GEORGIA WRESTLING NEWS, NOTES, AND NOSTALGIA: 11/18/2007

Courtesy of Georgia Wrestling History's Rich Tate:

NEWS

With the indictment of Barry Bonds on Thursday, it appears hearings to focus on steroid usage in professional sports are more likely, and could possibly begin in early 2008, according to Rep. Bobby Rush. Rush was already looking into the possibility after sending letters to wrestling organizations in recent months, and with such a high profile federal indictment of Bonds, it now appears to be a priority. These hearings would most likely include a probe of all professional sports, with wrestling included.

Great Championship Wrestling put on three shows this weekend, the first two as part of the God Bless Fort Benning festivities in Columbus, GA, on Friday night and Saturday morning, closing with the third last night at their home in Phenix City, AL.

Results from Columbus on November 16: Frankie Valentine & Tex Monroe over the R-J Connection (Randall Johnson & Reuben James); Johnny Swinger over Michael Cook; and Sonny Siaki over Cru Jones (w/ Quentin Michaels). It was reported that 750 were in attendance for this card.

Results from Columbus on November 17: Frankie Valentine & Tex Monroe over the Hooligans (Mason & Devin Cutter); Cru Jones over Skinny Jimmy; A.J. Steele (w/ the Intern) over Orion Bishop (w/ Wicked Nemesis) to retain the GCW Interstate Heavyweight Title; and Johnny Swinger (w/ Quentin Michaels) over Scotty Beach. Beach also won a battle royal. It was reported that 2,000 were in attendance for this card.

Results from Phenix City on November 17: The Hooligans (Mason & Devin Cutter) over Frankie Valentine & Tex Monroe; Scotty Beach over Randall Johnson; A.J. Steele & the Intern over Orion Bishop & Wicked Nemesis; Reuben James (w/ Randall Johnson) over Michael Cook; Deathrow over Skinny Jimmy; Hot Like Lava (Cru Jones & Shaun Banks) over Bad Company (David Young & Chris Stevens) to win the vacant GCW Tag Team Title; and Sonny Siaki over Johnny Swinger (w/ Quentin Michaels) in a no holds barred match. It was reported that 100 were in attendance for this card.

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 in a dog collar match; Tommy Rich, A.J. Steele & the Nightmare versus Cru Jones, J-Rod & the Russian Kodiak; a women’s match featuring Fantasy versus Stephanie Starr; and Frankie Valentine versus El Mexicano. Amien Rios is also scheduled to appear.

Georgia Wrestling Promotions 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. Call (770) 296-5290 for more info. Advertised: Manny Fernandez versus Iceberg; Shaun Tempers defends the GWP Southern Heavyweight Title versus Ace Rockwell; and the Regular Guys defend the GWP Southern Tag Team Title in a three way match against the Hellbillies and the Hollywood Brunettes. Slim J, Kid Ego, Jr., Big Head Hansen, Jamar Acid, Jay Clinton, and even Santa Claus are also scheduled to appear. Fernandez will be available for autographs at 7:30 PM.

NOTES

Some initial reactions to the recent GAEC proposed regulation …

Bill Behrens (TNA Booking Director): “Clearly these are the stupidest rules I've ever read, as it appears the commission wishes to regulate wrestling and it's "rules" as a sport. Whoever wrote these rules believes Pro Wrestling is a real sport. If these rules pass, pro wrestling will literally be eliminated in the State of Georgia. I know there is not much boxing; therefore, no money for the commission and not much to do, but this effort is the stupidest yet.”

Roger Cantrell (GWP promoter): “A lot of the rules are not necessary. It’s hard enough now for the promoter of a small promotion to make any money. It’s hard to break even, but the reason I do this is because I love wrestling. I do not think we need a doctor or EMTs at the show; that’s what we have 911 for. As for renting a cop, it’s a waste of money. All they do is drink coffee and eat all of your concessions while you’re paying them $25.00 an hour. I have four security guards – two that weigh around 300 pounds, and two that are training to be wrestlers – who know how to handle the crowd. And 5% of the gate; I wish I made that. I will be there the 18th. Every promoter needs to realize this will kill pro wrestling in the state of Georgia, no if, ands, or buts about it. It must be dealt with, but in a very orderly fashion. We cannot go in there looking like total idiots.”

