GEORGIA WRESTLING NEWS, NOTES, AND NOSTALGIA: 12/02/2007

Courtesy of Georgia Wrestling History's Rich Tate:

NEWS

Due to some more server issues, we have been unable to update the main site since yesterday. We hope to be back and running shortly, and apologize for the inconvenience.

We inadvertently had listed a lineup for a Southern Extreme Championship Wrestling card in Villa Rica, GA, tonight, but that show doesn’t take place until December 9. They have taken this week off due to a death in the family of promoter Scott East. Our condolences to the East family, and our apologies to anyone inconvenienced by our erroneous report.

World Wrestling Entertainment returns to Savannah, GA, tonight at the Savannah Civic Center, with a bell time of 6:00 PM.

Great Championship Wrestling results from Phenix City, AL, on December 1: Deathrow over Johnny Swinger (w/ Quentin Michaels); A.J. Steele (w/ the Intern) over Reuben James to retain the GCW Interstate Heavyweight Title; Tex Monroe over Michael Cook; Orion Bishop (w/ Wicked Nemesis) over That 80s Guy; Randall Johnson over Skinny Jimmy; and Cru Jones (w/ Quentin Michaels) over Chris Stevens. It was reported that 210 were in attendance for this card.

GCW is planning to expand their product with plans to set up events throughout Georgia, Alabama, Florida, and Mississippi. There is also a plan to expand the GCW Action TV show. Also announced is the beginning of a GCW Magazine starting in 2008. It will be published on a quarterly basis.

NOTES

As always, we ask anyone attending a live event in or around Georgia to send us your reports via email at contributions@georgiawrestlinghistory.com. We are open to providing coverage to promotions based along the bordering states of Alabama, Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee, also.

NOSTALGIA

1887: John Muhler arrived in Atlanta and went directly to the office of the Atlanta Constitution, where he and his manager, Mr. Hopper, were reported to be proposing a challenge to anyone who would come forth and accept.

1937: Joe Cox defeated Willie Davis in the main event at Loew’s Grand Theatre in Atlanta for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Frank Speer.

1949: Dan O’Connor defeated Don McIntyre to retain the Southern Heavyweight Title at the Atlanta Municipal Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Paul Jones. O’Connor had been the reigning champion since he defeated McIntyre on November 25, 1949, in Atlanta.

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

1960: Freddie Blassie defeated Johnny Weaver in a loser leaves match at the Atlanta Municipal Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Paul Jones.

1961: Don McIntyre defeated Jerry Graham by disqualification in the main event at the Larry Bell Auditorium in Marietta for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Elmo Chappell.

1963: The Mighty Hercules defeated Joe Scarpa in the main event at the William Bell Auditorium in Augusta for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Steve Manderson. Also, Chief Little Eagle defeated Lenny Montana in a Texas death match in the semi-main event.

1966: Southern Tag Team Champions Enrique & Ramon Torres and Lars & Gene Anderson wrestled to a draw in a title match at the Atlanta Municipal Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Paul Jones. The Torres’ had been the reigning champions since they defeated Louie Tillet & Butcher Vachon on November 16, 1966, in Columbus. The program for this card reminded fans that Mario Galento’s Pizza Arena restaurant was having its grand opening after the matches.

1969: Choo-Choo Lynn, Roberto & Cyclone Soto defeated Paul DeMarco, Vincent Lopez & Aldo Bogni in the main event at the Macon City Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Fred Ward. Homer O’Dell managed DeMarco. Also, the Fabulous Moolah defeated Vicky Williams to retain the Women’s World Title. Moolah had been billed as champion since she defeated Judy Grable on September 18, 1956, in Baltimore, MD.

1974: Roger Kirby & Buddy Colt, managed by Bearcat Wright, defeated Ricky Gibson & Rocky Johnson to retain the Georgia Tag Team Title at the William Bell Auditorium in Augusta for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Steve Manderson. Kirby & Colt had been the reigning champions since they defeated Ole & Gene Anderson on November 1, 1974, in Atlanta.

1977: Dick Slater defeated Stan Hansen in the main event at the Atlanta Municipal Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Paul Jones. Also, Dusty Rhodes defeated Ric Flair by disqualification in the semi-main event, and Mr. Wrestling #2 defeated Rock Hunter & Pak Song in a handicap match.

1984: Ole Anderson & Thunderbolt Patterson defeated King Kong Bundy & Giant Frazier in the main event at the Omni Auditorium in Atlanta for Championship Wrestling from Georgia. Also, the Long Riders defeated Tommy Rich & Brad Armstrong, substituting for Bob Armstrong, to retain the National Tag Team Title. The Long Riders had been the reigning champions since they defeated Brad Armstrong & Jacques Rougeau in a tournament final on November 18, 1984, in Atlanta. Jerry Lawler defeated Kamala to retain the Southern Heavyweight Title. Lawler had been the reigning champion since he defeated King Kong Bundy on November 12, 1984, in Memphis, TN. Ron Garvin defeated Ox Baker to retain the National Heavyweight Title. Garvin had been the reigning champion since he defeated Ted DiBiase on October 11, 1984, in Baltimore, MD. A title match between World Television Champion Bob Roop and Jimmy Valiant was ruled a no contest. It is unclear as to how Roop came to be recognized as champion. The last reference we have found shows Ron Garvin defeating Jake Roberts on August 18, 1984, in Baltimore, MD, to win the title.