We are kicking off the month of January with a weekly review of the territories in the year of 1985. Here is my historical “Stages of Growth of the Territory Era”:
My framework for understanding and analyzing the history and growth of Professional Wrestling are the 7 Stages of The Territory Era:
Stage One: Conception (1925 to 1935)
Stage Two: Formation (1935 to 1945)
Stage Three: Innovation and Expansion (1945 to 1955)
Stage Four: Investigation (1955 to 1965)
Stage Five: Re-Consolidation (1965-1975)
Stage Six: Fragmentation (1975-1985)
Stage Seven: Disintegration (1985-1995)
1985 is the first year in the last stage of the territory era, and we will review what is remaining of tbe system. 1984 was a blockbuster year for World Class Championship Wrestling with the low point being the death of David Von Erich and the high point being in May when Kerry Von Erich winning the NWA World Heavyweight Title from Ric Flair at the huge stadium show in Dallas.
Lance Peterson is my special co-host as we quickly review the end of 1984 and roll through the year of 1985 for both the Von Erich Family and the World Class wrestling promotion. Lance was both a fan and a super supporter of the promotion. He attended both television tapings at the Sportatorium and some of the biggest Star Wars shows in ‘85. As both the WWF and Jim Crockett Promotions had national expansion in the games plans, World Class was expanding internationally to Israel.
Gino Hernandez and Chris Adams are the hot heel tag team in the territory facing the ever popular Von Erich Family. After Kerry winning the NWA’s biggest prize the year before, Head of the family and the company, as well as a former Preisdent of the NWA, Fritz Von Erich contemplates pulling out of the Alliance and having his own company world champion. These stories and more unfold in the year 1985 and Lance Peterson and I cover them all on today’s episode 43 of The Pro Wrestling Time Tunnel History Show.
This week’s episode of Pro Wrestling Time Tunnel Episode 43 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 for 2026:
Episode 40: Steve Gennerelli and the 1985 Territory Review of The World Wrestling Federation (WWF)
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!
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