The meeting, November 1984

The Commish has brought all four of these men together in an office.

Vince: I demand to know what’s…

Commish: Relax Vince, all will be explained

He then continues…

Gentlemen, my benefactor is a big fan of pro wrestling and since some of you have had trouble going National over the years (looking at everyone except, Eric) he decided to put together a league.

Verne: For their amusement?

Commish: For the fan, actually

All of the men kind of grumble confused...

Commish: Let me continue…He’s making this an even playing field. Money is not going to be a factor. You will benefit from any profit you make above and beyond the working capital he provides to make the league even.

None of you have exclusive guaranteed contracts with your talent. Now you will, however all of the talent will now be available in a draft. All contracts are guaranteed, so sign your talent wisely.

All four men: A draft???

Commish: Yes, the talent will go into a pool and all of you will draft your wrestlers in a round system just like any major sports league.



As I said there will be a draft every December. You’ll be able to draft rookie wrestlers for the upcoming season. In this first season, every wrestler is available to be drafted.

Contracts will be as followed:

Wrestlers over 40 will be signed to 1 yr contracts. This way you won’t be burdened by wrestlers that have declining skills, abilities or are looking to retire. Also, said wrestlers can either stay with their current federation or move to another if they feel like they aren’t being used properly.

Wrestlers currently under 40 will be contracted to 2 yr contracts before given free agent status.

Rookie wrestlers are given an initial 3 yr contract. So, they can be assessed and given time to develop.

Foreign wrestlers are loaned on a 1 yr contract from their home based country. Should they choose to stay in the federation they work for in the States, they will be able to sign them to a contract by age. If the federation does sign a foreign wrestler to a contract, they will have to release a wrestler to make room or assign a wrestler for a 1 yr foreign excursion. For example, sending a rookie to another company to gain experience. During the foreign excursion the federation retains their rights and can either be brought back to the States or given their release to free agency after that year. However, if you draft a foreign wrestler, they are just part of your federation. The language of their designation is important.



Global Wrestling Federation is based in the Western part of North America

American Wrestling Association is based in the Mid-Western part of North America

World Wrestling Federation is based in the Northeast part of North America

National Wrestling Alliance is based in the Southeast part of North America


Commish: Gentlemen, please state where your office(s) will be based and who is running them?

Vince: Our office is in New York City, New York, which I’ll be running personally.

David Crockett: Our office is in Atlanta, Georgia, which will be run by our family

Commish: Both of you understand that since you’re based on the East Coast and refuse to relocate that the WWF will be able to go as far south as Virginia and as far west as Kentucky. While NWA can go as far north as North Carolina and as far west as Tennessee.

Both men: Yes, we understand

Commish: This also leaves the Mountain time zone open for possible expansion in the future.

Verne: We’ll have two offices, one based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, run by myself. Also, Dallas, Texas run by Fritz Von Erich

Eric: We’ll also have two offices, one in Los Angeles run by myself and one in Vancouver, Canada run by Don Owen and Stu Hart.

Commish: I’ve been waiting for this to come up. Due to the fact that we have an office in Vancouver, this portion will be off limits to other territories. The rest of Canada and all of Mexico is wide open to book shows should you choose. For example, PPV’s

All men agree.


Each of your federations have their local TV channels. We will also have The Wrestling Network available on basic cable for everyone that can’t get your local channels where they live. Profits will go directly to you, put your hand down Vince. Your weekly show day will be assigned to you. Please put in for the days you’d like and we’ll accommodate you the best we can. PPV’s will be booked once per month and you can’t book a show on the same day as another federation. The weekend is for PPV, so it’s up to you to pick Saturday or Sunday. You don’t need to book a PPV every month. That’s your discretion. Weekly shows can only be Monday through Friday. Schedules will be posted. Do we understand?

