GEORGIA WRESTLING NEWS, NOTES, AND NOSTALGIA: 04/02/2008

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. Bill Irwin, Skandor Akbar, George Steele, Abdullah the Butcher, 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)

Officials from Power Pro Wrestling informed us that posters they had distributed in the area promoting their April 5 show in Temple, GA, have mysteriously disappeared. It was noted that they had been replaced by posters promoting the April 3 event in Carrollton, GA, presented by Southern Extreme Championship Wrestling. We were asked by PPW to let fans know the Temple card is still on, noting the tactics of whomever was at the bottom of this act were “not good ethics.” Though it is unclear exactly who is responsible for the act, we attempted to contact SECW promoter Scott East for a response, but those communications have gone unanswered as of this writing. (Rich Tate)

The AWA World-1 South Board of Directors voted to strip Francisco Ciatso of the AWA Southern Heavyweight Championship. Ciatso had refused to defend the title on December 22, 2007, and has done so again for a scheduled event on May 3, 2008. Ciatso wrestles for the Ron Niemi Stable. Niemi has threatened litigation with the American Wrestling Association, and in an effort to reach a compromise both parties have agreed that the winner of the Mike Pain/Bug match will be crowned the new AWA Southern Heavyweight Champion. Pain is currently the GPWA Heavyweight Champion as well, and will defend that belt on the May 3 show in Cordele, GA, against the Bug. The winner will hold both titles. (Thomas Bugg)

AWA World-1 South, in conjunction with the American Wrestling Association and Georgia Pro Wrestling Association, has 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 matches: AWA World Championship, "The Living Legend" Larry Zbyszko (c) vs. "The Trademark Of Excellence" Ricky Landell; AWA World Tag Team Championship, The Heartbreak Express (c) vs. Q-Ball & "Loverboy" Dennis Condrey; AWA Light Heavyweight Championship, Kirby Mack (c) vs. Chasyn Rance; and Mike Pain vs. The Bug w/Ron Niemi for both Mike Pain's GPWA Heavyweight Championship and the newly-vacated AWA Southern Heavyweight Championship. In a battle of AWA Legends vs. Georgia Legends, Jake "The Milkman" Milliman & "The Thumper" Frankie DeFalco face "Wildfire" Tommy Rich & "The Golden Boy" Chick Donovan. Other advertised matches include: K.I. Elite vs. J-Rod & Frankie Valentine, Mister Saint Laurent vs. TJ Mack; and Vicki Von vs. Kim Dakota. Big Bank Barfield will also be there for a special challenge. Call 866-244-0104 or 229-506-0307 for ticket information. (Thomas Bugg)

NOTES

In Your Head will feature James Mitchell and Brutus Beefcake on its show on tonight at 7:00 PM ET. (Rich Tate)

Rob Conway sat in the Wrestling Hotseat this week. (Rich Tate)

Today in Memoriam: Reisor Bowden (74, 2001) and Victor Quinones (46, 2006)

NOSTALGIA

APRIL 2, 1934 (MONDAY) – ATLANTA, GA – FAIR STREET ARENA (Jason Thompson – Promoter) > John Dameron defeated Bull Schmidt (2-1) > Ten-Round Boxing Match: Fred Lassiter defeated John Mauldin in the eighth round > Georgia Light Heavyweight Title / Southern Light Heavyweight Title Match: Hugh Winn* and Bill Crussell wrestled to a draw / 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.

APRIL 2, 1934 (MONDAY) – ATLANTA, GA – WESTLAKE ARENA (Luke Appling – Promoter) > Jim Zbyszko versus Buck Jones > Eddie Wagner versus Bull Schmidt > Ted Sarris versus Pancho Villa / Notes: No documented results for this card have been found.

APRIL 2, 1937 (FRIDAY) – ATLANTA, GA – NORTHSIDE ARENA (Frank Bettis and Cleve Roby – Promoters) > Don Rainey versus Paddy Nolan > Sammy Miller versus Young Londos > John Mauldin versus Chin Lee / Notes: No documented results for this card have been found.

