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Saturday, March 1, 2008

GEORGIA WRESTLING NEWS, NOTES, AND NOSTALGIA: 03/01/2008

Courtesy of Rich Tate's GeorgiaWrestlingHistory.com:

NEWS

Results from Georgia Wrestling Promotions’ February 29 show in Woodstock, GA, at the Recreation Center with a reported attendance of 130 are as follows: Dark Storm over Eric Steele; Tracy Smothers beat Bighead Hanson; the Hellbillies (Jimbo Bryant & Jessco Blue) beat Andrew Pendleton III & Chip Day; Jamar Acid beat Chit Martinez & Chris Lightning; Raven over the Super Destroyer; and Buff Bagwell & David Young beat the Devil's Rejects (Shaun Tempers & Iceberg). (Larry Goodman)

United States Wrestling Organization results from Friday night's show in Nashville, TN, at the Stadium Inn (111 attended): New York Gangster b Juicy JC Crowe; Quinton Quarisma & Jay Phoenix b Justin Spade & Nightmare when Quarisma pinned Spade; Tim Renesto (w/Charming Charles) b Steve O; LT Falk & Steven Green & Justin Spade b Damien Payne & Lee Cross & Shane Smalls (w/Fetish & Lisa Fayzon) when Green pinned Smalls; Michael Jablonski NC Mark Anthony (w/Charming Charles) after both refs were tossed out and the locker room empties to separate them; and Chris Michaels b USWO Champion Kid Kash by DQ when Kash leapfrogged Michaels and accidentally hit ref Mark Owen. March 7 is the USWO’s 7th Anniversary show with appearances by Bill & Jamie Dundee, Dutch Mantell, and Flash Flanagan. Kid Kash defends the USWO Championship versus Mitch Ryder plus a “fans bring the weapons” match between Tim Renesto and Steve O. (Larry Goodman, courtesy of Jimmie Daniel)

The NWA Anarchy television taping for tonight at the NWA Arena in Cornelia, GA, features a NWA World Tag Team Title match with Los Luchas (Zokre & Phoenix Star) defending against David Young & Adam Jacobs and an NWA Anarchy Heavyweight Title match: Shatter (c) (with Jeff G. Bailey) vs. Austin Creed. The Devil's Rejects will be in a trio of singles matches with Reverend Dan Wilson at ringside. Shaun Tempers challenges Truitt Fields for the NWA Anarchy Television Title, Azrael vs. Mikal Judas, and Iceberg vs. Hayden Young. Also on the card: Ace Rockwell vs. Jeff Lewis, Slim J vs. Frankie Valentino, Todd Sexton vs. Chip Day, Jeremy Vain & Rob Adonis vs. Billy Buck & Chris King, Don Matthews vs. Jesse Emerson, an update on Jerry Palmer and appearances by Brodie Chase, Hollywood Brunettes, Talent & Money, Regular Guys and Melissa Coates. Bell time, as always, is 8 pm. (Larry Goodman)

The Power Pro Wrestling Alliance will be in Temple, GA, tonight, 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)

Southern States Championship Wrestling will have a wrestling event at the Enigma Gym on Highway 82 East in Enigma, GA, tonight. Bell time will be at 7:30pm. All tickets are $2. In an “Any Means Necessary” match, where there are no rules, NRN will be defending the tag titles against Gansta Nation. Chris Turner defends his Southern Heritage championship against Rouge. J.T. Taylor takes on Bryan Fury. Scotty Biggs faces off against Loco Motive. Also there will be a mixed tag match as The Soviet and Samantha Steele goes against Jelena and Tommy Flight. Also scheduled to be there: SSCW champion Jarrod Michaels, Mad Dog Miller, Johnny Flight, and Logan Stevens. (Brian Slack)

The Georgia Independent Wrestling Alliance returns tonight after a hiatus. They will be at the Eastman-Dodge Recreation Center in Eastman, GA, with matches starting at 7:30 PM. Advertised: GIWA Heavyweight Champion Shawn Hunter defends the title against A.J. Steele; GIWA Tag Team Champions K.I. Elite defend their title against Velvet Jones & Firewalker; the GIWA Mid-State Heavyweight Champion Cowboy defends the title against Oko Nono; and Preston Paradise versus Johnny Camo. Mike Pain and the Slaughter Pitt are also scheduled. (Rich Tate)

