GEORGIA WRESTLING NEWS, NOTES, AND NOSTALGIA: 03/26/2008

Courtesy of GeorgiaWrestlingHistory.com:

NEWS

When World Wrestling Entertainment inducts its 2008 class of Hall of Fame inductees on March 29, two Atlanta area residents will be on hand to accept for a Georgia legend: Gordon Solie. Although he started offering commentary for televised wrestling in Florida, it was the exposure WTBS provided for Georgia Championship Wrestling’s television program that brought Solie into more homes than ever. Pam Allyn, Solie’s daughter, and husband Robert will be present at the Amway Arena in Orlando, FL, on Saturday to accept the posthumous honor. “Pam and I are really excited that the official announcement was made about her dad,” said Robert on Tuesday immediately following the mention on the ECW broadcast. “We are flying to Orlando this week and will be at the WWE Hall of Fame ceremony and WrestleMania,” he said, before adding “This is too cool!” A broadcast of the event will be aired on tape delay beginning at 11:00 PM ET on the USA Network. Ric Flair is expected to be the headliner, with the induction to be made by Triple H. Dwayne ‘the Rock’ Johnson will be on hand to induct Peter Maivia, his grandfather, and Rocky Johnson, his father. Dusty Rhodes will induct Eddie Graham. Mae Young is also being honored, as are Jack and Jerry Brisco. (Rich Tate)

A Town Wrestling will be at the Atrium Event Center in Stone Mountain, GA, tonight, with matches starting at 7:30 PM. Call (770) 639-9810 for more info. Advertised: Abdullah the Butcher, Mr. Donnie, the Harley Davidson Boys, the Bounty Hunters, the Gangsta Nation, and the Hot Bodies. (Rich Tate)

AWA World-1 South, in conjunction with the American Wrestling Association and the Georgia Pro Wrestling Association, announced the final card for the AWA Southern Clash, to take place May 3 at the Crisp County Middle School Gymnasium in Cordele, GA, at 7:30 PM. Advertised: AWA World Championship, "The Living Legend" Larry Zbyszko (c) versus "The Trademark Of Excellence" Ricky Landell; AWA World Tag Team Championship, The Heartbreak Express (c) versus Q-Ball & "Loverboy" Dennis Condrey; and AWA Light Heavyweight Championship, Kirby Mack (c) versus Chasyn Rance. In a battle of AWA Legends and Georgia Legends, Jake "The Milkman" Milliman & "The Thumper" Frankie DeFalco versus "Wildfire" Tommy Rich & "The Golden Boy" Chick Donovan. Other advertised matches include: K.I. Elite versus J-Rod & Frankie Valentine, Mike Pain versus The Bug w/Ron Niemi, Mister Saint Laurent versus T.J. Mack, and Vicki Von versus Kim Dakota. Big Bank Barfield is also advertised to be there for a special challenge. Call 866-244-0104 or 229-506-0307 for more ticket information. (Thomas Bugg)

DISCLAIMER: GWH is not liable for any card changes, cancellations, etc. We can only report what is reported to us. As always, we suggest you check with the promotion within 24 hours to verify information posted here.

NOTES

In Your Head will feature David Marquez on its show tonight at 8:00 PM ET. (Rich Tate)

Nick Dinsmore sat in the Wrestling Hotseat this week. (Rich Tate)

GWH wishes a happy birthday to Sylvan Grenier, who turns 31 today.

Benny McGuire suffered a fatal heart attack on this day in 2001. He was 54.

That same day, Johnny ‘Red Shoes’ Dugan passed away at 89.

Axis committed suicide at the age of 22 one year ago today.

NOSTALGIA

MARCH 26, 1933 (SUNDAY) – AUGUSTA, GA – NEW COLISEUM (W.K. Carswell – Promoter) > Jim Hesslyn versus Dobie Osborne > Southern Lightweight Title Match: Pat Newman* versus Jack Ross / Notes: No documented results for this card have been found. It is unclear as to how Pat Newman came to be recognized as Southern Lightweight Champion. The last reference we have show that Jim Hesslyn defeating Jack Ross to win the title on February 28, 1933, in Augusta.

MARCH 26, 1934 (MONDAY) – ATLANTA, GA – FAIR STREET ARENA (Jason Thompson – Promoter) > John Dameron defeated Chief Lakeside > Fred Lassiter defeated John Mauldin > Georgia Light Heavyweight Title / Southern Light Heavyweight Title Match: Hugh Winn* defeated Chippewa Charlie (2-1) / Notes: Hugh Winn had been the reigning Georgia Light Heavyweight Champion and Southern Light Heavyweight Champion since he defeated Fred Lassiter for both titles on March 5, 1934, in Atlanta, GA.

