Welcome to the first article regarding the NWA region. This region, that came to be known simply as the NWA (generally used to describe a group of affiliated regions) consisted of what was formerly Georgia Championship Wrestling, and Mid-Atlantic Championship Wrestling. While both of these regions were, in the past, successful on their own, the decision was made to merge the two into one in April of 1985 and refer to it simply as the NWA. It should be noted however, that there were still several other promotions, that while operating in their own regions (Don Owen's Portland promotion, for example), were still considered a part of the NWA though referred to separately, and not included in the Carolina based NWA.

I want to start by taking a look at the hottest year ever in the Jim Crockett Promotions era… 1989. While it was big money losing year, it provided the best action arguably ever by a promotion. This look at 1989 will be a multi-part series.

It was the year that solidified Ric Flair as the best wrestler of that era. He took on challenges successfully and unsuccessfully from his two greatest rivals, Rick Steamboat and Terry Funk.

On January 14, 1989 on WTBS Saturday Night, Eddie Gilbert challenged Ric Flair and Barry Windham to a tag team match. Eddie said he would not reveal his partner until next week. Who would have known that this angle would have ignited two of wrestling's hottest feuds?