TV Taping Jan. 7th in Decatur TN

Saturday January 7 International All star championship Wrestlings National Television taping takes place in Decatur Tn 16562 Hwy 58 S at tJ&J Promotions professional wrestling academy doors open at 10:30am taping begins at 11am admission is 100% FREE there will be concessions.

 Join former NWA World Heavyweight Champion Ronnie Garvin and former WCW/NWA star Joe Cazana as they call the action.

You will see The Heatseekers and their manager the legendary Izzy Slapowitz, Tom Pitner, The Machine, The Law Andrew Howard, Clay Higdon, The Arrogance of Excellence Jerry Sampson, The Rocky Top Rocker, Tyler Gaines, The Cadillac Cowboy Steven Burns, Stan Lee, The Bounty Hunter, Beau and Misty James, and many more. Remember admission is absolutely FREE. SEE YOU RINGSIDE

This Week's AMW TV and Upcoming Jan. 8th Event.

This Sunday Night Kingsport, TN

Don't Miss This - This Sunday Southern States Wrestling and Christmas Night Wrestling returns to Kingsport, TN. A night to give back to others. The event is a fundraiser for Sullivan Baptist Association Disaster Relief. A great origination that helps in times of need like the WV Floods and Smoky wildfires this year. We are also collecting canned food items for Shades of Grace. The admission is a suggested donation of $10 adults and $5 kids. Give as you can no one will be turned away. I will be giving my testimony after the matches. 

Bring your family tell your friends and neighbors. Doors open 6:15 bell time 7:15 

Merry Christmas from SSW 

John 1:14 

presented in part by Ministry 29 and special thanks to Calvary Baptist Church of Kingsport

This Week's Appalachian Mountain Wrestling TV

Upcoming History Projects for East Tennessee, East Kentucky, and West Virginia and how you can help.

Buy this book now right hand side of the page

With my third book coming out this year and being shipped across the country and a few sales in Europe. The rich wrestling history of my home area is reaching an entire new audience.

My goal when I started this journey was to write one book. It did not take long to realize that it would take a series of books to tell the complete and truthful history of wrestling in East Tennessee. In fact to tell the story of east TN I have to also include Eastern Kentucky and Southwest Virginia and that has lead to my research reaching into those areas.

Middlesboro KY Card with Ron and Don Wright vs. Whitey Caldwell and Bobby Shane

Luckily some of these towns have digitized their papers and I am able to search much faster and easier for what I'm looking for. A big problems is one of the main towns for years in Kentucky has not digitized. So I will have to spend hours looking at film and actual papers in a library and museum. More about that on down.

My plan once I started publishing was to do 60s, then 70s, then go back to the 50s. Well  that has changed. I'm deep into the 1950s and will start putting it into book form I pray by the end of February. The 1950s in Kingsport was a great time for wrestling fans here with big stars like Mildred Burke, Johnny Valentine, Fred Blassie, and many others spending time in the Model City. I think just like with my 1960s Kingsport Book many will be surprised by the people who came through here. 

Just like in my first history book I will bring you not only the cards but any results, news, etc. connected to the weekly wrestling cards in Kingsport and some surrounding cities and towns. My goal is to release my yet untitled 1950s book in mid spring of 2017. 

Now on to what will be the biggest task, the 1970s. Everything changed here in the 70s. Knoxville and Kingsport would combine to create Southeastern Wrestling. Which means to complete the book I will have to finish Knoxville and Johnson City research. The area was shocked and saddened with the deaths of the local hero and top star Whitey Caldwell and a well known manager Sam Bass who got his start here. 

The man who would be come the area hero after Whitey's untimely death Ed Wolf would be injured and nearly die in one of the freakiest accidents that ever happened in Pro Wrestling. You will find out how the wrestlers, promoters, and fans rallied around Ed and his family. 

Thanks to my friend and long time area wrestling fan who gifted me several posters you will not only see how the news paper promoted events but you will be able to see several window cards (posters) from the time. 

Just like the decades before and after the 1970s featured the top area and national names on events here in my area. Below is advertisement for Andre The Giant's debut in the Tri Cities. 

In the 1970s the area also saw it's first rush of not only outside promoters but local Independent (outlaw) groups growing. One of these promotions was ran by 6 times World Champion the Legendary Lou Thesz. How old did Lou last in Kingsport? You'll find out in the book. 

 The 70s book will cover all of this and more including the bitter split and territory war between Ron Fuller's Southeastern Wrestling and Ron Wright's All Star Wrestling. How did it effect the area. Who won? Who lost? Who came in and took over Kingsport and Knoxville? All of these questions are answered in the book. 

