GEORGIA WRESTLING NEWS, NOTES, AND NOSTALGIA: 04/09/2008

Courtesy of GeorgiaWrestlingHistory.com:

NEWS

Global Championship Wrestling has two shows this coming weekend in Alabama. On Friday night, April 11, GCW will be in Pell City, AL, at the Roberts Elementary School with David Young vs. Soul Crusher, Sgt. Hammer vs. Jesse Pain for the GCW Heavyweight Championship, Theodore Tutwiler III (with Howard Cross vs. Maddog Dan Sawyer, Nasty Kritters vs. Samoan Soldiers for the GCW tag titles, Antonio Garza vs. Shanghai Dragon, and Russian Assassin vs. Inhuman Fly. Bell time is 7:30 pm. Then, on Saturday April 12 GCW comes to Tuscaloosa at the Tuscaloosa Fair Ground with Buff "The Stuff" Bagwell vs. Theodore Tutwiler III (with Howard Cross), Sgt. Hammer vs. Jesse Pain for the GCW Heavyweight Title, Joey Mercury vs. Inhuman Fly, Nasty Kritters vs. Samoan Soldiers for the GCW tag titles, Antonio Garza vs. Shanghai Dragon, and Russian Assassin vs. Maddog Sawyer. Bell time is 7:30 pm. (Larry Goodman)

The Florida Pro Wrestling Association will run a card on April 12 in Pinellas Park, FL, with proceeds to be donated to the National Autism Association. The event will be held at the Pinellas Park Boys & Girls Club, located at 7790 61st Street. Call (813) 960-8412 for more info. Advertised: Mark Zout, Flex, Punk and Disorderly, the Psychedelics, Kahagas, Kubiak, Torcher, the Omaha Hustlas, Josh Masters, Fetish, and Kennedy Kendrick. (Rich Tate)

On April 18, Alternative Pro Wrestling presents their biggest card of 2008 - "Spring Bash Break" in Royston, GA, at the Royston Gym with a no time limit match for the Southern States Title: J. T. Talent (c) vs. Bo Newsom, Grudge Match: Chris Mayne vs. Billy Buck, Strap Match: Jacob Ashworth vs. APW Owner Jericho Stone, APW Tag Title Ladder Match: The Friday Night Franchise (Matt Sells & Ryan Michaels vs. Azrael & Darkness (c). Also appearing  Seth Delay, North Georgia Champion Aaron Lee, "Merciless" Don Matthews, Chris King, D.I.E., Yoshi Hiroshima and Dustin Powers. Bell time is 8 pm. (Larry Goodman)

On April 24, Great Championship Wrestling presents "War Games." Tickets are on sale now. The event will take place at the Great Skate Plex in Phenix City, AL, at 7:30pm. Advertised: The War Games Match, Team GCW (David Young, Sonny Siaki and the GCW tag team champions, Tex Monroe and J-Rod)w/GCW owner Diane Hewes vs Michaels Inc (GCW Heavyweight Champion Johnny Swinger, GCW Interstate champion Cru Jones, Shaun Banks and Zero Tolerance) w/Quentin Michaels. Slaughter w/Wicked Nemesis faces "That 80's Guy" John Bogie. Scotty Beach takes on Orion Bishop w/Wicked Nemesis. (Brian Slack)

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

Today in Memoriam: Betty Clarke (53, 1996) and Emiko Kado (23, 1999)

NOSTALGIA

APRIL 9, 1934 (MONDAY) – ATLANTA, GA – FAIR STREET ARENA (Jason Thompson – Promoter) > John Dameron and Young Londos wrestled to a draw > Frank Remille defeated Pancho Villa > Tarzan Jordan defeated Bill Crussell / Notes: It was reported that Governor Eugene Talmadge was in attendance.

