Pro Wrestling Time Tunnel Territory History Show

Tony Richards
  • 5.0 (12)
  • WRESTLING

The Pro Wrestling Time Tunnel History Show is dedicated to researching, educating and discovering pro wrestling history from the territorial-era. Our host and guests share a passion for the performance art of professional wrestling as it was presented in the era of the territories and booking offices from 1930 through 1990.

  1. Episode 52: Brian R. Solomon Surprise Book Party Celebration

    2D AGO

    Episode 52: Brian R. Solomon Surprise Book Party Celebration

    This week on the Pro Wrestling Time Tunnel History Show, I am pleased and thrilled to welcome back one of my best friends and esteemed colleagues in the professional wrestling history space, it’s Brian R. Solomon, host of the Shut Up and Wrestle Podcast. Brian just was announced as the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Book of the Year Award for 2025 for his excellent biography of WWE superstar, announcer, owner and executive, Gorilla Monsoon. Brian is the first two-time winner of the Observer Book of the Year Award, having previously won for his book on The Original Sheik, Ed Farhat. When I invited Brian to come on the show to talk about winning the award, I intentionally did not tell him I had invited another three of his esteemed friends and peers to the show to help us with this surprise celebration. Noted AWA Historian George Schire, Bob Smith, the host of the Outdated Wrestling Hour podcast and Steve Gennerelli, our WWF Analyst at the Time Tunnel and co-host of the Stick to Wrestling podcast show. It’s a surprise party to celebrate Brian’s success and in the process, a really great pro wrestling conversation among four passionate lovers of this crazy business. I could tell Brian was touched by the celebration and I’m happy to have pulled this off and together for him. I hope you enjoy this special episode of the Pro Wrestling Tunnel History Show! Chapters (00:00:02) - Pro Wrestling Time Tunnel(00:02:41) - SEC Tournament Preview(00:10:10) - Kentucky Bourbon Soap(00:12:57) - Brian R. Solomon Surprise Party(00:15:44) - Brian Solomon on Shut Up and Wrestle(00:17:35) - Dory Funk on the NWA World Champions(00:20:48) - Book of the Year(00:25:44) - Baby's First Birthday(00:26:06) - Brian Solomon's Surprise Party(00:26:47) - Gorilla's Best Book(00:31:45) - Brian on The Sheik's Book(00:35:06) - The Life and Times of Gorgeous George(00:42:10) - Bookmark: The Making of Professional Wrestling(00:44:27) - Understanding the History of Wrestling(00:45:32) - Bob Ley on The Old School Wrestling(00:50:52) - Brian Fallon on Bobby Heenan's Letter(00:51:13) - Brian Hill on His Own Audio Book(00:54:54) - Brian McIntyre on His Audio Book(00:57:40) - Vince McMahon On Gorilla Monsoon's Drug Test(01:02:24) - Kurt Hennigan on the Drugs in Wrestling(01:06:01) - Bob and Tony on the AI Comment(01:13:05) - Brian Stokes on Dissent(01:16:20) - Wonders of Wrestling: Brian Last(01:21:09) - Buffalo in the Honeymoon(01:21:23) - Brian Solomon(01:25:41) - Brian Solomon's Book of the Year Surprise(01:26:18) - Pro Wrestling Time Tunnel: The Q&A Mailbag

