GEORGIA WRESTLING NEWS, NOTES, AND NOSTALGIA: 12/14/2007

NEWS

Alternative Pro Wrestling is back in Royston, GA, tonight at the Royston Gym, with matches getting underway at 8:00 PM. Call (706) 680-3234 for more info.

Georgia Wrestling Federation will be in Summerville, GA, tonight at the GWF Arena, with action beginning at 8:00 PM. Call (706) 936-2901 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.

Following are responses from Jody Peterman, promoter of Georgia Wrestling Promotions:

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?

“Myself, my announcer, and my booker.”

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?

“The 5% tax, having to hire a doctor and a cop, and treating wrestling as if it is a sport.”

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 have not decided, but I probably will shut the promotion down.”

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?

“The final show would be the December 23 show at Hot Wheels Skate Center.”

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

“Fans from GWP plan to attend. I do not know how many will actually show.”

NOSTALGIA

1917: Constant LeMarin defeated Santello in two straight falls at the Liberty Theatre in Savannah for promoter Max Bauman.

1921: Stanislaus Zbyszko defeated Joe Wendell in two straight falls at the Business Men’s Athletic Club in Atlanta for promoter Walk Miller.

1934: Jack Ross defeated Tiger Moore in the main event at the Atlanta Municipal Auditorium for promoters Jason Thompson and Cleve Roby.

1936: Southern Light Heavyweight Champion John Mauldin and Petro Rossi wrestled to a one-hour draw in a title match at the Spring Street Arena in Atlanta for promoter Frank Bettis. Mauldin had been the reigning champion since he defeated Honey Boy Hackney on September 11, 1936, in Atlanta.

1945: Bill Longson defeated Abe Yourist to retain the NWA World Heavyweight Title at the Atlanta Municipal Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Paul Jones. Longson had been the reigning champion since he defeated Bobby Managoff in St. Louis, MO, on February 19, 1943. This version was the one recognized by the National Boxing Association as the National Wrestling Association.

1951: Mr. Moto defeated Al Massey in the main event at the Atlanta Municipal Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Paul Jones.

1956: Jerry Graham defeated Bobby Weaver (Arnold Skaaland) to win the Southern Heavyweight Title at the Atlanta Municipal Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Paul Jones. Weaver had been the reigning champion since he defeated Freddie Blassie on November 23, 1956, in Atlanta.

1960: Tiny Evans & Chief Little Eagle defeated Freddie Blassie & Mitsu Arakawa in the main event at the Columbus Sports Arena 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.

1962: Freddie Blassie & Dick the Bruiser defeated Ray Gunkel & Lenny Montana in the main event at the Atlanta Municipal Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Don McIntyre.

1964: Sputnik Monroe & Rocky Smith defeated the Mysterious Medics by disqualification in the main event at the William Bell Auditorium in Augusta for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Steve Manderson.

1965: Billy & Bad Boy Hines defeated Don Carson & Johnny King in the main event at the Macon City Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Fred Ward.

1971: Bill Dromo & Bob Armstrong defeated the Assassins to win the Southeastern Tag Team Title in a lumberjack match at the Macon Coliseum for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Fred Ward. The Assassins had been the reigning champions since they defeated Armstrong & El Mongol on November 17, 1971, in Columbus.

1973: Freddie Blassie defeated North American Heavyweight Champion Bill Watts by disqualification in a title match at the Atlanta Municipal Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Paul Jones. Following the match, the title was held up pending a rematch on December 28, 1973. Watts had been billed as champion since September 28, 1973. Also, Tim Woods defeated Pat O’Connor in the semi-main event. Bob Armstrong & Robert Fuller* defeated the Samoans, managed by Gary Hart, to retain the Georgia Tag Team Title. Armstrong & Fuller had been the reigning champions since they defeated Bobby Duncum & Stan Vachon on October 27, 1973, in Atlanta.

1976: Dick Slater defeated Bill Dromo to retain the Georgia Heavyweight Title at the Macon Coliseum for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Fred Ward. Slater had been the reigning champion since he defeated Mr. Wrestling #2 on November 15, 1976, in Augusta.

1979: Dick Slater defeated the Georgia Heavyweight Champion Masked Superstar by disqualification in a title match at the Atlanta Municipal Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Paul Jones. The Superstar had been the reigning champion since he defeated Tommy Rich on December 7, 1979, in Atlanta. Also, Ivan Koloff & Alexis Smirnoff defeated Tony Atlas & Ray Candy to retain the Georgia Tag Team Title. Koloff & Smirnoff had been the reigning champions since they defeated Ole Anderson & Jerry Brisco on December 7, 1979, in Atlanta. Thunderbolt Patterson defeated Tom Shaft in a boxing match, and Killer Khan defeated Toru Tanaka, managed by Gorgeous George, Jr., in a martial arts match. Rich defeated Georgia Television Champion Austin Idol by disqualification in a title match. The Fabulous Moolah defeated Wenona Little Heart to retain the Women’s World Title. Moolah had been billed as Women’s World Champion since she defeated Judy Grable on September 18, 1956, in Baltimore, MD. In addition, Anderson, who defeated Koloff in a main event dogfight match, also defeated Killer Karl Kox in a brass knuckles match. Kevin Sullivan defeated Bobby Jaggers in the opener. This was the final card ever held at the Atlanta Municipal Auditorium. This venue was first opened in 1908, and would remain open for business until 1979, at which time the property rights were sold to Georgia State University. Located the corner of Edgewood Avenue and Courtland Street, this site was originally the host for twenty seasons of the Metropolitan Opera, and would become the major entertainment venue many decades afterward, as well as host to indoor sports. Today, the building has been renovated extensively both inside and out and now serves as Georgia State University's Alumni Hall.

– GeorgiaWrestlingHistory.com