GEORGIA WRESTLING NEWS, NOTES, AND NOSTALGIA: 04/30/2008

Courtesy of GeorgiaWrestlingHistory.com:

NEWS

It appears the final nail was driven into the coffin of Georgia Wrestling Promotions with a disastrous show Sunday night in Woodstock. For starters, advertising was not distributed for posting until the Thursday night before the show. At that point, owner Roger Cantrell had already ignored advice to cancel the show. In fact, talent had been contacted telling them exactly that only to have Cantrell later call to say the show was still on. Come Sunday night, the manager of the Hot Wheels Skate Center was not going to allow the show to take place because GWP still owed her $500 for the bounced check she received for the January show, plus $100 she loaned Cantrell to pay talent, in addition to $500 for Sunday night's show. Cantrell was not at the building because he was at home recovering from another lengthy hospital stay. As per usual with a GWP show, the plan was to a pay the talent with the gate receipts. Wrestler Steve Lawler talked with the manager and they came to agreement wherein the show would go on and Hot Wheels would get the gate receipts, presumably the first $1100, to recoup the money owed. Paid attendance at bell time was no more than 20. It was obvious none of the wrestlers were going to get a dime. Bill Eadie, Tommy Rich, Cru Jones, Terry and Steve Lawler all ended up leaving. Kodiak stayed, but did not wrestle. Murder One rebooked the show on the fly with the remaining talent, and was said to have done an excellent job under miserable circumstances. Cantrell is reportedly back in the hospital and could not be reached for comment. GWP still has a show scheduled for May 16 at the Woodstock Rec Center. Nobody I talked with gave that show any chance of taking place. (Larry Goodman)

Southern States Championship Wrestling returns to Enigma Gym in Enigma, GA, on May 3. Advertised: for the SSCW title, "Mr. Saturday Night" Jarrod Michaels defends against "The 7ft Monster" Impact Player. For the SSCW Southern Heritage title, "Rock N Roll" Chris Turner defends against the "Modern Day Enforcer" Scotty Biggs. Also on the bill is "New Age Superstar" Brooks Rogers versus Mad Dog Miller. JT Taylor, Bryan Fury, Jelena, Samantha Steele, and The Soviet are also being advertised. (Brian Slack)

The National Wrestling Alliance event being advertised for June 7 at Philips Arena in Atlanta, GA, will apparently be a cooperative effort between the NWA and NWA Anarchy, as well as other member promotions around the south. Aside from the prior announcement that Sid Vicious would be appearing, Rob Conway’s name has also surfaced. It is believed Anarchy will have at least one match featuring its talent on the card, most likely being Phil Shatter, Iceberg, and Mikal Judas, as well as managers Jeff G. Bailey and the Reverend. Judas recently signed with Total Nonstop Action, and Shatter has been regularly involved with World Wrestling Entertainment shows on recent shows around the southeast. Anarchy will have a card that night in Cornelia, GA, also. More details as we get them. (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

In Your Head will feature Ivan Koloff on its show tonight at 8:00 PM ET.

GWH wishes a happy birthday to Daivari, who turns 24 today.

Today in Memoriam: Baron Gattoni (62, 1982)

NOSTALGIA

APRIL 30, 1934 (MONDAY) – ATLANTA, GA – FAIR STREET ARENA (Jason Thompson – Promoter) > Bull Montana defeated Bill Collins at 40:00 > Eddie Elzea defeated Tarzan Jordan > Ted Sarris defeated Fred Lassiter (2–0) / Notes: It was reported that 2,100 were in attendance for this card.

APRIL 30, 1937 (FRIDAY) – ATLANTA, GA – LOEW’S GRAND THEATRE (Frank Speer – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Bill Lee and Juan Humberto wrestled to a draw > Women’s World Title Match: Clara Mortensen* defeated Lucy Murphy > Lou Thesz defeated Otto Kuss / Notes: Clara Mortensen had been the reigning Women’s World Champion since she defeated Mildred Burke in Chattanooga, TN, on February 11, 1937.