Now here is where I need help. If you were a regular at the Tuesday Night matches in Johnson City or Friday Night matches in Knoxville. I would like to talk with you. If you have any posters or programs from Southeastern, All Star Wrestling , and/or Mid Atlantic Wrestling I would like to see them. 

One big challenge for the 1970s is that Kingsport was dropped as a weekly town for Marryville, TN on Wednesday Nights. Johnson City on Tuesday became the place to be for Tri-Cities fans. One big problem for me Johnson City papers are not digitized. So I have many hours and days looking at film in my future. Same goes for the Friday Night town of Knoxville. More about that at the end of this blog.  Good news is Kingsport 1970s is completed. 

My goal is to release this book on Oct. 7 2017. That date is special for a reason and keep checking back here as we go on to find out. 

A long with loving the history of my home area and wanting to make sure it is told in full and truthful. I have another area that I have studied, watched, and asked about for years. That is my home away from home West Virginia. Other than Tennessee I have spent more time there than any where. It like the Tri Cities has a rich yet mostly unknown history of Pro Wrestling. As you can see from this 1958 clipping below it was not the most P.C. places. In fact it was Wild and Wonderful as their State slogan goes. 

I have dug into what was the West Virginia territory that was opened by Toots Mont. It was originally based in Charleston but moved later to Oak Hill. Right now I am researching Bluefield, Beckley, and Charleston newspapers. I also have events from other area towns. Trouble with some of these towns is like others the newspapers are still on film. 

If you were a fan growing up in West Virginia and have pictures, posters, programs, or memories. let me know. 

Ok now here is were the real help comes in. As far as time that I already have into researching just East Tennessee I will never sale enough books to make it worth it. I don't do it for that. I do it because I want to keep this history alive. I want to honor those who came before me. I want to make sure their work is remembered and the legacy carries on. So much of wrestling history is being told wrong. Even more of it is dying with the stars of the era. 

I will be spending many hours , days, months working on these. Why? Because if not me then who? Many people tell me they love my books, they love listening to me tell the history on podcast or in person. I learned it by living it, asking questions, and many hours of reading it. In order to read it and put it into print I have spent 21 years in libraries. Guess what folks to get files from film it cost money. To drive to different cities to research it cost money. To put it in book form it cost money. All that I'm out till the books start selling. I had 21 years in before the first book came out. Good thing along the way I was able to do 1916-1977 for Kingsport. I have some Knoxville done and some Johnson City with much more to go.

If you have bought a book THANK YOU!!! If you are planning on it but have been waiting PLEASE do now. Same thing goes for a DVD or DVD sets here. My history book and history sets are used to help keep the history lessons coming. If you feel that this work is important like I do and would like to make sure the work is complete. I have added a donate button on the top left hand side of this page.  

Someone suggested I do A Go Fund deal but the only problem is I have no idea what the cost of this work would be. And the work will be going on for at least the next year. So here is the deal if you want to or can donate a few bucks. I will give thanks here on my page on social media pages as we go to all who do. Donate $10 and I will list you on a Thank You page in one of the books. Just tell me which book.Donate $25 and I will list you in all three books and give you a book of your choice hot off the press. Don't have $10 or $25? Know a $5 spot or even a couple of bucks will help too. Let's keep the history, memories, and our heroes alive. 

I am also toying with the idea of putting paid ads for area businesses in the back of the book. Not sure about that yet. I will let you know.

Merry Christmas John 1:14

thanks for reading, thanks for supporting, 

Beau James

Sinner Saved by Grace, Pro Wrestler, Historian

kingofkingsport@gmail.com 

 

Christmas Night Wrestling in Kingsport, TN to help two great Organizations

Misty James and I are so blessed to get to travel and do what we love, wrestle all over the Appalachians . Our schedule the last couple of years have kept us from wrestling in our home area very often.

Every time we go out in town people ask when will we be wrestling in the Tri Cities? The answer is Christmas Night. The event is to help raise money for The Sullivan Baptist Association Disaster Relief. It's a great group who help in time of need like recent WV Floods and Smoky Wildfires. Also we ask you to bring a canned food item(s) for Shades of Grace who feed area homeless and family in needs. Admission is a suggested donation of $10 adults and $5 kids. Give what you can no one will be turned away. After the matches I will be giving my testimony. BE THERE!!!

Thanks to our friend Weston Leonard and the great people at the Model City Event Center for helping us help others.

If you would like to donate to or sponsor this event send me a message. Also area wrestlrs we might have a few spots for Christmas night. Message me if interested.


