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Jim Crockett Era wrestling documentary “When Giants Walked Here” to air on PBS

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Jim Crockett Era wrestling documentary "When Giants Walked Here" to air on PBS

As a lifelong gamer with a deep-rooted passion for wrestling and North Carolina history, I can confidently say that “When Giants Walked Here” is a must-watch documentary for any fan of professional wrestling or anyone interested in the cultural impact of this unique form of entertainment.

For many decades, wrestling and the Carolinas have been tightly connected. It’s often referred to as “Flair Country,” named after one of its most famous wrestlers. The Jim Crockett Promotions and NWA held significant influence here, not just in large events but also in numerous independent shows. The city of Charlotte itself boasts the Grady Cole Center, Independence Arena (now Bojangles Coliseum), and previously the Charlotte Coliseum. Approximately an hour and a half from the state capital, Raleigh has Dorton Arena as well.

In the realm of professional wrestling, Dorton Arena held a status similar to baseball’s Yankee Stadium. Legends like Dusty Rhodes, Magnum T.A., and Ric Flair graced its ring on a regular basis, creating an atmosphere that was electric with each passing week for several decades. This wasn’t just a source of entertainment for us wrestling enthusiasts; it was a significant economic boost to the local community as well.

Born and raised in North Carolina, documentary maker Cliff Bumgardner conceived a plan to create a 10-minute YouTube documentary featuring a renowned arena. He recruited Chris Lea, another North Carolinian, for the project. Known as a sportscaster for Raleigh’s WRAL and commentator for ASÉ Wrestling, Lea is also a former wrestler, making him perfect for arranging interviews with other wrestlers. I was fortunate enough to chat with them on my podcast.

1. Born and residing in Raleigh all his life, Bumgardner finds himself there today. The Dorton Arena, nestled within the state fairgrounds, seems particularly suitable considering professional wrestling’s origins at carnivals across the U.S. Growing up, he would often hear tales of wrestling events held in that very arena, which sparked his curiosity as to why it was merely “used to” be a venue for wrestling. His quest to uncover the answer began there.

In due course, Bumgardner reached out to Lea about his concept for a brief 10-minute documentary. Interestingly, Lea had been contemplating a wrestling documentary as well. Working as a sports anchor for Raleigh’s WRAL, where wrestling used to be broadcast, Lea had aspirations of delving into the archives. However, he discovered that WWE owns a significant portion of it. Another hurdle was the scarcity of recorded events at Dorton. Bumgardner clarified, “there was the Great American Bash that was quite renowned from Dorton in ’86 and a few other such instances, but for the most part, this was the weekly event as we understand it today. However, back then, it was the show.”

They managed to secure access to a wealth of archives from the 1970s and 80s, predominantly from The News & Observer, a well-respected local newspaper. They were kind enough to provide unrestricted access to these materials. Additionally, they delved into the North Carolina State Archives. At one point during their initial visits, Bumgardner received an envelope containing negatives. He spread them across a table and recognized familiar faces such as Roddy Piper and Rhodes. Many of the negatives were digitized and are featured in the documentary. “Many of these photos have never been viewed or published before, and they make their debut in the documentary for the first time. So you’ll see some of them in the trailer, but there’s a lot more where that came from in the final film.”

From locating photo archives and chatting extensively with numerous individuals, the film transitioned from an initial 10-minute concept (which Lea humorously admitted would never stay at 10 minutes) to airing on PBS. This transformation was a continuous journey spanning approximately two and a half years. While Bumgardner had a few friends who lent a hand with certain tasks, the majority of the work was done by Bumgardner and Lea. Lea’s past as a wrestler proved beneficial in securing some interviews for the documentary.

As someone who has been a lifelong fan of professional wrestling, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of nostalgia while reading this passage. The names of David Crockett, George South, Jimmy Valiant, Bobby Fulton, Earl Hebner, C.W. Anderson, and Shane “Hurricane” Helms immediately transported me back to my childhood, watching wrestling matches on TV and dreaming of the day when I could attend a live event. The mention of Dorton Arena brought back memories of my first-ever wrestling show, an experience that remains etched in my mind as one of the most exciting and exhilarating moments of my life.

One individual reluctant towards interviews was “Double A” Arn Anderson, who wasn’t fond of Dorton Arena. The Four Horseman had little praise for it and found it less than appealing. In the sweltering Southern climate, the absence of air conditioning made the experience particularly uncomfortable. To this day, Dorton Arena remains without air conditioning.

In most wrestling documentaries, you either get a WWE-centric view or an emphasis on the darker aspects of the industry. However, as Lea explains, “When Giants Walked Here” provides a cultural perspective to professional wrestling, offering an opportunity for fresh voices to narrate stories that don’t solely revolve around drugs, negative incidents, or perceived injustices. Instead, this documentary focuses on the impact of wrestling on people’s lives and communities.

Via his other projects, Bumgardner discovered that unlike NASCAR, there isn’t a museum dedicated to wrestling in North Carolina. Despite personal opinions about wrestling, he argues that its impact on the state should not be disregarded. “The immense financial contributions it made to our economy – with Crockett Promotions’ success in the 80s and the subsequent ripple effects – merits recognition,” he says. “A show attracting thousands of people every Tuesday night for 30 years can significantly shape a culture. I believe we should acknowledge this legacy and pay tribute to it.”

“We found that there was a story. We found that there was a story of a family, we found there was a story of the people who were promoting here. There’s a story of a community and there’s really a story of what happens ultimately when you lose that.” When wrestling quit coming to Dorton in 1993, there wasn’t wrestling in Eastern North Carolina. There are now wrestling shows once or twice a year in Dorton due to some independent promotions. It’s not really set up for modern TV, so it would be easier for a house show to be done there versus a live show.    

“Air Time for ‘When Giants Walked Here’: Thursdays at 10 PM ET (North Carolina) & 11 PM ET via PBS App (U.S.) | International Viewers, Stay Tuned!”

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2024-08-07 15:15

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