Title Belt Archaeology

 

BUY ON AMAZON

 If you’ve ever wondered what goes into the process of creating a new wrestling championship, both in terms of creative and craftsmanship, Big Gold is here to turn even the most casual wrestling fan into a title belt devotee."
- David Gibb, The Wrestling Estate
"20 Best Wrestling Books Of Last 20 Years"

"...expecting nothing but top-notch research and insight into one of wrestling's most notable belts. I wasn't disappointed. This is a great book."
- Tim Hornbaker on WrestlingClassics.com, author of "National Wrestling Alliance" 

"Like the famous belts Bourne writes about, this book shines with a luster worthy of its own championship crown."
- Mike Mooneyham, Charleston Post & Courier

"The definitive history of the most famous championship wrestling belt in the world."
- Bruce Mitchell, Pro Wrestling Torch

“The Big Gold is a diamond among wrestling belts. And as “Nature Boy” Ric Flair has often proclaimed, Diamonds are forever!”
- James J. Dillon, from the introduction to the book "Big Gold"

"Dick Bourne is the Indiana Jones of title belt archaeology."
- Mike Johnson, PWInsider.com

The Entire Story of the Mid-Atlantic Championship

 

Book's Page at the Mid-Atlantic Gateway Book Store  |  Buy Now on Amazon.com

David Crockett to Appear at 2025 NWA Crockett Cup

Every year, the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA) continues to honor the late Jim Crockett, Sr., legendary promoter in the Southeastern United States for nearly five decades. The NWA hosts and produces the annual Jim Crockett Sr. Memorial Cup tag team tournament, which was originally founded in 1986 by the Crockett family, and revived by the modern day NWA in the 2010s.

Jim Sr.'s son David Crockett, longtime promoter, producer, and television host for Jim Crockett Promotions and World Championship Wrestling (WCW), will once again be in attendance at the Crockett Cup and will present the trophy to the winning team. 

Previously, both Frances Crockett and Jackie Crockett have also attended at least one of the Cup tournaments promoted by the NWA. 

 This year's event is on Saturday, May 17, 2025 at the 2300 Arena in Philadelphia, PA. For ticket info visit:
https://www.nationalwrestlingalliance.com/nwaliveevents

It's great to see that tradition continue, presented respectfully by Billy Corgan and the NWA.

David Crockett with the 2022 winners of the Crockett Cup, Jay and Mark Briscoe

David Crockett and George Pantas with the Crockett Cup trophy in 2022. 

Jackie Caudle's Memorial Service

A beautiful memorial service was held for our friend Jackie Caudle on Thursday, May 8, 2025. Jackie was the sweet wife of Bob Caudle. They were married 76 years. Jackie died on April 24, 2025.

Jackie Caudle wearing her Hulk Hogan-styled boa at her 81st birthday party.

Jackie was fondly remembered by family and friends.

There was a special moment after the service at the reception. David Crockett approached Bob, who at this point was exhausted, but he lit up like a Christmas tree when he saw David. They had a long embrace.

 

David Chappell, Bob Caudle, Dick Bourne, and David Crockett at Jackie's memorial service.

 

It was nice to see Mike Caudle again, Bob's son, who inducted Bob into the inaugural class of the NWA Wrestling Legends Hall of Heroes back in the mid-2000s in Charlotte. It was also nice to meet Bob, Jr. and other members of Bob's family, representing four generations of at this service.

 

David Crockett, Dick Bourne, and Mike Caudle

 

Jackie Caudle and Peggy Lathan in 2011. Two sweet ladies we miss!

 

Jackie and Bob Caudle with Diana Chappell, mid-2010s.

 

 

Rest in peace, Jackie. You were the life of every party, and one of the sweetest people we've ever known. We loved you dearly, and we will miss you so very much.

   

Jackie Caudle Passes Away

It is with sad hearts that we acknowledge the passing of Jackie Caudle, the beloved wife of Bob Caudle. Jackie and Bob were married for over 70 years. Jackie died in Raleigh NC on Thursday night, April 24.

Jackie was a lovely lady, such a sweetheart, and a treasure to all who knew her. She was our dear friend, and will leave an absence in our lives. 

Our condolences and love go out to Bob, to their children, and to all of their family. 

Crockett, Hornbaker to be Honored at Tragos-Thesz Hall of Fame

Congratulations to all of the recently announced inductees and honorees to the Tragos-Thesz Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame Class of 2025, but in particular to Tim Hornbaker (James C Melby Award for journalism) and David Crockett (Gordon Solie Award.) I have so much personal and professional respect for these two individuals. 

The 2025 Tragos-Thesz Hall of Fame inductions are scheduled for July 17-19 at the Dan Gable Museum in Waterloo, Iowa.

A Belt for a Champion

If there was ever a true champion for wrestling fans, especially in the Carolinas and Virginia, it was Bob Caudle.  And a champion needs a belt.

Bob Caudle with his own title belt, a gift from the Mid-Atlantic Gateway, at his home in Raleigh, NC.

Originally published June 18, 2024

One of the things that I've always felt made Bob Caudle so special to wrestling fans from several generations is the fact that he was the steady constant on our televisions every week for near 34 years. The wrestlers came and went, but Bob was the constant. Almost every single week from when he took over for Ray Reeve at WRAL in Raleigh on All Star Wrestling in 1961 to the last days of Smokey Mountain Wrestling in the 1990s, Bob was the constant. 