    1h 30m
  2. Episode 51: The 1985 Territory Review, Portland Wrestling

    MAR 4

    Episode 51: The 1985 Territory Review, Portland Wrestling

    We are in the middle of our “1985 Territory Review” Series! Its a a weekly review of the territories in the year of 1985. In order to add context on where 1985 falls in the spectrum of the territory era of professional wrestling, here is my historical framework entitled: “Stages of Growth of the Territory Era”: Stage One: Conception (1925 to 1935) Stage Two: Formation (1935 to 1945) Stage Three: Innovation and Expansion (1945 to 1955) Stage Four: Investigation (1955 to 1965) Stage Five: Re-Consolidation (1965-1975) Stage Six: Fragmentation (1975-1985) Stage Seven: Disintegration (1985-1995) 1985 is the first year in the last stage of the territory era, and we are reviewing what is remaining of the system as the Disintegration Stage gets started. By the time we reach the halfway point in this stage, 1990, only a bare thread of the vast network of wrestling territories will remain. By the end of the Disintegration Stage, 1995, only one territory, in Memphis, is barely breathing, and by 1997 would be gone. Portland Wrestling is a territory that didn’t get a lot of magazine coverage during the territory era and its owners, The Owen Family, were quite content with that. They were wrestling promoters going back another generation to Herb Owen, who carved out a wrestling territory using Portland, Oregon as the center office and extending out through the state of Oregon, as well as parts of Washington as well. Herb’s son, Don Owen took over after Herb retired and was an early member of the National Wrestling Alliance. The territory drew steady money, kept a small roster of talent and featured the traveling NWA World Champion a couple of times per year. They ran every Saturday night in Portland and sometimes added an additional show on Tuesday nights. This business model lasted multiple decades and was still drawing some decent money heading onto 1985. The Wrestling Supershow concept was sweeping through the territory booking offices and Portland was no exception, adding the Extravaganza shows in 1985 and doing some big business. Aided with help from former Portland superstar and now WWF employee, Roddy Piper, Portland Wrestling stayed relevant to its local fanbase, successfully holding the WWF at bay in Oregon, also with Piper’s promise not to work on any shows opposite Don Owen. Today, I am joined by the foremost Portland Wrestling Historian, Mike Rodgers along with Frank Culbertson and we travel in the Pro Wrestling Time Tunnel back to review the year of 1985 in Portland Wrestling! Chapters (00:00:02) - PODCAST(00:00:34) - Pro Wrestling Time Tunnel: 1985 Territory Review Podcast(00:04:50) - 1985(00:06:20) - 1985(00:09:08) - Maharishi Ahmed In Portland As Ed Wiskowski(00:11:55) - Buddy Rose on His 'Town' Gimmick(00:17:54) - Ric Flair in Portland Wrestling's Extravaganza(00:24:04) - Portland Wrestling's 60th Anniversary Match(00:28:04) - milo on AWA and The Road Warriors(00:29:33) - Mike Miller vs Rick Martel(00:31:40) - Billy Jack vs Ric Flair(00:37:13) - Portland Wrestling: Don Owen's Comments(00:43:44) - Bruiser Brody vs Magnum TA in Oregon(00:50:00) - Portland vs Boise(00:56:42) - The Top Five Angle's in Portland Wrestling History(01:01:15) - Gary Royal On His 1985(01:07:30) - Portland Wrestling Fan Interview(01:10:38) - Ringside to Rose City and Hawaii Wrestling Podcast(01:16:34) - Portland Wrestling Review(01:19:59) - SUPPORT THE PRO WRESTLING TIME TUNELONG

