Episode 67: 1976 Territory Review: Dallas Territory

Episode 69: 2026 TNT HOF Series: James Beard & Jimmy Garvin

We proudly launch our brand-new 2026 Tragos-Thesz Hall of Fame Series with Episode 69 of The Pro Wrestling Time Tunnel History Show, featuring 2026 Impact Award winner and legendary referee James Beard and Jack Brisco Red Belt Award winner “Gorgeous” Jimmy Garvin!James was a cornerstone official in World Class Championship Wrestling’s glory years at the Sportatorium and later in the WWF. Jimmy Garvin brings his iconic in-ring perspective from his legendary runs across the territories, including his deep Texas roots and time with the Freebirds. In this conversation we cover career highlights, behind-the-scenes stories from Dallas, and what these well-deserved honors mean to them ahead of the Hall of Fame weekend. Episode 69 is live now on Substack,Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, and all major platforms. Listen today and let us know what you think. The Pro Wrestling Time Tunnel History Show is your Home for the History of Territory Wrestling.

Episode 68: 2026 Mailbag Show #2

We’re back with our second Mailbag Show of the year — Episode 67 — and I’m joined once again by my great friend and co-host, Steve Gennerelli!This one is pure fan interaction. Steve and I are diving into your questions from the community — everything from deep territorial history, booking decisions, hidden gems from the 70s and 80s, wrestler careers, and those classic “what if” scenarios that we all love to debate.You asked… we’re answering. Expect plenty of stories, insight, laughs, and that signature Time Tunnel deep dive you’ve come to expect.Whether you’re a longtime territory fan or just discovering the golden age of regional wrestling, this episode is for you. Episode 67 – The Pro Wrestling Time Tunnel Mailbag Show #2 is live now on Castos, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and everywhere you get your shows.Drop a review, share your thoughts, and keep those questions coming for the next mailbag! Thanks for riding with us through the Time Tunnel… let’s open some letters and talk some wrestling history!

Episode 67: 1976 Territory Review: Dallas Territory

It's Episode 67 of The Pro Wrestling Time Tunnel Territory Show as we continue pur 1976 Territory Review Series! I am joined by Greg Klein this week as we we roll into the heart of Texas in 1976 and dive deep into one of the hottest territories in the NWA: Big Time Wrestling out of Dallas. From the roads stretching between Fort Worth, Dallas, San Antonio, Corpus Christi, Houston, and Austin, a stacked roster of talent was tearing it up night after night in arenas big and small.Homegrown hero and NWA American Champion Fritz Von Erich was the beating heart of the promotion. The legendary Iron Claw was working overtime as Fritz anchored fantastic programs, most notably his intense heel feud with The Mongolian Stomper, managed by the cunning J.J. Dillon. These battles had Texas fans on the edge of their seats week after week.The territory was so hot that even top stars were navigating carefully. The great Red Bastien was reportedly steering somewhat clear of the red-hot scene, while still making selective appearances like his time-limit draw with Rick Martel on the big card.The crown jewel of the year? The Super Bowl of Wrestling on June 5, 1976, at Texas Stadium in Irving. One of the biggest shows of the year drew a massive crowd (reported around 17,000) for a star-studded supercard. In the main event, NWA World Heavyweight Champion Terry Funk hooked up with Fritz Von Erich in a sizzling title match that spilled outside and ended in a double count-out, further fueling the ongoing Von Erich vs. Funk family feud that had Texas (and beyond) buzzing.We’ll break down the full card highlights, key angles, the business side of the territory, other top talent on the roads, and how this era set the stage for what would become World Class Championship Wrestling. From blood feuds and big gates to the territorial grind, it’s classic 1976 Texas wrestling at its absolute peak.Tune in for another deep dive through the Time Tunnel—where the territories come alive again!https://tonyrichards4.substack.com/p/pro-wrestling-time-tunnel-history-0af The Pro Wrestling Time Tunnel: Your Home for the History of Territory Wrestling.

