GEORGIA WRESTLING NEWS, NOTES, AND NOSTALGIA: 03/29/2008

Courtesy of GeorgiaWrestlingHistory.com:

NEWS

Buff Bagwell joined the GWH crew on Peach State Pandemonium this morning. He discussed his early days with the North Georgia Wrestling Alliance, his upcoming book and fitness center, and more. He also stressed his desire to work again on television, going so far as to say he would work for free for four Mondays if they would give him the opportunity to show he can still work. Click here for the archive. Next week, PSP will air a special two-hour episode in honor of Gary Hart. Details will be released throughout the week. (Rich Tate)

The 2008 class of the World Wrestling Entertainment Hall of Fame will be inducted tonight at the Amway Arena in Orlando, FL, beginning at 7:00 PM. The event will be broadcast on a delay beginning at 11:00 PM ET on the USA Network. Gordon Solie will also be inducted, and accepting on his behalf will be Atlanta area residents Robert and Pamela Allyn, Solie’s daughter and son-in-law. Ric Flair, Peter Maivia, Rocky Johnson, Eddie Graham, Mae Young, and Jack and Jerry Brisco are also being honored. (Rich Tate)

The Future Wrestling Federation is in Monroe, GA, at Monroe Pinball Works, located at 320 South Madison Avenue, tonight. Tickets are $10. Advertised: FWF Heavyweight Champion Leatherface; Brian Titus, Flatline, the American Nightmare, Jamie Dean, Psychoman, Crash Hollywood, Chris Cage, and the Force Foundation. (Rich Tate)

The All-Star Wrestling Network presents their monthly Outsiders show tonight at the Wrestleplex in Fort Valley, GA. This show is for talent new to AWN for a shot at impressing AWN officials. Bell time is 7:30pm and tickets are $5 for all seats. The advertised main event will be "Mean" Mike Stratus taking on The Super Skull. In tag team action, Bad Reputation w/Killer Keith Steinborn versus The New Age Freebirds. "Hell's Henchman" Loco Motive versus "The Prodigal Son" Bobby Joiner. "The Rock N Roll Rebel" versus "The Bulldog". And "The Real Superstar" Derrick Andrew Reynolds versus Scotty Carmichael. (Brian Slack)

Ring of Honor will be in Orlando, FL, tonight. The events will be held at the Orlando Downtown Recreation Complex. Call (215) 781-2500 for more info. Advertised: Nigel McGuinness defends the ROH World Heavyweight Title versus Austin Aries; Ryo Saito, CIMA & Dragon Kid versus Naruki Doi, Masato Yoshino & Genki Horiguchi; Davey Richards & Rocky Romero defend the ROH World Tag Team Title versus Ruckus & Jigsaw; Roderick Strong versus Erick Stevens; Mark & Jay Briscoe versus Jimmy Jacobs & Tyler Black; Kevin Steen & El Generico versus BxB Hulk & Shingo; and Delirious versus Go Shiozaki. Matches will start at 7:30 PM. Also advertised are appearances by Tammy Sytch and Luke Williams, as well as Larry Sweeney, Sal Rinauro, Kenny King, and Chasyn Rance. (Rich Tate)

United States Wrestling Organization results from Nashville at the Stadium Inn for March 28 courtesy of Jimmie Daniels, ace reporter and music maestro, are as follows: White Tiger & Steven Green b Shane Smalls & Lee Cross (w/Lisa Fayzon) when Green pinned Smalls. Damien Payne (w/Fetish) b Petey Wright; this was a #1 contenders match for the USWO Jr. Championship held by LT Falk. Anthony Cervantes b LT Falk; This was a non-title match as LT had offered AC this match last week. AC is legit leaving town and AM Vision is out in street clothes filming this. Michael Jablonski b Tim Renesto-DQ after Renesto shoved ref Mark Owen. Quinton Quarisma & Jay Phoenix b Steve O when Phoenix pinned Steve O, who decided to go it alone after scheduled partner Jamie Dundee was absent. Later, Slade ran out and offered a tag but later turned on Steve O. Chris Michaels b Mitch Ryder-DQ; finish here was Michaels ducking Ryder's lariat and ref Owen getting hit. Michaels superkicked Ryder for a long cover that saw ref Nick White run out and count the three. Owen awakens to reverse NW's decision and DQ Ryder. Attendance was reported as 86. "The Ace" Nick/Dick White and Mark Owen were the officials. (Larry Goodman)