    1h 27m
  3. Episode 50: The 1985 Territory Review, Mid-South Wrestling

    FEB 25

    Episode 50: The 1985 Territory Review, Mid-South Wrestling

    We are in the middle of our “1985 Territory Review” Series! Its a a weekly review of the territories in the year of 1985. In order to add context on where 1985 falls in the spectrum of the territory era of professional wrestling, here is my historical framework entitled: “Stages of Growth of the Territory Era”: Stage One: Conception (1925 to 1935) Stage Two: Formation (1935 to 1945) Stage Three: Innovation and Expansion (1945 to 1955) Stage Four: Investigation (1955 to 1965) Stage Five: Re-Consolidation (1965-1975) Stage Six: Fragmentation (1975-1985) Stage Seven: Disintegration (1985-1995) 1985 is the first year in the last stage of the territory era, and we are reviewing what is remaining of the system as the Disintegration Stage gets started. By the time we reach the halfway point in this stage, 1990, only a bare thread of the vast network of wrestling territories will remain. By the end of the Disintegration Stage, 1995, only one territory, in Memphis, is barely breathing, and by 1997 would be gone. One of the strongest territories left in 1985 was Mid-South Wrestling, which started off 1985, much the way 1984 ended, very strong. Bill Watts, due to his over a decade long relationship with Ted Turner, which was established during the Georgia Wrestling War in 1972, had secured a spot for his Mid-South Show on WTBS. Not only was the show performing, but there were talks of Watts and Turner teaming up to promote shows together. But in stepped Jim Barnett and Jim Crockett, worked out a deal to get Jim Crockett Promotions show on WTBS in place of the WWF and also secure exclusive rights to wrestling on the channel, which left Watts out in the cold. This was more than likely the beginning of Mid-South’s decline, as Watts own interest in pro wrestling was slowly waning. Coming off a highly successful year in 1984, wanting to put more time and energy in his family and looking for new worlds to conquer, all made pro wrestling struggle to get Watts’ attention. On today’s show, we take a look back at the year of 1985 as I am joined by frequent guest co-host Greg Klein, who details a lot of Mid-South history on his own show, Greg Klein’s Old School Rasslin Talk. We hope you will come along for the ride as we take the Time Tunnel back to 1985 and Mid-South Wrestling! Chapters (00:00:02) - Podcast(00:00:34) - Pro Wrestling Time Tunnel Podcast(00:05:42) - Time Tunnel: A Guest Appreciation(00:06:48) - An audience in every state in the United States(00:09:15) - The Top 5 States That Listen To Pro Wrestling Time Tunnel History(00:10:34) - 1985 Territory Review(00:11:34) - 1985 Pro Wrestling Time Tunnel History Match(00:12:20) - 1985(00:23:08) - NWA Mid-South(00:23:55) - Brad Armstrong(00:28:40) - Junkyard Dog vs Ric Flair(00:33:23) - UWF on TBS 1985(00:43:56) - The New Starrcade(00:44:30) - Rock and Roll Express vs The Guerreros(00:48:20) - Jake Roberts vs Ted DiBiase(00:53:17) - Dibiase Turn In Mid-South Wrestling(00:57:27) - Dibiase vs Butch Reed(01:06:33) - "The WWF Is Changing The Look of Everything"(01:07:20) - The Announcing Team in 1985(01:12:23) - Jake and the Barbarian in Houston(01:21:24) - The Snowman and the Fantastics(01:24:54) - UWF 1985(01:30:57) - Bill Crockett on The Dusty Angle(01:38:38) - Pro Wrestling Time Tunnel: How to Support The Show(01:43:02) - Ian Douglas Sponsors His Ring In the Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame(01:45:04) - Pro Wrestling Time Tunnel History Podcast

    1h 46m
  4. Special Bonus Episode 49: A Special Tribute to Frankie Cain, The Life & Career of The Great Mephisto

    FEB 23

    Special Bonus Episode 49: A Special Tribute to Frankie Cain, The Life & Career of The Great Mephisto

