Written and Produced by Tony Richards
January 12th in the Time Tunnel:
Happy Birthday to those who have passed on and to those great wrestlers still with us:
In Memoriam:
Buddy O’Brien 1909
George Becker 1914
Andre Drapp 1920
Ray “Thunder” Sten 1933
Luna Vachon 1962
Alexander Rizzo\Big Dick Dudley 1968
Happy Birthday:
Brian Blair (69)
Ikuhisa Minawa (50)
Victoria Gonzalez\Raquel Rodriguez (35)
RIP Memorial: We stop & remember those who have passed on this day and gave themselves to the business for us, the fans. We salute you and thank you.
Kazuo Sakurada\Kendo Nagasaki 1-12-2020 at the age of 71
40 Year Flashback:
1-11-1986 Sam Houston defeated Krusher Khruschev (ch) for the NWA Mid-Atlantic Heavyweight Championship at the World Championship Wrestling taping at the WTBS-17 Studios in Atlanta, Georgia
The build-up to the January 11 rematch was fueled by Houston’s quest for redemption. After losing at Starrcade, Houston positioned himself as the all-American hero challenging the foreign invader, a narrative that resonated deeply in the Reagan-era United States. Promos on World Championship Wrestling hyped the clash, with Khruschev mocking Houston’s “cowboy” gimmick and vowing to crush him like the capitalist system. The match itself was part of a stacked card at the WTBS Studios, including bouts like Magnum T.A. defeating Bill Mulkey and Bill Tabb in a handicap match, Arn Anderson pinning George South, and tag team action featuring The Midnight Express against The Italian Stallion and Rocky King. The Mid-Atlantic Title bout, lasting 11 minutes and 40 seconds, saw Houston’s agility pitted against Khruschev’s brute force. Early on, Khruschev dominated with powerful slams and holds, but Houston’s quick dodges and dropkicks kept him in the fight. Reviews note Houston’s lanky frame forcing him to rely on speed to counter Khruschev’s strength, creating a compelling dynamic.
The turning point came dramatically—and tragically. Attempting a high-risk clothesline from the top rope, Khruschev landed awkwardly, tearing every ligament in his knee in a legitimate injury. This mishap, blamed in kayfabe (wrestling storyline) on distractions from rivals like The Road Warriors, allowed Houston to capitalize and secure the pinfall victory. The crowd erupted as referee Tommy Young counted to three, crowning Houston the new champion. This win marked Houston’s first major title, a milestone in his career, though the real-life severity of Khruschev’s injury—requiring six months of recovery—added an unintended layer of authenticity to the proceedings. In an era where kayfabe was strictly maintained, such incidents blurred the lines between performance and reality, enhancing the match’s legacy.
The aftermath rippled through JCP. Houston held the Mid-Atlantic Title for 66 days, defending it successfully before losing to Black Bart on March 18, 1986. He continued his rise, forming tag teams and moving to other promotions like Central States Wrestling, where he captured more gold. For Khruschev, the injury sidelined him until summer, but upon return, he aided Nikita Koloff in winning the NWA United States Heavyweight Championship and later captured the NWA United States Tag Team Titles with Ivan. However, a pay dispute from Starrcade 1985 with promoter Jim Crockett led Darsow to depart for the World Wrestling Federation (WWF).
60 Year Flashback
A Time Capsule Review of the Pro Wrestling Cards In the North American Wrestling Territories On This Day In Pro Wrestling History
As a regular Monday feature of The Pro Wrestling Time Tunnel’s Daily Chronicle, we crack open the Wrestling Time Capsule to do a survey of the cards, matches and performers of the decades of territory pro wrestling. This week we flashback to this Day in Pro Wrestling History, Wednesday, January 12th, 1966.
