South Atlantic Pro Wrestling
South Atlantic Pro Wrestling was a professional wrestling promotion founded by George Scott, John Ringley and Mike Lamberth in Charlotte, North Carolina in 1990, and later taken over by Paul Jones and Frank Dusek. It was the last effort to revive the NWA's Mid-Atlantic wrestling territory.
History and overview
Formation
The North American Wrestling Association was founded by George Scott, John Ringley and Mike Lamberth in January 1990. The first event and TV taping was held in Sumter, South Carolina on February 8, 1990. Matches from these shows were first shown in March and April 1990.The first North American Heavyweight Champion, Robert Fuller, won the championship in an 18-man tournament by defeating Ricky Steamboat in the finals on June 30, 1990, in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. The first North American Tag Team Champions were crowned in a tournament final that same month, also in Winston-Salem, when The Nasty Boys defeated Danny Allen and Bob Emery.
Scott and Ringley, as former Jim Crockett Promotions employees, recognized the importance of television exposure. The group purchased all the old JCP market stations in the Carolinas along with the original timeslots. In July 1990, Paul Jones and Frank Dusek took over the promotion and negotiated a deal with the America One Network to air "South Atlantic Pro Wrestling" on Friday nights later that year.
Territorial reach
George Scott and his partners hoped to revive the National Wrestling Alliance's old Mid-Atlantic wrestling territory which traditionally covered Virginia, North Carolina and South Carolina. After securing key television markets in the Carolinas, the promotion signed contracts with all the old Crockett arenas to hold pro wrestling shows on a regular basis. Within the first year of operation, house shows and TV tapings were held at the Columbia Township Auditorium, Grady Cole Center, Greenwood Civic Center, Limestone College Gym, and the Winston-Salem Memorial Coliseum. SAPW tours also included high school gyms, rec centers, and fairs in cities throughout Georgia, Mississippi, Virginia, and the Carolinas. In August 1991, SAPW held a benefit show in Wentworth, North Carolina for Operation Family Shield, a support group established by then Governor Jim Martin, that provided financial assistance to military families of North Carolina National Guardsmen and U.S. Army reservists stationed in the Persian Gulf.Notable talent
SAPW featured many Mid-Atlantic veterans such as Big John Studd, Bob Orton Jr., Ivan Koloff, Junkyard Dog, Manny Fernandez, Matt Bourne, Paul Jones, Randy Colley, Ricky Steamboat, Robert Fuller, Ron Garvin, Tommy Rich, Wahoo McDaniel, and The Fantastics. Other legends such as Lou Thesz, Johnny Weaver, and Tim Woods appeared alongside SAPW announcer Ted Webb as special guest commentators for "South Atlantic Pro Wrestling". Bob Caudle also joined the promotion in late 1991. Henry Marcus, another longtime JCP associate, promoted his final house show for the group.The promotion also showcased younger talent, including Baron Samdi, Curtis Thompson, Dean Malenko, Nelson Frazier, The Patriot, P.N. News, Ric Savage, Rob Van Dam, Vince Torelli, The American Pit Bulldogs and The Nasty Boys. Chris Chavis, who had trained under Larry Sharpe at the Monster Factory prior to his SAPW debut, was its first breakout star. During his first year in SAPW, he was voted 3rd runner up for Rookie of the Year in Pro Wrestling Illustrated. Chavis was also awarded the SAPW Heavyweight Championship before being signed to the World Wrestling Federation. Chavis attributed his early success to Ricky Steamboat and Wahoo McDaniel who mentored him during his time in SAPW.
