Episode 36; The Jack Brisco-Terry Funk NWA World Title Change Match, December 1975

This week we reach the pinnacle of 1975 in the Championship Wrestling from Florida Territory on an exciting night in Miami Beach at the Convention Center on December 10th! It’s the night where Jack Brisco had been advertised to defend his NWA World Heavyweight Championship against Dory Funk, Jr. Fans in Miami thought it would be another mat classic with two of the best wrestling technicians of this or any eraa met once again in combat. Surprise filled the air when it was announced that Funk, Jr was unable to make flight connections to be there and that younger brother Terry Funk would be taking his place in the match. Howard Baum, our regular Florida Territory analyst and commentator joins me aling with our special guest Don DeLeon, who was the photographer that night at the Convention Center. Having backstage access, DeLeon was the first human being to witness Terry Funk come into the dressing room that night after beating the best wrestler in the world and now holding the NWA World Title belt and that distinction for himself. Join Howard and I as we welcome Don to our show and have a special and unique conversation at The Richards Ranch about that historic night 50 years ago in Miami Beach. Chapters (00:00:02) - Tony Richards on the Pro Wrestling Time Tunnel Podcast(00:05:18) - Florida Pro Wrestling Legends(00:06:59) - Florida Championship Wrestling in 1975(00:09:19) - 1975(00:11:25) - Don Was Ringside When He Was 16(00:18:09) - Photographing WWE Superstars(00:24:25) - Big John Stud On His First Night(00:25:31) - The First Night In The WWE Dressing Room(00:31:12) - Meet Don Bradly(00:31:48) - Talking To The Mongolian Stomper(00:32:20) - Terry Briscoe Wins The World Title(00:35:27) - What Was the Atmosphere in Miami in the 1970s?(00:37:12) - Miami Beach Auditorium(00:40:29) - Wrestling in Miami vs Fort Lauderdale(00:44:11) - Terry Funk Wins the NWA World Heavyweight Championship(00:48:42) - Terry Rhodes on the Fans in North Carolina(00:52:34) - Terry Funk Walked Away From the Title to Be With Vicky(00:55:04) - Don DeLeon on Eddie Graham's IWA In Florida(01:00:39) - Don Blankenship on Wrestling(01:06:06) - Bob Roop on His Friendship With Terry Funk(01:09:04) - Eddie Graham's Success in Wrestling(01:14:33) - Who were some of the regulars at the Miami Beach Arena?(01:17:21) - Don Hardy On His Last Appearance(01:20:29) - Don Deleon On The Pro Wrestling Time Tunnel(01:21:27) - Pro Wrestling Time Tunnel Social Media Channels(01:23:39) - Christmas Pro Wrestling Special