Tri-State Intro Page #2

McGuirk extended the boundaries of the territory during the late 50's by creating booking agreements with local promoters in Fort Smith and Little Rock AR, and Shreveport, LA. This created a weekly backbone for the territory - Monday in Tulsa, Tuesday in Little Rock, Wednesday in Fort Smith, Friday in Oklahoma City, Saturday AM TV taping in OK City, and Saturday night in Shreveport. Eventually, other Louisiana towns such as Monroe, and Alexandria would be opened, along with the afore-mentioned Mississippi sites, so the territory then took on a North/South division.

The Tri-State area enjoyed a 20-year run as a thriving wrestling organization. It was not uncommon for wrestlers to experience a series of sold-out houses from town-to-town during programs that especially got the wrestling fandom aroused. The peak of its popularity was perhaps from 1967-72, as in that five year span many memorable feuds and matches were conducted. Due to a variety of factors, attendance began to wane after this period. The well-known Watt's buyout of the southern arm of the promotion, and its transformation to Mid-South Wrestling, occurred a few years after.

McGuirk retained control of the northern part of the promotion, which was then renamed to Tri-State Wrestling. As the '80's began, his daughter took on the responsibility of managing the territory, and McGuirk semi-retired. Without the creative influence of Watts, who had been the long-time booker, and without the money to compete for the stars of the industry, many of whom were lured to the GCW/TBS matrix or to McMahon-land, the Tri-State region eventually faded from the radar screen. This was a rather ignomius demise for what was once such a vibrant enterprise, but it has at least left us with some classic memories that I will share with you over the coming months.

NEXT MONTH:

The Tri-State Top 10 - the greatest performers of their time.

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