GEORGIA WRESTLING NEWS, NOTES, AND NOSTALGIA: 01/01/2008

NEWS

Great Championship Wrestling will be in Phenix City, AL, on January 3 at the GR8 SK8plex, starting at 7:30 PM. Call (334) 297-2223 for more info. Ringside tickets are $15; all other seating is $12. Advertised: Johnny Swinger (w/ Quentin Michaels) will defend the GCW Heavyweight Title versus Scotty 2 Hotty. (Brian Slack)

NWA Anarchy is back in Cornelia, GA, on January 5 at the NWA Arena, with matches getting underway at 8:00 PM. Call (706) 768-9071 for more info. Advertised: Phil Shatter versus Sal Rinauro for the Anarchy Heavyweight Title; Jimmy Rave & Todd Sexton versus Wes Grissom & Truitt Fields; and New Wave versus the Hollywood Brunettes. (Larry Goodman)

Southern States Championship Wrestling returns to Enigma on January 5 at the Enigma Gym, with a bell time of 7:30 PM. All seats are only $2. Advertised: Jarrod Michaels will defend the SSCW Heavyweight Title versus J.T. Taylor; Logan Stevens versus Ask Kristiansen; Scotty Biggs versus Rouge; Brooks Rogers versus Mark Bass; and Samantha Steel will defend the SSCW Women’s Title versus Jelena. Chris Turner, Mad Dog Miller, and the Soviet Alliance are also scheduled to appear. (Brian Slack)

Southern Extreme Championship Wrestling runs in Carrollton, GA, on January 6 at the VFW Fairgrounds, beginning at 6:00 PM. Call (770) 355-5742 for more info. Ringside tickets are $7; all other seating is $5. This will be Bill Dromo Appreciation Night. Advertised: Bull Buchanan versus the Super Destroyer for the SECW Heavyweight Title; Billy Love risks his hair versus the Nightmare, risking his mask; and Frankie Valentine versus El Mexicano in an Ironman match. Bob Armstrong and Buff Bagwell are also scheduled. (Rich Tate)

NOTES

Georgia Wrestling Promotions promoter Roger Cantrell has asked us to let everyone know the GWP ring is available for rental. For more info, you may contact him at (770) 296-5290. (Rich Tate)

GWH wishes a happy birthday to Jimmy Hart (64) and Kimberly Page (38) today.

Jack ‘Canadian Angel’ Rush, also known as Q-Ball, died on this day in 1955 in the ring. We are uncertain of his age.

On this day in 2004, Buck Moore died of natural causes at the age of 87.

Today marks the first anniversary of the death of Eddie ‘Flash’ Barker, who passed away from heart complications at 91.

NOSTALGIA

1930: Jim Londos defeated Milo Steinborn in the main event at the Atlanta Municipal Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Henry Weber.

1931: Dick Daviscourt defeated George Zaharias two falls to one in the main event at the Atlanta Municipal Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Henry Weber. It was reported that 3,500 were in attendance for this card.

1934: Bill Crussell and Harry Nixon wrestled to a one-hour draw at the Fair Street Arena in Atlanta for promoter Jason Thompson.

1935: Orville Brown defeated Dorv Roche by disqualification two falls to one in the main event at the Atlanta Municipal Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Henry Weber.

1935: We do not have results for this match, but Jack Ross was scheduled to defend the Southern Lightweight Title against Ed Nolan at the New Coliseum in Augusta for promoter Jack Browning. Ross had been billed as champion since May 9, 1933.

1937: Tarzan Jordan defeated Farmer Mack by disqualification at the Northside Arena in Atlanta for promoters Frank Bettis and Cleve Roby.

1951: Don McIntyre & Nick Carter defeated Bobby Lane & Tom Mahoney in the main event at the Columbus Sports Arena for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Fred Ward. Ward began working with Paul Jones’ Atlanta office by using the same core wrestlers.

1954: Don McIntyre defeated Jack Dillon in the main event at the Atlanta Municipal Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Paul Jones.

1955: Chief Big Heart defeated Jerry Graham by disqualification in the main event at the Atlanta Municipal Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Paul Jones.

1960: Ray Gunkel defeated Mike Paidousis in a Texas death match at the Atlanta Municipal Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Paul Jones. Also, Babs Wingo defeated Kathleen Wimbley to retain the Colored Women’s Title.

1963: Choo-Choo Lynn defeated World Heavyweight Champion Freddie Blassie by disqualification in a title match at the Macon City Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Fred Ward. Blassie had been billed as champion since June 29, 1962.

