GEORGIA WRESTLING NEWS, NOTES, AND NOSTALGIA: 03/31/2008

Courtesy of GeorgiaWrestlingHistory.com:

NEWS

On April 5 at 11:00 AM ET, Peach State Pandemonium will air a special two-hour episode in honor of Gary Hart. Michael Hayes and Kevin Sullivan are scheduled to appear. In conjunction with K&S Wrestlefest, there will be a DVD giveaway of a Q&A featuring Hart, Irwin, and Akbar, done on March 15, one day before Gary’s passing. More details will be released throughout the week. (Rich Tate)

World Wrestling Entertainment’s WrestleMania XXIV results from the Florida Citrus Bowl in Orlando tonight: Kane won a twenty-four man battle royal for a shot at the ECW Heavyweight Title later on the card; JBL over Finlay in the Belfast brawl; CM Punk won the money-in-the-bank ladder match over Mr. Kennedy, Shelton Benjamin, Chris Jericho, Carlito, MVP, and John Morrison; Batista over Umaga; Kane over Chavo Guerrero to win the ECW Heavyweight Title; Shawn Michaels retired Ric Flair; in the “Playboy Bunnymania” lumberjack match, Beth Phoenix & Melina over Ashley & Maria; Randy Orton over John Cena and Triple H in a three-way to retain the WWE Heavyweight Title; Floyd Mayweather over the Big Show via brass knuckles; and the Undertaker over Edge to win the WWE World Heavyweight Title. WWE will be back in Orlando, FL, tonight for the live RAW broadcast at the Amway Arena with action starting at 8:00 PM. (Rich Tate)

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

Jerkin' the Curtain, hosted by Trent Van Drisse, will feature a roundtable to discuss WrestleMania XXIV on its show tonight at 11:00 PM ET. (Rich Tate)

Today in Memoriam: Maseo Koma (36, 1975)

NOSTALGIA

MARCH 31, 1927 (THURSDAY) (John Contos – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) / Notes: It is reported that a card scheduled in Atlanta for this date was cancelled when Joe Stecher pulled out upon learning his opponent would be Jim Londos. However, the two men ultimately met on April 7, 1927.

MARCH 31, 1931 (TUESDAY) – ATLANTA, GA – ATLANTA MUNICIPAL AUDITORIUM (Henry Weber – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Amateur Match: Young Rupley defeated Bill Collins at 11:00 > John Paxos defeated Bill Middlekauff at 30:19 > Tiny Roebuck defeated Paul Harper / Notes: Bill Collins would eventually turn professional, and also went on to promote cards of his own in Atlanta in opposition to Georgia Championship Wrestling.

MARCH 31, 1933 (FRIDAY) – ATLANTA, GA – GEORGIA POWER ATHLETIC AND SOCIAL CLUB (F.P. McGee – Promoter) > Bill Crussell versus Paul Burns > Ted Radcliffe versus Oscar Williamson / Notes: No documented results for this card have been found. There were also two boxing matches, but no details were provided following the card.

MARCH 31, 1933 (FRIDAY) – AVONDALE, GA – AVONDALE ARENA (Wesley Brownlee – Promoter) > Dave Terrell versus Red Dugan > Smitty Anderson versus the Armless Wonder of the World > Wrestler versus Boxer Match: Jack Britt versus Whitey Patterson > Jack McAdams versus Chief Lakeside / Notes: No documented results for this card have been found. There was also a boxing match, but no details were provided following the card.

MARCH 31, 1936 (TUESDAY) – ATLANTA, GA – LOEW’S GRAND THEATRE (Henry Weber – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Count Zarnoff defeated Jimmy Morris > Orville Brown and Dorv Roche wrestled to a draw > Pete Sauer defeated Pat O’Shocker

MARCH 31, 1939 (FRIDAY) – AUGUSTA, GA – RICHMOND POST ARENA (Dobie Osborne – Promoter) > Women’s Match: Billie Burke versus Betty Lee > George Brown versus the Red Shadow > Bill Collins versus Young Londos / Notes: No documented results for this card have been found.

MARCH 31, 1944 (FRIDAY) – ATLANTA, GA – ATLANTA MUNICIPAL AUDITORIUM (Paul Jones – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Don Lee & the Red Devil defeated Al Massey & Laverne Baxter > Joe Marsh defeated Joe Estes > Hugh Winn defeated Roy Mitchell

MARCH 31, 1950 (FRIDAY) – ATLANTA, GA – ATLANTA MUNICIPAL AUDITORIUM (Paul Jones – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Jack LaRue versus Buddy Knox > Women’s Match: Elvira Snodgrass versus Ann Laverne > Don McIntyre versus Tom Mahoney > Red McIntyre versus the Red Terror > Southern Heavyweight Title Match: Nick Carter defeated Rebel Russell* to win title / Notes: Aside from the match between Nick Carter and Rebel Russell, no documented results for the remaining matches on this card have been found. It is unclear as to how Rebel Russell came to be recognized as Southern Heavyweight Champion. The last reference we have shows Ray Villmer winning the title from George Flynn on December 23, 1949, in Atlanta. Elmer Snodgrass managed Elvira Snodgrass.

