Legendary wrestling promoter Jim Crockett Jr. dies at 76

Jim Crockett Jr., the son of Jim Crockett Promotions founder and the man who brought that company to the Saturday night time slot on WTBS where it would eventually transform into the WCW, has died. He was 76 years old.

His family shared on Facebook last weekend that Crockett Jr. was hospitalized and “not doing well”. Robert Gibson of the Rock ‘N’ Roll Express was the first to share the news of his death earlier tonight (Mar. 3).

Robert Gibson’s Facebook Page

In his younger days, Crockett Jr. built his career outside wrestling as owner of minor league baseball teams. That changed after he inherited JCP from his father in 1977, and began to competed with Vince McMahon and the WWF nationally in the 80s.

After becoming president of the National Wrestling Alliance and purchasing six territories, Crockett Jr bought the Saturday night time slot on national cable from McMahon in 1985. The company was positioned as the NWA, competing on a program called World Championship Wrestling. In 1988, he sold to Ted Turner, who renamed the company after the TV show.

Later, Crockett Jr. made a few attempts to get back into the wrestling business, including trying to launch a World Wrestling Network with Paul Heyman in 1994. After that, he stuck to real estate.

Rest in peace, Jim Crockett Jr.

On behalf of everyone at Cageside Seats, we send our condolences to his friends and family.