This month, I shall list for you ten of the defining moments in Mid Atlantic Championship wrestling.  This list will be chronological in nature, as I think it would be extremely difficult to rate particular moments better or more important than others.  The time frame that will be covered here will be from 1973 (when the Mid Atlantic name came into use) through 1986.  Let’s begin!  

October 1973 

This was when the territory run by Jim Crockett first began using the Mid Atlantic moniker for their championships.  Prior to this, they were referred to as either “Eastern Heavyweight Championship” or the “Atlantic Coast Tag Team Championships”.  The change thrust the new “Mid Atlantic” name into the public eye.  It became one of the most recognizable territories that ran under the banner of the National Wrestling Alliance.  Mid Atlantic Championship Wrestling had many top stars at the time of its changeover and many more brought in soon after to continue the action.  Names like Johnny Valentine, Wahoo McDaniel, Ric Flair, Tim Woods, Blackjack Mulligan, and Paul Jones brought MACW to the forefront of the wrestling world. 

May 13^th, 1974 

The Ric Flair era begins in Mid Atlantic wrestling.  Flair, who turned pro on December 10^th, 1972 and wrestled for the first 18 months of his career for Verne Gagne’s American Wrestling Association, moved to the Mid Atlantic territory to launch what is the greatest wrestling career of my generation.  He defeated Abe Jacobs in his first JCP match and never looked back!  Flair was brought into MACW on the urging of legendary Mid Atlantic wrestler Wahoo McDaniel.  Wahoo had seen Flair wrestle in the AWA and immediately realized his potential in the business.  Flair became a true legend while competing in MACW and is still going strong today, a mere 30 years later! 

October 6^th, 1975 

One of the darkest days in JCP history.  It was on this day that the career, and almost the life, of the great Johnny Valentine ended. Not only was Valentine injured in the crash, but also Bob Bruggers (former Miami Dolphin football player), Tim “Mr. Wrestling” Woods, Ric Flair, and promoter David Crockett were on board the flight.  Bruggers was also hurt and his career practically ended that evening.  Flair suffered a broken back, but amazingly returned to action by the following February.  Tim Woods was listed under his real name of George Burrell Woodin to avoid media attention to himself.  The pilot of the flight was Joseph Michael Farkas.  Farkas later died from the injuries he sustained in the crash.  Jim Crockett Promotions was hit hard by this event, as it took away one of their top stars in Valentine and nearly everyone on the plane perished as well. 

February 1977 

Another virtually unknown wrestler makes his way into the Mid Atlantic territory.  Again, from a recommendation from Wahoo McDaniel, this rookie by the name of Richard Blood made his debut.  He wasn’t billed as Richard Blood, though.  His wrestling name was one that would become almost as famous as his future top rival.  He was billed as “Ricky Steamboat”, the nephew of former Mid Atlantic star Sam Steamboat.  If fact, Ricky wasn’t related to Sam, but it made for a good angle and the fans immediately took to the young lion.  Steamboat would rise quickly in the pro ranks, being featured in a feud with Ric Flair that would span over a decade.  Anytime a Flair-Steamboat match was on the card, you would be guaranteed spectacular action.  Many times, these two would battle for 30 minutes, 60 minutes, or even longer! 

September 10^th, 1977 

During the weekly Mid Atlantic television program, the reigning TV Champion Wahoo McDaniel put his title on the line against Greg “The Hammer” Valentine’s $1,000 in silver dollars.  It was during this match that Valentine “broke” Wahoo’s leg!  This action would solidify Greg as one of the most hated wrestlers in this area.  This angle is one of the best ever, not only in Mid Atlantic wrestling history, but also of any territory and any time frame.  The classic picture of Greg coming out on TV the next week wearing the “I BROKE WAHOO’S LEG” tee-shirt is a memory that all wrestling fans will remember.   More...