Style and controversy
SAPW catered to traditional Southern wrestling fans that had grown up during the Mid-Atlantic territory's "glory years" of previous decades. The promoters promised a back-to-basics approach to pro wrestling that provided an alternative to "sports entertainment" marketed by the World Wrestling Federation. They were also critical of the independent promotions beginning to emerge with the weakening of the NWA. Its "family friendly" environment was not without controversy, however, as a real-life fight between Ken Shamrock and The Nasty Boys left the future UFC fighter hospitalized. The drunken brawl had reportedly woken up the other wrestlers staying in motel. Frank Dusek claimed that it was only the intervention of Robert Fuller and the American Pit Bulldogs that prevented Kobbs and Saggs from throwing the unconscious wrestler over the third floor balcony of their motel room. Shamrock suffered a broken sternum and a caved in eye socket as a result of the two-on-one attack.World Wrestilng Council
The promotion had a brief association with the World Wrestling Council after Manny Fernandez became SAPW's booker in August 1991. In November of that year, Fernandez was "suspended" from the promotion when he took the SAPW Heavyweight Championship to Puerto Rico. This led to a cross promotional effort with the WWC which saw Fernandez defend the belt as the "WWC North America Champion".Demise
In spite of a strong start, the promotion operated at a loss during its first six months in business. George Scott lost an estimated $600,000 before deciding to cut his losses and retire to Florida. There was a noticeable drop in quality after the original investors pulled out and many of the promotion's top stars left the area. "South Atlantic Pro Wrestling" remained in the Friday night death slot throughout its two-year run. Jones and Dusek eventually sold SAPW to North Carolina promoter Greg Price who ran the promotion during its final year. Its last official show was held in Cerro Gordo, North Carolina on August 1, 1992.Alumni
Male wrestlers| Birth name: | Ring name: | Tenure: | Notes |
| Brad Anderson The Viper | 1990–1991 | ||
| Scott Studd | 1992 | ||
| Ronnie Garvin | 1991 | ||
| Tommy Angel | 1991–1992 | ||
| Ricky Steamboat | 1990 | ||
| Vladimir Koloff | 1991–1992 | ||
| Jay Eagle | 1990 | ||
| Neil Superior | 1992 | ||
| Chris Chavis | 1990–1991 | ||
| The Nightstalker | 1992 | ||
| Randy Colley | 1990 | ||
| Butch Malone The White Knight | 1990–1991 1992 | ||
| American Bulldog Spike Pitbulldog Spike | 1990–1991 | ||
| Manny Fernandez | 1991 | ||
| Chaz Rocco | 1992 | ||
| Death Squad #1 | 1992 | ||
| Paul Jones | 1990–1991 | ||
| The Storm Trooper | 1991 | ||
| Carlos Colón | 1991 | ||
| The Black Scorpion | 1992 | ||
| Jackie Fulton | 1990–1991 | ||
| Bobby Fulton | 1990–1991 | ||
| Death Squad #2 | 1992 | ||
| Mike Maverick | 1990–1992 | ||
| Sumo Riki | 1991 | ||
| Colt Steele | 1990 1992 | ||
| Vince Torelli | 1990–1991 | ||
| Tex Sallinger | 1990 | ||
| Brian Knobbs | 1990 | ||
| Stan Lane | 1991 | ||
| Gene Ligon Thunderfoot | 1990 | ||
| Wahoo McDaniel | 1991–1992 | ||
