Mid-Atlantic Gateway
I love this photograph.
It's like Georgia Championship Wrestling decided to have a "Bring Your Mid-Atlantic Belt to Work" day.
This is a Gene Gordon photograph from 1977 or 1978 taken at the WTBS Techwood Drive studios. Ric Flair is seen here with the classic red crocodile leather U.S. belt. He was the reigning United States Champion for Jim Crockett Promotions, but was defending the title frequently in the Georgia territory during this time, most notably against Dick Slater and Thunderbolt Patterson.
Also seen in this photo appears to be the NWA Television championship belt (Crockett's TV title) lying on Gordon Solie's desk. I've never been sure what that was about, but still looking into it. (Have info? Contact us.)
Late Edit (4/24/18): That belt lying in front of U.S. Champ Ric Flair was the brand new Georgia T.V. Belt. It looked just like Crockett’s and was presented to champion Thunderbolt Patterson later in the program. That belt was worn by Austin Idol, Bob Armstrong, Blackjack Lanza, Terry Taylor, Terry Funk, and Tommy Rich just to name a few. The story goes that Terry Funk left the territory with it after losing the title to Steve Keirn and the two toned blue Georgia Jr. Heavyweight belt was used for the title until the beautiful one that Jake Roberts and Ronnie Garvin feuded over was introduced…one of my all-time favorites. Love your site!!! - Steve Hendrix, Marietta, GA
And as always, the Champ is "a vision of sartorial splendor", stylin' and profilin' in outstanding 1970s fashion!
