GEORGIA WRESTLING NEWS, NOTES, AND NOSTALGIA: 02/16/2008

Courtesy of Rich Tate's GeorgiaWrestlingHistory.com:

NEWS

The first episode of Peach State Pandemonium was broadcast live today, featuring our guest Bill Behrens. We discussed the pending Senate Bill 413, which could essentially end professional wrestling in the state of Georgia. Behrens is heading a group called the Georgia Wrestling Promoters Advisory Committee in a battle to separate them from the bill and produce a new form of documented regulation to keep wrestling under reasonable policing. Click here for the archived broadcast. Next week’s guest will be legendary manager Gary Hart. (Rich Tate)

NWA Anarchy returns to the NWA Arena in Cornelia, GA, tonight for an international television taping with an 8pm bell time. Todd Sexton vs. Wesley Grissom, Anger Alliance (Brodie Chase & Don Matthews) vs. Regular Guys (Bobby Hill & Tyler Smith), Hollywood Brunettes (Andrew Alexander & Kyle Matthews vs. Billy Buck & Chris King, Talent & Money (J. T. Talent & Andrew Pendleton III) vs. New Wave (Derrick Driver & Steven Walters), Frankie Valentine vs. Chip Day, Mikal Judas vs. Dominous, NWA Anarchy Heavyweight Title Match: Shatter(c) (with Jeff G. Bailey) vs. Ace Rockwell, NWA Anarchy Tag Team Title Match: Devil's Rejects (Iceberg & Shaun Tempers & Azrael with Reverend Wilson) vs. Awesome Attraction (Austin Creed & Hayden Young) & Truitt Fields, plus Nemesis, Jeremy Vain & Rob Adonis, Melissa Coates, Jeff Lewis, Adrian Hawkins and Slim J. (Larry Goodman)

The lineup for tonight’s card for All-Star Wrestling Network in Fort Valley, GA: In a match for the AWN Heavyweight Title, Chick Donovan defends against Billy the Kidd. In a four way tag team title match, the KI Elite will take on the Slaughter Pit, Leon Michaels and Qball and Danny Horne and Paul Warfield. The champions can lose the titles even if they aren't pinned. Shaun Hunter faces off against Johnny Camo. In a lumberjack match, Tommy 2 Much takes on Ash. Cowboy against Iron Will. JJ Flash against The Underfaker. No other details such as time or ticket info were provided. We advise you to check the promotion’s website for more info. (Brian Slack)

Southern All-Star Wrestling returns to Freddie's Auction House in Columbia, TN, tonight with Boogie Woogie Boy versus Rick Santel, Hammerjack versus Arrick Andrews, and a rematch between Chris Eckos and Chris Cain. Also, Anita Page, Shawn Reed, and Void will be appearing. (Larry Goodman)

Full Impact Pro presents “Redefined” at the National Guard Armory in Crystal River, FL, tonight. Doors open at 7:30 and the show begins at 8pm. For ticket information contact (352) 422-4582. In a no rules match where the loser can never wrestle in FIP again, The Heartbreak Express takes on Black Market. For the FIP Heavyweight championship Erik Stevens defends against Roderick Strong. Nigel McGuinness takes on Necro Butcher in a special challenge match. In women's tag team action, Allison Danger and Trenesha take on Lacey and Rain. Also going to be there are The YRR of FIP Florida Heritage Champion Sal Rinauro & FIP Tag Team Champions Jason Blade & Kenny King with Chasyn Rance, Lacey & Rain, Austin Aries, Tyler Black, Davey Richards with Dave Prazak, Seth Delay, Rex Sterling, and more. (Brian Slack)

The New Frontier Wrestling Association will be in Franklin, NC, at the National Guard Armory tonight for the Valentine’s Violence card. The venue is located at 192 Industrial Park Loop. Bell time is 8:00 PM. Admission for ages 6 and under is free, while older children get in for $5. Adult tickets are $10, and senior citizens get in for half-price. Advertised: Simon Sermon (w/ Mr. Tibbs) defends the NFWA Heavyweight Title against Brokishi, with special guest referee Jay Hartigan; NFWA Tag Team Champions Stoney Hooker & the Bounty Hunter defend their title against the A-Team (Jamar Acid & Dark Angel); Dirty defends the NFWA US Heavyweight Title against Korrupt (w/ Sebastian St. Clair); Carter Maine versus Cornbread; K.T. Hamill versus Talon Williams; Adam Logan & STD versus the Finishers (David Raines & Drew Bannen); Backdraft (w/ Damon Studd) versus Pitt; and Mike Margera versus Sci-Fi. Also scheduled to appear are Jen Holbrook, Ronda Lawrence and NFWA official Dee Byers. (Rich Tate)

