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IWA tv questions (Read 884 times)
maskedsuperstarfan
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IWA tv questions
Jan 14th, 2011, 3:51pm
 
Perhaps this is covered elsewhere, but can someone give a brief history on the IWA? More specifically, when and on what channels IWA wrestling aired in this area (Greensboro/Winston Salem/High Point), and why the programs that aired were so old. Also, what were the dynamics between the IWA as a "national" promotion, and the IWA that existed as just a local promotion here in the Carolinas?
 
Thanks to Youtube, I've developed a renewed interest in the IWA which I only have vague memories of watching from when I was a kid.
 
Thanks to all in advance,
MSF
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cwh47
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Re: IWA tv questions
Reply #1 - Jan 14th, 2011, 9:40pm
 
Here is a link to an earlier thread that may help :
 
http://nwalegends.com/fanfestforum/YaBB.pl?num=1169358388
 
The programs were new from 1975-1977.In the fall of 1981,the shows began airing again on channel 45 in Winston-Salem and other stations in NC.The shows originally aired on WXII channel 12 in Winston-Salem and many other channels in the U.S.,well at least the 1975 Einhorn version did.After Johnny Powers took over,the show mostly aired in the Carolina's and Virginia.
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maskedsuperstarfan
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Re: IWA tv questions
Reply #2 - Jan 15th, 2011, 6:16pm
 
Great -thanks for the info!
Any idea on what prompted tv stations to air 4 year old wrestling programs, or did the tv executives not realize that the programs being aired were so old?
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cwh47
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Re: IWA tv questions
Reply #3 - Jan 16th, 2011, 10:32am
 
I can only speculate on the reasons I believe this happened.First,there must have been someone at channel 45 (WJTM at the time) who liked wrestling and wanted a show for their station. I say this because by 1984 channel 45 was airing more,different, wrestling programs than any station in my memory such as World Class,WWF,JCP and even an independent promotion.They ran several shows on Saturday (the independent show ran late Sat.night/early Sun. morning) and more shows on Sunday.
 
The second reason I believe the IWA rerun package was the first is, if I remember right ,the FCC had a rule that stations in the same market could not air a show that was already airing on one of their competitors station.Mid-Atlantic was airing on WXII 12 and World Wide Wrestling was airing on WGHP at the time.So when the owners of the IWA tapes offered the show in syndication,channel 45 probably got a good deal and a wrestling program which they wanted.I will always believe that this is what led to the creation of East Coast Wrestling hosted by Big Bill Ward.This Crockett show began airing on WJTM in 1982.Big Bill and one of the wrestlers ( I remember Jake Roberts being with Bill more than anyone else for some reason) would show tapes and films of matches,some current and some older.
 
Today I wish that the WWE would create a syndication package for the Crockett shows that they have.After all, we have several classic tv networks such as RTV and the new Antenna TV which just started airing out of High Point,NC on Jan.1.I think wrestling might fit right in with all the other classic tv shows.
 
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daveruth
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Re: IWA tv questions
Reply #4 - Jan 16th, 2011, 10:03pm
 
the reruns in 1981 were bought time...the guy backing the return paid channel 45 for the time...so they didn't care how old the tapes were
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JSwags
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Re: IWA tv questions
Reply #5 - Jan 19th, 2011, 6:45pm
 
Thanks to the invention of the DVD, I've got a ton of footage of the IWA. Before I got it, I had heard about it from reading the Apter mags, so I was hyped about getting the footage. They did have some legit superstars such as Koloff,Mascaras,Igor, and Brower but I thought their TV program was pretty bland and unexciting. They had a relatively small crew and the product just didn't jump out at you. After being spoiled by GREAT wrestling TV from Portland,Mid South and the like, this seemed really tame in comparison....just my view on it
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