Deputy Sheriff Johnny Weaver

Deputy Sheriff Kenneth Eugene "Johnny" Weaver

Mecklenburg County Sheriff's Office

Photo courtesy Michael Smith

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FATE, OR SOMETHING LIKE IT

I can't help but believe that fate played a part in finding 

this photo of Johnny Weaver ...... (read story.) 

Mid-Atlantic Gateway  |  Remembering Johnny Weaver

Five Years

It's hard to believe it has been five years since the passing of one the greatest wrestlers ever and a wonderful friend to the Mid-Atlantic Gateway: Johnny Weaver.

We miss you Johnny, more with each passing year. You were truly one of a kind.

Every year around this time, usually a few days before this anniversary, I receive a nice note from Capt. Michael Smith, Johnny's friend (and boss) at the Mecklenburg Country Sheriff's office. This year was no exception.

"Hope you all are well and still keeping Johnny’s memory alive and well.  It amazes me I have a very hard time remembering birthdays, anniversaries, holidays etc.  Even my wife’s and kids but I never have a problem remembering when Johnny passed.  That amazes me but that solidifies the type of person he was and the impression he had on so many people.
Keep working for Johnny, he deserves it.  -Mike"

As we think about Johnny today, here's a look back at a couple of things posted here at that time:

Thanks Kid  by Capt. Michael Smith
Saying Goodbye  by Dick Bourne

Johnny Weaver on the set of CWF Mid-Atlantic Wrestling
at the Weaver Cupin Burlington, NC, August 2005.

Here is a collection of links with more memories and memorials we posted on the one year anniversary of his death: One Year Later We Remember Johnny Weaver (2009)

TWO TIMES! Arik Royal repeats as Weaver Cup Champ!

2012 Weaver Cup Champion Arik Royal

Weaver Cup History  |  CWF Mid-Atlantic Wrestling  |  Mid-Atlantic Gateway

Weaver Cup 2012 This Saturday 8/25!

The Weaver Cup 2012 Final Four

No one has ever won the Weaver Cup Tournament twice. Arik Royal looks to be the first and make history tomorrow night at the Mid-Atlantic Sportatorium. If he does it, he'll earn one more shot at the Mid-Atlantic Championship that has avoided him so many times in the past. It all goes down August 25, 2012.

For more information about the 2012 tournament, visit www.cwf247.com.

Johnny Weaver battles Tully Blanchard

Referee Stu Shwartz tries to get Johnny Weaver
to release his sleeper hold on Tully Blanchard.
Photo by Ginger Layman Lynch

Coming to Richmond

On the set of World Wide Wrestling

Johnny Weaver joins Ric Flair and Rich Landrum (just behind Ric) on the set of World Wide Wrestling in Raleigh NC. Looks like they were just getting ready to come back from a commercial break. (Circa 1981)

Weaver Chases Funk Jr.

The following article was originally published on Mid-Atlantic Grapplin' Greats.
Weaver Chases the NWA World Champ
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From February 1, 1971 thru April 10, 1972, one of the all-time greatest booking programs in JIM CROCKETT PROMOTIONS history unfolded.

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JCP's top wrestler at the time (either babyface or heel) JOHNNY WEAVER sought to capture the NWA WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP, held by Texan DORY FUNK JR.

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The fourteen month series of matches occurred almost exclusively in Charlotte, North Carolina, with Texas and Florida an integral part of the program.

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Enjoy the following rare photos from this incredible series of matches...

Clipping from THE MID-ATLANTIC GATEWAY

Challenger JOHNNY WEAVER

NWA WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION
DORY FUNK JR.

A perfectly executed suplex by FUNK.

The Champ had the momentum at this point.

The participants face off.

The referee is Walter Buckner.

A WEAVER arm bar has the Champ in pain.

The Challenger tosses the Champ.

Champion FUNK returns the favor.

JOHNNY in control once again.
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For the complete history of the WEAVER / FUNK program, you can visit the MID-ATLANTIC GATEWAY by going here:

Johnny Weaver's Title Chase (Mid-Atlantic Gateway)

Remembering A Legend

The following post is republished here with permission from the Pro Wrestling 1970 to Present blog.

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Four years ago we lost Johnny Weaver. Today we pay tribute to him by featuring one among thousands of matches he wrestled for Jim Crockett Promotions during a career that lasted twenty-plus years.

Johnny Weaver wrestled on the first card my Dad took me to when I was five years old. I will never forget Johnny Weaver.

The photo of Johnny Weaver is courtesy of Dick Bourne of the Mid-Atlantic Gateway.

Original posted at http://prowrestling1970present.blogspot.com/2012/02/remembering-legend.html

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Editor's note: The photo of Johnny Weaver above was taken at the Dobyns-Bennett high school gym (the "DB Dome") in Kingsport TN in either 1978 or 1979.   -DB, Mid-Atlantic Gateway

Tribute to a Legend

The following post is republished here with permission from the All-Star Championship Wrestling blog.

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Four years ago we lost Mid-Atlantic legend Johnny Weaver. Johnny began his career with Jim Crockett Promotions in 1962. During a newspaper interview that was published on Sept.20,1986, Johnny told the reporter he had retired from the ring a little more than a year before. He continued to work behind the scenes at JCP until the end which was 1988. Johnny did come out of retirement for a few matches in late 1987 prior to Starrcade.

Johnny Weaver will always be my favorite "good guy" wrestler. I sure do miss him.

Original link: http://allstarchampionshipwrestling.blogspot.com/2012/02/tribute-to-legend.html