GEORGIA WRESTLING NEWS, NOTES, AND NOSTALGIA: 01/16/2008

NEWS

Over the last few days we have been announcing results for the Georgia Wrestling TK 2007 awards, as voted on by fans and members of the local wrestling community. Three more awards were released Tuesday, leaving only best wrestler remaining. We expect that should be disclosed by later today. This rounds announcements were that Bull Buchanan won as best heavyweight wrestler, while Slim J got the nod as best cruiserweight wrestler. The best tag team is the Awesome Attraction, made up of Austin Creed and Hayden Young. With the announcement of the final award, we will once again list them in their entirety. (Rich Tate)

In Your Head will feature D.J. Ran on its show tonight at 8:00 PM ET. (Rich Tate)

Ginzburg’s Legends Radio will feature Nikita Koloff, Dawn Marie, and legendary cookie entrepreneur Wally ‘Famous’ Amos on its show tonight at 8:00 PM ET. (Rich Tate)

After much anticipation and hoopla in recent months, NWA Southwest makes their debut on CoLours TV, a network apparently exclusive to Dish Network, tonight at 9 PM ET, with a replay later at 2 AM ET. The show is called NWA Wrestling Showcase. The show will be able to reach into 13 million homes through Dish. Although our recently announced expansion will not add this promotion to our coverage area, we will be attempting to write a report on the show each week. According to a press release earlier this month, viewers can expect to see Blue Demon, Jr., Nicho the Millionaire (aka Psichosis), Rob Conway, ‘Special E’ Dinsmore, Puma, Rocky Romero, Cassandro Exotic, and Los Luchas, among others. The promotion’s website also lists other names fans will recognize, though it is unclear if they are actually with the company at this time. Those include Sean Waltman, Kevin Northcutt, Super Parka, Brent Albright, Rob Conway, and Heidenreich. Northcutt is referenced as being the promotion’s Texas Heavyweight Champion. With the removal of ties between the National Wrestling Alliance and Total Nonstop Action last year, this will be the highest profile television program for the NWA. Logic says the NWA champions will most likely be sent in more often than local fans of NWA SW are used to. (Mick N. Brawler)

On Tuesday night Florida Championship Wrestling returned to Bourbon Street Night Club, 4331 US 19N in New Port Richey after a successful show with the David Williams Celebrity Tribute to the Troops: Sheamus defeated “Puerto Rican Nightmare” Eric Perez.; Johnny Curtis defeated “South City Thriller” Hade Vansen; Rycklon & Steve Lewington defeated “Bad Seed” Shawn Osborne & “Carnival Freak from Myrtle Creek” Sinn Bowdee; The 7 Foot Giant Titan (w/Mosca) defeated Kevin Kiley; In a demanded rematch from Saturday, Mighty Mikey & Matt O’Neal defeated “The Natural” Nic Nemeth & Big Rob; Afa Jr. fought Bryan Kelly to a no contest after “Stampede Kid” TJ Wilson interfered; “Handsome” Heath Miller (representing FCW Heavyweight champion Ted DiBiase Jr.) defeated Billy Kidman. On Saturday January 19 we will be at the USA Flea Market 11721 US 19 in Port Richey for a 1pm show that is free to the general public. On January 26 we will return to the Jewish Community Center. The JCC is located at 9841 Scenic Drive in Port Richey and we begin our show at 8pm. Click here for a report from the show. (Alan Wojcik)

