Regional Rasslin' - Territory Talk

The summer of 1985 continues on as Guest Gene Jackson joins host Ray Russell to discuss another week in the Memphis territory, talking July 20th - 26th. Between the lack of overall talent depth and the outdated booking of Tom Renesto, it can be "hard times" for the CWA fans right now, but there are some bright spots. As Norvell Austin leaves the territory his partner Koko Ware turns babyface and d...

Jammie Ward returns to join host Ray Russell as they discuss another THREE WEEKS of Georgia Championship Wrestling from June 1982! Tons of topics this week including Paul Orndorff winning the National Heavyweight Title from Buzz Sawyer, The Freebirds crowned as the NEW National Tag Team Champions, Dr. X unmasked as Don Muraco, Roddy Piper hires bounty hunters to take out Tommy Rich & Dusty Rho...

Guest Richard Vicek returns to Regional Rasslin' to discuss more Chicago Wrestling history with host Ray Russell. This week, we dive into two very important years in the growth of the CWC as we look at 1969 and 1970. Topics include the giant Comiskey Park event in the summer of 1970, the Chain Gang arrive and wreak havoc vs. Crusher & Bruiser, the real-life Hells Angels biker gang shooting Fra...

The St. Louis Wrestling Project continues as Phil Adams returns, joining host Ray Russell as they begin to discuss the 1950s. Sam Muchnick now has TWO St. Louis Wrestling promotions, but continues to use them as separate entities. We look at the early NWA Title defenses of Lou Thesz, Wild Bill Longson's last big run, Wladek "Killer" Kowalski makes a big name for himself, Buddy Rogers shines in the...

Familiar Guest Roman Gomez returns to Regional Rasslin, as he joins host Ray Russell to set the stage for the upcoming AWA on ESPN Project. The two go back in time a couple years to discuss the infancy of Hulkamania and how the AWA dropped the ball, Verne Gagne's inability to change with the times, Greg Gagne's many claims at what led to business woes, the many talents that came through during the...

This week on Regional Rasslin, Guest Gene Jackson joins host Ray Russel to continue their way through Memphis 1985, now covering the week of July 13th. With Dave Brown away on vacation, Lance Russell goes solo as Tom Branch takes over managerial duties of Bota the Witchdoctor after it appears Bota has transformed former manager Leslie Floyd Creatchman III into a rat! Plus, The PYT turn face while...

It's Regional Rasslin' #135 looking at late May and early June of 1982 in the Georgia territory. Jammie Ward returns with host Ray Russell to talk the reuniting of the Fabulous Freebirds (Terry Gordy & Michael Hayes) after a year apart! Plus, Ric Flair has a surprise for Leroy Brown, Masked Superstar & Mr. Wrestling #2 rekindle their feud, Roddy Piper takes exception to Tommy Rich's commen...

This week on Regional Rasslin', Guest Rick Fields is back as he joins host Ray Russell to continue the discusson of Georgia Wrestling history. As they work their way to the Georgia War of the early 1970s, the duo take a look at some of the happenings building up to that era. Topics discussed this week cover 1953 - 1955 and include talk of interesting booking patterns, the June Byers/Mildred Burke...

Richard Vicek returns to Regional Rasslin to join Ray Russell as they discuss two more years of Chicago Wrestling Club history, covering the full years of 1967 & 1968. Including the first ever sellout crowd in Chicago, the legendary feuds between Dr. X vs. Verne Gagne and the tag feud of Larry Hennig & Harley Race vs. Dick the Bruiser & Da' Crusher, the makings of Blackjack Lanza, Bill...

This week, Ray Russell is joined by Phil Adams to continue the discussion on the early years of pro wrestling in St. Louis. Topics this week cover the years of 1923 through 1950 as Tom Packs takes over as promoter for John Contos and has a successful 25 years on top before his side habits force him to sell. From there, they dive into the business split between Packs and his right-hand man Sam Much...

This week on Regional Rasslin', Vandal Drummond makes his long-awaited return to discuss the final year of the LeBell Los Angeles territory (1982) with host Ray Russell. We talk everything from the Japanese invasion of talent, the Lucha Libre stars, memories of journeyman Bobby Lane's big push, outlaw promotions, the deal struck with Vince McMahon for the WWF to take over the area, and much more!...

This is a very special edition of Regional Rasslin' as Guest Co-Host Aaron Gartlan has made a special Patreon request and joins Ray Russell to discuss an era and territory that is very near and dear to his heart... Aaron has selected to discuss the transformation of his native Alabama's Southeastern Championship Wrestling over to Continental Wrestling in 1985. Gartlan goes back in time to talk chi...

Regional Rasslin #129 looks at the final years of the Poffo Family's ICW (1983 - 1985). Steve Crawford returns to talk with host Ray Russell about the slow decline as talent begins to jump ship, from Rip Rogers to Pez Whatley to Ron Garvin, even Lanny Poffo packs it in. We discuss a plan for Bruiser Brody falling through (where money lies, honor dies!). Ronnie Garvin collects money owed. Eventuall...

