/wrestlecopiaYOU CAN ALSO GIFT SOMEONE A PATREON MEMBERSHIP (OR ASK THEM TO GIFT YOU ONE) AT https://www.patreon.com/WrestleCopia/giftIncludes the $5 “All Access” Tier $9 “VIP Superfan” Tier, and “The ULLLTIMATE Tier”, featuring our various VIDEO-CAST Series, Early Show Releases, our insanely detailed show notes (for the Grenade, Monday Warfare, Regional Rasslin, Puro Academy, & Retro Re-View), monthly DIGITAL DOWNLOADS for your viewing and reading pleasure, & more! HELP SUPPORT THE SELF-FUNDED WRESTLECOPIA BRAND, CONSIDER DONATING TO OUR PAYPALWRESTLECOPIA MERCHANDISE – https://www.teepublic.com/user/wrestlecopiaVisit 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 ★

    1h 43m
  7. Rasslin 116: Mid-Atlantic, Southwest, & Mid-South, OH MY! (3 Episodes in 1!!!)

    10/21/2025

    Rasslin 116: Mid-Atlantic, Southwest, & Mid-South, OH MY! (3 Episodes in 1!!!)

    This week, the Regional Rasslin' Podcast brings you not one, not two, but three full episodes of our sister program Regional Rasslin' Un-Reeled from Patreon.com/WrestleCopia, absolutely FREE! A sample of one of the many Video-Cast Series we offer at Patreon. Co-Host Jammie Ward joins Ray Russell as they discuss Mid-Atlantic Wrestling from January 1982, Southwest Wrestling on the USA Network, and Mid-South Wrestling from December 1981! HOUR 1: The Regional Rasslin' Un-Reeled Series continues on as this week we go back to the very popular Mid-Atlantic Championship Wrestling / JCP territory to look at the first week of January 1982! This episode is LOADED with stars of the 1980s and beyond. Includes the JCP debut of a young Terry Taylor, matchmaker Sandy Scott has a ultimatum for World Tag Champs The Andersons, Sgt. Slaughter wants his Cobra Clutch Challenge money back, plus action and appearances by Roddy Piper, Jake Roberts, Barry Windham, Jimmy Valiant, Ivan Koloff, Billy Robinson, Lord Alfred Hayes, and many more! HOUR 2:  This time on the Regional Rasslin' Un-Reeled Series, we move into 1983 in Southwest Wrestling on the USA Network Project! A loaded program this week filled with quality matches, ongoing stories, even the AWA World Champion Nick Bockwinkel is back! Adrian Adonis looks to claim the $5,000 Bounty that Tully Blanchard has put on the head of Bob Sweetan. Mike Graham rekindles a long going feud with Tully as they battle one-on-one. The Grapplers battle Ricky Morton and a partner of his choosing, while Ken Lucas has one week remaining to return from injury and defend the Tag Titles or risk title forfeiture! Full details below... HOUR 3: This time on the Regional Rasslin' Un-Reeled Series, we continue our Mid-South 1982 Project by working our way through more of the December 1981 programs to set the stage for the new year to come. Big main event sees North American Champion Ted Dibiase battle #1 contender Paul Orndorff! Plus, Tag Champs JYD & Mike George, mixed tag with the big men and the "little girls", Jimmy Garvin (on the gas) takes on Ed Wiskoski, Iron Sheik & Brian Blair in the same building at the same time(!), find out why Sheiky baby wears those curl-toed boots, & more! Full listings below... If you're enjoying WrestleCopia and interested in helping us continue to grow, please consider Subscribing to our Patreon to help us pay the bills! https://www.patreon.com/wrestlecopiaYOU CAN ALSO GIFT SOMEONE A PATREON MEMBERSHIP (OR ASK THEM TO GIFT YOU ONE) AT https://www.patreon.com/WrestleCopia/giftIncludes the $5 “All Access” Tier $9 "VIP Superfan" Tier, and "The ULLLTIMATE Tier", featuring our various VIDEO-CAST Series, Early Show Releases, our insanely detailed show notes (for the Grenade, Monday Warfare, Regional Rasslin, Puro Academy, & Retro Re-View), monthly DIGITAL DOWNLOADS for your viewing and reading pleasure, & more! HELP SUPPORT THE SELF-FUNDED WRESTLECOPIA BRAND, CONSIDER DONATING TO OUR PAYPALWRESTLECOPIA MERCHANDISE - https://www.teepublic.com/user/wrestlecopiaVisit 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 ★

    2h 51m
  8. Rasslin 115: Georgia Wrestling March 15 - 28, 1982 (Piper Warns Slater, "Don't Call Me RODNEY!")

    10/14/2025

    Rasslin 115: Georgia Wrestling March 15 - 28, 1982 (Piper Warns Slater, "Don't Call Me RODNEY!")

    This week, Regional Rasslin' returns to Georgia Championship Wrestling in March of 1982 as Ray Russell & Guest Jammie Ward are back to break it down! Dick Slater arrives and wants a piece of Roddy "Don't call me RODNEY" Piper! Plus, Bunkhouse Return match is set up between Ole Anderson & Stan Hansen vs. Dusty Rhodes & Terry Funk! Ron Bass with an upset win over Tommy Rich to capture the National Heavyweight Title! It appears Bob Armstrong will get his fair shake versus The Great Kabuki when Gary Hart is barred from ringside, BUT Roddy Piper has an idea! Buzz Sawyer picks a fight with former friend Kevin Sullivan. Plus, we get a look at Kerry Von Erich in action, we hear from Gino Hernandez, Tom Prichard continues to impress, Brad Armstrong is poetry in motion, the imposing Tag Team Champs Super Destroyer & Big John Studd are in action, Georgia has its own set of Samoans (and they're not very good), Leroy Brown is dealing the cards, Mr. Wrestling #2 on his way back, & much more! If you're enjoying WrestleCopia and interested in helping us continue to grow, please consider Subscribing to our Patreon to help us pay the bills! https://www.patreon.com/wrestlecopiaYOU CAN ALSO GIFT SOMEONE A PATREON MEMBERSHIP (OR ASK THEM TO GIFT YOU ONE) AT https://www.patreon.com/WrestleCopia/giftIncludes the $5 “All Access” Tier $9 "VIP Superfan" Tier, and "The ULLLTIMATE Tier", featuring our various VIDEO-CAST Series, Early Show Releases, our insanely detailed show notes (for the Grenade, Monday Warfare, Regional Rasslin, Puro Academy, & Retro Re-View), monthly DIGITAL DOWNLOADS for your viewing and reading pleasure, & more! HELP SUPPORT THE SELF-FUNDED WRESTLECOPIA BRAND, CONSIDER DONATING TO OUR PAYPALWRESTLECOPIA MERCHANDISE - https://www.teepublic.com/user/wrestlecopiaVisit 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 ★

    1h 56m
4.6
out of 5
41 Ratings

About

Before the national expansion of Pro Wrestling the business was split into many different regional promotions referred to as "the territories". Each territory competed within their own regional boundaries with unqiue wrestling stars, championship belts, and local TV. We talk the good old days from the territory era, from the AWA to JCP, New York to Los Angeles, Memphis to Mid-South, Portland to Florida, Stampede to Maple Leaf, Houston to Dallas, well... you get the point!

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