Tag: Jim Crockett Jr.

Jim Crockett Jr. Reportedly Had COVID-19 Before Passing Away, Ric Flair Pays Tribute

Legendary pro wrestling promoter Jim Crockett Jr. reportedly had COVID-19 shortly before passing away.

As noted, Crockett Jr. passed away at the age of 76 on Wednesday. He had entered hospice care late last week due to issues with his kidneys and liver. Dave Meltzer reported on Wrestling Observer Radio last Friday that Crockett was in grave condition and had removed himself from dialysis to enter hospice care.

In an update, Meltzer reported on today’s edition of Wrestling Observer Radio that Crockett Jr. had the coronavirus shortly before passing. The COVID-19 diagnosis combined with his other heath issues led to the recent hospitalization. Crockett Jr. made the call last week to go off dialysis, and from there it was just a matter of time before he passed.

WWE Hall of Famer Ric Flair paid tribute to Jim Jr. on Twitter today, crediting his influence and persistence with Flair becoming a World Champion.

“I Moved To Charlotte In 1974 With $150 In My Pocket. Jimmy Crockett Was My Friend And My Boss. I Can’t Put Into Words How Much He Did For Me And My Career. His Influence And Persistence Helped Me Become The World Champion. My Thoughts And Prayers Are With The Crockett Family! [folded hands emoji],” Flair wrote.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

Legendary Promoter Jim Crockett Jr. Passes Away At 76

The legendary pro-wrestling promoter Jim Crockett Jr. has tragically passed away at the age of 76.

Crockett’s death from organ failure was confirmed by multiple sources on Wednesday evening.

Jim’s father — Jim Crockett Sr. — started the hugely influential Jim Crockett Promotions in 1931. Crockett Sr. passed away in 1977, and Crockett Jr. officially took the reigns of JCP in 1977. The company, which ran affiliated with the NWA, was started by his father, and was sold in 1988 to Ted Turner, who re-named it WCW. Crockett Jr. was a three-term NWA President, last serving in the role in 1991.

In the wake of his passing, tributes poured in from Jim’s fans, friends, and colleagues.

“Rest In Peace Jim Crockett Jr. You will be missed by so many,” Robert Gibson of The Rock ‘n’ Roll Express wrote on Facebook.

“If not for my love of Jim Crockett promotions I doubt I ever would have considered a pro wrestling career,” Lance Storm tweeted. “Thank you Jim Crockett jr. May you Rest In Peace.”

WWE issued a statement:

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.

https://twitter.com/WWE/status/1367347395344924676

AEW and Impact Wrestling also issued statements via Twitter.

https://twitter.com/IMPACTWRESTLING/status/1367327469192310788
https://twitter.com/AEW/status/1367314318396690432