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Year-End Rankings

 Updated on 8/9/21 with rankings for 1964!

The McGuirk/Watts Wrestling Almanac - Chapter 13 (Q4 1962)

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Welcome to Chapter 13 of The McGuirk/Watts Wrestling Almanac, an in-depth data-driven look at the wrestling territory run by Leroy McGuirk (and later, Bill Watts). The territory is most commonly known as Tri-State Wrestling and/or Mid-South Wrestling, though neither of those names were actually used until September 1979 when Watts split from McGuirk.

McGuirk Wrestling Territory: Q4 1972

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 n the 4th quarter of 1972, Doctor X turns babyface and feuds with Bob Sweetan, Jim Valiant turns heel, Mike George debuts in the territory, “America’s youngest professional wrestler” makes his pro debut & more!

The McGuirk/Watts Wrestling Almanac - Chapter 12 (Q3 1962)

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 Welcome to Chapter 12 of The McGuirk/Watts Wrestling Almanac, an in-depth data-driven look at the wrestling territory run by Leroy McGuirk (and later, Bill Watts). The territory is most commonly known as Tri-State Wrestling and/or Mid-South Wrestling, though neither of those names were actually used until September 1979 when Watts split from McGuirk.

McGuirk Wrestling Territory: Q4 1976

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In the 4th quarter of 1976, not one not two but three babyface turns, the World Junior Heavyweight title tournament finally ends, spoiling the identity of the second Spoiler & more!

Explanation of the new "Bookings per Week" data point

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As part of my continuing effort to cram as much (potentially) interesting & useful information as possible into the charts we produce on a regular basis, I have added a "Bookings per Week" column to the SPOT Ratings chart.

Charting the Territories goes Between the Sheets!

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As a supplement to my appearance on Episode #272 of the Between the Sheets podcast (you can check out all their episodes at betweenthesheetspod.com ), I decided to "chart" some of the territories discussed during the show.

Culkin (Mississippi) Wrestling Almanac, Oct 1977 - Aug 1979

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I have put together an 85-page PDF file documenting the entire run of George & Gil Culkin's ICW (later renamed AWA Championship Wrestling) wrestling territory from October 1977 through August 1979.

The McGuirk/Watts Wrestling Almanac - Chapter 11 (Q2 1962)

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Welcome to Chapter 11 of The McGuirk/Watts Wrestling Almanac, an in-depth data-driven look at the wrestling territory run by Leroy McGuirk (and later, Bill Watts). The territory is most commonly known as Tri-State Wrestling and/or Mid-South Wrestling, though neither of those names were actually used until September 1979 when Watts split from McGuirk.

Mid-South Wrestling: Q4 1980

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In the 4th quarter of 1980, a feud straight out of a Jim Croce song, Jake Roberts and the Grappler battle over title belts, Ole Anderson tries to collect a bounty on the Cowboy & more!

The McGuirk/Watts Wrestling Almanac - Chapter 10 (Q1 1962)

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Welcome to Chapter 10 of The McGuirk/Watts Wrestling Almanac, an in-depth data-driven look at the wrestling territory run by Leroy McGuirk (and later, Bill Watts). The territory is most commonly known as Tri-State Wrestling and/or Mid-South Wrestling, though neither of those names were actually used until September 1979 when Watts split from McGuirk.

McGuirk Wrestling Territory: September 1972

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 In September 1972, the tag team title situation is cleared up, Tarzan Tyler swings his way up the cards & more!

McGuirk Wrestling Territory: September 1976

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In September 1976, the Spoiler and “the Axe” come to town, Tom Jones leaves the area (which WAS unusual), the never-ending NWA World Junior Heavyweight title tourney is almost over & more!

Tri-State Wrestling Almanac, Sep 1979 - Mar 1982

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I have put together an 85-page PDF file documenting the entire run of Leroy McGuirk's Tri-State Wrestling territory from September 1979 (after the split with Watts) through March 1982 (when the territory folded).

Mid-South Wrestling: September 1980

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In September 1980, JYD’s feud with the Freebirds winds down, two title changes, Ernie Ladd and Killer Karl Kox return & more!

The McGuirk/Watts Wrestling Almanac - Chapter 9 (Q4 1961)

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 Welcome to Chapter 9 of The McGuirk/Watts Wrestling Almanac, an in-depth data-driven look at the wrestling territory run by Leroy McGuirk (and later, Bill Watts). The territory is most commonly known as Tri-State Wrestling and/or Mid-South Wrestling, though neither of those names were actually used until September 1979 when Watts split from McGuirk.

McGuirk Wrestling Territory: August 1972

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Here’s a look at the McGuirk wrestling territory in August 1972: the unlikely team of Ken Mantell & Tom Jones wins gold, Tarzan Tyler and Jim Valiant come to the territory & more!

McGuirk Wrestling Territory: August 1976

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Here's a look at the McGuirk wrestling territory in August 1976: Murdoch moves back up to the top of the cards and gets a few shots at the Funker, Pat Barrett turns heel & more!

A look at Kamala's first territory: ICW/AWA in Mississippi, 1978-1979

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While my posts at Charting the Territories are usually focused on the McGuirk/Watts territory, behind the scenes I have been compiling data for other territories as well. Included among these is the two-year run of George & Gil Culkin's Mississippi territory, which operated as International Championship Wrestling from October 1977 to October 1978, at which point it was renamed AWA Championship Wrestling. The promotion folded in August 1979, after which the Culkins' worked with Bill Watts as the local promoters for Mid-South Wrestling in the state. With the sad news of the passing of James "Kamala" Harris, I have put together a listing of all of his known matches in the Culkin territory, which appears to be the first full-time territory Harris worked for. He started out in late June 1978 as a babyface named Sugar Bear Harris. ----- 6/28/78 Jackson, MS - Full card not listed in ad; Harris is mentioned “plus 3 other bouts including Sugar Bear Harris and Verlon Biggs

Mid-South Wrestling: August 1980

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Here's a look at Mid-South Wrestling in August 1980: JYD returns to face Michael Hayes in the Superdome in front of 28,000 fans; they then battle throughout the rest of the loop with major stipulations & more!

