One of the most important — and least fully documented — families in professional wrestling history.Roy Welch and the sprawling clan that followed him (the Fullers, Goldens, Fields, and more) didn’t just wrestle in the territories.
They built them.
From the father of it all, Big Ed Welch in turn of the century Oklahoma to Roy’s beginnings in the 1930s through NWA Mid-America, the Gulf Coast office, Southeastern Championship Wrestling, and beyond, this family put more members into the business as wrestlers, promoters, bookers, and officials than almost any other bloodline in the industry.
This series, originally presented on Stories with Brisco and Bradshaw with Hall of Famers Gerald Brisco and John Layfield and historian Tony Richards, traces the full story: the Oklahoma roots, the early shoot days, the partnership with Nick Gulas, the towns they ran, the family members who carried the office, and the influence that stretched across generations.All episodes are listed below in order. Start at the beginning.
The Welch Family Legacy Episode 1
The series begins with the family origins. Tony Richards traces Roy Welch’s Oklahoma roots, Cherokee heritage, father Ed Welch, the four Welch brothers and sister Bonnie, and how Roy entered the business in the late 1920s after training with Cal Farley and Dutch Mantell. The episode lays out the family tree that would eventually include the Fullers, Goldens, and Fields.
The Welch Family Legacy Episode 2
Roy begins building an early version of the Tennessee circuit. Coverage includes the early Dyersburg, Tennessee office, the partnership with Nick Gulas in 1940 that created the Gulas-Welch Partnership, the Nashville Hippodrome, expansion into Alabama and surrounding states, and the roles and influence of figures such as Chris Jordan and Joe Gunther.
The Welch Family Legacy Episode 3
The territory continues to grow through the 1940s. Discussion turns to additional towns, the structure of the Gulas-Welch operation, early family members taking on booking and promotional roles, and the beginnings of the South Alabama\Gulf Coast end of the business.
The Welch Family Legacy Episode 4
Further deep examination of how the Welch Family controlled and expanded multiple states, offices and towns. Likely includes more on Buddy Fuller, the Gulf Coast years, and the network of relatives (Fields, Goldens, and others) placed in key positions across the South.
The Welch Family Legacy Episode 5
The series moves deeper into the 1950s–1960s operation, including financial and tax records of the territory, the scale of the Gulas-Welch company, and specific towns and offices the family ran.
The Welch Family Legacy Episode 6
The guys out a special deep focus on the Memphis end of the territory. Les Thatcher joins to discuss Roy Welch making Jerry Jarrett the booker, the reactions of Les, Ken Lucas, and Dennis Hall, and the role of Christine Jarrett. The episode addresses whether the walkouts were a work or a genuine revolt.
The Welch Family Legacy Episode 7
The story continues through later years of the Gulas-Welch partnership, family dynamics inside the office, and the next generation beginning to take larger roles.
The Welch Family Legacy Episode 8
Additional history of the family’s promotional holdings, including stories of how towns were taken over and how the Welch/Fuller network operated in East Tennessee and surrounding areas.
The Welch Family Legacy Episode 9
Ron Fuller Welch, Roy Welch’s grandson joins the series. Personal stories about his grandfather Roy Welch, growing up in the business, and the transition into the Southeastern and Continental years.
The Welch Family Legacy Episode 10
The original conclusion of the main series. Ron Fuller and Tony Richards cover Continental Championship Wrestling, television, major angles, and the later years of the family’s direct promotional influence, including stories involving Harley Race and other key figures.
The Welch Family Legacy Episode 11
Bonus episode. George Gulas discusses his career, his family’s place in the Nashville office, his tag team run with Bobby Eaton as The Jet Set, and addresses several long-standing narratives about his time in the business.
The Welch Family was inducted into the George Tragos\Lou Thesz Hall of Fame in Waterloo, Iowa in 2026. Our efforts continue to get Roy Welch inducted into every Hall of Fame that is out there, including the Wrestling Observer Hall o Fame.
If you are a Wrestling Observer Hall of Fame voter, I hope you will spend some time with this series that I researches and worked so hard on to tell the story of Roy Welch and his family and how they practically invented Southern professional wrestling from the 1940s through the 1980s, and therefore Roy Welch and his family deserve Hall of Fame inclusion to honor and tell the story of professional wrestling in the United States.
Thank you for being here and for your interest in my work along with the work of my partners, Gerry Brisco and John Bradshaw Layfield.
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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