Episode 66: Magnum TA & Nikita Koloff 40th Anniversary of the Best of 7 Series

In a special celebration episode marking the exact 40th anniversary of one of pro wrestling’s most intense and unforgettable rivalries, host Tony is joined by the two men who lived it: Magnum T.A. and Nikita Koloff themselves! This landmark episode dives deep into the legendary 1986 Best-of-7 Series for the NWA United States Heavyweight Championship that electrified arenas across the Jim Crockett Promotions territory and forever changed the landscape of Mid-Atlantic wrestling. For the first time on the show, Magnum and Nikita sit down together to relive the entire program — from the explosive buildup on television, the sold-out crowds that packed the Omni, the Greensboro Coliseum, and the Scope, all the way through the dramatic conclusion of the seventh and final match. Tony guides the conversation as the two former rivals recount the major story arcs, the real-life heat that blurred the lines between kayfabe and reality, the physical toll of wrestling seven straight high-stakes matches in a single month, and the personal respect that grew between them once the series was over. Listeners will hear never-before-shared details about the planning of the series, the psychology behind each contest, the emotional weight of the “Russian” vs. “All-American” storyline at the height of the Cold War era, and what it meant to compete for what many still call the most prestigious championship in the United States at that time. The episode also spotlights the brand-new book “Magnum & Nikita: The Untold Story of the 1986 Best-of-7” (as told to acclaimed wrestling author Bill Murdock). Both guests discuss how the book came together, the stories they chose to reveal for the first time, and the moments that even hardcore fans have never heard until now. Magnum and Nikita read select excerpts live and answer listener-submitted questions about the series that defined both of their careers. Whether you watched the matches live in 1986, discovered them on the Network years later, or are just now learning about this classic feud, Episode 66 is the definitive oral history of one of wrestling’s greatest seven-match wars. Available now on all major podcast platforms and the Pro Wrestling Time Tunnel Substack and YouTube channel. And don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share the show. In a special celebration episode marking the exact 40th anniversary of one of pro wrestling’s most intense and unforgettable rivalries, host Tony is joined by the two men who lived it: Magnum T.A. and Nikita Koloff themselves! This landmark episode dives deep into the legendary 1986 Best-of-7 Series for the NWA United States Heavyweight Championship that electrified arenas across the Jim Crockett Promotions territory and forever changed the landscape of Mid-Atlantic wrestling. For the first time on the show, Magnum and Nikita sit down together to relive the entire program — from the explosive buildup on television, the sold-out crowds that packed the Omni, the Greensboro Coliseum, and the Scope, all the way through the dramatic conclusion of the seventh and final match. Tony guides the conversation as the two former rivals recount the major story arcs, the real-life heat that blurred the lines between kayfabe and reality, the physical toll of wrestling seven straight high-stakes matches in a single month, and the personal respect that grew between them once the series was over. Listeners will hear never-before-shared details about the planning of the series, the psychology behind each contest, the emotional weight of the “Russian” vs. “All-American” storyline at the height of the Cold War era, and what it meant to compete for what many still call the most prestigious championship in the United States at that time. The episode also spotlights the brand-new book “Magnum & Nikita: The Untold Story of the 1986 Best-of-7” (as told to acclaimed wrestling author Bill Murdock). Both guests discuss how the book came together, the stories they chose to reveal for the first time, and the moments that even hardcore fans have never heard until now. Magnum and Nikita read select excerpts live and answer listener-submitted questions about the series that defined both of their careers. Whether you watched the matches live in 1986, discovered them on the Network years later, or are just now learning about this classic feud, Episode 66 is the definitive oral history of one of wrestling’s greatest seven-match wars. Available now on all major podcast platforms and the Pro Wrestling Time Tunnel Substack and YouTube channel. And don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share the show.

Episode 65: A Conversation with Michael St. John

Episode 65 of the Pro Wrestling Time Tunnel History Show drops this morning, and I’m excited to bring you an absolute gem of a conversation with my special guest, Michael St. John — Memphis Wrestling Hall of Famer and one of the legendary TV announcers for both Nick Gulas and Jerry Jarrett in the classic Tennessee Territory. We sit down and pay our respects to the recent passing of Phil Hickerson, dive deep into the great tag teams that defined Tennessee wrestling, talk about the various TV announcers who helped carry the territory on the airwaves, and explore the fascinating parallels between the wrestling business and the broadcasting world. Michael is a tremendous storyteller with decades of firsthand experience, so this episode is packed with history, insight, humor, and plenty of “you can’t make this stuff up” moments. We go way beyond the surface and cover so much more. If you love old-school Nashville, Birmingham, Hunstville, Chattanooga and Memphis and just good old Tennessee wrestling territory history, this is one you don’t want to miss. Stay tuned for the release — Episode 65 with Michael St. John is coming your way this morning on the Pro Wrestling Time Tunnel History Show! And don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share the show.