APRIL 9, 1934 (MONDAY) – ATLANTA, GA – WESTLAKE ARENA (Luke Appling – Promoter) > Eddie Wagner versus Young Londos > John Mauldin versus Pancho Villa / Notes: No documented results for this card have been found. A preliminary match was also scheduled with reports only identifying the wrestlers as two newcomers, Clancy and Leach.

APRIL 9, 1937 (FRIDAY) – ATLANTA, GA – LOEW’S GRAND THEATRE (Frank Speer – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Chief Saunooke versus George Hagen ruled a no contest > Lou Thesz defeated Frank Brown > Ali Baba defeated Dorv Roche by disqualification

APRIL 9, 1937 (FRIDAY) – ATLANTA, GA – NORTHSIDE ARENA (Frank Bettis and Cleve Roby – Promoters) > Battle Royal featuring Young Londos, Tarzan Jordan, Mike Cassidy, Tony Papalino, Farmer Mack, and Chin Lee / Notes: It is unclear as to the reason or the result for the battle royal.

APRIL 9, 1940 (TUESDAY) – ATLANTA, GA – LOEW’S GRAND THEATRE (Bill Hartman and Thad Holt – Promoters / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Bill Lee versus Juan Humberto > John Grandovich versus Lou Nyman > Lou Thesz and Hans Schnabel wrestled to a draw at 90:00 / Notes: Bill Lee and Juan Humberto were scheduled to wrestle each other, as were John Grandovich and Lou Nyman, but no results were reported after the card.

APRIL 9, 1941 (WEDNESDAY) – ATLANTA, GA – ATLANTA MUNICIPAL AUDITORIUM (Abe Simon – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Joe Millich defeated Young Brown > Harry Kent defeated Ray Eckert > Everett Marshall defeated Dorv Roche / Notes: Young Brown substituted for Ray Villmer in the match with Joe Millich. Brown was billed as Orville Brown’s younger brother.

APRIL 9, 1943 (FRIDAY) – ATLANTA, GA – ATLANTA MUNICIPAL AUDITORIUM (Sammy Friedman – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Tiny Ruff defeated Charlie Harben > Rudy Strongberg defeated John Mauldin > Al Massey & the Black Panther defeated Ralph Garibaldi & Dorv Roche / Notes: Charlie Harben replaced John Mauldin in the match with Tiny Ruff, as Mauldin substituted for Roland Kirchmeyer in the match with Rudy Strongberg.

APRIL 9, 1948 (FRIDAY) – ATLANTA, GA – ATLANTA MUNICIPAL AUDITORIUM (Paul Jones – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Jack Ross, Jr., defeated Natie Brown > Tom Mahoney and Iron Man Talun wrestled to a draw > Chief Indio Cherokee defeated Jack Reeder > Bibber McCoy defeated Laverne Baxter > Jim Coffield defeated Al Massey / Notes: Bibber McCoy was declared the winner of his match when Laverne Baxter was deemed unable to continue.

APRIL 9, 1948 (FRIDAY) – BLUE RIDGE, GA (Fred Ward – Promoter / Fred Ward Promotions) > Tommy Ward versus Red Dugan > Tony Mello versus Curtis Nack / Notes: No documented results for this card have been found. It is unclear as to what venue was the site of this card.

APRIL 9, 1949 (SATURDAY) – GRIFFIN, GA (Fred Ward – Promoter / Fred Ward Promotions) > Tommy Ward defeated Joe Estes > Bill Cazzell defeated Bob Shipp / Notes: It is unclear as to what venue was the site of this card.

APRIL 9, 1954 (FRIDAY) – ATLANTA, GA – ATLANTA MUNICIPAL AUDITORIUM (Paul Jones – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Don Big Kettle and the Swedish Angel wrestled to a draw > Clyde Steeves defeated Lee Grable > Southern Heavyweight Title Match: Freddie Blassie* defeated Don McIntyre / Notes: Freddie Blassie had been billed as Southern Heavyweight Champion since he allegedly defeated Mr. Moto on February 8, 1954, in Birmingham, AL.

