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 12/22/24
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.