GEORGIA WRESTLING NEWS, NOTES, AND NOSTALGIA: 12/23/2007

NEWS

Boyd Rowell, who wrestled over the years for various Georgia promotions, most notably as the Avenger and the Nasty Critter, died on December 17 at the age of 42, from what is believed to have been a form of heart disease. Our most sincere condolences to his family and friends.

Southern Extreme Championship Wrestling runs in Villa Rica, GA, tonight 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; Billy Love & El Mexicano versus Frankie Valentine & the Nightmare in a street fight match; Tommy Rich versus Inferno #2 in a hair versus mask match; Adrian Hawkins versus Todd Zane; Chris Lightning versus Dark Star; and Josh Storm versus the Exterminator.

Georgia Wrestling Promotions will be in Woodstock, GA, tonight at the Hot Wheels Skate Center, 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

GWH wishes happy birthdays to the Great Muta (45) and Jamie Noble (31) today.

NOSTALGIA

1936: No documented results for this match have been found, but Clara Mortensen was scheduled to defend the Women’s World Title against Mildred Steele at the American Legion in Augusta for promoter Bill Metzger. Mortensen had been claiming the title since 1932, although it is unclear exactly how she came to be recognized as such. Some sources report she had defeated Barbara Ware for the title.

1943: John Mauldin defeated Jim Coffield by disqualification in the main event at the Atlanta Municipal Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Sammy Friedman.

1948: Mae Young defeated June Byers in the main event at the Atlanta Municipal Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Paul Jones. Also, Herb Welch defeated Red Roberts in the semi-main event.

1949: Ray Villmer defeated George Flynn (Tim Geohagen) to win the Southern Heavyweight Title at the Atlanta Municipal Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Paul Jones. Flynn had been the reigning champion since he defeated Dan O’Connor on December 16, 1949, in Atlanta.

1955: Freddie & Billy Blassie defeated Don McIntyre & Jerry Graham to win the World Tag Team Title at the Atlanta Municipal Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Paul Jones. McIntyre & Graham had been the reigning champions since they defeated the Blassies on December 9, 1955, in Atlanta.

1957: The Mighty Yankee (Roger Mackay) defeated Bibber McCoy by countout in the main event at the William Bell Auditorium in Augusta for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Tom Mahoney.

1960: Ray Gunkel defeated Freddie Blassie by disqualification in the main event at the Atlanta Municipal Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Paul Jones. Also, Darling Dagmar defeated Baby Cheryl to retain the Midget Women’s World Title.

1963: A main event match between Corsica Joe and Chief Big Heart was ruled a no contest at the William Bell Auditorium in Augusta for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Steve Manderson.

1966: A main event match between Buddy Fuller & Sputnik Monroe and Leo Garibaldi & Butcher Vachon was ruled a no contest at the Atlanta Municipal Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Paul Jones. Also, Bobby Shane & Mario Galento defeated Eric Von Brauner & the Red Raider in the semi-main event. Enrique & Ramon Torres defeated Lars Anderson by disqualification when Gene Anderson interfered. The program for this card mentions that Enrique & Ramon Torres are recognized as World Tag Team Champions. It is unclear as to how they came to be recognized as such, as the last reference we have shows Enrique & Alberto Torres defending the title against the Infernos on August 26, 1966, in Atlanta. It also said Fuller was the holder of the Georgia Heavyweight Title. Fuller had been the reigning Georgia Heavyweight Champion since he defeated Galento on May 28, 1965, in Atlanta. It also featured a menu of available items at Galento’s Pizza Arena restaurant, with the highest priced item being a sixteen-ounce T-Bone steak for $3.25.

1972: Derrell Cochran defeated Buddy Colt by disqualification at the WTCG Studios in Atlanta for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Paul Jones. This was taped for the “Georgia Championship Wrestling” television program hosted by Sterling Brewer. This was the final episode in which Brewer appeared as host.

1974: Rocky Johnson & Mr. Wrestling #2 defeated Roger Kirby & Buddy Colt, managed by Bearcat Wright, in the main event at the William Bell Auditorium in Augusta for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Steve Manderson.

1975: Dick Slater & Bobo Brazil defeated Macon Tag Team Champions Luke Graham & Moondog Mayne by disqualification in a title match at the Macon Coliseum for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Fred Ward. Graham & Mayne had been the reigning champions since they won a tournament on December 11, 1975, in Macon. Mr. Wrestling #2, who also won a battle royal on this card, defeated Rock Hunter in the main event.

1979: Ernie Ladd defeated Ole Anderson in a main event Texas death match at the Macon Coliseum for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Fred Ward. Also, with the DQ rule waived, the Masked Superstar defeated Mr. Wrestling #2 by disqualification to retain the Georgia Heavyweight Title. The Superstar had been the reigning champion since he defeated Tommy Rich on December 7, 1979, in Atlanta. Tony Atlas & Ray Candy defeated Georgia Tag Team Champions Ivan Koloff & Alexis Smirnoff by disqualification in a title match. Koloff & Smirnoff had been the reigning champions since they defeated Anderson (substituting for Jack Brisco) & Jerry Brisco on December 7, 1979, in Atlanta. Rich defeated Georgia Television Champion Austin Idol by disqualification in a title match.

– GeorgiaWrestlingHistory.com