Happy Birthday to those who have passed on and to those great wrestlers still with us:
In Memoriam:
The Original Oki Shikina 1904
Kid Chapman 1912
Dick Dunn 1930
Happy Birthday:
Deonna Purrazzo (32)
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.
Wladek Zbyszko 6-10-1968 at the age of 76
Johnny Walker\Mr. Wrestling #2 6-10-2020 at the age of 85
Pro Wrestling Time Tunnel Community Update
Pro Wrestling Time Tunnel Territory History Show Episode 66
Magnum TA & Nikita Koloff
40th Anniversary of The Best of 7 Series for The NWA US Title
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.
Don’t miss this rare reunion — two icons, one unforgettable series, forty years in the making.
The Pro Wrestling Time Tunnel: Your Home for the History of Territory Wrestling
This Week in The Daily Chronicle
Sunday, June 7 – Issue 418: Flashback 1976 Q2 Analysis of April through June of the St. Louis Wrestling Club
This flashback edition delivers a month-by-month breakdown of the St. Louis Wrestling Club’s operations under Sam Muchnick during the second quarter of 1976. The issue examines attendance trends at the Kiel Auditorium, key main-event programs featuring NWA World Champion Terry Funk, rising talent like Ric Flair and Dick Murdoch, and how the territory balanced strong in-ring action with national NWA politics. A must-read for fans interested in how one of the NWA’s flagship promotions stayed red-hot amid the evolving 1970s landscape.
Monday, June 8 – Issue 419: 7 Stages of the Territory Era, Stage 4 Investigation – June 1956
The ongoing “7 Stages of the Territory Era” series reaches Stage 4 with a focused investigation of June 1956. Readers get an in-depth look at how television exposure, promoter alliances, and territorial boundary disputes began reshaping the post-WWII wrestling map. The issue highlights specific booking office decisions, early TV syndication deals, and the subtle power shifts that set the stage for the territorial system’s peak years.
Tuesday, June 9 – Issue 420: 7 Stages of the Territory Era EXTRA – Stage 4 Investigation: The Consolidation of the New York Wrestling Market
This extra edition zooms in on the high-stakes consolidation of the New York wrestling market during Stage 4. It details the rivalries and business maneuvers between key Northeast promoters (including the McMahon family’s Capitol Wrestling Corp. and earlier independents) that ultimately unified the lucrative New York City territory under a single powerful office. Rare booking records, attendance data, and the impact on national title recognition are all explored in this must-read companion piece.
Wednesday, June 10 – Issue 414: Community Update with the Pro Wrestling History Show and each issue of this week’s Daily Chronicle
You’re reading it right now! This weekly community hub recaps the newest Pro Wrestling History Show episode, delivers the full set of Daily Chronicle synopses (above and below), shares listener/viewer feedback, and teases upcoming content. It’s designed as your central connection point for the entire week’s wrestling history conversation.
Thursday, June 11 – Issue 422: The Life and Career of Butch Reed
A full biographical deep-dive into “The Natural” Butch Reed. The issue traces his journey from amateur standout to NWA territory star, his explosive Mid-South run, the formation of the masked tag team Doom with Ron Simmons in WCW, and his memorable WWF tenure opposite Superstar Billy Graham and others. Personal stories, match analysis, and Reed’s lasting influence on Black wrestling pioneers are all covered.
Friday, June 12 – Issue 423: Flashback 1935 – The World Title Match between Dave Levin and Ali Baba
Step back into the pre-television era with this detailed flashback on the 1935 world title bout between Dave Levin and Ali Baba. The issue places the match in historical context, examines the competing championship claims of the day, the in-ring style of the period, and how this high-profile contest helped legitimize professional wrestling in major East Coast markets.
Friday, June 12 – Issue 424: The Life and Career of Chris Taylor
The week closes with a complete career retrospective on Chris Taylor. From his early training and breakthrough matches to his signature style, major feuds, and contributions across various promotions, this profile explores both the highs and the challenges Taylor faced in the squared circle. Rare insights into his training philosophy and behind-the-scenes impact make this a compelling read for fans of under-the-radar wrestling figures.
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.