Have you ever been asked to pick your favorite food, favorite movie, or even your favorite sibling? Those can be very tough decisions, to say the least! I feel that way when I am asked to pick the all time most popular or most hated wrestler from the Mid Atlantic era. There were many great heroes and villains to choose from. I think it is fairer to make this list chronological than trying to rate one wrestler over another. So, without further adieu…

Johnny Weaver

A huge draw for Crockett Promotions during his career. His smooth style and down-home personality won over many fans all around the Carolinas and Virginia. He always reminded me of Andy Griffith with his demeanor and looks.

Jerry Brisco

The very first Mid Atlantic Heavyweight champion. He was the reigning Eastern Heavyweight champion when JCP renamed the title in October of 1973. He battled all challengers, including such foes as Rip Hawk, Ole Anderson and Johnny Valentine during his title runs.

Paul Jones

Won many titles here in MACW. From the Mid Atlantic Heavyweight title, the MA Tag Team titles, to the US title, Paul Jones had a large and vocal following. Although he did turn heel in the late 70’s, his legacy as a face is virtually unmatched in MACW.

Wahoo McDaniel

A former NFL player who also excelled in pro wrestling. His feud with the late Johnny Valentine is regarded as one of the all time top feuds of wrestling. His popularity reached such heights that fans would almost riot whenever he lost a match.

Ricky Steamboat

Steamboat was immensely successful during his MACW career. The fact that he was the number one rival of the hated Ric Flair, often dethroning Flair from the Nature Boy’s title pedestals, really vaulted Steamboat to the top of ladder in JCP.

Tony Atlas

Atlas brought youthful enthusiasm and VERY big muscles to JCP. The fans loved his power and strength as he battled all of the local bad guys. His 1978 feud against Olympic strongman Ken Patera provided MACW fans with some classic battles.

Roddy Piper

Piper could rile up an audience just by his appearance. His mic skills are second to none and his volatile personality simple exudes confidence and unpredictability. How can anyone forget the courage he displayed in that great Starrcade 1983 Dog Collar Match against Greg Valentine?

Jimmy “Boogie Woogie” Valiant

Had literally had an army of followers. His fans were as intense as the “Boy From New York City” was. His ring style was as off-the-wall as could be. Any arena in JCP would explode when his music would start and the crowd would be in frenzy by the time Valiant arrived to the ring.

Dusty Rhodes

Rhodes was well known before he arrived in JCP, but he was still extremely popular here. The American Dream had many great matches with Ric Flair, Nikita Koloff, and others during his stay in MACW.

Magnum TA