US Title

[ChrisR]

I'm confused about the NWA US title.......the history here reads that Harley Race is the first champion, yet gives it an asterisk, which would indicate that it was fictitious. Anyone have the exact story on that one?

[Peru-Yakuza]

As with Pat Patterson and the I-C title, it was probably just awarded to him but billed as having won a tournament.

[Dan Poutsma]

Jim Crockett Promotions brought him in billed as the United States heavyweight champion with the explanation that he had beaten Johnny Valentine for it in the finals of a (ficticious) tournament in Tallahassee, FL.

I think the title was initially created by JCP booker George Scott mainly as a way to further elevate the already growing legend of JV, as he ended up winning it shortly thereafter. Unfortunately though, that plan would come to a screeching halt a few short months later when he was involved in the plane crash (along with Flair, David Crockett, Tim Woods, and Bob Bruggers) that ended his career.

[edgehead1984]

I've always seen Johnny Weaver as being the man who Race defeated, or is Weaver and Valentine one and the same.

[Dan Poutsma]

You're right. I stand corrected; it was Johnny Weaver. Just had Valentine on the brain at the time I was typing it.

And no, they're definitely not the same person.

[ChrisR]

thanks Peru, Dan, and Edgehead for the elaboration...........and once again, dare I say, thanks to the powers that be for an excellent wrestling website....

I guess it was one of those kinda Buddy Rogers phantom tournament kinda things..........

hell........I could post my ramblings on the whole WWE/WCW title lineage here maybe.......I do have some differing opinions there........I might just do so......