GEORGIA WRESTLING NEWS, NOTES, AND NOSTALGIA: 03/11/2008

Courtesy of Rich Tate's GeorgiaWrestlingHistory.com:

NEWS

Despite mounting evidence to the contrary, Georgia Wrestling Promotions owner Roger Cantrell has steadfastly denied that money problems were at the root of his decision to cancel the “Night of Legends” show scheduled for March 14 in Dalton at the Northwest Georgia Trade Center. Click here to read more. (Larry Goodman)

Jeff Hardy, scheduled to appear in the Money-in-the-Bank match at WrestleMania, has been suspended by World Wrestling Entertainment for 60 days for his second violation of the company’s drug policy. As a result, he has been pulled from the event, and was forced to drop the Inter-Continental Heavyweight Title on last night’s RAW to Chris Jericho. He was let go by WWE in 2003 due to concerns of erratic behavior, suspected to have been brought on by drug use. He was later dismissed by TNA for missing a 2005 PPV for reasons many felt could be blamed on drug use. According to the Wellness Program, if he fails another test, his contract will be terminated. (Rich Tate)

Total Nonstop Action results from the March 10 iMPACT taping at Universal Studios in Orlando, FL: Curry Man over Petey Williams; Black Reign & Rellik over the Motor City Machine Guns; Kurt Angle over Kaz; Christy Hemme & the Rock n’ Rave Infection over Salinas & LAX; Gail Kim over Velvet Sky; Kevin Nash & Christian Cage over A.J. Styles & Tomko. The bombshell announcement that had been teased was that Karen Angle told Kurt she wants a separation, to which Kurt responded as if he could care less. Also appearing were Jim Cornette, Samoa Joe, Eric Young, Angelina Love, ODB, Team 3D, and Joel Anderson from “Survivor”, who wound up in the mix when Team 3D attacked him. TNA will be taping for iMPACT! at Universal Studios in Orlando, FL, again tonight. Admission for tapings is free. Call (407) 224-6000 for more info. TNA will be in Aiken, SC, on March 12 at the USC Convocation Center. Call (866) 722-8877 for more info. (Rich Tate)

Florida Championship Wrestling is back at the Bourbon Street Night Club tonight in New Port, Richey, FL, located at 4331 US 19N. Matches start at 8:30 PM, and admission is $7. Advertised: Jake Hager defends the FCW Florida Heavyweight Title against the Giant Titan; Taryn Terrell, Brad Allen & Nic Nemeth versus Miss Angela & the Puerto Rican Nightmares (Eric Perez & Eddie Colon); Nattie Neidhart & Victoria versus Nicole Bella & Roucka; Heath Miller & Jack Gabriel versus Colt Cabana & Mighty Mikey; Charles Evans versus Sheamus; Hade Vansen versus T.J. Wilson; Johnny Curtis & Shawn Spears versus Sinn Bowdee & Kafu; and Justin LaRoche versus Gabe Tuft. (Rich Tate)

The Great American Wrestling Federation March 8 results from Hosford, FL: "The Breeze" Jeff Bowman defeats Bryan Rivers. Shawn "The Heat" Pete defeats Eric Tatum. BJ Sullivan defeats Maxwell Chicago. In a tag title match, the Hotbodies retain the titles against BMW. In a non title match, Street Bandit defeats GAWF Heavyweight champion Steve Goins. The after match activities lead to a 6 man tag match that saw Maxwell Chicago, Street Bandit, and Eric Tatum defeats the Hot Bodies and Steve Goins. The next show will be at Blountstown, FL, at the grand opening for the Auto Zone there, on March 22. The show is free to the public. (Rich Tate)

The Florida Pro Wrestling Association returns to North Pinellas Park, FL, on March 15, in conjunction with XWE and KocoSports, at the Boys & Girls Club, located at 7790 61st Street. Matches start at 8:00 PM. All tickets are $10. Call (727) 368-6137 for more info. Advertised: Lou Cypher & State Line versus Sideshow & Punk and Disorderly; Torcher defends the XWE Heavyweight Title against Aaron Epic; Mark Zout versus Kahagas; and the Loggers versus the Psychedelics. Also scheduled are Heater, Flex Tolley, Marcus Hall, Kennedy Kendrick, Ash Kristiansen, Lenea, and Fetish. (Rich Tate)

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. There will also be a one-night tournament including three matches to determine the first CWO Tag Team Champions, with Iron Bear & T.J. Hayes, the Ringlord & the Assassin, Chaos & Carnage, and BLT & Psychoman participating; Steven Lowery versus Tommy Lee; a three way featuring T.W. James, Brad North, and Flatline; and a women’s match. (Rich Tate)

Southern Championship Wrestling has added another match to Spring Breakout on April 12 as the vacant SCW tag team championship will be decided in a best of 3 falls match. Elite Party members, Axis and Rod the Bod, take on the Asian Superstar Organization, Jason Hexx and Ryze. (Brian Slack)

NOTES

Click here for this week’s Bill Behrens’ NWA Notes update. (Rich Tate)

Ken Wayne sat in the Wrestling Hotseat this week. (Rich Tate)

K&S Wrestlefest has announced that Haku (aka Meng) will appear at Signamania II on April 5 in Levittown, PA. Also scheduled to appear: Scott Steiner, Rick Steiner, Magnum T.A., Nikita Koloff, Road Warrior Animal, Tammy Sytch, Jerry Sags, Brian Knobbs, Greg Valentine, Koko B. Ware, Sabu, Bill Alfonso, Jerry Lawler, Kamala, Christy Hemme, Paul Orndorff, Bill Apter, Jay Strongbow, Bob Backlund, Roxxi Laveaux, Steve McMichael, the Blue Meanie, and James Mitchell. George’s Cards & Collectibles is presenting the event at Benjamin Franklin Middle School. The event runs from 9 AM to 4 PM. Call (215) 943-2475 for more info. (Rich Tate)

Amy ‘Lita’ Dumas’ band, the Luchagors, will be playing at Fuel in Nashville, TN, on March 12. Check your local directories or the band’s site for more info. (Rich Tate)

Tex Wright passed away at 28 on this day in 1935.

