GEORGIA WRESTLING NEWS, NOTES, AND NOSTALGIA: 12/27/2007

NEWS

AWA World-1 South results from Dublin, GA, on December 22: Drew Bannen over David Raines; Lance Alonte over Nick Fame; Tommy Rich & Glacier over Matt Mercer & Big Bank Barfield; David Raines over Kevin Kantrell; and the Heartbreak Express over K.I. Elite to retain the AWA World Tag Team Title. It was reported that 92 were in attendance for this card, a fundraiser for the Dublin Tip-Off Club at the Oconee Gymnasium.

Down South Hardcore Wrestling will be in Darien, GA, on December 29 at the Multiplex, with action beginning at 7:15 PM. Advertised: Cameron LaRue versus Scotty Bullwinkle for the DSHW Heavyweight Title; Sebastian Troy versus Ash Kristiansen for the DSHW Light Heavyweight Title; Vordell Walker versus Dallas Riley; and Ryan Savage versus Teddy Baddstreet. Morbid Angel, Gangsta Nation, Kamo, Frizza, Emo Kid, and the Phoenix are also scheduled to appear.

NOTES

GWH wishes a happy birthday to Bill Eadie (60), Bill Goldberg (41), and Chyna (38) today.

From Larry Goodman:

“Blake Norton has scripted a detailed alternative to TNA's introduction of Booker T. It's long, but as someone who was amazed at TNA's ability to turn a WWE superstar into just another guy in a matter of a few weeks. I found it to be a very interesting read. Click here for the article.”

larry@georgiawrestlinghistory.com

NOSTALGIA

1887: John Muhler and Greek George wrestled to a draw at Concordia Hall in Atlanta. It was reported that Muhler won the first fall at 48:00 and George won the second at 13:00. The final round ended upon a midnight curfew at 18:00. James Lynch was credited as the referee. It was reported that the winner would receive 75% of the gate money, with the loser getting the remainder. Mr. Hopper managed Muhler. Atlanta Mayor John Tyler Cooper was in attendance for this card.

1946: Tex Riley defeated Carlos Rodriguez to retain the World Junior Heavyweight Title at the Atlanta Municipal Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Paul Jones. Riley had been the reigning champion as recognized by the Nashville, TN, office since he won a tournament on July 12, 1946, in Nashville, TN.

1957: Ray Gunkel defeated Don Lee to retain the Southern Heavyweight Title at the Atlanta Municipal Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Paul Jones. Gunkel had been the reigning champion since he defeated Kurt Von Brawner on October 18, 1957, in Atlanta.

1963: Eddie Graham & Joe Scarpa defeated the Assassins in the main event at the Atlanta Municipal Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Don McIntyre. Charlie Smith was credited as being a referee on this card.

1968: Dale Lewis defeated the Professional (Doug Gilbert) to win the Georgia Heavyweight Title at the Atlanta Municipal Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Paul Jones. Lewis put up $1,000, betting he could not be pinned within the first thirty minutes. The Pro had been the reigning champion since he defeated Johnny Valentine on December 6, 1968, in Atlanta.

1969: Leo Garibaldi defeated Buddy Colt, managed by Homer O’Dell, by disqualification at the WQXI Studios in Atlanta for the taping of the “Atlanta TV Wrestling” television program hosted by Ed Capral. O’Dell had promised Garibaldi that if he defeated or at least lasted fifteen minutes against Colt, O’Dell would wrestle him on January 2, 1970. Garibaldi submitted to a Colt hammerlock, but when O’Dell attacked the referee following the match, Colt was disqualified and promoter Paul Jones made the match between O’Dell and Garibaldi as a punishment.

1972: Norvel Austin, managed by ‘Dandy’ Jack Crawford, & Rocket Monroe defeated Bill Dromo & Jerry Oates in the main event at the Columbus Municipal Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Fred Ward.

1974: Rocky Johnson defeated Buddy Colt, managed by Bearcat Wright by disqualification to retain the Georgia Heavyweight Title at the Omni Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Paul Jones. Johnson had been the reigning champion since he defeated Colt on November 22, 1974, in Atlanta. Also, Bob Armstrong defeated Bobby Shane to retain the North American Heavyweight Title. Armstrong had been the reigning champion since he defeated Colt on June 8, 1974, in Jacksonville, FL.

1976: Terry Funk defeated Mr. Wrestling #2 to retain the NWA World Heavyweight Title at the William Bell Auditorium in Augusta for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Charlie Harben. Funk had been the reigning champion since he defeated Jack Brisco on December 10, 1975, in Miami, FL.

1977: Stan Hansen defeated Mr. Wrestling #2 to retain the Georgia Heavyweight Title at the Macon Coliseum for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Fred Ward. Hansen had been billed as champion since November 19, 1977. Also, Dick Slater & Tony Atlas defeated Georgia Tag Team Champions Ole Anderson & Jacques Goulet by disqualification in a title match.

1980: We don’t have results for this match, but Harley Race was scheduled to defend the NWA World Heavyweight Title against Tommy Rich at the Chattanooga (TN) Memorial Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Paul Jones. Race had been the reigning champion since he defeated Giant Baba on September 9, 1980, in Ohtsu, Japan. Also, a semi-main event of Jack & Jerry Brisco versus Terry Gordy & Buddy Roberts was advertised.

1981: We don’t have results for this match, but Ric Flair was scheduled to defend the NWA World Heavyweight Title against Tommy Rich at the Ohio Center in Columbus for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Les Thatcher. Flair had been the reigning champion since he defeated Dusty Rhodes on September 17, 1981, in Kansas City, MO. Rhodes was scheduled to wrestle the Great Kabuki, managed by Gary Hart, in the semi-main event.

1982: Ivan Koloff & Buzz Sawyer defeated Tommy Rich & Paul Orndorff by disqualification in the main event at the Riverfront Coliseum in Cincinnati, OH, for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Les Thatcher.

1983: Brett & Buzz Sawyer defeated the Road Warriors, managed by Paul Ellering, to retain the National Tag Team Title at the Canton (OH) Civic Center for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Les Thatcher. The Sawyers had been the reigning champions since they defeated the Warriors on November 27, 1983, in Cincinnati, OH, although the company didn’t officially recognize the change until another meeting on December 4, 1983, in Atlanta.

– GeorgiaWrestlingHistory.com