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Monday, March 17, 2008

GEORGIA WRESTLING NEWS, NOTES, AND NOSTALGIA: 03/17/2008

Courtesy of Rich Tate's GeorgiaWrestlingHistory.com:

NEWS

We have sad news to pass along regarding Gary Hart. The legendary manager, who recently appeared on Peach State Pandemonium, passed away at his home Sunday. He was 66. (Rich Tate)

Power Pro Wrestling results from Temple, GA, at the New Temple Gym on March 15: Chris Lightning & Chris Ganz over Randall Johnson & Michael Cook; Stalker over John Storm and Cameron Valentine in a three-way; A.J. Steele over Dark Star; Fantasy over Stephanie Starr and Brandy Scotch Baker in a three-way; the Russian Kodiak over Shaun Baker; and Too Hott (Frankie Valentine & J-Rod) over Hot Like Lava (Shaun Banks & Cru Jones). It was reported that 140 were in attendance for this card, where Jeff McGowan and Ricky Spears were credited as referees. (Rich Tate)

The New Frontier Wrestling Association returns to the National Guard Armory in Franklin, NC, located at 192 Industrial Park Loop, on March 22. Bell time is 8:00 PM. Advertised: an eight-man elimination match featuring Bling Bling, Inc. (NFWA Heavyweight Champion Brokishi, NFWA US Heavyweight Champion Dirty, and NFWA Tag Team Champions Jamar Acid & Dark Angel), versus the Empire (Simon Sermon, Ryan Michaels, Matt Sells & Stoney Hooker, w/ Mr. Tibbs and Sebastian St. Clair); another eight-man elimination match featuring Team Redneck (Billy Starr, Randy Wayne, Sci-Fi & Cornbread) versus the Maine Event (Carter Maine, Talon Williams, Korrupt & the Bounty Hunter); Tommy Too Much versus Chip Hazard; Maximum Exposure (Ace Armstrong & Colin Knox) versus Drowning in Excellence (Dustin Michaels & Vincent Chambers); Danny Diesel versus the Mortician (w/ David Aire); and appearances by NFWA Commissioner Jay Hartigan, Jen Holbrook, and Ronda Lawrence. Referees will be Dee Byers and Michael Gentry. (Rich Tate)

Southern Extreme Championship Wrestling runs in Carrollton, GA, on March 23 at the VFW Fairgrounds, beginning at 6:00 PM. Doors open at 5:00. Ringside seating is $10, while general admission is $8. Call (770) 355-5742 for more info. Advertised: Bull Buchanan is scheduled to defend the SECW Heavyweight Title against the Super Destroyer, who is putting his mask on the line; Billy Love, Chick Donovan & Pretty Boy Floyd versus Tracy Smothers, Austin Creed & the Nightmare; Tommy Rich versus Eric Steele; Bulldog Raines versus Big Wood; and Kyle Matthews & Kid Ego versus Sal Rinauro & Dark Storm. (Rich Tate)

United Wrestling League announced their second internet pay-per-view event will take place on April 4 in Cleveland, Tennessee emanating from the Village Green Playhouse. The PPV will be available at their website starting April 5 starting at 7:30 pm EST. Ole Anderson will join the announce team. Bill Dundee makes his UWL in ring debut. Stan Lee, winner of the Ultimate Wrestlers Challenge at UWL's debut event, takes on Orion Bishop. The new Lords of the Ring (Kevin White & Jack Lord minus Johnny Slaughter) take on Damon Taz & Don Buchanan in a 2 out of 3 falls match. (Larry Goodman)

NOTES

Monday Night Mayhem will pay tribute to Gary Hart on its show on tonight at 8:00 PM ET. Bill Mercer and Brian Harrison will be on, as will regularly scheduled guests Bruno Sammartino and Jimmy Hart. (Rich Tate)

Jerkin' the Curtain, hosted by Trent Van Drisse, will feature Faron Foxx on its show tonight at 11:00 PM ET. (Rich Tate)

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

GWH wishes a happy birthday to Andrew ‘Test’ Martin (33) and Samoa Joe (29).

Chief Don Eagle committed suicide on this day in 1966. He was 41.

Six years ago today, Jerry ‘Big Red’ Reese died at the age of 51.

NOSTALGIA

1936: Pat O’Shocker defeated Frank Speer in the main event at Loew’s Grand Theatre in Atlanta for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Henry Weber. Count Zarnoff defeated Marshall Blackstock in the semi-main event.

1944: Tarzan Jordan defeated Otto Schnabel by disqualification in the main event at the Atlanta Municipal Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Paul Jones. Don Lee & Tony Ross and Joe Marsh & Tom George wrestled to a draw in the semi-main event, and the Red Devil defeated Al Massey.

1950: Don & Red McIntyre defeated Jim Coffield & Tom Mahoney by disqualification in the main event at the Atlanta Municipal Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Paul Jones. Rebel Russell defeated Nick Carter in the semi-main event.

1964: Chief Big Heart defeated Gene Murphy in the main event at the Macon City Auditorium for promoter Fred Ward, who was not affiliated with Georgia Championship Wrestling at this time. Rita Cortez defeated Lolita Juarez in the semi-main event, and Joe McCarthy & Greg Peterson defeated Billy Hines & Chuck Campbell.

1970: Joe Scarpa & El Mongol defeated Homer O’Dell & Buddy Colt to win the Macon Tag Team Title at the Macon City Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Fred Ward. Greg Peterson defeated Alex Perez in a semi-main event boxing match.

1972: Bepo Mongol, managed by Assassin #1, defeated Wilbur Snyder to win a one-night tournament at the Atlanta Municipal Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Paul Jones to determine the challenger to wrestle the NWA World Heavyweight Champion on March 24, 1972. Assassin #2, Buddy Colt, Ox Baker, El Mongol, Dick Steinborn, and Roberto Soto also participated in the tournament. El Mongol participated in an autograph session for fans.

1975: Toru Tanaka & Assassin #2, managed by Rock Hunter, defeated Jerry Brisco & Rocky Johnson to win the Georgia Tag Team Title at the William Bell Auditorium in Augusta for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Charlie Harben. Haystacks Calhoun defeated Hunter in a main event cage match.

1978: Nick Bockwinkel, managed by Bobby Heenan, defeated Mr. Wrestling #2 to retain the AWA Heavyweight Title at the Atlanta Municipal Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Paul Jones. Tony Atlas & Thunderbolt Patterson defeated Ernie Ladd & Stan Hansen in the semi-main event. Also, Ole Anderson defeated Mr. Wrestling #1 to retain the Georgia Television Title.

1980: Mr. Wrestling #2 defeated Austin Idol in the main event at the William Bell Auditorium in Augusta for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Charlie Harben. Ivan Koloff & Alexis Smirnoff, managed by Rock Hunter, defeated Kevin Sullivan & Tony Atlas in the semi-main event. Also, Jay Strongbow defeated Baron Von Raschke by disqualification, and Lars Anderson defeated Killer Khan.

1984: Jay Youngblood & King Kong Bundy defeated the Road Warriors, managed by Paul Ellering, in the main event at the Ohio Center in Columbus for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Les Thatcher. Ron Garvin defeated Jake Roberts in a semi-main event lumberjack match, and Brad Armstrong defeated the Spoiler by disqualification. Ellering also managed Roberts and the Spoiler.