Tag: Jim Crockett Jr.

March 8, 2021 Observer Newsletter: Death of Jim Crockett Jr., NXT moving to Tuesday

Posted on by Bryan Rose

Jim Crockett Jr., who ran what was generally one of the two strongest U.S. wrestling promotions for most of the period from 1976 until 1988, passed away on 3/3.

Jim Crockett Jr., who has been suffering kidney issues in the past, contracted COVID-19 some time back and never recovered. Due to his prior health issues, it hospitalized him and led to his kidneys and liver failing. He made the call this past week to remove himself from dialysis after being told that his organs were failing and went into Hospice care.

Crockett Jr, 76, promoted pro wrestling from 1974 through 1995. He took over control of Jim Crockett Promotions, a company started by his father in 1935, after his brother-in-law, John Ringley, was supposed to take over after “Big Jim’s” death on April 1, 1973 of a heart attack at the age of 63. Ringley was caught cheating on Frances Crockett, the older sister of Jim Jr. and David Crockett, and was ousted from the business.

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Wrestling promoter Jim Crockett Jr. passes away at 76 years old

Posted on by Josh Nason

Jim Crockett Jr. passed away at 76 years old Wednesday, succumbing to liver and kidney failure brought on by a bout with COVID-19.

Previous health issues combined with the virus exacerbated the worsening of his condition.

Dave Meltzer first reported last Saturday that things were looking grim for the legendary wrestling promoter. Robert Gibson of the Rock ‘n’ Roll Express first posted about Crockett’s passing on Facebook.

Wrestling was in his blood as his father founded Jim Crockett Promotions with Jr. taking over in 1977, several years after his father’s death. Before that, he was a short-term owner of two minor league baseball teams. He became NWA President in 1980, the first of three terms he served in that position over the subsequent 11 years.

During his second term as president, he purchased the famed Saturday night time slot Vince McMahon owned on WTBS, eventually creating the World Championship Wrestling TV show institution. JCP would eventually re-position itself as the NWA as Crockett Jr. owned six territories and was president at the time. During his time, he helped both create and enhance stars like Ric Flair, Dusty Rhodes, Ricky Steamboat, Roddy Piper, The Andersons, Jimmy Snuka, and so many others.

He sold the company to Ted Turner in 1988 who renamed the organization World Championship Wrestling after its TV namesake. Crockett Jr. flirted with getting back into the business several times, but eventually settled on a life in Texas outside the business. He was preparing 

Wrestling promoter Jim Crockett Jr. in grave condition

Posted on by Josh Nason

On Saturday’s Wrestling Observer Radio, Dave Meltzer reported that legendary wrestling promoter Jim Crockett Jr. is in “grave condition” as both his liver and kidneys are failing.

“It’s not looking good,” Meltzer said.

Nothing else regarding the 76-year-old’s condition is known at this time.

Wrestling was in Crockett Jr.’s family as his father founded Jim Crockett Promotions which Junior took over in 1977 after his father’s death in 1973. Before that, he was an short-term owner of two minor league baseball teams. He became NWA President in 1980, the first of three terms he served in that position over the next 11 years.

During his second term, he purchased the Saturday night time slot Vince McMahon owned on WTBS and the rest is history. JCP eventually re-positioned itself as the NWA as he owned six territories and was president of the organization. 

He sold JCP to Ted Turner in 1988 who renamed the organization World Championship Wrestling. Once again, the rest is history. He flirted with getting back into the business several times, but instead settled on a life outside the business in Texas.