Having gone through pretty much all the footage out there now for 1980-1983, I've come to the conclusion that 1983 is really the best place to start if anyone wants a chronological understanding of modern wrestling. Here's why.

You could theoretically start with 1984, but what you lose some of in that sense is a few things. #1, you see Vince McMahon moving and shaking, but you don't really see the strength of the system he's trying to bend to his will.

1983 was a banner year for many territories. There were major stars and big gates. I wouldn't say that every territory had their greatest year, but even the ones who were weaker than in previous years had at least one truly great moment.

Also, if you start with 1984, you don't see that Vince really built an empire around (mostly) established stars.

I can see how for those who grew up on 80s WWF, it might be jarring to look at other territories and see later WWF stars/mainstays like Duggan or Piper presented on (somewhat) equal footing w/people like Brad Armstrong, the MX, or others that some fans may think of as "regional".

Anyway, I think Starrcade '83 was the precise moment wrestling stopped being what it was and started being what it is. But events throughout '83 shaped what Starrcade became.

1980-1982 is really a continuation of the 70s in approach and philosophy, even if new stars like the Freebirds, Tommy Rich, Barry Windham, Von Erichs, etc were emerging in various places.

If you want a global analogy, the "War of '84" that continued through Turner buying WCW in '88 was WWI and the Monday Night Wars were WWII. Since then, we've generally been in postwar landscape.