Southern All-Star Wrestling will be in Columbia, TN, tonight, at Freddie Morton's Auction House (700 Woodland St.), with Boogie Woogie Boy versus Rick Santel, Tribal Nation versus Law & Order, Chris Cain versus Chris Eckos in a 2 out of 3 Falls match, Void versus Shane Morton, and the debut of Steve O. (Larry Goodman)

Florida Championship Wrestling will be at the Ricochet Night Club tonight in Fort Myers, FL, at 8:00 PM. The venue is located at 3853-B Cleveland Avenue in the K-Mart shopping center. Advertised: A $5,000 battle royal; Tommy Dreamer versus Afa; Jake Hager defends the FCW Florida Heavyweight Title against Billy Kidman; the Puerto Rican Nightmares (Eric Perez & Eddie Colon) defend the FCW Florida Tag Team Title against Heath Miller & Steve Lewington; Ted DiBiase, Jr., versus Big Rob; Brad Allen & Nic Nemeth versus T.J. Wilson & Gabe Tuft; Mighty Mikey versus Sheamus; Nattie Neidhart versus Victoria; and Johnny Curtis versus Hade Vansen. (Rich Tate, courtesy of Alan Wojcik)

Wrestle Birmingham returns tonight at the Community Center in Graysville, AL, with matches starting at 7:00 PM. First row seating is $15. All other adult tickets are $10. Children 8 and under get in for $5. Call (205) 970-0333 for more info. Advertised: Brickhouse Brown versus McNasty, and anything goes; Dennis Condrey versus Lee Thomas; Danny Fuller (w/ Robert Fuller) versus Will Owens (w/ Mike Porter); Adrian Street (w/ Miss Linda) versus Ricky Roberts (w/ Marcel Pringle); El Mexicano defends the WB Junior Heavyweight Title versus Mike Jackson; and David Young versus Falk. (Rich Tate)

Southern Extreme Championship Wrestling runs in Carrollton, GA, on March 2 at the VFW Fairgrounds, beginning at 6:00 PM. Doors open at 5:00. Call (770) 355-5742 for more info. Advertised: Bull Buchanan will defend the SECW Heavyweight Title against Steve Lawler; Bulldog Raines versus the Super Destroyer in a lumberjack match; Tommy Rich, Austin Creed, & Kyle Matthews versus Cody Gunn, Pretty Boy Floyd, & El Mexicano in a two-of-three falls event; Adrian Hawkins versus Josh Stone, formerly the masked Eliminator; and Sal Rinauro versus Damon Taz. (Rich Tate)

Flatline Championship Wrestling is in Grovetown, GA, at Patriots Park on March 8, beginning at 7:00 PM. Admission is $7, but kids five and under get in free. Doors open at 6:30. (Thomas Bugg)

Dory Funk’s !BANG! presents “Support the Troops 24”, on March 23 at the Funking Conservatory in Ocala, FL. Doors open at 6:00pm. Show time is 7:00pm. Ticket Prices are $15 in advance and $20 at the door. The Claw defends the woman’s championship against Gail Kim. For the US championship, Johnny Magnum w/Pistol Payton Gunn will be facing Shane Chung w/Gail Kim. The Claw will be the special referee for the match. In a Funking Conservatory World Title match, Blain Rage defends the belt against Elvis Sharp. Flyin’ Ryan “Air” Mitchell w/Sandi Skye defeats the Florida championship against Chris Slawson. Elvis Sharp defends the European title against Tom “Bi-Polar” Behr. Also, Damien versus Kid Vegas. (Brian Slack)

NOTES

Peach State Pandemonium featured Ron West and Bull Buchanan, plugging the return of the United Wrestling League, scheduled to take place in Piedmont, AL, on March 8, which will also be available beginning March 9 as a webcast PPV. Both men also talked about their careers, Japan, and their favorite moments from the original Georgia Championship Wrestling. Click here for the archive. (Rich Tate)

After more than a week of rumor and speculation, Total Nonstop Action has confirmed it will broadcast iMPACT live on March 27 in Orlando, FL, as well as present two taping events at Universal Studios on March 28 and March 29. They won’t be alone, as World Wrestling Entertainment, Ring of Honor, and UXW Pro Wrestling are also converging on the city. With TNA the lone act on March 27, their March 28 taping will coincide with an event from ROH. On March 29, UXW is staging an afternoon show, while both TNA and ROH are in action again that evening, while WWE is honoring inductees to its Hall of Fame. WWE closes out the weekend on March 30 with WrestleMania. It is unclear if the March 24-25 tapings will be scrapped, as they are still listed on TNA’s website. (Rich Tate)

GWH wishes a happy birthday to Ricky Hunter (72), Booker T (43), and Scotty Riggs (41).

