GEORGIA WRESTLING NEWS, NOTES, AND NOSTALGIA: 11/22/2007

Courtesy of Georgia Wrestling History's Rich Tate:

NEWS

The jury in the trial involving Harrison Norris, Jr. (a/k/a Hard Body Harrison), deliberating since late Monday afternoon, asked for more information on Wednesday, including court transcripts and evidence, before reporting their verdict late that afternoon. Norris also made a request of his own on Wednesday, but was denied. He had asked for permission to speak to the media prior to a verdict being read. At around 5:15 PM, the jury delivered guilty verdicts on numerous counts, including sex trafficking, conspiracy, witness tampering, obstruction, peonage, aggravated sexual abuse, and forced labor. These charges applied to eight of the nine women he was accused of abducting and holding hostage, and he was acquitted on all counts involving a ninth woman. Norris will be sentenced on February 28. Based on the charges, he could be facing a life sentence.

Great Championship Wrestling star Shaun Banks was seriously injured in a stabbing incident on November 18. Banks was reportedly blindsided while trying to break up a fight, resulting in a three inch gash to his abdomen. Fortunately, the wound, which was three inches deep, did not damage any internal organs. Banks was transported to a local hospital via medical helicopter. The good news is that Banks' is making a speedy recovery and plans to be back in the ring in a month or so.

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: 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.

NOTES

We inadvertently noted yesterday as being Afa’s birthday. He actually won’t be 59 until November 27, so it looks like we’ll celebrate for him twice this year.

GWH would like to wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving, and that you have a safe journey in any travels you may be making over the next few days.

NOSTALGIA

1932: Joe DeVito defeated Jack Sherry in the main event at the Atlanta Municipal Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Henry Weber.

1933: Darna Ostapovich defeated Dick Daviscourt by disqualification two falls to one in the main event at the Atlanta Municipal Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Henry Weber.

1946: Tex Riley defeated Herb Welch to retain the World Junior Heavyweight Title at the Atlanta Municipal Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Paul Jones. Riley had been the reigning champion as recognized by the Nashville, TN, office since he won a tournament on July 12, 1946, in Nashville, TN.

1948: Chris Belkas defeated Charlie Harben by countout to retain the Southern Heavyweight Title at the Augusta Municipal Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Dick Lever. Belkas had been billed as champion since November 1, 1948.

1957: Reggie & Stan Lisowski defeated Gorgeous George & Wild Red Berry to retain the World Tag Team Title at the Atlanta Municipal Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Paul Jones. The Lisowskis had been the reigning champions as recognized by the Chicago, IL, office since they defeated Nicoli & Boris Volkoff on June 29, 1957, in Chicago. Also, Ray Gunkel defeated Kurt Von Brawner to retain the Southern Heavyweight Title. Gunkel had been the reigning champion since he defeated Von Brawner on October 18, 1957, in Atlanta.

1960: Danny Miller defeated Johnny Weaver in the main event at the Macon City Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Fred Ward.

1961: Jerry Graham defeated the Assassin in a no disqualification match at the Columbus Sports Arena for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Fred Ward.

1963: Despite the assassination of President John F. Kennedy earlier in the day, the card went on as scheduled. Eddie Graham & Chief Little Eagle defeated the Outlaw & the Mighty Hercules in the main event at the Atlanta Municipal Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Don McIntyre. During the match, Little Eagle removed the Outlaw’s mask. He was not immediately identified, but was later reported to have been “Matt Burns.” He continued to wrestle with the mask afterward.

1965: Fans crowded into the Paul Jones Sports Arena in Atlanta to watch the Las Vegas, NV, bout between World Heavyweight Boxing Champion Cassius Clay and Floyd Patterson on Closed Circuit Television. Clay defeated Patterson by TKO in the twelfth round.

1966: US Junior Heavyweight Champion Louie Tillet and Roger Kirby wrestled to a one-hour draw in a title match at the Macon City Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Fred Ward. Tillet had been billed as champion since November 15, 1966.

1968: The Assassins defeated Alberto & Ramon Torres to win the Georgia Tag Team Title at the Atlanta Municipal Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Paul Jones. It is unclear as to how Alberto & Ramon Torres came to be recognized as champions. The last reference we have shows Stan & Butcher defeating them to win the title on October 29, 1968, in Savannah.

1969: Joe Scarpa defeated Assassin #2 to win the Georgia Television Title at the WQXI Studios. This was taped for the “Atlanta TV Wrestling” television program hosted by Ed Capral.