MARCH 26, 1935 (TUESDAY) – ATLANTA, GA – ATLANTA MUNICIPAL AUDITORIUM (Henry Weber – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Jim Coffield and Tom Marvin wrestled to a draw at 30:00 > Joe Cox defeated Abe Rothberg (2-0) > Karl Davis defeated Chief Chewacki at 24:00 (2-1) / Notes: Abe Rothberg substituted for Pete Schuh in the match with Joe Cox.

MARCH 26, 1935 (TUESDAY) – AUGUSTA, GA – NEW COLISEUM (Jack Browning – Promoter) > Jim Hesslyn versus Dobie Osborne > Southern Lightweight Title Match: Pat Newman* versus Jack Ross / Notes: No documented results for this card have been found. Pat Newman had been the reigning Southern Lightweight Champion since he defeated Jack Ross on March 11, 1935, in Augusta.

MARCH 26, 1937 (FRIDAY) – ATLANTA, GA – LOEW’S GRAND THEATRE (Frank Speer – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Tommy O'Toole defeated Roy Graham at 27:00 > Bill Lee defeated Whitey Hewitt (2-1) > Cowboy Luttrall defeated George Hagen (2-1)

MARCH 26, 1937 (FRIDAY) – ATLANTA, GA – NORTHSIDE ARENA (Frank Bettis and Cleve Roby – Promoters) > Paddy Nolan versus Bull Montana > Sammy Miller versus Chin Lee > Mike Cassidy versus Young Londos / Notes: No documented results for this card have been found.

MARCH 26, 1940 (TUESDAY) – ATLANTA, GA – LOEW’S GRAND THEATRE (Bill Hartman and Thad Holt – Promoters / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Lou Nyman defeated Sid Marcus > Don McIntyre defeated Juan Humberto > Bill Bartush defeated Marvin Jones

MARCH 26, 1943 (FRIDAY) – ATLANTA, GA – ATLANTA MUNICIPAL AUDITORIUM (Sammy Friedman – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Roland Kirchmeyer defeated George Pavich > Women’s Match: Elvira Snodgrass defeated Gladys Gillem > The Black Panther defeated Al Massey / Notes: Roland Kirchmeyer was declared the winner of his match when George Pavich was deemed unable to continue. Rudy Strongberg was credited as being a referee on this card. Elmer Snodgrass managed Elvira Snodgrass.

MARCH 26, 1948 (FRIDAY) – ATLANTA, GA – ATLANTA MUNICIPAL AUDITORIUM (Paul Jones – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Bobby Roberts defeated Natie Brown by disqualification > Don Lee and Al Massey wrestled to a draw > Jack Ross, Jr., & Chief Indio Cherokee defeated Jim Coffield & Tom Mahoney > World Junior Heavyweight Title Match: Herb Welch* defeated Chris Godkiss / Notes: Chris Godkiss substituted for Paul Stanlee in the match with Herb Welch. Welch had been the reigning World Junior Heavyweight Champion as recognized by the Nashville, TN, office since he defeated Tex Riley on July 22, 1947, in Nashville, TN.

MARCH 26, 1954 (FRIDAY) – ATLANTA, GA – ATLANTA MUNICIPAL AUDITORIUM (Paul Jones – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Don & Dick Big Kettle defeated Don McIntyre & Gorgeous Gilpin > Lee Grable defeated Omar Khayam > Women’s Match: Mildred Burke defeated Bonnie Watson > Verne Gagne defeated Sky Hi Lee

MARCH 26, 1962 (MONDAY) – AUGUSTA, GA – WILLIAM BELL AUDITORIUM (Steve Manderson – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Tojo Yamamoto & Taro Myaki versus Ray Villmer & Haystacks Calhoun > Frank Hickey & Evon Marion versus Johnny King & Jack Terry / Notes: No documented results for this card have been found.

MARCH 26, 1965 (FRIDAY) – ATLANTA, GA – PAUL JONES SPORTS ARENA (Paul Jones – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Lee Fields versus Tony Marino > Greg Peterson & Billy Hines versus George & Crybaby Harris > Battle of the States – Georgia versus Florida: Buddy Fuller (GA) defeated Sam Steamboat (FL); Eddie Graham (FL) defeated Red Roberts (GA); Dick Steinborn (FL) defeated Lester Welch (GA) > Georgia Heavyweight Title Match: Jesse James defeated Mario Galento* by disqualification / Notes: Greg Peterson & Billy Hines and George & Crybaby Harris were scheduled to wrestle each other, as were Lee Fields and Tony Marino, but no results were reported after the card. Mario Galento had been the reigning Georgia Heavyweight Champion since he defeated Sputnik Monroe on November 13, 1964, in Atlanta. Advance tickets were now being sold at the front of the building at 310 Chester Avenue, relocating from the aforementioned Houston Street address. This venue was still undergoing renovations, and was being used prematurely this night because the Atlanta Municipal Auditorium was unavailable. The cover of the program for this card read, in large bold letters, “Welcome to the Paul Jones Sports Arena”.

