WWE fans mourn the paasing away of legendary wrestling promoter Jim Crockett Jr., who died at the age of 76 on Thursday (March 5) due to organ failure. Crockett’s death was first announced Wednesday by Rock ‘n’ Roll Express member Robert Gibson on Facebook: “Rest In Peace Jim Crockett, Jr. You will be missed by so many.”
Crockett Jr was an influential promoter who helped champion the careers of WWE Hall of Famers such as Ric Flair, Ricky Steamboat and The Road Warriors. He stewarded the family’s Crockett Promotions from 1977 to 1989 and during his tenure he even rivaled Vince McMahon’s World Wrestling Federation.
As part of the promotion’s affiliation, Crockett Jr. was later named President of the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA) in 1980 and after serving three terms as PRESIDENT, he sold the company to Ted Turner in 1988, who renamed it World Championship Wrestling (WCW).
Notably, former and current wrestlers, fans and promotions all came forward after to offer their condolences after learning that  Crockett Jr passed away.
WWE is saddened to learn that Jim Crockett Jr. passed away at the age of 76.
WWE extends its condolences to Crockett Jr.’s family and friends.https://t.co/yN7ED3aKij
— WWE (@WWE) March 4, 2021
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I Moved To Charlotte In 1974 With $150 In My Pocket. Jimmy Crockett Was My Friend And My Boss. I Can’t Put Into Words How Much He Did For Me And My Career. His Influence And Persistence Helped Me Become The World Champion. My Thoughts And Prayers Are With The Crockett Family! pic.twitter.com/qbcyubrtkI
— Ric Flair(r) (@RicFlairNatrBoy) March 4, 2021
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The NWA is saddened to learn that Jim Crockett Jr. has passed away. A 3x president of the NWA, Crockett was a titan in the wrestling industry who introduced countless legends to the world. We extend our deepest sympathies to his family, friends, and fans.#RIPJimCrockettJr pic.twitter.com/IOpl74syNb
— NWA (@nwa) March 4, 2021
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3 of the original members of the horsemen reunite on dynamite on the night Jim Crockett JR passed away. pic.twitter.com/1Gxr6GitX9
— Adam Goldberg (@adamgoldberg28) March 4, 2021
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Crockett also had a hand in creating the Jim Crockett Sr. Memorial Cup Tag Team Tournament, which ran from 1986 to 1988 before being resurrected in present-day NWA in 2019.
Additionally, Crockett was at the helm for the creation of JCP and WCW’s top pay-per-view, Starrcade, as well as Clash of the Champions, which was a revolutionary show that provided fans with pay-per-view-quality cards on free television.
Post his retirement in 1995, Crockett Jr worked as a realtor and mortgage loan originator in Texas.