Tales From The Territories: Full Recap
Now that the first season of Tales From The Territories has come to a close, we thought it would be interesting to look back at the show's highlights. Tales From The Territories was essentially created to satiate the appetite of Dark Side Of The Ring fans. It’s produced by The Rock's company, Seven Bucks promotions, and heavily involves former WWE writer Brian Gewirtz. The former even does the voice-over introduction for the show, adding an extra dose of star power. The concept was decidedly minimal as compared to Dark Side. It featured a group of 4 to 5 wrestlers/personalities gathered around a table, recounting stories from a particular territory.
Initially, I wasn’t particularly intrigued by Tales From The Territories. It wasn’t until I watched the first episode that they used the same reenactment style that made Dark Side stand out. It also reminded me of the Legends Of Wrestling show that initially aired on the precursor to the WWE Network, WWE 24/7. There’s something about putting Wrestlers and their ilk in a setting such as this that inspires them to open up and speak more freely. Overall, I think that was the magic of this show, the unique camaraderie that people in the wrestling business share.
Memphis Wrestling
This roundtable consisted of Jerry and Jeff Jarrett, Dutch Mantell, Jimmy Hart, and Jerry Lawler. It was an intense debut episode that featured names familiar to both long-time and modern fans. Lawler held court for much of the episode, no pun intended. Jerry Jarrett tells the story of a rogue wrestler who did an unplanned run-in during a match at the request of rival promoter Roy Welch. The story takes a dark turn when Jarrett recounts how he ripped out Mario Galento's eye in the process of defending himself.
Sometime later, the same wrestler, said to be once again acting on behalf of Welch, attacked Lawler during a match in Mississippi. It was similar to what had happened to Jarrett, with Galento sucker-punching Lawler during a match. This time, however, Galento was accompanied by his wife and wielded a knife. Lawler quickly realized what was happening and ran to the locker room. Wrestler Jimmy Valiant was in the locker room and pulled a gun on Galento, who had pursued Lawler. The local sheriff had been sitting in the front row for the show, and all three men were arrested.
This enjoyable first episode set a good tone for the show. My favorite story involved Dutch Mantell and Jeff Jarrett being a part of a highly unique performance art. The Wichita State University orchestra played an overture while the two had a match. It was a fascinating sight and came across as much better than expected. Dutch would point out how he and Jarrett’s match is the only one in history to be included in the Smithsonian.
Memphis Wrestling Part 2: Andy Kaufman
The second episode extended the first that featured the same panel. The entire premise was devoted to Comedian Andy Kaufman’s involvement in Memphis Wrestling. Jerry Lawler goes into a highly detailed and deep dive into how Andy got involved in the territory. Andy had initially approached Vince McMahon SR about getting involved in the then WWWF. McMahon brushed him off, so Bill Apter suggested that Andy work in the Memphis territory.
Perhaps the most remarkable revelation of this episode is how far Kaufman went to protect “kayfabe.” It’s a lost art in the social media age, and some may argue an archaic one. But Andy truly respected the wrestling business. Lawler would reveal that Kaufman never smartened his family up and almost lost his job on the hit television show, Taxi. Andy wanted to wear the neck brace he used after taking Lawler’s piledriver on the show, and the producers threatened to write him off if he didn’t remove it. This episode was a testament to Andy and how much he did for wrestling.
AWA
The AWA roundtables consist of Greg Gagne, son of the promoter, Verne Gagne, Jim Brunzell, Medusa Miceli, DDP, and of course, Ken Patera. Greg Gagne eats up a lot of the time and conversation. He keeps it mostly entertaining with stories about Mad Dog Vachon that range from hilarious to disgusting. Gagne makes an uncanny Mad Dog impression, and you want to hear more of it than you do. Medusa and DDP recount how Verne was the one to give each of them their first break and how grateful they are and were.
