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Watch When Giants Walked Here on PBS

A PBS NC Original Production

Raleigh’s Dorton Arena is famed the world over for its groundbreaking architecture. Its greatest untold legacy, however, is its place in the history of a Southern mainstay: pro wrestling. This documentary chronicles the rise and fall of pro wrestling at the iconic venue, examining its impact on generations of fans, competitors and the sport itself.

Watch When Giants Walked Here, streaming now online and on the PBS app. Find airtimes across PBS NC & the North Carolina Channel on our TV Schedules page.

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The People of When Giants Walked Here

Meet those featured in the film, in order of appearance.

Archival Images from the Film

Dorton Arena architect Matthew Nowicki (center) and wife Stanislawa Nowicki in conversation with Henry Kamphoefner, Dean of the NC State School of Design, on the balcony at Carolina Country Club. 1949. Photographer: Bill Garrett.

Matthew Nowicki architectural drawing of plans for the North Carolina Fairgrounds, featuring an early rendering of what would become Dorton Arena.

Earliest known advertisement for a wrestling show in Dorton Arena. The News and Observer, February 26, 1963.

Preliminary wrestlers Kim Duk and Abe Jacobs open a night of wrestling in Dorton Arena. November 12, 1980. Photographer: Harry Lynch.

“Rowdy” Roddy Piper backstage at Dorton Arena. November 12, 1980. Photographer: Harry Lynch.

“Rowdy” Roddy Piper feels the squeeze from Ricky “The Dragon” Steamboat in Dorton Arena. November 12, 1980. Photographer: Harry Lynch.

“The American Dream” Dusty Rhodes sporting his Television Wrestling Championship backstage at Dorton Arena. April 3, 1985.

“The American Dream” Dusty Rhodes in combat with Tully Blanchard in Dorton Arena. April 3, 1985.

Devoted fans take in the action in Dorton Arena. April 3, 1985.

The Russians, Ivan and Nikita Koloff, take in the Southern fans’ jeers in Dorton Arena. August 1, 1985.

Patriotic fans make their allegiance known in Dorton Arena. August 1, 1985.

Fan-favorite Magnum T.A. looks to the fans for strength in a United States Title matchup against champion Tully Blanchard in Dorton Arena. August 1, 1985.