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

Courtesy of Georgia Wrestling History's Rich Tate:

NEWS

We neglected to report earlier what you probably already know by now, but we would be remiss not to include a follow up. Nick Bockwinkel’s triple bypass surgery on Friday went well, and he was moved to ICU, where he will be probably until later today or tomorrow. At that time, he will be moved to a cardio care area, and should be able to return home later next week.

CNN will again be replaying their wrestling documentary, “Death Grip: Inside Pro Wrestling”, tonight at 8:00 PM ET. The premiere broadcast, on November 7, had a 0.6 rating.

Evan Ginzburg’s Legends Radio will feature Larry Sweeney, Bobby Fish, and Carlos Espada on November 14, beginning at 8:00 PM ET.

Southern Extreme Championship Wrestling runs in Villa Rica, GA, tonight at the SECW Arena, beginning at 6:00 PM. Call (770) 355-5742 for more info. Advertised: Bull Buchanan defends the SECW Heavyweight Title versus Bulldog Raines; Tommy Rich & Scotty Blaze versus Billy Love & Chick Donovan; Adrian Hawkins versus Frankie Valentine; Chris Lightning & Amien Rios versus J-Rod & Cru Jones; and Adam Blood versus Kyle Matthews.

Georgia Wrestling Promotions results from Waleska, GA, on November 10: The Hellbillies over Jay Clinton & Jamar Acid; Slim J over Kyle Matthews; J.T. Talent over Kid Ego, Jr.; Andrew Pendleton III over Bobby Hill; Bill & Jamie Dundee over Shaun Tempers & Iceberg; and D.L. Norris over Danny Horne. It was reported that 70 were in attendance for this card. Jeff Morton was credited as being a referee. GWP also announced they have a new sponsor in Little Bear Tree Service.

GWP will be in Woodstock, GA, on December 7 at the Cherokee Recreation and Parks Agency Building, with a bell time of 8:00 PM. Tickets are $15.00 for this show, but if you bring an unopened package containing a toy for the Toys for Tots drive, you get $3.00 off at the door. Advertised: Manny Fernandez versus Nemesis. Santa Claus is also scheduled to appear. They will also be in Woodstock again on December 23 at the Hot Wheels Skate Center, with matches staring at 8:00 PM. Advertised: Shaun Tempers defends the GWP Southern Heavyweight Title versus Buff Bagwell. Also scheduled to appear are Tank, Manny Fernandez, and Bob & Brad Armstrong. Fernandez, Bagwell, and the Armstrong will participate in a meet-and-greet beginning at 7:00 PM.

Great Championship Wrestling results from Phenix City, AL, on November 10: Randall Johnson over Frankie Valentine; Johnny Swinger over Michael Cook; A.J. Steele (w/ the Intern) over Orion Bishop (w/ Wicked Nemesis) to retain the GCW Interstate Heavyweight Title; Tex Monroe over Reuben James; Sonny Siaki over the Hooligans by disqualification in a handicap match; Bad Company (David Young & Chris Stevens) over Deathrow & Thug Rowe in a semi-final match of the GCW Tag Team Title tournament; and Hot Like Lava (Shaun Banks & Cru Jones) (w/ Quentin Michaels) over Bull Buchanan & Scotty Beach. We have a live report from Brian Slack (http://georgiawrestlinghistory.com/showreports/2007/030.html).

Southern Classic Wrestling is holding their first annual fan choice awards. Votes can be cast via email at scw_classic@yahoo.com anytime through December 1. Only one ballot per person is allowed. Multiple ballots will not be counted. The categories and nominees are as follows: Wrestler of the Year: Tommy Lee, Bobby Joiner, Leatherface, Loco Motive, Flatline, and the Freak; Rookie of the Year: T.W. James, Juan Tequila, and Flatline; Most Popular Wrestler of the Year: T.W. James, Flatline, the Freak, and the Dirty Dawg; Most Hated Wrestler of the Year: Tommy Lee, Brian Titus, Leatherface, and Loco Motive; Tag Team of the Year: Team Honcho, the VIP, the Cult of Chaos, the Serial Killers, and the Crunk ‘N’ Punk Connection; Manager of the Year: T.W. James and Ace Heffner; Match of the Year: Tony Santorelli versus the Freak (04/29/07), T.W. James versus Loco Motive (09/29/07), and Tommy Lee versus the Freak (10/20/07).