We then come to Ken Patera, who nearly steals the entire season with a single story. As some may or may not know, Ken was involved in an incident in Wisconsin in 1984 that ultimately saw him do prison time. Ken and fellow wrestler Masa Saito were hanging out after the matches and trying to find something to eat. It was in the middle of a blizzard, and Ken learned there was a McDonald’s nearby. He left Saito at the hotel and set off to McDonald’s. After being denied service due to the restaurant being closed, Ken was accused of hurling a rock through the drive-up window. Hilariously, Patera recounts that a disgruntled former teenage employee threw the rock.
After Ken returned to the hotel, the local police showed up to arrest him. As he and Saito were sharing a room, the police attempted to take both of them in. Saito, who had no idea what was going on, began fighting the cops alongside Patera, successfully keeping them at bay for some time. This story is so hysterical that I was literally on the floor laughing. It showed how entertaining and hilarious Ken Patera is.
The AWA episode was better than most probably expected. It was a pivotal territory and laid the groundwork for some of the industry’s biggest icons. However, it wasn’t known as the most exciting or compelling television. It is without question one of the most important territories in wrestling history. It also grew to be one of the biggest, covering many regions of the U.S.
CWF- Florida Territory
The next installment of Tales focused on Championship Wrestling from Florida. The Florida territory may be most notable, not for its Wrestlers but for its famed booker, Eddie Graham. This table consists of Steve Keirn, Gerald Brisco, Bob Roop, B. Brian Blair, and Kevin Sullivan. The Florida territory is considered one of the greatest in wrestling history. It could be considered “finishing school” for some of the business's most creative and successful minds.
Both Bill Watts and Dusty Rhodes sat under the learning tree of Eddie Graham and would go on to be two of the best bookers of the 80s. Florida was also the starting point for a young Hulk Hogan. Gerald Brisco tells the story of essentially discovering a young Hogan. He recalls how Hiro Matsuda broke Hogan's leg on his first training day. To Hogan’s credit, he wasn’t deterred and would go on to change the business. Kevin Sullivan wonders aloud how different the industry would be, had Hogan opted not to resume his training.
Bob Roop and Steve Keirn recount their intense rivalry rooted in a very real scenario involving Keirn's father. Steve Keirn's father was a prisoner of war during the Vietnam conflict and received a great deal of local publicity upon his return to the country. Roop and Keirn decided to use the story as a catalyst for an angle between the two that would go a long way in defining the territory. Ironically, Eddie Graham had nothing to do with the angle, as he was in Australia at the time, and both Roop and Keirn believe he would never have gone for it. The Florida episode is enjoyable and informative but feels condensed to fit an hour-long format.
Stampede Wrestling
The most prominent territory in Canadian wrestling is, of course, Stampede. Stampede was the product of the legendary Stu Hart, the patriarch of the famous Hart family of Calgary. The roundtable consists of Bret Hart, son of Stu, Abdullah The Butcher, Bobby Bass, and the incomparable David Schultz. Abdullah, or Abby as he’s often affectionately referred to, may seem like an odd inclusion to this episode. The madman from Sudan was a regular in the territory during the 80s.
Much of the episode is focused on the legacy of Stampede founder/owner Stu Hart. It seems there are endless stories of Stu “stretching” prospective students. Many stories are recounted, including one in which Schultz’s wife, Peggy, was briefly stretched! Abdullah gets emotional in reflecting on Stu and says he was like a father to him. Bret recalls a story that ultimately led to Andre The Giant refusing ever to work the territory again or speak to Stu.
One of the fascinating parts of the episode is the diversity of the roundtable. Bret Hart, David Schultz, Abdullah, and Bobby Bass are entirely different personalities. It reminds you just how eclectic the Stampede territory was. Towards the end, David Schultz suggests that Bret reestablish the territory. It’s a fun and quite intriguing note to end the show.
Polynesian Pro
This was one that I was particularly intrigued by, as I had little knowledge about this territory. It’s safe to assume that the executive producer, The Rock, wanted to include the territory that his family founded. This group is rounded out by Rocky Iaukea, son of King Curtis, Kevin Sullivan, Bruno Laurer, better known as Harvey Whippleman to WWE fans, and Lars Anderson. Much of this episode is centred around Lia Maivia, the wife of Peter Maivia and Grandmother of The Rock. After her husband passed away in 1982, Lia took over the territory, becoming the first female promoter in history.
