We are kicking off the year of 2026 with a weekly review of the territories in the year of 1985. Here is my historical framework entitled: “Stages of Growth of the Territory Era”:

My framework for understanding and analyzing the history and growth of Professional Wrestling are the 7 Stages of The Territory Era:

Stage One: Conception (1925 to 1935)

Stage Two: Formation (1935 to 1945)

Stage Three: Innovation and Expansion (1945 to 1955)

Stage Four: Investigation (1955 to 1965)

Stage Five: Re-Consolidation (1965-1975)

Stage Six: Fragmentation (1975-1985)

Stage Seven: Disintegration (1985-1995)

1985 is the first year in the last stage of the territory era, and we will review what is remaining of the system. Verve Gagne and Bernie Karbo had been buying points in the NWA Minneapolis Booking Office and Territory starting in the late 1950s and by 1960 were ready to pull away from the National Wrestling Alliance to start a new wrestling federation. At the time, the NWA had been under investigation by the Department of Justice for monopolistic business practices and were eager to have another group in existence to show they weren’t the only game in town.

After several years of prosperity and building one of the largest geographic areas fully controlled by one office in the entire North American continent, by 1985, things had begun to change. After losing Hulk Hogan to the WWF in late 1983, Gagne was still trying to find a new champion to carry the AWA banner forward into a new era. Rick Martel was the champion for most of th eyear before the decision was made to switch the title to Stan Hansen. All in all, in 1985, the AWA was still drawing very healthy crowds and staying very much in competition with the other entities that were “going national.” 1985 would prove to be a pivotal year leading into the future. My friend and noted historian, George Schire joins me on the show to review the year in the AWA that was 1985.

• (00:00:02) - PODCAST: Pro Wrestling Time Tunnel
• (00:00:34) - Honorary Guest on the Pro Wrestling Time Tunnel History Show
• (00:07:09) - American Wrestling Association's Territorial Dissolution
• (00:10:59) - George Shire
• (00:12:40) - WWE 8, The AWA and The WWF
• (00:20:23) - George Hart on WWE's Lengthy Card
• (00:23:28) - Jimmy Garvin Challenging Rick Martell
• (00:28:22) - Where Does Rick Martell Rank Among All the AWA Champions?
• (00:35:08) - The Road Warriors in 85
• (00:40:05) - Sergeant Slaughter Came to the AWA
• (00:46:48) - Brody on Verne's Run Detroit
• (00:52:50) - Ric Flair on Verne Crockett's
• (00:57:56) - The AWA Television Situation in 1985
• (01:06:28) - The AWA in the 90s
• (01:10:46) - The Free Birds vs The Road Warriors
• (01:17:44) - Vernon Hanson's Title Change
• (01:24:10) - Vinny McMahon on Verne Hill's Decision
• (01:30:00) - The AWA Contract Guarantee
• (01:35:06) - Vince McMahon on Verne Fallon
• (01:38:18) - Balinsky: Bad Boy Gig
• (01:39:47) - 1985
• (01:44:49) - George Carlin on 'This Is Your Life'
• (01:45:43) - George Shire on The AWA and Its Impact

We are kicking off the month of January with a weekly review of the territories in the year of 1985. Here is my historical “Stages of Growth of the Territory Era”:

My framework for understanding and analyzing the history and growth of Professional Wrestling are the 7 Stages of The Territory Era:

Stage One: Conception (1925 to 1935)

Stage Two: Formation (1935 to 1945)

Stage Three: Innovation and Expansion (1945 to 1955)

Stage Four: Investigation (1955 to 1965)

Stage Five: Re-Consolidation (1965-1975)

Stage Six: Fragmentation (1975-1985)

Stage Seven: Disintegration (1985-1995)

1985 is the first year in the last stage of the territory era, and we will review what is remaining of tbe system. The Memphis Wrestling Territory was an offshoot of the original Tennessee Territory, possibly the largest geographic territory in the United States founded by Roy Welch. The town of Memphis was purchased by Gulas-Welch Wrestling in 1957. The town got really hot from 1959 to 1961, then carried forward to the 1970s when it was under the supervision of Jerry Jarrett. Jarrett broke away from Gulas in 1977 and ran the town as a hub from the Memphis television show, recorded on Saturday mornings and cycled through the towns the next week.

In 1985, Jarrett and his partner Jerry Lawler are in their 8th year of running the territory and coming off some fantastic years from 1982 through 1984. As in all the territories 1985 kicked off the “Disintegration Stage” which would eventually end with the death of every territory but one, the WWF.. I’m joing by my Tennessee Co-Host and Historian , Tim Dills for a look back at the still-strong and excellently booked, 1985 in Memphis Wrestling!

