GEORGIA WRESTLING NEWS, NOTES, AND NOSTALGIA: 02/12/2008

Courtesy of Rich Tate's GeorgiaWrestlingHistory.com:

NEWS

The public hearing that was scheduled for today, expected to have featured a return showdown between the Georgia Athletic and Entertainment Commission and the Georgia Wrestling Promoters Advisory Committee, has been put on hold in light of the recent introduction of Senate Bill 413. J.J. Biello, in a prepared statement, said: “The goal of the Georgia Athletic and Entertainment Commission is to protect the health, safety and well being of boxers, mixed martial artists, wrestlers and members of the public that attend licensed events and use the services of ticket brokers. We look forward to any direction from the Georgia General Assembly and Governor Perdue that will help the Commission accomplish this goal. The Commission greatly respects the legislative process and will delay decisions on professional wrestling rules while the General Assembly considers SB 413. The proposed legislative changes will provide consistent oversight for all sports and licensees under the purview of the GAEC; bring clarity and definition to the licensing of mixed martial arts, professional wrestling and professional boxing; remove the ambiguity and inconsistencies of the current code; send a message to promoters and licensees that the state of Georgia is serious about protecting competitors and the public. This legislative change will encourage a larger number of reputable licensees to do business in Georgia. SB 413 was introduced on February 6, 2008 by State Senator Eric Johnson. The bill was assigned to the Senate Committee on Regulated Industries and Utilities.” With the focus of the GAEC switched to that of the SCRIU, Bill Behrens, head of the GWPAC, has scheduled to meet with the SCRIU on Wednesday. (Rich Tate)

Florida Championship Wrestling is back in New Port Richey, FL, at the Bourbon Street Night Club on February 12. The venue is located at 4331 US 19N. Admission is $7, and the matches get underway at 8:30 PM. Advertised: the 7 Foot Giant (w/ Mosca) versus Brandon Groom & Tommy Taylor; Nic Nemeth & Brad Allen versus Bryan Kelly & Rycklon; Ted DiBiase, Jr., versus Mighty Mikey; a diva lingerie contest featuring Eve Torres, Victoria, Nattie Neidhart, Beverly Mullins, and the Bella Twins; Sheamus & Mr. Yamamoto versus the Gemini; Jake Hager versus T.J. Wilson; Hade Vansen versus Gabe Tuft; Johnny Curtis versus Big Rob; Matt O’Neal versus Sinn Bowdee; and Handsome Heath’s Happy Hour with Hager. FCW President Steve Keirn is also expected to make a special announcement. (Rich Tate)

Total Nonstop Action results from the tapings in Orlando, FL, on February 11: Brother Devon over Shark Boy & Curry Man in a handicap match; a match between Scott Steiner and Abyss never happened, as Abyss left, but not before unmasking with his back to the camera; Steiner then went over Petey Williams, after Williams accepted his open challenge; A.J. Styles & Tomko over Kevin Nash & Samoa Joe; Rellik over Eric Young; Homicide over Chris Sabin & Jimmy Rave; and Awesome Kong over O.D.B. when Gail Kim interfered. At the top of the show, Jim Cornette once again tried to get Joe to sign a contract. Cage came out and asked Joe to team with him against Styles & Tomko, and Joe agreed and they left Cornette standing alone and frustrated. Later, at match time, Nash came out with Joe instead of Cage. No reason was given to the crowd as to why. The handicap match was supposed to include Brother Ray, but it was sold as Ray was unable to make the weight requirement of 275. Abyss walking away from the match with Steiner was sold as he was too injured from the barbed wire match with Judas Mesias, which, of course, happened two weeks ago. Williams substituted for Abyss against Steiner. O.D.B. went at it with Kim after Kim’s interference cost O.D.B. the match with Kong. Rhino also came out and cut a promo, with an open challenge for the Destination X PPV. James Storm came out and accepted. The end of the show featured Kurt and Karen Angle renewing their vows, in which Joe and Nash got involved, and amid the confusion, Styles wound up married to Karen. TNA will again be taping for iMPACT! at Universal Studios in Orlando, FL, tonight. Admission for tapings is free. Call (407) 224-6000 for more info. (Rich Tate)

Southern Extreme Championship Wrestling results from the VFW Fairgrounds in Carrollton, GA, on February 10: Adrian Hawkins over El Mexicano; Will Owens & Sal Rinauro over Kyle Matthews & Kid Ego; the Southside Trash over Scotty Blaze & Vordell Walker; Tommy Rich over Billy Love; the Super Destroyer over the Nightmare; and Bull Buchanan & Buff Bagwell over Steve Lawler & Bulldog Raines. Jeff McGowan and Johnny Boone were credited as being referees on this card, which drew a reported 275. Rich and Bagwell each participated in autograph sessions. Joyce Grable was seen at the show. (Rich Tate)