APRIL 9, 1956 (MONDAY) – AUGUSTA, GA – WILLIAM BELL AUDITORIUM (Tom Mahoney – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Women’s Match: Belle Starr defeated Ethel Brown > Texas Death Match: Jerry Graham defeated Chief Big Heart / Notes: It was reported that 3,000 were in attendance for this card.

APRIL 9, 1962 (MONDAY) – AUGUSTA, GA – WILLIAM BELL AUDITORIUM (Steve Manderson – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Don Whittler versus Johnny King > Charley Laye versus Andre Drapp > No DQ / No TL Match: Diana Beamon versus Sweet Georgia Brown > Eddie Graham & Ray Villmer versus Tojo Yamamoto & Taro Myaki / Notes: No documented results for this card have been found.

APRIL 9, 1963 (TUESDAY) – MACON, GA – MACON CITY AUDITORIUM (Fred Ward – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > George Bell defeated Buck Jones > Jack Armstrong defeated the Bat by disqualification > International Tag Team Title Match: Lenny Montana & Tarzan Tyler* defeated Ted Evans & Chief Little Eagle / Notes: It is unclear as to how Lenny Montana & Tarzan Tyler came to be recognized as International Tag Team Champions. The last reference we have shows Jean & Paul Gaullois defending the title against Jack Steele & Jerry Graham on January 5, 1962, in Atlanta.

APRIL 9, 1964 (THURSDAY) – THOMASTON, GA (Fred Ward – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Billy Hines versus Don Carson > Women’s Match: Andrea Swenson versus Margaret Garcia > Stan Stasiak versus Tex Riley / Notes: No documented results for this card have been found. It is unclear as to what venue was the site of this card.

APRIL 9, 1969 (WEDNESDAY) – COLUMBUS, GA – COLUMBUS MUNICIPAL AUDITORIUM (Fred Ward – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Tim Geohagen and Silento Rodriguez wrestled to a draw > Women’s Match: Dottie Bray defeated Patti Neilson > The Kentuckians defeated Dale Lewis & Skandor Akbar > NWA World Heavyweight Title Match: Dory Funk, Jr.,* defeated Assassin #1 by disqualification / Notes: Assassin #2 was barred from ringside during the match between Dory Funk, Jr., and Assassin #1. Funk, Jr., had been the reigning NWA World Heavyweight Champion since he defeated Gene Kiniski on February 11, 1969, in Tampa, FL.

APRIL 9, 1971 (FRIDAY) – ATLANTA, GA – ATLANTA MUNICIPAL AUDITORIUM [P] (Paul Jones – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Jim Wilson defeated Krusher Karlson > Bill Dromo defeated Michel Dubois > Bob Griffin & Roberto Soto defeated Mr. Koma & the Great Ota > Buddy Fuller defeated Luke Graham > Klondike Bill defeated Buddy Colt by disqualification > Georgia Tag Team Title Texas Tornado Tag Team Match: Ray Gunkel & El Mongol* defeated the Assassins / Notes: Paul Jones was the special referee for the match between Ray Gunkel & El Mongol and the Assassins. Gunkel & Mongol had been the reigning Georgia Tag Team Champions since they defeated the Assassins on April 2, 1971, in Atlanta. 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.

APRIL 9, 1974 (TUESDAY) – ATLANTA, GA – ATLANTA MUNICIPAL AUDITORIUM (Ann Gunkel – Promoter / All-South Wrestling Alliance) > Georgia Junior Heavyweight Title Match: Wayne Cowan* defeated Bearcat Wilkerson > Ray Candy, El Mongol & Ron Pritchard and Ox Baker, Crusher Verdu & the Missouri Mauler wrestled to a draw > Assassin #2 defeated the Mighty Yankee > Thunderbolt Patterson defeated Rock Hunter / Notes: The Magnificent Zulu was the special referee for the match between Thunderbolt Patterson and Rock Hunter. Hunter managed Crusher Verdu & the Mighty Yankee.

