The wrestling world tragically lost the legendary promoter Jim Crockett Jr. on Wednesday. He was 76 years old and was reportedly dealing with kidney and liver failure.
A brief career history of Jim Crockett
Jim Crockett Jr. used to own the Jim Crockett Promotions (JCP), which he inherited from his father, Jim Crockett, in 1977. However, he started working for JCP in 1973. Later he sold the promotion to Ted Turner in 1988, which was renamed World Championship Wrestling. He also served as the president of the National Wrestling Alliance for three terms.
In 1985, Crockett bought a Saturday night television timeslot on Superstation WTBS from the WWE president Vince McMahon. Crockett then purchased several other promotions, including Universal Wrestling Federation and the Championship Wrestling from Florida. With the help of these two, he unified National Wrestling Alliance and expanded to the national level. Besides, he also initiated concepts like the Great American Bash during his tenure in JCP. Great American Bash ultimately became the household name in America in the 1980s.
Besides WWE promotions, Jim Crockett also worked to bring wrestling events to pay-per-view with 1987 Bunkhouse Stampede. Besides all the success, he had some failures too. In 1994, the former JCP owner tried to launch Wrestling Network, which did not work. In the same year, he left wrestling and started working in the real estate industry.
Credit: Wrestling Headlines
Crockett was in grave condition for the last few days. On Saturday’s Wrestling Observer Radio, Meltzer said,”I don’t have a lot of details but from what I understand he took himself off dialysis and he’s in hospice care. It’s not looking good.”
Jim Ross also informed the wrestling world about Crockett’s health condition. He wrote, “Prayers go out to Jimmy Crockett who’s facing some challenging health issues.”
Prayers go out to Jimmy Crockett who’s facing some challenging health issues.
Please keep him and his family in your thoughts. 🤠 pic.twitter.com/7jio0Lgkoz
— Jim Ross (@JRsBBQ) February 28, 2021
Crockett was inducted into the Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame in 2015. Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame also added him to their legendary list in 2019.
The wrestling world took to social media after his expiration to share unforgettable memories with Crockett Jr.
The wrestling world took to social media following his passing to share their memories of Jim Crockett Jr. WWE also released their official statement on his death. “WWE is saddened to learn that Jim Crockett Jr. passed away at the age of 76,” WWE posted on their website.