• (00:00:02) - Pro Wrestling Time Tunnel Podcast
• (00:02:35) - The Jim Melby Award
• (00:07:34) - Tennessee Wrestling History: The Tennessee Territory in 1985
• (00:08:36) - Tennessee Wrestling
• (00:12:25) - 1985 in Review
• (00:19:23) - Randy Savage on His Career
• (00:23:09) - Memphis Wrestling: The Turnaround
• (00:29:00) - Eddie Gilbert
• (00:34:51) - Jerry Lawler in Japan
• (00:37:26) - Jimmy Hart Dumps Flour on Lance Russell's Head
• (00:43:24) - Randy Savage on Tux Newman
• (00:48:49) - David Schultz on Being Fired by Vince McMahon
• (00:50:45) - Jerry Lawler on Bruiser Brody
• (00:52:45) - Lawler vs Randy Savage
• (00:59:46) - Jerry Lawler vs The Free Birds
• (01:05:35) - NWA Superstar Jim Crockett vs Jeff Jarrett
• (01:11:51) - Jerry Lawler Turned On Tom Ernesto
• (01:16:48) - Jerry Jarrett on Tom Ernesto's WWE Split
• (01:22:10) - The Jerry Lawler vs Bill Dundee
• (01:23:26) - Midnight Express
• (01:29:12) - Jerry Jarrett on His State of Wrestling in Tennessee
• (01:35:34) - Jackie Fargo and The Hitman
• (01:35:49) - Tim Ferriss on Pro Wrestling History in the 80s
• (01:42:42) - Jerry Lawler on The Bicentennial
• (01:43:58) - Tennessee and the AWA in 1985
• (01:47:54) - Pro Wrestling Time Tunnel

We are kicking off the month of January with a weekly review of the territories in the year of 1985. Here is my historical “Stages of Growth of the Territory Era”:

My framework for understanding and analyzing the history and growth of Professional Wrestling are the 7 Stages of The Territory Era:

Stage One: Conception (1925 to 1935)

Stage Two: Formation (1935 to 1945)

Stage Three: Innovation and Expansion (1945 to 1955)

Stage Four: Investigation (1955 to 1965)

Stage Five: Re-Consolidation (1965-1975)

Stage Six: Fragmentation (1975-1985)

Stage Seven: Disintegration (1985-1995)

1985 is the first year in the last stage of the territory era, and we will review what is remaining of tbe system. 1984 was a blockbuster year for World Class Championship Wrestling with the low point being the death of David Von Erich and the high point being in May when Kerry Von Erich winning the NWA World Heavyweight Title from Ric Flair at the huge stadium show in Dallas.

Lance Peterson is my special co-host as we quickly review the end of 1984 and roll through the year of 1985 for both the Von Erich Family and the World Class wrestling promotion. Lance was both a fan and a super supporter of the promotion. He attended both television tapings at the Sportatorium and some of the biggest Star Wars shows in ‘85. As both the WWF and Jim Crockett Promotions had national expansion in the games plans, World Class was expanding internationally to Israel.

Gino Hernandez and Chris Adams are the hot heel tag team in the territory facing the ever popular Von Erich Family. After Kerry winning the NWA’s biggest prize the year before, Head of the family and the company, as well as a former Preisdent of the NWA, Fritz Von Erich contemplates pulling out of the Alliance and having his own company world champion. These stories and more unfold in the year 1985 and Lance Peterson and I cover them all on today’s episode 43 of The Pro Wrestling Time Tunnel History Show.

• (00:00:02) - Pro Wrestling Time Tunnel History Podcast
• (00:00:58) - The Roy Welch Wrestling Dynasty
• (00:05:21) - Pro Wrestling Time Tunnel History: Gene Kinisky
• (00:06:36) - World Class Championship Wrestling
• (00:08:06) - 1985
• (00:12:19) - World Class vs WWF in 1985
• (00:17:02) - The Average Age of the WWF Stars
• (00:19:19) - Kevin Von Erich on The Fantastics
• (00:21:41) - Jimmy Fallon on Cornet and the Midnights
• (00:26:55) - WWE Legend Gino on WCW In Texas
• (00:30:54) - Charlotte and Flair vs The Fantastics
• (00:34:05) - Buddy Roberts vs Terry Gordy in Texas
• (00:40:12) - Von Eric vs Ric Flair at Texas Stadium
• (00:43:16) - David Von Erich on Charlotte Flair
• (00:49:38) - Gino and Chris Reunion
• (00:54:02) - Mark Lorenz on the Star Wars Match
• (00:58:13) - Mike Von Erich On The AWA Tour Of Israel
• (01:01:35) - Mike Von Erich on Terry Gordy's Death
• (01:04:00) - Mike Tyson Getting Sick After Israel
• (01:08:03) - The Gino and Chris Hair Match
• (01:12:57) - Lance Peterson on His Daughter's Dress
• (01:17:52) - Gary Williams on His Cotton Bowl Home
• (01:18:20) - Lance Von Erich on His Career
• (01:19:51) - The Thanksgiving at Reunion Arena
• (01:25:02) - Randy Flair on the NWA Split
• (01:30:47) - Bob Ley on Wrestling's World Class Memory Site
• (01:36:07) - "The Day I Met Harley Race"
• (01:37:37) - Free Birds vs Geno in 86
• (01:42:12) - Andre On The Free Bird
• (01:47:06) - Lance Bass on World Class of 1985
• (01:48:47) - Pro Wrestling Time Tunnel: New Member Lance Peterson