John Stevens died on this day in 1940 at the age of 50.

On this day in 1997, Frank ‘Gorilla’ Marconi suffered a fatal heart attack. He was 79.

Six years ago today, Dave Casanova passed away at 35.

On that same day in 2002, Charlie Harville died of natural causes at the age of 83.

NOSTALGIA

1918: Strangler Lewis defeated Ivan Linow, managed by Billy Sandow, at the Liberty Theatre in Savannah for promoter Max Bauman.

1928: Paul Jones defeated Whitey Hewitt in two straight falls in the main event at the Atlanta Municipal Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter John Contos.

1933: Milo Steinborn defeated Blue Sun Jennings two falls to one in the main event at the Atlanta Municipal Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Henry Weber. It was reported that Governor Eugene Talmadge, Mayor James L. Key, and members of the state legislature were in attendance for this card.

1935: Honey Boy Hackney defeated the Terrible Turk by disqualification in the main vent at the Atlanta Municipal Auditorium for promoters Frank Bettis and Cleve Roby.

1935: The Masked Marvel defeated Frank Cutruer in the main event at the Avondale Arena for promoters Frank Bettis and Cleve Roby. Following the match, Cutruer unmasked the Marvel to identify him as Tiny Ruff.

1937: Tarzan Jordan defeated Bill Collins to win the Southern Light Heavyweight Title at the Spring Street Arena in Atlanta for promoters Frank Bettis and Cleve Roby.

1946: Al Massey defeated Toar Morgan in the main event at the Atlanta Municipal Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Paul Jones. Jack LaRue defeated Ralph Garibaldi in the semi-main event. Also, Vic Emanuel and Laverne Baxter, substituting for Herb Welch, wrestled to a draw. Welch had been injured in a severe automobile accident near Nashville, TN, and could not wrestle.

1948: We do not have results for this match, but Mae Young was scheduled to wrestle Midge Marsh in Elberton for promoter Fred Ward. Ward was not yet affiliated with Georgia Championship Wrestling. It is unclear as to what venue was the site of this card.

1954: Don & Red McIntyre defeated Jack Dillon & Frank Taylor in the main event at the William Bell Auditorium in Augusta for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Tom Mahoney.

1957: Mark & Donn Lewin defeated Don & Red McIntyre by disqualification to retain the International Tag Team Title at the Larry Bell Auditorium in Marietta for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Elmo Chappell.

1957: Guy LaRose defeated Jerry Graham in the main event in Jonesboro for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Paul Jones. It is unclear as to what venue was the site of this card.

1960: Ray Gunkel defeated Freddie Blassie to retain the Southern Heavyweight Title at the Macon City Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Fred Ward. Haystacks Calhoun defeated Jack Terry & Bad Boy Hines in the main event in twenty-two seconds.

1961: Skull Murphy defeated Guy Mitchell in the main event at the Columbus Sports Arena for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Fred Ward.

1963: Ray Gunkel, Derrell Cochran & Chief Little Eagle defeated Lenny Montana, George Bell & Prince Omar in the main event at the Larry Bell Auditorium in Marietta for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Elmo Chappell.

1965: A main event match featuring Joe Scarpa & Gino Brito versus the Mysterious Medics was ruled a no contest at the William Bell Auditorium in Augusta for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Steve Manderson.

1966: The Mysterious Medics defeated Billy & Bad Boy Hines in a main event mask versus beard at the Macon City Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Fred Ward.

1968: Mr. Wrestling defeated Dr. M, managed by Jack Crawford, in a main event loser unmasks match at the Atlanta Municipal Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Paul Jones. As part of the stipulation, Dr. M was forced to unmask following the match with Mr. Wrestling, and was identified as El Mongol. This had already been done in Macon on March 1, 1968. It was announced a rematch for the Southern Tag Team Title between champions Enrique & Alberto Torres and Tarzan Tyler & El Mongol would take place on March 8, 1968.

