GEORGIA WRESTLING NEWS, NOTES, AND NOSTALGIA: 02/28/2008

Courtesy of Rich Tate's GeorgiaWrestlingHistory.com:

NEWS

Alternative Pro Wrestling results from the Royston Gym in Royston, GA, on February 22: the Friday Night Franchise (Matt Sells & Ryan Michaels) over Drowning in Excellence (Devin Michaels & Vincent Chambers) to retain the APW Tag Team Title; Dustin Powers over Ethan Case; Slim J over Brandon Parker; a match with Billy Buck and the Mayne Event ended in a double countout; Jacob Ashworth over J.T. Talent; and Azrael & Darkness versus Seth Delay was a no contest. Click here for a report from Aaron Leggett. (Larry Goodman, courtesy of Aaron Leggett)

Georgia Wrestling Promotions will be in Woodstock, GA, tonight at the Cherokee Parks and Recreation Authority located at 745 Main Street. Bell time is 8 pm. Call 770-296-5290 for further information. Advertised: David Young & Buff Bagwell versus the Devil's Rejects ("Sleeper Cell" Shaun Tempers & "The No Pain Train" Iceberg, with Reverend Dan Wilson); Raven versus the Super Destroyer; the contract signing for the Hollywood Brunettes (with Lexi Pillman) and Regular Guys’ Ladder Match at Night of the Legends. Tracy Smothers and Bighead Hanson will also be in action. There will be a meet and greet with Raven at 7:30. GWP will be honoring Dennis Condrey and Bobby Eaton, Bob and Brad Armstrong, Rick and Scott Steiner, Bill Dundee, Manny Fernandez, Ricky Morton as well as the late Ken Timbs and Brian Pillman as part of the awards ceremony at "Night of the Legends" on March 14 in Dalton, GA, at the Northwest Georgia Trade and Convention Center. Morton will also be signing copies of his autobiography at the show. Juanita Timbs will be accepting an award on Ken's behalf, while Lexi Pillman will be accepting on behalf of Brian. (Larry Goodman)

On February 29, Southern All-Star Wrestling returns to the Bakery in Millersville, TN, for a television taping with Mason Raige vs "Sharp Dressed Man" Lawrence Lane, and Chris Bomb vs J-5 (with Cocky Cody). Also appearing will be TV Champion Damian Adams, SAW Tag Team Champions Indian Nation, Sean Casey (with Samantha), Gary Valiant (with Miss Boogie), Arrick Andrews, Big Rig Bully, Chris Eckos, Rob McCoy, Hammerjack (with Paul Adams & Towel), Rick Santel, Matt Dillenger, and Chris Cane. (Larry Goodman)

Ultimate Christian Wrestling will be in Fort Valley, GA, on March 29 at 8:00 p.m. (Larry Goodman)

Championship Wrestling Overload will debut on April 4, presenting Ballpark Brawl at the Johnson County Recreation Center in Wrightsville, GA. Doors open at 8:00 PM, and bell time is 8:30 PM. For more info, call Eric at (478) 595-6904. Advertised: a battle royal whereas the last man eliminated becomes the CWO Southern States Heavyweight Champion and the winner is named CWO National Heavyweight Champion; and a hardcore grudge match featuring Bobby Joiner versus Loco Motive. Also scheduled to appear are Brian Titus, Tommy Lee, T.W. James, Flatline, Leatherface, Psychoman, Dyce, and the Freak. (Rich Tate)

NOTES

GWH wishes a happy birthday to Ricky Steamboat (55) and Aaron Aguilera (31).

Stan Mayslack died ten years ago today at the age of 83.

Four years ago today, Mike McHugh passed away at 47.

NOSTALGIA

1933: Jim Hesslyn defeated Jack Ross to win the Southern Lightweight Title at the New Coliseum in Augusta for promoter W.K. Carswell.

1934: Blue Sun Jennings defeated Chief Chewacki by disqualification in two straight falls in the main event at the Atlanta Municipal Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Henry Weber.

1945: Mr. X defeated George Romanoff in the main event at the Savannah Municipal Auditorium for promoters Lou Masters, Dick Leonard, and Buster White. The Black Monster defeated Otto Schnabel in the semi-main event.

1961: Skull Murphy defeated Guy Mitchell by disqualification in the main event at the Macon City Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Fred Ward.