We are working on more events to help area organizations in the area you can. Keep up with SSW at SSW Facebook Page and follow us on SSW Twitter

Merry Christmas to Everyone. Remember Jesus is the reason for the Season

 John 1:14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

I'm on Booking The Territory Podcast This Week and Next

I'm on this week's Booking The Territory Podcast talking Ron Wright, Norvell Austin, The Junkyard Dog, East Tennessee and East Kentucky Wrestling history. Language warning in the first parts before I come on. I start about 1:23:30 Church folk fast forward to then. Thanks for Mike having me on the next two weeks. You can listen to this week's episode by clicking the link below.


Booking The Territory with Guest Beau James

Appalachian Mountain Wrestling

In case you have missed any of them here is the last three weeks of Appalachian Mountain Wrestling TV. Keep up with AMW on AMW Facebook Page and follow them on AMW twitter

Happy Thanksgiving

Just wanted to wish everyone a happy and safe Thanksgiving. Thanksgiving week is always a big week for wrestling. We will be in Hazard KY Thanksgiving Night for our showdown with Eddie Browning. Below is more info.

Today is our 10th Wedding Anniversary. Misty and I were married in the ring after the matches on Thanksgiving night in Kingsport.






We will celebrate our 10th Anniversary by Humiliating Eddie Browning and turning him into the Hen of Hazard. Here is this weeks AMW TV and a look at our feud.









Last Thanksgiving in Hazard I had an awful opponent and I gave him an East Tennessee Dog Whooping. This year I know Eddie Browning will bring the fight.

Don't Forget The Christmas Sale

Now through Dec. 12 it's the Annual Christmas Sale

This year has flown by. It's hard to believe that Christmas is only a few weeks away. Our annual Christmas Sale is now under way here at kingofkingsport.com . This year we have great deals on my books, classic wrestling DVDs, and Southern States Wrestling DVDs

The sale ends midnight on December 12 to make sure that we get the items to you in time for Christmas. All prices listed are for the U.S.A. International orders email me for shipping cost. kingofkingsport@gmail.com

Here is what we are offering as apart of our sale this year.

* All my books have been reduced $5 for the sale. Each book comes with an accompanying DVD

* All Southern States Wrestling DVDs are buy 2 get a third one free. Just make note of which DVD you want as your third one when you order. SSW DVDs are on the left hand side of the page.

* Continental DVD sets from 85, 86, 87,88, and 89 have been reduced buy on the right hand side of the page

* Southeastern Wrestling DVDs from Knoxville and Alabama have been reduced buy on the right hand side of the page

* U.S.A. Wrestling Knoxville 1988 set has been reduced buy on the right hand side of the page

* Gulas -Welch 1970s Tennessee Wrestling set featuring matches from Memphis, Nashville, Birmingham, Chattanooga, and Louisville has been reduced buy on the right hand side of the page. 

* Each order will come with an extra DVD and signed picture by Misty and I.

Thank you and remember Jesus is the Reason for The Season. 

New to the Southern States Wrestling Classic DVD Series

Here are three more DVDs added to the Southern States Wrestling Classic Event Series. Two big events from the Summer of 1993 that show you the build up to Wrestlefest 93 which was released a few months ago.

The third DVD is our 5th Anniversary Spectacular from 1996. More events to come soon from our video library. Since we have started releasing these videos they have became a big hit with fans from across the country who used to read about SSW in the magazines. DVDS on sale for only $12 each left hand side of page

Appalachian Mountain Wrestling News

Here is this past week's AMW TV. Make sure you subscribe to their channel so you can watch every week. The next two weeks you will not want to miss to see what happens next with me and Eddie Browning.




Here is a look at AMW from WYMT 57's Back Roads with Allison Rogers Back Roads with Allison Rogers goes to AMW



The last few weeks. Kyle Maggard, Clinton Stacey and I have been visiting schools in East Kentucky doing two different kind of assemblies. We do Reading with Wrestlers teaching the importance of literacy to the k-4 graders. Clinton and Kyle speak to the kids about why they need an education to reach their goals. Then they read them a book about bullies.

The second program we do is for the entire school as we do what is a about a 40 minute program with video and educational facts on bullying. We teach them the different kinds of bullying like physical emotional, and cyber bullying. Our goal is to educate them on how to handle bullies with out fighting them. Tell them why and show them how to tell an adult.  I then come out and bully the kids, teachers, coaches and principle.  I teach them how not to act. I show them what happens when some one stands up to a bully. We have seen results with every assembly we have done.

