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, May 25th, 2026:
Monday, May 26th, 2026:
Tuesday, May 27th, 2026:
Wednesday, May 27th, 2026:
Thursday, May 28th, 2026:
Friday, may 29th, 2026:
Saturday, May 30th, 2026:
Special Premium Content for Our Paid Subscribers
Step back into the Time Tunnel for my latest installment in. The Evolution of Pro Wrestling Series and a complete journey through the rise of women’s tag team wrestling — from the rugged post-WWII NWA territories to the birth of modern joshi puroresu and today’s global main-event status. In this exclusive feature you’ll get:
• A full historical recap of how the division evolved over seven decades
• A detailed review of every single NWA World Women’s Tag Team Championship reign (including the record-setting runs of Joyce Grable & Vicki Williams, The Glamour Girls, and more)
• The story of the very first WWF Women’s World Tag Team Champions
• The incredible untold tale of Mildred Burke’s groundbreaking 1950s tour and troupe of American women wrestlers to Japan — the single event that literally created an entire women’s wrestling culture overseas
• And so much more rare insight, key rivalries, and hidden history
This is premium Pro Wrestling Time Tunnel content at its absolute finest — the kind of rich, story-driven wrestling history you won’t find anywhere else. Click on the link right now and dive into “The Evolution of Women’s Tag Team Wrestling” inside The Evolution of Wrestling Series.
Enjoy the ride — and thanks for being a premium member!
Friday, May 29th, 2026:
The Evolution of Wrestling: The Evolution of Women's Tag Team Wrestling
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It’s Episode 64 of The Pro Wrestling Time Tunnel History Show. Today, I’m thrilled to be joined once again by the one and only Pro Wrestling Time Tunnel analyst and special AWA Historian George Schire. We’re stepping back into the Time Tunnel to review the American Wrestling Association in 1976 — a pivotal year in one of wrestling’s most iconic territories.
In this episode, George and I break down the major storylines, title scenes, and larger-than-life personalities that defined AWA that year. Nick Bockwinkel was firmly entrenched as the AWA World Heavyweight Champion after dethroning Verne Gagne late in 1975. He carried the promotion with technical mastery and arrogant heel brilliance, defending against top challengers while drawing huge crowds. We talk about his key programs, including those tense encounters with Verne Gagne himself — most notably their big draw in Chicago that kept the title scene sizzling.
The tag team division was on fire too. We cover Bobby Duncum and Blackjack Lanza capturing the AWA World Tag Team Titles from the legendary duo of The Crusher and Dick the Bruiser in July. That heel team, backed by Bobby Heenan, brought serious heat and power. Meanwhile, the Bruiser and Crusher remained massive fan favorites and kept the rivalries boiling all year long.
We also dive into other standout names and moments: the rising roles of guys like Greg Gagne and Jim Brunzell, appearances and impacts from stars like Billy Robinson, Ray Stevens’ memorable face turn, and even special attractions like Muhammad Ali’s involvement in AWA rings earlier that year to build his Inoki bout. George brings his unmatched knowledge and personal insights from following the territory for decades, painting a full picture of how Verne Gagne’s AWA balanced athleticism, rugged brawling, and strong regional storytelling in the heart of the Midwest.
If you love classic territory wrestling — with its blood feuds, scientific matches, wild crowds in places like Chicago, Milwaukee, and the Twin Cities — this one’s for you. George Schire delivers the history like no one else can.
Tune in now to Episode 64 and join us as we travel through the Time Tunnel back to AWA 1976. Let’s relive the glory days together!
And don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share the show.
Wednesday, May 27th, 2026:
Episode 64: The 1976 Territory Review of The AWA
Thank You for Reading, Listening and Watching
I’m Tony Richards, Pro Wrestling Historian, Author and Storyteller. I share the history of pro wrestling territory era in each content vehicle of the Pro Wrestling Time Tunnel. We publish the Week-In-Review each Sunday as a digest for our community members. If you enjoy my information on select events, matches and insights, please share it with folks you think might like to be a subscriber!
Remember, premium investors 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 Investors who contribute and invest in the work I do to preserve the history of the territory era.