Mid-Atlantic Wrestling Gateway

Earliest Reference to "Mid-Atlantic" Wrestling by Jim Crockett Promotions

We continue to search for Jim Crockett Promotions' earliest reference to "Mid-Atlantic" in their promotion efforts, either through print advertising or event posters.

 

 

 

 

UPDATED

Trademark Data Illuminates Earlier Date!

 

Current earliest PROMOTIONAL reference:

March 28, 1972  (Raleigh, NC)

 

 

Raleigh Newspaper Ad March 1972

From the collection of Mark Eastridge

 

Local promoter Joe Murnick may have been the earliest to begin using "Mid-Atlantic" as the designation on Crockett Promotions wrestling cards. This Raleigh card is the earliest event we can find billed as "Mid-Atlantic Championship Wrestling." Two nights later in Norfolk, another Murnick town at that time, the show was billed as "Mid-Atlantic Wrestling as well.

 

This is only my speculation at this point, but I am guessing this had something to do with the name of the television show being taped at WRAL in Raleigh being changed from All-Star Wrestling to Mid-Atlantic Championship Wrestling. This was Murnick's TV, so that makes sense to me, if indeed the TV name change took place around this time.

 

Other significant landmarks:

  • July 1973 - First issue of "Mid-Atlantic Magazine", an 8-page black & white publication.

  • September 6, 1973 - The Eastern Heavyweight Championship, the area's top singles title, is changed to the Mid-Atlantic Heavyweight Championship and a new belt is presented. See "Origin of the Mid-Atlantic Heavyweight Championship"

  • October 9, 1973 - The Atlantic Coast Tag Team title, the areas top tag team championship, is changed to the Mid-Atlantic Tag Team Championship. Sandy Scott and Nelson Royal defeated Ole and Gene Anderson for the Atlantic Coast Titles in Raleigh on 10/2 and were recognized the next week 10/9 as new Mid-Atlantic Tag Team Champions. You can read about this as well in the Mid-Atlantic tag team title history.

  • February 27, 1974 - The first Mid-Atlantic TV title is awarded to tournament winner Danny Miller, who defeats Ole Anderson in the finals at a WRAL television taping in Raleigh NC. The match airs on 3/2/74. You can see the newspaper ad for the TV final by clicking here. You can read about this as well in the Mid-Atlantic TV title history.

TRADEMARK DATA

"Mid-Atlantic" Reference: 12/31/1971 -  First Use in Commerce: 12/31/1971

 

http://www.wysk.com/index/north-carolina/city-not-specified/86grvw6/jim-crockett-promotions-inc/trademarks

Thanks to Kyra Quinn at the State College office of the Mid-Atlantic Gateway - Updated 3/18/2015

HOW YOU CAN HELP

"Mid-Atlantic" Reference

If you come across a newspaper ad (or any other reference) to "Mid-Atlantic Wrestling" earlier than our reference above, please let us know. You can e-mail us by clicking here.

 

UPDATED MAR. 18, 2015 - TRADEMARK DATA DATE (KQ) GIVES EARLIEST DATE

 

PREVIOUS UPDATES

UPDATED JAN. 23, 2005

UPDATED JUN. 19, 2007 - MID-ATLANTIC TAG TEAM AND TV TITLE DATES ESTABLISHED

UPDATED SEP. 14, 2007

UPDATED AUG. 24, 2008 - CORRECTED TAG CHAMPION INFO; ADDED TAG TITLE TRANSITION CLIPPINGS TO PAGE

UPDATED MAR. 18, 2015 - TRADEMARK DATA DATE

 

 

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