| Big John Studd | 1990 | ||
| Rip Morgan | 1990 | ||
| Rikki Nelson | 1991 | ||
| P.N. News | 1992 | ||
| Jack Lord | 1990 | ||
| Bob Orton, Jr. | 1990 | ||
| Matt Borne The Maniac | 1990 | ||
| Smasher Sloan | 1991 | ||
| Ivan Koloff | 1990–1992 | ||
| Tommy Rich | 1992 | ||
| Jack Victory | 1990 | ||
| Junkyard Dog | 1991–1992 | ||
| Ranger Ross | 1990–1991 | ||
| Gary Royal | 1991 | ||
| Jerry Sags | 1990 | ||
| Frank Dusek | 1990 1991 | ||
| Dean Malenko | 1990 | ||
| Sam Houston | 1990–1991 | ||
| Rob Van Dam Rob Zakowski | 1991–1992 | ||
| Siva Afi | 1991 | ||
| J.T. Thomas | 1990 | ||
| Curtis Thompson | 1990–1991 | ||
| Robert Fuller | 1990–1991 | ||
| Shaska Whatley | 1991–1992 | ||
| The Patriot | 1991 1992 | ||
| Rick Wilson Ricky Wilson | 1990 | ||
| American Bulldog Rex Pitbulldog Rex | 1990–1991 | ||
| Baron Samedi | 1990 | ||
| Allen Kensey Alan Kinsey | 1990 | ||
| American GI | 1991 | ||
| The Assassin | 1992 | ||
| Beau Ragin Bo Ragin Bob Ragin | 1990 | ||
| Bob Emory | 1990 1991 | ||
| Brian Johnson | 1990 | ||
| Bubba Kirk | 1990 | ||
| Buddy Blonz | 1992 | ||
| Chuck Coates | 1990 | ||
| Chuck Roberts | 1990 | ||
| Clarence Sowell | 1990 | ||
| Colin Orsack The Texas Battleship | 1990 | ||
| Cruel Connection I | 1990 1991 | ||
| Cruel Connection II | 1991 | ||
| The Crusader | 1991 | ||
| Dan Grundy | 1990 | ||
| Darrell Woodworth | 1990 | ||
| Darrin Stevens | 1992 | ||
| David Isley | 1990 1992 | ||
| David Sledge | 1990 | ||
| David Studemire | 1990 | ||
| David Taylor | 1991–1992 | ||
| Dennis Fowler | 1990 | ||
| Denny Brown The Red Raider | 1991 | ||
| Derrick Dukes | 1990 | ||
| Dr. X | 1990 | ||
| Ebony Austin | 1992 | ||
| The Enforcer | 1990 | ||
| Eric Cooper | 1990 | ||
| Gary Booth | 1990 | ||
| Gary Simone | 1990 | ||
| The Gladiator | 1990 | ||
| Gordon Lambert | 1992 | ||
| The Grappler | 1990–1992 | ||
| Greg Bobchick | 1991–1992 | ||
| Greg Brown | 1990 | ||
| The Heartthrob | 1991 | ||
| Helmut Hessler | 1991–1992 | ||
| Hunter Thompson | 1990 | ||
| The Iron Man | 1990 | ||
| Jeff Collette | 1991 | ||
| Jeff Husker | 1991–1992 | ||
| Jerry Price | 1990 | ||
| Jerry Rose | 1990 1991 | ||
| Jim Elliot | 1990 | ||
| Jimmy Johnson | 1991 | ||
| Johnny Blitz | 1992 | ||
| Johnny B. Goode | 1991 | ||
| Johnny Del Rio | 1991–1992 | ||
| Johnny Kidd | 1992 | ||
| Johnny Z Johnny Ziegler | 1990 | ||
| Kokla Khan | 1990 | ||
| Lee Ramsey | 1990 | ||
| Luther D | 1990 | ||
| Lynn Wagner | 1990 | ||
| Mac Mason | 1990 | ||
| Mad Bull | 1992 | ||
| Madd Maxx | 1992 | ||
| The Maneater | 1990–1991 | ||
| Mark Fleming | 1990 | ||
| The Masked Bammer | 1992 | ||
| Matt Burns Mat Burns | 1991 | ||
| Matt Dozer | 1992 | ||
| The Mighty Atar | 1991–1992 | ||
| Mike Cavanar | 1990 | ||
| Mike Crockett | 1990 | ||
| Mike Curevich | 1990 | ||
| Mike Rexx | 1990 | ||
| Mike Somani | 1990 | ||
| Mike Starr | 1991–1992 | ||
| Mike Wallace | 1990 | ||
| Nicky Hawks | 1991–1992 | ||
| The Ninja | 1992 | ||
| Richard Beck | 1992 | ||
| Rick Slagle Ringlord Rick | 1990–1992 | ||
| Rick Starr | 1990 1991 | ||
| Robert Booth | 1990 | ||
| Robert Campbell | 1990–1991 | ||
| Roughhouse Graham | 1991–1992 | ||