Georgia Pro Wrestling Association results from City Limits Dining and Entertainment in Tifton, GA, on February 7: In the first match, The Marvelous Ones defeated Iron Will in what seemed to be a handicap match, until Psych came out to help. However, Jake Slater came out and attacked Psych enabling to Marvelous Ones to pick up the win. Ash versus "The Last Rebel" Jerry Thompson proved to be an exciting match with a lot of back and forth action. In the end it would be "The Last Rebel" picking up the win. "The Hot One" Lance Alonte and "The War Horse" Kevin Kantrell made their return to the area and GPWA in this hotly contested battle. Despite Kantrell trying to break the rules at every disposal, it was Alonte that would win the match. The Masked Nightmare took on "The Golden Boy" Chick Donovan in the semi-main in a challenge match that Donovan had made on February 2 in Albany. This was a great match which truly was a battle of wits in the ring. In around 14 minutes Chick used a reverse rollup to pin Nightmare. In the Main Event, GPWA Heavyweight champ "Insane" Mike Pain & Psych defeated "The Real Deal" Jake Slater and "Platinum Playboy" Preston Paradise by disqualification when Slater struck the official. After the match, Slater attacked Psych beating him with a leather strap and Paradise hung Pain over the top rope with a chain. Pain and Psych have vowed revenge on February 21. The GPWA has another benefit show for Diana Olalde at City Limits in Tifton, GA, on February 21. Music starts at 8pm with D.J. Philgood and bell time is 9pm. Admission is $10 and the first 50 people to email gpwa_wrestling10@yahoo.com will receive a free pass. This is a television taping for OneVision Media Group, "The People's Channel." Main Event: GPWA Heavyweight champ, "Insane" Mike Pain versus "Platinum Playboy" Preston Paradise of K.I. Elite in a Dog-Collar Chain Match for the title. "Real Deal" Jake Slater versus Psych in a fan participation strap on a pole match. The Masked Nightmare versus "Golden Boy" Chick Donovan in Mask versus Hair Match. In a Midget Match, Kid Bodydrop (mini-Kane) versus Kid Enigma (mini-Mr. Kennedy). The Marvelous Ones versus Q-Ball & Iron Will. The Marvelous Ones will be allowed to stop wearing dresses after this match. (Thomas Bugg)

Georgia Wrestling Promotions has added Raven, David Young, and Buff Bagwell to their roster. Raven's first appearance will be February 29 in Woodstock, GA, and he has also been added to the March 14 Night of the Legends show in Dalton, GA. Young has made a committed to doing all of the upcoming GWP shows. Bagwell will be a semi-regular. Also coming in soon will be Demolition Ax & Smash, Doug Somers, and Hot Like Lava (Cru Jones & Shaun Banks). GWP will be running shows in conjunction with the Canton Road Classic Car Show on April 5 and 6 in Marietta, GA. The April 5 show will feature David Young with a bell time of 1 pm. Buff Bagwell will appear on the April 6 show with a 2pm bell time. For further info call 770-296-5290. (Larry Goodman)

The Power Pro Wrestling Alliance will be in Temple, GA, on March 1, at the New Temple Gym, located a few miles off I-20 at Exit 19. Bell time is 7:30 PM, with doors opening at 6:30. Ringside tickets are $10, and general admission is $8. Call Ricky at (770) 883-1064 or Brian at (678) 952-4209 for more info. Scheduled to appear: Cru Jones, Frankie Valentine, J-Rod, Shaun Banks, Josh Storm, Jason Lynn, Dark Star, Josh Stone, Midnight, the Professor, Matt Black, Chris Ganzer, Johnny Rage, and the Russian Kodiak. There will be a rumble style battle royal. (Rich Tate)

NOTES

Trash Talking Radio, hosted by Mike Trash, will feature Eric Gargiulo, Massive Mike, and B-Boy on its show tonight at 7:00 PM ET. (Rich Tate)

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

In Your Head will feature Rob Van Dam and O.D.B. on its show on February 13 at 8:00 PM ET. (Rich Tate)

GWH wishes a happy birthday to One Man Gang, who turns 48 today.

NOSTALGIA

1930: Pete Sauer defeated Paul Harper in the main event at the Atlanta Municipal Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Henry Weber.

1934: Hugh Winn defeated Bill Crussell two falls to one to retain the Georgia Light Heavyweight Title and the Southern Light Heavyweight Title at the Fair Street Arena in Atlanta for promoter Jason Thompson.

1935: Dorv Roche defeated George Zaharias in the main event at the Atlanta Municipal Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Henry Weber. The referee awarded the decision to Roche after the 90-minute time limit expired, with each man having won a fall.

1936: Dick Powell defeated Jim Henry in the main event at the New Coliseum in Augusta for promoter Bill Metzger.