Mick N. Brawler (Georgia Wrestling History): “I understand the logic for regulation. Some of the promotions I have seen need some sort of enforcement just to protect them from themselves. Still, much of what I see in terms of what they are regulating is ludicrous. The clincher for me that the commission is just looking to get their cut of the pie is the five percent of the gate revenue. I wrote an article recently claiming that lives were worth more than dollars, and I stand by that, but I don’t see anything in this plan that will truly accomplish the ultimate goal of protecting the health and safety of wrestlers. I just see things that can hinder the ability of promoters to actually put on a show – and a bland one at that – before sending to the commission what little they have left after everyone is paid for their work.”

Jody Hamilton (DSW Promoter and GWH Hall of Famer): “Why should the GAEC have jurisdiction over professional wrestling when they don't consider it a legitimate sport? They consider it show business, and the wrestlers as nothing but actors. They don't have jurisdiction over the actors that perform at the Fox Theatre. The GAEC offers no benefits for wrestlers or for legitimate wrestling promoters. I want to know just what is their specific function. What good are they doing for wrestlers and / or wrestling, or do they just exist to get revenue from people in a sport they actually think they are to good to be associated with, but will tolerate if they can make a profit from them?”

Velvet Jones (Professional Wrestler): “Whenever there is a commission seeking to regulate any form of entertainment it is almost always questioned immediately. Such is the case with the GAEC. Granted, there are more than a few wrestlers and organizations that do the Georgia indy scene and pro wrestling a great disservice by competing without being properly trained or presenting shows that poorly represent the business. If the GAEC actually sought to rectify the situation and cared about the sport then maybe this would be a step in the right direction. However, I personally feel this is not the case.”

Scott East (SECW Promoter): “I believe in safety, but a doctor and two medics are a little ridiculous. I personally think they are going way overboard with this whole regulation thing because of all the bad PR we have had in Georgia lately. Now is the time for all of us to come together as one group: wrestlers, promoters, fans, etc. We need to be at the meeting on December 18 to show the commission that there is one thing we all have in common; that is we love the sport of wrestling! I believe all things can be negotiated.”

Brian Slack (Georgia Wrestling History): “If these proposed regulations pass, especially the fees, get the bagpipes out and start to play Taps. Because indy wrestling in Georgia will die.”

Jody Peterman (W1S Promoter): “These rules are written as if this commission has been kayfabed, or they simply want to end professional wrestling in Georgia . I don't think anybody other than WWE draws well enough in Georgia to continue running, with the 5% tax, surety bond, doctor, and ambulance requirements. Frankly, I have no desire to continue to run in Georgia, if these rules are passed. I'll take Dothan, Alabama, and McClenney, Florida, as my new towns. We will go on. The real victims in this will be the Georgia wrestling fans.”

Crimson Mask (Georgia Wrestling History and Wrestling Classics): “Some of this seems well intentioned but misguided in terms of the worked nature of the business. However, what this seems to me to be first and foremost is the politicians cutting themselves a slice of the pie.”

Jay West (GWH Hall of Famer): “If a wrestler doesn't work for the WWE or one of its farm franchises then they work for small independents. Today many small groups exist in Georgia . Calling these organizations "fly by night operations" is a disservice to what they try to accomplish, but to call most of them successful from a business standpoint would also be an untruth. If any of the current small groups are forced to comply with the proposed regulations they will have no choice but to close up shop. The money is not there to break even after paying the commission costs, much less make a profit. Of course WWE could pay the fees with no problem, but their money comes from Pay Per View and merchandising It wouldn't matter to them if they never set up another ring in Georgia . The real losers are the young workers and the fans of old school style wrestling; the winners are the pockets of the commission. Don't let this happen.”

Marc Ash (Professional Wrestler): “Wrestlers and promoters need to unite and start contacting their Senators and House Representatives. A similar proposal was defeated in North Carolina a few years back when the wrestling community came together.”

