GEORGIA WRESTLING NEWS, NOTES, AND NOSTALGIA: 01/08/2008

NEWS

Flatline Championship Wrestling is in Grovetown, GA, at Patriots Park on January 12, beginning at 7:00 PM. Admission is $7, but kids five and under get in free. (Thomas Bugg)

For those interested, World Wrestling Entertainment has several events lined up in bordering states over the next week, some just over the line: January 11 in Jacksonville, FL; January 12 in Tallahassee, FL; January 13 in Dothan, AL; January 14 in Mobile, AL; and January 15 in Birmingham, AL. They will also be back in the south in the spring: March 24 in Columbia, SC; March 25 in Fayetteville, NC; April 1 in Miami, FL; April 21 in Greenville, SC; and April 22 in Greensboro, NC. Also, WrestleMania XXIV takes place on March 30 in Orlando, FL. No new Georgia dates have been announced as of this writing. (Mick N. Brawler)

Southern Extreme Championship Wrestling results from the VFW Fairgrounds in Carrollton, GA, on January 6: Adrian Hawkins & Kyle Matthews over Will Owens & Sal Rinauro; Frankie Valentine over the Masked Eliminator; Bambi over Melissa Coates by disqualification; in a mask versus hair match, the Nightmare over Billy Love, who then had his head shaved by Nightmare and promoter Scott East; Bob Armstrong, Tommy Rich & Buff Bagwell over Steve Lawler, Chick Donovan & Bulldog Raines by disqualification; and Bull Buchanan and the Super Destroyer was ruled a no contest. Jeff McGowan and Spanky Emerson were credited as being referees for this card. It was reported that more than 400 were in attendance for this card, which was Bill Dromo Appreciation Night. Armstrong, Charlie Smith, Scrappy McGowan, and the Nightmare each took a few moments to honor Dromo by speaking to the crowd of what Dromo meant to them. East presented Dromo with a card and a watch. (Rich Tate)

Southern States Championship Wrestling results from the Enigma Gymnasium in Enigma, GA, on January 5: the Soviet over Logan Stevens; Jelena over Samantha Steel by disqualification – the Soviet interfered and was then suspended; Chris Turner over Mad Dog Miller to retain the SSCW Heritage Title; Logan Stevens over Ash Kristiansen; Brooks Rogers over Bryan Fury; Scotty Biggs over A Man Named Rouge; and J.T. Taylor, dedicating the match to his recently deceased mother, over Jarrod Michaels. It was reported that more than 118 were in attendance for this card. (Brian Slack)

NOTES

The latest “where are they now?” update involves White Trash, a former co-holder (with Tank) of the NWA Wildside Tag Team Title. Trash has been promoted to an on air personality with ESPN radio 106.7 FM in Nashville, 2-6 PM on weekdays. He’s known as Crazy Charlie, an extension of the character he developed for his match with Traci Brooks at Total Nonstop Action’s 2006 Slammiversary show in Nashville. (Larry Goodman)

Trash Talking Radio, hosted by Mike Trash, will feature Johnny Ova on its show on tonight at 7:00 PM ET. (Rich Tate)

Wrestling Weekly, hosted by Doc Young and Les Thatcher, will feature Scott Norton on its show tonight at 8:00 PM ET. (Rich Tate)

In Your Head will feature R.D. Reynolds on its show on January 9 at 8:00 PM ET. (Rich Tate)

Ginzburg’s Legends Radio will feature Dory Funk, Jr., Gabe Sapolsky, Kendra Shanks, and Tim Hicks on its show on January 9 at 8:00 PM ET. (Rich Tate)

GWH wishes a happy birthday to Bobby Jaggers (60), Rey Mysterio, Sr. (50), Bull Nakano (40), Chris Masters (25), and Peggy Lee Leather today.

On this day in 1999, Mike Kolonis died at the age of 86.

NOSTALGIA

1934: Hugh Winn defeated Ripper Reeves, substituting for Bill Crussell, in the main event at the Fair Street Arena in Atlanta for promoter Jason Thompson.

1936: Jack Ross defeated Jim Hesslyn to retain the Southern Lightweight Title at the New Coliseum in Augusta for promoter Bill Metzger.

1937: Karl Davis defeated George Hagen two falls to one in the main event at Loew’s Grand Theatre in Atlanta for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Frank Speer.

1937: Mike London defeated John Mauldin by disqualification at the Northside Arena in Atlanta for promoters Frank Bettis and Cleve Roby.

1953: Aldo Bogni defeated Jerry Graham in the main event at the Columbus Sports Arena for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Fred Ward.

1954: Ray Villmer defeated Leo Numa to retain the Southern Heavyweight Title at the Atlanta Municipal Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Paul Jones.

1960: Ray Gunkel defeated Freddie Blassie to retain the Southern Heavyweight Title at the Atlanta Municipal Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Paul Jones.

1963: The Bat defeated Chief Little Eagle in the main event at the Macon City Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Fred Ward.

1965: Mario Galento defeated Greg Peterson to retain the Georgia Heavyweight Title at the Atlanta Municipal Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Paul Jones.

1970: Joe Scarpa defeated Assassin #1 in the main event at the Sumter County Fairgrounds for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Fred Ward.

1971: Ray Gunkel & Buddy Fuller defeated the Assassins in the main event at the Atlanta Municipal Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Paul Jones. Also, Buddy Colt and Paul DeMarco wrestled to a draw in the semi-main event. Charlie Smith and Leo Garibaldi were credited as being referees for this card. It was announced that Bobo Brazil would be wrestling in Atlanta soon. Doug Gilbert participated in an autograph session for fans.

1974: We do not have results for this card, but it was scheduled to be Ernie Ladd & Thunderbolt Patterson versus Ox Baker & the Missouri Mauler in the main event at the Atlanta Municipal Auditorium for All-South Wrestling Alliance promoter Ann Gunkel. The semi-main event was Ray Candy & Charlie Cook versus Assassin #2 & the Super Gladiator. Rock Hunter managed Assassin #2 and the Missouri Mauler. The program we have for this card shows that Tom Renesto, Jr., was now the Timekeeper.

1974: Bob Armstrong defeated Bobby Shane, managed by Gary Hart, to retain the Southeastern Heavyweight Title at the Macon Coliseum for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Fred Ward. Also, Robert Fuller, Lou Thesz & Mr. Wrestling #2 defeated Rasputin & the Samoans, also managed by Hart, in the semi-main event.

1978: Blackjack Mulligan* defeated the Mighty Igor to retain the US Heavyweight Title at the Savannah Civic Center for Jim Crockett Promotions promoter Aaron Newman. Also, the Masked Superstar, managed by Boris Malenko, defeated Mr. Wrestling #1 by disqualification in the semi-main event.

1979: The Masked Superstar defeated Mr. Wrestling #2 to retain the Georgia Heavyweight Title at the William Bell Auditorium in Augusta for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Charlie Harben. Also, Thunderbolt Patterson defeated Gene Anderson to retain the Georgia Television Title.

1983: Butch Reed defeated Buzz Sawyer in the main event at the Chattanooga (TN) Memorial Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Paul Jones. Also, Stan Hansen & Paul Orndorff defeated Ole Anderson & Ivan Koloff by disqualification in the semi-main event.

1983: Stan Hansen & Tommy Rich defeated the Moondogs, managed by J.J. Dillon, at the Omni Auditorium in Atlanta for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Paul Jones. Also, Butch Reed won a battle royal, while Judy Martin won a women’s battle royal.

– GeorgiaWrestlingHistory.com