This week we reach the pinnacle of 1975 in the Championship Wrestling from Florida Territory on an exciting night in Miami Beach at the Convention Center on December 10th! It’s the night where Jack Brisco had been advertised to defend his NWA World Heavyweight Championship against Dory Funk, Jr. Fans in Miami thought it would be another mat classic with two of the best wrestling technicians of this or any eraa met once again in combat. Surprise filled the air when it was announced that Funk, Jr was unable to make flight connections to be there and that younger brother Terry Funk would be taking his place in the match.
Howard Baum, our regular Florida Territory analyst and commentator joins me aling with our special guest Don DeLeon, who was the photographer that night at the Convention Center. Having backstage access, DeLeon was the first human being to witness Terry Funk come into the dressing room that night after beating the best wrestler in the world and now holding the NWA World Title belt and that distinction for himself. Join Howard and I as we welcome Don to our show and have a special and unique conversation at The Richards Ranch about that historic night 50 years ago in Miami Beach.
This week’s episode of Pro Wrestling Time Tunnel Episode 36 should be in your inbox this morning if you are a subscriber here at the Pro Wrestling Time Tunnel! You can also see the video version at our YouTube Channel and download the audio version of our show on your favorite podcast provider platform.
Here’s the archive of our podcast episodes so far:
Personalities, Territories, Towns & Buildings:
Episode 1: 5/10/2025: Steven Johnson, Jim Londos: The Golden Greek of Professional Wrestling
Episode 2: 5/14/2025 Herb Simmons: St. Louis, Missouri Wrestling HOF
Episode 3: 5/17/2025: Scott Teal: Raisin Cain: From The Inferno to The Great Mephisto
Episode 4: 5/21/2025: Bobby Simmons: Georgia Territory Spring 1975
Episode 5: 5/24/2025: Brian Ferguson, Verne Gagne: Inside and Outside the Ropes
Episode 6: 5/28/2025: Jerry Oates: Kansas City Territory Spring 1975
Episode 7: 5/31/25: Evan Ginzburg: Blackboards, Wrestling Rings & Movie Sets
Episode 8: 6/4/2025: Tim Dills: Tennessee Territory April & May 1975
Episode 9: 6/11/2025: Greg Klein: Texas May 1975
Episode 11: 6/25/2025: Steve Gennerelli: WWWF Spring & Summer 1975
Episode 12: 7/2/2025: Dan Murphy on Ed Don George & Fumi Saito on Japan History & 1975 pt 1
Episode 13: 7/9/2025: George Schire, The History of the AWA & 1975
Episode 15: 7/23/2025: Greg Klein: East Texas Wrestling June & July 1975
Episode 16: 7/30/2025: Steve Gennerelli & Jake Hamar: The Hulk Hogan Tribute Show
Episode 18: 8/13/2025: Toronto, Ontario with Wes Maidment and Stampede In Calgary 1975 w/Larry Lane
Episode 19: 8/20/2025: Jerry Oates and Mike George, Kansas City 1975 pt 2
Episode 20: 8/27/2025: Bobby Simmons: Geogia Territory Summer 1975
Episode 21: 9/3/2025: Terry Sullivan: Detroit Territory 1975
Episode 22: 9/10/2025: Steve Gennerelli: WWWF Summer of 1975
Episode 23: 9/17/2025: Herb Simmons St. Louis 1975
Episode 24: 9/24/2025: Brian R Solomon: Irresistible Force: The Life & Times of Gorilla Monsoon
Episode 25: Howard Baum: Florida 1975
Episode 26: 10/8/2025: John Hitchcock Mid-Atlantic Wrestling 1975
Episode 27: 2025 Observer Hall of Fame Show
Episode 28: Lib Ayoub, Its All About The Belt Book and Q&A Session 1
Episode 29: 10/29/2025: Dave Dynasty: WWA 1975
Episode 30: Vancouver, B.C. 1975 with Steve Verrier
Episode 31: Michael Norris: Gulf Coast Territory 1975 Pt 2
Episode 32: Steve Gennerelli World Wide Wrestling Federation Oct-Dec 1975
Episode 35: Greg Klein and Dan Black Texas Oct-Dec 1975
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.