Gulas-Welch Booking Office, Nashville, Tennessee
High School Gymnasium in Bowling Green, Kentucky
Crimson Terror vs Mario Milano
The Ox vs Tamayo Soto
Tojo Yamamoto & Alex Perez vs Len Rossi & Mack York
Civic Auditorium in Kingsport, Tennessee
Charlie Laye vs Ron Wright
Frankie Cain & Greg Peterson vs Kanji Inoki & Hiro Matsuda
NWA Tri-State Wrestling Office in Tulsa, Oklahoma
Sports Arena in Fort Smith, Arkansas
Bruce Kirk defeated Sputnik Monroe in 2 out of 3 falls by 2 falls to 0
Chuck Karbo beat Ray Gordon by 2 falls to 1 fall
Danny Hodge (ch) defeated Kurt Steiger by DQ by 2 falls to 1 to retain the NWA World Junior Heavyweight Championship
Shrine Mosque in Springfield, Missouri
Assassin #2 vs Jerry Kozak ended in a 15 min time limit draw
Argentina Zuma defeated Assassin #1 by DQ
The Assassins defeated Jerry Kozak & Argentina Zuma by 2 falls to 0
Lorenzo Parente beat Mike Clancy in a Texas Death Match
Big Time Wrestling Office in Detroit, Michigan
Civic Auditorium in Grand Rapids, Michigan
George Crybaby Cannon vs Fred Curry
Argentina Apollo vs The Destroyer
Gary Hart & Zelis Amara vs The Student 7 Tim Hampton
The Sheik vs Bobo Brazil
Championship Wrestling From Florida Office in Tampa, Florida
The Auditorium in Miami Beach, Florida
Buddy Fuller vs Gene Baxter
Diana Lynn vs Mae Goodner
Roger Kirby & Jim Starr vs Klondike Bill & Jose Lothario
Rocky Hamilton beat Danny Miller by 2 falls to 1 fall
American Legion Arena in Sarasota, Florida
John Heath beat Tito Carreon
Jerry London defeated Tom Bradley by DQ by 2 falls to 0
Sam Steamboat, Ronnie Etchison & Don Curtis defeated Mustapha Bay, Duke Keomuka & Johnny Bence by 2 falls to 1 fall
Georgia Championship Wrestling Office in Atlanta, Georgia
Municipal Auditorium in Columbus, Georgia
Al Costello beat Rip Carson
Derrell Cochran defeated Johnny King
Chief Little Eagle beat Chin Lee by 2 falls to 1 fall
Mario Galento & Billy Hines defeated Eric & Karl Von Brauner by DQ by 2 falls to 1 fall
Jim Crockett Promotions Office in Charlotte, North Carolina
City Auditorium in Asheville, North Carolina
Abe Jacobs vs Ike Eakins ended as a time limit draw
Don Chuy beat Corsica Jean
Hans Schmidt defeated Rudy Kay
Tex McKenzie & Nelson Royal defeated Bronk Lubich & Aldo Bogni by DQ by 2 falls to 1 fall
WBTV-TV Studios in Charlotte, North Carolina
Gory Guerrero & Omar Atlas vs Swede Hanson & Rip Hawk
Johnny Weaver & George Becker vs Pedro Zapata & Jim Grabmire
WNBE-TV12 TV Taping in New Bern, North Carolina
Billy Two Rivers & Suni War Cloud beat Ike Eakins & George Harris by DQ
Professor Boris Malenko & Bob Orton defeated Steve Bolus & Jesse James
WRAL-TV Studios in Raleigh, North Caolina
George & Sandy Scott defeated Black Jack Daniels & Mike Paidousis
Professor Boris Malenko & Bob Orton beat Billy Two Rivers & Suni War Cloud
**Tony Note: An amazing day for Jim Crockett Promotions. At this time, three television tapings or live studio shows along with a house show that night in Asheville, North Carolina. In Future years, Asheville would become a monthly Sunday town, interesting to note it had a smaller venue in 1966. I believe there were at least another one or two TV shows on Tuesdays as well as the three on Wednesdays in this time frame JCP had to produce.