On January 26, Southern Classic Wrestling presents the Bunkhouse Stampede at 8pm at Big Dog Billiards in Sandersville, GA. Scheduled matches include Leatherface versus Scotty Carmichael; Greg Haze versus the Georgia Cowboy; the Freak versus Frankie Valentine; the Nightmare versus Josh Stone. Also, all of the SCW titles are on the line. Georgia Heritage Champion Loco Motive w/Ace Heffner defends his title against Chaos. SCW has assured no interference from Loco Motive's VIP stablemates because if VIP interferes, Loco Motive loses the title. 2 B.A.D, Jamie Holmes and Connor Cruz, defend the SCW tag titles against Adam and Eric Stanton, the Stanton Clan. In the Semi Main Event, Psychoman tries to take the SCW Southern Heavyweight championship from Tommy Lee w/Heffner. All of this action leads up to a Bunkhouse Stampede Battle Royal as wrestlers try to earn a right to a future title shot. Also scheduled to appear at this event are Big Bank Barfield, Brian Titus, T.W. James, Bobby Joiner, Brad North, and Juan Tequila. Bell Time is at 8 pm and the doors open at 7. For more information call (478) 251-1332. (Brian Slack)

Southern Extreme Championship Wrestling will have a two-hour concert performed by Doug Stone at their January 27 show in Carrollton at the VFW Fairgrounds. Stone is a Newnan, GA, native, and his biggest hits include In a Different Light, Too Busy Being in Love, Why Didn’t I Think of That?, and A Jukebox with a Country Song. The matches, which begin at 6:00 PM, are scheduled to include Tommy Rich, Ricky Morton, Bull Buchanan, and the Nightmare. The concert begins at 3:45 PM. The doors open at 3:00 PM. Tickets for the entire event, including the concert and the matches are $10 for all seating. There is only room for 550 people, and admission will be on a first-come basis. Call (770) 355-5742 for more info. (Rich Tate)

The United Wrestling Federation will be in Kenansville, NC, on February 2 at the E.E. Smith Middle School with action starting at 7:30 PM. Tickets are available at the school, on the UWF website, and at Brown’s Service Center in Kenansville. Call (704) 364-7818 for more info. Advertised: Robert Roode versus Abyss in an extreme match. Kevin Nash, Awesome Kong, Velvet Sky, Daffney, Scotty Too Hotty, James Storm, Petey Williams, Charlie Dreamer, and Team Macktion are also scheduled. (Rich Tate)

NOTES

GWH wishes a happy birthday to Oliver Humperdink, who turns 59 today.

On this day in 1959, Ace Gordon died in the ring. We are uncertain of his age at the time of his death.

Yukon Eric committed suicide at the age of 41 on this day.

Promoter Gust Karras died on this day in 1976. He was 73.

NOSTALGIA

1888: Duncan C. Ross defeated John Muhler, managed by Mr. Hopper, two falls to one in a mixed style match at Concordia Hall in Atlanta. Muhler took a fall at Greco-Roman style, but Ross countered with falls in the catch-as-catch-can and collar & elbow styles. It was reported that the men had a side bet of $300, and that the winner would receive 85% of the gate receipts with the loser getting the remainder. It was reported that Sergeant Walsh, the only man ever reported to have defeated Ross in a mounted sword contest, was traveling with Ross. It was reported that 300 were in attendance.

1918: Ivan Linow defeated Constant LeMarin two falls to one in just under one hundred minutes at the Liberty Theatre in Savannah for promoter Max Bauman.

1934: Jim Londos defeated George Zaharias two falls to one to retain the NWA World Heavyweight Title at the Atlanta Municipal Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Henry Weber. This version was the one recognized by the National Boxing Association as the National Wrestling Association. It was reported that 6,000 were in attendance for this card.

1951: Jack Steele defeated Bobby Lane in the main event at the Macon City Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Fred Ward.

1956: We do not have results for this match, but Freddie Blassie was scheduled to defend the Southern Heavyweight Title against Jackie Nichols at the William Bell Auditorium in Augusta for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Tom Mahoney.

1959: Ray Gunkel, Benny Matta & Chief Little Eagle defeated Freddie Blassie, Jack O’Brien & the Great Bolo (Al Lovelock) in the main event at the Larry Bell Auditorium in Marietta for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Elmo Chappell.

1962: Rito & Tito Carreon defeated the Southern Tag Team Champion Assassins by disqualification in a title match at the Macon City Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Fred Ward.

