Buddy Fuller

Buddy Fuller, born Edward Welch, was a second-generation wrestling promoter and wrestler who had a profound impact on the Southeastern wrestling territories in the United States from the 1950s through the 1970s. Fuller was part of the renowned Welch family, which was deeply ingrained in the fabric of Southern wrestling, particularly in Tennessee, Alabama, and Georgia. Buddy Fuller’s promotion efforts helped shape the landscape of professional wrestling in the Southeast, influencing its evolution and growth for decades.

### **Background: The Welch Wrestling Family**

Buddy Fuller was born in 1927 to Roy Welch, one of the most influential wrestling promoters in the Southeastern United States. Roy Welch had established a strong wrestling presence in Tennessee and Alabama, founding several promotions and alliances. Buddy Fuller, following in his father's footsteps, learned the business from a young age and eventually took over several of his father's promotions.

### **Buddy Fuller's Territories and Promotions**

1. **Gulf Coast Championship Wrestling (GCCW) / Southeastern Championship Wrestling:**

- One of Buddy Fuller’s key contributions to wrestling was the establishment of **Gulf Coast Championship Wrestling** (GCCW) in **1956**. Initially based in Mobile, Alabama, GCCW expanded to cover much of the Gulf Coast region, including Mississippi, Louisiana, and the Florida Panhandle. Fuller was instrumental in building GCCW into a viable territory, establishing regular weekly shows in towns across the region.

- Fuller, alongside his brother Lester Welch, brought in top talent from across the country, often sharing talent with other NWA territories. He also promoted many regional stars who became mainstays in the Gulf Coast wrestling scene. Wrestlers like **Lee Fields**, **Bob Kelly**, **The Wrestling Pro**, and **Ronnie Garvin** found their footing in the promotion.

- In **1977**, Fuller decided to expand the territory further by rebranding the promotion as **Southeastern Championship Wrestling** (SECW), with the central office moving to Pensacola, Florida. Under the new banner, SECW continued to prosper, running successful cards in major markets like Mobile, Birmingham, and Pensacola.

2. **NWA Mid-America and Gulas-Welch Wrestling Enterprises:**

- Another key promotion where Buddy Fuller played a significant role was **NWA Mid-America**. This promotion was co-owned with his father, Roy Welch, and **Nick Gulas**, with a base of operations primarily in Nashville, Tennessee. Buddy Fuller actively promoted wrestling in the Tennessee region from the 1950s through the 1970s.

- Mid-America was affiliated with the **National Wrestling Alliance (NWA)** and often featured NWA World Champions defending their titles. The territory was well known for its regional titles, including the NWA Southern Heavyweight Championship (Memphis version) and the NWA Mid-America Heavyweight Championship.

- Buddy Fuller had a contentious relationship with his co-promoter, Nick Gulas. Over time, tensions arose between Gulas and Fuller, primarily due to differing philosophies in booking and management. Fuller preferred a more progressive approach, aiming to expand and modernize the territory, while Gulas was known for a more conservative and old-fashioned style of promotion.

- This tension eventually led to a split in the territory. Buddy Fuller, along with his sons, **Ron Fuller (Ron Welch)** and **Robert Fuller (Col. Robert Parker)**, focused on building up Southeastern Championship Wrestling and moving into new markets.

3. **Georgia Championship Wrestling (GCW):**

- In the early 1970s, Buddy Fuller became a key figure in the promotion of **Georgia Championship Wrestling (GCW)**, which was based in Atlanta, Georgia. He worked alongside **Paul Jones** (the original, not the wrestler) and later **Jim Barnett** after Barnett bought into the promotion. Fuller had a hand in the day-to-day operations and booking of talent.

- During his time with GCW, Fuller helped promote shows at the iconic **Atlanta City Auditorium** and the **Atlanta Municipal Auditorium**. His experience in managing and promoting other territories was valuable in expanding GCW's influence throughout Georgia and beyond.

4. **Continental Championship Wrestling (CCW):**

- In **1985**, Fuller’s son, **Ron Fuller**, rebranded Southeastern Championship Wrestling as **Continental Championship Wrestling (CCW)**. Buddy Fuller, although semi-retired by this point, continued to have an advisory role and occasionally participated in on-screen storylines.

- Continental Championship Wrestling aimed to broaden its reach across the Southeastern United States, and it enjoyed some success with a strong regional television presence and a blend of old-school and newer wrestling styles. This promotion remained a staple in the South until it closed in the late 1980s.

### **Legacy and Influence**

- **Buddy Fuller's Impact on the Wrestling Industry:**

- Buddy Fuller was known for his keen eye for talent and ability to create compelling wrestling programs that blended athletic competition with entertainment. He cultivated a reputation for fairness and loyalty, which earned him respect among wrestlers and other promoters.

- Fuller’s work in the Gulf Coast and Southeastern territories helped lay the groundwork for wrestling promotions in the South, making the region one of the most vibrant wrestling areas in the country during the territory era.

- Many future wrestling stars, including his own sons Ron and Robert Fuller, and others like **Bob Armstrong**, **Jimmy Golden**, **Jerry Stubbs**, and **Arn Anderson**, honed their craft in Fuller’s territories.

- **Transition to the Modern Era:**

- As the wrestling landscape changed in the 1980s, and larger promotions like the **WWF** and **WCW** expanded nationally, Buddy Fuller’s regional territories faced increasing challenges. However, the wrestlers and promotional techniques developed in these territories continued to influence the industry.

- Fuller’s territories provided crucial training grounds and launching pads for many talents who went on to make significant contributions in the national and international wrestling scene.

### **Conclusion**

Buddy Fuller's career as a promoter and wrestler made a lasting mark on professional wrestling, particularly in the Southeastern United States. He successfully managed multiple territories and promotions, adapting to changes in the wrestling industry while nurturing the careers of numerous future stars. His efforts to expand and modernize wrestling in the South paved the way for the evolution of the sport, and his family’s continued involvement in wrestling kept his legacy alive well beyond his own time in the ring.