Episode 40:The Year of 1985 Territory Review, The WWF

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.

Thank You for Watching and Listening

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.

Chapters

• (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!