Southern Extreme Championship Wrestling runs in Carrollton, GA, on February 17 at the VFW Fairgrounds, beginning at 6:00 PM. Doors open at 5:00. Ringside seats are $10, and all other seating is $8. Call (770) 355-5742 for more info. Advertised: Bull Buchanan & Bulldog Raines versus Steve Lawler & the Super Destroyer; Tommy Rich versus Will Owens; the Nightmare versus the Eliminator in a mask versus mask match; Frankie Valentine & Austin Creed versus K.I. Elite; Scotty Blaze versus Chick Donovan; and Adrian Hawkins versus Sal Rinauro. (Rich Tate)

Florida Championship Wrestling will be back at the Bourbon Street Night Club on February 19 in New Port Richey, FL, located at 4331 US19 North. Bell time is 8:30 PM. Admission is $7. Advertised: FCW Southern Heavyweight Champion Heath Miller versus FCW Florida Heavyweight Champion Jake Hager in a unification match; Nic Nemeth & Brad Allen versus Johnny Curtis & Kevin Kiley; Afa versus Rycklon; Eric Perez & Eddie Colon versus Chet Douglas & Tommy Taylor; the 7 Foot Giant versus Joshua Masters; Gabe Tuft versus Sheamus; and Heath Miller’s Happy Hour with Taryn Terrell, Beverly Mullins, Angela Fong, and the Bella Twins. (Rich Tate)

Flatline Championship Wrestling is in Grovetown, GA, at Patriots Park on February 23, beginning at 7:00 PM. Admission is $7, but kids five and under get in free. Doors open at 6:30. (Thomas Bugg)

Florida Championship Wrestling appeared at the Florida State Fair in Tampa on February 15: Christopher Gray over Tommy Taylor and Brandon Groom in a three-way; the Bella Twins (Nicole & Brianna) over Nattie Neidhart & Victoria Crawford; Johnny Curtis & Kevin Kiley over Hade Vansen & Sheamus; Mighty Mikey over Sinn Bowdee; Jake Hager & Ted DiBiase, Jr., were co-winners of a battle royal to be in the main event; Eric Perez & Eddie Colon over Gabe Tuft & Rycklon; Billy Kidman & T.J. Wilson over Nic Nemeth & Brad Allen; John Morrison & the Miz over Heath Miller & Steve Lewington; and Hager over DiBiase, Jr., to win the new FCW Florida Heavyweight Title, with Dusty Rhodes presenting the belt to Hager. Click here for a report from Alan Wojcik. (Rich Tate, courtesy of Alan Wojcik)

Results from the United States Wrestling Organization show at the Stadium Inn in Nashville courtesy of Jimmie Daniels with 125 in attendance: JC Crowe over Justin Spade; Rob C over Zack Storm; Steven Green over Damien Payne (w/Fetish) by DQ when Fetish attacked Green as he applied a Boston crab to Payne; Tim Renesto & Lee Cross (w/Charming Charles & Lisa Fayzon) over New York Gangster & Shawn Hoodrich when Renesto pinned Hoodrich; Mark Anthony (w/Charming Charles) over Steve O; PGWA Champion Nikki Roxx over Portia Perez; LT Falk & Cousin Jason X over Quinton Quarisma & Jay Phoenix in a 2/3 falls match to win the USWO Tag Team Championship; Mitch Ryder over Chris Michaels in a #1 contender match by hitting Michaels with a chain; and USWO Champion Kid Kash over Mitch Ryder after Michaels came out to distract Ryder, allowing Kash to get the pin. (Larry Goodman, courtesy of Jimmie Daniels)

