The Greensboro Tournament Photograph

The framed photograph hung in Jim Crockett, Jr.'s office on Briarbend Drive in Charlotte until it closed following the sale of Crockett Promotions to Ted Turner in late 1988. The photo was given to Paul Jones, and it was proudly displayed in Paul's office at his body shop until Paul retired a few years ago. Paul then gave the photo to George South. The inscription reads: "November 9, 1975 /  US Heavyweight Championship Tournament / Southeast Gate Receipt Record / Coliseum - Greensboro, NC."  The photo shows the sold out building, the familiar numbers surrounding the outer walls of the coliseum, and the equally familiar outer rope (complete with tire and cement anchors) around ringside. Ole Anderson and Paul Jones are battling in the ring. Not sure of the referee. Ring announcer Tom Miller and local promoter Joe Murnick can clearly be seen at ringside. We're sure Wally Dusek is in there somewhere, too. Jack Adkisson (aka Fritz Von Erich) might also be at ringside. He was NWA President at the time, and the Greensboro News and Record story on the tournament reported he was part of a five-man crew that served as judges in case of a draw.

The U.S. title was vacated when Johnny Valentine's career was ended by a plane crash in Wilmington, NC in October of 1974. Wrestlers from NWA territories all over the United States came in for the show. Terry Funk defeated Paul Jones in the finals of the tournament to win the title, but would lose the title three weeks later to Jones in the same building on Thanksgiving night. Two weeks after that, Funk would upset Jack Brisco in Miami Beach to win the NWA title, and Paul Jones would become the number one contender.                  -Dick Bourne

George South and Dick Bourne hold the Greensboro photograph 

that once hung in the office of Jim Crockett, Jr.