WWE has released a statement to mark the passing of legendary wrestling promoter Jim Crockett Jr. who has died at the age of 76.
The statement from WWE touched on Crockett’s role as President of the National Wrestling Alliance throughout the 1980s. As well as mentioning a number of WWE Hall of Famers who rose to prominence in Jim Crockett Promotions.
The full statement read:
“WWE is saddened to learn that Jim Crockett Jr. passed away at the age of 76.”
“An influential promoter who helped champion the careers of WWE Hall of Famers such as Ric Flair, Ricky Steamboat and The Road Warriors, Crockett Jr. stewarded the family’s Crockett Promotions from 1977 to 1989. As part of the promotion’s affiliation, Crockett Jr. was later named President of the National Wrestling Alliance in 1980. During his tenure, Crockett Jr. helped expand the promotion’s footprint and held the inaugural Jim Crockett Sr. Memorial Cup at the Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans. Under Crockett Jr.’s leadership, the NWA would eventually be sold and renamed as World Championship Wrestling.”
“WWE extends its condolences to Crockett Jr.’s family and friends.”
Jim Crockett Promotions was founded by Crockett Jr.’s father in 1931. During Crockett Jr.’s time in charge of the company, he would promote the legendary Starrcade events beginning in 1983. At that event – subtitled, ‘A Flare For The Gold’- Ric Flair would defeat Harley Race in a steel cage match for the NWA World Heavyweight Championship.
All Elite Wrestling and IMPACT Wrestling issued their own statements on social media to mark the legendary promoter’s passing.
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
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
Crockett Jr. had recently joined wrestling podcaster Conrad Thompson on Thompson’s ‘Ad-Free Shows’ for a delve into the history of JCP. The first half of this interview has aired, with the second half still to come. Eric Bischoff recently spoke at length on the importance of JCP to the wrestling world on his 83 Weeks podcast.
We here at Inside The Ropes send our continued condolences to family, friends and fans of Jim Crockett Jr.