Regional Rasslin' - Territory Talk cover art

Regional Rasslin' - Territory Talk

Regional Rasslin' - Territory Talk

By: The WrestleCopia Network
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About this listen

Before the national expansion of Pro Wrestling the business was split into many different regional promotions referred to as "the territories". Each territory competed within their own regional boundaries with unqiue wrestling stars, championship belts, and local TV. We talk the good old days from the territory era, from the AWA to JCP, New York to Los Angeles, Memphis to Mid-South, Portland to Florida, Stampede to Maple Leaf, Houston to Dallas, well... you get the point!WrestleCopia · © Copyright 2022 · All rights reserved Art Combat Sports & Self-Defense Wrestling
Episodes
  • Rasslin 128: Georgia 1947 - 1953 (ABC Booking, NWA, Thesz, Ward, Gunkel)
    Apr 7 2026

    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. Boxing Legend Jack Dempsey, the Fred Ward relationship begins, the NWA (Alliance) is born, Gorgeous George, Argentina Rocca, Fabulous Moolah, Eddie Graham debuts with a 5 second win, Don McIntyre, Ginger the Wrestling Bear, Herb Welch, Fred Blassie, Al Lovelock (the Bolo), Art Nelson, the 'Riot Squad' Duseks, Bobby Lane, Red Duggan, Charlie Harben standing his ground, and the territory debut of a major figure moving forward, Ray Gunkel!

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    Includes the $5 “All Access” Tier $9 "VIP Superfan" Tier, and "The ULLLTIMATE Tier", featuring our various VIDEO-CAST Series, Early Show Releases, our insanely detailed show notes (for the Grenade, Monday Warfare, Regional Rasslin, Puro Academy, & Retro Re-View), monthly DIGITAL DOWNLOADS for your viewing and reading pleasure, & more!

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    1 hr and 27 mins
  • Rasslin 127: Memphis 7/6/85 (BIG JOHN HARRIS Debuts! RIP Dennis Condrey)
    Mar 31 2026

    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 fans are not impressed. Leslie Floyd Creatchman III is still here (perhaps for the final time). FORMER Referee Tom Branch competes, while his feud with Jerry Lawler rages on. Speaking of the King, it's Lawler vs. Phil Hickerson in a fun TV match. The Tojo/Jarrett retirement tour continues on, while Jerry Bryant impresses, a few moments reflecting on the legendary Dennis Condrey.. and, thanks to listener David Taub doing the research, Ray & Gene discuss live Memphis wrestling going up against NBC Sports!

    If you're enjoying WrestleCopia and interested in helping us continue to grow, please consider Subscribing to our Patreon to help us cover some of our costs! https://www.patreon.com/wrestlecopia
    YOU CAN ALSO GIFT SOMEONE A PATREON MEMBERSHIP (OR ASK THEM TO GIFT YOU ONE) AT
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    Includes the $5 “All Access” Tier $9 "VIP Superfan" Tier, and "The ULLLTIMATE Tier", featuring our various VIDEO-CAST Series, Early Show Releases, our insanely detailed show notes (for the Grenade, Monday Warfare, Regional Rasslin, Puro Academy, & Retro Re-View), monthly DIGITAL DOWNLOADS for your viewing and reading pleasure, & more!

    HELP SUPPORT THE SELF-FUNDED WRESTLECOPIA BRAND, CONSIDER DONATING TO OUR PAYPAL
    WRESTLECOPIA MERCHANDISE
    - https://www.teepublic.com/user/wrestlecopia
    Visit the WrestleCopia Podcast Network
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    Follow WrestleCopia on “X” (Formerly Twitter)
    @RasslinGrenade
    Follow & LIKE our FACEBOOK PAGE –
    https://www.facebook.com/RasslinGrenade
    Subscribe to the WrestleCopia Youtube Channel at
    https://www.youtube.com/RasslinGrenade

    ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★
    Show More Show Less
    1 hr and 26 mins
  • Rasslin 126: Discussing Chicago Wrestling 1966 (with Guest Richard Vicek)
    Mar 24 2026

    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'Connor, Angelo Poffo, Ernie Ladd, Chris Markoff, Killer Kowalski, Mitsu Arakawa, Jack Lanza, how Igor Volkoff came to be, early Bobby Heenan (still a genius), RIchard attends his first Chicago event, and more!

    If you're enjoying WrestleCopia and interested in helping us continue to grow, please consider Subscribing to our Patreon to help us cover some of our costs! https://www.patreon.com/wrestlecopia
    YOU CAN ALSO GIFT SOMEONE A PATREON MEMBERSHIP (OR ASK THEM TO GIFT YOU ONE) AT
    https://www.patreon.com/WrestleCopia/gift
    Includes the $5 “All Access” Tier $9 "VIP Superfan" Tier, and "The ULLLTIMATE Tier", featuring our various VIDEO-CAST Series, Early Show Releases, our insanely detailed show notes (for the Grenade, Monday Warfare, Regional Rasslin, Puro Academy, & Retro Re-View), monthly DIGITAL DOWNLOADS for your viewing and reading pleasure, & more!

    HELP SUPPORT THE SELF-FUNDED WRESTLECOPIA BRAND, CONSIDER DONATING TO OUR PAYPAL
    WRESTLECOPIA MERCHANDISE
    - https://www.teepublic.com/user/wrestlecopia
    Visit the WrestleCopia Podcast Network
    https://wrestlecopia.com
    Follow WrestleCopia on “X” (Formerly Twitter)
    @RasslinGrenade
    Follow & LIKE our FACEBOOK PAGE –
    https://www.facebook.com/RasslinGrenade
    Subscribe to the WrestleCopia Youtube Channel at
    https://www.youtube.com/RasslinGrenade

    ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★
    Show More Show Less
    1 hr and 4 mins
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