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

NEWS

In an article posted today, Larry Goodman and Rich Tate provide an overview of past commission involvement in Georgia as it pertains to professional wrestling, as well as current attempts that appear likely to halt the business in our state. Click here for the article.

Georgia Wrestling Promotions will be in Woodstock, GA, on December 23 at the Hot Wheels Skate Center, with a bell time of 8:00 PM. Call (770) 296-5290 for more info. Advertised: Shaun Tempers (w/ the Rev) defends the GWP Southern Heavyweight Title versus Buff Bagwell; Gangrel & Shadow Jackson versus Iceberg & Tank (w/ the Rev); the Hollywood Brunettes (w/ Jeff G. Bailey) versus Bob & Brad Armstrong; the Regular Guys defend the GWP Southern Tag Team Title versus Talent & Money; Jay Clinton (w/ Aaron Voight) versus Ace Rockwell; Truitt Fields versus Simon Sermon; Slim J versus Kid Ego, Jr.; and a thirty-man battle royal. Also scheduled to appear are Nigel Sherrod, VIP, Ace Heffner, and even Santa Claus. Bagwell, Gangrel, and the Armstrongs will participate in a meet-and-greet beginning at 7:00 PM.

We have received word of some events being planned by the returning Independent Wrestling Network. They are scheduled to be at Manchester (GA) High School on February 8, featuring Buff Bagwell, as well as a return to the ring by the Southside Trash. The following day, IWN is slated to be at Kendrick High School in Columbus, GA, followed by a third date at Columbus’ Spencer High School on February 21. Tickets are already on sale at the schools. IWN has also planned a return of the free monthly Ringside Report, to be found at Wal-Mart and local stores in and around the Columbus area.

NOTES

In Your Head will feature Kevin Kleinrock on its show tonight at 8:00 PM ET.

NOSTALGIA

1887: John Muhler, managed by Mr. Hopper, defeated Frank Dougherty and Dennis O'Leary in a handicap match in four straight falls at Concordia Hall in Atlanta. Per a stipulation, Muhler had to defeat both Dougherty and O’Leary four times in a two hours or forfeit $100. A fall would consist of two shoulders and one hip or two hips and one shoulder. Muhler required 0:40, 0:40, 0:50, and 3:00, respectively, to gain the requisite four falls over Dougherty. Muhler then managed to get the four specified falls from O'Leary at 2:00, 8:00, 4:00, and the other in an undisclosed amount of time, during which O'Leary nearly pinned Muhler before succumbing. As a result, Muhler kept the money he had risked. Dougherty was described as “a Stone Mountain stone-cutter,” who was known as ‘Mr. Hercules’. It was reported that the stage was covered with sawdust to the depth of three inches, over which a tarpaulin was spread. Hinton Wright was credited as being the referee. It was reported that this was the first professional wrestling match held in Atlanta, though there was a match advertised for March 7, 1883. However, no results were ever reported from that event, so it is entirely possible it never actually happened.

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. Also, Argentina Rocca defeated Gene Stanlee in the main event.

1958: Chief Little Eagle defeated Dick the Bruiser by countout in an Indian death match at the Atlanta Municipal Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Paul Jones.

1961: Nick & Jerry Kozak defeated the Southern Tag Team Champion Assassins by disqualification in a title match at the Macon City Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Fred Ward. The Assassins’ masks were at stake in the match, but because the match ended in disqualification, they did not have to unmask. The Assassins had been the reigning champions since they defeated Ray Gunkel & Don McIntyre on December 1, 1961, in Atlanta.

1962: A main event Indian thong match between Lenny Montana and Chief Little Eagle was ruled a no contest at the Columbus Municipal Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Fred Ward.

1967: Bill Dromo & Mr. Wrestling defeated the Gauchos (Juan Sebastian & Tarzan Baxter) in the main event at the Macon City Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Fred Ward.

1969: Dory Funk, Jr., defeated Joe Scarpa to retain the NWA World Heavyweight Title at the Atlanta Municipal Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Paul Jones. Funk, Jr., had been the reigning champion since he defeated Gene Kiniski on February 11, 1969, in Tampa, FL. Also, Doug Gilbert, Ray Gunkel & Buddy Fuller defeated Nick Bockwinkel & the Assassins in the semi-main event.

1972: Bob Armstrong defeated Doug Gilbert in the main event at the Macon Coliseum for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Fred Ward.

1978: Thunderbolt Patterson defeated Luke Graham, substituting for Stan Hansen, to retain the Georgia Television Title at the Macon Coliseum for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Fred Ward. Patterson had been the reigning champion since he defeated Ole Anderson on May 12, 1978, in Atlanta. Also, Jack Brisco & Bugsy McGraw defeated Ole Anderson & King Kong Mosca in the semi-main event.

1980: Bill Watts defeated Ole Anderson in the main event at the Omni Auditorium in Atlanta for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Paul Jones. Also, the Mongolian Stomper, managed by Don Carson, defeated Jack Brisco to win the National Heavyweight Title. Some sources report that Brisco defeated Austin Idol to become the champion, since it was mentioned that way on “Georgia Championship Wrestling” hosted by Gordon Solie, on the November 8 episode. However, no such match ever occurred, and Brisco was the first actual champion to be seen with the belt. After our research turned up no possible way a match between the two for this title during this period could have possibly happened, Brisco also confirmed it. The Freebirds (Terry Gordy & Buddy Roberts) defeated Robert Fuller & Stan Frazier to retain the National Tag Team Title. The Freebirds had been the reigning champions since they defeated Fuller & Frazier in a tournament final on November 27, 1980, in Atlanta. Kevin Sullivan defeated Steve Keirn to retain the National Television Title. Sullivan had been the reigning champion since he defeated Steve Keirn on November 29, 1980, in Atlanta. Judy Martin defeated Wenona Little Heart to retain a Women’s Title, though it was never specified what the title was, specifically.

1981: Bob Armstrong defeated the Great Kabuki, managed by Gary Hart, by disqualification in the main event at the Chattanooga (TN) Memorial Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Paul Jones. Also, Tommy Rich & Michael Hayes defeated the Masked Superstar & the Super Destroyer (Scott Irwin) in the semi-main event.

2004: John Bradshaw Layfield defeated Eddie Guerrero, Booker T & the Undertaker in the main event of the Armageddon Pay-Per-View at the Gwinnett Center in Duluth for World Wrestling Entertainment. Also, Sho Funaki defeated Spike Dudley to win the WWE Cruiserweight Title. John Cena defeated Aaron Aguilera to retain the US Heavyweight Title. Rob Van Dam & Rey Mysterio, Jr., defeated Rene Dupree & Kenzo Suzuki to retain the WWE Tag Team Title. Daniel Puder defeated Mike Mizanin in a boxing match. Dawn Marie defeated Jackie Gayda, with Charlie Haas as a special referee, and the Big Show defeated Kurt Angle, Mark Jindrak, & Luther Reigns in a four-way match.

– GeorgiaWrestlingHistory.com