GEORGIA WRESTLING NEWS, NOTES, AND NOSTALGIA: 12/28/2007

NEWS

World Wrestling Entertainment returns to Atlanta, GA, tonight at Philips Arena, with a bell time of 7:30 PM.

Alternative Pro Wrestling is back in Royston, GA, tonight at the Royston Gym, with matches getting underway at 8:00 PM. Call (706) 680-3234 for more info.

Georgia Wrestling Federation will be in Summerville, GA, tonight at the GWF Arena, with action beginning at 8:00 PM. Call (706) 936-2901 for more info.

NOTES

GWH wishes a happy birthday to Lanny Poffo, who turns 53 today.

NOSTALGIA

1936: Tarzan Jordan defeated Petro Rossi to win the Southern Light Heavyweight Title at the Spring Street Arena in Atlanta for promoter Frank Bettis. Rossi had been the reigning Southern Light Heavyweight Champion since he defeated John Mauldin on December 21, 1936, in Atlanta.

1945: Bill Longson defeated Al Massey, substituting for George Koverly, to retain the NWA World Heavyweight Title at the Atlanta Municipal Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Paul Jones. Longson had been the reigning champion since he defeated Bobby Managoff in St. Louis, MO, on February 19, 1943. This version was the one recognized by the National Boxing Association as the National Wrestling Association.

1951: Don McIntyre & Eddie Gossett defeated Art Nelson & Lou Plummer in the main event at the Atlanta Municipal Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Paul Jones.

1962: Eddie Graham defeated World Heavyweight Champion Freddie Blassie by disqualification in a title match at the Atlanta Municipal Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Don McIntyre. Blassie was disqualified due to outside interference from Mike Paidousis. Blassie had been billed as champion since June 29, 1962. Also, Fran Gravette & the Fabulous Moolah defeated Judy Grable & Margaret Garcia.

1964: Joe Scarpa defeated Jack Dalton (Don Fargo) by disqualification in the main event at the William Bell Auditorium in Augusta for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Steve Manderson.

1971: Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Paul Jones was rushed to St. Joseph’s Infirmary due to coronary problems.

1971: Bob Armstrong & Dick Steinborn defeated Billy Spears & Buddy Colt at the Macon Coliseum for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Fred Ward. Armstrong also won a battle royal that included Steinborn, Spears, Colt, Bill Dromo, the Red Demon, Jimmy Dancing Bear, Klondike Bill, Alex Medina, Flash Monroe, Karl Von Stroheim, and Bill White.

1972: Rock Hunter & the Hollywood Blonds defeated Tommy Seigler, Roberto Soto & Argentina Apollo in the main event at the J&J Center in Athens for All-South Wrestling Alliance promoter Ann Gunkel.

1973: Jack Brisco defeated Tim Woods to retain the NWA World Heavyweight Title at the Atlanta Municipal Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Paul Jones. Brisco had been the reigning champion since he defeated Harley Race on July 20, 1973, in Houston, TX. Also, Bobby Shane & Gorgeous George, Jr., managed by Gary Hart, defeated Bob Armstrong & Robert Fuller to retain the Georgia Tag Team Title. Shane & George, Jr., had been the reigning champions since they defeated Armstrong & Fuller on December 21, 1973, in Atlanta. Bill Watts defeated Freddie Blassie to retain the North American Heavyweight Title that had been held up on December 14, 1973, following a match in Atlanta between them. Watts had been billed as champion since September 28, 1973.

1976: NWA World Heavyweight Champion Terry Funk and Mr. Wrestling #2 wrestled to a one-hour draw in a title match at the Macon Coliseum for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Fred Ward. Funk had been the reigning champion since he defeated Hack Brisco on December 10, 1975, in Miami, FL.

1980: We don’t have results for this match, but Harley Race was scheduled to defend the NWA World Heavyweight Title against Tony Atlas at the Ohio Center in Columbus for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Les Thatcher. Race had been the reigning champion since he defeated Giant Baba on September 9, 1980, in Ohtsu, Japan. Also, Ole Anderson was to wrestle Dusty Rhodes in a Texas bullrope match. A handicap match featuring Jack & Jerry Brisco versus the Freebirds (Michael Hayes, Terry Gordy & Buddy Roberts) was also advertised.

1984: Ron Garvin defeated Bob Roop to win the World Television Title in Saginaw, MI, for Championship Wrestling from Georgia promoter Ole Anderson. Roop had been billed as champion since September 1984.

1992: The Great Muta won an eight-man battle royal after eliminating Barry Windham at the Omni Auditorium in Atlanta for World Championship Wrestling’s Starrcade. Also included in the royal were Van Hammer, Steve Williams, Dan Spivey, Sting, Big Van Vader, and Dustin Rhodes. Sting defeated Vader in the finals of the King of Cable tournament. Ricky Steamboat & Shane Douglas defeated Windham & Brian Pillman to retain the WCW World Tag Team Title. Ron Simmons defeated Williams, substituting for Rick Rude, in a reverse decision by referee Nick Patrick to retain the WCW World Heavyweight Title. Masahiro Chono defeated Muta to retain the NWA World Heavyweight Title. It was reported that 8,000 were in attendance for this card.

– GeorgiaWrestlingHistory.com