The McGuirk/Watts Wrestling Almanac - Chapter 8 (Q3 1961)

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Welcome to Chapter 8 of The McGuirk/Watts Wrestling Almanac, an in-depth data-driven look at the wrestling territory run by Leroy McGuirk (and later, Bill Watts). The territory is most commonly known as Tri-State Wrestling and/or Mid-South Wrestling, though neither of those names were actually used until September 1979 when Watts split from McGuirk. Each chapter covers a three-month period of time and will list our exclusive statistics: 1) SPOT (Statistical Position Over Time) Ratings, which measure a wrestlers average position on the cards 2) FEUD (Frequent Encounters Using Data) Scores, which measure the frequency and breadth of a series of matches between the same wrestlers (or tag teams) In addition, we list the advertised lineups for all known house shows in the territory during the time period, along with an index of newcomers and other wrestlers (special attractions, women, midgets, etc) that passed through the territory. Previous chapters: Chapter 1  (Q4 1959) Chapter 2  (Q1 19

Tri-State Wrestling: Jul-Sep 1980

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Here's a look at Tri-State Wrestling in the third quarter of 1980: Don Bass gets pushed as a main-event babyface, newcomer Terry Gibbs becomes the first-ever Tri-State Heavyweight champ & more!

Mid-South Wrestling: July 1980

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Here's a look at Mid-South Wrestling in July 1980: the Mantell-Orndorff feud is not only still going strong but it’s about to double in size, a new Louisiana Heavyweight champ is crowned in a one-night tournament & more!

McGuirk Wrestling Territory: July 1976

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Here's a look at the McGuirk wrestling territory in July 1976: the first-ever wrestling card at the Superdome featured Bill Watts finally getting a chance at NWA World Heavyweight champ Terry Funk, Dick Murdoch and Killer Karl Kox facing off in a Jim Bowie Death Match & more! Here are the SPOT Ratings for the month. COMINGS AND GOINGS Newcomers to the territory this month are babyface Pat Barrett and heel John Ravens. “Irish” Pat Barrett (aka Paddy Barrett) came here for the first time since 1963, coming in from the WWWF. He would be a part of the ongoing tournament to fill the vacant NWA World Junior Heavyweight title. Ravens was sometimes billed as Sir John Ravens and his last name was sometimes spelled Raven. I don’t have any information on any other identities he may have used, and prior to this stint I have no information on his whereabouts. Leaving the territory during the month was heel the Medic. He is believed to have been Jim Starr, who appears here as himself in Sept

McGuirk Wrestling Territory: July 1972

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Here's a look at the McGuirk wrestling territory in July 1972: Ivan Putski gets a cousin and Dale Lewis gets a little brother, Dory Funk Jr comes in for a week of World title defenses and goes 60 minutes with Danny Hodge twice and Grizzly Smith once & more!

Looking at Pat Patterson in the McGuirk wrestling territory, 1964

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Here's a look at "Killer" Pat Patterson's brief run in the McGuirk wrestling territory in the spring of 1964.

Hoooo! Charting the first 13 weeks of Hacksaw Duggan in Mid-South Wrestling

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Here is a look at the first 3 months of Hacksaw Duggan's run in Mid-South Wrestling, where he gradually moved up the cards from the prelims to main events.

McGuirk Wrestling Territory: 1972 Jan-Jun Recap

Now that we're halfway through the year, I wanted to take a look back at the first 6 months of the McGuirk wrestling territory in 1972.

McGuirk Wrestling Territory: 1976 Jan-Jun Recap

Now that we're halfway through the year, I wanted to take a look back at the first 6 months of the McGuirk wrestling territory in 1976.

Tri-State Wrestling: 1980 Jan-Jun Recap

Now that we're halfway through the year, I wanted to take a look back at the first 6 months of Tri-State Wrestling (Leroy McGuirk's territory after he and Watts split) in 1980.

Mid-South Wrestling: 1980 Jan-Jun Recap

Now that we're halfway through the year, I wanted to take a look back at the first 6 months of Mid-South Wrestling in 1980.

The McGuirk/Watts Wrestling Almanac - Chapter 7 (Q2 1961)

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Welcome to Chapter 7 of The McGuirk/Watts Wrestling Almanac, an in-depth data-driven look at the wrestling territory run by Leroy McGuirk (and later, Bill Watts). The territory is most commonly known as Tri-State Wrestling and/or Mid-South Wrestling, though neither of those names were actually used until September 1979 when Watts split from McGuirk. Each chapter covers a three-month period of time and will list our exclusive statistics: 1) SPOT (Statistical Position Over Time) Ratings, which measure a wrestlers average position on the cards 2) FEUD (Frequent Encounters Using Data) Scores, which measure the frequency and breadth of a series of matches between the same wrestlers (or tag teams) In addition, we list the advertised lineups for all known house shows in the territory during the time period, along with an index of newcomers and other wrestlers (special attractions, women, midgets, etc) that passed through the territory. Previous chapters: Chapter 1  (Q4 1959) Chapter 2  (Q1 19