GEORGIA WRESTLING NEWS, NOTES, AND NOSTALGIA: 03/21/2008

Courtesy of Rich Tate's GeorgiaWrestlingHistory.com:

NEWS

Peach State Pandemonium will feature Phil Shatter and Jeff G. Bailey on March 22 at 11 AM ET. Feel free to call in at (347) 324-5735. (Rich Tate)

Juan Manuel Rodriguez, known as Bestia Salvaje, died today of liver disease. His last match was in January and he had been gravely ill since then. Salvaje debuted in 1983 and was a 2-time CMLL Tag champ, CMLL Trios champ, and Mexican National Tag champ. He also competed in AAA and IWRG. His most recent big push came after 9/11 when he formed Los Talibanes with Scorpio, Jr., and Emilio Charles, Jr. (Rich Tate, courtesy of Juanita Timbs)

The Showtime All-Star Wrestling, formerly known as Southern All-Star Wrestling, card for tonight at the Bakery in Millersville, TN, is as follows: a main event TV Title Match: Damien Adams (c) versus Rick Santel (w/Paul Adams); Gary Valiant & Arrick Andrews versus Tennessee Violence Authority (Matt Dillenger & Hammerjack); Southern Heavyweight Championship Match: J-5 (c) (with Cocky Cody) versus Chris Bomb; Chris Eckos versus "Sharp Dressed Man" Lawrence Lane; and Drew Haskins versus Chris Cane. 8pm bell time. (Larry Goodman)

The Georgia Independent Wrestling Alliance returns to Milledgeville, GA, on March 22 at the Georgia College & State University Centennial Center. This annual event is known as March Madness, and GIWA celebrates its sixth anniversary. Advertised: Shawn Hunter defends the GIWA Heavyweight Title against J-Rod; K.I. Elite (Mike Stratus & Jake Slater) defend the GIWA Tag Team Title against Velvet Jones & Firewalker; Preston Paradise versus Paul Warfield; the Georgia Cowboy defends the GIWA Mid-State Heavyweight Title against Tommy Too Much; a three-way elimination match featuring Ron Stalker, Johnny Camo, and Oko Nono; and Lamar Brown & A.J. Steele versus the Slaughter Pitt. (Rich Tate)

Total Nonstop Action will be broadcasting iMPACT live on March 27, from 9-11:00 PM, from Universal Studios in Orlando, FL. They will be taping for iMPACT from the same location on March 28-29, April 15-16, April 28-29, May 12-13, May 26-27, June 9-10, and June 23-24. Admission for these shows is free. Call (407) 224-6000 for more info. (Rich Tate)

World Wrestling Entertainment will be in Greenville, SC, on April 21 for the live RAW broadcast at the Bi-Lo Center with action starting at 8:00 PM. Tickets go on sale on tomorrow at 10:00 AM at the box office, and through Ticketmaster. Call (336) 852-1100 for more info. (Rich Tate)

World Wrestling Entertainment stars are scheduled to make the following public appearances in our coverage area soon: Cody Rhodes and Hardcore Holly are scheduled to be available to fans in Columbia, SC, on March 24 between 1-2:00 PM at the Wendy’s on Harbison Boulevard; Matt Hardy is scheduled to be available to fans in Fayetteville, NC, on March 25 between 11:00 am-1:00 PM at the Wal-Mart on Ramsey Street; CM Punk and Layla are scheduled to be available to fans in Orlando, FL, on March 26 between 6-8:00 PM at the Wal-Mart on John Young Parkway; Brian Kendrick and Hardcore Holly are scheduled to be available to fans in Sanford, FL, on March 28 between 4:30-6:30 PM at the Seminole Towne Center Mall; and Torrie Wilson and Mickie James are scheduled to be available to fans in Orlando, FL, on March 28 between 6-8:00 PM at the Best Buy on East Colonial Drive. (Rich Tate)

World Wrestling Entertainment has announced two new events within our coverage area, including one in Savannah, GA, as well as Charlotte, NC. Although WWE came through Georgia since talk of regulation began back in November, the Savannah event is the first to be formally announced since that time. The event in Savannah is set for July 12 at the Savannah Civic Center, with matches starting at 7:30 PM. Tickets will go on sale on June 14 at the box office, as well as through etix.com and savannahcivic.com. The Charlotte Bobcats Arena will host WWE on July 15 at 7:30 PM. Tickets for this show are available beginning June 7 at the box office, and through Ticketmaster. (Rich Tate)

NOTES

Click here for Richard Berger’s updated Perspectives on Wrestling.

Amy ‘Lita’ Dumas’ band, the Luchagors, will be playing at the Backbooth in Orlando, FL, tonight. Check your local directories or the band’s site for more info.

