Longtime Promoter Jim Crockett Jr Dealing With "Grave" Health Issues
The famed promoter oversaw what eventually became WCW
Jim Crockett Jr, the longtime promoter of the Carolinas who owned the precursor to what officially became World Championship Wrestling under Ted Turner, is dealing with significant health issues.
Dave Meltzer noted on Wrestling Observer Radio that the 76-year-old is dealing with liver and kidney failure, calling his condition "grave", and adding, "It's not looking good."
Jim Ross extended well wishes to Crockett on Twitter, and asked everyone to keep him in their thoughts.
Crockett took over father Jim Sr's Carolina territory upon his death in 1973.
During his time running the territory, he presided over the creation of Starrcade in 1983, as well as the first non-WWF wrestling entry into pay-per-view (Starrcade 1987). Crockett also bought the time slot for the Saturday night 6:05 program on TBS from Vince McMahon in 1985.
Crockett Jr was also elected President of the National Wrestling Alliance for three different terms between 1980 and 1991.
During Crockett's time running the territory, his outfit was the closet to McMahon's WWF in terms of being a national powerhouse.
In 1988, however, Crockett was on the verge of bankruptcy. He sold his territory to Ted Turner that November, and remained out of the wrestling business for some time. A brief return in 1993 to start up the NWA-affiliated World Wrestling Network ended in 1995, after which Crockett left the business for good. He since worked in Texas as a realtor and mortgage loan originator.
Written by Justin Henry
In addition to writing lists and commentaries for Cultaholic, Justin is also a features writer and interviewer for Fighting Spirit Magazine, and is co-author of the WWE-related book Titan Screwed: Lost Smiles, Stunners, and Screwjobs.
