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

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

Throughout most of the territorial era of professional wrestling, one man was chosen as the very best wrestler in the world to carry the sport’s most coveted trophy, the National Wrestling Alliance World Heavyweight Championship.

At the 1965 NWA Convention, the Championship Committee put forth the name of Gene Kiniski to succeed it’s perennial champion, Lou Thesz. That man was Gene Kiniski, who won the title from Thesz in a two out of three falls match at the Kiel Auditorium in St. Louis on January 7th, 1966.

Today, two amazing historian friends join me as we discuss the life and career of Gene Kiniski. Steve Verrier, who chronicled the life of the champion in his book, “Gene Kinski: Canadian Wrestling Legend” and the co-host for our Vancouver Territory Shows. George Schire, AWA Historian and co-host of our AWA History Shows. These two wonderful lovers of wrestling history have so much to share about Kiniski’s storied career in this special bonus episode honoring the g0th anniversary of Kiniski being crowned “the best in the world.

• (00:00:02) - Pro Wrestling Time Tunnel: Gene Kiniski
• (00:03:36) - Gene Kinisky On The Pro Wrestling Time Tunnel
• (00:05:07) - Gene Kinisky, Canada's Greatest Athlete
• (00:13:53) - Bob Kinisky on Wilbur Snyder and the AWA
• (00:21:03) - Whipper Billy Watson vs Gene Kinisky
• (00:29:53) - Gene Kanisky Was Recognized As The National Wrestling Alliance World Champion
• (00:40:53) - Giant Baba vs Gene Kinisky
• (00:50:38) - Gene Kinisky vs Verne Haggerty
• (00:57:53) - Steve Kovac on Gene Kiniski's Suicide
• (01:05:41) - Gene Kinisky On The 60th Anniversary
• (01:07:44) - Final thoughts on Gene Kinisky
• (01:08:48) - Gene Kiniski Induction into the Wrestling Hall of Fame
• (01:12:11) - Pro Wrestling Time Tunnel
• (01:15:00) - Pro Wrestling: The Time Tunnel
• (01:15:40) - Podcast

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 year of 1984 had seen Championship Wrestling From Florida lose some of it’s biggest stars, including The American Dream, Dusty Rhodes, to Jim Crockett Promotions. Yet, the biggest impact was yet to come in 1985. In January, on Super Bowl Sunday, the territory’s “captain of the ship”, Eddie Graham would take his own life. In today’s podcast show, we will cover thins and more of the year’s events in 1985 with someone whop was there for it all. I am joined, as always by our Championship Wrestling from Florida analyst, Howard Baum and special guest, Bruce Owens.

Bruce became a fan in the 1960s, joined the company in 1973, became a close friend of several within the promotion, including Eddie Graham himself. This relationship led Owens to be trained to serve in various capacities, including as referee for some of the biggest events in The Florida territory’s history. He worked with the biggest stars and the biggest matches in every one of the Florida towns in the loop. Even with the departure of Dusty Rhodes in ‘84 and then Eddie Graham, the loyal fans of Florida wrestling were still coming through the turnstiles to suppport shows, includin gthe first “Battle of the Belts” show at the Tampa Sun Dome, which was also carried on a network of television stations in many major cities. Join Howard, Bruce and myself as we go backward in the Pro Wrestling Time Tunnel to Championship Wrestling From Florida in the year of 1985.

• (00:00:02) - Pro Wrestling Time Tunnel
• (00:04:44) - Florida Legend Bruce Owens on Pro Wrestling Time Tunnel
• (00:07:09) - Jack Briscoe On The Transition From Eddie Graham To Dory
• (00:15:10) - Eddie Guerrero On His Advice To
• (00:17:05) - Eddie Moreno Was More Involved With the Promotion
• (00:18:47) - West Palm, Tampa and Orlando
• (00:22:29) - Bruce Flannery on Becoming A Referee
• (00:30:19) - Terry Funk on His Babyface Run in ECW
• (00:36:21) - Eddie Guerrero on Andre vs Terry Funk
• (00:40:58) - Don Curtis on His Life
• (00:45:15) - Eddie Graham Was Asked To Do Things Like That
• (00:53:22) - Eddie Graham's Injured Leg
• (00:55:47) - Dusty Rhodes vs The American Dream in 1984
• (01:03:55) - Eddie Fuller's Suicide
• (01:11:24) - Dutch Miller on His Time With Michael Hayes
• (01:15:30) - Bruce Lee on His Hall of Fame Moment
• (01:17:57) - Michael Jackson on Co-Booking the Freebirds
• (01:19:08) - Bruce, How are the houses in the territories during the Dusty
• (01:23:27) - What Did The Freebirds Think About Eddie's Death?
• (01:29:33) - Mike Tyson on The Eddie Graham Feud
• (01:31:32) - Cody Rhodes Was Born in Florida in June of 85
• (01:38:56) - Rick Rude on Wahoo McDaniel
• (01:41:05) - Dusty Had A Good Side
• (01:48:20) - Boxing at the Convention
• (01:49:01) - Lex Luger on His First Year in the WWE
• (01:55:52) - Dusty on His Florida Connection
• (01:56:31) - Bruce interviewing Tony Robbins in 1985
• (01:58:05) - A Taste of 1985 in the Florida Territory

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 WWF was the death star of the system with it’s “national expansion”, as it started erasing the geographic lines that had defined the territories as it’s leader, Vince McMahon set out to prove his company could “color outside the lines” and ex[and beyond it’s previous borders. Join Steve Gennerelli and I as we walk through the year of 1985 as the stage of disintegration of the territory era begins.

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 on Substack 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 free Substack subscriber!

Remember, Premium subscribers 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 Subscribers. Being a Premium Subscriber also means you support me in my efforts to document Pro Wrestling History through my research, writing, books, vidoes and podcasts. And…I have something very special planned for our Premium Subscribers on the Podcast side of things in 2026! A Premium Investment is only $5 per month or $50 per year. Details soon here in the Pro Wrestling Time Tunnel.

• (00:00:02) - Podcast
• (00:00:34) - Pro Wrestling Time Tunnel: The Territory Era Podcast
• (00:03:17) - The Future of Pro Wrestling: The WWF
• (00:07:13) - Reviewing The WWF in 1985
• (00:09:46) - 1984
• (00:13:37) - Jim Crockett Promotions' Mistake in Not Expanding
• (00:23:21) - What We Missed With The Briscoes
• (00:27:15) - Jerry Briscoe on Hulk Hogan's National Expansion
• (00:32:36) - Vince McMahon's Decision To Sell TBS To Crockett
• (00:41:07) - Bruno Hogan in the WWF in 1985
• (00:49:35) - Terry Funk Coming to the WWE
• (00:55:30) - Randy Savage: The Greatest of All Time
• (00:59:52) - 1985
• (01:06:51) - WWF Championship Wrestling From Florida in 1985
• (01:09:09) - Pro Wrestling Time Tunnel: Ending The Roy Welch Family Legacy, and
• (01:13:57) - Pro Wrestling Time Tunnel: 400 Subscribers!