Nick Gulas

Nick Gulas was a major figure in the Southern wrestling scene, known for his role as a promoter in the Mid-South region, particularly in Tennessee and Alabama. His promotion, often referred to as **Gulas-Welch Promotions** (in partnership with Roy Welch), became one of the most influential and enduring territories in the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA).

### **Early Career and Partnership with Roy Welch**

- **Background:**

- Nick Gulas, a former sportswriter born in 1914, began his career in professional wrestling in the 1930s as a promoter in Birmingham, Alabama. He soon developed a reputation as a savvy businessman and skilled promoter, capable of drawing large crowds to his events.

- In the 1940s, Gulas formed a partnership with **Roy Welch**, a well-established wrestler and promoter. Welch brought his experience and connections in the wrestling world, while Gulas brought his promotional skills and business acumen. Together, they created Gulas-Welch Promotions, which would go on to dominate the Mid-South wrestling scene.

### **Development of the Nashville Territory (1940s-1950s)**

- **Establishing Nashville as a Hub:**

- In the late 1940s, Gulas and Welch moved their operations to Nashville, Tennessee, which became the headquarters for their wrestling promotion. Nashville was strategically located in the Mid-South, allowing them to expand their reach to other cities and towns in Tennessee, Alabama, Kentucky, and beyond.

- By the early 1950s, Gulas-Welch Promotions was promoting weekly shows at the **Nashville Fairgrounds Arena**, which became their primary venue. Gulas also established regular events in Birmingham, Chattanooga, Huntsville, and Memphis, creating a network of cities that formed the backbone of their territory.

- **Joining the NWA:**

- Gulas and Welch joined the **National Wrestling Alliance (NWA)** shortly after its formation in 1948. This affiliation gave them access to the NWA World Heavyweight Champion, allowing them to promote major title matches in their territory and further establishing their promotion's credibility and stature in the wrestling world.

- As members of the NWA, Gulas and Welch were able to bring in some of the top wrestling talent from around the country, which helped them draw large crowds and expand their territory's influence.

### **The Golden Era of Gulas-Welch Promotions (1960s-1970s)**

- **Expansion and Talent Development:**

- During the 1960s and 1970s, Gulas-Welch Promotions experienced its peak years of success. They expanded their operations to include cities across Tennessee, Kentucky, Alabama, and Mississippi, making them one of the most prominent NWA territories.

- Gulas was known for his ability to identify and develop young talent. Many wrestlers who later became major stars got their start in Gulas' territory, including **Jerry "The King" Lawler**, **Jackie Fargo**, **Tojo Yamamoto**, **The Fabulous Fargos (Jackie and Don Fargo)**, and **"Nature Boy" Buddy Rogers**.

- Gulas and Welch were also instrumental in developing local stars, such as **Lester Welch**, **Herb Welch**, and **Len Rossi**, who were popular in the Mid-South region and helped draw fans to their shows.

- **Booking Philosophy and Promoting Style:**

- Gulas was known for his family-friendly approach to wrestling promotion, avoiding the bloodier, more violent style that was popular in some other territories. His shows focused on character-driven storytelling, colorful personalities, and entertaining matches.

- Gulas often booked his son, **George Gulas**, in prominent positions, which became a source of contention among fans and wrestlers. George Gulas was pushed as a top star despite his limited wrestling ability, leading to criticism and frustration among the more talented wrestlers in the territory.

- **Television Success:**

- Television played a significant role in the success of Gulas-Welch Promotions. Gulas recognized the potential of TV early on and secured deals with local stations to broadcast weekly wrestling shows. These TV programs became very popular, helping to build a larger audience and increasing attendance at live events.

- **"Nashville Wrestling"** (later renamed "Championship Wrestling") aired on WTVF in Nashville and was a staple of Saturday afternoons for wrestling fans across the Mid-South. The show featured interviews, local talent, and matches that helped build anticipation for live events in the area.

### **Decline and Split with Jerry Jarrett (1977-1979)**

- **Internal Conflict:**

- By the late 1970s, tensions between Gulas and his key booker and promoter, **Jerry Jarrett**, began to escalate. Jarrett, who had been working with Gulas for several years, disagreed with Gulas' decision to push his son George as a top star. Jarrett felt this decision hurt the credibility and popularity of the territory, as fans were growing increasingly dissatisfied with George's prominence.

- In 1977, the rift between Gulas and Jarrett reached a breaking point. Jarrett decided to split from Gulas and start his own promotion, based in Memphis, Tennessee. He took many of the top stars with him, including Jerry Lawler, who was becoming one of the most popular wrestlers in the region.

- **Formation of the Memphis Territory:**

- Jarrett's new promotion, known as **Continental Wrestling Association (CWA)**, quickly established itself as a major competitor to Gulas-Welch Promotions. The loss of key talent and TV coverage significantly weakened Gulas' operation, and fans began to gravitate towards the more exciting and dynamic product offered by Jarrett.

- The split devastated Gulas' territory. The Memphis market, one of the most lucrative cities in the region, was now controlled by Jarrett, who was able to maintain a strong TV presence and bring in major NWA talent.

### **Decline and End of Gulas-Welch Promotions (Late 1970s-1980s)**

- **Struggles to Compete:**

- After the split with Jarrett, Gulas struggled to maintain his hold on the remaining cities in his territory. The loss of star power, combined with his insistence on continuing to push George Gulas, made it increasingly difficult to draw fans.

- Gulas attempted to hold on to the Nashville territory and other markets in Tennessee and Alabama, but attendance continued to decline. Jarrett's CWA began to dominate the region, and Gulas was left with a weakened promotion that could not compete effectively.

- **Final Years and Closure:**

- In the early 1980s, Gulas' promotion was unable to recover from the split with Jarrett. Without access to top-tier talent and a strong TV presence, the territory continued to decline.

- By 1982, Gulas was forced to shut down his wrestling operations, marking the end of Gulas-Welch Promotions. Jerry Jarrett's CWA took over many of the remaining markets, effectively consolidating control of the Mid-South region.

### **Legacy of Nick Gulas**

- **Impact on Southern Wrestling:**

- Despite the decline of his promotion in the late 1970s, Nick Gulas was a pivotal figure in Southern professional wrestling. His territory played a crucial role in developing talent and expanding the popularity of wrestling in the Mid-South.

- Gulas was instrumental in making Nashville a major wrestling city and helped establish professional wrestling as a staple of entertainment across Tennessee and Alabama.

- **Controversial Figure:**

- Gulas' decision to push his son George as a top star is often cited as a key factor in his promotion's decline, and it remains a contentious aspect of his legacy. Many wrestlers felt they were passed over in favor of George, leading to frustration and eventual departures to Jarrett's promotion.

- Nonetheless, Gulas' impact on the wrestling business cannot be understated. He was a savvy promoter who helped lay the foundation for future wrestling success in the region, and his influence can still be seen in the history of Southern wrestling.

### **Conclusion**

Nick Gulas was a prominent wrestling promoter whose influence spanned several decades. As a co-founder of Gulas-Welch Promotions, he helped build one of the most important wrestling territories in the South. His focus on television, family-friendly promotion style, and development of local talent made the Nashville territory a central hub of the NWA for years. Despite his controversial decisions in the late 1970s, Gulas remains a significant figure in the history of professional wrestling, especially in the Southern United States.