    Our podcast focuses in on a by-gone era of regional booking offices of wrestling talent in historic towns and legendary buildings around the world. Jimmy Ault aka Frankie Cain aka The Clubfoot Inferno aka The Great Mephisto and on and on was one unique individual. Born in Columbus, Ohio in the early 1930s, Cain grew up mostly destitute and in extreme poverty, often homeless and starving. He learned how to survive on the streets, working gimmicks and cons just to stay alive with the other street kids he hung around. He learned learned how to box, became a “smoker” and became a traveling carnival worker . At one point, he learned how to become a wrestling shooter and was indoctrinated into the business in Al Haft’s Columbus promotion where he saw the guy he still considered the greatest professional wrestler he ever saw, a guy who called himself, “The Great Mephisto.” Cain then set about traveling through almost every territory of the 20th century during the territory era becoming beloved by Cowboy Clarence Luttrall, Roy Welch and others. He became teenage friends with Eddie Gossett (Graham) while living near Chattanooga, Tennessee traveling the roads and talking about their dreams together when they made it in the wrestling business. Frankie Cain was probably the last living person in the wrestling business who dated back to Jim Londos’ time in professional wrestling. Later in life, Cain became friends with Crowbar Press publisher, Scott Teal while the two were attending a Gulf Coast Wrestlers’ Reunion Event. After gaining Cain’s trust, Teal began to record and document Frankie’s memories both in audio and video form and published some of them in his “Whatever Happened To?” newsletter while also making Frankie a regular columnist. After Teal stopped doing the newsletter and starting publishing books, the two took their conversations about Cain’s life and published a two-volume set of books documenting the life of Franke Cain. In the last few days, Frankie Cain passed away and today, I am proud to welcome Scott Teal to the Richards Ranch to pay tribute to the life and career of his close, personal friend, Frankie Cain. I hope you enjoy our conversation. Chapters (00:00:02) - Podcast(00:00:33) - Pro Wrestling Time Tunnel History Bonus Episode(00:02:01) - Frankie Kane: From The Inferno to Raising Cain(00:06:56) - Tribute To Frankie Kane(00:12:08) - Frank Sinatra on His Early Days(00:18:47) - WWE Legends(00:22:32) - How long was it before you met Frankie Monroe's(00:25:13) - Frankie's Whatever Happened To My Book...(00:31:48) - Was Rocky Smith Your Best Friend?(00:32:06) - Frankie Chicane(00:38:53) - Frankie Jones on Working For Nick Jackson(00:45:31) - Favorite Memory Of Frankie(00:50:31) - Frank Sinatra on Frankie Ray's Contribution To Wrestling(00:55:21) - Crowbar Press Remembrance of Frankie Kane(00:57:55) - Tribute To Frankie Kane

    1h 5m
  5. Episode 48:The 1985 Territory Review, Jim Crockett Promotions

    FEB 18

    Episode 48:The 1985 Territory Review, Jim Crockett Promotions

    We are in the middle of our “1985 Territory Review” Series! Its a a weekly review of the territories in the year of 1985. In order to add context on where 1985 falls in the spectrum of the territory era of professional wrestling, here is my historical framework entitled: “Stages of Growth of the Territory Era”: Stage One: Conception (1925 to 1935) Stage Two: Formation (1935 to 1945) Stage Three: Innovation and Expansion (1945 to 1955) Stage Four: Investigation (1955 to 1965) Stage Five: Re-Consolidation (1965-1975) Stage Six: Fragmentation (1975-1985) Stage Seven: Disintegration (1985-1995) 1985 is the first year in the last stage of the territory era, and we are reviewing what is remaining of the system as the Disintegration Stage gets started. By the time we reach the halfway point in this stage, 1990, only a bare thread of the vast network of wrestling territories will remain. By the end of the Disintegration Stage, 1995, only one territory, in Memphis, is barely breathing, and by 1997 would be gone. In 1985, Jim Crockett Promotions was thriving. In mid-1984, they replaced the booker, Dory Funk, Jr. with Dusty Rhodes from the Florida Territory. Although ‘84 ended in a lukewarm fashion with the terrible finish and future plan blown up from Starrcade ‘84, during the first three months of 1985, Rhodes’ talent changes and new programs were taking hold. Then, the most important catalyst for the growth of JCP happened in the month of March. Jim Barnett, then an employee of the WWF brokered a deal with Jim Crockett, Jr to buy the WWF’s contract for the Saturday night time slot on WTBS, Channel 17 in Atlanta. With the stroke of a pen on a contract and a check for $1,000,000, Jim Crockett Promotions had national exposure beyond their syndicated television network, which primarily served the JCP loop of towns in the Mid-Atlantic Territory. Crockett, Jr. also made a deal with Ole Anderson and Fred Ward to take over the Championship Wrestling from Georgia company, which mainly included a few rings and the talent roster serving Georgia, Ohio, West Virginia and Michigan. The new WTBS contract also carried a clause giving Crockett the exclusivity for pro wrestling on the TBS channel, knocking off the Bill Watts’ Mid-South Wrestling show from the channel. In the Summer, Crockett also acquired the Rock and Roll Express from Mid-South along with Buddy Landel and Terry Taylor, while also getting The Midnight Express with Jim Cornette from World Class. The big show concept was also expanded as Rhodes created The Great American Bash for July in Charlotte, drawing a record crowd at the baseball stadium. It was an amazing year of expansion for Jim Crockett Promotions and helping me review the year of 1985 is a new member of our Time Tunnel family, Jammie Ward. With Jammie’s help, we roll through the year, hitting the highs and the lows for 1985 for Jim Crockett Promotions! Chapters (00:00:02) - Pro Wrestling Time Tunnel History: Jim Crockett Promotions(00:03:27) - MOVING BACK TO KENTUCKY WITH Greg Klein(00:08:07) - Gino Hernandez Bonus Episode(00:11:21) - Jim Crockett Promotions in 1985(00:13:13) - Pro Wrestling Time Tunnel Podcast(00:14:04) - Jim Crockett On National Expansion(00:22:52) - Barry Wyndham On Leaving The WWF(00:23:36) - Jim Crockett Promotions(00:30:48) - Ric Flair on His 1980 Turn(00:35:46) - Barry Blair on Dusty Rhodes' NWA Championship Run(00:40:43) - Dusty on The Russians vs Ric Flair(00:43:53) - The Great Dusty Rhodes vs Tully Blanchard(00:45:12) - Ricky Crockett vs Rick Flair(00:46:25) - Flair's California Booking Deal(00:53:05) - Flair on the Dusty Tully Feud(00:54:35) - Neville on Dusty Crockett In 85 Still Promoting(01:02:17) - Dusty Finisher(01:02:41) - Top Baby Face in the WWF in 1985(01:08:55) - The Rise of The Rock and Roll Express(01:10:42) - The Midnight Express and Rock and Roll Express(01:13:36) - Buddy Landell on His Nature Boy Turn(01:16:50) - The Great American Bash 85(01:22:35) - Dusty on TBS Return(01:29:37) - Jim Crockett on the WWF takeover of his territory(01:37:01) - Jimmy Fallon on Dusty Rhodes(01:39:23) - 1985 Territory Review Series