On this day in 1980, Clarence ‘Cowboy’ Luttrall died at the age of 73.

Twenty-five years ago, Mayes McClain died at 77.

Today is the fifteenth anniversary of the death of Dino Bravo, a victim of a drive-by shooting. He was 44.

Power Mike suffered a fatal heart attack at 65 on this day in 2004.

One year ago today, Ernie Ladd lost his battle with cancer at the age of 68.

NOSTALGIA

1931: John Paxos defeated Milo Steinborn in the main event at the Atlanta Municipal Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Henry Weber. Also, George Zaharias defeated Charley Lehman.

1935: Pat Newman defeated Jack Ross to win the Southern Lightweight Title at the New Coliseum in Augusta for promoter Jack Browning.

1936: Roy Lumpkin defeated Dutch Schultz in two straight falls in the main event at the New Coliseum in Augusta for promoter Bill Metzger.

1938: Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Frank Speer, substituting for Ed Don George, defeated Doug Wyckoff by countout in the main event at the Warren Arena in Atlanta. George was injured in an Evansville, IN, match on March 9, 1938.

1946: The Silver Star defeated Jack Singer in the main event at the Savannah Municipal Auditorium for promoters Lou Masters, Dick Leonard, and Buster White. Jack LaRue defeated Jack Dillon by disqualification in the semi-main event.

1953: We do not have results for this card, but the main event at the William Bell Auditorium in Augusta was advertised to be Tex Riley versus Gorgeous George for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Tom Mahoney.

1969: Choo-Choo Lynn & Buddy Fuller defeated Jack Crawford & Dale Lewis in the main event at the Macon Coliseum for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Fred Ward. Paul DeMarco defeated Alberto Torres in the semi-main event.

1975: We do not have results for this card, but the International Wrestling Association advertised Thunderbolt Patterson versus Bulldog Brower as their main event at the Atlanta Municipal Auditorium. A semi-main event featuring Ernie Ladd versus Ivan Koloff was also on the bill, as was a match with the Mongols, managed by George Cannon, defending the IWA Tag Team Title versus Dino Bravo & Gito Brito. Cannon was to be handcuffed to the Mighty Igor at ringside during the match.

1977: Thunderbolt Patterson defeated Abdullah the Butcher by disqualification in the main event at the Atlanta Municipal Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Paul Jones. The Mongolian Stomper defeated J.J. Dillon by disqualification in the semi-main event, and Mr. Wrestling #1 & #2 defeated Ole & Gene Anderson to retain the Georgia Tag Team Title in a Texas tornado match.

1978: At the WTCG Studios in Atlanta for the “Georgia Championship Wrestling” television program hosted by Gordon Solie, Nick Bockwinkel demonstrated the figure four leglock on Ricky Hood. When Bockwinkel refused to release the hold, Mr. Wrestling #2 charged the ring to break it up, and in the chaos accidentally knocked Gordon Solie unconscious. Freddy Miller finished hosting the show, but Solie made a return toward the end of the episode. Bobby Heenan managed Bockwinkel.

1979: Stan Hansen & Wahoo McDaniel defeated Ole Anderson & the Masked Superstar in the main event at the Macon Coliseum for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Fred Ward. Tommy Rich defeated Blackjack Lanza, managed by Bobby Heenan, in the semi-main event, and Bob Armstrong defeated Luke Graham.

1984: Ron Garvin, Wahoo McDaniel & King Kong Bundy defeated Jake Roberts & the Road Warriors by disqualification in the main event at the Macon Coliseum for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Fred Ward. Brad Armstrong defeated Larry Zbyszko in the semi-main event, and the Spoiler defeated Pez Whatley. Paul Ellering managed Jake Roberts, the Spoiler, and the Road Warriors.

1984: The Road Warriors defeated Jay Youngblood & Wahoo McDaniel in the main event at the Omni Coliseum for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Paul Jones. King Kong Bundy defeated Nikolai Volkoff in the semi-main event, while Ron Garvin & Brad Armstrong defeated Jake Roberts & the Spoiler. Paul Ellering managed Jake Roberts, the Spoiler, and the Road Warriors.

1984: Jimmy Valiant defeated Assassin #2 in a main event hair versus mask match at the Savannah Civic Center for Jim Crockett Promotions promoter Aaron Newman. Dick Slater defeated Greg Valentine in a semi-main event cage match, and Don Kernodle & Bob Orton, Jr., defeated Johnny Weaver & Mark Youngblood.

1985: On a card in Mount Holly, NJ, co-promoted by Championship Wrestling from Georgia and Jim Crockett Promotions, Sgt. Slaughter defeated Ivan Koloff by countout in the main event. Bob Backlund defeated Ron Bass in the semi-main event. Also, Larry Zbyszko defeated Rocky Jones, and Billy Graham defeated Manuel Soto.