One of the most intense and memorable stories from the Polynesian installment comes from Lars Anderson. It’s important to remember that the wrestling business operated much like the mafia in the territory days. Local cartel members attacked Lars after leaving a bar one night and were nearly killed. A series of events occurred from there, eventually leading to the FBI arresting Lars and Lia. Some people wanted a cut of the business Polynesians were doing in the region.
Bruno Laurer, a significant figure in The Rock's early life, tells a story of when a young Rock was living with him. The two were staying in Nashville at the time. While in a rough area of town, they were approached by some men who were “impaired,” so to speak. A teenage Rock did not have a car then, and the men offered to sell them a beat-up vehicle for $400. Rock convinced Bruno to buy the car for what ended up being $40. As they are driving away, a man emerges from the backseat. A homeless man had been taking up shelter in the car, unbeknownst to anyone involved in the exchange.
Portland
This roundtable consists of Mike Masters, The Grappler, Princess Victoria, and Bushwhacker Luke. The tagline for this episode is: Where Wrestling Got Weird. Owned and operated by the Owen brothers, Don and Elton, Portland was unlike any other territory. The former is one of the more respected promoters in the history of the business. A good portion of the show is devoted to one of its top stars, Buddy Rose. According to the roundtable, Buddy caused as much chaos outside the arena as he did inside it.
They recall the rivalry between Buddy and Matt Borne, who would go on to portray Doink in WWE. Buddy exacerbates the feud by actually marrying Borne's sister. At one point, Rose was suspected of having been unfaithful to Borne’s sister, upon which Borne went to Rose's home and assaulted him. Mike Masters recalls Buddy asking him to check his home because he feared Borne might kill him. Princess Victoria recalls being an early pioneer of women’s wrestling, including a night in which she won a battle royal, last eliminating Buddy Rose.
Portland may be best known for giving Roddy Piper one of his first significant platforms. Portland allowed Piper to refine his promo skills, which he would use to Great effect years later in WWE. Bushwhacker Luke is a real highlight of this episode, proving that we only saw a fraction of his charisma during his time in WWE. Overall, the Portland edition of TFTT is a bit of a sleeper. It’s worth checking out, as little is known about some of the angles and talents that were a part of the territory.
World Class
The World Class panel comprises Kevin Von Erich, Jimmy Garvin, Brian Adidas, David Manning, and Chavo Guerrero JR. Michael Hayes is most notable in his absence, but we see him in a later episode. Chavo is a surprising addition, but he is presumably there to represent the Guerrero family, particularly his father, Chavo SR. David Manning, who has become an unofficial spokesperson for World Class, reminds us that the territory was the first to use entrance music and vignettes. We're quickly reminded how many significant names started in World Class, including Mick Foley, Undertaker, and Shawn Michaels.
Brian Adidas recalls a wild night drinking with “Gentlemen” Chris Adams. This segue ways into what is referred to as the “Israel Incident.” David Manning claims that Adam’s kicked a bartender in the face, permanently injuring his eye. He says he then had to smuggle Adams out of the country or the wrestler would face imprisonment. While there are laughs shared, it’s somewhat sad to hear these stories about Adams, knowing how his life would eventually end.
To my dismay, booker and manager Gary Hart is barely discussed throughout the episode. In fact, for some inexplicable reason, David Manning takes credit for the conception of the Freebirds/Von Erich’s legendary rivalry. It’s been well documented that Gary Hart came up with the idea that took place at the Christmas Star Wars show. Overall, the World Class episode is a bit of a letdown and feels like a missed opportunity. Thankfully, a great deal of material is out there that does a much deeper dive into this fascinating territory.
