GEORGIA WRESTLING NEWS, NOTES, AND NOSTALGIA: 12/22/2007

NEWS

AWA World-1 South returns to action tonight at the Oconee Gym in Dublin, GA, raising funds for the Dublin Tipoff Club.  Matches begin at 7:30 PM.  Call (866) 244-0104 for more info. Advertised: The Heartbreak Express defend the AWA World Tag Team Title versus K.I. Elite (Shawn Hunter & Jake Slater); Francisco Ciatso will defend the World-1 South Southern Heavyweight Title versus Dave Holiday; and Just added to the previously announced matches are Tommy Rich versus Big Bank Barfield; Shawn Hunter versus Kevin Kantrell; and Lance Alonte versus Q-Ball. Mike Stratus is also scheduled to appear.

NOTES

GWH would like to wish everyone a Merry Christmas. We hope all of your travels during the holidays are safe.

NOSTALGIA

1944: Tiny Oxford defeated Joe Kirkland in the main event at the Atlanta Municipal Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Paul Jones.

1950: Nick Carter defeated Art Nelson by disqualification in a main event boxing match at the Atlanta Municipal Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Paul Jones.

1953: Mike Clancy and Leo Numa wrestled to a draw in the main event at the Macon City Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Fred Ward.

1958: Dick Lever, Bill Lawley & Bulldog DeMoss defeated Johnny Johnson, Ricky Longino & Tarzan White in the main event at the Sports Arena in Atlanta for promoter Bill Collins.

1961: The Assassins defeated Nick & Jerry Kozak to retain the Southern Tag Team Title at the Atlanta Municipal Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Paul Jones. The Assassins had been the reigning champions since they defeated Ray Gunkel & Don McIntyre on December 1, 1961, in Atlanta.

1964: A main event match between Don Fargo and Chief Little Eagle was ruled a no contest at the Macon City Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Fred Ward.

1970: Freddie Blassie, Bob Armstrong & Paul DeMarco defeated Luke Graham & the Assassins in the main event at the Macon City Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Fred Ward.

1972: A main event title match between Southern Heavyweight Champion Bob Armstrong and Buddy Colt was ruled a no contest at the Atlanta Municipal Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Paul Jones. Leo Garibaldi was the special referee for the match. Armstrong had been the reigning champion since he defeated Colt on December 15, 1972, in Atlanta.

1973: Bob Armstrong & Mr. Wrestling #2 defeated Bobby Shane & Gorgeous George, Jr. in the main event at the Griffin-Barnesville Sports Palace for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Paul Jones.

1975: Dick Slater defeated Moondog Mayne in the main event at the William Bell Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Charlie Harben.

1978: Harley Race defeated Dick Slater to retain the NWA World Heavyweight Title at the Atlanta Municipal Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Paul Jones. Race had been the reigning champion since he defeated Terry Funk on February 6, 1977, in Toronto, ON. Also, Terry Funk & Dory Funk, Jr., defeated Mr. Wrestling #1 & #2 to retain the Georgia Tag Team Title. The Funks had been the reigning champions since they defeated Jack & Jerry Brisco in a tournament final on November 23, 1978, in Atlanta. In addition, the Briscos defeated Ole Anderson & Stan Hansen.

1979: WWWF Heavyweight Champion Bob Backlund defeated Gerald Finley in a non-title televised match for the “Georgia Championship Wrestling” television program hosted by Gordon Solie. WTBS personality Bill Tush presented a profile of Backlund.

1979: Ole Anderson & Mr. Wrestling #2 defeated Georgia Tag Team Champions Ivan Koloff & Alexis Smirnoff by disqualification in a title match at the William Bell Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Charlie Harben. Koloff & Smirnoff had been the reigning champions since they defeated Jerry Brisco & Ole Anderson (substituting for Jack Brisco) on December 7, 1979, in Atlanta. Also, Tommy Rich defeated the Georgia Heavyweight Champion Masked Superstar by countout in a title match. The Superstar had been the reigning champion since he defeated Rich on December 7, 1979, in Atlanta. Ray Candy defeated Georgia Television Champion Austin Idol by disqualification.

– GeorgiaWrestlingHistory.com