Episode 71: Tennessee Territory 1976 – The Gulas-Welch Territory in the First Half of the Year
In this episode, host Tony Richards is joined once again by Tennessee wrestling historian Tim Dills for a detailed review of the first six months of 1976 in the powerful Gulas-Welch Tennessee Territory.
We explore the behind-the-scenes workings and motivations of the new UWA promotion challenging the established order in Nashville, the heated and emerging Jerry Lawler vs. Tommy Rich feud that would become one of the territory’s biggest draws, the colorful program pitting The Bicentennial Kings against The Fabulous Fargos (including Jackie and Roughhouse), and much more.
Throughout the conversation, we see the early seeds of discontent being sown between Nick Gulas and Jerry Jarrett — tensions that would ultimately lead to the dramatic breakup of the territory in 1977.
Packed with historical context, key angles, business insights, and classic territory storytelling, this episode is essential listening for fans of Mid-South/NWA action in the 1970s.
Episode 71 drops now — available on Castos, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, and all major podcast platforms.
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Ride with us through the Time Tunnel as we continue our deep dive into 1976!
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Here’s the archive of our regular podcast episodes for 2026:
Episode 52: Brian R. Solomon 2025 Book of the Year Surprise Party Celebration
Episode 53: 2026 Mailbag Episode 1
Episode 54: The Pro Wrestling World of Ian Douglass
Episode 55: The Dennis Condrey Tribute Show
Episode 57: Wrestlemania 42 Weekend
Episode 65: A Conversation with Michael St. John
Episode 66: Magnum TA & Nikita Koloff, 40th Anniversary of the Best of 7 Series
Episode 68: 2026 Mailbag Show #2
Episode 69: 2026 Tragos-Thesz Hall of Fame Series 1: James Beard & Jimmy Garvin
Episode 70: 2026 Tragos-Thesz Hall of Fame Series 2: Southeastern 1976, Ron Fuller & George Schire
The 1976 Territory Review Series:
Episode 56: Herb Simmons and Darla Staggs and the 1976 Review of St. Louis Wrestling Club
Episode 58: Howard Baum and Steve Keirn and the 1976 Review of Championship Wrestling from Florida
Episode 59: Steve Gennarelli and the 1976 Review of the World Wide Wrestling Federation
Episode 62: Todd Goss and the 1976 Review of Jim Crockett Promotions and Mid Atlantic Wrestling
Episode 63: Michael Norris and the1976 Review: Gulf Coast Championship Wrestling
Episode 64: George Schire and the 1976 Review: American Wrestling Association
Episode 67: Greg Klein and the 1976 Territory Review: Dallas, Texas Territory
Towns of The Territories Series:
Episode 60: Towns of the Tennessee Territory: Sean Dulaney and Evansville, Indiana
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
Special Bonus Episode 61: Brian R. Solomon and Bob Smith, Tribute to Ted Turner
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.
