Happy Birthday to those who have passed on and to those great wrestlers still with us:
In Memoriam:
Sam Menacker 1914
Stan Kowalski 1926
Danny Hodge 1932
Killer Karl Krupp 1934
Happy Birthday:
Glacier (62)
Scarlett Bordeaux (35)
Brutus Creed (30)
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.
Jules Strongbow 5-13-1975 at the age of 68
Jumbo Tsuruta 5-13-2000 at the age of 49
George Gordienko 5-13-2002 at the age of 74
Pro Wrestling Time Tunnel Community Update
Pro Wrestling Time Tunnel Territory History Show Episode 62: Jim Crockett Promotions 1976
I’m thrilled to welcome you back to another deep dive into the glory days of territorial wrestling on this week’s Pro Wrestling Time Tunnel History Show!
This week, we’re firing up the Time Tunnel and heading straight into the heart of the Carolinas and Virginia territory for a full-hour celebration of Jim Crockett Promotions in 1976 – America’s Bicentennial year, when the red, white, and blue was flying high and the squared circle in the Mid-Atlantic was on absolute fire. Joining me is one of the sharpest wrestling historians around when it comes to the JCP territory: Todd Goss!
Todd knows this era inside and out – the arenas, the angles, the promos, the blood, the sweat, and the unforgettable crowds that packed the Greensboro Coliseum, Charlotte Coliseum, Richmond Coliseum, and every armory in between. We’re going to flashback to a year that helped shape the future of the business, when a young “Nature Boy” Ric Flair was just beginning to strut his stuff and legends like Wahoo McDaniel were proving why they were must-see TV every Saturday afternoon.
The Major Wrestlers Who Defined JCP 1976
Ric Flair: Still early in his “Nature Boy” journey but already a heat magnet and multiple-time NWA Mid-Atlantic Heavyweight Champion. Flair was trading the title back and forth with Wahoo in one of the greatest rivalries the territory ever saw.
Wahoo McDaniel: The ultimate babyface hero – tough, no-nonsense, and ready to chop anyone in half. Wahoo held the Mid-Atlantic title multiple times in ’76 and was the man the fans rallied behind
Gene & Ole Anderson (The Minnesota Wrecking Crew): Arguably the greatest tag team of the era. They were NWA World Tag Team Champions for much of the year, defending against all comers with their signature roughhouse style.
Dino Bravo & Tim Woods (Mr. Wrestling): The duo that actually dethroned the Andersons for the World Tag titles in a huge upset before the epic back-and-forth began.
Blackjack Mulligan: The dominant NWA United States Heavyweight Champion, running roughshod over challengers like Paul Jones and Rufus R. “Freight Train” Jones.
Angelo Mosca: Long-reigning Mid-Atlantic TV Champion who brought the chaos.
Rufus R. Jones: The beloved “Freight Train” who was right in the middle of the hottest six-man tag wars.
Plus newcomers who would become huge: Greg Valentine (billed as Johnny Valentine’s “brother,” already breaking boards with that bionic elbow) and the mysterious Masked Superstar (Bill Eadie) debuting late in the year.
We’re talking blood feuds, lumberjack matches, hair-vs-hair stipulations, and the kind of old-school heat that made JCP one of the hottest territories in the entire NWA. Todd and I will break down the big matches, the TV angles that hooked the fans every week on Mid-Atlantic Championship Wrestling, and how 1976 set the stage for the explosive growth that would come later in the decade.
Whether you lived through these Saturday afternoon TV tapings or you’re discovering this era for the first time, this episode is a must-listen for any fan who loves real territorial wrestling history.
Tune in this week to the Pro Wrestling Time Tunnel History Show as I sit down with Todd Goss for a complete 1976 JCP time capsule – the wrestlers, the feuds, the angles, the matches, and the Bicentennial spirit that made it all unforgettable.
Let’s take the ride back through the Time Tunnel together.
Episode 62 drops this morning!
This Week in The Daily Chronicle
Your daily dose of territorial wrestling history – May 10-16, 2026
Hey Chronicle faithful! Another action-packed week is here as The Daily Chronicle rolls out seven straight days of must-read wrestling history. From blood feuds and epic matches in the heart of Indiana to the inner workings of the territory system and in-depth looks at some of the business’s most fascinating personalities, this is Issue 390 through 396 – guaranteed to keep you glued to your screen (or your morning coffee.
