GEORGIA WRESTLING NEWS, NOTES, AND NOSTALGIA: 12/15/2007

NEWS

Bill Behrens met with Kelly Farr, Director of the Georgia Athletic and Entertainment Commission, to address the recently proposed regulations. A public hearing, expected to be heavily attended by many from the local wrestling community, as well as fans, is scheduled for December 18. Click here for his comments.

Southern States Championship Wrestling begins a new era in Enigma tonight at the Enigma Gym, with a bell time of 7:00 PM. Tickets for the first show are only $1.00. Scheduled to Appear: Jarrod Michaels, Scotty Biggs, J.T. Taylor, Vinn Detta, and the Unknown Soldier.

Flatline Championship Wrestling is in Grovetown, GA, at Patriots Park tonight, beginning at 7:00 PM. The show is dubbed "Silent Nightmares." Admission is $7.00, but kids under five get in free.

Great Championship Wrestling will be in Phenix City, AL, tonight at the GR8 SK8plex, starting at 7:30 PM. Call (334) 297-2223 for more info. Advertised: Bull Buchanan defends the GCW Heavyweight Title versus Sonny Siaki; a midget match between Puppet and Little Kato; and Orion Bishop (w/ Wicked Nemesis) versus Scotty Beach (w/ Santa Claus) – Beach saved Claus when he was threatened by Bishop and Nemesis during his appearance on December 8.

NWA Anarchy is back in Cornelia, GA, tonight at the NWA Arena, with matches getting underway at 8:00 PM. Call (706) 768-9071 for more info.

All-Star Wrestling Network will be back in Fort Valley, GA, tonight, at the Wrestleplex, beginning at 8:00 PM. Call (478) 397-5734 or (770) 884-5546 for more info. Adult tickets are $10, with $4 off for bringing an unwrapped toy for Toys for Tots. Everyone 12 and under gets in for $5. Advertised: Chick Donovan defends the AWN Heavyweight Title versus Sam Slaughter; Simon Sermon & Jerry Thompson defend the AWN Tag Team Title versus K.I. Elite; Bambi defends the AWN Women’s Title versus Brandy Scotch Baker; Shawn Hunter versus Pit Bull in a taped fist match; Amien Rios versus Ash; the Cowboy versus the Secret Asian Man; Randy Ward versus Prime Time Bryan; and a battle royal to determine the inaugural AWN Heritage Champion.

Southern Classic Wrestling will be back in Sandersville, GA, tonight at Big Dog Billiards beginning at 8:00 PM. Call (478) 288-2341 for more info. Advertised: Tommy Lee (w/ Ace Heffner) will defend the SCW Southern Heavyweight Title versus Bobby Joiner (w/ T.W. James); the Serial Killers (Michael Myers & Leatherface) will defend the SCW Georgia Tag Team Title versus Team Honcho (Jamie Holmes & Ronnie Rage); Flatline (w/ T.W. James) will defend the SCW Georgia Heritage Title versus Loco Motive (w/ Ace Heffner); Conner Cruze versus Brian Titus (w/ Ace Heffner); Greg Heffner & Juan Tequila versus the Stanton Clan (Mark & Eric Stanton); Jason Lynn & Mark Mayhem versus the Crunk ‘N Punk Connection (Mike Margera & Jamar Acid); and Big Bank Barfield versus the Nightmare. Also, Santa Claus is scheduled to make an appearance.

Southern Extreme Championship Wrestling runs in Villa Rica, GA, tomorrow night at the SECW Arena, beginning at 6:00 PM. Call (770) 355-5742 for more info. Advertised: the Super Destroyer defends the SECW Heavyweight Title versus Bull Buchanan; Bill Love & El Mexicano versus Frankie Valentine & the Nightmare; Tommy Rich versus Todd Zane; Melissa Coates versus Bambi; Chick Donovan versus Bulldog Raines; and Bruce Biggins versus Kid Ego, Jr.

Buff Bagwell will join Georgia Wrestling Promotions promoter Roger Cantrell at the Hot Wheels Skate Center in Woodstock, GA, on December 21, for a meet and greet with fans. They are scheduled to appear from 8-9:00 PM.

GWP will be at the Skate Center on December 23, 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.

NOTES

Trash Talking Radio will feature Steve Corino and Danny Doring on its show on December 18 at 7:00 PM ET. Rich Tate is also scheduled to appear to discuss the events of the hearing that day with the GAEC.

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 Scott East, promoter of Southern Extreme Championship Wrestling:

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 will be there for sure. I'm also trying to get a friend of mine that is a corporate attorney for large company in the west Georgia area. If things don't go well, I'm going to get him to advise me on asking for a continuance.”

