GEORGIA WRESTLING NEWS, NOTES, AND NOSTALGIA: 11/16/2007

Courtesy of Georgia Wrestling History's Rich Tate:

NEWS

As reported earlier this week, the Georgia Athletic and Entertainment Commission has handed down its proposal of new regulations for professional wrestling in the state of Georgia. If put into effect, these rules would apply for not only Georgia-owned operations, but also those who are based elsewhere and run events inside the state. A public forum will be held on December 18 in Atlanta, GA, whereas anyone wishing to offer comments, provide input, or present valid reasons for consideration in regard to the new proposed regulations. Click here for all documents related to the public hearing, as well as a detailed report of the proposed regulations.

Great Championship Wrestling will be in Columbus, GA, tonight, as part of the God Bless Fort Benning event. Matches begin at 7:30 PM and take place in the middle of 10th Street downtown. Another card will be held at the same location tomorrow morning at 10:30 AM. Both events are free. Advertised: Bull Buchanan defends the GCW Heavyweight Title versus Cru Jones.

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.

NOTES

Per the above story regarding the newly proposed regulations by the GAEC, and it appears they are serious about the enforcement if all of these policies are enacted, we believe it is safe to say that it marks the death of professional wrestling in Georgia. Although we support the need to have promotions running a safe business for the wrestlers and fans alike, we also feel some of what has been proposed would not only financially make it impossible for a local group to operate, but in addition, many of the items addressed would change the appeal of the event itself. We encourage all promoters of local wrestling to attend the meeting in December to present justification as to how the enactment of all items within this proposal is not only bad for your promotion, but also for the business itself.

NOSTALGIA

1951: Gorgeous George defeated Al Massey in at the main event at the Atlanta Municipal Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Paul Jones.

1956: Don & Red McIntyre defeated International Tag Team Champions Fred Atkins & Ike Eakins by disqualification at the Atlanta Municipal Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Paul Jones. Atkins & Eakins had been billed as International Tag Team Champions since October 12, 1956. According to the program for this card, the Budweiser Beer sponsored “Live Atlanta Wrestling” television program can now be seen “on Channel 11 every Tuesday night at 10:00.” The program we have for this card mentions that Jackie Nichols will be returning soon, reminding fans that he was a longtime WLWA Television Title holder, though we have found no references to how he came to be recognized as such, or any matches where this title was at stake.

1960: Danny Miller, Tiny Evans & Chief Little Eagle defeated Freddie Blassie, Johnny Weaver & Jack O’Reilly in the main event at the Columbus Sports Arena for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Fred Ward.

1962: Ray Gunkel & the Kentuckians defeated Freddie Blassie, Lenny Montana & Gypsy Joe in the main event at the Atlanta Municipal Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Don McIntyre. There were two referees for the match.

1964: A match between Don Fargo and Sputnik Monroe ended in a double countout at the William Bell Auditorium in Augusta for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Steve Manderson.

1965: Choo-Choo Lynn defeated Dale Lewis by disqualification in the main event at the Macon City Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Fred Ward.

1966: Enrique & Ramon Torres defeated Louie Tillet & Butcher Vachon to win the Southern Tag Team Title at the Columbus Municipal Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Fred Ward. Tillet & Vachon had been the reigning Southern Tag Team Champions since they defeated the Torres’ on November 7, 1966, in Augusta.

1971: Bill Dromo & Bob Armstrong defeated Buddy Colt & Big John to win the Macon Tag Team Title at the Macon Coliseum for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Fred Ward. Colt & John had been the reigning Macon Tag Team Champions since they defeated Armstrong & El Mongol on October 19, 1971, in Macon.

1973: Bill Watts defeated Bobo Brazil to retain the North American Heavyweight Title at the Atlanta Municipal Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Paul Jones. Also, in a Texas Death Match, Bob Armstrong & Robert Fuller defeated Bobby Duncum & Stan Vachon to retain the Georgia Tag Team Title. Armstrong & Fuller had been the reigning champions since they defeated Bobby Duncum & Stan Vachon on October 27, 1973, in Atlanta.

1974: A main event match between Jack Brisco and Mr. Wrestling #2 ended in a double disqualification at the Griffin-Barnesville Sports Palace for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Paul Jones.

1979: A Texas Tornado Tag Team Match between Ole & Gene Anderson and Ernie Ladd & Tom Shaft was ruled a no contest at the Atlanta Municipal Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Paul Jones. Also, in a title versus title match, Tommy Rich defeated Killer Karl Kox, managed by Bobby Heenan, by disqualification. As a result of the disqualification, Rich retained the Georgia Heavyweight Title, and Kox retained the Georgia Television Title. Rich had been the reigning heavyweight champion since he defeated Kox on October 26, 1979, in Atlanta. Kox had been the reigning television champion since he defeated Stan Hansen on November 3, 1979, in Atlanta.