He is best remembered as the voice of Mid-Atlantic Wrestling throughout the 1970s and 1980s. His friendly smile and welcoming voice was a warm embrace every Saturday afternoon, and the relationship he established with fans transcended that time to where even well into the 2010s, Bob was attending fan conventions and received warmly by fans. 

If there was ever a true champion for wrestling fans, especially in the Carolinas and Virginia, it was Bob Caudle. And a champion needs a belt.

The belt on display at my home before making the trip to Raleigh. Also in this photograph are Bob's Hall of Heroes plaque which he gave to me on my 50th birthday (and I treasure), as well as the photograph used for the main plate of the belt.

 

The Mid-Atlantic Gateway presented Bob with a special, one of a kind, commemorative belt paying tribute to the Voice of Mid-Atlantic Wrestling. It was presented to him and his wife Jackie on June 17, 2024 at his home in Raleigh. 

 

I wasn't sure how Bob would receive it. While he loves reminiscing about the "old days," he generally is not at all interested in holding on to wrestling memorabilia. Soon to be 94 years old, and in a no-holds-bar match against the ravages of father-time, Bob said it will be a tough task for anyone to take this title away from him. "They will bury me with this!" he said with a big smile. 

It was a nice moment with a truly wonderful man.

- D. Bourne                        

From all of us, to all of you....

The original Masked Superstar (Bill Eadie) is seen here at WRAL Studios, in Raleigh, NC, right around Christmastime in the late 2000s.

WRAL was the TV home of Mid-Atlantic Championship Wrestling from 1959-1981. The studio wrestling shows were taped there.

Photograph by Eric Stace.

Take a look back at Mid-Atlantic Christmas Night wrestling cards in the 1970s

* * * * * *

For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. (Luke 2: 11-14 KJV)

* * * * * *

New Book Charts Mid-Atlantic Wrestling: 1971-1973

Charting the Territories Presents:
The 1971-1973 Jim Crockett/Mid-Atlantic Wrestling Almanac
A Book by Al Getz (For more information, visit https://chartingtheterritories.com. )
  UPDATED 12/12/24

Back in May of 2021, author Al Getz sent me some material he had been working on related to a statistical analysis of the "Charlotte territory" (as it was known then) for the year 1973. I was blown away by the detail of his research and presentation.

Working with statistics makes my head hurt. I love reviewing them, but have no patience for compiling them. David Chappell is better at it than I am. But nobody can do it better or has taken as much time to process them than Al Getz, in his books and at his website Charting the Territories.

I am delighted to report that Al has finally completed his first almanac devoted to Jim Crockett Promotions and it covers the years 1971-1973. 1973 in particular was a pivotal, transformational year for the company which makes this collection of statistics and analysis particularly interesting.

This 400-page monster looks at the company from a statistical standpoint from every angle, pillar to post, port to starboard, stem to stern. The amount of research is staggering and the scope is comprehensive. From the talent, to the towns, to the results, this book of statistics and analysis charts it all.

The Gateway was proud to make contributions. When Al contacted me in 2021, he was looking for more detailed information regarding the placement of talent on cards, etc., and so we asked Mark Eastridge (the greatest newspaper researcher we've ever known or come across) if he would allow us to share his vast newspaper ads & results archives with Al to assist with his statistical analysis. Mark was happy to oblige. His collection goes back beyond the 1950s, and he has been building it for decades. Mark's work is featured prominently.

Al has credited the Mid-Atlantic Gateway's Almanac in the past as inspiration for his work. We are honored by that, and are happy to spread the word about this amazing piece of work.

From detailed analysis of every wrestler at every level on the card, to a look at the towns, big and small across the territory, this book covers it all. If you are into the details, you'll love this book. We can't recommend it enough. 

Al Getz is a fellow recipient of the James C. Melby Award for pro-wrestling journalism given each year by the George Tragos / Lou Thesz Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame, part of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame's Dan Gable Museum in Waterloo, Iowa.  

Here is a direct link for people who want to pre-order the book. It is for customers in the continental U.S. only.

You can find more information on the book at the Charting the Territories website and by following author Al Getz on Twitter/X at @AlGetzWrestling.

 - Dick Bourne                   
Mid-Atlantic Gateway                     

* * *

From the back of the book:

Jim Crockett Sr. was a renowned empresario in Charlotte, North Carolina for nearly four decades. In addition to promoting concerts, sporting events, and even the fine arts, his professional wrestling territory stretched across the better part of three states.

Unlike most other territories of the era, Crockett placed a heavy emphasis on tag teams. Rule breaking duos such as Rip Hawk & Swede Hanson, Brute Bernard & the Missouri Mauler, and Gene & Ole Anderson did battle with fan favorite combos including George Becker and Johnny Weaver and
Nelson Royal & Paul Jones.
In the early 1970s, changes were afoot in the Carolinas and Virginia. New stars were brought in to prop up a stale main event scene. One of the most popular wrestlers of th previous twenty years was being nudged - begrudgingly - towards retirement. New blood behind the scenes wanted to reshape (and rename) the promotion to move in a different direction. Two deaths would rock the territory - the second to its very core - prompting the next generation of the Crockett pro wrestling empire to emerge. 

* * *

Author Al Getz will be signing copies of this new book at WrestleCade in Winston-Salem!
For more information, visit https://chartingtheterritories.com.

Series on John Ringley Continues

This week's pro wrestling column in @PostandCourier
READ: https://t.co/Gtzb8q7MMe pic.twitter.com/gtMayQuDOG

— Mike Mooneyham (@ByMikeMooneyham) December 2, 2024