Happy Birthday to those who have passed on and to those great wrestlers still with us:
In Memoriam:
Pat O’Dowdy 1908
Ronnie Etchison 1920
Ted Lewin 1935
Happy Birthday:
Brian Knobbs (62)
Colt Cabana (46)
Dakota Kai (38)
Lash Legend (29)
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.
King Kong Clayton 5-6-1975 at the age of 77
Wee Willie Wilson 5-6-1993 at the age of 44
Alan Stewart\Mystery Man 5-4-2000 aat the age of 68
Billy Wicks 5-4-2016 at the age of 84
Pro Wrestling Time Tunnel Community Update
Pro Wrestling Time Tunnel Territory History Show Episode 60: Launching “Towns of the Tennessee Territory” with Sean Dulaney on Evansville, Indiana
The Pro Wrestling Time Tunnel Territory History Show returns with Episode 60 and the debut of an exciting new intermittent series: “Towns of the Tennessee Territory.”
This week I am joined on the show by jspecial guest Sean Dulaney — the leading historian and author of the acclaimed The History of Professional Wrestling in Evansville book series — for the series premiere. Together we spotlight the town I used to go to on Wednesday night for Gulas-Welch Company wrestling, Evansville, Indiana, one of the most important stops on the classic Memphis/Tennessee territory circuit.
Drawing on Dulaney’s deep archival research, the episode explores Evansville’s territorial-era legacy: the major promoters, unforgettable nights at the Evansville Coliseum, the stars who regularly passed through town, and the city’s unique place in the broader Tennessee territory story. This new series will run alongside the popular ongoing 1976 Territory Review Series, giving fans always distinct deep dives into the golden age of regional wrestling each week.
Don’t miss the launch of “Towns of the Tennessee Territory” — available now on all major podcast platforms, YouTube, and the Pro Wrestling Time Tunnel Substack.
Step into the Time Tunnel and discover the towns that built the territories!
Coming Up on the Pro Wrestling Time Tunnel – 1976 Territory Review Series
The 1976 Territory Review Series rolls on with three more must-hear episodes dropping over the next three weeks!
Wednesday, May 13 – Episode 61: Special guest Todd Goss joins us for a full deep dive into Jim Crockett Promotions — the Carolinas and Virginia territory in 1976. Expect complete coverage of the major storylines, champions, and unforgettable moments from one of the hottest territories of the era.
Wednesday, May 20 – Episode 62: Gulf Coast expert Michael Norris returns with his unmatched historical knowledge as we examine the Gulf Coast Territory throughout 1976 — every major angle, title change, and regional rivalry you need to know.
Wednesday, May 27 – Episode 63: Wrestling historian George Schire stops by for an in-depth look at the American Wrestling Federation in 1976, breaking down the territory’s unique place in the national landscape that year.
These episodes continue our month-by-month journey through the golden age of the territories — and they’re all available the same day on every major podcast platform, YouTube, and the Pro Wrestling Time Tunnel Substack.
Don’t miss a single stop in 1976!
Subscribe or follow the show right now so you never miss an episode — and stay locked in the Time Tunnel.
Tracking The Territory Champions for Premium Subs
Every territory champion. Every title change. Every April. From April 1926 through April 1986.
That’s seven complete Aprils of territorial wrestling history — month by month, belt by belt — covering the entire golden era of the pre-NWA days and the NWA, affiliates and AWA, WWF and other countries as well. and the classic territory system. No other resource offers this level of granular, year-by-year championship tracking focused on a single month.
Consider it your ultimate annual reference guide to the champions who ruled the territories every spring.
Available now to Premium+ subscribers on the Pro Wrestling Time Tunnel Substack.
YouTube Community Enhancements
The Pro Wrestling Time Tunnel YouTube Channel just got a major upgrade.
All-new, hand-curated playlists are now live, making it easier than ever to find and binge the entire archive. You’ll find dedicated sections for:
Complete podcast episodes (whole shows list)
Best clips from the shows
Shorts
Every appearance and history series I have done on Stories With Brisco and Bradshaw
A playlist of my guest appearances on other podcasts
A brand-new playlist of wrestling video footage from 1976, designed to perfectly complement the ongoing 1976 Territory Review Series on the podcast
Whether you want to watch full episodes, quick clips, or deep-dive into 1976 territory action, everything is now neatly organized and ready to go.
