June 20th in the Tunnel:
Happy Birthday to those who have passed on and to those great wrestlers still with us:
In Memoriam:
Tom Andrews\The Claw 1937
Don West 1963
Happy Birthday:
Koko Ware (67)
Masashi Honda\Mr. Gannosuke (57)
Quinton "Rampage" Jackson (47)
Jessica Cricks\Havok (39)
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.
Dan McLeod 6-20-1986 at the age of 97
Select Pro Wrestling Time Tunnel Match and Event Flashbacks
126-Year Flashback: 1899
6-16-1899: Charles W. Andrews (Dan McLeod) defeated Frank Gotch in Luverne, Iowa
This is a legendary shoot match in which the legendary Gotch gets defeated by a seemingly unknown opponent. Andrews is actually at the time the current American Heavyweight Champion, Dan McLeod. The story of this match is that Gotch took on this man claiming to be a furniture dealer from a neighboring town. Gotch held his own for nearly two hours but eventually lost the match. Later, when he received the man's business card, he learned he had wrestled the reigning American Champion, Dan McLeod.
Here's what my friend, the Pioneer Wrestling Historian, Dragon King Karl Stern says about this match in his "Pioneer Era Wrestling Omnibus: "While I do not doubt this match took place, I do wonder about the story of it. Why would the American Champion, McLeod be randomly wrestling unknown wrestlers risking loss or injury without reason? Unless he was a ringer and was scamming up betting money on the side while wrestling local yokels. and happened to run across the impressive Frank Gotch. I am certain of the historical fact of the match as it was reported on in the local newspapers. (pg. 666-667)
Time Tunnel Pro Wrestling Flashback to The Life of Jim Barnett on the Stories with Brisco and Bradshaw Show:
We released the third episode on June 12th in the 4-part series on the life of Jim Barnett, so I wanted to include episode 3 in today’s Time Tunnel Daily Chronicle as a substitute for some of my writing as I am traveling for work this week.
Don't miss my guest appearance with Jerry and John on Stories with Brisco and Bradshaw this week for Episode 3 and 4 of a multi-part series on the life of Jim Barnett, one of Professional Wrestling's biggest behind the scenes power brokers of the last 100 years.
On the fourth episode we cover:
The Blood Oath knife!
The failed attmpt of Vince McMahon to satisfy Ted Turner in the WTBS contract
The 3-way wrestling struggle for WTBS between Titan Sports, Mid-South Wrestling and Jim Crockett Promotions
The sale of the Saturday night slot to Jim Crockett, Jr brokered by Jim Barnett
The REAL reason Jim Crockett Promotions failed to succeed and went bankrupt
Pro Wrestling USA
The sale of Jim Crockett Promotions to Turner Broadcasting brokered by Jim Barnett
Barnett’s role in Titan Sports
Jim Barnett’s firing from Titan and his failed suicide attempt
Jim Barnett’s last days
Jim Barnett’s memorial service and who was there
and MORE
Episode 4:
Previous Episode Links:
5/29/2025: Stories With Brisco & Bradshaw with Tony Richards Jim Barnett Episode #1
6/5/2025: Stories With Brisco & Bradshaw with Tony Richards Jim Barnett Episode #2
6/12/2025: Stories With Brisco & Bradshaw with Tony Richards Jim Barnett Episode #3
One Thing I Learned Today About Pro Wrestling History:
Dan McLeod was the holder of the American Heavyweight Championship on several occasions between 1897 and 1902.
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!
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