RIP: George Scott

We're sad to report that former WCCW booker George Scott died yesterday of lung cancer at age 84.

As a wrestler, Scott is best remembered by older Texas fans as The Great Scott, the tag team partner of Tim "Mr. Wrestling" Woods in 1970-71. The pair defeated Dusty Rhodes and Dick Murdoch to win the American Tag titles on December 15, 1970, but lost the straps to Bronko Lubich and Chris Markoff only a month or so later.

Scott became the booker for Jim Crockett Promotions in 1973 after retiring due to an injury and is credited with turning the Carolinas into one of the country's hottest territories. He also booked WWE during the Hulkamania/Rock 'n' Wrestling era, joining the promotion just as it was beginning its push to go national in late 1983.

After losing his WWE job due to a dispute with Hulk Hogan, Scott booked for a number of other promotions (including WCCW), usually for only a short time. Unfortunately, Scott's stint with World Class was not successful; attendance had plummeted to the low hundreds by the time he arrived in August 1986, and he was not able to turn things around during his brief stay. He remained with WCCW only through the end of that year and was replaced as booker by Bruiser Brody.

WCM joins the entire pro wrestling industry in mourning the loss of George Scott, one of its crucial figures during the 1970s and '80s. May he rest in peace.