News items from the Wrestling Observer about APW
Apr 19, 2018 21:10:45 GMT
Post by grigs on Apr 19, 2018 21:10:45 GMT
Wrestling Observer
March 1984
One promoter who has landed on his feet is Jim Crockett, Jr. Crockett has formed a new promotion called ALL PRO WRESTLING that will based in Nashville and initially cover mainly the Southeast with an eye on eventual expansion. Crockett will bring Ric Flair, Jimmy Valiant, Jack & Jerry Brisco,Adrian Street, Don Kernodle & Assassain #2(who will drop the gimmick and work as Hercules Hernandez) from his Charlotte organization as well as his brother David and commentators Bob Caudle & Johnny Weaver. Crockett has taken advantage of Florida shutting down and signed Barry Windham, Mike Rotundo, Blackjack Mulligan, Mike Graham, & J.J. Dillon. WWF refugees are Iron Mike Sharpe, Tonga Kid, & “Dr. D” David Shults. I'm hearing that Sgt. Slaughter is a strong possibility as well. Surprisingly, few Memphis guys are moving over to the new group. Only Memphis names thus far are Jos LeDuc and King Konga. That leads me to believe that APW might have a harder hitting style than Jarrett's promotion. Koloff will form a Russian contingent with his “nephew” Nikita Koloff and Mid-South grappler Krusher Kruschev. Speaking of Mid-South, Announcer Jim Ross will also join the APW broadcast team.
APW's first TV taping will take place at Nashville's Fairgrounds Arena on April 19, followed by a Louiville Gardens taping on April 26th, and the Eddie Graham Sports Arena on May 2. APW will have a syndicated TV show. Thus far, they have secure most of the markets that Jarrett, Graham, & Crockett had.
Wrestling Observer
April 1984
APW: A tournament was held on April 1-2 in Buddokan Hall in Tokyo to crown an inaugural International Heavyweight Champion. 24 wrestlers participated and Ric Flair defeated Harley Race in the finals. This match is reported to have been a **** bout going 45 minutes with a similar finish to Starrcade '83 (minus the Gene Kiniski bungling). Flair will bring the title to APW and defend it exclusively on the new promotion's cards. Jim, David, & Jackie Crockett were in Tokyo for the event and were quite busy. Jackie brought his video camera and shot a postmatch feature with David interviewing both Flair and Race. Big brother Jim brought his checkbook and signed several of the tournament participant, namely Race, Bruiser Brody, Stan Hansen, Killer Khan, Mr. Saito, Terry Taylor, Dynamite Kid, & Davey Boy Smith.
My source in Maysville, KY tells me that Johnny Weaver was in attendance at an independent show there and was seen having serious discussions with manager Percy Pringle and Pistol Pez Whatley, who appeared on the card. Also, Sgt. Slaughter signed on after being told that Crockett wouldn't expect a cut of any revenue the Sarge might get from a toy contract.
Tickets for the TV tapings in Nashville, Louisville, and Orlando are reportedly selling well. Flair signed autographs at the box office in Nashville, Valiant in Louisville, Windham & Rotundo in Orlando an that probably boosted the sales.
March 1984
One promoter who has landed on his feet is Jim Crockett, Jr. Crockett has formed a new promotion called ALL PRO WRESTLING that will based in Nashville and initially cover mainly the Southeast with an eye on eventual expansion. Crockett will bring Ric Flair, Jimmy Valiant, Jack & Jerry Brisco,Adrian Street, Don Kernodle & Assassain #2(who will drop the gimmick and work as Hercules Hernandez) from his Charlotte organization as well as his brother David and commentators Bob Caudle & Johnny Weaver. Crockett has taken advantage of Florida shutting down and signed Barry Windham, Mike Rotundo, Blackjack Mulligan, Mike Graham, & J.J. Dillon. WWF refugees are Iron Mike Sharpe, Tonga Kid, & “Dr. D” David Shults. I'm hearing that Sgt. Slaughter is a strong possibility as well. Surprisingly, few Memphis guys are moving over to the new group. Only Memphis names thus far are Jos LeDuc and King Konga. That leads me to believe that APW might have a harder hitting style than Jarrett's promotion. Koloff will form a Russian contingent with his “nephew” Nikita Koloff and Mid-South grappler Krusher Kruschev. Speaking of Mid-South, Announcer Jim Ross will also join the APW broadcast team.
APW's first TV taping will take place at Nashville's Fairgrounds Arena on April 19, followed by a Louiville Gardens taping on April 26th, and the Eddie Graham Sports Arena on May 2. APW will have a syndicated TV show. Thus far, they have secure most of the markets that Jarrett, Graham, & Crockett had.
Wrestling Observer
April 1984
APW: A tournament was held on April 1-2 in Buddokan Hall in Tokyo to crown an inaugural International Heavyweight Champion. 24 wrestlers participated and Ric Flair defeated Harley Race in the finals. This match is reported to have been a **** bout going 45 minutes with a similar finish to Starrcade '83 (minus the Gene Kiniski bungling). Flair will bring the title to APW and defend it exclusively on the new promotion's cards. Jim, David, & Jackie Crockett were in Tokyo for the event and were quite busy. Jackie brought his video camera and shot a postmatch feature with David interviewing both Flair and Race. Big brother Jim brought his checkbook and signed several of the tournament participant, namely Race, Bruiser Brody, Stan Hansen, Killer Khan, Mr. Saito, Terry Taylor, Dynamite Kid, & Davey Boy Smith.
My source in Maysville, KY tells me that Johnny Weaver was in attendance at an independent show there and was seen having serious discussions with manager Percy Pringle and Pistol Pez Whatley, who appeared on the card. Also, Sgt. Slaughter signed on after being told that Crockett wouldn't expect a cut of any revenue the Sarge might get from a toy contract.
Tickets for the TV tapings in Nashville, Louisville, and Orlando are reportedly selling well. Flair signed autographs at the box office in Nashville, Valiant in Louisville, Windham & Rotundo in Orlando an that probably boosted the sales.
Working on it now.