American Wrestling Association Office in Omaha, Nebraska
Municipal Auditorium in Beatrice, Nebraska
Mr. Wrestling beat Mitsu Arakawa by DQ
Mitsu Arakawa & Haru Sasaki vs Mr. Wrestling & Reggie Parks ended as a time limit draw at 1 fall each
Billy Red Cloud defeated Mad Dog Vachon in an Indian Chain Match
Wrestlethon in San Antonio, Texas
Golden Terror defeated Claude Patterson (Thunderbolt)
Killer Karl Kox beat Torbellino Bianco
Dory Funk, Je defeated Antone Leone
Billy Red Lyons defeated Swede Karlsson by 2 falls to 1 fall
Ramon Torres defeated The Destroyer
Western States Sports Office in Amarillo, Texas
Fair Park Coliseum in Lubbock, Texas
Tokyo Tom defeated Treach Phillips
Terry Funk defeated Len Miller
Iron Mike DiBiase defeated Doug Gilbert
Wahoo McDaniel defeated Jack Donovan
Dutch Savage defeated Ricky Romero (ch) to win the NWA north American Heavyweight Championship
NWA Hollywood Office in Los Angeles, California
Grand Olympic Auditorium in Los Angeles, California
Lonnie Mayne defeated Tony Galarza
The Butcher vs Pedro Morales ended as a time limit draw
Gorilla Monsoon & El Mongol defeated Joe Corrollo & Johnny Vander
Jack Lanza vs Luke Graham ended as a time limit draw
Civic Auditorium in Honolulu, Hawaii
Neff Maiava defeated Joe Scarpa
Johnny Barend defeated Ron Reed (Buddy Colt)
Nick Bockwinkel & Lord Blears defeated The Bandit & Fuji Fujiwara by 2 falls to 1 fall
Nick Kozak vs Ripper Collins ended as a DCO at 1 fall each
Tracking The World Champions Schedule 1/8-1/15/1966:
NWA: Gene Kiniski
*In the past week, Gene Kiniski defeated Lou Thesz for the NWA World Championship on January 7th at the Kiel Auditorium in St. Louis, Missouri. Picking up the Champions schedule from that date, here’s where Kiniski wrestled for this week in 1966:
1/8/1966: International Amphitheater in Chicago, Illinois defeated Dick The Bruiser in a Congo Death Match to retain the title
1/13/1966: War Memorial Coliseum in Fort Wayne, Indian defeated Dick The Bruiser in a Texas Death Match
1/14/1966: Church Street Gymnasium in New Castle, Indiana defeated Wilbur Snyder
1/15/1966: Indiana State Fairgrounds Coliseum in Indianapolis, Indiana Wilbur Snyder & Moose Cholak (ch) defeated Gene Kiniski & Fritz Von Erich by DQ
1/15/1966: Sportatorium in Tampa, Florida defeated Danny Little Bear to defend NWA World Title
**Tony Note: Incredibly as it may sound the NWA World Title schedule would become even more grueling with the addition of Japan and Australia later in the decade, Kiniski still had to do a double shot on Saturday the 15th both in Indianapolis and Tampa.
WWWF: Bruno Sammartino
1/12/1966: Newark, New Jersey defeated Tony Altimore to retain WWWF World Title
1/13/1966: Bruno & Arnold Skaaland defeated Tony Altimore & Tarzan Tyler
1/14/1966: New Haven Coliseum in New Haven, Connecticut defeated Big Bill Miller to retain WWWF Title
1/15/1966: TV Taping in Baltimore, Maryland defeated Tony Altimore to retain WWWF Title
AWA: Maurice “Mad Dog” Vachon
1/8/1966: City Auditorium in Omaha, Nebraska defended against Tim Woods ended in no contest in 2 out of 3 falls match
1/12/1966: Municipal Auditorium in Beatrice, Nebraska Billy Red Cloud defeated Vachon in an Indian Death Match (non-title)
1/14/1966: City Auditorium in Omaha, Nebraska defeated Tim Woods in a one hour 2 out of 3 falls match
1/15/1955: Indiana State Fairgrounds Coliseum in Indianapolis, Indiana defeated Angelo Poffo in non-title match
The “On This Date” (OTD) Cards Analysis Feature is a way for our readers to look back through the Pro Wrestling Time Tunnel to see the way cards were constructed, the finishes, the amount of cards that were presented and some idea of how many wrestlers were working in the various territories North America during the time period.
Thank You for Reading
I’m Tony Richards, Pro Wrestling Historian, Author and Storyteller. I share pro wrestling historical items in each issue of the Time Tunnel Pro Wrestling History Newsletter. Thanks for reading! If you enjoy my information on select events, matches and insights, please share it with folks you think might like to be a subscriber!
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