APRIL 2, 1940 (TUESDAY) – ATLANTA, GA – LOEW’S GRAND THEATRE (Bill Hartman and Thad Holt – Promoters / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Gordon McKenzie and Marvin Jones wrestled to a draw > Hans Schnabel defeated Tiny Morgan > Everett Marshall defeated Bill Bartush

APRIL 2, 1941 (WEDNESDAY) – ATLANTA, GA – ATLANTA MUNICIPAL AUDITORIUM (Abe Simon – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Harry Kent defeated Joe Millich > Jack Kennedy defeated Bill Lee by disqualification > Ray Eckert and Dorv Roche wrestled to a draw > Lou Thesz defeated Ray Villmer (2-0)

APRIL 2, 1943 (FRIDAY) – ATLANTA, GA – ATLANTA MUNICIPAL AUDITORIUM (Sammy Friedman – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Joe Cox & George Pavich defeated Ralph Garibaldi & Al Massey by disqualification > The Black Panther defeated Roland Kirchmeyer > Rudy Strongberg defeated John Mauldin / Notes: The Black Panther was declared the winner of his match when Roland Kirchmeyer was deemed unable to continue. Jack McAdams was credited as being a referee on this card.

APRIL 2, 1948 (FRIDAY) – STONE MOUNTAIN, GA (Fred Ward – Promoter / Fred Ward Promotions) > Tommy Ward versus Jack Blackstock > Tony Mello versus Mr. X / Notes: No documented results for this card have been found. It is unclear as to what venue was the site of this card.

APRIL 2, 1954 (FRIDAY) – ATLANTA, GA – ATLANTA MUNICIPAL AUDITORIUM (Paul Jones – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Red McIntyre versus Don Big Kettle > Don McIntyre versus Clyde Steeves > Dick Big Kettle versus Lee Grable > Freddie Blassie versus the Swedish Angel / Notes: No documented results for this card have been found.

APRIL 2, 1960 (SATURDAY) – MARIETTA, GA – LARRY BELL AUDITORIUM (Elmo Chappell – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Larry King versus Bill Alexander > Ray Gunkel versus Jack Terry > Blood Match (No TL: Haystacks Calhoun versus Freddie Blassie / Notes: No documented results for this card have been found. There was no referee for the match between Freddie Blassie and Haystacks Calhoun.

APRIL 2, 1962 (MONDAY) – AUGUSTA, GA – WILLIAM BELL AUDITORIUM (Steve Manderson – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Dick Steinborn & Andre Drapp versus Evon Marion & Ali Bey > Women’s Match: Diana Beamon versus Sweet Georgia Brown > Tojo Yamamoto & Taro Myaki versus Eddie Graham & Ray Villmer / Notes: No documented results for this card have been found.

APRIL 2, 1963 (TUESDAY) – MACON, GA – MACON CITY AUDITORIUM (Fred Ward – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Buck Jones and the Bat wrestled to a draw > Matt Jewell defeated Little Bobo > Boxing Match: Chief Little Eagle defeated Lenny Montana by disqualification in five rounds > Tarzan Tyler defeated Ted Evans

APRIL 2, 1965 (FRIDAY) – ATLANTA, GA – ATLANTA MUNICIPAL AUDITORIUM [P] (Paul Jones – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > The Corsicans defeated Tom Bradley & Tony Marino > Battle of the States – Georgia versus Florida: Buddy Fuller (GA) defeated Dick Dunn (FL); Derrell Cochran (GA) defeated Randy Roper (FL); Lee Fields (GA) defeated Pancho Villa (FL) > Georgia Heavyweight Title Match (DQ Rule Waived): Mario Galento* defeated Jesse James / Notes: Mario Galento had been the reigning Georgia Heavyweight Champion since he defeated Sputnik Monroe on November 13, 1964, in Atlanta. Paul Jones reported that the televised matches would move to the Sports Arena soon, but we have no evidence this ever happened. It was announced that Dick Steinborn and Chief Little Eagle would be wrestling on the card on April 10, 1965, and that Frankie Cain would be wrestling in Atlanta soon.

APRIL 2, 1968 (TUESDAY) – MACON, GA – MACON CITY AUDITORIUM (Fred Ward – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Jim Wilson defeated Nick Contos > The Rising Suns defeated Johnny Walker & Silento Rodriguez > NWA World Heavyweight Title Match: Gene Kiniski* and Mr. Wrestling (1) wrestled to a draw / Notes: Gene Kiniski had been the reigning NWA World Heavyweight Champion since he defeated Lou Thesz on January 7, 1966, in St. Louis, MO.

