Charting The Territories

In the 4th quarter of 1978, Rock Hunter gets his heels organized, two new titles are introduced and three titles change hands on Christmas Day at the Superdome, the Ladd-Candy feud comes to a conclusion, and more!

This is a look at the Pacific Northwest Wrestling territory in 1979, using house show records to compile a list of the top wrestlers, a categorized list of all the wrestlers appearing regularly during the year, known title matches, and the biggest feuds. It is based on the largest possible collection of house show records, culled from my own research as well as various other sources, online or otherwise.

On the latest episode of the Charting the Territories podcast, Al & Jon discuss the 4th quarter of 1974 in the McGuirk wrestling territory. We talk about Tom Jones and his role in breaking racial barriers in the deep south. Plus, we listen to a few cuts from Sgt. Slaughter's album (!) and we reveal our Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame ballots!

In the 4th quarter of 1974, Hansen & Goodish team up, Johnny Eagles is fired up for revenge against Akbar, Andre the Giant makes his first appearances in this territory, and more!

On the latest episode of the Charting the Territories podcast, Al Getz and Jon Boucher cover the 4th quarter of 1966 in LeRoy McGuirk's wrestling territory. They discuss one wrestler who tried to launch a career in country music, and another who had a prolific post-wrestling career in the hot rod industry and was also killed (onscreen) by Michael Myers.

With Vice TV’s Tales From The Territories airing on episode on Championship Wrestling from Florida this week, I decided to use the statistics I’ve created (which analyze wrestling in the territorial era) to take a look at what was going on in Florida in October 1972, 50 years ago.

We are proud to announce that the first Charting the Territories book is now available for purchase on Amazon.com worldwide Additionally, a limited number of autographed editions are available for purchase by residents of the contiguous U.S. via PayPal

Welcome to Chapter 29 of The McGuirk/Watts Wrestling Almanac, an in-depth data-driven look at the wrestling territory run by Leroy McGuirk (and later, Bill Watts).

On the latest episode of the Charting the Territories podcast, Al Getz and Jon Boucher look at the 3rd quarter of 1978 in LeRoy McGuirk's OK/LA territory. Ernie Ladd and Ray Candy main event the Superdome, but how many people saw it? They also look at Eric the Red and Jerry Stubbs, plus Jon sent Al a rather unique cookbook!

In the 3rd quarter of 1978, The Brute sees (Eric the) Red, Ernie Ladd chases a wonderful champion, not one but TWO candy men, and more!

On the latest episode of the Charting the Territories podcast, Al Getz and Jon Boucher look at the 3rd quarter of 1974 in LeRoy McGuirk's OK/LA wrestling territory. They discuss the big feud between Ken Mantell and Buck Robley, run down the rest of the roster, dive into the early lives of Robley and Stan Hansen, and tons more!

In the 3rd quarter of 1974, Arman Hussian becomes the first Black wrestler to win the North American title, the tag team scene takes a dip, Buck Robley and Ken Mantell have a major feud, Stan Hansen debuts, and more!

On the latest episode of the Charting the Territories podcast, Al Getz and Jon Boucher look at the 3rd quarter of 1966 in the McGuirk OK/LA territory. We cover the little-known story of Cowboy Bob Ellis' involvement in a horse-racing scandal that led to a federal indictment, including new info never before shared. Plus we learned more about Battleship Johnson from a former martial arts student of his. We also discuss Don Kent, Hodge vs Brisco and tons more!

This month on Stats 101, we will look at Ronnie Garvin's 1971 run in LeRoy McGuirk's territory using the statistics we have developed to measure a wrestlers' role in the territorial era.

Welcome to Chapter 28 of The McGuirk/Watts Wrestling Almanac, an in-depth data-driven look at the wrestling territory run by Leroy McGuirk (and later, Bill Watts).

On the latest episode of the Charting the Territories podcast, Al Getz and Jon Boucher look at the 2nd quarter of 1978 in LeRoy McGuirk's Oklahoma/Louisiana territory. The top wrestlers, the big feuds, plus a look at three newcomers all of whom had strong ties to Texas wrestling. They also look at Bobby Shane's Gulf Coast run in '71. Plus tons more!

This month on Stats 101, we will look at Bobby Shane's 1971 run in the Gulf Coast territory using the statistics we have developed to measure a wrestlers' role in the territorial era.

In the 2nd quarter of 1978, the Assassin ruffles the feathers of Steven Little Bear, Orndorff becomes a “champ champ”, Louisiana gets a new title, and more!

On the latest episode of Charting the Territories, Al Getz and Jon Boucher look at the 2nd quarter of 1974 in Leroy McGuirk's wrestling territory. They discuss the early life of Frank Goodish (Bruiser Brody) and reveal some information about the life of Bulldog Drummer (aka Count Drummer) that has never been part of wrestling's "historical record" until now. Plus tons more!