1965: A main event match between Jack & Bob Dalton (Don Fargo & Billy Strong) and Buddy Fuller & Sputnik Monroe was ruled a no contest at the Atlanta Municipal Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Paul Jones. Also, the Mysterious Medics defeated the Scufflin’ Hillbillies to retain the Southern Tag Team Title. The Medics had been the reigning champions since they defeated Eddie Graham & Sam Steamboat on November 20, 1964, in Atlanta.

1966: A main event between Saul Weingeroff, Eric & Karl Von Brauner and Ray Gunkel, Buddy Fuller & Sputnik Monroe was ruled a no contest at the Atlanta Municipal Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Paul Jones. Also, Dale Lewis defeated Lester Welch in the semi-main event. Lewis put up $1,000, betting he could not be pinned within the first thirty minutes. Lewis was declared the winner when Welch was unable to continue.

1971: Ray Gunkel, Freddie Blassie & El Mongol defeated Buddy Colt, managed by Homer O’Dell, & the Assassins in the main event at the Atlanta Municipal Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Paul Jones. Charlie Harben and Charlie Smith were credited as being referees for this card. Homer O’Dell managed Buddy Colt. It was announced that the appeal filed by O’Dell to uphold the decision in which Colt lost the Georgia Heavyweight Title to Ray Gunkel on November 27, 1970, and the investigation led Paul Jones to declare the title vacant. According to the program for this card, “Atlanta TV Wrestling” has moved back to Channel 11’s time slot of 10:30 to 11:30 PM on Saturday nights, though it is still taping in the afternoon. Chief Little Eagle participated in an autograph session for fans.

1972: On the “Georgia Championship Wrestling” television program hosted by Ed Capral, Assassin #1 joined Capral to announce that he had become the manager for Karl Von Stroheim and Mr. X, and would also be bringing in Bepo Mongol soon.

1974: We do not have results for this card, but the Super Gladiator was scheduled to defend the Georgia Television Title against Ray Candy at the Atlanta Municipal Auditorium for All-South Wrestling Alliance promoter Ann Gunkel. Also, slated for the main event was Thunderbolt Patterson versus the Great Fuji.

1974: We do not have results for this card, but Bob Armstrong was scheduled to defend the Southeastern Heavyweight Title against Gorgeous George, Jr., at the Macon Coliseum for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Fred Ward. Also, Bobby Shane was slated to wrestle Les Thatcher in a lights out match. Gary Hart managed Shane & George, Jr.

1977: Georgia Heavyweight Champion Dick Slater defeated Dusty Rhodes by disqualification in a title match at the Omni Auditorium in Atlanta for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Paul Jones. Slater had been the reigning champion since he defeated Mr. Wrestling #2 on November 15, 1976, in Atlanta. Also, we do not have results for the match, but Ole & Gene Anderson were scheduled to defend the World Tag Team Title against Mr. Wrestling #1 & #2 in the main event. Susan Green won a $3,000 women’s battle royal. In addition, Abdullah the Butcher defeated the Mighty Igor by disqualification, while Thunderbolt Patterson defeated the Sheik, and Bill Watts defeated the Mongolian Stomper, managed by J.J. Dillon. In other matches, Killer Brooks defeated Raymond Rougeau, Black Atlas defeated Bill White, and Bob Backlund defeated El Gaucho. Ricky Steamboat defeated Bill Howard in the opener.

1978: Dusty Rhodes defeated Abdullah the Butcher, managed by Rock Hunter, by disqualification in the main event at the Macon Coliseum for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Fred Ward. Also, Dick Slater & Mr. Wrestling #2 defeated Ole Anderson & Stan Hansen in the semi-main event. Tony Atlas & Bob Armstrong defeated Ernie Ladd & Pak Song. In other matches, Jacques Goulet defeated Charlie Cook, and Tommy Rich defeated the Invader. Raymond Rougeau defeated Randy Savage in the opener.

1978: Dusty Rhodes defeated Georgia Heavyweight Champion Stan Hansen by disqualification in a title match at the Omni Auditorium in Atlanta for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Paul Jones. Dick Slater and Ole Anderson were the special referees for the match. Hansen had been billed as champion since November 19, 1977. Also, a semi-main event match between Ernie Ladd & Abdullah the Butcher, managed by Rock Hunter, and Andre the Giant & Thunderbolt Patterson was ruled a no contest. Slater, Tony Atlas & Mr. Wrestling #2 defeated Anderson, Ox Baker & Pak Song (also managed by Hunter) in a six-man tag match. Bob Armstrong defeated the Mongolian Stomper, managed by Gorgeous George, Jr., to retain the Georgia Television Title. Armstrong had been the reigning champion since he defeated Jacques Goulet on December 9, 1977, in Atlanta. Raymond Rougeau & Tommy Rich defeated Goulet & Randy Savage. In addition, Charlie Cook defeated Intern #2, and George, Jr., defeated Jerry Stubbs. Intern #1 defeated Richard Blood (Tito Santana) in the opener.

