GEORGIA WRESTLING NEWS, NOTES, AND NOSTALGIA: 10/31/2007

Courtesy of Georgia Wrestling History's Rich Tate:

NEWS

Southern Extreme Championship Wrestling runs in Villa Rica, GA, on November 4 at the SECW Arena, beginning at 6:00 PM. Call (770) 355-5742 for more info. Advertised: Bulldog Raines will defend the SECH Heavyweight Title versus Tommy Rich; Scotty Blaze & Bull Buchanan versus Cru Jones & the Super Destroyer; Adrian Hawkins versus Frankie Valentine; Bruce Biggins & Todd Zane versus the Regular Guys; and Kyle Matthews versus Tracy Black.

Southern Classic Wrestling will be back in Sandersville, GA, on December 15, at Big Dog Billiards beginning at 8:00 PM. Call (478) 288-2341 for more info. Advertised: Tommy Lee will defend the SCW Southern Heavyweight Title versus Bobby Joiner; the Serial Killers will defend the SCW Georgia Tag Team Title versus Team Honcho; and Flatline will defend the SCW Georgia Heritage Title versus Loco Motive (w/ Ace Heffner). Also, Santa Claus is scheduled to make an appearance.

The following was released by the AWA yesterday over the PR Newswire: “In a landmark announcement made today, AWA Chairman of the Board Dale R. Gagne announced that the American Wrestling Association (AWA) will no longer sanction independent territories effective immediately. Over three years ago, the AWA started an "open door policy" welcoming top independent wrestling organizations to represent it's brand both nationally and internationally. Within a year, the AWA had gained momentum with over 25 affiliate promotions from Hawaii to Japan. During the recent AWA Annual Meeting in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Gagne and Vice-President Jon Stewart addressed representatives from participating territories regarding the impending future of the sanctioning program. "Quite honestly", stated Gagne, "the sanctioning of independent territories never reached the success we had hoped for". "We never intended on our brand being represented in bars, out-of-date military bases or American Legion halls", continued Gagne. "There may very well be a market for independent wrestling in these types of facilities but it certainly isn't a part of the AWA's future". Vice-President Jon Stewart further stated that the AWA will continue to look for effective and professional promoters to represent it's brand but there will be obvious differences in what local organizations present and what the AWA will produce. Where does this leave the territories currently representing the AWA brand? According to Gagne and Stewart, each promotion will be individually assessed. Those territories sharing a vision different than the AWA's new model, will be released by the end of the year. The Board of Directors and figurehead President will be dissolved accordingly. For updates on this developing story, go to www.awastars.com.” It is unclear at this time exactly what is going on and how it may affect the local AWA affiliate World-1 South, but we have reached out to Dale Gagner of the AWA and Jody Peterman of World-1 South, for comment. We have not yet received a response. As soon as we know how this may affect the local scene, we will report it here.

AWA World-1 South took a hiatus the second half of 2007. However, they are preparing a comeback that will begin with a fundraising event on December 22 at the Oconee Gym in Dublin, GA, for the Dublin Tipoff Club. They will also return to Cordele on January 19 and Valdosta on January 20, with both days featuring the third annual Old Scholl Tag Team Tournament. Call (866) 244-0104 for more info. Advertised for Dublin: The Heartbreak Express defend the AWA World Tag Team Title versus K.I. Elite (Shawn Hunter & Jake Slater); and Francisco Ciatso will defend the World-1 South Southern Heavyweight Title versus Dave Holiday. Mike Stratus is also scheduled to appear. Teams scheduled thus far for the tournament in Cordele and Valdosta: the Nightmare & the Masked Superstar; Blackout (Rainman & Murder One); the World’s Prettiest Tag Team (Adrian Hawkins & Seth Delay); Bad Company (David Young & Chris Stevens); and Ricky Landell & Mr. Wrestling #3.

In a message to us from Southern States Championship Wrestling: “We are pleased to announce the birth of Southern States Championship Wrestling. We recently took over GWA (Georgia Wrestling Alliance). We plan on taking on a larger territory and also plan on producing a weekly web show on our Internet site. All of this should take place after the first of the year.”

NOTES

Georgia Wrestling History would like to wish a happy 43rd birthday today to the Boogeyman. We would also like to wish everyone a Happy Halloween. How ironic that the Boogeyman would have a birthday on Halloween.

NOSTALGIA

1938: Leo Savage defeated Tiny Ruff in the main event at the Warren Arena in Atlanta for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter L.C. Warren.

1940: Ray Steele defeated Frank Sexton in two straight falls to retain the NWA World Heavyweight Title in Atlanta for promoter Al Rauer. It is unclear as to what venue was the site of this card. Steele had been the reigning NWA World Heavyweight Champion since he defeated Bronko Nagurski in St. Louis, MO, on March 7, 1940. This version was the one recognized by the National Boxing Association as the National Wrestling Association.

1947: Lou Thesz defeated Bill Longson by disqualification to retain the NWA World Heavyweight Title at the Atlanta Municipal Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Paul Jones. Thesz had been the reigning NWA World Heavyweight Champion since he defeated Billy Watson in St. Louis, MO, on April 25, 1947. This version was the one recognized by the National Boxing Association as the National Wrestling Association.

1956: Freddie Blassie defeated Don McIntyre to retain the Southern Heavyweight Title at the William Bell Auditorium in Augusta for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Tom Mahoney. Blassie had been the reigning Southern Heavyweight Champion since he defeated Bull Curry on October 19, 1956, in Atlanta.

1958: Paul Anderson defeated Dick the Bruiser to retain the Georgia version of the World Heavyweight Title at the Atlanta Municipal Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Paul Jones. Anderson had been billed as World Heavyweight Champion since October 17, 1958. Also, Ray Gunkel and Freddie Blassie were both counted out in their semi-main event match.

1962: The Kentuckians (Jake Smith & Luke Brown) defeated Lenny Montana & Mr. Moto in the main event at the Columbus Municipal Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Fred Ward. It was reported that 1,012 were in attendance for this card.

1967: Louie Tillet defeated Bobby Shane by disqualification to retain the US Junior Heavyweight Title at the Macon City Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Fred Ward. Tillet had been the reigning US Junior Heavyweight Champion since he defeated Bobby Hart on January 17, 1967, in Macon.

1969: Paul DeMarco, managed by Homer O’Dell, and Terry Funk wrestled to a draw in the main event at the Atlanta Municipal Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Paul Jones.

1972: Dick Steinborn defeated Skandor Akbar in the main event at the Macon Coliseum for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Fred Ward.

1975: Mr. Wrestling #2 defeated the Spoiler, managed by Gary Hart, to retain the Georgia Heavyweight Title at the Atlanta Municipal Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Paul Jones. Wrestling #2 had been the reigning champion since he defeated Nikolai Volkoff, also managed by Hart, on October 3, 1975, in Atlanta.

1978: Ole Anderson & Stan Hansen defeated Tommy Rich & Mr. Wrestling #2 to retain the Georgia Tag Team Title at the Macon Coliseum for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Fred Ward. Anderson & Hansen had been the reigning champions since they defeated Rick Martel & Tommy Rich on October 20, 1978, in Atlanta. Also, Martel defeated Macon Heavyweight Champion King Kong Mosca by disqualification in a title match. Mosca had been the reigning champion since he defeated Mr. Wrestling #2 on October 10, 1978, in Macon.

1981: Roddy Piper made his debut as a co-host to Gordon Solie on the televised program, “Georgia Championship Wrestling” on WTBS.