APRIL 9, 1974 (TUESDAY) – MACON, GA – MACON COLISEUM (Fred Ward – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Ron Michaels defeated Jerry Oates > Jerry Brisco defeated Tiger Conway, Jr. > Art Nelson defeated Bobby Duncum > Southeastern Tag Team Title Match: Ron & Terry Garvin* and Bob Armstrong & Robert Fuller wrestled to a draw > Jerry Lawler versus Mr. Wrestling #2 ruled a no contest / Notes: Tiger Conway, Jr., substituted for Ricky Gibson in the match with Jerry Brisco. Jimmy Garvin managed Ron & Terry Garvin.

APRIL 9, 1976 (FRIDAY) – ATLANTA, GA – ATLANTA MUNICIPAL AUDITORIUM [P] (Paul Jones – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Ervin Smith defeated Rip Hawk > Skip Young defeated Karl Von Steiger > Rick Martel versus Greg Valentine ruled a no contest > Bob Armstrong, Mark Lewin & Mr. Wrestling #2 defeated Moondog Mayne & the Red Devils > Texas Death Match: Dusty Rhodes defeated the Spoiler / Notes: Gary Hart managed the Spoiler. Ron West and Doug Smith were credited as being referees for this card.

APRIL 9, 1978 (SUNDAY) – SAVANNAH, GA – SAVANNAH CIVIC CENTER (Aaron Newman – Promoter / Jim Crockett Promotions) > Joe Furr defeated Scott Irwin > Jan Nelson defeated Jimmy Garvin > Don Kernodle defeated Hartford Love > Johnny Weaver defeated the Masked Superstar by disqualification > Ricky Steamboat & Paul Jones defeated Greg Valentine & Baron Von Raschke / Notes: Boris Malenko managed the Masked Superstar.

APRIL 9, 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 > Stan Hansen defeated Ole Anderson / Notes: Bobby Heenan managed Ron Bass and Blackjack Lanza.

APRIL 9, 1979 (MONDAY) – TATE, GA (Paul Jones – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) Notes: A card was scheduled for this date, but no details were provided. Rufus R. Jones and Thunderbolt Patterson were advertised.

APRIL 9, 1980 (WEDNESDAY) – COLUMBUS, GA – COLUMBUS MUNICIPAL AUDITORIUM (Fred Ward – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Mike Sharpe defeated Charlie Fulton > The French Angel defeated Chick Donovan > Kevin Sullivan & Tony Atlas and Ivan Koloff & Alexis Smirnoff wrestled to a draw > Lars Anderson & Mr. Wrestling #2 defeated Austin Idol & Baron Von Raschke > NWA World Heavyweight Title Match: Tommy Rich defeated Harley Race* by disqualification / Notes: Rock Hunter managed Ivan Koloff and Alexis Smirnoff.

APRIL 9, 1983 (SATURDAY) – CINCINNATI, OH – RIVERFRONT COLISEUM (Les Thatcher – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Destruction, Inc., defeated Brett Wayne & Joe Lightfoot > Killer Brooks defeated Brian Blair > Larry Zbyszko defeated Tito Santana > Buzz Sawyer defeated Dick Murdoch > Tony Atlas defeated Ivan Koloff > Tommy Rich defeated Ric Flair / Notes: Homer O’Dell managed Ivan Koloff. Paul Ellering managed Destruction, Inc.

APRIL 9, 1984 (MONDAY) – TOLEDO, OH (Les Thatcher – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Tommy Rogers defeated Rocky Jones > Sweet Brown Sugar defeated Jake Roberts > Tim Horner defeated Les Thornton > Ron Garvin & King Kong Bundy defeated the Road Warriors > Lights Out Match: Ron Garvin defeated Jake Roberts / Notes: Paul Ellering managed Jake Roberts and the Road Warriors.