Episode 81: Bob Smith, Amarillo West Texas 1966 & Mailbag!

Pro Wrestling Time Tunnel Territory History Show Episode 82 Hey everyone, Tony Richards here! Episode 82 of The Pro Wrestling Time Tunnel History Show is another history-packed episode with three strong segments. Segment 1: We welcome Bob Smith of The Outdated Wrestling Hour and Outdated Entertainment Hour. Bob was also a staff member at Pro Wrestling Illustrated, worked on the first PWI 500, and played in B.B. King’s band. It should be a fascinating visit. Segment 2: I go back to the 1966 West Texas Territory, this time covering the Tuesday night town of Odessa. We take a deep dive on promoter Pat O’Dowdy and look at the January cards in Odessa. Segment 3: Another fun Mailbag segment. Steve Gennerelli and I take a crack at fascinating questions from our viewers and listeners. Episode 82 is available now on Castos, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, and all your usual platforms. Hit play, leave a review, and keep riding with us through the Time Tunnel! Chapters (00:00:02) - Intro and Kentucky weather update(00:03:14) - Remembering PAC (Benjamin Satterley)(00:07:06) - Roy Welch Hall of Fame campaign(00:13:06) - Idealism vs realism in getting Roy Welch elected(00:19:06) - Show preview for today's episode(00:20:24) - Welcoming Bob Smith and podcast recording marathon(00:23:21) - Copyright, music licensing and YouTube issues(00:24:41) - Outdated Entertainment Hour origins and topics(00:26:33) - Polka music tangent(00:28:12) - Reconnecting with old wrestling magazine friends(00:32:07) - Bill Apter stories and Apter's Alley collection(00:33:29) - Life at PWI: magazines and workplace(00:36:57) - Dusty Rhodes' Florida comeback and Terry Funk feud(00:38:55) - Creating the PWI 500 rankings(00:41:43) - Bob's Memphis wrestling trip in 1991(00:44:04) - Studio wrestling nostalgia(00:45:49) - Leaving PWI and career after the magazine days(00:47:53) - Getting hired via Mike Tyson article and PWI duties(00:49:33) - Naming the Rob Van Dam split-legged moonsault(00:51:08) - Favorite Outdated Entertainment Hour: The Guess Who(00:52:38) - Joe Puccio co-host relationship(00:56:49) - Generational gaps in wrestling fandom(00:58:17) - Detroit wrestling legends and the Sheik's outlaw walkout(01:03:13) - Lord Layton and Detroit territory nostalgia(01:04:22) - Amarillo tape preservation and Mario Savoldi(01:05:46) - Origins of Bob's own podcast after being dropped(01:11:17) - Ian Douglas and modern wrestling authors(01:13:41) - Personal reflection questions: memories, heroes, values(01:19:31) - Favorite things: music, food, and places(01:22:28) - Success, legacy, and life advice questions(01:25:13) - Favorite sound and lessons on screens/kids(01:28:12) - Best lesson learned: don't beat yourself up(01:31:08) - Wrapping up with Bob and mutual appreciation(01:36:10) - Tribute to Beautiful Bruce Sweetan/Swayze(01:40:39) - West Texas 1966: Odessa promoter Pat O'Dowdy background(02:03:38) - Odessa Tuesday night cards January 1966(02:18:24) - Mailbag intro with Steve Giannarelli(02:19:34) - Mailbag: Backlund and NWA/AWA title questions(02:30:34) - Mailbag: Harley Race's travel schedule(02:34:02) - Mailbag: Underrated managers and forgotten footage(02:38:42) - Mailbag: Observer Hall of Fame candidates(02:43:28) - Mailbag: Booking WCW after Dusty's firing in 1989(02:50:27) - Mailbag: Saving the territory system hypothetical(03:02:53) - Mailbag: Dusty Rhodes' NWA title reign travel(03:10:09) - Mailbag: George Scott's underrated booking genius(03:14:52) - Mailbag: Andre the Giant's exclusive WWF deal(03:19:46) - Mailbag: JYD in Crockett hypothetical(03:22:26) - Magazine collections and closing mailbag segment(03:27:13) - Show wrap-up, sponsor read, and closing