1969: On the “Atlanta TV Wrestling” television program hosted by Ed Capral, Jack Crawford announced he had fired Dale Lewis, and was now managing the Assassins. It was announced that the World Tag Team Title was being held up pending a review by the NWA of the match between the Assassins and Ray Gunkel & Buddy Fuller on February 28, 1969.

1974: Jack Brisco defeated Rufus R. Jones to retain the NWA World Heavyweight Title at the Atlanta Municipal Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Paul Jones. Jerry Lawler defeated Robert Fuller in the semi-main event. Also, Mr. Wrestling #2 defeated Bob Armstrong to retain the Georgia Heavyweight Title. Ron & Terry Garvin, managed by Jimmy Garvin, defeated Ricky Gibson & Mr. Wrestling #1 to retain the Georgia Tag Team Title. In other matches, Art Nelson defeated Bobby Cash, and Bobby Duncum defeated Ali Vaziri. The Fabulous Moolah defeated Paula Kaye, substituting for Donna Christianello, in the opener.

1975: Jerry Brisco defeated Rock Hunter in the main event at the Griffin-Barnesville Sports Palace for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Paul Jones. Robert Fuller defeated Ron Garvin, managed by Jimmy Garvin, in the semi-main event. Doug Smith was credited as being a referee for this card.

1976: Dusty Rhodes defeated the Georgia Heavyweight Champion Spoiler, managed by Gary Hart, by disqualification in a main event title match at the William Bell Auditorium in Augusta for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Charlie Harben. Mr. Wrestling #2 defeated Skandor Akbar in the semi-main event.

1977: Ole & Gene Anderson defeated Mr. Wrestling #1 & #2 to retain the Georgia Tag Team Title at the Macon Coliseum for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Fred Ward. Black Atlas defeated Abdullah the Butcher in the semi-main event.

1978: We do not have results for this match, but Stan Hansen was scheduled to defend the Georgia Heavyweight Title against Tony Atlas in the main event at the Columbus Municipal Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Fred Ward. The advertised semi-main event was to feature Ric Flair versus Dusty Rhodes.

1981: Dusty Rhodes defeated Ole Anderson in a main event Texas death match at the Chattanooga (TN) Memorial Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Paul Jones. Tony Atlas & Mr. Wrestling #2 defeated Don Carson & the Mongolian Stomper in the semi-main event. Also, Dick Slater & Ted DiBiase defeated the National Tag Team Champion Freebirds (Terry Gordy & Buddy Roberts) by disqualification in a title match. In addition, Robert Fuller defeated Bobby Eaton, and Jos LeDuc defeated Steve O in the opener.

1981: Harley Race defeated Tony Atlas to retain the NWA World Heavyweight Title at the Omni Coliseum in Atlanta for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Paul Jones. Dusty Rhodes defeated the National Heavyweight Champion Mongolian Stomper, managed by Don Carson, by disqualification in the semi-main event. The Freebirds defeated Robert Fuller, Ted DiBiase & the Junkyard Dog to retain the National Tag Team Title. Also, Dick Slater defeated Ole Anderson, and Steve Keirn defeated Kevin Sullivan to win the National television Title. In other matches, Mr. Wrestling #2 defeated Bobby Eaton, and Jos LeDuc defeated Steve O. Charlie Cook defeated Jim Duggan in the opener.

1983: Butch Reed defeated Buzz Sawyer in a main event lumberjack match at the Macon Coliseum for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Fred Ward. Johnny Rich & the Masked Superstar defeated Ole Anderson & Ivan Koloff in the semi-main event.

1987: Ric Flair defeated Barry Windham in the main event at the Omni Coliseum in Atlanta for Jim Crockett Promotions. Dusty Rhodes & Nikita Koloff defeated Dick Murdoch & Ivan Koloff in the semi-main event. It was reported that 4,500 were in attendance for this card.

1987: The Botswana Beast defeated Ranger Ross to win the Deep South Heavyweight Title in Rome for Deep South Wrestling promoter Jody Hamilton.

2004: Rob Van Dam & Booker T defeated Matt Hardy & Test in the main event at the Gwinnett Arena in Duluth for World Wrestling Entertainment. Randy Orton & Batista defeated Chris Benoit & Shawn Michaels in the semi-main event.