If you are an educator and would like more info on our programs send me a message. It also would be a great program for church youth.

Reading with Wrestlers from a Knot County Elem. School

Bully Busters I take a picture and tell them I am now talking about them on social media. Cyber bullying is a major problem with middle and high school kids. 

Reading with Wrestlers at Cordia Elem. Kids

Bully Busters at Cordia

One of the books we use to educate the smaller kids

Make plans now if you are in the Perry County Ky Area to spend Thanksgiving Night with AMW

Happiness and Holidays

Words can not explain the joy in my family and millions of other Cubs fans homes this week. Grannie they finally got it done! Cubs are the World Champions!!!!


Also keep checking back here as our Annual Christmas sale starts this week and will run to Dec. 10. New DVDs coming from SSW. Also new classic DVD sets coming. BIG savings on books and DVDS. Don't miss out on it.

Appalachian Mountain Wrestling - Making Wrestling Great Again

Misty James and I are very pleased to be a part of a great new promotion n East Kentucky called Appalachian Mountain Wrestling. Below you will find the first few episodes of AMW All Star TV. Also here is a list of upcoming events for AMW. Follow them on facebook AMW Facebook and on twitter @amwprowrestling  also subscribe to their youtube channel


Thursday, November 10 at 7:30PM
Cordia High School
Lots Creek, KY

Saturday, November 12 at 7:30 PM
Knott County Middle School Gym
Hindman, KY

Thanksgiving Night
Thursday, November 24 at 7:30 PM
Sherman Neace Athletic Center
Hazard, KY

Saturday, December 10 at 7:30 PM
R.W. Combs Elementary School
2594 Montgomery Ck
Happy, Kentucky

Hey Hey Holy Mackerel The Cubs are on Their Way!!! Holy Cow

Now until the end of the World Series buy two books regular price and get a third free. You can use any combination. The buy my first two books at $40 is not part of the sale. Buy any 2 Classic DVD set on right hand side of the page and get a 3rd free get make a note which free set you want when ordering. Buy any S.S.W. DVD left hand side of the page and get one free. Just note which one you want for Free when ordering. 

If you know me or follow me on social media you know that I am a Die Hard Cubs Fan. The moment all of us Cubs fans have waited on is here! Our Cubbies are in The World Series for the first time in 71 year. I watched them clinch sitting in the car just out side the dressing room in Pikeville, TN Saturday night. I wrestled in the first match and went straight to the car to watch. I was not missing it. I had to watch the celebration on the drive home. What a happy trip that was. 

This is the last picture taken with my Grannie (the way she spelled it on my birthday cards instead of Granny) . It was taken on her last birthday on earth during a commercial break of a Cubs game. Misty had made her a blue and white cake. 

My Grannie was on this earth nearly a century she dreamed of this day with The Cubs in The World Series again (she was alive for Cubs World Series but never a win). My family are Cubs fans because of her. This picture is hanging in my living room where I can see it while watching the Cubs. 

When the Cubs clinched Saturday I had tears in my eyes thinking of how she would have been smiling and laughing with joy. Every year when the post season came she would get out $2 and try to get someone to bet with her on the playoffs. She then would go double or nothing in the Series. I have had $2 for her laying on my desk since mid August. 

The few years since 84 that the Cubs went to the playoffs she got out her $2. She would say "when they go to the World Series it will be $5". She was so sure it was THE YEAR. We all shared in her heart break when it fell apart. It never dimmed her love for The Cubs. 

When I was a boy I asked how she started liking the Cubs. She told me the first thing she remembered hearing on the radio was a Cubs game. When she got Cable later in life WGN took over summer afternoons. That's how I fell in love with the Cubs watching with her on WGN. I even know the day the Cubs grabbed me and became my team. June 23 1984 The Sandberg Game (which we watched on NBC it was the game of the week). I was just shy of my 10th birthday and Ryno became my favorite player. Still is to this day. I have had many Cubs that I loved along the years but Ryne was the one that made me grab a hold of the unyielding love I have for the Cubs.

When I took Misty to meet Grannie the first time she aske her two questions before Misty could sit down "where are you from and do you go for The Cubs?". After Misty answer Scott County VA (where my Grannie is from) and Yes. Grannie turned and looked right at me and said "marry this girl!. 

Misty's Granny was a Cubs fan too. She was blind and would sit and listen to Steve and Harry. Misty would sit in the floor beside her and watch.  I know that our Grannies will be watching tonight. My family will be watching. Millions of Cubs fans with stories of die hard loved ones who never saw a moment like this will be watching. History is being made. THIS IS THE YEAR!!!