Great Championship Wrestling action took place at the Great Skate Plex in Phenix City, AL, on February 14, and was headlined by a battle royal to determine the #1 contender to face Johnny Swinger next week for the GCW Heavyweight title. 300 were in attendance and the referees were Jeff McGowan and Randy Ray. Scotty Beach defeats Randall Johnson. In a GCW tag team title match, the champions J-Rod and Tex Monroe defeated The Hooligans. In a GCW Interstate title match, the champion AJ Steele w/The Intern defeated Shaun Banks w/Cru Jones to retain the belt. David Young defeated Zero Tolerance w/Quentin Michaels and Johnny Swinger. Disco Inferno won a 22 man battle royal to determine who faces Swinger next week for the title. (Brian Slack)

On February 9, Mike Bullard's All-Star Wrestling Network presented Outsiders at the WrestlePlex in Fort Valley, GA. This show is where talent can showcase their skills in front of an AWN audience for the first time. The Outsiders show will be on a trial run the last Saturday of the month, starting in March. Attendance for this first show was 65 and the referees were JD Nelson and Bradley Chatham. In a Georgia Chain Gang Match, it was "Hell's Henchman" Locomotive over "The Apocolypse" Flatline. Eric Staton defeated Javier Santana. Leatherface got the victory over Terry Sims. In ladies action, Brandi Scotch-Baker beat Demenchia. The New Age Freebirds defeated "The Bulldog" TW James and "Hotshot" Jamie Holmes. Scotty Carmichael defeated Tommy Lee. (Brian Slack)

NOTES

Johnny Weaver died on Friday of natural causes at the age of 73. Weaver, mostly known in the Carolinas for Jim Crockett Promotions, wrestled on top in Georgia briefly in 1960. (Rich Tate)

It was reported Friday that Nancy Benoit suspected husband Chris of having an affair, and that perhaps she intended to end the marriage. According to reports, Nancy believed he was in a relationship with someone else employed within World Wrestling Entertainment. Though it is still considered speculation at this point, it is the first sign of a motive for Chris’ actions last June when he killed Nancy and their son, Daniel. A friend, Pamela Hildebrand Clark, in an affidavit, claimed that Nancy had instructed her to notify authorities to investigate Chris if anything ever happened to Nancy, adding that Nancy “had a bad feeling that something was going to happen.” This confirms early reports that something of this nature had been said prior to the murders. The affidavit also confirmed that a life insurance policy was probable cause for the tragic events, as suggested shortly after the deaths. (Rich Tate)

Word is breaking that Hulk Hogan and Eric Bischoff are forming a promotion. Hogan is claiming they are about to sign a major television deal. This is nothing that Hogan hasn’t claimed many times in the past. More details if it actually happens. (Rich Tate)

GWH wishes a happy birthday to Jim Lancaster, who turns 54 today.

Today is the twentieth anniversary of the death of Ann Gunkel, who lost a battle with cancer. She was 50.

Danny Hawke died on this day in 2004 at the age of 33 in what was attributed to the use of steroids.

Two years ago today, Johnny Grunge passed away at 39.

NOSTALGIA

1928: Jack Evans defeated Ivan Mikaloff in the main event at the Atlanta Municipal Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter John Contos.

1934: Roy Lumpkin defeated Dick Griffin in two straight falls in the main event at the Atlanta Municipal Auditorium for promoter John Bollas. It was reported that 500 were in attendance for this card.

1938: Red Ryan defeated Pete Schuh in the main event at the Atlanta Municipal Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Frank Speer.

1945: Babe Zaharias defeated Al Massey in the main event at the Atlanta Municipal Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Paul Jones.

1946: Jack LaRue, Vic Emanuel & Bill Collins defeated Herb, Jack & Roy Welch in the main event at the Atlanta Municipal Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Paul Jones. The match was reported to be the first six-man tag team match in Atlanta. Collins substituted for Rex Mobley in the match, for which there were two referees. The program for this card featured an advertisement for Holiday on Ice, an ice skating show coming to the auditorium in March 1946, reported to be promoted by Jones.

1960: A main event match featuring Freddie Blassie versus Vince Bryant was ruled a no contest at the Macon City Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Fred Ward.

1965: The Mysterious Medics defeated Joe Scarpa & Choo-Choo Lynn in the main event at the Macon City Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Fred Ward.

1967: Enrique & Ramon Torres defeated El Mongol, managed by Jack Crawford, & Oki Shikina by disqualification in the main event in Albany for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Fred Ward. It is unclear as to what venue was the site of this card.

