1971 in the Gulas-Welch territory was another big year. Established stars such as Jackie Fargo, Len Rossi, Bearcat Brown and Tojo Yamamoto continued to please area fans while area legend Sputnik Monroe returned with his new tag partner, Norvell Austin. Up and comer Jerry Jarrett made waves as did such attractions such as The Alaskans, The Samoans, Tommy Gilbert, Kevin Sullivan, Ron Fuller and Roy Lee Welch. Also in the area during 1971 but not yet making much of an impact was a young man from Memphis named Jerry Lawler.    

Preview   

  January-March 1972 

The lineage of the Southern tag titles during the first part of 1972 isn't clear. The same is true for the Southern Junior heavyweight championship. Sir Clements team of Don Greene & Al Greene appear to have held the area's World tag titles during this period of time until late March when Len Rossi & Bearcat Brown take the titles. 

The area introduced the Mid-America tag titles to the scene during January with Dr. Ken Ramey's team of The Masked Interns holding the titles. Don Greene & Al Greene also were recognized as champions during the first three months of 1972. The direct lineage of the titles though is unclear. 

The Knoxville-based Tennessee tag titles were defended some in the area at this time. Ron & Don Wright were champions at the time and defended the titles on Gulas-Welch cards. Since the Knoxville promotion borrowed talent from Gulas-Welch a number of the regulars for Gulas-Welch were busy with John Cazana's promotion. While the Wrights were champions in their appearances on Gulas-Welch cards, it is known that on Cazana cards that Don & Al Greene held the titles for a time and even lost them to the combo of Ron Wright & Dandy Jack Donovan.  

Stars working the circuit for promoters Nick Gulas and Roy Welch during this time included Kevin Sullivan, Kurt Von Brauner, Karl Von Brauner, Gentleman Saul Weingeroff, Dennis Hall, Norvell Austin, The Masked Claws, George Strickland, Oni Wiki Wiki, Tommy Gilbert, Jack Dalton & Jim Dalton, Jim Kent, Sir Clements, Jackie Fargo, Jerry Jarrett, Tojo Yamamoto, The Masked Interns, Robert Fuller, The Masked Green Shadow, The Samoans, Roy Klein, Mike Pappas, Buddy Wayne, Corsica Joe, Buddy Lever, Eddie Ortiz, Gary Martin, The Masked El Medicos, The Masked Beast, Roy Lee Welch, Carlos Montez, Buddy Fuller, Frank Martinez, Ron Fuller, Tom Drake, The Masked Mr. Wrestling I & II (unmasked as Joe Ball & Bill Helm), The Masked Super Assassins (unmasked as Tony & Carlos Santos), Alex Medina, Jerry Lawler, Don Romero, Dr. Ken Ramey, Blackjack Slade, Joey Rossi, Ramon Perez, Pepe Lopez and others. 

A few female stars also worked in the territory at this time including Lilly Thomas, Sarah Lee, Cora Combs and Sandy Parker.   

The hottest feuds in the area at this time included The Von Brauners against Tojo Yamamoto & Jerry Jarrett and The Greenes against Ron & Robert Fuller. Buddy Fuller came in and worked some matches with his sons at this time. Jackie Fargo was beginning a big year and found himself feuding against Don Greene and later, against Gentleman Saul Weingeroff.  More...