    1h 50m
  6. Special Bonus Episode 47: The 40th Anniversary of The Death of Gino Hernandez

    FEB 16

    Special Bonus Episode 47: The 40th Anniversary of The Death of Gino Hernandez

    One of the negative aspects involved in following or being a fan of any form of entertainment is when we lose talented performers in the very early stages of really promising careers. One such notable example is Gino Hernandez, known by the moniker “The Handsome Halfbreed”. Hernandez made his pro wrestling debut in 1975 in the markets of San Antonio and Houston and almost immediately started rising through the ranks. In the 9th year of his rocketing rise, his life was cut short. Joining me for this special episode of The Pro Wrestling Time Tunnel History Show is Lizzy Flanagan. Lizzy is one of our young, enthusiastic historians and authors who has written a biography on the life and death of Hernandez entitles, “I Am Your Champion” published by McFarland Press and is now available. We discuss Gino Hernandez’ debut and his rise to success including his opportuninty to work with one of South Texas biggest babyfaces of all time, Jose Lothario, his close relationship with the Blanchard Family in San Antonio and his outstanding tag team run with Tully Blanchard, his run in Houston, his relationship with the Von Erichs, his move into one of the hottest promotions at the time, World Class Championship Wrestling, his tag team with Chris Adams and more. We discuss the circumstances around his lifestyle in Dallas at the time of his death, his wife and family and yes, we dispel the rumors of Paul Boesch being his biological father. Its all in this special bonus episode commemorating the 40th anniversary of the loss of one of pro wrestling’s brightest and biggest stars, Gino Hernandez. We hope you will take this ride back in the Pro Wrestling Time Tunnel with Lizzy Flanagan and myself as we go back to 1975 and travel forward to February 1984. Chapters (00:00:02) - Pro Wrestling Time Tunnel History: Bonus Episode 1(00:03:09) - Gino Hernandez's Death(00:04:47) - Pro Wrestling Time Tunnel History: The Death of Gino Hernandez(00:07:19) - Philadelphia wrestler Gino on his early life(00:14:17) - Louisiana Stars on His Stepfather's Name(00:14:49) - Paul Bosch On Gino's Stepfather's Death(00:21:36) - Gino Lewis Turns From Baby Face to Heel(00:26:25) - Gino Hernandez vs Jose Lothario(00:32:46) - Pro Wrestling's Historical Stylization(00:35:23) - Paul Bosch in the Hair Match(00:36:17) - The David Von Erich vs Gino(00:41:22) - Gino vs David Blanchard(00:42:34) - The Tully vs Geno Tag Team(00:45:45) - Geno Had A Farrah Fawcett Girlfriend(00:51:20) - Gino in WCCW(00:56:49) - Kevin Von Erics on Gino's Death(01:04:28) - Gary Hart on His Sons(01:04:49) - Gary Hart on Gino Hernandez's Drug Problem(01:09:57) - Gino Hernandez on His Book(01:13:58) - Remembering Gino Hernandez(01:14:55) - Memphis Wrestling Podcast and Pro Wrestling Time Tunnel(01:18:32) - 1985 Territory History Episode(01:20:24) - Vietnam Valentine's Day Special

