Beast

No "Greatest Wrestler Poll" will be accurate to a tee. Isn't the point that it will be an updated list of the one done ten years ago? Tastes will always evolve, new footage will always be found, and we'll always stumble upon matches that change our opinion of certain guys. There's no reason to push back the deadline. It will be a great representation of the consensus in March/April 2016.

I only added names mentioned at least twice. It was said in the original discussion post - "a poll with the most common choices". "Other" was added just in case someone like Martel or Kerry Von Erich had a groundswell of support.

That's the plan.

This will be open until the end of Sunday 7/5 EST or once all NWA voters have voted or once a majority choice is reached. I will only vote in case of a tie or to finalize a majority vote. If you vote for OTHER, please identify your choice in a post. The final rankings may influence future choices for champion. Discussion of when the title will change hands and length of the next reign will occur following this vote. Nothing is set in stone. If a wrestler is chosen, but their home promoter does not want them to become touring champion at this time, their reign will be delayed until a possible future date and the role will go to the 2nd place finisher.

Poll will be up in 5 hours so last call for opinions.

FYI, July 2nd's TV would have been taped before July so the first episode of the new era of JCP will be taped on July 7th and air on July 9th

There aren't going to be any secret forums because this is all for fun. But if anyone feels more comfortable just sending me your picks in message, that's fine.

Members of the NWA, please share your top 1-3 picks for the next NWA Champion and reasons why. On Friday, a poll with the most common choices will go up for July 4th weekend. Voters have those three days to make a choice. Once everyone votes or the weekend passes (whatever comes sooner), the NWA's next champion should be decided. Discussion of timing will follow.

In that case it's only fair to offer Bob Geigel the position, both as a runner-up and as a former leader. Mr. Geigel, do you accept the position of 2nd Vice President?

I believe so, and I still support that.

Jim Crockett graciously accepts and looks forward to following the successful run by Bob Geigel as NWA President. Immediate issues include deciding on who will follow Harley Race as champion (and how much longer do we want him to continue as our main player) as well as organizing future NWA supercards, including our previously announced Thanksgiving show. Feel free to contact me regarding any issues or ideas, and we will organize discussions regarding the future of the NWA in the next few days. Would Paul Jones be open to serving as Vice-President?

Would like to hear a periodic segment in the mailbag where JR and Will have to recommend a match or segment for the other to watch (or rewatch). Your tastes are both great and overlap to some extent, but I'm sure you each have personal favorite moments that the other should seek out.

It's the NATIONAL Wrestling Alliance because we cover the entire U.S. in addition to Puerto Rico, Japan, large portions of Canada, etc... We have national penetration already. No matter what TV time Georgia offers the rest of the NWA, Georgia still gets the largest benefit from it. Remember, they have a promotion of their own to run, how much exposure can they really offer the rest of us, especially with 15-plus territories fighting for time. What then stops Georgia from moving into Florida, the Carolinas, Southeast, and Memphis with the rationale "it's going to get your stars over to have the nationally televised GCW name attached". Remember, closed-circuit can be organized by any promoter at any time. JCP just happens to be the one spear-heading the first big show. We are more than happy to support any promoter down the line in doing the same thing.

If Turner-backed GCW wins the presidency, that is a LOT of power in one area of the NWA. Something to keep in mind.

I'm focused on keeping the relationships between NWA members strong, but if we get to the point where someone turns outlaw, believe me that I'll be ready to fire on all cylinders. Remember, we at Crockett are in here for the long haul. Paul Jones is 81 and Fred Ward is 69. Do the math.

If any of the undecided would like to ask questions regarding plans, platform and such, feel free to ask here or PM me.

Observer at the time says that with SMW closing, Landel will be keeping his already signed dates of wrestling at the WWF tapings on 12/18 and 12/19 as well as being in the Royal Rumble. It wasn't planned as a regular spot and originally he was just representing SMW. That's why he was backstage at the PPV which he wasn't supposed to be on. From the first Observer of 1996 - "Buddy Landel apparently messed up his ankle after the tapings in Bethlehem. He slipped on ice going through a revolving door and tore up his ankle and needed surgery and will be out of action for at least eight weeks. Landel's job for Ahmed Johnson was a last second deal. Vince McMahon and Jim Ross were apparently trying to convince Dean Douglas to work the match and Douglas wouldn't because of his back injury. There was no contingency plan and Landel basically was asked to help them out of a jam and did the squash job in the manner they requested because Johnson is getting the megapush. Apparently he was going to be rewarded for being a team player by getting a spot on the roster, but wound up injured almost immediately." ----------------- Let's not pretend a win over Bob Holly meant much at the end of 1995 and it was solely done to build him up for his match against Bret which didn't even air on Raw or Superstars. Because everything happened so quickly, there's little chance Vince had any plans for Buddy other than this reward match against Bret. Within 2-3 months he most likely would have been in a spot like Smothers or Anthony if he hadn't gotten injured. Best case scenario I can see is perhaps they let him form a tag with one of the other SMW cast-offs and they get a New Rockers-like run.

