The first match on our list of Upset/Surprises happened in 1976 as a newcomer to MACW, Greg Valentine, won the belt from Tim "Mr. Wrestling" Woods.  Valentine would then engage in a couple of interesting title switches with veteran MACW star Rufus R. "Freight Train" Jones.  Jones was always a top mid-card wrestler for many years, but did manage to hold championships during his career in JCP. 

Another chapter in the Ric Flair/Ricky Steamboat saga was a huge upset scored by Steamboat in 1977 when he took Flair's TV title after being in the area for a short time.  This match was the first big money match between these two, and their feud/friendship would last well into the 90's.  Much like as Sting's 45-minute draw against Flair at the inaugural Clash of The Champions in 1988, this televised win by The Dragon catapulted him into the wrestling spotlight. 

The last entry here goes to one of my favorite wrestlers throughout the years...Mike Rotundo.  On Christmas night in Charlotte of his rookie year 1982, Rotundo toppled the huge mountain of a man known as "Bad Bad" Leroy Brown!  I was there that night, and the electricity during that match was awesome.  Rotundo didn't back down from the bigger, more experienced Brown and finally captured the pinfall.  A side note to this card, it was the one and only time I got to see Bruiser Brody wrestle live.  That was almost as big a surprise as Rotundo's victory! 

So, there you have it.  A look back at some of the surprises and upsets that frequented the Mid Atlantic territory for so many years. 

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