GEORGIA WRESTLING NEWS, NOTES, AND NOSTALGIA: 01/13/2008

NEWS

Georgia Wrestling TK has released some early results for their 2007 awards, as voted on by fans as well as members of the local wrestling community. GWH was the winner for best website, and Larry Goodman was named as the best reporter. On behalf of Larry and the entire staff of contributors, we thank you very much for recognizing us and our work.

Southern Extreme Championship Wrestling, who just began promoting shows in Villa Rica about midway through the year before making a recent move to Carrollton, snagged a few top awards, including best promoter for Scott East, best fans, and best storyline, referring to the feud between Bull Buchanan and Deathrow.

Great Championship Wrestling, based in Phenix City, AL, won for best show, based on the 2007 event of the annual Fred Ward Memorial card. Though GCW is based in Alabama, it is close enough to Columbus, its original home, to be considered in-state, and they also promoted cards in Columbus as well as Macon.

NWA Anarchy got the nod for best promotion. ‘Awesome’ Austin Creed, who primarily works for Anarchy, was noted for best gimmick. Jeff G. Bailey, who works as a manager for several wrestlers under the Anarchy banner, was recognized for his mic skills. Anarchy’s feud involving the Awesome Attraction (Creed & Hayden Young), the Hollywood Brunettes (Kyle Matthews & Andrew Alexander), and the World’s Prettiest Tag Team (Adrian Hawkins & Seth Delay) resulted in the best match of the year.

The All-Star Wrestling Network was voted as most improved promotion.

Other winners in this round of results included Melissa Coates as best female wrestler, Taylor McKnight as best announcer, and Jeff McGowan as best referee. McGowan is Scrappy McGowan’s son.

More awards are expected to be released soon, including Wrestler, Heavyweight, Cruiserweight, Tag Team, Babyface, Heel, Rookie, Most Improved Wrestler, and Manager. As soon as we have those, we will post the results here. (Rich Tate)

NWA Anarchy returns to the NWA Arena in Cornelia, GA, for a television taping on January 19. In hour number one, Jeff Lewis squared off with Slim J, with the winner earning a title shot in hour number two against Anarchy Heavyweight Champion Shatter (w/ Jeff G. Bailey). Also on the card: the Devil's Rejects defend the Anarchy Tag Team Title against the Awesome Attraction; Jimmy Rave versus Sal Rinauro; Melissa Coates versus Brodie Chase; Todd Sexton versus Adrian Hawkins; Iceberg versus the Regular Guys in a handicap match; and in 8-man action, thee Hollywood Brunettes & Talent & Money versus Billy Buck, Chris King & New Wave. Nemesis, Mikal Judas, Jeremy Vain, Rob Adonis, Don Matthews, and Jerry Palmer will all be there as well. 8:00 PM bell time. (Larry Goodman)

NAWA Ring Champions returns to Rome, GA, after a three year absence on February 7 at the National Guard Armory. Matches will get underway at 7:30 PM. Call (706) 314-9802 for more info. Advertised: Tommy Rich & Jimmy Powell versus Steve Lawler & the Flame; and Jimmy Rave versus Kyle Matthews. Simon Sermon and Lamar Phillips are also scheduled to appear. (Rich Tate)

United Wrestling League has announced their lineup for their card at the Civic Center in Piedmont, AL. We will have more details as the date nears, but this will be available via live webcast through their website, for $11.95. Michael St. John and Bill Dundee will be announcing the event. Advertised: Bull Buchanan, Bulldog Raines, Patrick Bentley, Orion Bishop, Damon Taz, Derrick King, Stan Lee, the Alabama Jawjacker, Johnny Slaughter, Mike Mason, Adam Roberts, Kevin White, Yaki, and Chris Badstreet. (Mick N. Brawler)

NOTES

Canvas Chronicle’s Ric Gillespie has provided us with more info on the passing of Randy Barber. The 49 year old former wrestler died on January 1. According to Gillespie, Barber was at the Coosa Valley Medical Center in Harpersville, AL, at the time of his death. Funeral services, which took place on January 5, were handled by Curtis and Son Funeral Home in Childersburg, AL. Click here to view his obituary, and to sign the guestbook. (Rich Tate)

GWH wishes a happy birthday to Bruce Hart, who turns 58 today.

On this day in 2004, ‘Coach’ John Heath lost his battle with cancer. He was 80.

NOSTALGIA

1888: No documented results for this match have been found, but John Muhler, managed by Mr. Hopper, was scheduled to wrestle O’Connor in Augusta. The Augusta Evening News only listed the advertisement for the match between John Muhler and O’Connor (no first name given). It described O’Connor as a blacksmith from the Carolinas. Mr. Hopper managed Muhler. It is unclear as to what venue was the site of this card.