American Pro Wrestling results from a fan appreciation show on March 28 in Spartanburg, SC: K9 over Twinkletoes to retain the cruiserweight title; Dookie & Boomer Payne over Mike Madden & Eric Anton; Bobby Diamond & Squeakes the Clown over Heath Havoc & A.J. Frost to retain the tag team title; Vinnie Valentine over Adan Jaxon by disqualification; Randy Wayne & Ken Magnum versus Shane Steele & Chief Jay Eagle ended in a double disqualification; Ike Stevens & Taylor St. Cloud over Krypton & Jake Jeckel; and the Jones Boys & K9 versus Elite, Jason Storm & Jesse Blood ended in a no contest. (Rich Tate, courtesy of Gene Restaino)

I received the following phone message from A.J. Steele, presumably regarding his booking with the Independent Wrestling Network for their debut show in Columbus, GA, on April 4: "No show, baby. Not gonna happen." When contacted for comment, IWN owner Dwayne Bell said his card stands as advertised with Jason Cross versus A.J. Steele. IWN hasn't exactly had a stellar record of credibility of late. The first Internet card posted for their show in Fort Valley, GA, erroneously listed Booker T. Then, there was premature announcement and subsequent cancellation of a show in Phenix City, AL. Great Championship Wrestling is clearly not going to allow their talent to work for IWN, so somebody is being worked, the question is who? (Larry Goodman)

The advertised 6-man match for the United Wrestling League’s April 4 event in Cleveland, TN, featuring Damon Taz, Don & Bull Buchanan versus Jack Lord & his new Lord of the Rings has been changed to a standard tag match with Don Buchanan & Taz versus Lords of the Ring with Lord at ringside. The change was necessitated by Bull Buchanan's tour of Japan. Buchanan left yesterday and will be in Japan for three to four weeks. The odd thing is that the start date for Bull's tour was public knowledge when the original card was released. Other advertised matches include Davey Rich versus Derrick King, Kevin White versus Bill Dundee, and the debut of Casey Kage. Ole Anderson is slated to join the broadcast team. (Larry Goodman)

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

Trash Talking Radio, hosted by Mike Trash, will feature Ole Anderson, Ricky O, and Van Hughes on its show on April 1 at 7:00 PM ET. (Rich Tate)

GWH wishes a happy birthday to Michael Hayes, who turns 49 today.

Today in Memoriam: Joe Stecher (80, 1974) and Herb Welch (91, 1999)

NOSTALGIA

MARCH 29, 1928 (THURSDAY) – ATLANTA, GA – ATLANTA MUNICIPAL AUDITORIUM (John Contos – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Jim Londos and Wladek Zbyszko wrestled to a draw at 120:00 > Pete Sauer defeated the Mysterious Conductor / Notes: The Mysterious Conductor substituted for Jack Evans in the match with Pete Sauer.

MARCH 29, 1932 (TUESDAY) – ATLANTA, GA – ATLANTA MUNICIPAL AUDITORIUM (L.C. Warren and Eddie Hanlon – Promoters) > Len Macaluso defeated Eddie Elzea > Jack Sherry defeated John Grandovich / Notes: The attendance for this card is unknown, but it was reported that the gross receipts totaled $340.25. This appears to have been the first true wrestling war between promoters in Georgia, as L.C. Warren and Eddie Hanlon managed to secure an agreement to use the venue where Henry Weber had been promoting since November 1929. However, it wouldn’t last long, and Weber was back promoting in this venue again on April 19, 1932, with both promotions running alternate weeks until Warren bowed out in July 1932.

MARCH 29, 1934 (THURSDAY) – ATLANTA, GA – LAKEWOOD HEIGHTS ARENA (Frank Bettis – Promoter) > Wesley Brownlee versus Gorilla Tucker > Chief Lakeside versus Pancho Villa > Georgia Light Heavyweight Title Match (No TL): Bill Crussell* versus John Mauldin / Notes: No documented results for this card have been found. Bill Crussell disputed the decision of February 26, 1934, which had him forfeiting his Georgia Light Heavyweight Title to Fred Lassiter due to an injury, which prevented him from continuing in the match. Crussell defended the title for some promotions while Hugh Winn, who subsequently defeated Lassiter on March 5, 1934, also claimed to be the titleholder. Jay Jarvis was credited as being a referee for this card.

MARCH 29, 1935 (FRIDAY) – ATLANTA, GA – RIVERSIDE ARENA (Frank Bettis and Cleve Roby – Promoters) > John Dameron versus Whitey Patterson > Ted Michaels versus Sammy Miller > No TL Match: John Mauldin versus Totem Pole Anderson / Notes: No documented results for this card have been found.