APRIL 30, 1937 (FRIDAY) – ATLANTA, GA – NORTHSIDE ARENA (Frank Bettis and Cleve Roby – Promoters) > John Dameron versus Buck Lawson > Jack McAdams versus Young Londos > Eddie Elzea versus King Kong Kashey / Notes: No documented results for this card have been found.

APRIL 30, 1940 (TUESDAY) – ATLANTA, GA – PONCE de LEON BALL PARK (Bill Hartman and Thad Holt – Promoters / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Don McIntyre versus Hans Schnabel > Pete Managoff versus Tom Hanley > Dorv Roche versus Cowboy Luttrall / Notes: This card was cancelled because of rain.

APRIL 30, 1943 (FRIDAY) – ATLANTA, GA – ATLANTA MUNICIPAL AUDITORIUM (Sammy Friedman – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > The Black Panther defeated Roland Kirchmeyer > Ralph Garibaldi defeated Cowboy Luttrall by disqualification > George Pavich and Rudy Strongberg wrestled to a draw / Notes: John Mauldin was credited as being a referee on this card.

APRIL 30, 1954 (FRIDAY) – ATLANTA, GA – ATLANTA MUNICIPAL AUDITORIUM (Paul Jones – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Gorgeous Gilpin defeated White Savage > Lu Kimm defeated Jack Dillon > Art Nelson defeated Red McIntyre > Argentina Rocca defeated Reggie Lisowski / Notes: Although not mentioned, Kola Kwariani was likely in attendance, as he was charged with traveling with Argentina Rocca as a troubleshooter for him.

APRIL 30, 1956 (MONDAY) – AUGUSTA, GA – WILLIAM BELL AUDITORIUM (Tom Mahoney – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Women’s Match: June Byers versus Catherine Simpson / Notes: No documented results for this card have been found. Danny McShain was also advertised as scheduled to appear.

APRIL 30, 1960 (SATURDAY) – MARIETTA, GA – LARRY BELL AUDITORIUM (Elmo Chappell – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Big Humphrey versus the Brute > Pepper Rodriguez versus Krusher Larson > Paul Anderson & Big Humphrey versus Freddie & Mickey Blassie / Notes: No documented results for this card have been found.

APRIL 30, 1962 (MONDAY) – AUGUSTA, GA – WILLIAM BELL AUDITORIUM (Steve Manderson – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Ken Cooper versus Bulldog Lawley > Jim Wright versus Don Whittler > Andre Drapp versus Ivan Zukoff > Eddie Graham & Ray Villmer versus Lenny Montana & the Canadian Angel / Notes: No documented results for this card have been found.

APRIL 30, 1963 (TUESDAY) – AUGUSTA, GA – MASONIC TEMPLE (Promoter – Unknown) > Abe Jacobs defeated Jack Dalton > Rocky Columbo defeated Jim Dalton by disqualification > Pat Patterson defeated Andre Drapp > Soldat Gorky defeated Pago Pago > Shag Thomas defeated Ivan Kameroff by disqualification

APRIL 30, 1963 (TUESDAY) – MACON, GA – MACON CITY AUDITORIUM (Fred Ward – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > George Bell defeated Buck Jones at 16:00 > Dick Steinborn defeated Bulldog Lawley at 10:00 > Tito Kopa and Silento Rodriguez wrestled to a draw > Lenny Montana & Tarzan Tyler defeated Chris Averoff & Chief Little Eagle

APRIL 30, 1965 (FRIDAY) – ATLANTA, GA – ATLANTA MUNICIPAL AUDITORIUM [P] (Paul Jones – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Jesse James defeated Jerry Miller > Alex Perez defeated Tom Bradley > Women’s Match: Barbara Galento defeated Penny Brooks > The Mysterious Medics defeated Frankie Cain & Greg Peterson > Ray Gunkel defeated Tarzan Tyler > Georgia Heavyweight Title Match: Mario Galento* defeated Chief Little Eagle / Notes: Mario Galento had been the reigning Georgia Heavyweight Champion since he defeated Sputnik Monroe on November 13, 1964, in Atlanta.