1972: Bob Armstrong defeated Rock Hunter at the Columbus Municipal Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Fred Ward. This was the only match after a boycott of the remaining scheduled wrestlers. Bob Armstrong and Rock Hunter were the only two in attendance to wrestle. Fred Ward announced to the crowd ahead of the match that all money would be returned whether fans decided to stay or leave. He offered no explanation as to the whereabouts of the other wrestlers scheduled. Earlier in the day, a private meeting was held in Atlanta said to be led by Ann Gunkel, Tom Renesto, Assassin #2, Dick Steinborn, and Charlie Harben. Known to be in attendance were Ed Capral, Charlie Smith, Ted and Jerry Oates, Ox Baker, Argentina Apollo, Oki Shikina, Jesse James, Skandor Akbar, Tommy Seigler, El Mongol, the Hollywood Blonds, Wayne Cowan, Joe Turner, Bill Bowman, Roberto Soto, the Avenger, Krusher Karlson, and Derrell Cochran. During the meeting, the leaders made it clear they were forming a new promotion, to be called the All-South Wrestling Alliance. Of those in attendance, the only one to stay with the Atlanta NWA office was Derrell Cochran. Not in attendance at the meeting, but also deciding to remain with the NWA side after learning of the news, were Bob Armstrong and Roy Lee Welch. Rock Hunter was also not in attendance at the meeting, and is said to not have heard that there would be a boycott of the Columbus card that evening. Jerry Oates had decided to join All-South, but returned to the Atlanta NWA office within weeks of his departure.

1974: Rocky Johnson defeated Buddy Colt, managed by Bearcat Wright, to win the Georgia Heavyweight Title at the Atlanta Municipal Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Paul Jones. This was a rematch from November 15, 1974, whereas Colt’s title had been held up after their match ended when Colt was disqualified. Harley Race, also, managed by Wright, defeated Mr. Wrestling #2 in a chain match in the semi-main event.

1975: Mr. Wrestling #2 defeated the Spoiler, managed by Gary Hart, in the main event at the Griffin-Barnesville Sports Palace for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Paul Jones.

1976: Dick Slater defeated Bob Armstrong to retain the Georgia Heavyweight Title at the William Bell Auditorium in Augusta for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Charlie Harbin. Slater had been the reigning champion since he defeated Wrestling #2 on November 15, 1976, in Augusta.

1977: Stan Hansen defeated Bob Armstrong by disqualification to retain the Georgia Heavyweight Title at the Macon Coliseum for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Fred Ward. Hansen had been billed as champion since November 19, 1977. Also, Mr. Wrestling #2 defeated Rock Hunter & Pak Song in a handicap match in the semi-main event.

1979: Austin Idol & the Masked Superstar defeated Jack & Jerry Brisco to win the Georgia Tag Team Title in the annual Thanksgiving Day tournament at the Omni Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Paul Jones. Other teams participating in the tournament were Bobby Jaggers & Luke Graham, Ricky Fields & Buzz Sawyer, Mr. Hito & Mr. Sakaruda, Stan Hansen & Wahoo McDaniel, Tony Atlas & Ray Candy, Ox Baker & Killer Khan, Dusty Rhodes & Mr. Wrestling #2, and Tom Shaft & Killer Karl Kox. In a lights out match, Ole Anderson & Thunderbolt Patterson defeated Ernie Ladd & Ivan Koloff. Koloff had been billed as a mystery partner. Gorgeous George, Jr., managed Killer Khan, while Heenan’s stable included Ladd, Kox, Shaft, Jaggers and the Superstar. Also, a match between Wrestling #2 and an imposter Mr. Wrestling #2 was ruled a no contest. In a loser leaves match, Tommy Rich defeated Heenan.

1984: On the first Thanksgiving since the World Wrestling Federation took over Georgia Championship Wrestling, the WWF continued the tradition. A main event between Nikolai Volkoff and Sgt. Slaughter was ruled a no contest. Also, Paul Orndorff won a $10,000 battle royal that included Mil Mascaras, Rick McGraw, Jerry Brisco, Jack Brisco, Mr. Wrestling #2, Barry Windham, Blackjack Mulligan, Jay Strongbow, the Junkyard Dog, Kamala, Paul Orndorff, Rene Goulet, the Spoiler, the Iron Sheik, Brutus Beefcake, Johnny Valiant, Terry Gibbs, and David Sammartino.

1990: Rick & Scott Steiner defeated the Nasty Boys in a cage match in Columbus on Thanksgiving Day for World Championship Wrestling.