This week on my podcast I am exited to welcome a very accomplished and talented friend, the author of ten pro wrestling books, both biographies and historical-focused materials, the author, Ian Douglass.
Douglass is originally from Southfield, Michigan. He graduated from the University of Michigan in 2001, earned a master’s degree from the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University in 2005, and completed an MBA at the Quantic School of Business and Technology in 2021. He also graduated from the Specs Howard School of Media Arts (now the Michigan Media Arts Center) in Southfield in 2002.
He began his professional career as a reporter for WEYI-TV in Flint, Michigan, in early 2006, then worked on the staff of Michigan House Speaker Andy Dillon. Later he became a freelance writer and editor with a focus on fitness, health, nutrition, and professional wrestling. He served as the final fitness editor of MEL Magazine, has contributed to The Ringer, Men’s Health, InsideHook, and other outlets, and has done SEO, communications, and project-management work (including for Firepoint Energy). In 2020 he began contributing to Splice Today, and in 2021 he joined MEL Magazine’s writing staff. He is also a Webby Award–winning content creator as part of TNBAST’s 2025 sports-documentary team.
Douglass has published or co-published approximately 11–13 titles:
The Realest Guy in the Room: The Life and Times of Dan Severn (2016) — co-authored with UFC/PW legend Dan Severn
Brute Power: The Autobiography of Bugsy McGraw (2019) — co-authored with Bugsy McGraw (co-published with Kenny Casanova’s WOHW)
Life Is Short and So Am I: My Life Inside, Outside, and Under the Wrestling Ring (2019) — autobiography of Dylan “Hornswoggle” Postl; co-authored with Ross Owen Williams (ECW Press).
The Incredible Brute (circa 2020) — wrestling-themed coloring book/comic tied to the Bugsy McGraw project (illustrated by MW Leitzel).
Truth Bee Told: The Autobiography of B. Brian Blair (2021) — co-authored with B. Brian Blair.
Bahamian Rhapsody: The Unofficial History of Pro Wrestling’s Unofficial Territory, 1960–2020 (2022) — solo historical work on Bahamian pro wrestling.
Keirn Chronicles Volume One: The Fabulous Wrestling Life of Steve Keirn (2023) — co-authored with Steve Keirn (Darkstream/WOHW).
Keirn Chronicles Volume Two: The Phenomenal Wrestling Resurgence of Steve Keirn (2024) — co-authored with Steve Keirn (Darkstream/WOHW).
A Decided Novelty: The Essential Guide to Black Pro Wrestling History, 1880–1950 (2025) — solo deep historical guide.
Gentleman Jack and Rough Rufus: The Rise of Black American Wrestling (February 2025) — solo biography/history of pioneers Jack Claybourne and Rufus Jones (Darkstream Press).
Highland Games and Hippodromes: Scottish Identity and Influence at the Dawn of the American Pro Wrestling Industry (recent, circa 2025–2026) — solo work on Scottish contributions to early U.S. pro wrestling.
In June 2024 he was inducted into the Pro Wrestling Authors Hall of Fame.
In this visit together at The Ranch this week, we get into all his books, his background and what we might want to do in the future. I hope you enjoy my visit with a great guy, Ian Douglass as much as I did.
This week’s episode of Pro Wrestling Time Tunnel Episode 54 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 here on Substack and at our YouTube Channel plus download the audio version of our show on your favorite podcast provider platform
Here’s the archive of our podcast episodes for 2026:
Episode 52: Brian R. Solomon 2025 Book of the Year Surprise Party Celebration
Episode 53: 2026 Mailbag Episode 1
The 1985 Territory Review Series:
Episode 40: Steve Gennerelli and the 1985 Territory Review of The World Wrestling Federation (WWF)
Episode 43: Lance Peterson and the 1985 Territory Review of World Class Championship Wrestling
Episode 44: Tim Dills and the 1985 Territory Review of Memphis Wrestling
Episode 45: George Schire and the 1985 Territory Review of The AWA
Episode 48: Jammie Ward and the 1985 Territory Review of Jim Crockett Promotions
Episode 50: Greg Klein and the 1985 Territory Review of Mid-South Wrestling
Episode 51: Mike Rodgers & Frank Culbertson and the 1985 Territory Review of Portland Wrestling
Special Bonus Episodes In 2026:
Special Bonus Episode 47: Lizzy Flanagan and the 40th Annniversary of the Passing of Gino Hernandez
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.
