GEORGIA WRESTLING NEWS, NOTES, AND NOSTALGIA: 02/20/2008

Courtesy of Rich Tate's GeorgiaWrestlingHistory.com:

NEWS

Florida Championship Wrestling results from the Bourbon Street Night Club in New Port Richey, FL, on February 19: Heath Miller & Steve Lewington over Brandon Groom & Greg Jackson; Sheamus & Kafu over Tommy Taylor & Christopher Gray (w/ Dave Taylor); Brad Allen & Nic Nemeth over Chet Douglas & Mr. Yamamoto; the 7 Foot Giant (w/ Ralph Mosca) over Joshua Masters; the Puerto Rican Nightmares (Eric Perez & Eddie Colon) (w/ Angela Fong) over Johnny Curtis & Bryan Kelly; and Gabe Tuft & Rycklon over Ted DiBiase, Jr., & Afa. Click here for a full report from Alan Wojcik. (Rich Tate, courtesy of Alan Wojcik)

The Georgia Pro Wrestling Association 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. 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)

NAWA Ring Champions returns to the National Guard Armory in Rome, GA, on February 21 at 7:30 PM. Advertised: Tommy Rich & Kenny Arden versus Steve Lawler & Bulldog Raines (w/ Jackie Rosedale) in the main event; Rick Michaels (w/ Lance Timberlake) versus Kyle Matthews; Frankie Valentine versus Simon Sermon; Lamar Phillips, Caleb Konley, Tyler Smith, Chris Ganz, Chris Lightning, and Boozer in a six-way for the NAWA Cruiserweight Title; Big Head Hansen versus Big Wood; and Bruce Wayne & Buzzsaw defend the NAWA Tag Team Title against Mike Kross & Rockin’ Randall. Ced G. Sanford and Assassin #3 are also scheduled to appear. Call (706) 314-9802 for more info. (Rich Tate)

Great Championship Wrestling presents live wrestling at the Great Skate Plex in Phenix City, AL, on February 21. The main event will be for the GCW Heavyweight Title as Johnny Swinger defends the belt against former tag team partner, The Disco Inferno. Bell time is 7:30 and the doors open at 6:45. (Brian Slack)

High Octane Wrestling will be at the Fun Time Skate Center in Centre, AL, on March 9. Bell time is 2:00 PM. Adult tickets are $6 and children get in free. Advertised: David Young, Bull Buchanan, and Air Paris in a three-way main event match; Kid Ego, Jr., versus Cabana Man Dan; Brian Alexander & Murder One versus the Regular Guys; Jamie Richards versus Stupid (w/ Tweety); Mike Kross & Seth Cruise versus the Sunshine State Connection; and Lamar Phillips versus Jeff Jameson. (Rich Tate)

Full Impact Pro returns to the National Guard Armory in Crystal River, FL, on March 22, with a bell time of 8:00 PM. Doors open at 7:30. Call (352) 422-4582 for more info. Advertised: Roderick Strong, Nigel McGuinness, Sal Rinauro, Jason Blade, Kenny King, Chasyn Rance, Erick Stevens, Austin Aries, Tyler Black, Lacey, Rain, Delirious, Seth Delay, Trenesha, Rex Sterling, Damien Wayne, and Mark & Jay Briscoe. (Rich Tate)

Total Nonstop Action is planning a live broadcast on March 27, in what so far is deemed an experiment. There has been no official announcement regarding how this affects the scheduled tapings on March 24-25. Both are still listed on their website, and the live event is not. (Rich Tate)