Jim Crockett Promotions
Possibly the most anticipated installment of the series is Jim Crockett Promotions. JCP, for short, had more influence and reached greater heights than any other territory. The table comprises Ricky Morton, David Crockett, Baby Doll, and Arn Anderson. If that isn’t enough star power, Nikita Koloff and the incomparable Jim Cornette offer soundbites. One of the first declarations is how Crockett hired Dusty Rhodes as the booker of his promotion and how that addition was integral to its success.
The topic of the show then shifts to Jim Cornette. Morton asks Baby Doll to recount just how much heat Cornette had as a manager in JCP. She recalls a night when Cornette and The Midnight Express physically struck her and how unglued the arena became. Cornette then remembers how the announcers drove the point home by suggesting that due to the attack, Baby Doll may never be able to have children. A good portion of the episode is devoted to Cornette, and rightfully so, as he has maintained his influence in the business to this very day.
David Crockett then tells the infamous plane crash story that he was involved in and nearly claimed Ric Flair's life. Sewn within this story is perhaps the most sensational and revelatory of the entire season. Tim Woods, aka Mr. Wrestling, was also on the plane that night. The problem was that he was the only baby face on the flight. Because the business was so protected then, it could have damaged the industry’s reputation if fans learned that Woods was associating with a heel the likes of Johnny Valentine.
Tim Woods would give his surname to the police, but there were still rumblings of how the passenger may have been Mr. Wrestling. Because his injuries weren’t as severe as the others, yet still serious, Woods was able to squash suspicions that it was him by actually wrestling shortly after the crash. Cornette then summarizes that Tim Woods saved the wrestling business by doing what he did. It’s fantastic to hear this story and realize how drastically things have changed. Credit still goes to Tim Woods for being selfless enough to ensure we have reached this point.
Arn Anderson then recalls the night the Four Horsemen were formed, and if you have never seen it, go out of your way. The heat in the arena that night was so palpable it was virtually visible. Unfortunately, modern-day wrestling fans may never experience something so emotionally visceral. It was these types of angles that made JCP so memorable and talked about to this very day. The Crockett episode was always going to be a tall order due to how extensive the story is, but they did a good job here.
Mid South
The final episode of TFTT focuses on the much-heralded Mid-South territory run by famed booker Bill Watts. This boasts what is quite possibly the most star-studded panel of the entire season. Jim Ross, Michael Hayes, Jake Roberts, and Ted Dibiase recall their time working in the territory. Ross and Dibiase reflect on how Watts broke barriers and taboos by pushing Junkyard Dog as his centrepiece star. It wasn’t exactly customary to feature African American performers at the top of the card in those days, and Watts did so without hesitation.
Jim Ross recalls several stories involving murder plots. One in which the visually impaired Leroy Mcguirk schemed to shoot Ted Dibiase for dating his daughter. Fans may remember Leroy’s daughter, Mike, as a ring announcer from the 80s. Ross also recalls members of the board of the NWA discussing a plan to murder Vince McMahon. He’s told this story before, but he goes Into great detail here. JR shines in this episode, reminding us all that in the right setting, he is a master storyteller and a reservoir of knowledge.
Outside controversies aside, Ted Dibiase is an excellent addition here, considering we don’t often see him in this setting. He discusses being a good career guy in Mid-South, initially, and the risky decision to turn heel. It was a turn that would prove prophetic in some ways, preparing him for the eventual role of his life in WWE. Much of the show is, of course, a casual tribute to Bill Watts. Watts was polarizing, but no one can argue how creative and influential he was. His production quality and presentation were among the greatest in the territory era.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Tales From The Territories was an enjoyable series earmarked by nostalgia and never before heard stories. It’s almost definitely geared toward hardcore fans, but casual fans may also find it fascinating. I think it’s likely that we will see Dark Side Of The Ring return in 2023/2024. They covered the most notable territories in this single season, and they would be reaching out to find additional ones. Never say never, though, as ECW, for example, could technically be considered a territory, and Smoky Mountain. If you love learning about the history of wrestling, this series is definitely for you.
