CENTER STAGE, the WrestleCopia Mid-Atlantic Cast, kicks off with Ray Russell joined by his son Conner for Conner’s first-ever podcast, getting his feet wet as they set the stage for Mid-Atlantic Wrestling 1981 by looking at the first six months of January through June! Ray throws research notes at Conner live on the show as Conner learns the ropes, so come along for his first step into the podcast world and a look back at this loaded territory. The duo follows Ric Flair’s heated rivalry with Roddy Piper, including Piper’s United States Title victory and Ivan Koloff’s run as Piper’s bounty hunter! Ricky Steamboat battles Jimmy Snuka, while Blackjack Mulligan tangles with Bobby Duncum and the Iron Sheik in street fights, cages, and more. The World Tag Team Titles change hands as Paul Jones and the Masked Superstar battle Ray Stevens and Koloff before Ole and Gene Anderson take control of the division. Also covered is Sweet Ebony Diamond’s unmasking as Rocky Johnson and his Television Title rivalry with Greg Valentine, along with the changing Mid-Atlantic Tag Team title scene. Behind the scenes, George Scott’s departure and Ole Anderson’s takeover as booker bring changes, with Wahoo McDaniel, Jay Youngblood, Leroy Brown, Lord Alfred Hayes, Nikolai Volkoff, and others moving into featured roles. Add in appearances by Harley Race, André the Giant, and Dusty Rhodes, Jimmy Valiant’s run as King James I, and a look at the Knoxville connection. There’s plenty of ground to cover as the CENTER STAGE journey begins!
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