September 28, 1973 in Richmond, Virginia

Jerry Brisco defends his new Mid -Atlantic Heavyweight Championship belt against Bobby Shane.

My first look at Championship Wrestling from Florida

        On Saturday morning May 29, 1965 Johnny Weaver flew down to Tampa, Florida to face Big Bob Orton in a televised match. Near the end of the match, Johnny Weaver rolled Bob Orton up. At that point Bill Dromo jumped up on the side of the ring. At the count of two Bob Orton pushed Johnny off causing Johnny to collide with Bill Dromo. Bob Orton was then able to pin Johnny Weaver. On July 31. 1965, Charlie Harville interviewed Bob Orton while showing the tape of this match from Florida. This was my introduction to Championship Wrestling from Florida and Gordon Solie. By the end of the year the CWF show started airing on WBTV 3 in Charlotte, NC on Tuesday nights at 11:30. My brothers and I would go to bed early then get back up in time to watch the show with the tv volume turned down low. This worked pretty good for quite awhile until our parents caught us up that late on a school night. Luckily  for us the show later moved to another Charlotte channel and aired in prime time on Saturday nights.

WCSC 5 in Charleston, SC 1967

All Star Wrestling with Bob Caudle aired in South Carolina, Virginia and West Virginia during the 1960's and early 1970's. Brute Bernard and Skull Murphy are the wrestlers in the ad.

1962 "Live Wrestling" at WNOK 19 in Columbia, SC

For several years I have had this TV listing from South Carolina. My interest in it lies in the live studio wrestling show that debuted on Saturday February 3, 1962  and aired for one year until Saturday February 2, 1963. I have always believed this had to be a show associated with Jim Crockett Promotions. Today I posted the TV listing on Facebook seeking info. Kriss Knights who has access to "The State" newspaper archives provided the clippings to confirm what I had long believed. Jim Paul, popular WNOK sportscaster was the host of this show. Many thanks to Kriss Knights!

Atlantic Coast Wrestling 1988

Ted Turner bought Jim Crockett Promotions in November 1988. Nelson Royal held his first Atlantic Coast Wrestling tv taping on Wednesday November 16, 1988 at the Mooresville, NC Senior High School. I wish the promotion could have lasted.

Southern Wrestling Alliance is formed in 1953

         On Saturday May 2, 1953, a group of southern wrestling promoters gathered in Atlanta, Georgia. It was there that this group formed the Southern Wrestling Alliance. Jim Crockett was elected as the first President. On September 1, 1953 the Smith brothers, John and Al won the Southern tag team trophy and jackets from Herb and Roy Welch in Nashville, TN. More than six thousand fans saw the September 8, 1953 rematch at the Fairgrounds Coliseum in Nashville, TN. The referee that night was Jack Dempsey. After winning the tag team trophy and jackets, John and Al Smith began defending their title throughout the area covered by the Southern Wrestling Alliance. There were times when newspapers referred to the Alliance as Association. The last reference I have been able to find is from Florida in 1969.

Lexington, NC on Saturday March 29, 1969

The late Gene Gordon covered the match between Rip Hawk/Swede Hanson and the Missouri Mauler/Hiro Matsuda. Mr. Gordon's work lives on through his wonderful photos.

Crockett Promotions vs. All South Wrestling Alliance (Ann Gunkel)

The two promotions go head to head once again on Thursday September 26, 1974 in Orangeburg, SC.

Crockett Promotions vs. All South Wrestling Alliance (Ann Gunkel)

Thursday September 12, 1974 in Orangeburg, SC.

The night Matti Suzuki turned on Johnny Weaver

I was able to see this match on the syndicated show, All Star Wrestling, airing on WSLS 10 from Roanoke, VA. The credit for this photo of Matti Suzuki and the excellent story goes to fan/photographer James Reeves from Goose Creek, SC.