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| WRITERS |
| DICK STEINBORN: WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION
September 1, 2003 – Dick Steinborn Despite Georgia records, at no time was I ever NWA World Heavyweight Title holder. Sometimes in these different territories promoters publicize individuals as World’s champions when they can get away with it. Eddie Graham and I captured the US Tag Team Championship from Miami on their state tour. Roger Kirby and I were the North American Tag Team Champions in Puerto Rico. The NWA had their champions, promotions created their own. Over thirty-three years, I was awarded thirty titles. Some territories created city championships. A battle royal would be held and the champion of Columbus would eventually take on the Macon champion. A lot of times those city versus city titles drew more interest and excitement to the local fans because the fans found themselves personally involved. The Puerto Rico promotion brought me in as the World’s Junior Heavyweight Champion. I had defeated no one for that title, but defended it throughout that island on many occasions. The first time I ever won legitimately was against Freddie Blassie in Atlanta for the Southern Heavyweight Title. I once made my own belt with Budweiser symbols placed on it, with a can opener across the front, and I entered the ring in Hickory, NC, wearing this ridiculous belt and the fans went crazy knowing I had become champion, but champion of what? It was only meant to be a rib to the John & Al Smith, whom I was facing that night. They were indeed big beer drinkers and I challenged them to take my belt away. Naturally, the promoter, Jim Crockett, told me to retire the belt. It was never won and never lost, but a lot of beer was consumed over a few months considering who was worthy of that belt I created. I finally gave it to John. He, of all people, surely deserved it. |
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