Orlando, FL, will be a busy spot on WrestleMania weekend, with not only World Wrestling Entertainment and UXW Pro Wrestling in town, but Ring of Honor has also scheduled two cards to take place on March 28 and 29. The events will be held at the Orlando Downtown Recreation Complex. Call (215) 781-2500 for more info. Advertised for March 28: Mark & Jay Briscoe versus Ryo Saito & Dragon Kid; Kevin Steen & El Generico versus Naruki Doi & Masato Yoshino; and Jimmy Jacobs & Tyler Black versus BxB Hulk & Shingo. Matches will start at 8:00 PM. Advertised for March 29: Austin Aries will wrestle the ROH World Heavyweight Champion in a title match, which currently is Nigel McGuinness; Ryo Saito, CIMA & Dragon Kid versus Naruki Doi, Masato Yoshino & Genki Horiguchi. Matches will start at 7:30 PM. (Rich Tate)

NOTES

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

According to the Wrestling Observer, Total Nonstop Action’s Against All Odds PPV in Greenville, SC, on February 10 drew about 3,500 fans, but sold less than 2,000 tickets, despite moving to a “buy one, get one free” package on the day of the show. The Bi-Lo Center, where the event was held, has a seating capacity of more than 15,000. (Rich Tate)

GWH wishes a happy birthday to Antonio Inoki (65) and Gail Kim (32).

Today is the thirty-fifth anniversary of the plane crash that killed Bobby Shane at the age of 27.

On this day in 2002, Swede Hanson passed away at 68.

Five years ago today, Tony Altimore suffered a fatal heart attack. He was 74.

‘Mighty’ Joe Esposito died on this day in 2005 at the age of 89.

NOSTALGIA

1933: Pete Sauer defeated Milo Steinborn two falls to one in the main event at the Atlanta Municipal Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Henry Weber. It was reported that 5,000 were in attendance for this card.

1939: The Red Devil (Mike Cassidy) defeated Southern Light Heavyweight Champion Jack McAdams by disqualification in a title match at the Warren Arena in Atlanta for promoters Frank Bettis and Cleve Roby.

1946: Jack Wentworth defeated Charlie Harben in the main event at the Savannah Municipal Auditorium for promoters Lou Masters, Dick Leonard, and Buster White.

1948: Paul Stanlee defeated Tom Mahoney in the main event at the Atlanta Municipal Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Paul Jones. Jack Dempsey was the special referee for the match. Al Massey & Jack Ross, Jr., defeated Joe Marsh & Rudy Strongberg in the semi-main event.

1953: Mayes McLain defeated Leslie Carlton, managed by James Hartley, in the main event at the Atlanta Municipal Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Paul Jones. Don McIntyre defeated Aldo Bogni to win the Southern Heavyweight Title in the main event. Of all the programs we have between the last one mentioned, this is the first to resume listing staff members of the Atlanta office, showing that Bill Hartman (Ticket Sales, and now credited also as Bookkeeper) and Simon Davis (Timekeeper) are still involved in the promotion. Ray McCay, despite still doing the main event matches on WQXI 790 AM radio, is not referenced in this program. There is a plug once again for Stan Raymond’s “Sportscope” radio show, seemingly back on WATL AM radio Monday through Friday at 6:15 PM. It was announced that Jim Siskay would debut on March 7, 1953, and that Gorgeous George was scheduled to headline that card. It was also announced that Jack O’Brien would be wrestling in Atlanta soon.

1959: Freddie Blassie & Skull Murphy defeated Doug & Johnny Gilbert in the main event at the Larry Bell Auditorium in Marietta for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Elmo Chappell. Chief Little Eagle defeated Jack O’Brien in the semi-main event, and Doug Gilbert and Skull Murphy wrestled to a draw.

1962: The Assassins defeated Rito & Tito Carreon to retain the US Tag Team Title in a Texas tornado match at the Macon City Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Fred Ward.

1963: The Steve Boys (Steve Bolus & Steve Kovacs) defeated George Bell & Lenny Montana by disqualification in the main event at the Columbus Sports Arena for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Fred Ward. Also, the Fabulous Moolah defeated Bette Boucher. It was reported that 1,447 were in attendance for this card.

