Happy Birthday to those who have passed on and to those great wrestlers still with us:
In Memoriam:
Ed Whalen 1927
Gentleman Jerry Valiant 1941
Happy Birthday:
Thunderbolt Patterson (84)
Luke Hawx (44)
Shanna (43)
Addy Starr (37)
Ludwig Kaiser (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.
(none)
Pro Wrestling Time Tunnel Community Update
Pro Wrestling Time Tunnel Territory History Show:
Episode 70: Tragos-Thesz HOF SHow 2 Southeastern 1976, The Welch Family, James Melby Award
We continue our 2026 Tragos-Thesz Hall of Fame Series with Episode 70, dropping this morning , July 8th — just days before the big Hall of Fame weekend in Waterloo.
Joining us is Ron Fuller, who will be accepting the 2026 Lou Thesz Award on behalf of the Welch/Fuller Family. Ron shares heartfelt memories of his family’s legendary contributions to the business, stories from his own career, and his pivotal role promoting Southeastern Championship Wrestling in 1976. We dive deep into the family legacy that helped shape so many territories.
Our second guest is the noted wrestling historian George Schire. We discuss my own honor — the James C. Melby Award for excellence in journalism and wrestling history preservation — and I have a special surprise for George during the show that you won’t want to miss.
Two outstanding guests, rich Hall of Fame conversation, and plenty of territory history. This is one of those episodes you’ll want to listen to more than once.
Episode 70 drops Wednesday, July 8th on Castos, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, and everywhere you get your shows.
Brought to you by the Grizzly Up Soap Company — keeping the legends clean and the territory spirit alive!
Set your reminders, download it fresh on Wednesday morning, and ride along with us through the Time Tunnel as we celebrate this year’s honorees. Can’t wait for you to hear this one!
Pro Wrestling Time Tunnel History Show, Your Home for the History of Territory Wrestliung!
The Greatest Wars In Pro Wrestling HOF Session THIS Weekend!
Territory fans, mark your calendars!
I’m excited to host a special session at the 2026 Tragos-Thesz Hall of Fame Weekend this Saturday, July 11th at 2:30 PM in Waterloo, Iowa.
The session is titled “The Greatest Wars in Pro Wrestling History” — and we’re diving straight into two of the most intense promoter battles the business has ever seen.
Joining me will be Greg Klein, author of The Texas Rasslin Wars of the 1950s, and Roy Lee Welch, son of Lester Welch, who was right in the middle of the legendary Georgia Wrestling War of 1972–1974 in Atlanta and across the state.
We’ll break down the high-stakes issues, the wild and crazy happenings, the key players, the strategies, and the ultimate results of these epic territory wars. Plus, we’ll open the floor for your questions from the audience!
If you love the behind-the-scenes business of the territorial era — the power struggles, alliances, betrayals, and hard-fought victories — this is a session you do not want to miss.
The Greatest Wars in Pro Wrestling History
Saturday, July 11th • 2:30 PM
Tragos-Thesz Hall of Fame Weekend • Waterloo, Iowa
Come be part of the conversation. See you there!
The History of Texas Wrestling
Here’s another great one coming your way, territory fans!
This week on Stories with Brisco and Bradshaw, we drop Episode 4 of The History of Texas Wrestling.
I’m back as a guest with the great Gerry Brisco and John Bradshaw Layfield as we continue our journey through the rich history of Texas wrestling. In this episode we head into the 1920s and 1930s, covering:
• The historic meeting of Cal Farley and the original Dutch Mantell and their influential partnership in Amarillo
• Doc Sarpolis
• Frank Burke and Morris Sigel forming the Texas Wrestling Agency
• Leo “Daniel Boone” Savage and Danny O’Mahoney
• The creation of the Texas Heavyweight Title
• The very first Texas Tornado Tag Match
• And a whole lot more classic territory history!
If you love the early days of the business and how the Texas wrestling scene took shape, this episode is packed with fascinating stories and insights.
Episode 4 of The History of Texas Wrestling drops Thursday morning, July 9th — available wherever you get your podcasts.
Big thanks to Gerry and Bradshaw for having me back. Go give it a listen, leave a review, and share it with your fellow wrestling history fans!
All of the current episodes in the series are now available easily for you on our Pro Wrestling Time Tunnel Substack Page under their own section and in a custom curated playlist (My Appearances on Brisco and Bradshaw) on the Pro Wrestling You Tube Channel!
Let’s keep these stories alive in the Time Tunnel!!!
This Week in The Daily Chronicle
Sunday, July 5 – Issue 446: Third Quarter Review of the LeRoy McGuirk-Bill Watts NWA Tri-State Territory
We examine the territory’s momentum in 1976, highlighted by the historic first Superdome Show on July 17th featuring the main event of Bill Watts vs. Terry Funk for the NWA World Title.
Monday, July 6 – Issue 447: 7 Stages of the Territory Era Series – Stage 5: Investigation
Covering the month of July 1956 as the territorial system faced growing scrutiny and internal challenges.
Tuesday, July 7 – Issue 448: 7 Stages of the Territory Era Series
A special entry looking at legal troubles and monopoly investigations impacting both the NWA and Vince McMahon Sr.’s Capitol Wrestling Corporation. We discuss the role of Toots Mondt’s booking and the impact of Antonio Rocca as McMahon consolidated power in New York City.
Wednesday, July 8 – Issue 449: Community Update (you’re reading it right now)
Thursday, July 9 – Issue 450: Verne Gagne Loses the AWA World Title to The Crusher (1963)
A spotlight on one of the biggest title changes in AWA history.
Friday, July 10 – Issue 451: The Life and Career of Billy Jack Haynes
Billy Jack Haynes was a rugged, charismatic star in the Pacific Northwest and Portland territory in the 1980s, known for his intense brawling style and signature “Full Nelson” submission hold. He had memorable feuds with the likes of Curt Hennig and Rip Oliver.
Saturday, July 11 – Issue 452: The Life and Career of The Crusher (Reggie Lisowski)
The Crusher was one of the most popular and durable stars in AWA history, a tough, beer-drinking, cigar-smoking brawler from Milwaukee who became a massive fan favorite in the Midwest. He and his tag partner Dick the Bruiser formed one of the most feared and successful tag teams of the era.
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.
Will the "The Greatest Wars in Pro Wrestling History" discussion eventually be on Youtube or any other streaming medium? I would really love to listen to it.