Tag: Jim Barnett

This “From the Pages of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter” edition of the DragonKing Karl Classic Wrestling Show is less of an obituary for Jim Wilson, who was a rather minor footnote in wrestling history, and more of an extensive history of Jim Barnett-era pro wrestling.

Wilson, a college football standout in Georgia, became a pro wrestler and claimed to have been considered as a future NWA World champion. However, he also claimed his career was derailed by Barnett with whom he would feud with and battle in court for the rest of his life. He even wrote a book called Chokehold detailing his experiences.

This story touches on tons of history from Australia to Georgia to WCW. This is an incredible history piece from Dave Meltzer of which I also had some personal involvement.

Hear that and more on this week’s DragonKing Karl show.

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im Barnett, the last link to the beginning of television wrestling, and for most of the past 55 years, one of the most influential people in the industry, passed away on 9/17 at the age of 80.

Barnett and Sam Muchnick were considered the two most powerful promoters during most of the NWA’s glory period, even though Barnett was actually never an official member until 1969, and for years, other promoters didn’t even want him at meetings. Along with Vince McMahon Sr., and later Eddie Graham, they were the probably most influential men on the promotional end of the industry during the 60s and 70s. He was in the middle of many of the biggest deals and changes that shaped the real changes in wrestling history. He was a charming figure, and with the possible exception of Stu Hart, perhaps the most imitated man in the industry with his effeminate, “Tom, my boy,” entree.

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