GEORGIA WRESTLING NEWS, NOTES, AND NOSTALGIA: 12/18/2007

NEWS

The public forum with the Georgia Athletic and Entertainment Commission today resulted in a reprieve for professional wrestling in the state of Georgia. After a session lasting about an hour, the board declared the proposed regulations on the business would be delayed until its February meeting. Click here for a more detailed recap of the session.

Southern Extreme Championship Wrestling results from Villa Rica, GA, on December 16: Adrian Hawkins and Kid Ego, Jr., wrestled to a draw; Melissa Coates and Bambi wrestled to a draw; Chick Donovan over Bulldog Raines by disqualification; Tommy Rich over Inferno #3; Frankie Valentine & the Nightmare over Billy Love & El Mexicano; and the Super Destroyer over Bull Buchanan to retain the SECW Heavyweight Title.

NOTES

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

Wrestling Weekly, the show hosted by Doc Young and Les Thatcher, is on a holiday break, and thus will not be on the air tonight. Their return date is set for January 8.

Click here for this week’s Bill Behrens NWA Notes update.

Adrian Hawkins has asked us to let everyone know he is looking for bookings. Email him at ah_3ww@tmail.com to set up dates.

NOSTALGIA

1905: Professor Maeda defeated Sam Marburger in two straight falls in a mixed “Catch-as-Catch-Can / Japanese Style” match at the DeGive Opera House in Atlanta.

1933: Tony Padrone defeated Sammy Miller in the main event at the Fair Street Arena in Atlanta for promoter Jason Thompson.

1933: Eddie Chebera defeated Cyclone Copley by disqualification in the main event at the American Legion in Augusta for promoter Max Stewart.

1934: Jim Londos defeated Orville Brown in two straight falls to retain the NWA World Heavyweight Title at the Atlanta Municipal Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Henry Weber. Londos had been the reigning champion since he defeated Dick Shikat in Philadelphia, PA, on June 6, 1930. This version was the one recognized by the National Boxing Association as the National Wrestling Association. It was reported that 4,000 were in attendance for this card.

1936: Karl Davis defeated Blue Sun Jennings in the main event at Loew’s Grand Theatre in Atlanta for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Frank Speer, who was the special referee for the match.

1953: Donn Lewin defeated Karl Kowalski in the main event at the Atlanta Municipal Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Paul Jones.

1959: Ray & Dickie (Steinborn) Gunkel defeated Freddie Blassie & Angelo Poffo in the main event at the Atlanta Municipal Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Paul Jones. For the match, the first two rows of ringside seats were removed. Although the last reference we have to the International Tag Team Title shows Gunkel & Don McIntyre defending the title against Blassie & Skull Murphy on March 27, 1959, in Atlanta, the program we have for this card mentions that the Gunkels are recognized as the reigning champions.

1962: Choo-Choo Lynn defeated Lenny Montana in the main event at the Macon City Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Fred Ward.

1963: Bob Morrow defeated Southeastern Heavyweight Champion Luke Graham by disqualification in a title match at the Columbus Municipal Auditorium for promoter Fred Ward. Ward was not affiliated with the Atlanta office of Georgia Championship Wrestling at this time. Graham had been the reigning champion since he defeated Marco Polo on December 10, 1963, in Macon.

1964: Lou Thesz defeated Ray Gunkel to retain the NWA World Heavyweight Title at the Atlanta Municipal Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Paul Jones. Thesz had been the reigning champion since he defeated Buddy Rogers on January 24, 1963, in Toronto, ON.

1967: Stan & Butcher Vachon defeated Enrique & Alberto Torres to win the Southern Tag Team Title at the William Bell Auditorium in Augusta for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Steve Manderson. The Torres’ had been the reigning champions since they defeated the Vachons on September 5, 1967, in Macon.

1970: El Mongol defeated Jack Crawford & Kubla Khan in a main event handicap match at the Atlanta Municipal Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Paul Jones.

1973: We have not yet found any documented results for a card at the Atlanta Municipal Auditorium promoted by All-South Wrestling Alliance promoter Ann Gunkel. However, Ox Baker was scheduled to defend the US Heavyweight Title against Ernie Ladd. Also, Assassin #2 & the Enforcer (Roger Smith), managed by Rock Hunter, were scheduled to defend the Georgia Tag Team Title against Ray Candy & Gorilla Watts. The Super Gladiator (Ricky Hunter) was scheduled to defend the Georgia Television Title against Argentina Apollo.

1976: The first episode of “Georgia Championship Wrestling”, hosted by Gordon Solie, since WTCG began transmitting their signal via satellite the day before, was broadcast.

1976: Bill Dromo defeated the Mongolian Stomper, managed by J.J. Dillon, in the main event at the Griffin-Barnesville Sports Palace for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Paul Jones.

1982: Ivan Koloff defeated Paul Orndorff in the main event at the Chattanooga (TN) Memorial Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Paul Jones. Also, Tommy Rich & Butch Reed defeated Ole Anderson & Buzz Sawyer by disqualification in the semi-main event.

2004: Sonny Siaki & Bull Buchanan defeated Jerry Oates & Erik Watts in the main event at the GCW Sports Arena in Columbus for Georgia Championship Wrestling. Also, Jason Cross defeated Mike Sanders to retain the US Junior Heavyweight Title. John Bogie defeated Lee Thomas in a Texas death match.

– GeorgiaWrestlingHistory.com