1979: We do not have results for this card, but Ernie Ladd was schedule to wrestle Andre the Giant in the main event at the Columbus Municipal Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Fred Ward. Also, the Masked Superstar was scheduled to defend the Georgia Heavyweight Title versus Mr. Wrestling #2, with Tommy Rich challenging King Kong Mosca for the Columbus Heavyweight Title.

1979: A title match between NWA World Heavyweight Champion Harley Race and Andre the Giant ended in a double countout at the Omni Auditorium in Atlanta 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, Jack & Jerry Brisco defeated Terry Funk & Dory Funk, Jr., to win the Georgia Tag Team Title. The Funks had been the reigning champions since they defeated the Briscos in a tournament final on November 23, 1978, in Atlanta. Mr. Wrestling #2 defeated the Georgia Heavyweight Champion Masked Superstar by disqualification in a title match. The Superstar had been the reigning champion since he defeated Wrestling #2 on December 4, 1978, in Augusta. Tommy Rich & Dusty Rhodes defeated Ernie Ladd & Stan Hansen, and Wahoo McDaniel defeated King Kong Mosca. In addition, Thunderbolt Patterson defeated Luke Graham to retain the Georgia Television Title. Patterson had been the reigning champion since he defeated Ole Anderson on May 12, 1978, in Atlanta. In other matches, Bugsy McGraw defeated Kurt Von Hess, and Pierre Lefebvre defeated Bryan St. John. Raymond Rougeau defeated Larry Latham in the opener.

1981: Dusty Rhodes defeated Ole Anderson in the main event at the Omni Auditorium in Atlanta for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Paul Jones. Also, Andre the Giant defeated Hulk Hogan, managed by Freddie Blassie, in the semi-main event. Robert Fuller & Ted DiBiase defeated National Tag Team Champions Terry Gordy & Buddy Roberts by disqualification in a title match. The Freebirds had been the reigning champions since they defeated Fuller & Stan Frazier in a tournament final on November 27, 1980, in Atlanta. Mr. Wrestling #2 defeated the National Heavyweight Champion Mongolian Stomper, managed by Don Carson, by disqualification in a title match. The Stomper had been the reigning champion since he defeated Jack Brisco on December 12, 1980, in Atlanta. Tony Atlas defeated Alexis Smirnoff to retain the Georgia Heavyweight Title. Atlas had been the reigning champion since he defeated Dennis Condrey on October 24, 1980, in Atlanta. Les Thornton defeated Steve O to retain the NWA World Junior Heavyweight Title. Thornton had been billed as champion since March 1980. In other matches, Steve Keirn and Kevin Sullivan wrestled to a draw, and Jos LeDuc defeated Jerry Oates. Bobby Eaton defeated the Assassin in the opener.

1982: Jimmy Garvin won a $10,000 battle royal at the Columbus Municipal Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Fred Ward. Also, the Masked Superstar & the Super Destroyer defeated Leroy Brown & Big Red. Tommy Rich defeated the Great Kabuki, managed by Gary Hart. Bob & Brad Armstrong defeated Ron Bass & Buzz Sawyer to retain the National Tag Team Title. The Armstrongs had been the reigning champions since they defeated Mr. Fuji & Mr. Saito in a tournament final on November 26, 1981, in Atlanta. Terry Gordy and Mr. Wrestling #2 wrestled to a draw, and Jimmy Garvin defeated the French Angel in the opener.

1982: Tommy Rich & Leroy Brown defeated the Masked Superstar & the Super Destroyer in a main event tornado match at the Omni Auditorium in Atlanta for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Paul Jones. Also, Andre the Giant defeated Ricky Harris (Black Bart), substituting for the Assassin. Dick Slater defeated the Great Kabuki, managed by Gary Hart. Bob & Brad Armstrong defeated Terry Funk & Dory Funk, Jr., to retain the National Tag Team Title. The Armstrongs had been the reigning champions since they defeated Mr. Fuji & Mr. Saito in a tournament final on November 26, 1981, in Atlanta. Buzz Sawyer defeated Mr. Wrestling #2 in a Texas death match. A match between Stan Hansen and Terry Gordy was ruled a no contest, while Big Red defeated Austin Idol. In other matches, Kevin Sullivan defeated El Gran Apollo, and Ron Bass defeated Jerry Oates. Jimmy Garvin defeated the French Angel in the opener.

