From 1980 to 1988, the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA) went through a critical period of transformation. This era saw the rise of cable television, increased competition from rival promotions, and significant internal changes within the NWA. The period culminated with the formation of World Championship Wrestling (WCW) in 1988, a pivotal moment that altered the landscape of professional wrestling.
1980-1983: Expansion and the Rise of Cable Television
Cable Television and the NWA's Reach:
The expansion of cable television in the early 1980s was a game-changer for professional wrestling. Georgia Championship Wrestling (GCW) became one of the first promotions to secure a national TV deal on WTBS, a superstation owned by Ted Turner. The Saturday evening show, known as "World Championship Wrestling," gave the NWA a national platform, allowing it to reach millions of viewers across the United States.
Other NWA territories, such as Jim Crockett Promotions (JCP), Mid-South Wrestling, and Championship Wrestling from Florida, began to capitalize on this new exposure by expanding their own television reach. This national visibility increased the NWA's influence but also created new challenges, as some territories struggled to compete with the larger, more well-funded promotions.
Ric Flair and the New Face of the NWA:
In 1981, Ric Flair defeated Dusty Rhodes to win his first NWA World Heavyweight Championship. Flair quickly established himself as the new face of the NWA, bringing a unique mix of charisma, in-ring ability, and a flamboyant personality that resonated with fans. Known as "The Nature Boy," Flair became synonymous with the NWA title, and his reigns would help define the era.
Flair's rise coincided with the NWA's increased television exposure, and he became the champion who would carry the NWA into the cable TV era. His title defenses across various territories—ranging from Jim Crockett Promotions to Mid-Atlantic Wrestling and even tours in Japan—reinforced the NWA’s claim as the governing body of the "world" champion.
Territorial Conflicts and Power Struggles:
During this period, tensions grew within the NWA over issues such as talent exchanges, booking control, and the direction of the world title. The NWA’s territorial structure, which relied on cooperation between competing promoters, began to show signs of strain.
Jim Crockett Promotions (JCP), led by Jim Crockett Jr., emerged as one of the dominant forces within the NWA. Crockett Jr. invested heavily in expanding JCP’s television reach and sought to consolidate power by purchasing smaller NWA territories. His aggressive expansion strategy put him at odds with other promoters who felt threatened by Crockett's growing influence.
1984-1986: The Wrestling Wars and Growing Competition
The Rise of the WWF and Vince McMahon's National Expansion:
In 1984, Vince McMahon, owner of the World Wrestling Federation (WWF), began his campaign to turn the WWF into a national promotion. McMahon aggressively expanded by signing top talent from other promotions, securing national television deals, and promoting events outside the WWF’s traditional Northeastern base.
McMahon’s strategy culminated in the success of WrestleMania I in 1985, a landmark event that combined professional wrestling with mainstream entertainment and celebrity appearances. The success of WrestleMania solidified the WWF’s position as a national force and marked the beginning of the "Wrestling War" between the WWF and the NWA.
NWA's Response to WWF's Expansion:
The NWA attempted to counter the WWF’s expansion by promoting its own supercards. Jim Crockett Promotions began producing events such as "Starrcade," which debuted in 1983 as the NWA's flagship event. Starrcade was a major success and became the NWA’s answer to WrestleMania, showcasing top stars like Ric Flair, Dusty Rhodes, and Harley Race.
Other notable NWA events included The Great American Bash and SuperBouts, which helped to showcase the NWA's talent on a larger stage. However, despite these efforts, the NWA struggled to keep up with the WWF’s rapid expansion and growing mainstream appeal.
The Acquisition of Georgia Championship Wrestling:
In a strategic move in 1984, Vince McMahon purchased a controlling interest in Georgia Championship Wrestling (GCW), which was airing on WTBS. This acquisition gave McMahon national exposure on cable television, which infuriated Ted Turner and disrupted the NWA’s television presence.
In response, Jim Crockett Promotions eventually bought the time slot back from McMahon in 1985, restoring NWA programming to WTBS. This move further consolidated Jim Crockett's power within the NWA, but it also drained JCP’s financial resources.
