GEORGIA WRESTLING NEWS, NOTES, AND NOSTALGIA: 11/02/2007

Courtesy of Georgia Wrestling History's Rich Tate:

NEWS

Alternative Pro Wrestling is back in Royston, GA, tonight at the Royston Gym, with matches getting underway at 8:00 PM. Call (706) 680-3234 for more info.

Georgia Wrestling Federation will be in Summerville, GA, tonight at the GWF Arena, with action beginning at 8:00 PM. Call (706) 936-2901 for more info.

Georgia Wrestling Promotions has announced some schedule changed for their upcoming events. They had originally planned to move into their own arena in Jasper, GA, later this month, but that has changed. GWP will still be in Waleska, GA, on November 10. However, all previously announced dates beyond that have changed. They will be in Woodstock, GA, on December 8, at the Cherokee Recreation and Parks Agency Building. Also, on December 23, they will run at the Hot Wheels Skate Center in Woodstock. More details to come later.

NOTES

Five years ago today, Georgia Wrestling History launched at exactly 6:05 PM ET, to coincide with the infamous ‘Turner Time’ start of “Georgia Championship Wrestling” program on WTBS. We would like to thank all of our visitors over the last five years who have supported us through thick and thin.

Georgia Wrestling History would like to wish a happy birthday today to Abdullah the Butcher (71) and Sharmell (33).

NOSTALGIA

1945: Al Massey defeated Wally Greb in the main event at the Atlanta Municipal Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Paul Jones.

1953: Ray Villmer defeated Roy Graham in two straight falls to retain the Southern Heavyweight Title at the William Bell Auditorium in Augusta for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Tom Mahoney. Villmer had been the reigning Southern Heavyweight Champion since he defeated Don McIntyre on October 16, 1953, in Atlanta. In the main event, Bob Ford, Don & Red McIntyre defeated Wild Man Zimm & the Horseshoe Kids (Bobby Lane & Tarzan Hewitt).

1956: Don & Bill ‘Red’ McIntyre defeated Freddie & Billy Blassie in the main event at the Atlanta Municipal Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Paul Jones, who acted as special referee for the match.

1960: A main event match between Freddie Blassie and Danny Miller was ruled a no contest at the Columbus Sports Arena for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Fred Ward.

1962: The Kentuckians (Jake Smith & Luke Brown) defeated Freddie Blassie & Mr. Moto in the main event at the Atlanta Municipal Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Don McIntyre. It was reported that the World Heavyweight Title was held up until Blassie, the reigning champion, signed to defend against Jake Smith. Blassie agreed to wrestle Smith on November 9, 1962.

1964: The Mysterious Medics defeated Buddy Fuller & Chief Little Eagle in the main event at the William Bell Auditorium in Augusta for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Steve Manderson.

1965: Bob Boyer defeated Mario Galento to win the US Junior Heavyweight Title at the Macon City Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Fred Ward. It is unclear as to how Mario Galento came to be recognized as US Junior Heavyweight Champion. The last reference we have shows Wildman Phillips defending the title against Bob Boyer on July 27, 1965, in Macon .

1968: Johnny Valentine defeated Paul DeMarco at the WQXI Studios. DeMarco had to be carried from the ring after the match. This was taped for the “Atlanta TV Wrestling” television program hosted by Ed Capral.

1971: Bill Dromo & George Scott defeated Bill White & Buddy Colt in the main event at the Macon Coliseum for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Fred Ward.

1973: Jack Brisco defeated Dory Funk, Jr., in a match billed as the ‘Match of the Century’, to retain the NWA World Heavyweight Title at the Atlanta Municipal Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Paul Jones. Brisco had been the reigning champion since he defeated Harley Race on July 20, 1973, in Houston , TX. Also, Bill Watts defeated Mr. Wrestling #2 to win the Georgia Heavyweight Title. Wrestling #2 had been the reigning champion since he defeated Watts on August 31, 1973, in Atlanta.

1976: The Mongolian Stomper, managed by J.J. Dillon, defeated Jos LeDuc in the main event at the Macon Coliseum for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Fred Ward.

1979: Stan Hansen defeated Ernie Ladd, managed by Bobby Heenan, to win the Georgia Television Title at the Atlanta Municipal Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Paul Jones. It is unclear at this time how Ladd became recognized as champion. The last reference we have is Ray Candy defending the title against the Sheik on September 21, 1979, in Atlanta.