NWA World Title defenses on Turkey Day and XMas

[RowdyRoddy]

In the 1970s and 1980s, how did the NWA decide where Funk, Brisco, Race, and Flair would defend the NWA World Title on Thanksgiving night and Christmas night?

I recall several title defenses in Mid Atlantic and World Class, but I do not recall many in Florida, Mid South, Pacific Northwest, St. Louis, Kansas City, Amarillo, San Antonio, Houston, San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Georgia. Why WCCW and Mid Atlantic and not other NWA territories?

[starrcadefan]

Mid-South wasn't officially a part of the NWA according to the Bill Watts shoot interview. He just was granted usage to the NWA champions for his big shows. I guess that explains why he didn't get the champ for holiday shows when actual NWA members had major shows that same night......

[RowdyRoddy]

Interesting. I always thought that the Mid South North American Heavyweight Champ was always a top contender to Race and Flair in the 80s

[ironanderson]

Bill Watts began booking Ric Flair in the Spring of 1985.

Ric Flair's first title defense in Mid South was at the April Superdome Series in 1985. The match is against Kerry Von Erich and is available via Ene Watts.

Ric Flair had matches against KVE, Terry Taylor, Butch Reed, Magnum TA, Wahoo McDaniel, Hacksaw Duggan, Jake Roberts, Dick Murdoch, and Ted Dibiase booked by Bill Watts and Paul Boesch (Houston).

This seems to have occured semi-regular for 10 months in Mid South (April - November 1985). At the Superdome show in November of 1985 Starrcade 85 was shown via CCTV also.

Of course Ric Flair faced Dusty Rhodes on the joint JCP/MSS Crockett Cup show for the April Superdome Series. Ric Flair returned against Ricky Morton on the June Superdome Series. That was the last appearence in regards to joint promotion with JCP/MSS.

In 1985 Watts/Boesch booking Flair.

In 1986 Crockett/Watts booking Flair.

This relationship was spawned by Watts relationship with Dusty Rhodes. And of course it was created at the appropriate time when JCP began expansion via syndications and Turner Broadcasting Systems. Houston, TX in particular from a population demo was Watts biggest city. Not to mention markets like New Orleans, LA and Oklahoma City, OK.

The Dallas, TX office was no longer booking Flair so exposure in Houston, TX was crucial. Fourth largest city in the country in terms of head count then and to this day.