Posted on by bdamage1
Brian Damage
Before we ever heard of pro-wrestling journalists like Dave Meltzer, Wade Keller and Ryan Satin, there was Terry Robert Justice. Throughout the 1970’s and early 1980’s, there weren’t “dirt sheets” like the Wrestling Observer or Pro Wrestling Torch. Pro wrestling was regional and fans mostly followed the business from their respective territory. Terry Justice changed all of that.
Justice started gathering newspaper clippings, programs and other forms of wrestling memorabilia and put them together to create his own newsletter. Justice created several different newsletters like TNT Times, All Star Grappler, Spotlight On Wrestling, Wrestling Nostaglia and Encyclopedias Of Wrestling. His newsletters became so popular, that Justice would continually receive clippings and programs from all over the country from several different sources.
The best part of Terry Justice’s work is that he never charged his readers a subscription fee. His newsletters were pretty much free of charge. All he would ask in return is either a trade of his writings for more news worthy items for him to use or just the cost of a stamp to help with shipping expenses. His father worked for Xerox, so Terry was able to get the paper and copying machines without spending a dime.
Terry Justice not only covered professional wrestling in his newsletters, but high school amateur wrestling as well. Friends of Terry, said that he was a true historian of pro-wrestling and loved to talk about the business constantly. He also started a fan club for veteran wrestler Tommy Gilbert and his young son, an aspiring wrestler named Eddie Gilbert. Eddie and Terry would soon become friends and Eddie would give Terry exclusives about his career and life.
Unfortunately, by 1980, their friendship had turned sour. According to Justice, once Eddie Gilbert became a bigger wrestling star, he stopped corresponding with Justice despite several attempts. Brokenhearted, Justice gave up being president of Eddie’s fan club and handed off Gilbert’s fan club newsletter to Eddie’s mother to run. Despite the hurt feelings, Justice never stopped being a fan of wrestling and continued to write about it for a couple of more years.
Terry Justice would often be seen at different wrestling shows across the country and attended pro wrestling conventions. His twin brother Scott Justice also helped write articles for Terry’s various publications. Terry’s writings became inspirational for several others who copied his style and did their own newsletters. Then on March 21st, 1982, it all stopped.
On that particular day, Justice was driving a van transporting some high school amateur wrestlers to a local competition in New York. As Justice was getting on the entrance ramp for the New York State Thruway, a car came speeding down the ramp the wrong way. Justice attempted to move out of the way, but was hit head on. Reportedly the impact of the crash forced the van’s steering wheel into Justice’s rib cage. One of the ribs, separated and punctured his heart. Terry had a history of heart ailments and this particular injury would sadly kill him.
As it turned out, the driver of the other vehicle that crashed into Terry’s van was drunk driving. Terry Robert Justice was just 32 years old at the time of his death. In 1983, a year after his tragic death, a memorial award was created in his name. The Terry Robert Justice Memorial Award is given out annually to an individual in recognition of outstanding service to high school Amateur wrestling which was another passion of Terry’s. His twin brother Reverend Scott Justice usually presents the prestigious award.
While Terry Robert Justice is no longer with us, his newsletters still are. They have become somewhat of a valuable collector’s items and the once free newsletters now range in price from 70 to 100 dollars.