This month on Stats 101, we will look at Bob Backlund's 1974 run in the Amarillo territory using the statistics we have developed to measure a wrestlers' role in the territorial era. Backlund was still a rookie when he went to Amarillo in early 1974 to wrestle for the Funks. In his first week there, he beat Terry Funk to win the Western States Heavyweight title. It might seem like Backlund was in for a big push. The reality, however, was slightly different.

In the 2nd quarter of 1974, Buck and Bull are pushed, Rip and Bob turn babyface, Akbar feuds with Hussian, a rookie named Frank debuts, & more!

On the latest episode of Charting the Territories, Al Getz and Jon Boucher look at the 2nd quarter of 1966 in the Oklahoma/Louisiana wrestling territory. Danny Hodge, the Assassins, plus newcomers including Krusher Kowalski, Tor Kamata, and a man for whom little is known about, Battleship Johnson. Plus, Al quizzes Jon with questions from Gordon Solie's Championship Wrestling Trivia!

On the latest episode of Stats 101, wrestling historian Al Getz looks at the Amarillo territory in the first half of the 1970s and discusses a new application of the SPOT Rating, the statistic which measures a wrestlers' average position on house show lineups.

Welcome to Chapter 27 of The McGuirk/Watts Wrestling Almanac, an in-depth data-driven look at the wrestling territory run by Leroy McGuirk (and later, Bill Watts).

On the latest episode of Charting the Territories, Al Getz and Jon Boucher look at the 1st quarter of 1978 in the Oklahoma/Louisiana wrestling territory. They discuss Ernie Ladd, Reggie Parks, and Skip Young among others. Along the way they take some interesting detours such as the scent of Kevin Nash and the Norwegian glam rock scene. As a special bonus, Al interviews the Brute (Buggsy McGraw)!

On the latest episode of Wrestling History Mysteries, rogue wrestling historian Al Getz attempts to use research and logic to clear up a slightly confusing situation involving a wrestler (or is it wrestlers?) in Florida in the fall of 1972. It's another example of the challenges wrestling historians face when trying to verify 50-year old info.

In the 1st quarter of 1978, Ernie Ladd debuts with a big push, Orndorff feuds with a brute named the Brute, the Louisiana Tag Team titles are reborn & more!

On the latest episode of Charting the Territories, Al Getz and Jon Boucher look at the 1st quarter of 1974 in the Oklahoma/Louisiana wrestling territory. They discuss the inventor of the ladder match and the first such matches held in the U.S. From there, it's a look at a wrestler who once claimed the Olympic Auditorium discriminated against Black wrestlers. Plus Homer O'Dell liked guns. Like, a lot.

On the latest episode of Stats 101, wrestling historian Al Getz looks at the three biggest feuds of Johnny Valentine's Mid-Atlantic run in the mid-1970s using the new FLW (Feud Length in Weeks) stat.

In the 1st quarter of 1974, Ken Mantell supplants the departed Danny Hodge as the top babyface star, Rip Tyler climbs the theoretical ladder, Kroffat and Sweetan try and climb a literal ladder, & more!

In 2021, I spent a significant number of man-hours confirming the identity of a masked wrestler who worked for Leroy McGuirk in 1963 and disappeared suddenly after suffering an injury during a match with Lou Thesz. Shocking new details about that match *may* have been uncovered!

On the latest episode of Charting the Territories, Al Getz and Jon Boucher look at the 1st quarter of 1966 in the McGuirk wrestling territory, looking at how a real-life car accident may have impacted the NWA World Junior Heavyweight title history and how another car accident unwittingly unmasked the Assassins. From there, they go walking in Memphis and look at 11 straight weeks of Jerry Lawler vs Bill Dundee.

This is a special look at the Jarrett wrestling territory in the 3rd quarter of 1977. From time to time, we will look at territories that I don’t normally cover on this blog; think of them as “Uncharted Territories”.

On the latest episode of Stats 101, wrestling historian Al Getz discusses a new stat he created to measure feuds in pro wrestling in the territorial era. Along with explaining the development of the stat, he gives numerous examples of it in action, spanning multiple territories and decades.

In January 2022 we launched a new statistic called FLW, which stands for Feud Length in Weeks. It is an attempt to “measure” feuds in professional wrestling during the territorial era in a way that the output is easily understandable. This post goes into detail about how this stat was created, why it was created, what it can and can’t do, and how to best interpret and analyze it.

Welcome to Chapter 26 of The McGuirk/Watts Wrestling Almanac, an in-depth data-driven look at the wrestling territory run by Leroy McGuirk (and later, Bill Watts).