GEORGIA WRESTLING NEWS, NOTES, AND NOSTALGIA: 01/11/2008

NEWS

Great Championship Wrestling results from the GR8 SK8plex in Phenix City, AL, on January 10: Randall Johnson over J-Rod; Deathrow over Michael Cook; Bull Buchanan over Orion Bishop (w/ Wicked Nemesis); Johnny Swinger (w/ Quentin Michaels) over Skinny Jimmy to retain the GCW Heavyweight Title; Zero Tolerance (w/ Michaels) over Tex Monroe; Bull Buchanan over Orion Bishop (w/ Nemesis) by disqualification in an unscheduled match; the Hooligans over A.J. Steele (w/ the Intern) & "That 80's Guy" John Bogie; and Scotty Beach, David Young & Sonny Siaki over Johnny Swinger & Hot Like Lava (Shaun Banks & Cru Jones) (w/ Michaels). Jeff McGowan and Randy Ray were credited as being referees for this card. It was reported that 200 were in attendance for this card. Click here for a detailed report. (Brian Slack)

Mike Porter issued a press release announcing ambitious expansion plans for his Middle Tennessee-based NWA Main Event promotion. Porter stated that Main Event was planning on signing a contract with a network affiliate in the Nashville market for a 60-minute wrestling show. In addition, the show would air on a new, high-powered independent station that hopes to be on the air by March 2008. The station will be carried on 30 cable systems in southern Tennessee and northern Alabama, according to Porter. The release indicated that "The Crippler" Jeff Daniels is returning to the company in the capacity of matchmaker and co-producer of the new television show. Porter also stated that Main Event would be co-promoting shows with Bert Prentice’s NWA Southeastern Championship Wrestling in Kentucky and Middle Tennessee, and with Linda Marx’s NWA Wrestle Birmingham in northern Alabama. Prentice had already announced plans to run weekly Tuesday night shows at the Nashville Fairgrounds starting January 15. Those shows will be promoted as USA/NWA presents Southeastern Championship Wrestling. Main Event recently discontinued their weekly venues in both Pulaski and Columbia, TN. Main Event is involved in a promotional war with Southern All-Star Wrestling. The conflict started when Freddie Morton, the owner of Main Event's venue in Columbia, announced plans to run shows in his building under the SAW banner. With Memphis wrestling in reruns, SAW also has the only 60-minute wrestling show in Tennessee currently airing new material. (Larry Goodman)

NOTES

For those interested, Amy ‘Lita’ Dumas’ band, the Luchagors, will be playing at the Venue in Dalton, GA, tonight, on a bill with several other bands, including Ember, Formaldehyde, Courtesy Murder, and the Dead Souls. The show starts at 7:00 PM. Call (706) 280-9254 for more info. They are also on a triple bill at the Star Bar in Atlanta, GA, on January 24, along with Courtesy Murder and the El Caminos. The free show starts at 9:00 PM. Call (404) 681-9018 for more info. (Mick N. Brawler)

Martin Hutzler died on this day in 1966. We are uncertain of his age at the time of his death.

NOSTALGIA

1935: Jim Hesslyn defeated Nick Contos in two straight falls in the main event at the Atlanta Municipal Auditorium for promoters Frank Bettis and Cleve Roby.

1935: Son Almand and the Masked Marvel wrestled to a forty-five minute draw in the main event at the Avondale Arena for promoter Frank Bettis.

1937: Bill Jeffries and Doc Poole wrestled to a draw at the Spring Street Arena in Atlanta for promoters Frank Bettis and Cleve Roby.

1940: Gordon McKenzie defeated Pete Managoff in the final round of a one-night tournament at the Savannah Municipal Auditorium for promoter Stanley Pinto. Also included in the tournament were Lou Newman, Dobie Osborne, Johnny Plummer, Tom Mahoney, Red Osborne, Marvin Jones, Whitey Grovo, Cowboy Luttrall, and Nick Elitch. It is unclear as to the reason for the tournament.

1954: Don McIntyre defeated Ray Villmer to win the Southern Heavyweight Title at the William Bell Auditorium in Augusta for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Tom Mahoney.

1957: Jerry Graham defeated Chief Big Heart to win the Southern Heavyweight Title at the Atlanta Municipal Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Paul Jones. Also, Mark & Donn Lewin defeated Pierre LaSalle & Red McIntyre in the semi-main event.