MARCH 29, 1937 (MONDAY) – ATLANTA, GA – SPRING STREET ARENA (Frank Bettis and Cleve Roby – Promoters) > Tony Papalino versus Red Smith > Young Londos defeated Paddy Nolan > Tarzan Jordan versus Mike Cassidy / Notes: Aside from the match between Young Londos and Paddy Nolan, no documented results for the remaining matches on this card have been found.

MARCH 29, 1946 (FRIDAY) – ATLANTA, GA – ATLANTA MUNICIPAL AUDITORIUM (Paul Jones – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Jack Kelly defeated Mike Kilonis > Charlie Harben and Abe Zvonkin wrestled to a draw > Nick Carter defeated Vic Emanuel by disqualification > Ralph Garibaldi & Laverne Baxter defeated Dick Lever & Bill Collins > Al Massey defeated Ben Morgan

MARCH 29, 1951 (THURSDAY) – MACON, GA – MACON CITY AUDITORIUM (Fred Ward – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Benny Becker defeated Honey Boy Hannigan > Jack Curtis defeated Rube Wright > The Golden Terror defeated Bobby Lane by disqualification

MARCH 29, 1954 (MONDAY) – AUGUSTA, GA – WILLIAM BELL AUDITORIUM (Tom Mahoney – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Clyde Steeves versus Gorgeous Gilpin > Lee Grable versus the Swedish Angel > Red McIntyre versus Dick Big Kettle > Southern Heavyweight Title Match: Freddie Blassie* versus Don Big Kettle / Notes: No documented results for this card have been found. Freddie Blassie had been billed as Southern Heavyweight Champion since he allegedly defeated Mr. Moto on February 8, 1954, in Birmingham, AL.

MARCH 29, 1957 (FRIDAY) – ATLANTA, GA – ATLANTA MUNICIPAL AUDITORIUM (Paul Jones – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Red McIntyre defeated Tokyo Joe by disqualification > Mark Lewin versus Kurt Von Brawner > Guy LaRose versus the Great Mitsu > Argentina Rocca defeated Donn Lewin / Notes: Mark Lewin and Kurt Von Brawner were scheduled to wrestle each other, as were Guy LaRose and the Great Mitsu, but no results were reported after the card. Although not mentioned, Kola Kwariani was likely in attendance, as he was charged with traveling with Argentina Rocca as a troubleshooter for him.

MARCH 29, 1960 (TUESDAY) – MACON, GA – MACON CITY AUDITORIUM (Fred Ward – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Bill Dromo defeated Bill Alexander > Vince Bryant defeated Jack Terry > Bill Dromo & Haystacks Calhoun defeated Freddie Blassie & Jack Terry

MARCH 29, 1961 (WEDNESDAY) – COLUMBUS, GA – COLUMBUS SPORTS ARENA (Fred Ward – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Tiny Evans defeated Killer Campbell > Bill Dromo & Chief Little Eagle defeated Jim Burke & Gypsy Joe > Southern Heavyweight Title Match: Guy Mitchell defeated Skull Murphy* to win title / Notes: Skull Murphy had been billed as the Southern Heavyweight Champion since March 10, 1961, but only in Columbus since March 15, 1961. It is believed Guy Mitchell’s claim after defeating Skull Murphy on this date was only recognized in Columbus.

MARCH 29, 1963 (FRIDAY) – ATLANTA, GA – ATLANTA MUNICIPAL AUDITORIUM [P] (Don McIntyre – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Jack Armstrong defeated George Bell > Derrell Cochran defeated Buck Jones > Chief Little Eagle defeated the Bat > Lenny Montana defeated Ted Evans > NWA World Heavyweight Title Match: Lou Thesz* and Tarzan Tyler wrestled to a draw / Notes: Lou Thesz had been the reigning NWA World Heavyweight Champion since he defeated Buddy Rogers on January 24, 1963, in Toronto, ON.

MARCH 29, 1965 (MONDAY) – ALBANY, GA (Fred Ward – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Jerry Miller versus Red Roberts > George Harris versus Choo-Choo Lynn > Jesse James versus Crybaby Harris / Notes: No documented results for this card have been found. It is unclear as to what venue was the site of this card.

MARCH 29, 1966 (TUESDAY) – MACON, GA – MACON CITY AUDITORIUM (Fred Ward – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Jack Armstrong defeated Pancho Villa > Billy & Bad Boy Hines defeated the Infernos > Texas Death Match: Mario Galento defeated Chin Lee / Notes: J.C. Dykes managed the Infernos.