1962: Eddie Graham defeated Assassin #1 in the semi-main event at the Columbus Sports Arena for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Fred Ward.

1967: Billy & Bad Boy Hines defeated Lars & Gene Anderson in the main event at the Macon City Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Fred Ward. It was reported that 2,400 were in attendance for this card.

1969: The Assassins defeated Ray Gunkel & Buddy Fuller by disqualification to retain the World Tag Team Title at the Atlanta Municipal Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Paul Jones. Jack Crawford interfered in the match. Dory Funk, Jr. defeated Tarzan Tyler to retain the NWA World Heavyweight Title in the semi-main event. In an effort to explain why neither El Mongol or the Professional were scheduled for the match against Funk, Jr., for the title instead of Tyler, the program for this card reported that Jones had refused to sign former champion Gene Kiniski until he agreed to wrestle Mongol in a title match, and that Kiniski had refused to give Mongol the shot. It then stated that when Jones learned of Kiniski losing the title to Funk, Jr., he wanted Atlanta fans to see the new champion as soon as possible, and that since Funk, Jr., had to accept all of the existing dates Kiniski had already agreed to, Jones negotiated to have the match with Tyler take place in Atlanta, and had already discussed future dates with the new champion to return.

1970: On the “Atlanta TV Wrestling” television program hosted by Ed Capral, it was announced that the Georgia Heavyweight Title had been vacated due to injuries to Doug Gilbert, and that an ongoing tournament would begin on the March 6, 1970, card.

1975: A main event lumberjack match featuring Bill Watts versus Abdullah the Butcher, managed by Bearcat Wright, was ruled a no contest at the Atlanta Municipal Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Paul Jones. Don Muraco & Rocky Johnson defeated Toru Tanaka & Assassin #2, managed by Rock Hunter, in the semi-main event. Also, Harley Race defeated Pat O’Connor, and Jerry Lawler defeated Ray Candy. Robert Fuller defeated Bob Orton, Jr., and Don Greene defeated Steve Keirn in the opener. Ron West and Doug Smith were credited as being referees for this card.

1978: We do not have results for this match, but a main event Texas bullrope match featuring Dusty Rhodes versus Abdullah the Butcher, managed by Rock Hunter, was advertised at the Macon Coliseum for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Fred Ward.

1980: We do not have results for this match, but a main event lumberjack match featuring Kevin Sullivan versus Austin Idol was advertised at the Rome Memorial Gymnasium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Charlie Harben.

1982: Ron Fuller & Tommy Rich defeated Ole Anderson & Stan Hansen in the main event at the Chattanooga (TN) Memorial Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Paul Jones. Ron Bass defeated Jimmy Garvin in a semi-main event Texas street fight match.

1982: Ric Flair defeated Harley Race by disqualification to retain the NWA World Heavyweight Title at the Omni Coliseum in Atlanta for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Paul Jones. A semi-main event match featuring Dusty Rhodes versus the Great Kabuki, managed by Gary Hart, was ruled a no contest. Also, the Giant Baba defeated Terry Gordy to retain the PWF Heavyweight Title. In what was originally supposed to be a major global tournament to determine NWA World Tag Team Champions, Ole Anderson & Stan Hansen defeated Jack & Jerry Brisco in the final round of the Atlanta bracket, all of which took place on this card. Other teams that appeared were Kevin Sullivan & Ron Bass, Terry Funk & Dory Funk, Jr., Buddy Rose & Rip Oliver, Ron Fuller & Leroy Brown, the Masked Superstar & the Super Destroyer, Genichiro Tenryu & Jumbo Tsuruta, Ricky Harris & the Mongolian Stomper, and Brad Armstrong & Tommy Rogers.

1983: Dick Murdoch defeated the Iron Sheik in the main event at the Richmond County Civic Center in Augusta for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Charlie Harben. Bruiser Brody and Abdullah the Butcher wrestled to a draw in the semi-main event, and Stan Hansen defeated Buzz Sawyer by disqualification.

1988: Dusty Rhodes, Ole Anderson & Lex Luger defeated Ric Flair, Arn Anderson & Tully Blanchard in the main event at the Omni Coliseum in Atlanta for Jim Crockett Promotions. A semi-main event match featuring Paul Ellering & Road Warrior Hawk versus the Powers of Pain was ruled a no contest.