GWH wishes a happy birthday to Buck Zumhofe.

Logger Larson died on this day in 2002. He was 62.

A cerebral hemorrhage claimed Maria Bernardi two years ago today at the age of 80.

NOSTALGIA

1929: Rudy Dusek defeated Paul Harper two falls to one in the main event at the Atlanta Municipal Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Earl McGrory.

1929: Gus Sonnenberg defeated Don Kolman in two straight falls to retain the World Heavyweight Title at the Griffin High School Gymnasium for promoter Les Moore.

1939: Jack McAdams defeated George Romanoff to retain the Southern Light Heavyweight Title at the Warren Arena in Atlanta for promoters Frank Bettis and Cleve Roby.

1947: Don McIntyre won a battle royal that included Wally Dusek, Dick Lever, Tom Mahoney, and the Blimp, at the Atlanta Municipal Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Paul Jones.

1955: Carlos Rodriguez defeated Red McIntyre in the main event at the Valdosta Livestock Arena for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Gordon Walker.

1959: Ray Gunkel & Don McIntyre defeated Freddie Blassie & Skull Murphy to retain the International Tag Team Title at the Atlanta Municipal Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Paul Jones.

1961: Chief Little Eagle defeated Skull Murphy in the main event at the Macon City Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Fred Ward.

1962: Dick Steinborn & Ray Villmer defeated the US Tag Team Champion Assassins by disqualification in a title match at the Columbus Sports Arena for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Fred Ward. Haystacks Calhoun defeated Frank Hickey & Evon Marion in a semi-main event handicap match.

1964: Sputnik Monroe defeated Don Carson to advance in the ongoing Southern Television Title tournament at the WAII Studios in Atlanta for the “Live Atlanta Wrestling” television program hosted by Ed Capral.

1967: El Mongol & Oki Shikina, managed by Jack Crawford, defeated Billy & Bad Boy Hines in the main event at the Macon City Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Fred Ward.

1969: Assassin #2 & the Professional defeated Ray Gunkel & Buddy Fuller by countout to retain the Georgia Tag Team Title at the Atlanta Municipal Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Paul Jones. During the match, Assassin #2 & the Pro squabbled about something in their corner, and Assassin #1 charged the ring, dropkicking Fuller and knocking him from the ring, resulting in referee Leo Garibaldi counting him out, despite the countout rule being waived for the match. The decision was later held up pending a review. According to the program for this card, the results of the NWA investigation into the February 28, 1969, match between the Assassins and Gunkel & Fuller, where Crawford interfered, were announced. It was decided that since the Assassins had fired Crawford, showing they disapproved of his actions on their behalf, they would only be reprimanded and fined. However, the World Tag Team Title held by the Assassins was still held up pending further investigation in the matter. It was reported that Crawford admitted to the actions, but accused the Assassins of giving him specific instructions to interfere if they got into any trouble and the title seemed to be in jeopardy. Still, his admission of guilt resulted in the NWA suspending him from Georgia indefinitely. Assassin #1 defeated El Mongol to win the Georgia Heavyweight Title in the semi-main event.

1970: On the “Atlanta TV Wrestling” television program hosted by Ed Capral, Homer O’Dell, who managed Buddy Colt, told Capral he would have a surprise partner teaming with Colt against Greg Peterson & Tim Geohagen on March 27, 1970.

1972: Macon Tag Team Champions Rocket & Flash Monroe and Bill Dromo & Roberto Soto wrestled to a draw in a main event title match at the Macon Coliseum for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Fred Ward. Klondike Bill defeated Buddy Colt in the semi-main event.

1975: Abdullah the Butcher, managed by Rock Hunter, defeated Rocky Johnson to win the Georgia Heavyweight Title at the Atlanta Municipal Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Paul Jones. Toru Tanaka, also managed by Hunter, defeated Don Muraco in the semi-main event.

1978: Bob Armstrong & Tony Atlas defeated Georgia Tag Team Champions Ole & Lars Anderson by disqualification in a title match at the Macon Coliseum for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Fred Ward. Tommy Rich defeated Georgia Heavyweight Champion Stan Hansen by disqualification in a semi-main event title match.

1983: Ole Anderson & Buzz Sawyer defeated Tommy Rich & the Masked Superstar in the main event at the Canton (OH) Civic Center for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Les Thatcher. Tony Atlas defeated the Iron Sheik in the semi-main event, and Dick Murdoch defeated Ivan Koloff.

1984: Jake Roberts, managed by Paul Ellering, defeated Ron Garvin in a main event taped fist match in Grand Rapids, MI, for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Les Thatcher. Brad Armstrong defeated Larry Zbyszko in the semi-main event, and the Road Warriors, also managed by Ellering, defeated Jay Youngblood & King Kong Bundy.