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 have more than three items that really bother me, but I will narrow it down the best I can. Number 5 is absolutely ridiculous. I already have a trained paramedic on my security staff, and the cost of a physician, two medics, and an ambulance is outrageous. We have two fire stations within two miles from our arena. As for number 8, why should I have to pay 5% to the GAEC and then have to pay someone $100.00 to oversee my event? Number 11 takes the audience participation right out of wrestling. I'd rather watch paint dry.”

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.?

“If it happens, we will definitely continue to run. That's when it becomes a corporate situation. I do have a contingency plan. It consists of sponsorships, plus other things. Some of the smaller towns might not have sponsors available.”

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 have no intentions of closing down.”

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

“We have some of the greatest fans in west Georgia. They really enjoy wrestling. I've had a lot of calls about the meeting. Everyone wants to know what they can do to help.”

NOSTALGIA

1926: Joe Stecher defeated Dick Daviscourt to retain the World Heavyweight Title at the Atlanta Municipal Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter John Contos. Stecher was declared the winner when Daviscourt was deemed unable to continue. Stecher had been the reigning champion since he defeated Stanislaus Zbyszko in St. Louis, MO, on May 30, 1925. This version was the one linked back to George Hackenschmidt. It was reported that 5,000 were in attendance for this card.

1927: Stanislaus Zbyszko, substituting for Paul Jones, defeated Jack Washburn in two straight falls in the main event at the Atlanta Municipal Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter John Contos. Also, Jim Londos and Charlie Hanson wrestled to a draw.

1931: George Zaharias defeated Jack Lewis in two straight falls in the main event at the Atlanta Municipal Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Henry Weber.

1950: Art Nelson defeated Nick Carter to retain the Southern Heavyweight Title at the Atlanta Municipal Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Paul Jones. Nelson had been the reigning champion since he defeated Finis Hall on December 8, 1950, in Atlanta.

1952: Don McIntyre defeated Babe Zaharias in the finals of a one-night tournament at the William Bell Auditorium in Augusta for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Tom Mahoney. Also participating in the tournament were George Curtis, Jerry Graham, Bob Shipp, Tarzan White, Jack Steele, and Jack Curtis. It was reported that the proceeds from this card went to the Empty Stocking Fund.

1953: Donn Lewin & Red McIntyre defeated Jack Dillon & Karl Kowalski by disqualification in the main event at the Macon City Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Fred Ward.

1961: Ray Gunkel & Jerry Graham defeated the Assassins by disqualification in the main event at the Atlanta Municipal Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Paul Jones. The Assassins were disqualified for double teaming.

1967: Mr. Wrestling defeated Oki Yama, managed by ‘Dandy’ Jack Crawford, in a loser unmasks match at the Atlanta Municipal Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Paul Jones. As part of the stipulation, Yama was forced to unmask following the match, and was identified as Butcher Vachon.

1970: The Assassins defeated Bob Armstrong & Paul DeMarco in a title versus title match at the Macon Coliseum for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Fred Ward. The Assassins retained the Georgia Tag Team Title and won the Macon Tag Team Title. The Assassins had been the reigning Georgia Tag Team Champions since they defeated Mr. Ito & the Great Ota in a tournament final on October 16, 1970, in Atlanta. Armstrong & DeMarco had been the reigning Macon Tag Team Champions since they defeated Buddy Colt & Skandor Akbar on November 24, 1970, in Macon.

1972: Bob Armstrong defeated Buddy Colt to win the Southern Heavyweight Title at the Atlanta Municipal Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Paul Jones. Colt had been billed as champion since November 28, 1972.

1972: Tommy Seigler, Argentina Apollo, El Mongol & the Avenger defeated Skandor Akbar, Ox Baker & the Hollywood Blonds in the main event at the Oglethorpe Gymnasium in Atlanta for All-South Wrestling Alliance promoter Ann Gunkel.

1973: Bobby Shane & Gorgeous George, Jr., defeated Georgia Tag Team Champions Bob Armstrong & Robert Fuller at the WTCG Studios in Atlanta for the taping of the “Georgia Championship Wrestling” television program hosted by Gordon Solie. Following the match, the title was held up pending a rematch on December 21, 1973.

1973: Les Thatcher, Ron & Robert Fuller defeated Bobby Shane, Luke Graham & Gorgeous George, Jr., in the main event at the Griffin-Barnesville Sports Palace for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Paul Jones. Also, Mr. Wrestling #2 defeated J.C. Dykes & Super Inferno #2 in a handicap match.

1978: Dusty Rhodes 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 Mr. Wrestling #2 on December 4, 1978, in Augusta.

1980: Tony Atlas defeated Kevin Sullivan by disqualification to retain the Georgia Heavyweight Title at the William Bell Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Charlie Harben. Atlas had been the reigning champion since he defeated Dennis Condrey on October 24, 1980, in Atlanta. Also, The Freebirds (Terry Gordy & Buddy Roberts) defeated Robert Fuller & Stan Frazier in the main event.

– GeorgiaWrestlingHistory.com