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.
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What is The Retro Wrestling Archive Podcast Network?
The Retro Wrestling Archive Podcast Network is a home for nostalgia pro wrestling podcasts featuring interviews, reviews, recaps, and deep dives into the people, promotions, and moments that shaped wrestling history.
Our network includes original in-house shows like The Retro Wrestling Re-View Podcasts, Beyond Wrestling, Dangerous Conversations w/Doug Gilbert & Tommy Rich, and LIVE from the Archive!, along with affiliate podcasts such as STSPod, The Hang, Talkin' off the Top Rope, and Get Your Bell Rung, among others.
Presented in association with Jackson Media Creations, the Retro Wrestling Archive Podcast Network is dedicated to one mission: preserving pro wrestling history.