Everyone nods


Should you choose to release a wrestler you can only do so after the season ends in November. December is for the draft, free agency and the awards show. You can also only release a wrestler after their contract is completed. You picked them, you’re stuck with them. However, you may choose to trade a wrestler to another federation. Both of you must file the paperwork with my office and I’ll see that it happens. I don’t need to know why, I just need to know that you both agree. If any injury happens to a wrestler(s), you may choose from the remaining free agents available. You can’t put a healthy wrestler on the DL, you have 20 spots to fill for wrestlers and managers/advisors. We will investigate each DL claim.

Vince: What if we want to be GM or the figurehead of the federation on camera?

Commish: You may be part of your own federation for no charge as far as position is concerned. You own the federation, run it as you see fit.

Alright gentlemen…if there are any other questions or should something arise, you will all be notified. Enjoy Thanksgiving, you have some research to do and strategy to discuss. Good Day.

Back at the home offices of each federation, the latter unfolds.

At the NWA office in Atlanta, the Crockett's are having a nice quiet lunch together.

Jim: I really think we're going to be able to compete, provided we get some of the people we're looking at. I believe this is going to be a good thing.

At the GWF office in Los Angeles, Eric Bischoff tells Stu Hart and Don Owen that he wishes he didn't have to name both of them in the meeting.

Eric: This Commish is smart, he made me say who was involved with GWF, because he knew I was expecting the others to underestimate him.

Don and Stu look at each other and roll their eyes. They think their young figurehead is too concerned about appearances.

Up in Minnesota at the AWA Verne Gagne talks to his son.

Verne: Greg would you rather wrestler or be involved running the show and working with the younger wrestlers?

Greg: I want to be on the roster at least for a year or two, then I'll transition into helping you run the fed.

All three offices say nearly at the same time with glee...I wonder what Vince thinks about this?

In New York all you hear is SMASH....

Pat Patterson: Vince that was a $4,000 vase

Vince: SMASH...and so is that one. Who the hell does this Commish think he is? I'm going to find out who's behind all of this, but I need to find out about this so called Commish first.

Pat: Would you like to talk about the draft

Vince: Fuck the draft...for now.

Gordon: Hi, there ladies and gentlemen…this is Gordon Solie and I’m joined by my fellow Wrestling Network host, Jim Ross. Jim, we have a very interesting event today, something that’s never been done in professional wrestling.

Jim: Thanks Gordon…I’m just as excited as any fan watching here today. You’re absolutely right about this being an interesting and perhaps I could say, groundbreaking event. Also, starting history right here and now.

Gordon: Also, Mean Gene is in the backstage area and will try to get as many interviews as he can. The Commish is about to step to the podium.

Commish: Ladies and Gentlemen, I’d like to welcome you all to the first ever Pro Wrestling Draft. I see the four representatives from each federation seated at tables in the front. We hope to speak to each of them as the draft progresses.

Cheering by the fans in attendance

Commish continues…a couple of quick announcements…

The order of the Draft and TV Schedule are as follows:

GWF has their show on Monday nights, they will be picking 4th

WWF has their show on Tuesday nights, they will be picking 3rd

NWA has their show on Thursday nights, the will make the 2nd pick

AWA has their show on Friday nights and will be picking 1st

There will also be 2 PPV’s per federation for the year. That schedule will be announced at a later date. With a surprise event in November. Shall we get started?

Fans are screaming and cheering

Just as the fans are going nuts, Roddy Piper enters where Gordon and Jim are doing commentary.

Roddy: Gentlemen, how are we doing? Excited?

Gordon and Jim are a little stunned since most of the wrestlers here are backstage or milling around talking to the other guys.

Gordon: Why yes Roddy? We’re both definitely interested in what's happening today.

Jim: Roddy, I’m not sure if we’ve met yet? Jim Ross

Roddy: I know you, maybe not personally, but definitely your work. I’m a fan. I think you have a good future and if you’re working with this man right here, you couldn’t do better in my book. Gordon, it’s my pleasure to see you as always. Mind if I sit with you two while this circus starts?

They both shake their heads, and Jim tells production to bring another chair and headset. They don’t want to miss a word Roddy Piper says, ever.

Commish continues: Without further ado…The first pick in the 1985 draft by the AWA is…Ric Flair!