Dan Wilson (Professional Wrestling Manager: “Professional wrestling is a unique American performance art that has become ingrained in Americana . The staged entertainment provided brings the customer into a fantasy world of heroes and villains and right versus wrong, not unlike a Broadway play or motion picture. Any attempt to regulate it as a competitive sport is simply inaccurate. Are there not benefits we could all reap from a fair and balanced regulation from somewhere? Yes, but it must be completely re-examined. If it's done to enrich the art, to eliminate the people who don't know what they're doing, to differentiate legitimate business men from fly by night cons, and to ensure the safety of the performers by requiring that the art be mastered. As it stands in its current form, it reads like the NCAA writing a rulebook for Cirque Du Soleil because there happens to be performances of an athletic nature on the show. If the commission and the promoters can work together, I feel a more fitting and fair regulation could be implemented that would prove beneficial for everyone. This proposed regulation in its current form, will simply end wrestling on an independent level; a scenario in which everyone loses. The revenues generated by wrestling will simply be spent on other non-regulated entertainment. The wealth of talented performers who rely on their dates in Georgia to supplement their income will be out of work. An American art form that has been entertaining thousands of fans weekly for more than a century will cease to exist.”

NOSTALGIA

1930: Bill Bartush defeated Milo Steinborn in two straight falls in the main event at the Atlanta Municipal Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Henry Weber.

1931: Paul Jones defeated Gorilla Poggi in two straight falls in the main event at the Atlanta Municipal Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Henry Weber.

1936: Jack Ross defeated Buddy Knox in the main event at the New Coliseum in Augusta for promoter Bill Metzger.

1955: Freddie Blassie & Eduardo Perez defeated Don & Red McIntyre in the main event at the Atlanta Municipal Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Paul Jones.

1957: Gorgeous George defeated Kurt Von Brawner in two falls to one to win the Brass Knucks Title at the William Bell Auditorium in Augusta for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Tom Mahoney. It is unclear to us at this time as to whether this is the same Brass Knucks Title that was first referenced on September 13, 1957, in a match between Freddie Blassie and Kurt Von Brawner in Atlanta.

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

1963: The Outlaw & the Mighty Hercules and Derrell Cochran & Chief Little Eagle wrestled to a draw in the main event at the William Bell Auditorium in Augusta for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Steve Manderson.

1966: Louie Tillet & Butcher Vachon defeated the Red Raiders by disqualification in the main event at the Paul Jones Sports Arena for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Paul Jones. The program we have for this card features a large advertisement announcing the grand opening of the Pizza Arena, set for December 2, 1966. It was a restaurant owned by Mario Galento, and was located on Highway 29 in Lilburn, GA.

1969: NWA World Heavyweight Champion Dory Funk, Jr., defeated El Diablo (Frankie Cain) to retain the title at the Macon City Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Fred Ward. Funk, Jr., had been the reigning NWA World Heavyweight Champion since he defeated Gene Kiniski on February 11, 1969, in Tampa, FL.

1970: Paul DeMarco & Bob Armstrong defeated Homer O’Dell & Buddy Colt by disqualification in the main event at the Columbus Municipal Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Fred Ward.

1975: Bobo Brazil defeated the Spoiler, managed by Gary Hart, in the main event at the Macon Coliseum for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Fred Ward.

1977: Ole Anderson & Stan Hansen defeated Dick Slater & Dusty Rhodes in a Texas Tornado main event match at the Atlanta Municipal Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Paul Jones.

1983: Ted DiBiase defeated Brett Sawyer to win the National Heavyweight Title at the Richfield Convention Center in Cleveland, OH, for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Les Thatcher. Sawyer had been the reigning champion since he defeated Larry Zbyszko on September 25, 1983, in Atlanta.

1984: The Long Riders (Bill & Scott Irwin) defeated Brad Armstrong & Jacques Rougeau in the finals of a one-night tournament for the National Tag Team Title at the Omni Auditorium in Atlanta for Championship Wrestling from Georgia promoter Ole Anderson. Other teams participating in the tournament were Ole Anderson & Thunderbolt Patterson, the New York Assassins, the Hollywood Blonds, Jerry Oates & Ron Ritchie, Bob Roop & the Italian Stallion, Jimmy Valiant & Jerry Lawler, Ox Baker & Mr. Ito, the Road Warriors, Ron Slinker & Frankie Lane, and Tommy Rich & Randy Savage. The title had been declared vacant earlier in the month when Armstrong & Tim Horner had to give it up after Horner had been injured. Also, a match between Ron Garvin and Wahoo McDaniel was ruled a no contest.

1992: Ricky Steamboat & Shane Douglas defeated Dustin Rhodes & Steve Austin to win the WCW World Tag Team Title at the Macon Coliseum for World Championship Wrestling. It was reported that 7,500 were in attendance for this card.