1905: M.J. Dwyer defeated Joe Dabney at the Piedmont Athletic Club in Atlanta.

1921: Strangler Lewis, managed by Billy Sandow, defeated Rolando Heracle in two straight falls that took just over an hour at the Savannah Municipal Auditorium for promoter Max Bauman.

1922: Strangler Lewis, managed by Billy Sandow, defeated Rolando Heracle in two straight falls that took thirty-two minutes at the Savannah Municipal Auditorium for promoter Max Bauman.

1931: Paul Harper defeated Jack Washburn in two straight falls in the main event at the Atlanta Municipal Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Henry Weber.

1939: A card was held at the Warren Arena in Atlanta for promoters Frank Bettis and Cleve Roby. However, in an odd twist, no results were reported, but it was reported that 4,000 were in attendance. The main event was scheduled to be John Mauldin versus the Red Devil.

1950: Johnny Long defeated Jack LaRue by disqualification in the main event at the Atlanta Municipal Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Paul Jones. Also, Nick Carter & Bibber McCoy defeated Earl Wampler & the Blimp by countout in the semi-main event. In addition, Don McIntyre defeated Babe Sharkey. Before the match, police had to stop a brawl in the aisle when Jim Coffield attacked McIntyre on his way to the ring. Bob Shipp was credited as being a referee on this card. Councilman Joe Allen was reportedly in attendance at this card.

1960: Freddie Blassie defeated Johnny Weaver in the main event at the Columbus Sports Arena for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Fred Ward. Joey Maxim was the special referee for the match.

1967: Mad Dog & Butcher Vachon defeated Enrique & Alberto Torres to win the World Tag Team Title at the Atlanta Municipal Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Paul Jones. Also, Lou Thesz defeated Gorilla Marconi in the semi-main event. In addition, Ramon Torres, substituting for Mario Galento, defeated Louie Tillet by disqualification.

1970: Homer O’Dell & Buddy Colt defeated Roberto & Cyclone Soto to win the Macon Tag Team Title at the Macon City Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Fred Ward. In the semi-main event, Doug Gilbert defeated Paul DeMarco, managed by O’Dell, to retain the Georgia Heavyweight Title.

1976: Dusty Rhodes defeated Abdullah the Butcher in the main event at the Macon Coliseum for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Fred Ward. Also, Bob Armstrong defeated the Georgia Heavyweight Champion Spoiler, managed by Gary Hart, by disqualification in a semi-main event title match.

1978: Dusty Rhodes defeated Georgia Heavyweight Champion Stan Hansen by disqualification in a title match at the Atlanta Municipal Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Paul Jones. Also, Dick Slater defeated Ole Anderson in the semi-main event. In addition, Pak Song, managed by Rock Hunter, defeated Abdullah the Butcher by disqualification.

1979: We do not have results for this card, but Mr. Wrestling #2 was scheduled to wrestle the Masked Superstar in a main event no disqualification match at the William Bell Auditorium in Augusta for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Charlie Harben. The semi-main event was to be Thunderbolt Patterson defending the Georgia Television Title against Gene Anderson.

1980: A main event title match between the Georgia Heavyweight Champion Masked Superstar and Mr. Wrestling #2 was ruled a no contest at the Omni Auditorium in Atlanta for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Paul Jones. Also, a match between Dusty Rhodes and Abdullah the Butcher was ruled a no contest in the semi-main event. Tommy Rich & Wahoo McDaniel defeated Georgia Tag Team Champions Ivan Koloff & Alexis Smirnoff by disqualification in a title match. Terry Funk defeated Bob Armstrong, and Toru Tanaka & Killer Khan, managed by Gorgeous George, Jr., defeated Ole & Lars Anderson. A match between Dick Slater and the Sheik was ruled a no contest. In other matches, Kevin Sullivan & Steve Travis defeated Eddy Mansfield & Austin Idol, while Tony Atlas and Ken Patera wrestled to a draw. Ray Candy defeated Tom Shaft in the opener.

2007: Jason Cross defeated Vordell Walker in the main event in Macon for Dropkick Pro Wrestling. Also, A.J. Steele defeated the Professor in the semi-main event. Adrenaline Rush (Chris Giles & Velvet Jones) defeated Matt Black & Scott Cage, and Sean Logan defeated J-Rod. In other matches, Jonathan Davis defeated Amien Rios, and the In Crowd (Jason Stone & Eric Steele) defeated the Three Amigos in the opener.

– GeorgiaWrestlingHistory.com