To celebrate and spread the happiness. I'm doing the Cubs World Series sale listed above. Sorry for the Indians fans but 67 years does not compare to 108. After this year that 108 will be forgotten. These young Cubs are set up to be a dynasty. 

Hey Grannie I have added a $5 bill to your $2. I love you and miss you. I'm jealous you are getting to watch with Jack Brickhouse, Harry, Mr. Cub, The Old Cub, and the rest of the gang. 

Hold on this is going to be an emotional ride Cubs fans. 

thanks for reading

Beau James

Sinner Saved By Grace, Pro Wrestler, Cubs Fan

kingofkingsport@gmail.com

Here is just some of my Cubs Memorabilia

1932 World Series Poster that is in my office 

A look in side of one of my Cubs cabinets signed balls from Cubs and minor leagues. Bats, team photos, trading cards, my Cubs Christmas Tree ornament. There is even dirt and a piece of a seat from Wrigley in there.

 

Painting of Sammy Sosa that is in my office

an 8x10 of The Old Cub that hangs over my desk

Ryne Sandberg figure and just a couple of the cards of him I have

Special Game 5 Sale now till the 27th out

My beloved Cubs made me so happy with their big win in Game 4 that I'm going to run a special sale now till the last out of tonight's Game 5. Let's GO Cubs!!!!

The first person to buy all three books will also get an addition grab bag from Misty James and I with signed pictures, DVDs, and more

Now available Continental Wrestling Oct. 88-Feb.1989

Glad to announce I have been able to put on DVD the Continental Wrestling Federation full episodes from First week of October 1988 till the End of February 1989. Featuring The Bullet, The Richs, Austin Idol, Jerry Stubbs, Dirty White Boy and Girl, Eddie Gilbert,Missy Hyatt,  Dr. Tom Prichard, Ron Fuller, and many more

The DVD set is on the right hand side of the page. Below is some stills to show you the video range from fair to very good of the DVDs. They were taped off of East Tennessee TV and feature interviews for local events in Kingsport and Knoxville.

This set helps celebrate my 28 years involved in Pro Wrestling. The Kingsport event promoted on the set is the first event I promoted.

New Classic DVDs from Southern States Wrestling and Memphis

In a very long process we have been putting the Southern States Wrestling video library on DVD from the original tapes. Since starting this process we have also been putting together a few series of Best of's which will include Live Events, Stars of SSW, and Feuds.

The left hand side of the page you will see many live events and now we have started adding the Best Feuds of S.S.W. The first four DVDs in this series are up and ready for you. Below is the covers and you can buy them now with PAYPAL on the left.

Also available for you now is Southern States Wrestling presents The Legends of Kingsport. This DVD had only been offered with my new book but now you can buy it separate. It still comes as a free gift if you buy my third book "Don't Miss This!!! The History of Kingsport Wrestling 1960-69" My books are on the right hand side of the page. 

Legends of Kingsport featuring rare footage of Ron Wright, Don Wright, Tony Peters, Whitey Caldwell, Wayne Rogers Jim White and more

Family Feud Number 1 follow the bloody feud between The Family Beau James and K.C. Thunder vs. The Batten Twins with Scotty Ace. 

Family Feud two The Dynasty (Family) Beau James and K.C. Thunder go to war with Jimmy Golden, Eddie Golden , and Robert Fuller. It's Southern Wrestling at it's best!

Beau James turns on Ricky Morton and Teams up with The Warmachine. Most of this footage has never been seen anywhere. It is from a time S.S.W. was not on TV. Action from East Tennessee and West Virginia. Including the vicious attack on Super Mario and his teenage son. 

Nationwide Championship Wrestling from Ironton Ohio invades Kingspot and try to take over Southern States Wrestling. Who was brave enough to stand up for SSW? Several matches never before seen on TV on internet. 

Also I'm happy to offer two great DVDs from my time wrestling in Memphis for Randy Hales' Power Pro Wrestling 

I go behind a mask as Randy Hales' Goon to battle Jerry Lawler, Brian Christopher, Jimmy Valiant, Sid Vicious, and others. Wild Memphis action in side and outside not only the ring but the building. 

In the rich history of Memphis Wrestling they only had one Live Prime Time Special July 4th 1998 "Rumble on The River" and I was a part of it. Here is the full event with a special bonus episode of  TV 5 Wrestling that I was also on. Plus from the Mid South Coliseum Jerry Lawler vs. Giant Silva and Brian Christopher vs. The Rock

More DVDS coming soon featuring more S.S.W. History