1984: We do not have results for this card, but Jos LeDuc was scheduled to wrestle Buzz Sawyer in the main event at the Omni Auditorium in Atlanta for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Paul Jones. Also, Ted DiBiase was slated to defend the National Heavyweight Title against Bob Armstrong. A six-man tag match was advertised as Brett Sawyer, Jerry Brisco & Bugsy McGraw versus Killer Karl Krupp & the Road Warriors. Jake Roberts was also on the bill, set to defend the National Television Title against Jerry Lawler. Others matches advertised were Ron Garvin versus Pez Whatley and Tommy Rogers versus Brad Armstrong, with Johnny Rich versus Pat Rose in the opener. Paul Ellering managed Roberts, Krupp, and the Warriors.

1985: Ron Garvin defeated Ox Baker to retain the National Heavyweight Title at the Omni Auditorium in Atlanta for Championship Wrestling from Georgia promoter Ole Anderson. Garvin had been the reigning champion since he defeated Ted DiBiase on October 11, 1984, in Baltimore, MD. Also, Tommy Rich & Abdullah the Butcher defeated the Long Riders (Bill & Scott Irwin) in the semi-main event. The Riders won a $50,000 tag team battle royal that included Manny Fernandez & Dusty Rhodes, the Dirty White Boys, the Fabulous Ones, Tully Blanchard & Bob Roop, the Hollywood Blonds, and Rich & Michael Hayes. Anderson & Thunderbolt Patterson defeated the Terminators. In addition, Ron Slinker defeated Roop by disqualification, and Brian Adidas defeated Chick Donovan. Len Denton defeated Jerry Oates, and Tommy Rogers and the Italian Stallion wrestled to a draw in the opener.

1986: Dusty Rhodes & the Road Warriors defeated Ric Flair, Ole & Arn Anderson by disqualification in the main event at the Omni Auditorium in Atlanta for Jim Crockett Promotions. Also, Magnum T.A. defeated Tully Blanchard by disqualification in the semi-main event. The Midnight Express defeated the Rock & Roll Express, and Ron Garvin defeated Black Bart. In other matches, Ron Bass defeated Thunderfoot, and Manny Fernandez defeated Tony Zane. Sam Houston defeated Jim Jeffers in the opener. It was reported that 14,000 were in attendance for this card.

1987: Bubba Rogers won a bunkhouse stampede at the Omni Auditorium in Atlanta for Jim Crockett Promotions. Also, Dusty Rhodes & Nikita Koloff defeated Ric Flair & Tully Blanchard in a bullrope chain match in the semi-main event. Paul Ellering & the Road Warriors defeated Rogers & the Midnight Express. In addition, Barry Windham defeated Pez Whatley, while Manny Fernandez defeated Denny Brown. Tim Horner defeated Bill Dundee, and Baron Von Raschke defeated Tony Zane in the opener. It was reported that 3,000 were in attendance for this card.

1988: Dusty Rhodes won a bunkhouse stampede at the Omni Auditorium in Atlanta for Jim Crockett Promotions. Also, Ric Flair defeated Michael Hayes, and Ole Anderson & Lex Luger defeated Arn Anderson & Tully Blanchard. Animal defeated the Warlord, while Barry Windham and Larry Zbyszko wrestled to a draw. In other matches, the Sheepherders defeated Robert Gibson & Ricky Santana, and Ron Garvin defeated Eddie Gilbert. Jimmy Garvin, Ricky Santana & Sting defeated Terry Taylor, Mike Rotundo & Kevin Sullivan in the opener.

1989: Ric Flair and Sting wrestled to a draw in the main event at the Omni Auditorium in Atlanta for World Championship Wrestling. Also, Rick Steiner, Dusty Rhodes & the Junkyard Dog defeated Steve Williams Paul Ellering & Hawk. Jim Cornette won a battle royal that included Paul Jones, Oliver Humperdink, and Gary Hart. In addition, the Original Midnight Express defeated the Midnight Express, and Eddie Gilbert defeated Kevin Sullivan. Ivan Koloff defeated Russian Assassin #2. In other matches, Larry Zbyszko defeated Kendall Windham, and Mike Rotundo defeated Curtis Thompson. Al Perez defeated Agent Steele in the opener.

2005: The New York Connection (Johnny Swinger & Disco Inferno) defeated John Bogie & Elix Skipper to win the GCW Tag Team Title at the GCW Sports Arena in Columbus on Bob Armstrong Appreciation Night. Armstrong came to the aid of son Scott, who defeated David Young by disqualification. Christie Ricci defeated Amy Young to retain the Women’s International Title. A.J. Steele defeated Lee Thomas by disqualification, while Sean Evans and the Wrestler (Ted Allen) wrestled to a draw in the opener.

– GeorgiaWrestlingHistory.com