The week in review is a compilation of the research, writing, audio and video output of Tony Richards and the team at the Pro Wrestling Time Tunnel
This Past Week’s Issues of Our Daily Wrestling History Newsletter, The Daily Chronicle:
One Territory Era chapter every day: personalities, territories, towns & buildings that built pro wrestling.
Sunday, August 2nd, 2026:
Monday, August 3rd, 2026:
Issue 475: 7 Stages of the Territory Era Stage 3: Expansion August 1946
Tuesday, August 4th, 2026
Wednesday, August 5th, 2026:
Thursday, August 6th, 2026:
Issue 478: The Life and Career of Ken Lucas, ONE Thing I Learned About Jimmy Valiant
Friday, August 7th, 2026:
Issue 479: The Life and Career of Dino Bravo, ONE Thing I Learned About Lord Jonathan Boyd
Saturday, August 8th, 2026:
Issue 480: The Life and Career of Theresa Theis, ONE Thing I Learned About Ed "Strangler"Lewis
Special Premium Content for Our Paid Subscribers
This week’s Family Tradition feature centers on Fritz Von Erich (born Jack Barton Adkisson), the towering Texas patriarch who turned a wrestling gimmick into a multi-generational dynasty. From his early days as a feared German heel with the signature Iron Claw, through his run as a top NWA star and the founder/promoter of World Class Championship Wrestling in Dallas, the piece traces how one man’s drive built the Von Erich name into Texas wrestling royalty. It covers the Sportatorium glory years, the rise of his sons as hometown heroes, and the enduring family tradition that still echoes today through later generations—while acknowledging the profound personal costs that came with it.
Family Tradition this week: Fritz Von Erich.
The man who started it all.
The Iron Claw that became legend.
The Texas promoter who turned his family into wrestling royalty at the Sportatorium.From hated heel to the foundation of a dynasty that still carries the name decades later—this is the story of the patriarch who made “Von Erich” mean something.
Catch this week’s Family Tradition feature now for Premium Paid Subscribers only.
The claw still hits hard.
Monday, August 3rd, 2026:
Family Tradition: The Von Erich Family, Fritz Von Erich
The Pro Wrestling Time Tunnel History Show
Pro Wrestling Time Tunnel Territory History Show Episode 74
Episode 74 of The Pro Wrestling Time Tunnel History Show is focused on one of the most important gatherings in our industry — the Cauliflower Alley Club and their annual meeting taking place in Las Vegas this August 2026.
We’ve got a fantastic lineup of guests this week:
• New CAC board member and Director of Assistance Paige Sutherland
• James Melby Award winner for journalism, author, and historian Dan Murphy
• Ron Hutchinson Trainers Award winner Rip Rogers
Together we dig into the history, the mission, and the continued importance of the Cauliflower Alley Club, while sharing stories, insights, and updates from this year’s gathering.
It’s another history-packed and entertaining episode you won’t want to miss.
📌 Episode 74 drops this morning on Castos, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, and all your usual platforms.
Hit play, leave a review, and keep supporting the clubs and organizations that help take care of the people who built this business.
We’ll see you in the Time Tunnel!
Wednesday, August 5th, 2026:
Tony’s Media Appearances This Past Week:
Talking Memphis Wrestling
What an honor to join the great Randy Hales and Pat Trammell on Talking Memphis Wrestling!On a day when the wrestling world lost a true legend, we paid a heartfelt salute to the one and only Dory Funk Jr. — WWE Hall of Famer, former long-reigning NWA World Heavyweight Champion, and one of the toughest, most respected competitors and trainers the business has ever known.
We also went deep into pure Memphis gold: the December 11, 1977 classic at the Mid-South Coliseum, where NWA World Champion Harley Race and hometown hero Jerry “The King” Lawler went the full 60 minutes to a hard-fought time-limit draw in front of over 10,000 roaring fans. One of the defining hours in Memphis wrestling history.Always a pleasure to be on Talking Memphis Wrestling with Randy and Pat. Classic stories, great company, and the kind of conversation that keeps the territory days alive.
Catch the full episode and relive some of the best of Memphis and beyond!
Tuesday, August 4th, 2026:
Stories With Brisco and Bradshaw
The History of Texas Wrestling: Episode 8
Texas Wrestling Expands in the 1940s!
The official historian is back!
What a thrill to return to Stories with Brisco and Bradshaw alongside the legendary Gerry Brisco and John Layfield as we dig deep into the rich history of Texas wrestling in the 1940s.
We cover the major growth in Houston and Dallas, then head out to West Texas where Amarillo emerges from its dark period of 1941–1946. Dory Detton of the legendary Detton Family steps up and brings professional wrestling roaring back to the region.
We also spotlight some of the great Texas Champions of the era — including Lou Thesz and Buddy Rogers — and break down their heated rivalry, plus a whole lot more as we travel through this foundational decade of Lone Star State wrestling history.
Always an honor and a pleasure to join Gerry and JBL. Grab the episode and ride along for some pure Texas wrestling gold!
Thursday, August 6th, 2026:
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.