GEORGIA WRESTLING NEWS, NOTES, AND NOSTALGIA: 01/22/2008

Courtesy of Rich Tate's GeorgiaWrestlingHistory.com:

NEWS

Trash Talking Radio, hosted by Mike Trash, will feature Chris Nowinski and Kacee Carlisle on its show tonight at 7:00 PM ET. (Rich Tate)

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

The Monday night Total Nonstop Action tapings were for episodes to air on January 24 and 31. If you do not wish to see the outcomes, read no further. There is a new X-Division Champion. Otherwise, click here for my report. (Mick N. Brawler)

Southern Extreme Championship Wrestling results from the VFW Fairgrounds in Carrollton, GA, on January 20: Austin Creed & the Nightmare over Dark Star & the Eliminator (w/ Miss Whiptress); Jimmy Rave, Billy Love & Sal Rinauro over Frankie Valentine, Adrian Hawkins & Kyle Matthews; a mixed handicap match featuring Bambi versus Will Owens & Peggy Lee Leather was ruled a no contest; Kyle Matthews won a money-on-a-pole battle royal; Tommy Rich & Brad Armstrong, substituting for Bob Armstrong, over Bulldog Raines & Rowdy Matiz (w/ Big Daddy) in a West Georgia tornado match; and Bull Buchanan over the Super Destroyer to win the SECW Heavyweight Title. It was reported that 375 were in attendance for this card. Jeff McGowan and Spanky Emerson were credited as being referees. Click here for a full report from Larry Goodman. (Rich Tate)

Ginzburg’s Legends Radio will feature Rob Van Dam, Magnum T.A., Chris Masters, and film producer Roy Karch on its show on January 23 at 8:00 PM ET.

The Power Pro Wrestling Alliance debuts in Douglasville, GA, at the Deer Lick Park Gymnasium on January 26, with a bell time of 7:00 PM. Call (770) 883-1064 for more info. Ringside tickets are $10 and general admission seating costs $8. Advertised: Bull Buchanan versus Bulldog Raines; and a battle royal. Frankie Valentine, J-Rod, Cru Jones, Dark Star, Dark Gable, Kid Lightning, and Bubba Kaiser are expected to be associated with the new promotion. (Mick N. Brawler)

Florida Championship Wrestling runs in Port Richey, FL, on January 26, with the following lineup: A royal rumble featuring Sinn Bowdee, Johnny Curtis, Bryan Kelly, Eric Perez, Rycklon, G’Rilla, Giant Titan, Jake Hagar, Kevin Kiley, Mighty Mikey, Hade Vansen, Tommy Taylor, Chris Gray, Brandon Groom, Mr. Yamamoto David Olivieri and “Roughhouse” Ralph Mosca. Two men start and every minute a new man enters the ring. The last man standing will receive a shot at the Florida Heavyweight Champion. Also on the card is a strap match featuring Afa versus T.J. Wilson; a title match between Southern Heavyweight Champion Heath Miller (with Ted DiBiase, Jr.) and Steve Lewington; Shawn Osborne versus Eddie Colon; Nic Nemeth & Big Rob versus Billy Kidman & Matt O’Neal; and Brad Allen versus Robert Anthony. Val Venis will be Heath Miller’s guest on “Handsome Heath’s Happy Hour.” (Alan Wojcik)

Georgia Wrestling Promotions announced that Ron "The Truth" Killings has been added to their January 27 show in Woodstock at the Hot Wheels Skate Center. Killings joins an impressive array of outside talent that includes Gangrel, Bill Dundee, "Superstar" Bill Eadie, David Young, Cru Jones, and the debut of Lexi Pillman. (Larry Goodman)

Southern Extreme Championship Wrestling runs in Carrollton, GA, on January 27 at the VFW Fairgrounds, beginning at 6:00 PM. Call (770) 355-5742 for more info. All tickets are $10.00, and it includes a concert by Doug Stone and Brittany Leigh beginning at 4:00 PM. The doors open at 3:00. Advertised: Bull Buchanan versus Bulldog Raines; Brad Armstrong & Ricky Morton versus Will Owens & the Super Destroyer; Tommy Rich & Kidd Enigma versus Chick Donovan & Kidd Body Drop; Austin Creed & Adrian Hawkins versus K.I. Elite; Frankie Valentine versus Sal Rinauro; and Kyle Matthews versus the Nightmare. Click here for a radio ad that will be featured on WCKS from Wednesday through Saturday. (Rich Tate)

NOTES

Click here for this week’s Bill Behrens NWA Notes update. (Rich Tate)

On this day in 1995, Jerry ‘Crusher’ Blackwell passed at the age of 45 from pneumonia.

Al Costello died from pneumonia and heart problems on this day in 2000. He was 80.

NOSTALGIA

1926: Jim Londos defeated Farmer McLeod, when the latter was unable to continue, in the main event at the Atlanta Municipal Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter John Contos. This was reportedly the first professional wrestling card to be held in Atlanta in nearly three years, though it appears to have been longer. Contos, who previously promoted professional wrestling in Memphis and St. Louis, wanted to revive the sport in Atlanta.

