One of the negative aspects involved in following or being a fan of any form of entertainment is when we lose talented performers in the very early stages of really promising careers.

One such notable example is Gino Hernandez, known by the moniker “The Handsome Halfbreed”. Hernandez made his pro wrestling debut in 1975 in the markets of San Antonio and Houston and almost immediately started rising through the ranks. In the 9th year of his rocketing rise, his life was cut short.

Joining me for this special episode of The Pro Wrestling Time Tunnel History Show is Lizzy Flanagan. Lizzy is one of our young, enthusiastic historians and authors who has written a biography on the life and death of Hernandez entitles, “I Am Your Champion” published by McFarland Press and is now available.

We discuss Gino Hernandez’ debut and his rise to success including his opportuninty to work with one of South Texas biggest babyfaces of all time, Jose Lothario, his close relationship with the Blanchard Family in San Antonio and his outstanding tag team run with Tully Blanchard, his run in Houston, his relationship with the Von Erichs, his move into one of the hottest promotions at the time, World Class Championship Wrestling, his tag team with Chris Adams and more. We discuss the circumstances around his lifestyle in Dallas at the time of his death, his wife and family and yes, we dispel the rumors of Paul Boesch being his biological father.

Its all in this special bonus episode commemorating the 40th anniversary of the loss of one of pro wrestling’s brightest and biggest stars, Gino Hernandez. We hope you will take this ride back in the Pro Wrestling Time Tunnel with Lizzy Flanagan and myself as we go back to 1975 and travel forward to February 1984.

• (00:00:02) - Pro Wrestling Time Tunnel History: Bonus Episode 1
• (00:03:09) - Gino Hernandez's Death
• (00:04:47) - Pro Wrestling Time Tunnel History: The Death of Gino Hernandez
• (00:07:19) - Philadelphia wrestler Gino on his early life
• (00:14:17) - Louisiana Stars on His Stepfather's Name
• (00:14:49) - Paul Bosch On Gino's Stepfather's Death
• (00:21:36) - Gino Lewis Turns From Baby Face to Heel
• (00:26:25) - Gino Hernandez vs Jose Lothario
• (00:32:46) - Pro Wrestling's Historical Stylization
• (00:35:23) - Paul Bosch in the Hair Match
• (00:36:17) - The David Von Erich vs Gino
• (00:41:22) - Gino vs David Blanchard
• (00:42:34) - The Tully vs Geno Tag Team
• (00:45:45) - Geno Had A Farrah Fawcett Girlfriend
• (00:51:20) - Gino in WCCW
• (00:56:49) - Kevin Von Erics on Gino's Death
• (01:04:28) - Gary Hart on His Sons
• (01:04:49) - Gary Hart on Gino Hernandez's Drug Problem
• (01:09:57) - Gino Hernandez on His Book
• (01:13:58) - Remembering Gino Hernandez
• (01:14:55) - Memphis Wrestling Podcast and Pro Wrestling Time Tunnel
• (01:18:32) - 1985 Territory History Episode
• (01:20:24) - Vietnam Valentine's Day Special

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 are reviewing what is remaining of the system.

After buying the Gulf Coast Championship Wrestling office and territory from his family member, Lee Fields in the late 1970s, Ron Fuller had brought the territory back from almost nothing to a thriving enterprise. He changed the name of the promotion to Southeastern Wrestling and in the first year, he gave back money to the fans due to not having enough of a crowd to wrestle in front of, to purchasing Birmingham and all of Northern Alabama to add to South Alabama and the Florida Panhandle. Even with all this success, Fuller knew the wrestling game was changing in 1985.

After a meeting with his partners, brother Robert Fuller, cousin Jimmy Golden and close friend, Bob Armstrong, the decision was made to change the brand from Southeastern to Continental, in order to reflect a more national enterprise, should be opportunity present itself to expand beyond the territory’s borders. For the first time here on the Pro Wrestling Time Tunnel History Show, we have a territory owner, who can tell us the thoughts and motivations at the time of making the decisions that shaped the territory in 1985, while facing the encroachment of both invaders from the North and old friend and allies from the South. This is the story of Continental Wrestling in 1985 with our new co-host for today’s show, The Tennessee Stud, Ron Fuller.

• (00:00:02) - Pro Wrestling Time Tunnel History Podcast
• (00:00:53) - 1985 Territory Review
• (00:03:47) - A Surprise Birthday Party for 82-Year-Old Mother
• (00:08:23) - Bumps and Thumps: Gino Hernandez's Passing Anniversary +
• (00:12:32) - Regional Review: Continental Championship Wrestling
• (00:13:32) - Tennessee Stud Ron Fuller on His Promotion in 1985
• (00:18:11) - Vince McMahon Selling Knoxville To Jim Barnett
• (00:26:37) - Southeastern Championship Wrestling's Brand Change
• (00:32:34) - Gordon Campbell on WWE's TBS
• (00:36:07) - Adrian Street Was One of The Lord Humongous's Assist
• (00:41:23) - Bob Armstrong on His Turn on Jimmy and Continental
• (00:47:01) - "The Bullet" On His British Wrestling Background
• (00:47:49) - Les Paul on Working For Tony Charles
• (00:51:40) - Kevin Sullivan vs New Guinea Headhunters
• (00:55:58) - Jimmy Golden on The Knife Throw
• (01:01:43) - Kenny Knoxville on His Traditional Nights
• (01:07:02) - Ronald Jones on Knoxville, Chattanooga
• (01:09:57) - 1.8 Million Tickets Sold in 1985
• (01:12:46) - Ron Welch on Continental Championship Wrestling 1985
• (01:15:15) - A Taste of 1985
• (01:17:20) - Pro Wrestling Time Tunnel Facebook Group

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