MARCH 26, 1968 (TUESDAY) – MACON, GA – MACON CITY AUDITORIUM (Fred Ward – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Matt Jewell defeated Emerson Crozier > Mr. Wrestling (1) defeated Tank Morgan > Wire Fence Match (No DQ): Enrique & Alberto Torres defeated the Gauchos / Notes: It was reported that 2,394 were in attendance for this card.

MARCH 26, 1971 (FRIDAY) – ATLANTA, GA – ATLANTA MUNICIPAL AUDITORIUM (Paul Jones – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Jim Wilson and Michel Dubois wrestled to a draw > Sabu Singh defeated Fidel Castillo by disqualification > Krusher Karlson defeated Bob Boyer > Dick Steinborn and Kubla Khan wrestled to a draw > Bill Dromo & Klondike Bill defeated Luke Graham & Buddy Colt > Georgia Tag Team Title Match: Ray Gunkel & El Mongol defeated the Assassins* by disqualification / Notes: The Assassins had been the reigning Georgia Tag Team Champions since they defeated Mr. Ito & the Great Ota in a tournament final on October 16, 1970, in Atlanta. Jack Crawford managed Kubla Khan. Homer O’Dell managed Buddy Colt. Charlie Harben was credited as being a referee for this card. Klondike Bill participated in an autograph session for fans.

MARCH 26, 1974 (TUESDAY) – ATLANTA, GA – ATLANTA MUNICIPAL AUDITORIUM (Ann Gunkel – Promoter / All-South Wrestling Alliance) > Wayne Cowan versus Ted Oates > Jack Armstrong & the Crusader versus the Islanders > Assassin #2 & the Super Gladiator versus the Mongols > Brass Knuckles Match: Ernie Ladd & Ron Pritchard versus Ox Baker & the Missouri Mauler > Thunderbolt Patterson versus the Executioner / Notes: No documented results for this card have been found. The Magnificent Zulu was the special referee for the match between Thunderbolt Patterson and the Executioner. Rock Hunter managed Wayne Cowan, Assassin #2, the Executioner, and the Missouri Mauler. George Cannon managed the Mongols.

MARCH 26, 1976 (FRIDAY) – ATLANTA, GA – ATLANTA MUNICIPAL AUDITORIUM (Paul Jones – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Ted Oates defeated Ken Mantell > Jerry Oates defeated Skandor Akbar > Rick Martel and Rip Hawk wrestled to a draw > Bob Armstrong & Mark Lewin defeated Les Thornton & Tony Charles > Dick Slater defeated Stan Stasiak > Thunderbolt Patterson versus Moondog Mayne / Notes: Thunderbolt Patterson and Moondog Mayne were scheduled to wrestle each other, but no results were reported after the card.

MARCH 26, 1978 (SUNDAY) – SAVANNAH, GA – SAVANNAH CIVIC CENTER (Aaron Newman – Promoter / Jim Crockett Promotions) > Jimmy Garvin versus Charlie Fulton > Ted Oates & Richard Blood versus Scott Irwin & the Russian Stomper > Ciclon Negro versus Mr. Wrestling #1 > Women’s Match: Vicky Williams versus Pepper LaBianca > US Heavyweight Title Match: Blackjack Mulligan* versus Wahoo McDaniel / Notes: No documented results for this card have been found.

MARCH 26, 1979 (MONDAY) – AUGUSTA, GA – WILLIAM BELL AUDITORIUM (Charlie Harben – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Dennis Hall and John Wolfe wrestled to a draw > Ron Bass defeated Buddy Diamond > Blackjack Lanza defeated Tommy Rich > Wahoo McDaniel defeated the Masked Superstar > Tony Atlas & Stan Hansen versus Ric Flair & Ole Anderson ended in a double disqualification / Notes: Bobby Heenan managed Blackjack Lanza and Ron Bass.

MARCH 26, 1983 – HUNTINGTON, WV – HUNTINGTON MEMORIAL FIELD HOUSE (Les Thatcher – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Bob Roop defeated Brian Blair > Killer Brooks defeated Joe Lightfoot > Larry Zbyszko defeated Johnny Rich > Dick Murdoch defeated Ivan Koloff > Tony Atlas defeated the Iron Sheik > Tommy Rich & the Masked Superstar defeated Ole Anderson & Buzz Sawyer