1968: Mr. Wrestling defeated Tarzan Tyler in the main event at the Macon City Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Fred Ward. Chris Tolos & Hans Schmidt and Enrique & Alberto Torres wrestled to a draw in the semi-main event.

1970: Doug Gilbert & El Mongol defeated the Georgia Tag Team Champion Assassins by disqualification in a main event title match at the Atlanta Municipal Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Paul Jones. The Assassins had vowed that if they lost the title, they would unmask in the ring following the match. The Assassins had initially been declared winners of the match, but when they attacked their opponents following the bell, the decision was reversed. Gilbert was reportedly injured during the chaos. Nick Bockwinkel defeated Wilbur Snyder in the semi-main event, and Joe Scarpa defeated Paul DeMarco. The match between Snyder and Bockwinkel ended when both men collided in the middle of the ring, and Snyder’s hand landed across the chest of Bockwinkel, giving him the win when the referee counted to three. Leo Garibaldi and Eddie Smith were credited as being referees for this card. The program for this card featured an advertisement for Maria’s Restaurant of Mexican Food, owned by El Mongol, located at 4300 Buford Highway. It says if you were to go and mention the ad, you would receive a free 8x10 autographed photo of Mongol, and that the lunch specials were $0.99.

1973: Bob Ellis, Ernie Ladd & El Mongol defeated Rock Hunter, Ox Baker & Assassin #2 in the main event at the Atlanta Municipal Auditorium for All-South Wrestling Alliance promoter Ann Gunkel. We do not have results for the remainder of the card, but the advertised semi-main event was to be Dick Steinborn & Argentina Apollo defending the Georgia Tag Team Title against Bill Bowman & Joe Turner. Also, Marie Vagnone was on the bill to defend the WWWA Women’s Title against Valerie Griffith.

1973: Bob Armstrong, Bill Dromo & Eddie Graham defeated Tank Morgan, Chati Yokuchi & Fuji in the main event at the Macon Coliseum for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Fred Ward. A semi-main event title match featuring the Women’s World Champion Fabulous Moolah versus Vicky Williams was ruled a no contest. Williams defeated Donna Christianello, Dottie Downs, Joyce Grable, Susan Green, Debbie Johnson, Paula Kaye, Toni Rose, and Lilly Thomas in a women’s battle royal earlier on the card to get the match with Moolah.

1976: The Spoiler, managed by Gary Hart, defeated Andre the Giant in the main event at the Atlanta Municipal Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Paul Jones. Stan Stasiak & Abdullah the Butcher defeated Dick Slater & Bob Armstrong in the semi-main event.

1978: We do not have results of this match, but Andre the Giant versus Abdullah the Butcher, managed by Rock Hunter, was the advertised main event at the William Bell Auditorium in Augusta for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Charlie Harben.

1981: Andre the Giant defeated the Mongolian Stomper, managed by Don Carson, in the main event at the Porterdale Memorial Gymnasium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Paul Jones. Robert Fuller & Mr. Wrestling #2 defeated the Freebirds (Terry Gordy & Buddy Roberts) in the semi-main event.

1983: Stan Hansen defeated Ole Anderson in the main event at the Ohio Center in Columbus for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Les Thatcher. Buzz Sawyer defeated Tommy Rich in the semi-main event. Also, Butch Reed defeated Ivan Koloff, and Dick Murdoch defeated the Iron Sheik. In other matches, Bruiser Brody defeated Tito Santana, and Paul Orndorff defeated Buck Robley. Bob Roop defeated Joe Lightfoot in the opener.

1987: Joyce Grable defeated Terri Shane to win the Deep South Women’s Title in Lawrenceville, GA, for Deep South Wrestling promoter Jody Hamilton.

2005: A.J. Styles defeated Jason Cross the retain the NWA X-Division Title at the James Rainwater Conference Center in Valdosta for Spinebuster Championship Wrestling promoter Jody Peterman. The Rock & Roll Express defeated the Midnight Express in the semi-main event.