If you haven’t joined the Pro Wrestling Time Tunnel YouTube community yet, now is the perfect time. Subscribe, hit the bell, and never miss a match in the Time Tunnel!
Just search “Pro Wrestling Time Tunnel” on YouTube.
This Week in The Daily Chronicle (Issues 383–389)
Here’s your complete guide to everything featured in The Daily Chronicle this week:
Sunday – Issue 383:
Our regular Sunday deep-dive feature, timed to coincide with last week’s podcast episode on 1976 WWWF, delivers a full April–May–June 1976 review of the World Wide Wrestling Federation. Inside you’ll find a complete analysis of all major storylines in the singles and tag team divisions, key matches, the infamous Stan Hansen “breaks Bruno’s neck” angle, and much more.
Monday – Issue 384:
The ongoing “7 Stages of the Territory Era” series continues with Stage 4: Investigation. This installment documents the major changes happening both inside the business — highlighted by the crowning of a new World Champion — and the external threats facing the territories, including the ongoing U.S. Department of Justice investigation of the NWA.
Tuesday – Issue 385:
Special Edition of the “7 Stages of the Territory Era” (Stage 4: Investigation). A focused look at the revolutionary changes in television that took place in the Spring of 1956 — developments that would shape the operational and promotional strategies of wrestling territories for the next 25 years.
Wednesday – Issue 386:
PWTT Community Update. This week’s roundup covers Episode 60 of the Pro Wrestling Time Tunnel podcast (the launch of the new intermittent series “Towns of the Tennessee Territory” with guest Sean Dulaney on Evansville, Indiana), the major new enhancements and curated playlists on our YouTube channel, the launch of the exclusive premium feature “Tracking The Territory Champions,” and a full preview of this week’s Daily Chronicle lineup.
Thursday – Issue 387:
Biographical sketch of the life and career of Sonny Myers, one of the most influential wrestlers of the territory era. Also includes the popular “One Thing I Learned” feature.
Friday – Issue 388:
The Life and Career of Mike Shaw, best known to fans as Makhan Singh in Stampede, Norman the Lunatic in WCW, Bastion Booger, and more. Plus the “One Thing I Learned” feature.
Saturday – Issue 389:
The Life and Career of hard-working journeyman territory-era wrestler Jesse James. Also features the “One Thing I Learned” section.
Don’t miss a single day of premium territory wrestling history! Subscribe to The Daily Chronicle today and stay locked in the Time Tunnel.
I will be at Fanfest 4 in St. Louis this coming weekend!
This weekend I’ll be appearing at Herb Simmons’ Fanfest 4, presented by SICW Wrestling in Fairview Heights, Illinois. We’re celebrating the incredible, legendary history of St. Louis wrestling — one of the true hotbeds of the territorial era.
I’ll be on hand all weekend, meeting fans and talking territory history with some of the biggest names from the St. Louis scene and Pro Wrestling. It’s going to be a nonstop celebration of the Gateway City’s rich wrestling legacy, and I’d love to see as many of you there as possible.
Come out, hang with the stars, get some photos, grab some merch, and let’s keep the Time Tunnel rolling in person!
Fanfest 4 – This weekend in Fairview Heights, IL.
Details and tickets at SICW’s official site or page and the website for FanFest 4!
Hope to see you there — let’s make it a legendary weekend!
That wraps up this week’s PWTT Community Update.
These weekly Wednesday recaps are more than just a list of new releases — they’re our way of keeping the entire Pro Wrestling Time Tunnel community fully connected to everything we’re building together. Every podcast episode, every new premium feature like Tracking The Territory Champions, every YouTube playlist upgrade, and every Daily Chronicle issue is part of our ongoing commitment to deliver the richest, most organized, and most valuable territorial wrestling history experience possible.
I’m constantly listening, refining, and improving — whether that means better navigation on YouTube, brand-new research tools for Premium+ subscribers, or deeper dives into the towns and champions that made the territories legendary. The goal is simple: make sure you never miss a thing and always have the easiest, most complete access to the content you love.
Thanks for riding along in the Time Tunnel. I hope you enjoy today’s trip back to Evansville, Indiana on the show and I will see you back here tomorrow for more territory era history.
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!
Remember, premium investors get access to exclusive and special content such as some special issues including a multi-part deep dives on wrestling territories, wrestler bios and championship title histories, special audio and video interviews on territory pro wrestling and more available in the Pro Wrestling Time Tunnel for Premium Investors.