Mike Cline's MID-ATLANTIC GRAPPLIN' GREATS
A fond look back at the great days of JIM CROCKETT PROMOTIONS professional wrestling.
Sunday, August 24, 2025
Saturday, August 23, 2025
BIG MEETS BALD
November 28, 1964
LEXINGTON, NORTH CAROLINA

Last week's professional wrestling main event featuring THE KENTUCKIANS versus BRUTE BERNARD and SKULL MURPHY was expected to be a wild contest, and indeed, it did turn out that way. TINY ANDERSON and BIG BOY BROWN were disqualified in the third and deciding fall.
So tonight, the two teams will go at each other again at the LEXINGTON YMCA , but this time, a NO DISQUALIFICATION stipulation has been added. Both teams agreed to the rematch to show their respective supremacy in the ring.
Fans are in for quite a treat when the two-out-of-three falls clash begins.
Fan favorite GEORGE BECKER returns to the YMCA to face rough guy MIKE VALENTINO in the evening's co-feature.
BILLY PARKS will attempt to control and defeat THE BEAST, and NICK KOZAK will face FRANK VALOIS in the 8:15 mat opener.
Friday, August 22, 2025
Thursday, August 21, 2025
A PROFILE OF "THE PROFILE"
Throughout the long history of JIM CROCKETT PROMOTIONS, few attained the status and recognition of RIP 'The Profile' HAWK.
A long-time 'heel', RIP often made the claim in interviews that the fans, in reality, loved him and supported him. Naturally, this brought out more heat from the fans who denied this was the case. Wrestling fans did love one thing about RIP. They loved to see him get beat in his matches. Many a fan usually left the arenas disappointed in that regard. RIP usually had the final word.
Even when 'babyfaces' like JOHNNY WEAVER or JERRY BRISCO won a side bet with RIP, they ended up getting dropped on their heads when they bent over to pick up their winnings.
Nearing the end of his tenure with JCP, RIP poses wearing the MID-ATLANTIC HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP belt (which he shared with his 'nephew', an up-and-coming youngster named FLAIR).
Many of us had the opportunity and privilege of meeting and getting to know RIP from his appearances at the NWA FANFESTs. The respect he has among his peers became evident listening to many of the other FANFEST wrestlers from a by-gone era.
Perhaps WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION HARLEY RACE said it best at the 2007 FANFEST..."Pound for pound, RIP HAWK was easily one of the roughest and most knowledgeable men who ever worked in the business."
As it turns out, those interviews RIP used to give were right after all---I did love RIP HAWK...and I still do.
Wednesday, August 20, 2025
Tuesday, August 19, 2025
FLYING SCOTTS MEET THE BOLOS
LEXINGTON, NORTH CAROLINA
JANUARY 5, 1963
A four match card returns professional wrestling to the LEXINGTON YMCA tonight following a two week holiday layoff.
The Canadian duo of GEORGE and SANDY SCOTT, known in wrestling as THE FLYING SCOTTS, return as a team after a very long abscence. They have a tall order ahead of them as they are paired against the masked terror combo of THE GREAT BOLO and BOLO in the evening's best-of-three falls main event.
Midget stars will also be on hand in a special event when LITTLE BOY BLUE faces PEE WEE LOPEZ.
Two single bouts are also scheduled with the Oriental craftsman P.Y. CHUNG meeting DON WHITTIER, and JOHNNY HEIDEMAN tackles EDUARDO CASTILLIO in the 8:15 opener.
Monday, August 18, 2025
Sunday, August 17, 2025
REALLY BROTHERS, NOT REALLY BROTHERS, NOT REALLY BROTHERS
January 25, 1969
LEXINGTON, NORTH CAROLINA
56 Years Ago


A rematch between the wrestling teams of GEORGE and SANDY SCOTT and THE MISSOURI MAULER and HIRO MATSUDA headlines tonight's wrestling at the LEXINGTON YMCA.
The popular FLYING SCOTTS lost to the villainous MAULER and MATSUDA last week when they were disqualified. This week it's NO DQ, so anything goes.
HOMER O'DELL will also be on hand managing his bullies. Last week, O'DELL was ordered away from the ring area by the referee before the match began. He plans to be around more tonight.
A super BATTLE OF THE BULLY BROTHERS is also set when two rule-breaking sibbling teams collide. It will be TERRY and RONNIE GARVIN meeting GENE and OLE ANDERSON.
Both tag team matches will be fought under the best two-out-of-three falls rules.
Popular STEVE BOLUS returns after a long absence to face tough TONY NERO.
The card opens at 8:15 with newcomer BOBBY PAUL squaring off against the rough veteran "BULLDOG" LEE HENNING.
Saturday, August 16, 2025
Friday, August 15, 2025
RIP AND SWEDE ON THE REBOUND
February 6, 1965
LEXINGTON, NORTH CAROLINA

The "BLONDE BOMBERS" of professional wrestling return to the LEXINGTON YMCA tonight after a disappointing experience here last week.
RIP HAWK and SWEDE HANSON, who boast of an incredible win record, came up short last Saturday at the hands of THE FLYING SCOTTS.
They will attempt to reverse their bad fortunes tonight when they tangle with another top team in that of NICK KOZAK and "IRISH" MIKE CLANCY.
"Last week's loss was a fluke, and I promise it won't happen again," shouted RIP HAWK, as partner HANSON nodded. SWEDE doesn't say much.
Another top tag battle is signed when fan favorites RUDY KAYE and ANGELO MARTINELLI take on the rule breaking duo of "SIR" NELSON ROYAL and THE VIKING, who have been on a hot streak as of late.
Both tag team matches are set for the best-of-three falls with one hour time limits.
Singles action opens the card at 8:15 when LORENZO PARENTE faces THE BEAST.
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