Sunday – Issue 390
Deep Dive: The Jerry Lawler vs. Tommy Rich Feud of 1976 in Evansville, Indiana + The Top 9 Matches in Evansville History
We kick the week off with a full-length spectacular on one of the hottest young rivalries of the mid-70s. Before Tommy Rich became “Wildfire” in Georgia and before Jerry “The King” Lawler was a Memphis icon, the two future superstars tore Evansville’s Roberts Municipal Stadium apart in a series of brutal, personal clashes that drew packed houses and made local headlines. We break down every angle, every near-fall, and every post-match brawl from that summer-long war. Then we count down the Top 9 Matches in Evansville History – from classic NWA title bouts to unforgettable independents shows that turned the city into a wrestling hotbed. A perfect Sunday read for any fan who loves Midwest territory action.
Monday – Issue 391
7 Stages of the Territory Era: Stage 5 – Re-Consolidation (May 1966)
We continue our landmark series with a laser-focused look at May 1966, the month when the wheels of re-consolidation really began turning across the NWA. Promoters who had splintered during the post-WWII boom started pulling back together, territories stabilized, and key alliances were quietly formed that would shape the next two decades. We examine the booking meetings, the talent exchanges, and the subtle power shifts that turned the calendar from chaos to order. Essential reading for anyone studying how the territory system actually worked behind the curtain.
Tuesday – Issue 392
7 Stages of the Territory Era: Stage 5 – Re-Consolidation and the Transformative Power of Television
Picking up right where Monday left off, we examine how live broadcasts, studio wrestling, and the revolutionary practice of bicycling syndication super-charged the re-consolidation process. From the early days of local TV tapings to the way shows were physically shipped from city to city on film reels, this installment shows exactly how television turned regional promotions into household names and gave promoters the leverage they needed to tighten their grip on their territories. Packed with rare photos, booking memos, and first-hand accounts – you won’t want to miss it.
Wednesday – Issue 393
Weekly PWTT Community Update
Our regular mid-week check-in with the entire Pro Wrestling Time Tunnel family. Meet the new members who joined this week, read the latest listener letters, get the inside scoop on upcoming live events and podcast recordings, and see who won this week’s “Moment in Time” fan-voting contest. Plus a special shout-out to the growing Evansville chapter that’s been lighting up our forums after Sunday’s big feature. Come say hello – the PWTT community is where the real conversations happen!
Thursday – Issue 394
The Life and Career of Jules Strongbow
A heartfelt and detailed biography of one of wrestling’s most respected Native American stars. From his early days in the Pacific Northwest to his legendary tag-team runs and his unforgettable “Chief” persona that drew huge crowds coast to coast, we trace Jules Strongbow’s entire journey through the territories. Expect rare stories, never-before-seen match listings, and a look at how he helped open doors for future generations of Indigenous talent.
Friday – Issue 395
The Life and Career of Doug Somers
Friday brings the wild ride of “Pretty Boy” Doug Somers – the blonde-haired, charismatic rule-breaker who found gold as one half of the original Midnight Express and later as a top heel opposite the Rock ‘n’ Roll Express. We cover his early Southern indy days, his explosive Memphis and Mid-South wars, the classic feuds that defined an era, and the later chapters that proved Somers was far more than just a pretty face. A roller-coaster career that every 80s territory fan will love.
Saturday – Issue 396
The Life and Career of George Gordienko
We close the week with a deep, respectful look at one of the most underrated technicians in wrestling history. Canadian powerhouse George Gordienko was a legitimate amateur standout who became a globe-trotting star in the 1950s and 60s, holding titles in Canada, the U.K., and across the NWA. Known for his scientific style and bone-crushing power, Gordienko influenced generations of grapplers. This career retrospective includes rare European footage notes, title histories, and stories from those who shared the ring with the quiet legend.
That’s your complete week at The Daily Chronicle – seven issues, zero filler, all territory wrestling history.
Which issue are you most excited for? Drop your pick in the comments or on the PWTT Substack Chats– I read every single one.
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.