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Thursday, December 13, 2007

GEORGIA WRESTLING NEWS, NOTES, AND NOSTALGIA: 12/13/2007

NEWS

World Wrestling Alliance 4 will be in Atlanta, GA, tonight at the WWA4 Dungeon, with a starting time of 7:30 PM. Call (404) 667-1484 for more info.

NOTES

We reached out to all promotions of which we are aware, all of whom run shows in Georgia. We will spend the next few days showing how they responded with answers to the specific questions regarding their plans in light of the proposed regulations by the Georgia Athletic and Entertainment Commission.

It should be noted that we also contacted Total Nonstop Action Senior Vice President Andy Barton, as well as World Wrestling Entertainment spokesman Gary Davis and Jerry McDevitt, attorney for WWE. All have declined to comment on the situation thus far.

Following are responses from Jody Peterman, promoter of AWA World-1 South:

Do you or anyone from your promotion's staff plan to attend the December 18 meeting, and can you be specific by name as to whom will be in attendance?

“I cannot attend because of prior court schedule. At this time, I will probably give my blessings to another promoter.”

What, in order, are the top three items that concern you the most, in regard to how it may affect your promotion, or the local wrestling community in general?

“I don’t care about the rules that treat wrestling as a legitimate sport. I can get around them. Doctors, EMTs, and 5% concern me the most.”

What plans have you considered for your promotion going forward if the items are implemented as presented? Will you try to continue to run, shut it down, move elsewhere, etc.?

“I had already decided not to run anymore shows where the only income was through ticket sales for the event. I am not sure how this will affect me long term. Valdosta is, of course, close to north Florida, and that is always an option.”

If the proposed items pass as presented, it is our understanding that they would go into effect January 7, 2008. If you decide to shut down, what plans would you be making for a final card prior to that date?

“I am having a potential 'final show" in Valdosta on December 30.”

Have you received any feedback from your fan base, and does there seem to be much support from them to appear at the meeting?

“Some, and yes.”


NOSTALGIA

1932: Herman Hickman defeated Abe Kashey in two straight falls in the main event at the Atlanta Municipal Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Henry Weber.

1933: Blue Sun Jennings defeated Tom Marvin in the main event at the Atlanta Municipal Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Henry Weber.

1939: John Grandovich defeated Ray Eckert in the main event at the Reynolds Street Arena in Augusta for promoter Dobie Osborne.

1946: Jim Coffield defeated Al Massey in the main event at the Atlanta Municipal Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Paul Jones.

1948: Jack Dillon & Mile High Ross defeated Bob Crutchfield & Bill Collins in the main event at the Augusta Municipal Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Dick Lever.

1957: Reggie & Stan Lisowski defeated Ray Gunkel & Don McIntyre by disqualification 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.

1960: Freddie Blassie and Mitsu Arakawa wrestled to a draw in the main event at the Macon City Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Fred Ward. Also, Willie Love defeated Joe Harrison to retain the Negro Men’s Southern Heavyweight Title. Love had been billed as champion since October 2, 1959.

1961: Nick & Jerry Kozak defeated the Assassins by disqualification in the main event at the Columbus Sports Arena for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Fred Ward.

1963: Ray Gunkel defeated the Mighty Hercules by TKO in the fourth round of a main event boxing match at the Atlanta Municipal Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Don McIntyre. Archie Moore was the special referee for the match. Also, Chief Big Heart & Chief Little Eagle defeated Taro Myaki & Corsica Joe to retain the World Tag Team Title. Big Heart & Little Eagle had been the reigning champions since they defeated Lenny Montana & Tarzan Tyler on October 11, 1963, in Atlanta.

1966: Bobby Hart defeated US Junior Heavyweight Champion Louie Tillet by disqualification in a title match at the Macon City Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Fred Ward. Tillet had been billed as US Junior Heavyweight Champion since November 15, 1966.

1968: Johnny Valentine and Lou Thesz wrestled to a draw in the main event at the Atlanta Municipal Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Paul Jones.

1974: Rocky Johnson & Mr. Wrestling #1 defeated Georgia Tag Team Champions Roger Kirby & Buddy Colt, managed by Bearcat Wright, by disqualification at the Atlanta Municipal Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Paul Jones. Kirby & Colt had been the reigning champions since they defeated Ole & Gene Anderson on November 1, 1974, in Atlanta. The program we have for this card states that Freddy Miller has replaced Jim Bell as the Ring Announcer in Atlanta. It also has a plug for “Championship Wrestling from Florida,” which was shown immediately following “Georgia Championship Wrestling” at 7:00 PM on Channel 17.

1976: Thunderbolt Patterson, Mr. Wrestling #2 & the Mighty Igor defeated Dick Slater, Ole & Gene Anderson in the main event at the William Bell Auditorium in Augusta for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Charlie Harben.

1977: Dick Slater defeated Stan Hansen in a main event Texas street fight match at the Macon Coliseum for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Fred Ward. Also, Ole Anderson & Jacques Goulet defeated Tommy Rich & Tony Atlas to retain the Georgia Tag Team Title. Bob Armstrong defeated Pak Song to retain the Georgia Television Title.

1981: Ric Flair defeated Tommy Rich to retain the NWA World Heavyweight Title at the Omni Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Paul Jones. Flair had been the reigning champion since he defeated Dusty Rhodes on September 17, 1981, in Kansas City, MO. Also, Bob & Brad Armstrong defeated Kevin Sullivan & Wayne Farris to retain the National Tag Team Title. The Armstrongs had been the reigning champions since they defeated Mr. Saito & Mr. Fuji in the final round of a tournament on November 25, 1981, in Atlanta. Dusty Rhodes defeated the Great Kabuki, managed by Gary Hart, in the semi-main event.

1982: Butch Reed defeated Ric Flair in the main event at the Richmond County Civic Center in Augusta for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Charlie Harben. Also, Ivan Koloff defeated Paul Orndorff in a semi-main event Russian chain match.

1987: Tully Blanchard was the winner of a bunkouse stampede at the Albany Civic Center for Jim Crockett Promotions. Also, Ric Flair defeated Ron Garvin in the semi-main event. It was reported that 4,000 were in attendance for this card.

2003: A.J. Steele defeated Preston Paradise to retain the GIWA Heavyweight Title in Milledgeville for the Georgia Independent Wrestling Alliance.

GeorgiaWrestlingHistory.com