GEORGIA WRESTLING NEWS, NOTES, AND NOSTALGIA: 11/21/2007

Courtesy of Georgia Wrestling History's Rich Tate:

NEWS

The crowd popped on November 17 when Palmer introduced Rylie DeWeese from Simpsonville, SC. She's the little girl that was recently bitten in the face by a pit bull. The Anarchy family has been raising money to help with DeWeese’s medical expenses. Palmer announced that an NWA Anarchy calendar was going on sale with a portion of the proceeds going to DeWeese. Rylie, three years old, was playing with her twin sister in September at her grandmother’s house, when she was suddenly attacked by a family dog owned by her aunt. Rylie received a six-millimeter cut on her left eye, and also lost the tip of her left ear. The dog, which had never shown signs of being violent, was put down shortly after the attack. When details are available as to how you can help through ordering these calendars, we will post it here.

After closing arguments Monday afternoon, whereas it was reported Harrison Norris, Jr. (a/k/a Hard Body Harrison) rambled for nearly two hours, the jury spent the end of the day in deliberations. The jury has yet to return with a verdict, which Norris’ stand-by lawyer, Akil Secret, says could mean an acquittal. Norris, who defended himself against charges including peonage, forced labor, enslavement, and sex trafficking and conspiracy, could face up to twenty years in prison if convicted, but a guilty verdict on the counts of aggravated sex abuse could land him a life sentence. During the closing arguments, Norris wrapped himself in an American flag, boasting of his patriotism, while discussing his stint with the U.S. Army and his time in the Gulf War. He referred to the discrimination lawsuit against WCW from several years ago, in which he was a party on the plaintiff’s side, claming he had won enough money from the settlement that he did not need to pimp. Not only were the prosecutors upset with his closing argument and theatrics, but the Judge Jack Camp threatened him repeatedly throughout the two-week trial.

Southern Extreme Championship Wrestling runs in Villa Rica, GA, on Thanksgiving Day, November 22, at the SECW Arena, beginning at 6:00 PM. Call (770) 355-5742 for more info. Advertised: A one-night tournament for the vacant SECW Heavyweight Title featuring Buff Bagwell, Bulldog Raines, the Nightmare, Tommy Rich, Bruce Biggins, Todd Zane, El Mexicano, and the Super Destroyer. Bull Buchanan has been stripped of the title because he will not return from his unexpected tour for NOAH until December.

SECW will also run its regular weekly card in Villa Rica, GA, on November 25, at the SECW Arena, beginning at 6:00 PM. This will be a Customer Appreciation Day, with ringside tickets at $7.00 and general admission at $5.00. Call (770) 355-5742 for more info. Advertised: Bulldog Raines, the Nightmare, Todd Zane, Bruce Biggins, Scotty Blaze, Chris Lightning, Kyle Matthews, the Ultimate Dragon, Billy Love, Nemesis, and War Daddy are scheduled to appear.

NOTES

GWH would like to wish a happy birthday to Johnny Rich (49), Shane Douglas (43), Cassidy O’Reilly (31). Ted Oates and Afa of the Samoans were also born today, but we are uncertain of their age.

NOSTALGIA

1947: Although not in Georgia, Bill Longson defeated Lou Thesz to win the NWA World Heavyweight Title in Houston, TX. This version was the one recognized by the National Boxing Association as the National Wrestling Association.

1952: Don McIntyre defeated Eduardo Perez to retain the Southern Heavyweight Title at the Atlanta Municipal Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Paul Jones. McIntyre had been billed as champion since September 19, 1952.

1955: Red McIntyre defeated Freddie Blassie two falls to one in the main event at the William Bell Auditorium in Augusta for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Tom Mahoney.

1958: Freddie Blassie defeated Ray Gunkel by disqualification in a main event Indian Death Match at the Atlanta Municipal Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Paul Jones. It was reported that both Gunkel and Blassie put up $2,000 for their match. Gunkel was disqualified when he accidentally hit the referee.

1961: Choo-Choo Lynn and the Assassin wrestled to a draw in the main event at the Macon City Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Fred Ward.

1962: Freddie Blassie defeated Jake Smith to retain the World Heavyweight Title at the Columbus Municipal Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Fred Ward. Blassie had been billed as champion since June 29, 1962.

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

1968: Bill Dromo defeated Butcher Vachon by disqualification in the main event in Milledgeville for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Fred Ward. It is unclear as to what venue was the site of this card.

1969: In what was billed as a handicap match, but appears to have really just been two consecutive singles matches, the Professional defeated Assassin #2, and then he and Assassin #1 fought to a no contest at the Atlanta Municipal Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Paul Jones. The stipulation for the match between the Professional and the Assassins was that the former had to defeat both for the latter to unmask. However, if he failed to defeat both Assassins, the Pro would have to unmask. Per the stipulation, the Pro removed his mask following the match to reveal his identity as Doug Gilbert. Gilbert continued to wrestle without the mask after this, but was typically called the Professional as a nickname. The Assassins had also been ordered to wear different colors for the match. There was an article in the program for this card from Los Angeles Times writer John Hall about Sam Sheppard. It was announced that Sheppard and George Strickland would be wrestling on the card on November 28, 1969.

1972: A title match between the Hollywood Blonds (Jerry Brown & Buddy Roberts) and Macon Tag Team Champions Tommy Seigler & Argentina Apollo was ruled a no contest at the Macon Coliseum for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Fred Ward. Seigler & Apollo had been the reigning champions since they defeated Rocket Monroe & Skandor Akbar on November 14, 1972, in Macon. Also, in a ten-round boxing match, Leon Ogle defeated Joe Turner by knockout in the second round.

1973: Although we have no documented results from this card, the Fabulous Moolah was scheduled to defend the Women’s World Title against Debbie Johnson at the Columbus Municipal Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Fred Ward. Moolah had been billed as champion since she defeated Judy Grable on September 18, 1956, in Baltimore, MD. Also, Pat O’Connor was scheduled to wrestle Super Inferno #1, managed by J.C. Dykes, while the main event was to feature Tim Woods & Mr. Wrestling #2 versus Bobby Shane & Gorgeous George, Jr.

1975: The Spoiler, managed by Gary Hart, defeated Bobo Brazil in a lumberjack match at the Atlanta Municipal Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Paul Jones. Hart also managed Brute Bernard, who was scheduled to wrestle Abdullah the Butcher, but no results from that match have been found.

1977: Tommy Rich & Tony Atlas defeated Ole Anderson & Abdullah the Butcher to retain the Georgia Tag Team Title at the William Bell Auditorium in Augusta for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Charlie Harbin. Rich & Atlas had been the reigning champions since they defeated Anderson & Jacques Goulet on November 15, 1977, in Macon.

1978: King Kong Mosca, Ole Anderson & Stan Hansen defeated Tommy Rich, Choo-Choo Lynn & Mr. Wrestling #2 in the main event at the Macon Coliseum for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Fred Ward.

1981: Tommy Rich defeated Terry Gordy in a main event lumberjack match at the Chattanooga (TN) Memorial Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Paul Jones.

1982: Tommy Rich defeated Buzz Sawyer by disqualification in a main event cage match at the Ohio Center in Columbus, OH, for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Les Thatcher.