DragonKingKarl’s Wrestling Omnibus & 1986-87 Pro Wrestling History | Podcast
The world of professional wrestling in 1986 and 1987 was a period of significant growth and, tragically, increasing hardship, according to pro wrestling historian Karl Stern. Stern, author of the recently released DragonKingKarl’s 1986-1987 Pro Wrestling Omnibus
, detailed the era’s highlights and challenges in a recent podcast appearance, shedding light on events ranging from WrestleMania III attendance figures to the NWA’s Jim Crockett Sr. Memorial Cup tag team tournaments.
The 1987 Jim Crockett Sr. Memorial Cup, held over two nights – and – in Baltimore, Maryland, drew crowds of 9,300 and 13,000 respectively. The tournament, featuring 24 tag teams, culminated in a victory for The Super Powers
– Dusty Rhodes and Nikita Koloff – who defeated Lex Luger and Tully Blanchard in the finals. The win carried particular emotional weight, as it was dedicated to Magnum T.A., a popular wrestler forced into retirement following a devastating car accident.
Stern’s research delves into the creation of the Crockett Cup itself, established by Jim Crockett Jr. In honor of his father, Jim Crockett Sr., the founder of Jim Crockett Promotions (JCP). The tournament boasted a promoted prize of $1 million, a substantial sum that underscored the ambition and growing financial stakes within the industry. The format was a single-elimination bracket, designed to build drama and excitement around each match.
Beyond the Crockett Cup, Stern’s function highlights the broader wrestling landscape of the time. He notes the concurrent activity of the American Wrestling Association (AWA) with their WrestleRock
event in 1986, and significant happenings in Japan, Canada, and Mexico. This contextualizes the NWA’s tournament within a larger, increasingly competitive global scene.
But, the period wasn’t solely defined by athletic achievement and promotional success. Stern likewise addresses a darker side of the era, the emergence of a drug epidemic that began to claim the lives and careers of wrestlers. The career-ending car wreck suffered by Magnum T.A. Serves as a particularly poignant example of the tragedies that unfolded during this time. Stern emphasizes that this is just only scratches the surface
of the hardships faced by performers.
The 1987 Crockett Cup also saw a significant roster change within Jim Crockett Promotions. Stan Lane was announced as the replacement for Dennis Condrey in the Midnight Express on , 1987, during an episode of World Championship Wrestling. This transition ultimately led to Lane winning the vacant NWA United States Tag Team Championship in May of 1987, demonstrating the constant flux and strategic maneuvering within the wrestling world.
The storylines woven into the 1987 Crockett Cup, and professional wrestling in general at the time, were carefully constructed. Wrestlers were positioned as either heels
(villains), faces
(heroes), or tweeners
(characters with ambiguous morality), engaging in pre-existing feuds and plots designed to build tension and culminate in compelling matches. This emphasis on narrative was crucial to attracting and retaining audiences.
Stern’s extensive research, encapsulated in his 600-page omnibus, offers a detailed account of a pivotal period in professional wrestling history. It’s a time remembered for its exciting tournaments, rising stars, and unfortunately, its growing struggles with internal challenges. The 1987 Crockett Cup, with its dramatic conclusion and dedication to a fallen competitor, stands as a powerful symbol of both the triumphs and tragedies of the era.