Jim Crockett Jr. dies at 72; wrestling world mourns loss of legendary promoter
Jim Crockett Jr., legendary wrestling promoter and titan in the grappling industry, has died at age 72.
Crockett is best known as the head of Jim Crockett Promotions, which he took over from his father in the 1970s. JCP’s role, played during wrestling’s territory days in the ’70s and ’80s, was titanic, helping grow the National Wrestling Alliance and serving three different terms as president of the NWA in the ’80s.
Crockett purchasing TBS TV time on Saturday nights from rival Vince McMahon helped Crockett-owned promotions grow beyond some regional boundaries, eventually paving the way for national expansion for the company. The company would later be renamed World Championship Wrestling (WCW) after the promotion’s sale to TV mogul Ted Turner.
TBS Saturdays in the ’80s were heavy on JCP programming, and the promotion would help catapult the careers of several wrestling icons, including Ric Flair, Ricky Steamboat and Sting.
Wrestling figures mourned the loss of Crockett on Thursday:
R.I.P. Jim Crockett Jr.
Thank you for moving the pro wrestling business forward & expanding its reach.
— MATT HARDY (@MATTHARDYBRAND) March 4, 2021
RIP Jim Crockett Jr. Your contributions to our business are immeasurable. Godspeed sir.
— Frankie Kazarian (@FrankieKazarian) March 4, 2021
If not for my love of Jim Crockett promotions I doubt I ever would have considered a pro wrestling career.
Thank you Jim Crockett jr.
May you Rest In Peace.— Lance Storm (@LanceStorm) March 4, 2021
AEW and the wrestling world mourn the passing of the legendary Mid-Atlantic Wrestling and NWA promoter Jim Crockett, Jr. Our thoughts are with his family, his friends and his fans. pic.twitter.com/rZN7k9e350
— All Elite Wrestling (@AEW) March 4, 2021
Very sorry to report the death of Jim Crockett Jr., all the best to his family and friends.
— Bryan Alvarez (@bryanalvarez) March 4, 2021
The NWA is saddened to learn that Jim Crockett Jr. has passed away. A 3x president of the NWA, Crockett was a titan in the wrestling industry who introduced countless legends to the world. We extend our deepest sympathies to his family, friends, and fans.#RIPJimCrockettJr pic.twitter.com/IOpl74syNb
— NWA (@nwa) March 4, 2021
We are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of legendary wrestling promoter Jim Crockett Jr. We send our sincerest condolences to his family.
— IMPACT (@IMPACTWRESTLING) March 4, 2021
RIP Jim Crockett. Heartbreaking loss
— Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful.com (@SeanRossSapp) March 4, 2021
Inside The Ropes is saddened to learn of Jim Crockett Jr’s passing at 76.
We send our deepest condolences to his friends and family at this time. pic.twitter.com/scUtfoZ8rV
— Inside The Ropes (@Inside_TheRopes) March 4, 2021
Rest in peace Jim Crockett Jr, sad to hear the passing of the most important promoters of all-time. I didn’t live through the majority of his glory in the mid-80’s, but the history speaks for itself. Helped shape an industry.
Thoughts go out to his family.
— Alex McCarthy (@AlexM_talkSPORT) March 4, 2021