Cheering and booing from the crowd.

Gordon: He’s definitely one of the best in the world right now.

Jim: It’s a very good pick and very deserved in my mind. Roddy…thoughts?

Roddy: Jim, I agree with you. The top 4 should be fairly simple in my opinion. Any pick of Flair, Hogan, Race and Bockwinkel are no brainers.

Gordon and Jim nod at each other. While Gordon throws it to Mean Gene Okerlund. Roddy unwraps a piece of gum and offers some to both men.

Gordon: Roddy, it’s not real professional to chew gum on air.

Roddy: That’s okay, I’m not a real professional broadcaster yet.

Gene Okerlund is backstage with Ric Flair…you hear…Woooooo!

Gene: Ric congratulations on being the first overall pick. Any thoughts?

Ric: Mean Gene! Excellent to be here with you. The Nature Boy was just thinking how long he had to be here before the party was going to start. Now we all know, it starts right at number one. Woooo! This is the beginning of many beautiful things for the Nature Boy, professional wrestling and the AWA. Now if you’ll excuse me…I have some beautiful things in the limo waiting.

Gene: There we have it, the number one pick, Nature Boy Ric Flair. Back to you gentlemen and Roddy.

Roddy: and…Roddy? Now what’s that supposed to mean?

Jim: How about we go back to the Commish?

Gordon: Now that sounds like a good idea.

Commish: For the second overall pick in 1985 draft, the NWA select, Harley Race!

Again, mixed reactions from the crowd.

Gordon: Some boos and cheers, the fans definitely have their favorites.

Jim: Another pick that you can’t go wrong with, as Mr. Race is a multiple time champion.

Roddy: Did I ever do anything to Gene?

Gordon: Ummm..that I don’t know, but any thoughts?

Roddy: Oh, not really. I haven’t been wrong yet

Jim: Gene, do you have Harley Race with you?

Gene: No Jim. I asked if he had any words for the fans? He just kind of grumbled and walked away.

Roddy: That sounds about right. Back to the Commish, Gordon?

Gordon: Like Roddy said…back up to the stage.

Commish: The third overall pick is by the WWF and they select…Hulk Hogan!

The fans go crazy with excitement.

Gordon: A superb wrestler that has become very popular in the past couple of years.

Roddy: 3 for 3, Jim how’s your scorecard looking?

Jim: I don’t really have one Rod

Roddy: It’s not very professional not to have any notes on the wrestlers. We remember things like that. Gene, do you have Hulk Hogan with you?

Jim has tons of notes in front of him, but not a scorecard like Roddy asked.

Gene: Thank you, Roddy. Seems like you forgot Tulsa. Anyway fans, we have a man that defines his name in Hulk Hogan.

Hulk: Well, you know something Mean Gene, I’m very excited and happy to be part of the WWF. I’m their first overall pick and to me that means everything in the world.

Gene: Great to hear Hulk. How are you enjoying this so far?

Hulk: I think it’s great for the future of wrestling and for those fans of mine out there. I can’t wait to come to your hometown and perform for you. See you then!

Gene: Gordon…back to you!

Gordon: Let’s get the first round over and see who’s next?

Commish: To finish out the first round, the GWF select, Nick Bockwinkel!

Mixed reactions from the crowd.

Gordon: Nick Bockwinkel is a phenomenal wrestler, Jim; you and I know that.

Roddy holds up his hand.

Gordon continues: Yes, you too Roddy. He just hasn’t had the big stage to be on.

Jim: Totally agree. He’s as good a technical wrestler as anyone, but can also brawl. I’m sure he’ll do well in California. Roddy, anything to add?

Roddy: Tulsa…Tulsa…oh right! Shit…Oh I’m sorry guys, pardon my language, I called the first four like I said. I have to go find Gene. Mind if I go for a minute.

Gordon: Not at all. Off to our first commercial, we’ll be right back.

Director: And we’re clear…

Jim to Gordon: Thank God I had them put Roddy on a delay.

Both men laugh, agree that he’s doing fairly well and adds something to the broadcast.