It was supposed to be an old-school partnership. Jim Crockett Promotions was stepping in for a merger with Championship Wrestling from Florida. The promotions would have a talent swap, share their biggest cities, as well as their television exposure.Then it was over. Why? According to our current Guest Booker, the late Mike Graham, son of CWF’s legendary Eddie Graham, the fix was in from the beginning. He alleges that it was Crockett’s plan all along. The merger was an attempt to infiltrate and bankrupt the Florida territory that the Graham family had spent a lifetime cultivating.Mike Graham was dad Eddie’s best friend. He was the only man alive with the insight into Eddie’s mind and the intricate machinations of his business, and Florida wrestling as a whole. Learn about Florida, Eddie,running the territory, fighting Crockett, Dusty’s departure and its effect on Eddie. And ultimately, the details surrounding the untimely death of Eddie Graham, told eerily enough by the son that would meet his fate soon after this taping.00:00 Introduction to Championship Wrestling from Florida00:32 The Merger Attempt with Jim Crockett Promotions01:03 Guest Booker: Mike Graham's Perspective02:00 Eddie Graham's Legacy and Influence03:05 Mike Graham's Early Wrestling Career03:27 Transition to New York and Meeting Vince McMahon Sr.06:49 The Philosophy of Booking and Wrestling Psychology09:06 Challenges in the Wrestling Business39:36 The Decline of Championship Wrestling from Florida46:11 The Downfall of Florida Wrestling48:16 Jimmy and Dusty's Booking Decisions49:03 Personal Reflections and Dusty's Role51:37 The Decline of Championship Wrestling from Florida54:19 Transition to WCW and New Challenges55:10 WCW 2000: Behind the Scenes55:40 The Benoit Controversy01:03:20 WCW's Financial Mismanagement01:09:24 Hypothetical Merger: CWF and JCP01:10:10 Evaluating Wrestling Talent01:28:27 Concluding Thoughts and Reflections

The white-hot Four Horsemen were storming through Jim Crockett Promotions as 1987 began. Fans came out by the tens of thousands to see them hopefully get their comeuppance. They were hated and loved for being hated. But no one knew that an implosion to that original Horsemen line-up was coming. Heck, who thought Ole would ever be cheered?!But as good as business was, subtle shifts began to signal potential trouble. Crockett moves his entire operation to Dallas upon expanding there, incurring sizable expenses. Ron Garvin would win the Heavyweight title as houses began to suffer. What was to come?Join arguably the most hated member of wrestling’s most notorious faction ever, as Tully Blanchard sits down with you to draw back the curtain on everything happening in 1987.– Ole’s split– Tagging with Arn– The U.S. Title– The Dallas Expansion– Bunkhouse Stampedes– Dusty the booker– Lex Luger, Horseman… and MUCH MORE00:00 Introduction to Wrestling in the 80s01:34 The Significance of the TV Title05:36 Barry Windham and the Horsemen06:42 Crockett's Expansion and Cable TV10:00 Lex Luger Joins the Horsemen12:57 The Role of Heel and Babyface Champions14:40 The Philosophy of Wrestling Shows53:41 The Crockett Cup and Teaming with Lex01:08:08 Memories of Mark Fleming and Norfolk, Virginia01:09:03 The Art of Making People Mad01:09:35 Behind the Scenes: Authenticity in Wrestling01:12:36 Chemistry and Failed Re-creations01:13:04 The Wild 80s: Partying and Valets01:14:29 Adaptability and Wrestling Styles01:16:43 Fan Interactions and Safety01:28:02 War Games and Gimmick Matches01:33:11 Blading and Commitment to Performance01:57:34 The Rise of the Horsemen02:10:12 Reflections on 1987 and the End of an Era

We’re off once again…back in time to the years of regional territories in pro wrestling. For this edition, host Jim Cornette sits down with the venerable J.J. Dillon for a comprehensive examination of the Crocketts’ Mid Atlantic Wrestling.In what can best be described as a tale of two territories, you’ll see the style and formulas used by Jim Crockett Sr, and then the direction and decisions that his family implemented after his death in the 70s.J.J. Dillon is the perfect guest for this edition of the show, having worked in both Crockett eras and also having worked as a manager and office personnel. He and Jim paint a vivid and living picture of the Mid Atlantic era like no one has before.This journey back through one of pro wrestling’s most celebrated territories is made even more special with the inclusion of over one hour of lost Mid Atlantic Wrestling footage, thanks to Jim Cornette’s collection of film he purged from the dumpsters of TBS after the sale of Crockett promotions.Get ready to hop in with JJ and Jim and go BACK TO THE TERRITORIES00:00 Introduction to the Tale of Two Territories00:51 The Legacy of Jim Crockett Sr.02:02 Welcome to Back to the Territories02:30 James J. Dillon's Early Career in Charlotte02:55 The History of Jim Crockett Promotions04:55 Meeting Jim Crockett Sr.05:28 The Carolinas Wrestling Scene in the 1970s08:22 The National Wrestling Alliance and Its Champions21:38 The Tag Team Territory Era42:21 Local Promoters and Their Influence51:53 The Transition to Singles Wrestling01:01:54 The Impact of Jim Crockett Sr.'s Death01:17:15 The Rise of Jim Crockett Jr. and the New Era01:30:33 Dusty Rhodes: A Wrestling Legend01:31:24 Johnny Valentine: The Real Deal01:34:31 Wahoo McDaniel: The Tough Competitor01:41:31 The Rise of Ric Flair01:43:16 The Importance of Championships01:44:57 Dory Funk Jr.: A Champion's Legacy02:21:04 The Influence of Eddie Graham02:26:14 The Formation of The Four Horsemen02:28:05 Dusty Rhodes' Booking Style02:29:20 Jim Crockett Promotions: The Family Legacy02:37:02 Jimmy Crockett's Reserved Nature02:37:41 The Crockett Family Reunion02:38:22 Jimmy Crockett Takes Responsibility02:39:59 The TBS Time Slot and Vince McMahon02:42:47 The Rise of Jim Crockett Promotions02:47:32 The Great American Bash and Expansion02:48:23 The Decline of Jim Crockett Promotions03:12:22 The Sale to Turner Broadcasting03:17:45 The Legacy of Mid-Atlantic Wrestling03:23:15 Final Reflections and FarewellJoin this channel to get access to perks:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOTZzb1tdtCzLBaOGczlLYQ/join