MARCH 31, 1950 (FRIDAY) – PALMETTO, GA (Fred Ward – Promoter / Fred Ward Promotions) > Tommy Ward defeated Honey Boy Hannigan > The Menace and the Green Hornet wrestled to a draw / Notes: It is unclear as to what venue was the site of this card.

MARCH 31, 1958 (MONDAY) – AUGUSTA, GA – WILLIAM BELL AUDITORIUM (Robert McCoy – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Rocky Columbo and the Mighty Yankee wrestled to a draw > Ronnie Etchison and Don Lee wrestled to a draw > Ray Gunkel & Billy Red Lyons defeated Karl Heinkler & Kurt Von Brawner (2-1)

MARCH 31, 1961 (FRIDAY) – ATLANTA, GA – ATLANTA MUNICIPAL AUDITORIUM (Paul Jones – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Guy Mitchell & Chief Little Eagle defeated Jim Burke & Killer Campbell > Skull Murphy defeated Bill Dromo > Special Challenge Match: Ray Gunkel defeated Gypsy Joe by disqualification

MARCH 31, 1962 (SATURDAY) – ATLANTA, GA – ATLANTA MUNICIPAL AUDITORIUM [P] (Paul Jones – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Frank Hickey versus Charley Laye > Andre Drapp versus Evon Marion > Tojo Yamamoto & Taro Myaki defeated Ray Villmer & Haystacks Calhoun > US Tag Team Title Match (No TL / No DQ): the Assassins* defeated Eddie Graham & Dick Steinborn / Notes: Frank Hickey and Charley Laye were scheduled to wrestle each other, as were Andre Drapp and Evon Marion, but no results were reported after the card. For the match between the Assassins and Eddie Graham & Dick Steinborn, the Assassins had vowed to unmask if they lost. The Assassins had been the reigning US Tag Team Champions since they defeated Graham & Steinborn on January 26, 1962, in Atlanta. It was announced that Don Curtis and Freddie Blassie would be wrestling in Atlanta soon. Haystacks Calhoun participated in an autograph session for fans.

MARCH 31, 1964 (TUESDAY) – MACON, GA – MACON CITY AUDITORIUM (Fred Ward – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Joe Scarpa defeated Red Steiner > Women’s Match: Rita Cortez defeated Ida Mae Martinez > Joe McCarthy & Chief Big Heart defeated Chuck Campbell & Juan Sebastian

MARCH 31, 1965 (WEDNESDAY) – JEKYLL ISLAND, GA (Fred Ward – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Tom Bradley versus Red Roberts > Choo-Choo Lynn versus Pancho Villa > Randy Roper versus Bob Dalton / Notes: No documented results for this card have been found. It is unclear as to what venue was the site of this card.

MARCH 31, 1967 (FRIDAY) – ATLANTA, GA – PAUL JONES SPORTS ARENA [P] (Paul Jones – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Ike Eakins defeated Gorilla Marconi > Lorenzo Parente defeated Oki Shikina > Bobby Graham & El Mongol defeated Bobby Hart & Corsica Jean > Georgia Heavyweight Title Match: Nick Kozak* defeated Louie Tillet > Southern Tag Team Title Match: Enrique & Ramon Torres defeated Lars & Gene Anderson* by disqualification / Notes: Jack Crawford managed El Mongol. Nick Kozak had been the reigning Georgia Heavyweight Champion since he defeated El Mongol on March 18, 1967, in Atlanta. Lars & Gene Anderson had been billed as Southern Tag Team Champions since February 17, 1967. It was announced that Mr. Wrestling would be wrestling on the card on April 7, 1967.

MARCH 31, 1970 (TUESDAY) – MACON, GA – MACON CITY AUDITORIUM (Fred Ward – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Bill Dromo and Karl Von Stroheim wrestled to a draw > Chati Yokuchi & Fuji defeated Ron & Robert Fuller > Macon Tag Team Title Match: Joe Scarpa & El Mongol* defeated Homer O’Dell & Buddy Colt / Notes: Joe Scarpa & El Mongol had been the reigning Macon Tag Team Champions since they defeated Homer O’Dell & Buddy Colt on March 17, 1970, in Macon. Homer O’Dell managed Buddy Colt.

MARCH 31, 1972 (FRIDAY) – ATLANTA, GA – ATLANTA MUNICIPAL AUDITORIUM [P] (Paul Jones – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Karl Von Stroheim and Koa Tiki wrestled to a draw > John Sullivan & Roberto Soto defeated Rocket & Flash Monroe > Dick Steinborn defeated Ox Baker by disqualification > El Mongol defeated Billy Spears > Bepo Mongol defeated Klondike Bill > Georgia Tag Team Title Match: the Assassins* defeated Bobo Brazil & Bearcat Brown / Notes: Assassin #1 managed Karl Von Stroheim and Bepo Mongol. The Assassins had been billed as Georgia Tag Team Champions since March 18, 1972, after Paul Jones announced they should have been declared the winners in their match against then champions Ray Gunkel & Buddy Fuller on March 10, 1972. Eddie Smith was credited as being a referee for this card. Bobo Brazil participated in an autograph session for fans.