1934: Bill Crussell defeated Gorilla Tucker in the main event at the Fair Street Arena in Atlanta for promoter Jason Thompson. It was reported that Governor Eugene Talmadge was in attendance.

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

1935: George Romanoff defeated Pete Brown at the Nat Smith Warehouse in Valdosta for promoter Jim Baisden.

1936: Dobie Osborne defeated Jim Henry in two straight falls in the main event at the New Coliseum in Augusta for promoter Bill Metzger.

1937: Hans Steinke and Roland Kirchmeyer wrestled to a thirty-minute draw in the main event at Loew’s Grand Theatre in Atlanta for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Frank Speer.

1963: Bronko Lubich, managed by Homer O’Dell, & the Bat (Joe Tomasso) defeated the Steve Boys (Steve Bolus & Steve Kovacs) in the main event at the Macon City Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Fred Ward. John Paul Henning defeated O’Dell by disqualification in the semi-main event.

1965: The Mysterious Medics defeated Buddy Fuller & Eddie Graham to retain the Southern Tag Team Title at the Atlanta Municipal Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Paul Jones. Mario Galento defeated Tarzan Tyler to retain the Georgia Heavyweight Title in the semi-main event. The match was billed as a “Battle of the Brutes.” Also, George & Crybaby Harris (George Harris & George ‘Crybaby’ Cannon) defeated Joe Scarpa & Gino Brito. It was announced that Lou Thesz, Dick the Bruiser, and the Assassins would be wrestling in Atlanta soon.

1969: Jim Wilson & El Mongol defeated the Assassins by disqualification in the main event at the Columbus Municipal Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Fred Ward.

1971: Dory Funk, Jr., defeated Paul DeMarco to retain the NWA World Heavyweight Title at the Paul Jones Sports Arena for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Paul Jones. It was reported that DeMarco created a gash above Funk, Jr.’s right eye that required ten stitches. Funk, Jr., participated in an autograph session for fans.

1974: We do not have results for this card, but Ox Baker was scheduled to defend the US Heavyweight Title against Thunderbolt Patterson at the Atlanta Municipal Auditorium for All-South Wrestling Alliance promoter Ann Gunkel. The advertised semi-main event was El Mongol versus the Missouri Mauler, managed by Rock Hunter. Also, the Mongols (Newton ‘Geto’ Tattrie & Bill ‘Bolo’ Eadie), managed by George Cannon, were to defend the World Tag Team Title against Assassin #2, also managed by Hunter, & the Super Gladiator (Ricky Hunter).

1974: Tim Woods & Roberto Soto defeated the Samoans, managed by Gary Hart, to win the Southeastern Tag Team Title at the Macon Coliseum for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Fred Ward. Mr. Wrestling #2 defeated Robert Fuller in the semi-main event. It was reported that 4,254 were in attendance for this card.

1975: We do not have results for this card, but the Mighty Yankees, managed by J.C. Dykes, were scheduled to defend the Columbus Tag Team Title against Danny Little Bear & Mr. Wrestling #2 at the Columbus Municipal Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Fred Ward. Mr. Wrestling #2 had vowed to unmask if he and Little Bear lost the match. Dykes was also scheduled to be in a main event lights out match versus Jerry Brisco.

1978: Georgia Heavyweight Champion Stan Hansen and Dick Slater wrestled to a one-hour draw in a title match at the Macon Coliseum for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Fred Ward. Pak Song defeated Abdullah the Butcher, managed by Rock Hunter, by disqualification in a main event cage match.

1979: Thunderbolt Patterson defeated Ole Anderson in a main event handcuff match at the William Bell Auditorium in Augusta for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Charlie Harben. Tommy Rich & Wahoo McDaniel defeated Stan Hansen & King Kong Mosca in the semi-main event.

1982: The Masked Superstar & the Super Destroyer defeated Bob & Brad Armstrong to win the National Tag Team Title at the Ohio Center in Columbus for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Les Thatcher.

1983: Butch Reed defeated Buzz Sawyer in the main event at the Chattanooga (TN) Memorial Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Paul Jones. Ole Anderson, Ivan Koloff & the Iron Sheik defeated Stan Hansen, Tommy Rich & Paul Orndorff in the semi-main event. Also, Bruiser Brody defeated Tito Santana, and the Super Destroyer defeated Brad Armstrong.

2005: Colt Derringer defeated Rob Adonis to retain the UCW Heavyweight Title at the Harvest Church in Athens for Ultimate Christian Wrestling promoter Rob Fields. Greg Brown & Justin Case defeated Billy Knight & Dustin Powers in the semi-main event. Also, Brian Lawler defeated the Ultimate Shodan, and Josh Storm defeated UCW Georgia Heavyweight Champion Frankie Valentine by disqualification in a title match.

2005: A.J. & Damien Steele defeated the Midnight Express (Dennis Condrey & Bobby Eaton) in the main event at the GCW Sports Arena in Columbus for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Jerry Oates. Amy Young defeated Persephone in the semi-main event. Also, the Grappler defeated Sean Evans, but was unmasked by Evans following the match and identified as Mikal Adryan (Mikal Judas). Brandon P (Brandon Phoenix) defeated Jeff Lewis, and Cru Jones defeated John Bogie in the opener.