1937: Roland Kirchmeyer defeated Hans Steinke in two straight falls at Loew’s Grand Theatre in Atlanta for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Frank Speer.

1943: Emir Badui and Rudy Strongberg wrestled to a draw in the main event at the Atlanta Municipal Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Sammy Friedman. Boom Boom (Don Lee) defeated Al Massey in the semi-main event. Jack McAdams was credited as being a referee on this card.

1963: Lenny Montana and Choo-Choo Lynn wrestled to a one-hour draw in the main event at the Macon City Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Fred Ward.

1965: A main event match between Mario Galento and Red Roberts was ruled a no contest in Forest Park for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Paul Jones. It is unclear as to what venue was the site of this card.

1965: The Mysterious Medics defeated Bill Dromo & Joe Scarpa to retain the World Tag Team Title at the Larry Bell Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Elmo Chappell. This is the last known card held at this venue before it was destroyed by a fire.

1971: Ray Gunkel, Bobo Brazil & El Mongol defeated Kubla Khan, managed by Jack Crawford, & the Assassins by disqualification in the main event at the Atlanta Municipal Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Paul Jones. Crawford interfered, forcing a disqualification. The Assassins confronted Crawford in the center of the ring and almost came to blows, but Khan helped restore order. It was announced that Roberto Soto and Argentina Apollo would be wrestling in Atlanta soon. Brazil participated in an autograph session for fans.

1974: We do not have results for this card, but Thunderbolt Patterson versus the Missouri Mauler was the advertised main event at the Atlanta Municipal Auditorium for All-South Wrestling Alliance promoter Ann Gunkel. Also on the bill was a defense of the Georgia Brass Knucks Title between champion Rock Hunter and Assassin #1. Ray Candy & El Mongol were scheduled to defend the Georgia Tag Team Title against Assassin #2 & the Super Gladiator. Ted Oates and Wayne Cowan (Dutch Mantell) were to meet in a ten-round boxing match.

1974: Mr. Wrestling #1 (Tim Woods, wearing his mask again to cover his cleanly shaven head from February 10, 1974, and requesting to be called Mr. Wrestling #1 again) defeated Mr. Wrestling #2 in the main event at the Macon Coliseum for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Fred Ward. In the semi-main event, Bobby Duncum, managed by Gary Hart, defeated Bob Armstrong to win the Macon Heavyweight Title. Also, Bobby & Benny McGuire defeated Ron & Terry Garvin, managed by Jimmy Garvin.

1978: Blackjack Mulligan defeated Ricky Steamboat to retain the US Heavyweight Title at the Savannah Civic Center for Jim Crockett Promotions promoter Aaron Newman. Paul Jones defeated the Masked Superstar, managed by Boris Malenko, in the semi-main event.

1979: Dusty Rhodes & Wahoo McDaniel and Ole Anderson & Ivan Koloff wrestled to a draw in the main event at the William Bell Auditorium in Augusta for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Charlie Harben. Mr. Wrestling #2 defeated the Masked Superstar in the semi-main event.

1979: A card was scheduled for this date at the Tate (no connections) Elementary High School Gymnasium, but no details have been found. Thunderbolt Patterson, Stan Hansen, and Tommy Rich were advertised.

1983: Butch Reed defeated Ivan Koloff in a main event no disqualification match at the Chattanooga (TN) Memorial Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Paul Jones. A semi-main event match featuring Ray Candy versus the Super Destroyer ended in a double countout. Bob Roop & Buck Robley defeated Dick Murdoch & Joe Lightfoot.

1986: Tommy Rich won a tournament in Marietta to win the Deep South Heavyweight Title for Deep South Championship Wrestling promoter Jody Hamilton. No other details have been found at this time.

1989: Ric Flair defeated Sting in the main event at the Omni Auditorium in Atlanta for World Championship Wrestling. The Road Warriors defeated Eddie Gilbert & Ivan Koloff in the semi-main event, and Rick Steiner defeated Kevin Sullivan.

2005: A.J. & Damien Steele defeated the New York Connection (Johnny Swinger & Disco Inferno) to win the GCW Tag Team Title at the GCW Sports Arena in Columbus for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Jerry Oates. David Young defeated Jason Cross by disqualification in the semi-main event. Also, Sonny Siaki defeated Sean Evans to retain the GCW Heavyweight Title. The Southside Trash defeated John Bogie in a handicap match, while Lee Thomas defeated Brandon P (Phoenix) in the opener.

2005: Colt Derringer defeated Rob Adonis to retain the UCW Heavyweight Title in a ladder match at the King Springs Baptist Church in Smyrna for Ultimate Christian Wrestling. Frankie Valentine defeated UCW Georgia Heavyweight Champion Josh Storm by disqualification in a semi-main event title match.