Wrestle Art: Orlando (1970)

 

  curated by Dick Bourne, Mid-Atlantic Gateway

I've always enjoyed the various wrestler artwork that appeared in various ads for wrestling around the country. I've decided to display some examples of those from time to time here on the Gateway.

Here is one of my favorites. The Orlando, Florida ads in the 1970s featured this unique, eye-cathcing design at the top of a vertical newspaper ad. It features one wrestler applying a top wrist lock to another.

Here also, I've kept the main event, the definitive feud of the 1970s - - Dory Funk, Jr. vs. Jack Brisco. In this case, its August 10, 1970 and Funk is defending the NWA title.

Special thanks to Mark Eastridge for access to his unmatched collection of wrestling clippings from all over the country going back decades. I look forward to sharing more Wrestle Art in future posts.

Happy Birthday, Big Gold!

Big Gold Turns 30

by Dick Bourne
Mid-Atlantic Gateway

February 14, Valentine's Day, is the 30th anniversary of the debut of what many consider the greatest world championship belt in the history of the sport. it is without question the most beautiful.

Photograph by Dick Bourne

At the Battle of the Belts II event in Orlando, FL, on 2/14/1986, Ric Flair debuted the belt that would become known as "Big Gold" before his NWA world title defense against Barry Windham.

The first glimpse we got of the belt was when Flair interviewed with Buddy Colt in the dressing room only moments before his match with Windham. Below is the transcript of Flair's words to Colt as he showed the world the new belt for the first time.

Page 161 from the book "Big Gold" by Dick Bourne

 
There is an entire chapter in the book "Big Gold" devoted to that special night in Orlando, including a special section of beautiful color photographs of the belt with the robe Ric Flair wore to the ring. Lots of memorabilia, too, including the event program, event line-up sheet, newspaper and TV Guide ads, a special interview with Flair, and a detailed account of what went down that night.

The FULL COLOR, 250 page book is available on Amazon.com. For more information, visit this page.