1986-1988: Internal Struggles and the Formation of WCW
The Crockett Era and Consolidation of Power:
By 1986, Jim Crockett Jr. was effectively the most powerful promoter within the NWA. Crockett continued to buy out smaller NWA territories, such as Central States Wrestling and Championship Wrestling from Florida, aiming to create a unified promotion that could compete directly with the WWF.
Despite Crockett's efforts, the NWA's territorial system was showing signs of collapse. As smaller territories folded or were bought out, the NWA became more dependent on JCP as its flagship promotion. However, JCP was facing significant financial difficulties due to its aggressive expansion and competition with the WWF.
Dusty Rhodes' Influence and Creative Direction:
Dusty Rhodes, a top star and booker for JCP, played a central role in the creative direction of the promotion. Under Rhodes, JCP emphasized a hard-hitting, athletic style of wrestling that differentiated it from the more entertainment-focused WWF. Rhodes’ influence was evident in the booking of major feuds, storylines, and events such as the "WarGames" match concept.
While Rhodes’ vision helped JCP maintain its appeal to traditional wrestling fans, it also led to financial missteps, such as the overproduction of events and costly ventures like the 1987 "Great American Bash" tour. These decisions contributed to JCP's growing debt.
Financial Problems and the Sale to Turner:
By 1988, JCP was in significant financial trouble. Facing mounting debts and unable to compete with the WWF’s national expansion, Crockett decided to sell JCP to Ted Turner, who had become a major supporter of professional wrestling through his WTBS network.
In November 1988, Turner officially purchased Jim Crockett Promotions, rebranding it as World Championship Wrestling (WCW). Turner’s involvement provided WCW with a stable financial backing and access to a national television audience, but it also marked the end of the NWA’s era as the undisputed governing body of professional wrestling.
Formation of World Championship Wrestling (WCW):
With Turner’s purchase of JCP, WCW was established as a new promotion under Turner Broadcasting. WCW retained membership in the NWA initially, but it quickly began to operate with more independence, marking the beginning of a new era in professional wrestling.
Jim Herd was appointed as the first executive vice president of WCW, and the promotion aimed to compete directly with the WWF by leveraging Turner’s resources and television reach. WCW inherited much of JCP’s talent roster, including stars like Ric Flair, Sting, and The Road Warriors, but faced an uphill battle in establishing itself as a national brand.
Key Developments from 1980-1988:
Cable Television and National Exposure: The rise of cable television dramatically expanded the reach of professional wrestling. The NWA gained national exposure through its programming on WTBS, but it also faced new competition from the WWF’s national expansion.
Ric Flair's Reign as NWA World Heavyweight Champion: Flair's multiple reigns as NWA World Heavyweight Champion established him as the face of the promotion and the industry. His title defenses across various territories helped maintain the NWA's credibility during a challenging period.
Increased Competition with the WWF: The WWF’s aggressive expansion strategy, led by Vince McMahon, created significant competition for the NWA. The success of WrestleMania and the WWF’s move into cable television fundamentally changed the wrestling landscape.
The Consolidation of NWA Territories under Jim Crockett Promotions: JCP’s attempts to consolidate NWA territories into a unified promotion ultimately led to financial overreach and debt, which precipitated the sale to Ted Turner.
Formation of World Championship Wrestling (WCW): Turner’s purchase of JCP and the creation of WCW marked the end of the NWA’s dominance and set the stage for a new era in professional wrestling. WCW would become the primary competitor to the WWF throughout the 1990s.
Legacy of the NWA from 1980-1988:
The period from 1980 to 1988 was marked by significant changes that reshaped professional wrestling. The NWA's territorial system, once the foundation of the industry, began to crumble under the pressure of national expansion, television exposure, and competition from the WWF. While the NWA remained a significant force in wrestling, the creation of WCW would allow the NWA to continue to compete directly with the WWF & AWA on a world stage while grouping its top stars nationwide into one national promotion with Cable programming & Pay-Per-View specials.
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