This week, Regional Rasslin' continues to set the stage for the 1970s Georgia War by futher exploring the build-up of one of the most successful territories in pro wrestling history. RIck Fields returns to chat with Ray Russell about the 1940s and 1950s in Georgia. Some of the topics include the arrival of NWA (Association) Champion Lou Thesz, Paul Jones' "ABC Booking" Company, Cowboy Luttrell vs....

This week, Regional Rasslin goes back to the Memphis territory in 1985 as we kick off the month of July. Guest Gene Jackson joins Ray Russell as they discuss the interesting debut of the 7'7" giant BIG JOHN HARRIS. They talk Big John's peculiar "music video" and articulate promo (YUP!). Plus, the current Southern Champion Bota the Witch Doctor is back in the studio wielding fire! BUT, the studio f...

This week on Regional Rasslin', Ray Russell is joined once again by Chicago Wrestling historian Richard Vicek, as they look into the full year of events for 1966 in the Chicago Wrestling Club! Discussing the AWA vs. WWA, the legendary feud between Da Crusher & Dick the Bruiser vs. Harley Race & Larry Hennig, Gene Kiniski, Verne Gagne, Wilbur Snyder, Johnny Valentine, Mad Dog Vachon, Pat O'...

This week on Regional Rasslin, Jammie Ward returns to join Ray Russell in discussing the month of May 1982 in the Georgia territory. Roddy Piper is involved in TWO major angles as he tries to break the hand of Tommy Rich, AND the Hot Rod also costs Michael Hayes a match on TV against Bill White! From there, some great storytelling in the short but memorable feud between Leroy Brown vs. NWA World C...

It's another new and exciting project starting up this week in Regional Rasslin when Guest, Rick Fields, joins Ray Russell to talk all things Georgia Wrestling as we set the stage for the 1970s "Georgia War" to come. We go back to briefly touch on the earliest known bout from 1873, and then jump ahead to the John Contos era of the late 1920s. From there we move ahead to the 1940s and discuss promo...

This marks the debut of the St. Louis Wrestling Project, documenting the history of Pro Wrestling throughout the years. In this episode Ray Russell is joined by superfan Phil Adams as they discuss some of the earliest promoters of the St. Louis area. Discussions include the early success and importance of Jack Curley as a promoter. We also look into turn-of-the-century promoter turned sports gambl...

Regional Rasslin goes back to the Poffo's ICW promotion once more, this time tackling 1982 with guest Steve Crawford. Among the long list of topics include... The Randy Savage/Bill Dundee handgun story, the debut of RATAMYUS, original Sheik arriving and blading poor Bill Martin a gusher, Ron Garvin stomps Ox Baker's teeth, changing TV venues, Crusher Broomfield leaving for Mid-South, bodybuilding...

Regional Rasslin' returns to Georgia 1982 with Ray Russell and Jammie Ward. This time around we tackle another 3 weeks of GCW action covering late April and early May as Dusty Rhodes brings in his "gorilla" to aid him in his war against Roddy Piper & Ole Anderson. That gorilla turns out to be none other than GEORGE "THE ANIMAL" STEELE, doing his babyface shtick long before the WWF turn in 1985...

This week on Regional Rasslin' we head back to the Memphis territory to look at the week of June 29th - July 5th, 1985! Guest Gene Jackson joins Ray Russell as this week we answer the question, if a wrestling program has almost no wrestling, no angles, or promos, did it actually happen? Leslie Floyd Creatchman III is back is back this week, along with his charge the NEW Southern Heavyweight Champi...

Regional Rasslin' #119 has arrived, with Ray Russell & guest Steve Crawford talking Angelo Poffo's ICW in 1981. We cover it all from the year of 81, from the dark Crusher Broomfield storyline to Randy Savage's run-in with the law at the local Waffle House, from Pez Whatley as "Miss Macho" to the infamous Bob Roop Sugarhold Challenge escape by William Harding. From the Macho Man stealing a stea...

Regional Rasslin' makes its triumphant return as Guest Jammie Ward joins Ray Russell to discuss THREE WEEKS of Georgia Wrestling as we close out March and tackle the first several weeks of April in 1982! The Dusty Rhodes vs. Ole Anderson feud rages on as they prepare for a "Minnesota Logger's" Blindfold Match! Feuds entertwine as Dick Slater, Tommy Rich & Bob Armstrong battle Roddy Piper, Grea...

Regional Rasslin is back with Guest Gene Jackson joining Ray Russell to look at Memphis Wrestling for June 22th - 28th, 1985, featuring the debut of Manager Leslie Floyd Cretchman III and... BOTA, THE WITCH DOCTOR!!! Plus, more terrible booking from Tom Renesto, another title change, Jerry Lawler has his own vision, more legends are dusted off for a underwhelming return, Rip Morgan is GREEN, Jonat...