MARCH 29, 1967 (WEDNESDAY) – COLUMBUS, GA – COLUMBUS MUNICIPAL AUDITORIUM (Fred Ward – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Corsica Jean defeated Gorilla Marconi > Bad Boy Hines defeated Lorenzo Parente > Enrique Torres defeated El Mongol > Billy Hines & Ike Eakins defeated Lars & Gene Anderson by disqualification / Notes: Jack Crawford managed El Mongol.

MARCH 29, 1968 (FRIDAY) – ATLANTA, GA – ATLANTA MUNICIPAL AUDITORIUM (Paul Jones – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Bobby Hart defeated Greg Peterson > The Rising Suns defeated Johnny Walker & Jim Wilson > Bob Armstrong and Duke Keomuka wrestled to a draw > Ray Gunkel & Buddy Fuller defeated the Gauchos > Mario Galento versus Butcher Vachon ruled a no contest > Lou Thesz, Enrique & Alberto Torres defeated Jack Crawford, Hans Schmidt & El Mongol / Notes: Gentleman X (1) managed El Mongol.

MARCH 29, 1969 (SATURDAY) – ATLANTA, GA – WQXI STUDIOS (Paul Jones – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > El Mongol & the Professional and the Assassins wrestled to a draw > The Spoiler defeated Silento Rodriguez > Buddy Fuller defeated Paul DeMarco / Notes: This was taped for the “Atlanta TV Wrestling” television program hosted by Ed Capral. The Professional joined Ed Capral to announce that he was no longer associated with the Assassins, as he felt he was being used to carry the load, and had become increasingly concerned about his status with the team since they treated Jack Crawford they way they did.

MARCH 29, 1969 (SATURDAY) – ATLANTA, GA – ATLANTA MUNICIPAL AUDITORIUM [P] (Paul Jones – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Bob Anderson versus Silento Rodriguez > Tim Geohagen defeated Joe Turco > Little John and the Spoiler wrestled to a draw > Bill Dromo defeated Skandor Akbar > El Mongol defeated Paul DeMarco > World Tag Team Title Match: Ray Gunkel & Buddy Fuller defeated the Assassins* to win title / Notes: Bob Anderson and Silento Rodriguez were scheduled to wrestle each other, but no results were reported after the card. The Assassins had been the reigning World Tag Team Champions since they defeated Ray Gunkel & Buddy Fuller on December 20, 1968, in Atlanta. It was announced that there would be a one-night tournament for the Georgia Tag Team Title on the card on April 4, 1969, and that Little John would be bringing in a mystery party for the event. The title had been held up after the NWA reportedly reviewed the match where Assassin #2 & the Professional defeated Ray Gunkel & Buddy Fuller by countout on March 21, 1969, despite the countout rule being waived for the match. The NWA said not only did the referee ignore the waived rule, but the match should have stopped completely when anyone other than the legal men entered the ring.

MARCH 29, 1972 (WEDNESDAY) – CARTERSVILLE, GA (Paul Jones – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Tim Geohagen versus Karl Von Stroheim > Koa Tiki versus Mr. X > John Sullivan versus Ox Baker > Billy Spears versus Jerry Oates > Roberto Soto versus Oki Shikina / Notes: No documented results for this card have been found. Assassin #1 managed Karl Von Stroheim, Bepo Mongol, and Mr. X. It is unclear as to what venue was the site of this card.

MARCH 29, 1974 (FRIDAY) – ATLANTA, GA – ATLANTA MUNICIPAL AUDITORIUM [P] (Paul Jones – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Earl Maynard defeated the Mighty Yankee > Jerry Brisco defeated Ricky Gibson > Bob Armstrong & Robert Fuller defeated Art Nelson & Jerry Lawler by disqualification > Bobby Duncum versus Jumbo Tsuruta wrestled to a draw > Georgia Tag Team Title Losers Leave Match: Ron & Terry Garvin* defeated Rufus R. Jones & Mr. Wrestling #1 > Georgia Heavyweight Title Match: Dory Funk, Jr., defeated Mr. Wrestling #2* by disqualification / Notes: Jimmy Garvin managed Ron & Terry Garvin.