    1h 22m
  7. Episode 46: The 1985 Territory Review, Continental Championship Wrestling

    FEB 11

    Episode 46: The 1985 Territory Review, Continental Championship Wrestling

    We are kicking off the year of 2026 with a weekly review of the territories in the year of 1985. Here is my historical framework entitled: “Stages of Growth of the Territory Era”: My framework for understanding and analyzing the history and growth of Professional Wrestling are the 7 Stages of The Territory Era: Stage One: Conception (1925 to 1935) Stage Two: Formation (1935 to 1945) Stage Three: Innovation and Expansion (1945 to 1955) Stage Four: Investigation (1955 to 1965) Stage Five: Re-Consolidation (1965-1975) Stage Six: Fragmentation (1975-1985) Stage Seven: Disintegration (1985-1995) 1985 is the first year in the last stage of the territory era, and we are reviewing what is remaining of the system. After buying the Gulf Coast Championship Wrestling office and territory from his family member, Lee Fields in the late 1970s, Ron Fuller had brought the territory back from almost nothing to a thriving enterprise. He changed the name of the promotion to Southeastern Wrestling and in the first year, he gave back money to the fans due to not having enough of a crowd to wrestle in front of, to purchasing Birmingham and all of Northern Alabama to add to South Alabama and the Florida Panhandle. Even with all this success, Fuller knew the wrestling game was changing in 1985. After a meeting with his partners, brother Robert Fuller, cousin Jimmy Golden and close friend, Bob Armstrong, the decision was made to change the brand from Southeastern to Continental, in order to reflect a more national enterprise, should be opportunity present itself to expand beyond the territory’s borders. For the first time here on the Pro Wrestling Time Tunnel History Show, we have a territory owner, who can tell us the thoughts and motivations at the time of making the decisions that shaped the territory in 1985, while facing the encroachment of both invaders from the North and old friend and allies from the South. This is the story of Continental Wrestling in 1985 with our new co-host for today’s show, The Tennessee Stud, Ron Fuller. Chapters (00:00:02) - Pro Wrestling Time Tunnel History Podcast(00:00:53) - 1985 Territory Review(00:03:47) - A Surprise Birthday Party for 82-Year-Old Mother(00:08:23) - Bumps and Thumps: Gino Hernandez's Passing Anniversary +(00:12:32) - Regional Review: Continental Championship Wrestling(00:13:32) - Tennessee Stud Ron Fuller on His Promotion in 1985(00:18:11) - Vince McMahon Selling Knoxville To Jim Barnett(00:26:37) - Southeastern Championship Wrestling's Brand Change(00:32:34) - Gordon Campbell on WWE's TBS(00:36:07) - Adrian Street Was One of The Lord Humongous's Assist(00:41:23) - Bob Armstrong on His Turn on Jimmy and Continental(00:47:01) - "The Bullet" On His British Wrestling Background(00:47:49) - Les Paul on Working For Tony Charles(00:51:40) - Kevin Sullivan vs New Guinea Headhunters(00:55:58) - Jimmy Golden on The Knife Throw(01:01:43) - Kenny Knoxville on His Traditional Nights(01:07:02) - Ronald Jones on Knoxville, Chattanooga(01:09:57) - 1.8 Million Tickets Sold in 1985(01:12:46) - Ron Welch on Continental Championship Wrestling 1985(01:15:15) - A Taste of 1985(01:17:20) - Pro Wrestling Time Tunnel Facebook Group