APRIL 2, 1969 (WEDNESDAY) – COLUMBUS, GA – COLUMBUS MUNICIPAL AUDITORIUM (Fred Ward – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Joe Turco defeated Corsica Jean > Assassin #1 defeated Tim Geohagen > Assassin #2 defeated Little John > Bill Dromo defeated the Spoiler

APRIL 2, 1971 (FRIDAY) – ATLANTA, GA – ATLANTA MUNICIPAL AUDITORIUM [P] (Paul Jones – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Mr. Koma & the Great Ota defeated Roberto Soto & Eduardo DeLynch > Robert Fuller and Krusher Karlson wrestled to a draw > Kubla Khan defeated Bob Griffin > Bill Dromo and Buddy Colt wrestled to a draw > Georgia Television Title Match: Klondike Bill* versus Luke Graham ended in a double disqualification > Georgia Tag Team Title Cage Match: Ray Gunkel & El Mongol defeated the Assassins* to win title / Notes: Klondike Bill had been the reigning Georgia Television Champion since he defeated Luke Graham on March 20, 1971, in Atlanta. 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 Smith was credited as being a referee for this card. Roberto Soto participated in an autograph session for fans.

APRIL 2, 1974 (TUESDAY) – ATLANTA, GA – ATLANTA MUNICIPAL AUDITORIUM [P] (Ann Gunkel – Promoter / All-South Wrestling Alliance) > Wayne Cowan versus the Champ > Bill Bowman & Oki Shikina versus the Islanders > Georgia Tag Team Title Match: Ray Candy & El Mongol* versus the Royal Kangaroos > Georgia Heavyweight Title Match: the Missouri Mauler* versus Ron Pritchard > Thunderbolt Patterson & the Magnificent Zulu versus Crusher Verdu & the Mighty Yankee > Texas Death Cage Match: Ernie Ladd versus Ox Baker / Notes: No documented results for this card have been found. Rock Hunter managed Wayne Cowan, Crusher Verdu, the Mighty Yankee, and the Missouri Mauler. The program we have for this card reports that Lew Eskin, editor of Wrestling Revue and Wrestling Monthly magazines, has presented Ann Gunkel with an award “in recognition for her continuing to the betterment of professional wrestling in the United States”. There is also an advertisement urging fans to support the Ernie Ladd fan club by ordering a T-shirt, with proceeds going to the Pull for Youth organization. It also mentions that the tapings for “All-South Championship Wrestling” now occur each Saturday from 12:00 to 1:00 PM Saturdays, still at the WTCG studios located at 1018 West Peachtree Street. This was to begin on April 6, 1974.

APRIL 2, 1974 (TUESDAY) – MACON, GA – MACON COLISEUM (Fred Ward – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Earl Maynard defeated Ron Michaels > Jerry Brisco and Jimmy Garvin wrestled to a draw > Bobby Duncum & Art Nelson defeated Ricky Gibson & Rufus R. Jones > Bob Armstrong & Robert Fuller defeated Ron & Terry Garvin > Jerry Lawler defeated Mr. Wrestling #2 by disqualification / Notes: Jimmy Garvin managed Ron & Terry Garvin.

APRIL 2, 1976 (FRIDAY) – ATLANTA, GA – ATLANTA MUNICIPAL AUDITORIUM [P] (Paul Jones – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Bob Backlund defeated Jerry Stubbs > Mark Lewin defeated Karl Von Steiger > Moondog Mayne defeated Rick Martel > The Red Devils defeated Ted & Jerry Oates > Taped Fist Match: Dick Slater versus Stan Stasiak ruled a no contest > The Spoiler defeated Thunderbolt Patterson / Notes: Jerry Stubbs substituted for Dino Bravo in the match with Bob Backlund. Gary Hart managed the Spoiler.

APRIL 2, 1979 (MONDAY) – AUGUSTA, GA – WILLIAM BELL AUDITORIUM (Charlie Harben – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Mike Stallings and Kurt Von Hess wrestled to a draw > Rufus R. Jones defeated Larry Latham > Bob Armstrong & Tommy Rich defeated Ron Bass & Blackjack Lanza > Wahoo McDaniel defeated the Masked Superstar by disqualification > Street Fight Match: Stan Hansen defeated Ole Anderson / Notes: Bobby Heenan managed Ron Bass and Blackjack Lanza.

APRIL 2, 1980 (WEDNESDAY) – COLUMBUS, GA – COLUMBUS MUNICIPAL AUDITORIUM (Fred Ward – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Bill Dromo defeated Charlie Fulton > Jay Strongbow defeated Snake Brown > Lars Anderson defeated Genichiro Tenryu > Tony Atlas & Mr. Wrestling #2 defeated Ivan Koloff & Alexis Smirnoff by disqualification > Kevin Sullivan & Tommy Rich defeated Austin Idol & Baron Von Raschke / Notes: Rock Hunter managed Ivan Koloff and Alexis Smirnoff.