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Top Five Wrestlers Associated With A Territory

Posted: Sep 27th 2024 By: Brian Damage - RingTheDamnBell.Wordpress.com

Long Before Vince McMahon and his World Wrestling Federation went on its national expansion, the territorial system ruled professional wrestling. Each territory across the country had one or two stars that were familiar faces to that area. While others wrestlers would come and go from territory to territory, there was always at least one constant wrestler in one place. Today’s Top Five looks at the five most recognizable wrestlers for a certain area.

The Junkyard Dog – Mid South Wrestling

Of all the wrestlers in various territories, perhaps the biggest star of all time was in fact the Junkyard Dog in Mid South. JYD was so over as a babyface that many during that era said his popularity rivaled that of Hulk Hogan. He sold out countless venues and filled up the Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana on his name value alone. He had memorable feuds with the likes of the Freebirds and Ted Dibiase.

The Von Erichs – World Class Championship Wrestling

In the 1980’s, Fritz Von Erich ran World Class with an “Iron Claw.” His sons which consisted of David, Kevin, Kerry, Mike and to a lesser degree Chris were like rock stars for their father’s territory in Dallas, Texas. Other babyfaces came and went, but the Von Erich boys were the one constant in that area.

Dusty Rhodes – Championship Wrestling From Florida

While Dusty Rhodes wrestled in many different territories during his illustrious career, the place where he really made a name for himself as a bonafide superstar was in the Florida territory. It is there where manager Gary Hart and Pak Song turned on the once hated heel Dusty and he became a babyface known as ‘the American Dream.’ Dusty served as a wrestler and booker under the watchful eyes of owner Eddie Graham.

Jerry Lawler – Continental Wrestling Association

Younger fans may recognize Jerry ‘the King’ Lawler as one of the voices of WWF’s Attitude Era in the 1990’s. The fact is, however, Jerry Lawler was the true king of Memphis wrestling for decades. Lawler feuded with all the top heels and babyfaces depending what he was at the time. From Terry Funk, Ric Flair, Andre the Giant, Andy Kaufman and countless others…Lawler was and still is a Memphis, Tennessee mainstay.

Bruno Sammartino – World Wide Wrestling Federation

Despite Bruno Sammartino hailing from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, New York City and the WWWF is where he became a living legend. Bruno wore the New York’s version of the world title for years and in that time sold out Madison Square Garden countless times. He was an iconic hero in the northeast who hobnobbed with celebrities like Frank Sinatra, the Pope and even members of the mafia. Bruno Sammartino no doubt was the face of New York City’s territory.