Unless you've decided not to join, I believe WWA is a member of the NWA per your request in the topic weeks ago.

Doesn't Gordy with Hayes as a mouthpiece (of sorts) make more sense? Agreed. I support Hayes too, but Gordy is who came to mind first as a future world champion.

Don't know what more to say. I saw the presidency as overseeing the NWA and helping with mediation, talent exchanges, making decisions, and more. If it comes down mainly to who can give the NWA more national exposure, that's a different story. I repeat, territories with national television outlets should welcome other territory stars exposure on their shows regardless of whether or not their owner becomes president. As for the closed circuit show coming up, I foresee it as being just as important to the future of wrestling, if not more so than national television. Closed circuit is just the beginning of making the biggest and best shows available to all fans nationwide. If you are a fan in Greensboro who catches Puerto Rican stars on Georgia TBS television and become enamored, that's great, but what are the chances that you'll be willing to fly to San Juan to catch WWC's next big show? Very sparse. With closed-circut, fans would have the opportunity to watch a WWC or Florida show without ever leaving their home state, bringing in additional money to NWA promotions. The one being planned for November involves 5 or more promotions each providing talent to a singular supercard, but the show will also be shown in each promotion's home arena, allowing promoters to also put on 3-4 additional matches showcasing only the hometown talent. I'm also looking into Pay-Per-View within the next 2-3 years. Boxing has had a fair measure of success and it's important that wrestling not get left behind. It's the next logical step past closed circuit, with fans being able to watch a show without leaving their actual home and would open up more opportunities for everyone. Again, more exposure, more money. I have also been in talks with Bill Apter of the PWI family of magazines about producing VHS tapes, possibly starting with this upcoming November event.

Except for the fact that promotions sending talent to the show will also be able to show the supercard at their arenas through the power of closed circuit. Fans will not only be able to see the best their local talent has to offer, but every other major star that participates as well. In fact, promoters may even be able to charge the audience more for the opportunity to see so much more than usual. Jim Crockett is proud to be forward thinking and keeps the best interests of his fellow promoters in mind when he makes any decision.

I'm fine with the Canadian promotions having their own subdivision that is still part of the NWA. Whether this includes talent exchanges and exposure in the USA is up to each promoter, but I personally am open to whatever best suits each promotor's needs. MLW is already involved in Starrcade (name subject to change), but Misters Tomko, Hart, and Rougeau are also invited if they are so inclined. Jim Crockett is prepared to offer talent for the Canadian supercard being held on 11/26. The goal is for every promotion to grow within its area, using the resources of the NWA as a whole. More importantly if any non-NWA affiliated promotion tried to infringe on our Canadian brethren, the NWA is there to supply talent and whatever else is necessary to win that war. And assuming the board supports it, Mr. Crockett is a backer of Mr. Tunney being the NWA promotor of midget wrestling.

And in return I'd like to repeat that Jim Crockett Promotions has begun the preparations for a closed-circuit Thanksgiving show in which fans from all the over country will be able view their home territory's stars on a previously unheralded supercard. Currently five NWA promotions have thrown their hat into the ring to provide talent, but Crockett again welcomes all dues-paying members to join in as we kick open the door to the future.

You don't need to be President to spotlight stars of the NWA. You should do that regardless as a proud NWA member.

As solely an owner and not booker, that allows me to step outside focusing solely on JCP and work to ensure that every NWA member's territory continues to grow and make money. If Flair became champ, what would be the point of not sharing him with the rest of the group? JCP knows that if any shenanigans went down, it would completely devalue the title anyway. And again, I'm open to other champions, especially if that's the majority opinion. I want to ensure that everything NWA-related goes down as fair and is transparent for all members. In worst case scenarios, I'm prepared to act as a mediator to settle tempers between territories that aren't getting along as it pertains to scheduling, booking, talent, etc...