1961: Chief Little Eagle defeated Skull Murphy by disqualification in the main event at the Columbus Sports Arena for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Fred Ward. Also, Bill Dromo & Adrien Baillargeon defeated Danny Miller & Gypsy Joe by disqualification in the semi-main event.

1963: Freddie Blassie defeated Eddie Graham to retain the World Heavyweight Title at the Atlanta Municipal Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Don McIntyre. Also, John Paul Henning defeated Mike Paidousis in the semi-main event.

1966: Eric & Karl Von Brauner, managed by Saul Weingeroff, defeated Jack Armstrong & Bad Boy Hines in the main event at the Macon City Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Fred Ward. Also, Billy Hines defeated Johnny King by disqualification in the semi-main event.

1969: On the “Atlanta TV Wrestling” television program hosted by Ed Capral, El Mongol defeated the Professional. The match came about after Mongol demanded the match. The Pro accepted the challenge and even declared that if Mongol defeated him, he would allow Mongol to replace him in the match with Gene Kiniski for the NWA World Heavyweight Title on January 17, 1969.

1972: Flash Monroe defeated Bill Dromo in the main event at the Macon City Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Fred Ward. Choo-Choo Lynn was the special referee for the match. El Mongol defeated Buddy Colt in the semi-main event. Also, the Fabulous Moolah defeated Debbie Johnson.

1974: Mr. Wrestling #2 defeated Ron Fuller to win the Georgia Heavyweight Title at the Atlanta Municipal Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Paul Jones. Ron & Terry Garvin, managed by Jimmy Garvin, defeated Lou Thesz & Roberto Soto in the semi-main event. Also, Bob Armstrong, Ron & Robert Fuller defeated Bobby Shane, Jerry Lawler & Gary Hart.

1975: Rocky Johnson defeated Buddy Colt, managed by Bearcat Wright, in the main event at the Griffin-Barnesville Sports Palace. Also, Jimmy Golden & Robert Fuller defeated Roger Kirby, also managed by Wright, & Man Mountain Blackwell (‘Crusher’ Jerry Blackwell) in the semi-main event. Doug Smith was credited as being a referee for this card.

1977: Mr. Wrestling #1 & #2 defeated Ole & Gene Anderson by disqualification in the main event at the Macon Coliseum for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Fred Ward.

1978: We do not have results for this match, but Stan Hansen was scheduled to defend the Georgia Heavyweight Title against Bob Armstrong at the Columbus Municipal Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Fred Ward.

1979: We do not have results for this match, but the main event at the Rome Memorial Gymnasium was scheduled to be Mr. Wrestling #2 versus the Masked Superstar for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Charlie Harben.

1982: Bob Armstrong & Dusty Rhodes defeated the Masked Superstar & the Super Destroyer in the main event at the William Bell Auditorium in Augusta for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Charlie Harben. Jimmy Garvin defeated Austin Idol in the semi-main event. Also, Ron Bass & Kevin Sullivan defeated Brad Armstrong & El Gran Apollo.

1985: Ole Anderson & Thunderbolt Patterson defeated Bill & Scott Irwin to win the National Tag Team Title in Cleveland, OH, for Championship Wrestling from Georgia. Ron Garvin & Tommy Rich were the winners of a tag team battle royal. Garvin also defeated Wahoo McDaniel by countout in the semi-main event, while Rich also defeated Bob Roop.

1985: John Studd & Ken Patera defeated Andre the Giant & the Junkyard Dog by disqualification in the main event at the Omni Auditorium in Atlanta for the World Wrestling Federation. Tito Santana defeated Greg Valentine by countout in the semi-main event. Also, Blackjack Mulligan defeated the Iron Sheik in a Texas death match. In other matches, Nikolai Volkoff defeated S.D. Jones, and Mike Rotundo defeated Rene Goulet. Barry Windham defeated Moondog Rex, while Mr. Wrestling #2 defeated Terry Gibbs in the opener.

1987: Ric Flair and Nikita Koloff wrestled to a draw in the main event at the Omni Auditorium in Atlanta for Jim Crockett Promotions. Also, Dusty Rhodes & the Road Warriors defeated Bubba Rogers & the Midnight Express in the semi-main event. In other matches, the Rock & Roll Express defeated Ole & Arn Anderson, and Brad Armstrong defeated Jimmy Garvin. Rick Rude & Manny Fernandez defeated Dick Murdoch & Baron Von Raschke in the opener.

– GeorgiaWrestlingHistory.com