    1h 23m
  8. Episode 45: The Year of 1985 Territory Review, The AWA

    FEB 4

    Episode 45: The Year of 1985 Territory Review, The AWA

    We are kicking off the year of 2026 with a weekly review of the territories in the year of 1985. Here is my historical framework entitled: “Stages of Growth of the Territory Era”: My framework for understanding and analyzing the history and growth of Professional Wrestling are the 7 Stages of The Territory Era: Stage One: Conception (1925 to 1935) Stage Two: Formation (1935 to 1945) Stage Three: Innovation and Expansion (1945 to 1955) Stage Four: Investigation (1955 to 1965) Stage Five: Re-Consolidation (1965-1975) Stage Six: Fragmentation (1975-1985) Stage Seven: Disintegration (1985-1995) 1985 is the first year in the last stage of the territory era, and we will review what is remaining of the system. Verve Gagne and Bernie Karbo had been buying points in the NWA Minneapolis Booking Office and Territory starting in the late 1950s and by 1960 were ready to pull away from the National Wrestling Alliance to start a new wrestling federation. At the time, the NWA had been under investigation by the Department of Justice for monopolistic business practices and were eager to have another group in existence to show they weren’t the only game in town. After several years of prosperity and building one of the largest geographic areas fully controlled by one office in the entire North American continent, by 1985, things had begun to change. After losing Hulk Hogan to the WWF in late 1983, Gagne was still trying to find a new champion to carry the AWA banner forward into a new era. Rick Martel was the champion for most of th eyear before the decision was made to switch the title to Stan Hansen. All in all, in 1985, the AWA was still drawing very healthy crowds and staying very much in competition with the other entities that were “going national.” 1985 would prove to be a pivotal year leading into the future. My friend and noted historian, George Schire joins me on the show to review the year in the AWA that was 1985. Chapters (00:00:02) - PODCAST: Pro Wrestling Time Tunnel(00:00:34) - Honorary Guest on the Pro Wrestling Time Tunnel History Show(00:07:09) - American Wrestling Association's Territorial Dissolution(00:10:59) - George Shire(00:12:40) - WWE 8, The AWA and The WWF(00:20:23) - George Hart on WWE's Lengthy Card(00:23:28) - Jimmy Garvin Challenging Rick Martell(00:28:22) - Where Does Rick Martell Rank Among All the AWA Champions?(00:35:08) - The Road Warriors in 85(00:40:05) - Sergeant Slaughter Came to the AWA(00:46:48) - Brody on Verne's Run Detroit(00:52:50) - Ric Flair on Verne Crockett's(00:57:56) - The AWA Television Situation in 1985(01:06:28) - The AWA in the 90s(01:10:46) - The Free Birds vs The Road Warriors(01:17:44) - Vernon Hanson's Title Change(01:24:10) - Vinny McMahon on Verne Hill's Decision(01:30:00) - The AWA Contract Guarantee(01:35:06) - Vince McMahon on Verne Fallon(01:38:18) - Balinsky: Bad Boy Gig(01:39:47) - 1985(01:44:49) - George Carlin on 'This Is Your Life'(01:45:43) - George Shire on The AWA and Its Impact

    1h 55m
See All (32)

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
12 Ratings

About

The Pro Wrestling Time Tunnel History Show is dedicated to researching, educating and discovering pro wrestling history from the territorial-era. Our host and guests share a passion for the performance art of professional wrestling as it was presented in the era of the territories and booking offices from 1930 through 1990.

Information

You Might Also Like