Crockett has become one of the more unsung figures in wrestling history. It's a shame because he played a major role in shaping that history.

He took over the humble Mid Atlantic territory when his father passed away in 1973. By the mid 80s Jim Crockett's Carolina-based territory had become synonymous with the letters NWA as he consolidated power over the other NWA promotions and went national.

Perennial NWA Champion Ric Flair was a Crockett Guy. Crockett was able to parlay his own hot territory and control of The Champ into competing with Vince. Crockett also gave the world Ricky Steamboat, the Four Horsemen, Starrcade, Great American Bash, and a bunch of other things that have stood the test of time. He was the #2 promoter in America for a few years in the 80s and the territory he ran would morph into WCW when Ted Turner bought his company in 1988. Old timers who worked for Crockett frequently put him over in shoot interviews. Working for Jim Crockett was the Glory Days for guys like the Horsemen and Jim Cornette. Certainly a far cry from the vitriol resolved for the likes of Jim Herd. 

RIP Jim Crockett Jr.

Sad news.

Jim has been out of the public eye since before I was even born, but the mid-80s was a hot bed for Professional Wrestling which he was front row and centre for. It's still a period I'm not overly familiar so I'd be keen to get some recommendations or general impressions.

RIP Jim.

Mar 5, 2021 4:24:14 GMT Big Pete said:

It's still a period I'm not overly familiar so I'd be keen to get some recommendations or general impressions.

Clash of the Champions I from 3/27/88 is probably your best bet from a supershow standpoint. 

But you can't go wrong with any random episode of their tv from 86-88 if you just want to get a feel for the promotion. You can bank on a hot crowd, some good promos, and wild and wooly action with more star vs. star interaction than you'd get from that promotion up North. You can probably even go back before '86, but I think that's a good starting point because the Horsemen have formed and both Expresses + the Road Warriors have arrived.