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Post by toasterboy on Sept 16, 2007 20:20:59 GMT -5
I grew up in San Francisco in the early 80's, so WWF was basically all I knew about. But the more I learn about the 'territories' the more I like the idea and may set up my legends fed like that. I have a few question though...
I know the World champ traveled from Territory to territory, how long did they usually stay? Just long enough to work a program with the territory's top guy leading up to a big title shot? Or did the champ stay and do sort of a 'take on all comers' type thing before moving on?
Thanks
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Post by toasterboy on Sept 16, 2007 22:43:36 GMT -5
Also, if a champ in one territory won the world title did he forfeit the territory championship?
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Post by LWPD on Sept 17, 2007 2:57:06 GMT -5
The territory system was akin to a geographic mafia. Back in the day the costs (financial and political) associated with running across the country made the forming of a union of common interests among owners feasible. By using tactics that fended off competition with-in an area (such as blackballing the prospects of talent who dared to work for non-member ventures, using combined leverage to shut off venue access to start ups outside membership) it made sense to the owners to have a system that protected their interests (at the expense of talent and non-members). It would vary. The concept of a 'traveling NWA World World Champion' was designed to create a talent that could serve as a recurring special attraction that boosted business beyond what it would normally be using the local crew. The goal was to lift the gate for larger shows with-in a territory and generate income to the committee bosses through the sharing of 'points' on the events the champion appeared on. Promoters from each territory wanted 'their guy' to serve in the role because it gave them a booking advantage. For example Ric Flair was a product of Jim Crockett Promotions. He would travel around the country but give appearance priority to JCP (and GCW due to the cable exposure) at the expense of the other promotions like Pacific Northwest, World Class, etc. Thus he did more television and appearances in the former than the later. To compensate...the 'active presence of the World Champion' would be manipulated through television. For example in this angle Flair sells an upcoming house show with Jerry Lawler for the Memphis area at their biggest venue...while later creating a 'bounty angle' that gives the NWA World Champion a presence in storylines that the local talent can execute without his being there. This was a common tactic...the taping of promos for an appearance at a big venue show...while also taping angles that tied the 'image' of the NWA World Title to the locality. The one would supersede the other...but it rarely was booked that way. Knowing a talent was 'moving on up' the title would usually be worked off the areas chosen one in advance. |
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