1968: Leo Garibaldi, Louie Tillet & Mr. Wrestling defeated Jack Crawford, Dr. M & El Mongol in the main event at the Atlanta Municipal Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Paul Jones. The program for this card had Mr. Wrestling claiming that Dr. M was Oki Shikina as a ringer to the original Dr. M, whom he believed to be El Mongol. It also announced that “Live Atlanta Wrestling” would air on February 17, 1968, from 2:00 to 3:00 PM, before returning to it’s normal time slot of 6:30 to 7:30 PM on February 24, 1968. It was announced that Hans Schmidt would be wrestling on the card on February 23, 1968, and that Waldo Von Erich would be wrestling in Atlanta soon.

1971: Homer O’Dell & Buddy Colt defeated Leon Ogle & Skandor Akbar in the main event at the Macon Coliseum for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Fred Ward. Bob Armstrong and Luke Graham wrestled to a forty-five minute draw in the semi-main event.

1973: A main event title match between NWA World Heavyweight Champion Dory Funk, Jr., and Mr. Wrestling #1 was ruled a no contest at the Atlanta Municipal Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Paul Jones. The match was stopped when a piece of the turnbuckle popped loose and hit Wrestling #1 in the shoulder, knocking him from the ring and unconscious. He was rushed to the hospital and later released. Norvel Austin & Bobo Brazil defeated Tarzan Tyler & Arman Hussein, managed by Jack Crawford, in the semi-main event. Also, Bill Dromo & Bob Armstrong defeated Chati Yokuchi & Fuji, managed by J.C. Dykes, and Jerry Oates defeated the Zodiac (Bob Orton, Sr.) by disqualification. Eddie & Mike Graham defeated Sputnik & Rocket Monroe to retain the Georgia Tag Team Title. It was announced that Sputnik Monroe would wrestle Mr. Wrestling #2 soon to determine a new Georgia Heavyweight Champion.

1974: A main event match featuring Bill Watts versus Mr. Wrestling #2 ended in a double disqualification at the Griffin-Barnesville Sports Palace for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Paul Jones. Bobby & Benny McGuire defeated Terry & Jimmy Garvin in the semi-main event. Also, Ricky Gibson defeated Tojo Yamamoto, and Ali Vaziri (Iron Sheik) defeated Art Nelson.

1976: The Spoiler, managed by Gary Hart, defeated Dick Slater to retain the Georgia Heavyweight Title at the William Bell Auditorium in Augusta for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Charlie Harben. During the match, Hart was suspended above the ring in a cage. Stan Stasiak defeated Bob Armstrong in the semi-main event, and Ted & Jerry Oates defeated Les Thornton & Tony Charles by disqualification. Also, the Fabulous Moolah defeated Joyce Grable to retain the Women’s World Title. Ken Mantell defeated Jay Clayton in the opener.

1978: We do not have results for this match, but Stan Hansen was scheduled to defend the Georgia Heavyweight Title against Mr. Wrestling #2 at the J&J Center in Athens for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Paul Jones.

1979: NWA World Heavyweight Champion Harley Race defeated Wahoo McDaniel by disqualification in a title match at the Atlanta Municipal Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Paul Jones. Mr. Wrestling #2 defeated Ernie Ladd to win the North American Heavyweight Title in the semi-main event. Wrestling #2 had vowed to unmask if he could not defeat Ladd. In other matches, Ole Anderson defeated Dusty Rhodes, while Mr. Wrestling #1 and the Masked Superstar wrestled to a draw. Blackjack Lanza, managed by Bobby Heenan, defeated Rufus R. Jones in a no disqualification match.

1983: Stan Hansen defeated Ole Anderson in a lights out match at the Columbus Municipal Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Fred Ward. Also, Buzz Sawyer defeated Tommy Rich in the semi-main event, and Butch Reed & Ray Candy defeated the Moondogs, managed by J.J. Dillon.

1985: Manny Fernandez & Dusty Rhodes defeated Ivan & Nikita Koloff in the main event in Baltimore for a card co-promoted by Championship Wrestling from Georgia and Jim Crockett Promotions. Dick Slater defeated Dory Funk, Jr. in the semi-main event. Jimmy Valiant & Bob Backlund defeated Billy Graham & the Barbarian by disqualification. In other matches, Denny Brown defeated Keith Larsen, and Magnum T. A. defeated Doug Vines. Also, Ric Flair defeated Sgt. Slaughter by disqualification, and a match featuring Ole Anderson versus Wahoo McDaniel was ruled a no contest.