MARCH 31, 1973 (SATURDAY) – “ALL-SOUTH CHAMPIONSHIP WRESTLING” (Ann Gunkel – Promoter / All-South Wrestling Alliance) > Georgia Heavyweight Title Match: Ray Candy* defeated Assassin #2 by disqualification > Argentina Apollo defeated Rock Hunter / Notes: Rock Hunter managed Assassin #2.

MARCH 31, 1973 (SATURDAY) – ATLANTA, GA – WTCG STUDIOS (Paul Jones – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > The Super Infernos defeated Bobby Cash & Sweet Daddy Siki > Bob Orton, Jr., defeated the Demon > Bill Watts defeated Butcher Brannigan > Mr. Wrestling #2 and Pantera Negra wrestled to a draw / Notes: This was taped for the “Georgia Championship Wrestling” television program hosted by Gordon Solie. J.C. Dykes managed the Super Infernos.

MARCH 31, 1975 (MONDAY) – ATLANTA, GA – ATLANTA MUNICIPAL AUDITORIUM [P] (Paul Jones – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Joe Tomayo defeated Larry Zbyszko at 10:00 > Dudley Clements defeated Danny Little Bear > Bill Dromo and Lorenzo Parente wrestled to a draw > Don Muraco defeated Ron Wright > Jerry Brisco & Rocky Johnson defeated the Masked Patriots > Mr. Wrestling #2 defeated Assassin #2 at 1:30 > Toru Tanaka & Abdullah the Butcher defeated Dusty Rhodes & Mr. Wrestling #1 / Notes: Lorenzo Parente substituted for Billy Spears in the match with Bill Dromo, and Ron Wright substituted for Tony Peters in the match with Don Muraco. Rock Hunter managed Assassin #2, Toru Tanaka, and Abdullah the Butcher. Ron West and Doug Smith were credited as being referees for this card.

MARCH 31, 1975 (MONDAY) – AUGUSTA, GA – WILLIAM BELL AUDITORIUM (Charlie Harben – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Don Greene versus Ricky Gibson > Roberto Soto versus Man Mountain Blackwell > Women’s Tag Team Match: Toni Rose, Paula Kaye & the Fabulous Moolah versus Sheila Shepard, Daisy Mae & Susan Green > Barbed Wire Fence Match: Jerry Lawler versus Ray Candy > Texas Death Match: Don Kent versus Tommy Gilbert / Notes: No documented results for this card have been found.

MARCH 31, 1978 (FRIDAY) – ATLANTA, GA – ATLANTA MUNICIPAL AUDITORIUM (Paul Jones – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Pez Whatley defeated Frankie Lane > Paul Ellering and Jacques Goulet wrestled to a draw > Adrian Adonis defeated John Studd by disqualification > Georgia Tag Team Title Match: Tommy Rich & Thunderbolt Patterson defeated Ole & Lars Anderson* to win title > AWA Heavyweight Title Match: Dusty Rhodes defeated Nick Bockwinkel* by disqualification > Tony Atlas defeated Billy Graham by countout / Notes: Bobby Heenan managed Nick Bockwinkel.

MARCH 31, 1979 (SATURDAY) – ATLANTA, GA – WTCG STUDIOS (Paul Jones – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Tape: Dusty Rhodes versus a “Mystery Man” > Ron Bass defeated Ron Moates > Mike Stallings defeated Frank Dusek > Blackjack Lanza defeated Bob Owen > Bob Armstrong & Tommy Rich defeated Larry Latham & Rocket Monroe / Notes: This was taped for the “Georgia Championship Wrestling” television program hosted by Gordon Solie. A tape from the “Macon Championship Wrestling” program was shown on this episode, featuring Mr. Wrestling #1 giving a wrestling clinic. Bobby Heenan managed Ron Bass and Blackjack Lanza.

MARCH 31, 1979 (SATURDAY) – CALHOUN, GA (Paul Jones – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) Notes: A card was scheduled, but no details have been found. Wahoo McDaniel and a battle royal were advertised.

MARCH 31, 1980 (MONDAY) – AUGUSTA, GA – RICHMOND COUNTY CIVIC CENTER (Charlie Harben – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Bill Dromo and Genichiro Tenryu wrestled to a draw > Lars Anderson defeated Charlie Fulton > Kevin Sullivan defeated Dutch Mantell > Jay Strongbow versus Ernie Ladd ended in a double disqualification > Baron Von Raschke, Ivan Koloff & Alexis Smirnoff defeated Tony Atlas, Wahoo McDaniel & Mr. Wrestling #2 > Tommy Rich defeated Austin Idol / Notes: Rock Hunter managed Ivan Koloff and Alexis Smirnoff.