EPISODE · Feb 4, 2026 · 1H 54M
Episode 45: The Year of 1985 Territory Review, The AWA
from Pro Wrestling Time Tunnel Territory History Show · host Tony Richards
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. Chapters (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
What this episode covers
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.
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Episode 45: The Year of 1985 Territory Review, The AWA
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