Dory Detton

Dory Detton was a professional wrestling promoter who operated in the Amarillo territory, an important wrestling region in West Texas. His work in the area laid the groundwork for the success of the Amarillo wrestling territory, which would later be taken over and expanded by **Dory Funk Sr.** The Amarillo territory became one of the most famous territories in the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA) due to its unique style, memorable talent, and the strong family ties of the Funk family.

### **Early History and Entry into Wrestling Promotion**

Dory Detton began his career as a professional wrestler in the 1930s and 1940s before transitioning into promoting. His experience as a wrestler gave him a strong understanding of the business and the intricacies involved in running a successful promotion. By the late 1940s, Detton decided to focus on promoting wrestling events in Amarillo, Texas, which at the time was a growing city with a strong working-class population, perfect for the regional wrestling scene.

### **Founding the Amarillo Territory (1946)**

Detton founded the **Amarillo wrestling territory** in **1946**, promoting regular shows at venues like the **Amarillo Sports Arena**. He built a loyal following in the area by providing fans with a mix of tough, physical wrestling and colorful personalities. Detton's promotion focused on strong, athletic contests that highlighted the rugged style typical of West Texas wrestling, a style known for its realism and intense rivalries.

During the initial years, Detton faced challenges in establishing a stable roster of talent, as many wrestlers traveled between different territories looking for better opportunities. However, he was able to develop a solid core of local wrestlers and imported talent from neighboring territories, which helped him build a reputation for quality wrestling shows.

### **Joining the National Wrestling Alliance (1948)**

When the **National Wrestling Alliance (NWA)** was formed in **1948**, Dory Detton's Amarillo promotion became a charter member. The NWA was an organization created to bring together independent wrestling promotions across the United States and Canada under a single governing body. Membership in the NWA provided Detton with several advantages, such as access to the NWA World Heavyweight Champion and the ability to book top-tier talent from other NWA territories.

As part of the NWA, Detton hosted numerous NWA World Heavyweight Championship defenses in Amarillo, featuring stars like **Lou Thesz**, **Pat O'Connor**, and **Buddy Rogers**. This association brought increased prestige to the territory, and Amarillo became an important stop for wrestlers on the NWA circuit.

### **Challenges and the Sale to Dory Funk Sr. (1955)**

By the early 1950s, Dory Detton faced challenges in maintaining the territory. The West Texas region was relatively isolated, and the territory needed constant fresh talent and compelling storylines to keep fans interested. Additionally, Detton's promotion was relatively small compared to other, more established territories, making it difficult to compete for talent and market share.

In **1955**, Dory Detton decided to sell the Amarillo territory to **Dory Funk Sr.**, a former professional wrestler and promoter. Funk Sr. had a vision for expanding the territory and building upon the foundation laid by Detton. The two men had worked together before, and Funk Sr. saw potential in the Amarillo territory to grow into a major wrestling hub in the Southwest.

### **The Funk Family Era and the Territory's Growth**

Under Dory Funk Sr., the Amarillo territory became known as **Western States Sports** and experienced significant growth. Funk Sr. expanded the territory's reach, promoting shows not only in Amarillo but also in cities across West Texas and parts of New Mexico, Colorado, and Oklahoma. He continued the rugged, athletic style of wrestling that Detton had established but added a more strategic approach to booking and talent development.

The Funk family, including Dory Funk Sr.'s sons **Dory Funk Jr.** and **Terry Funk**, became the territory's top stars, helping to attract both local and national attention. Dory Funk Jr. would go on to win the NWA World Heavyweight Championship in **1969**, further elevating the profile of the Amarillo territory. Terry Funk, known for his wild, unpredictable style, also became a major draw and would eventually win the NWA World Heavyweight Championship in **1975**.

### **The Legacy of Dory Detton in Amarillo Wrestling**

While Dory Detton's time as the promoter of the Amarillo territory was relatively short, his work laid the foundation for its later success under the Funk family. Detton's vision of building a wrestling territory in West Texas helped establish Amarillo as a legitimate market for professional wrestling and a vital part of the NWA's network of territories.

Detton's contribution was essential in developing the fan base and infrastructure needed to sustain a wrestling territory in a relatively remote region. The rugged, realistic style of wrestling that he promoted became a hallmark of the Amarillo territory, influencing the style and culture of wrestling in the Southwest for decades to come.

### **Final Years and Legacy**

After selling the Amarillo territory, Dory Detton remained active in the wrestling business but never regained the same level of prominence. He continued to promote smaller shows and occasionally worked with other NWA-affiliated promotions. Despite stepping away from promoting full-time, Detton remained respected for his early efforts to build professional wrestling in West Texas.

Detton's work with the Amarillo territory helped set the stage for the Funk family's success and the territory's growth into a significant player in the NWA. His efforts are remembered as an important part of the rich tapestry of wrestling history in the United States, particularly in the often-overlooked Southwest region.