| The Russian Assassin | 1991 | ||
| Rusty Riddle | 1992 | ||
| Rusty Stevens | 1990 | ||
| Sammy Martin Sammy Morton | 1990 | ||
| Scotty Piper | 1991 | ||
| Speedy Gonzales Ringlord Speedy | 1990–1992 | ||
| The Starman | 1991 | ||
| Stone Cold | 1992 | ||
| Thomas St. John | 1990 | ||
| Tommy Pound | The Convict | 1991-92 | |
| TJ Roberts | 1992 | ||
| Tom Atlas | 1990 | ||
| Tom Lively | 1990 | ||
| Tommy Gunn | 1991–1992 | ||
| Tommy Landell | 1990–1991 | ||
| Tommy Seabolt | 1990–1992 | ||
| Trent Knight | 1990–1991 | ||
| Trooper Max | 1992 | ||
| Tyrone Knox | 1991–1992 | ||
| William Ford | 1990 | ||
| William Winfield | 1992 | ||
| Willie Clay | 1992 |
Female wrestlers
| Birth name: | Ring name: | Tenure: | Notes |
| Lady X Peggy Lee Leather | 1991–1992 | ||
| Bambi | 1991–1992 | ||
| Velvet McIntyre | 1992 | ||
| Leilani Kai | 1991 | ||
| Betty Blonz | 1992 | ||
| Stacy Lee Austin | 1992 | ||
| Susie Krueger | 1992 |
Stables and tag teams
| Tag team/Stable | Members | Tenure |
| The American Bulldogs / The Pit Bulldogs | Rex and Spike | 1990–1991 |
| The Death Squad | Death Squad #1 and Death Squad #2 | 1992 |
| The German Stormtroopers / The Stormtroopers | Helmut Hessler and Hans Schmidt | 1991 |
| The Nasty Boys | Brian Knobs and Jerry Sags | 1990 |
| The New Fantastics | Bobby Fulton and Jackie Fulton | 1990–1991 |
| Paul Jones' Rangers | Paul Jones, Ranger Ross, Bo Ragin, Vince Torelli and Chris Chavis | 1990 |
| The Royal Family | Jack Victory and Rip Morgan | 1990 |
| The Russians | Ivan Koloff and Vladimir Koloff | 1992 |
| The Ringlords | Ringlord Rick and Ringlord Speedy | 1990–1992 |
| The Stud Stable | Robert Fuller, Matt Borne, Tex Salenger, Curtis Thompson, The Maneater, Luther D, The Nasty Boys, and The Pitbulldogs | 1990 |
| The TNT Express | Tommy Seabolt and Tommy Angel | 1991–1992 |
Managers and valets
| Birth name: | Ring name: | Tenure: | Notes |
| Kevin "The Truth" Casey | 1991 | ||
| Paul Jones | 1990–1991 | ||
| Robert Fuller | 1990–1991 |
Commentators and interviewers
| Birth name: | Ring name: | Tenure: | Notes |
| Ricky Steamboat | 1990 | Guest color commentator | |
| Paul Jones | 1990–1991 | Color commentator | |
| Vince Torelli | 1990 | Color commentator | |
| Gene Ligon | 1990 | Color commentator | |
| Big John Studd | 1990 | Guest color commentator | |
| Frank Dusek | 1990–1991 | Play-by-play commentator | |
| George Scott | 1990 | Guest color commentator | |
| George Scott, Jr. | 1990 | Color commentator | |
| Lou Thesz | 1990 | Guest color commentator | |
| Johnny Weaver | 1990 | Guest color commentator | |
| Ted Webb | 1990 | Play-by-play commentator | |
| Robert Fuller | 1990 | Color commentator | |
| Mr. Wrestling | 1990 | Guest color commentator |
Referees
| Birth name: | Ring name: | Tenure: | Notes |
| Leroy Ramsey | 1990–1991 | ||
| Byron Richards | 1990–1991 |
Other personnel
| Birth name: | Ring name: | Tenure: | Notes |
| Paul Jones | 1992–1994 | Owner | |
| Mike Lamberth | 1990–1992 | Owner | |
| Greg Price | 1992–1994 | Owner | |
| John Ringley | 1990–1992 | Owner | |
| Frank Dusek | 1992–1994 | Owner | |
| George Scott | 1990–1992 | Owner |