Wrestling Beyond Imagination returns to Douglasville, GA, on November 18 at El Oasis, with a bell time of 7:00 PM. Email wbifed@yahoo.com for more info. Advertised: Nick Anderson & Ace Voleur versus the Hooligans. Also scheduled to appear are Tex Monroe, Brandy Scotch Baker, Damien, Damon Tazz, Amien Rios, Danny Horne, Michael Cook, and more.

Ray ‘Glacier’ Lloyd put on a clinic in Canton, GA, last month, and is now scheduled to hold another one on December 22 at the Oconee Gym in Dublin, GA. The session will run from 1-4:00 PM and costs $25.00. You can reserve a spot via email at raylloyd@hotmail.com.

NOTES

We wish a happy birthday to Kip James (44), Christie Ricci (25), and Kristal (24), and Van Hammer, whose age is unknown to us.

We inadvertently left off the email address yesterday when we reported the Midnight Express (Bobby Eaton & Dennis Condrey) was looking for bookings. They can be contacted at midnightbookings@hotmail.com.

In an earlier report, we noted that WWE had released a forty-two minute interview that John Cena did for the recent CNN documentary. Based on the premiere broadcast, the program was nicely done, and it included Cena making a remark about steroids that did not make him look good. However, it has since come to light that Cena’s comments were taken out of context, based on the video WWE has presented after the initial broadcast of “Death Grip”. Although we agree that something must be done to stop the exceedingly high death rate among professional wrestlers, while not completely blaming it all on just steroids, we cannot condone what CNN did in regard to the portion of Cena’s interview as it was shown. The credibility of WWE is already suspect, and now the same can be said for CNN as it relates to the overall big picture. The initial reaction when people heard the edited version was akin to, “Wow! Cena came off like a jerk and WWE management won’t be happy when they find out about what he said.” After seeing the entire interview, the response was more like, “Wow! How dare CNN do that!” Still, let us not forget that despite CNN altering the comments to fit its agenda that there is indeed a steroid problem in wrestling that must be addressed, regardless of what portion of the Cena interview was shown, and it is WWE that has the power to start the ball rolling, as they set the standard for the wrestlers of tomorrow.

NOSTALGIA

1938: Eddie Williams defeated Young Londos to win the Southern Light Heavyweight Title at the Warren Arena in Atlanta for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter L.C. Warren. It is unclear as to how Londos came to be recognized as the champion. The last reference we have shows Jack Ross winning the title from Raoul Lopez on February 4, 1938, in Augusta.

1960: Freddie Blassie defeated Tiny Evans to retain the Southern Heavyweight Title at the Atlanta Municipal Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Paul Jones. Blassie had been the reigning Southern Heavyweight Champion since he defeated Don McIntyre on October 21, 1960, in Atlanta.

1963: The Outlaw & the Mighty Hercules defeated Ray Gordon & Chief Little Eagle in the main event at the William Bell Auditorium in Augusta for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Steve Manderson.

1966: Don McClarty, Enrique & Ramon Torres defeated Louie Tillet, Butcher Vachon & Red Raider #1 in the main event at the Atlanta Municipal Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Paul Jones. There were two referees for the match. Tillet and Vachon blamed the Raider for the loss, and there was a brief confrontation between them. Chico Cortez and Red Raider #2 were barred from the building during the match. The program for this card featured a letter written by Alberto Torres, promising the fans he would return as soon as he had completed his obligated suspension after losing to Butcher Vachon on October 7, 1966. There is also a mention in this program of the recent passing of Sandor Szabo.

1976: Wahoo McDaniel & Mr. Wrestling #1 defeated Angelo Mosca & Blackjack Mulligan in the main event at the Savannah Civic Center for Jim Crockett Promotions promoter Aaron Newman. This was the first card Newman promoted since Georgia Championship Wrestling sold the rights to Savannah to Crockett.

1977: Dusty Rhodes defeated Stan Hansen in a Texas Death Match at the Atlanta Municipal Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Paul Jones.

1978: Paul Jones stripped Ole Anderson & Stan Hansen of the Georgia Tag Team Title on this episode of the “Georgia Championship Wrestling” television program hosted by Gordon Solie. Anderson & Hansen had been the reigning champions since they defeated Rick Martel & Tommy Rich on October 20, 1978, in Atlanta.

1979: Ric Flair defeated Jimmy Snuka in the main event at the Savannah Civic Center for Jim Crockett Promotions promoter Aaron Newman.

1989: Hulk Hogan defeated Bad News Brown to retain the WWF World Heavyweight Title at the Richmond County Civic Center in Augusta. Hogan had been the reigning champion since he defeated Randy Savage on April 2, 1989, in Atlantic City, NJ.