Today’s Favorite Quote: If you want to be a good friend, call out the gifts you see in your closest relationships, so they can see them—and own them - Kevin Lawrence
Happy Birthday to those who have passed on and to those great wrestlers still with us:
Happy Birthday to those who have passed on and to those great wrestlers still with us:
In Memoriam:
Karol Kalmikoff 1912
Rikki Starr 1931
Koji Kitao 1963
Happy Birthday:
Terry Taylor (71)
Juan Barron\Dr. Wagner Jr (61)
Jonathan Coachman (53)
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.
“Killer” Buddy Austin 8-12-1981 at the age of 52
Gladys “Killem” Gillem 8-12-2009 at the age of 89
Karl Von Hess 8-12-2009 at the age of 90
Dominic DeNucci 8-12-2021 at the age of 89
Pro Wrestling Time Tunnel Community Update
Pro Wrestling Time Tunnel Territory History Show Episode 75
Hey everyone, Tony Richards here!
Episode 75 of The Pro Wrestling Time Tunnel History Show is packed with three strong segments and drops this morning in all the usual places.
Segment 1:
Tennessee wrestling historian Tim Dills joins me as we finish the second half of 1976. We dig into the failure of the UWA, some fascinating records from the Tennessee Athletic Commission, and the growing tension that would lead to the split of the Tennessee Territory in 1977. Plenty more territory history along the way.
Segment 2:
I travel back through the Time Tunnel to West Texas in 1966, focusing on January in Abilene. The Lawman Don Slatton takes over as the new promoter. After some building problems with the city in 1965, things are smoothed out and the territory is up and running strong by the start of 1966.
Segment 3:
Longtime Memphis hand Randy Hales stops by the Richards Ranch. Announcer, office assistant, Mid-South Coliseum ring announcer, booker, and promoter — Randy sits down to discuss his career in Tennessee wrestling and share stories from one of the most legendary territories of all time.
Three great segments. One history-packed episode.
📌 Episode 75 is available now on Castos, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, and everywhere you listen.
Hit play, leave a review, and keep riding with us through the Time Tunnel!
The History of Texas Wrestling with Stories with Brisco and Bradshaw
The History of Texas Wrestling rolls on this week on Stories with Brisco and Bradshaw with Episode 9!
Tony Richards invites historian and regular Pro Wrestling Time Tunnel contributor Greg Klein to join Gerry Brisco and JBL as the boys step into the decade of the 1950s in Texas wrestling.
The focus this week is Greg’s brand-new book, The Texas Rasslin Wars of the 1950s, as the group digs into the heated battle between talent and television that helped shape the territory during one of its most important decades.
Tony, Gerry, and John bring their usual insight and energy while Greg delivers the deep historical perspective that makes this series so special.
📌 Episode 9 of The History of Texas Wrestling is available now on YouTube and wherever you get your podcasts.
Subscribe, download, and join Tony, Gerry, and JBL for another chapter in the Texas wrestling story!
Dory Funk, Jr Obit and Tribute Features
This Thursday afternoon, August 13th, The Daily Chronicle will publish a full obituary and feature article on the life and career of the legendary Dory Funk Jr.
The piece covers the remarkable journey of one of the true giants of the territory era — from his early days in Amarillo through his historic reign as NWA World Heavyweight Champion, the legendary Texas Death Matches, his long-running rivalries, and the lasting impact he and the Funk family left on professional wrestling.
We’ve spent considerable time researching the highlights of his career, the key moments that defined him, and the quiet influence he continued to have long after his in-ring days. The article brings together the stories, the history, and the respect that Dory Funk Jr. earned across decades in the business.
The full feature will be available to all subscribers this Thursday afternoon, August 13th.
Join us as we honor one of the greats.
Our Pro Wrestling Time Tunnel History Show Honoring Dory will be next week’s Episode 76.
This Week in The Daily Chronicle
This week of August 9 – August 15, 2026
Sunday, August 9 – Issue 481
Flashback 1976 Q3 analysis of the WWWF. Tony breaks down July through September in the Northeast territory — key matches, storylines, and the business of the promotion during one of its strongest periods.
Monday, August 10 – Issue 482
The 7 Stages of the Territory Era continues with Stage 4: Investigation. This installment looks at the major highlights of the pro wrestling world in August 1956.
Tuesday, August 11 – Issue 483
A special 7 Stages of the Territory Era extra. Tony reviews the main issues from the important August–September 1956 NWA Annual Membership Convention.
Wednesday, August 12 – Issue 484
Our weekly Community Update with the latest big happenings inside the Pro Wrestling Time Tunnel.
Thursday, August 13 – Issue 485
The Life and Career of Jumpin’ Jim Brunzell.
Friday, August 14 – Issue 486
The Life and Career of Buddy Landel.
Saturday, August 15 – Issue 487
The Life and Career of Penny Banner, one of the most outstanding female performers of the territory era.
Another full week of territory history in the only daily newsletter of its kind — The Daily Chronicle. See you every morning!
Thank You for Watching and Listening
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 and each episode of our podcast show. Thanks for your support! If you enjoy my information on select events, matches and insights, please share with folks you think might like to be a subscriber!
Remember, Premium subscribers 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 Subscribers. Being a Premium Subscriber also means you support me in my efforts to document Pro Wrestling History through my research, writing, books, vidoes and podcasts. And…I have something very special planned for our Premium Subscribers on the Podcast side of things in 2026! Details soon here in the Pro Wrestling Time Tunnel.
Domenic DeNucci was a great mid-card babyface in the WWWF when I was a kid. Rarely used as a loss on the way to Bruno, usually a guy who beat a guy out of the territory. Tag team guy a lot, like Tony Garea.