Dr. Tom Prichard: The Night Brisco Became Champion

Tom Prichard's ticket stub for wrestling at the
Sam Houston Coliseum, July 20, 1973

Back in 2012, while surfing the internet, I came across a great article by pro-wrestling superstar Tom Prichard on his "Doctor's Note" blog.  In his article "Harley Race vs. Jack Brisco: The Night Brisco Became NWA World Champion", Prichard looks back at the significance the date July 20, 1973 had for him in several ways, not the least of which was the historic title change between Race and Brisco, also the night the belt known as "the ten pounds of gold" was first presented to the champion.

 Prichard, who grew up in El Passo, TX, watching wrestling out of the Amarillo territory, was there in Houston that night and the pomp and circumstance surrounding the big night left a lasting impression on him. I greatly enjoyed his first hand account.

Included in the article are images of the actual newspaper reports that week (not reproductions) as well as programs, magazines, and his row 12, seat 8 ticket stub. All very cool, indeed.

Many of the clippings seen in Prichard's post are also featured in the "Ten Pounds of Gold" book, copies of which were provided by Harley Race.

Click the link the below to go to Tom Prichard's blog and relive the night history was made in Houston.

"Harley Race vs. Jack Brisco: The Night Brisco Became NWA World Champion" 

 

Dr. Tom's blog is "The Doctor's Note" and is located here:

http://drtomprichard.blogspot.com/

 

 

Originally published on the Domed Globe site in October of 2012

Brisco Reign Begins: Hand Raised in Houston

Ring announcer Boyd Pierce raises the hand of a triumphant Jack Brisco moments after Brisco defeated Harley Race for the NWA World Heavyweight championship on July 20, 1973 in Houston, Texas. A dejected Race is seen in the corner behind them.

NWA President Sam Muchnick is at left. He had attended the card that night in Houston and brought the new NWA World title belt with him. It was presented to Race before the match, but he didn't have a chance to enjoy the new belt, as Brisco took the 2-out-of-3 fall match and the championship laurels that night.

Although hidden behind Brisco in this photograph so you can't see him here, it is Tiger Conway, Jr. who is strapping the belt around the new champion's waist.

A wonderful photograph, perhaps taken by promoter Paul Boesch who took many photos that night, featured in an issue of Gong Magazine in Japan.

www.tenpoundsofgold.com

Houston: Harley Race vs. Terry Funk

 

 

From the Sam Houston Coliseum, July 1, 1977. This is the thrid fall and a promo afterward.  

Harley Race and Sylvester Stallone

This is one of or favorite images from the late 1970s in the Stanley Weston ("Apter") magazines. NWA World heavyweight champion Harley Race stands with "Rocky" franchise star Sylvester Stallone. Sly looks like he's ready to take on the champ right then. He knows a good lookin' championship trophy when he sees one. The photo is thought to have been taken in Houston, TX in 1978.

(Posted later on the Mid-Atlantic Gateway in May of 2021. )

Brisco Celebrates with Boesch in Houston

Promoter Paul Boesch hugs Jack Brisco who had just defeated Harley Race for the
NWA World Championship. 

One of my favorite magazine photos from Houston the night Jack Brisco defeated Harley Race for the NWA world championship. The date was July 20, 1973.

Brisco is being hugged by promoter Paul Boesch. Boesch holds a camera in his left hand. He took many photos in the ring after that match, several of which were given to Harley Race who provided them for use in the book "Ten Pounds of Gold" which documents that historic night in Houston.

Also in the photo are ring announcer Boyd Pierce and despondent Harley Race.

Available on Amazon.com and at TenPoundsofGold.com

News of Jack Brisco in Japan (1973)

Tiger Conway, Sr. straps the brand new NWA world championship belt around the waist of Jack Brisco moments after he defeated Harley Race in Houston, July 20, 1973.

 

Also published on the Mid-Atlantic Gateway in October 2022.

Dr. Tom Prichard: The Night Brisco Became Champion

Tom Prichard's ticket stub for wrestling at the
Sam Houston Coliseum, July 20, 1973

     While surfing the internet, I came across a great article by pro-wrestling superstar Tom Prichard on his "Doctor's Note" blog.   In his article "Harley Race vs. Jack Brisco: The Night Brisco Became NWA World Champion", Prichard looks back at the significance the date July 20, 1973 had for him in several ways, not the least of which was the historic title change between Race and Brisco, also the night the belt known as "the ten pounds of gold" was first presented to the champion.

     Prichard, who grew up in El Passo, TX, watching wrestling out of the Amarillo territory, was there in Houston that night and the pomp and circumstance surrounding the big night left a lasting impression on him. I greatly enjoyed his first hand account.

     Included in the article are images of the actual newspaper reports that week (not reproductions) as well as programs, magazines, and his row 12, seat 8 ticket stub. All very cool, indeed.

     Many of the clippings seen in Prichard's post are also featured in the "Ten Pounds of Gold" book, copies of which were provided to us by Harley Race.

     Click the link the below to go to Tom Prichard's blog and relive the night history was made in Houston.

"Harley Race vs. Jack Brisco: The Night Brisco Became NWA World Champion" 

 

Dr. Tom's blog is "The Doctor's Note" and is located here:

http://drtomprichard.blogspot.com/

 

Republished on the Domed Globe and the Mid-Atlantic Gateway in February of 2022.