This week on Retro Wrestling with Gene Jackson, we dive deep into one of the most fascinating and under documented territories in wrestling history, the Mississippi promotion run by the Culkin family.

Gene is joined by Gil Culkin, author of The Mississippi Wrestling Territory: The Untold Story, for a revealing conversation about:

• The legendary George “Curtis” Culkin and his wrestling roots dating back to 1939
• Breaking away from Bill Watts’ Mid-South Wrestling and launching an independent Mississippi territory in 1977
• The promotional war between the Culkins and Watts
• The wild Grizzly Smith angle that nearly imploded a major Jackson show
• How a 16-year-old Terry Gordy became Mississippi’s first heavyweight champion
• The earliest days of Michael Hayes, including the first time he ever came out to “Freebird”
• The creation of Percy Pringle III (yes, future Paul Bearer got his start here)
• Frankie Cain’s booking genius and his outside the box storytelling
• Riots in Gulfport, police involvement, and the night Ernie Ladd nearly caused a full scale arena meltdown

Gil shares behind the scenes stories about working with legends like Nick Bockwinkel, Lou Thesz, The Spoiler, Porkchop Cash, King Cobra, The Mongolians, Mr. Fuji, and more while offering insight into what made the Mississippi territory unique.

More than anything, this episode highlights something rare in wrestling history: a territory built on loyalty, fairness, and reputation.

If you care about territorial wrestling, promoter wars, the birth of major stars, or how wrestling really operated in the 1970s and 80s, this is an episode you don’t want to miss.

Pick up The Mississippi Wrestling Territory: The Untold Story by Gil Culkin on Amazon.
It’s required reading for territory era fans.

Gene Jackson and Bob Anderson are back as the Retro Wrestling Re-View WCW journey through 1989 continues and just two weeks after Halloween Havoc, WCW is already back on TBS with Clash of the Champions IX: New York Knockout!

Broadcast live from Troy, New York, this Clash features one of the most emotionally charged main events of the year, an I Quit Match between Ric Flair and Terry Funk but that’s just the beginning of the chaos.

On this episode, Gene and Bob break down:

🔥 Flair vs. Funk in a brutal I Quit showdown
🔥 The Road Warriors vs. The Freebirds kicking things off loud
🔥 Doom continuing their rise under Woman’s influence
🔥 The Steiners colliding with the Skyscrapers in a stiff, wild brawl
🔥 The Dynamic Dudes’ fate at the hands of Jim Cornette
🔥 Lex Luger defending the U.S. Title against Flyin’ Brian Pillman
🔥 Norman the Lunatic, Dr. Death, and the mysterious Super Destroyer!
🔥 WCW’s production quirks, crowd reactions, and late 80s energy

Was this one of the stronger Clashes of 1989?
Did the I Quit match live up to its reputation?
And just how chaotic did things get in that Steiner/Skyscraper confrontation and was Sid nervous??

It’s peak 1989 WCW: gritty, unpredictable, sometimes awkward, but always interesting.

For all things related to Dangerous Conversations w/Doug Gilbert & Tommy Rich, go to www.douggilbertpodcast.com

For all things related to Gene Jackson and the Retro Wrestling Archive Podcasts, go to www.retrowrestlingarchive.club

Gene Jackson and Robb Helt are back for another deep dive into the wild world of Continental Championship Wrestling, and this episode from July 20, 1985 is a perfect snapshot of why CCW was one of the most entertaining and unpredictable territories of the 1980s.

This week delivers peak Continental energy:

• 
  Ron Fuller & the Stud Stable tightening their grip on the territory
  
  
• A fiery Austin Idol promo that steals the show
  
  
• Lord Humongous continuing to look like the scariest man alive
  
  
• The Armstrongs dealing with betrayal, revenge, and an arm injury that refuses to heal
  
  
• Tommy “Wildfire” Rich defends his $20,000 Battle Royal check against Mr. Class
  
  
• A surprisingly strong TV match that turns into total mayhem
  
  
• Another big angle to set up a packed Boutwell Auditorium card
  
  
• Plus: bizarre production choices, hilarious commentary moments, and that signature Continental mix of good wrestling, heated promos, and absolute insanity

  
  

  
  

Gene and Robb break it all down with humor, history, and plenty of territory-era insight. If you love CCW, Mid-South, Memphis, Georgia, or any other southern wrestling from the ’80s… this is your show.

Like, subscribe, and join us weekly as we journey through every episode of Continental television we can find!