MARCH 29, 1975 (SATURDAY) – GRIFFIN, GA – GRIFFIN-BARNESVILLE SPORTS PALACE (Paul Jones – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Larry Zbyszko defeated Dudley Clements > Ricky Gibson defeated Dudley Clements at 10:00 > Robert Fuller defeated Jerry Lawler / Notes: Bobby Simmons was credited as being a referee for this card.

MARCH 29, 1976 (MONDAY) – AUGUSTA, GA – WILLIAM BELL AUDITORIUM (Charlie Harben – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Bob Backlund versus Karl Von Steiger > Ted & Jerry Oates versus the Red Devils > Moondog Mayne versus Thunderbolt Patterson > Mark Lewin versus the Spoiler > Stan Stasiak versus Dick Slater / Notes: No documented results for this card have been found. Gary Hart, manager of the Spoiler, was barred from ringside during the match between Mark Lewin and the Spoiler.

MARCH 29, 1977 (TUESDAY) – MACON, GA – MACON COLISEUM (Fred Ward – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Don Kernodle and Bill Howard wrestled to a draw at 15:00 > Randy Savage defeated Raymond Rougeau at 12:00 > Paul Jones defeated the French Angel at 14:00 > Lars & Gene Anderson defeated Black Atlas & Mr. Wrestling #1 at 12:00 > Macon Heavyweight Title Match (No DQ / No TL): Mr. Wrestling #2 defeated J.J. Dillon* to win title / Notes: J.J. Dillon managed the French Angel.

MARCH 29, 1978 (WEDNESDAY) – COLUMBUS, GA – COLUMBUS MUNICIPAL AUDITORIUM (Fred Ward – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Raymond Rougeau versus John Ruggers > Jacques Goulet versus Pez Whatley > Tommy Rich & Adrian Adonis versus Lars Anderson & Rock Hunter > Lumberjack Match: Stan Hansen versus Tony Atlas > Coal Miner’s Glove Match: Ole Anderson versus Mr. Wrestling #2 / Notes: No documented results for this card have been found.

MARCH 29, 1979 (THURSDAY) – ROME, GA – ROME MEMORIAL GYMNASIUM (Charlie Harben – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Ron Bass versus Raymond Rougeau > Tommy Rich versus Kurt Von Hess > Stan Hansen & Bob Armstrong versus Ole Anderson & the Masked Superstar / Notes: No documented results for this card have been found. Bobby Heenan managed Kurt Von Hess and Ron Bass.

MARCH 29, 1980 (SATURDAY) – ATLANTA, GA – WTBS STUDIOS (Paul Jones – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Georgia Heavyweight Title Match: Austin Idol defeated Mr. Wrestling #2* to win title / Notes: This was taped for the “Georgia Championship Wrestling” television program hosted by Gordon Solie. Outside interference from Harley Race and Baron Von Raschke during the match between Austin Idol and Mr. Wrestling #2 helped Idol get the win.

MARCH 29, 1981 (SUNDAY) – ATLANTA, GA – OMNI COLISEUM [P] (Paul Jones – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Kevin Sullivan defeated Mike Davis > Bobby Eaton defeated Roberto Soto > Steve Keirn & Steve O versus Ole & Gene Anderson ended in a double disqualification > Mr. Wrestling #2 defeated Jim Duggan > Tommy Rich & the Junkyard Dog defeated Terry Gordy & Buddy Roberts > National Heavyweight Title Match: Steve O defeated the Mongolian Stomper* to win title > WWF Heavyweight Title Match: Bob Backlund* defeated Ivan Koloff / Notes: Tommy Rich substituted for Ted DiBiase to team with the Junkyard Dog in the match with Terry Gordy & Buddy Roberts, and Steve O substituted for Dusty Rhodes in the match with the Mongolian Stomper, when Rhodes was injured during an altercation with Don Carson, who managed the Stomper. Michael Hayes joined Gordy and Roberts at the ring during their match.

MARCH 29, 1982 (MONDAY) – AUGUSTA, GA – WILLIAM BELL AUDITORIUM (Charlie Harben – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Ricky Harris versus Jerry Oates > Kevin Sullivan versus Ted Oates > Ron Bass versus Mr. Wrestling #2 / Notes: No documented results for this card have been found.

MARCH 29, 1983 (TUESDAY) – AKRON, OH (Les Thatcher – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Bob Roop defeated Joe Lightfoot > Killer Brooks defeated Johnny Rich > Larry Zbyszko defeated Brian Blair > The Iron Sheik defeated Dick Murdoch > Tommy Rich, Tony Atlas & the Masked Superstar defeated Ole Anderson, Buzz Sawyer & Killer Brooks