1963: Steve Kovacs defeated Bronko Lubich, managed by Homer O’Dell, by disqualification in the main event at the Columbus Municipal Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Fred Ward.

1965: We do not have results for this match, but Mario Galento was scheduled to defend the Georgia Heavyweight Title against Ray Gunkel at the Larry Bell Auditorium in Marietta for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Elmo Chappell.

1965: Suffering marriage and financial problems, ‘Yukon’ Eric Holmback drove to the Cartersville church where he and his wife had married and shot himself in the mouth with a 22 caliber pistol, dying instantly. He had been wrestling in Florida at the time for the Tampa office, and had been reported missing when he failed to show for matches there in Jacksonville and St. Petersburg. His body was found the next day in the front seat of his car in the church parking lot.

1968: Enrique & Alberto Torres defeated Stan & Butcher Vachon to retain the Southern Tag Team Title at the Macon City Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Fred Ward.

1970: Dory Funk, Jr., defeated Paul DeMarco, managed by Homer O’Dell, by disqualification to retain the NWA World Heavyweight Title at the Atlanta Municipal Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Paul Jones. Also, Joe Scarpa, El Mongol & the Eliminator defeated Nick Bockwinkel & the Assassins in the semi-main event. After the match, the Eliminator removed his mask voluntarily to reveal his identity as Doug Gilbert. It was announced that Bob Nandor, Bobo Johnson, and Billy the Kid would be wrestling in Atlanta on January 23, 1970.

1973: A main event match between Ox Baker and El Mongol was ruled a no contest at the Atlanta Municipal Auditorium for All-South Wrestling Alliance promoter Ann Gunkel.

1976: We do not have results for this match, but Dusty Rhodes was scheduled to wrestle the Spoiler, managed by Gary Hart, in the main event at the Atlanta Municipal Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Paul Jones. Bob Armstrong defeated Moondog Mayne in the semi-main event. The program for this card mentions Greg Gunn as the director of “Georgia Championship Wrestling.” Ron West and Doug Smith were credited as being referees for this card.

1978: Pak Song, managed by Rock Hunter, defeated Abdullah the Butcher by disqualification in the main event at the William Bell Auditorium in Augusta for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Charlie Harben.

1981: Terry Gordy & Buddy Roberts defeated Robert Fuller & Ted DiBiase to retain the National Tag Team Title at the Omni Auditorium in Atlanta. A semi-main event match between Mr. Wrestling #2 and the Mongolian Stomper, managed by Don Carson, was ruled a no contest. Also, Steve O defeated Kevin Sullivan to win the National Television Title.

1982: Bob & Brad Armstrong defeated Kevin Sullivan & Buzz Sawyer by disqualification to retain the National Tag Team Title at the Chattanooga (TN) Memorial Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Paul Jones. Leroy Brown & Big Red defeated the Masked Superstar & the Super Destroyer in a main event lumberjack match. Also, Tommy Rich and Ron Bass wrestled to a draw in the semi-main event.

2005: Jake Slater defeated Mike Pain and Kaos in a main event three-way match at the James Rainwater Conference Center in Valdosta for Spinebuster Championship Wrestling promoter Jody Peterman. Cru Jones defeated Vordell Walker in the semi-main event, and Chasyn Rance defeated Mark Stevens to retain the SCW Cruiserweight Title. Also, Big Bank Barfield won a $1,000 battle royal. In addition, Tully Blanchard and Dory Funk, Jr., wrestled to a thirty-minute draw, while Bobby Sanford & Eric Tatum defeated Marty Jannetty & Rod the Bod. In other matches, Royal Stud Enterprises (which included Adam Windsor) defeated the Rock & Roll Express (Ricky Morton & Robert Gibson), and Flex Cassidy defeated Johnny Magnum. Picture Perfect defeated Dennis Condrey & the Nightmare, the Southside Trash, and the Heartbreak Express in a four-way match to retain the SCW Tag Team Title. Simon Sermon & Thomas Britain defeated the O.C. in the opener.

– GeorgiaWrestlingHistory.com