APRIL 30, 1968 (TUESDAY) – MACON, GA – MACON CITY AUDITORIUM (Fred Ward – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Alberto Torres and Oki Shikina wrestled to a draw > Hans Schmidt defeated Johnny Walker > Avenger #3, Enrique & Alberto Torres defeated Oki Shikina & the Rising Suns by disqualification / Notes: Gentleman X (1) managed Hans Schmidt.

APRIL 30, 1971 (FRIDAY) – ATLANTA, GA – ATLANTA MUNICIPAL AUDITORIUM [P] (Paul Jones – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Battle Royal: Dick Steinborn and El Mongol (Winners) > Fidel Castillo and Kubla Khan wrestled to a draw > Guillotine Gordon defeated Roberto Soto > Luke Graham defeated Jerry Oates > Assassin #1 defeated Jim Wilson > Bill Dromo and Assassin #2 wrestled to a draw > Klondike Bill defeated Michel Dubois > Buddy Colt defeated Bob Griffin > Dick Steinborn versus El Mongol ended in a double countout / Notes: The battle royal determined the matches for the card. It was reported that the purse for the battle royal was $2,000. Jack Crawford managed Kubla Khan & Guillotine Gordon. Homer O’Dell managed Buddy Colt. Charlie Smith was credited as being a referee for this card. Jim Wilson participated in an autograph session for fans.

APRIL 30, 1974 (TUESDAY) – ATLANTA, GA – ATLANTA MUNICIPAL AUDITORIUM (Ann Gunkel – Promoter / All-South Wrestling Alliance) > Cisco Grimaldo versus Sika > Afa versus the Cougar > Jim Wilson versus Oki Shikina > The Magnificent Zulu defeated the Missouri Mauler > Ray Candy, El Mongol & Assassin #2 defeated Wayne Cowan & the Royal Kangaroos > Ernie Ladd & Thunderbolt Patterson versus Crusher Verdu & the Mighty Yankee ruled a NC > Georgia Heavyweight Title Match: Ron Pritchard* defeated Ox Baker at 14:00 / Notes: No documented results for the remaining matches on this card have been found. Charlie Cook was the special referee for the match between Ray Candy, El Mongol & Assassin #2 and Wayne Cowan & the Royal Kangaroos. Rock Hunter managed Crusher Verdu & the Mighty Yankee.

APRIL 30, 1974 (TUESDAY) – MACON, GA – MACON COLISEUM [P] (Fred Ward – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Jerry Oates defeated Big Mac > Gene Anderson defeated Derrell Cochran > Georgia Tag Team Title Match: the Black Crusaders defeated Ron & Terry Garvin* by disqualification > Macon Heavyweight Title Match: Bobby Duncum defeated Bob Armstrong* to win title > Free-For-All Match: Mr. Wrestling #2 defeated Bob Armstrong, Bobby Duncum, Ron Garvin, Terry Garvin, Choo-Choo Lynn, Earl Maynard, and Jerry Oates / Notes: It is unclear as to how the Free-For-All Match worked, as it appears it may have been similar to a battle royal rather than a tournament. No reason for the match has been found. Jimmy Garvin managed Ron & Terry Garvin.

APRIL 30, 1976 (FRIDAY) – ATLANTA, GA – OMNI COLISEUM [P] (Paul Jones – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Greg Valentine defeated Ervin Smith > Bob Armstrong & the Great Goliath wrestled to a draw > Midget Tag Team Match: Little Louie & the Haiti Kid defeated Little John & Lord Littlebrook > Dick Slater defeated Black Gordman > Mark Lewin defeated Moondog Mayne > Mr. Wrestling #1 & #2 defeated Stan Stasiak & Ox Baker > Dusty Rhodes & Thunderbolt Patterson versus the Spoiler & the Sheik ruled a no contest / Notes: Gary Hart managed the Spoiler and the Sheik.

APRIL 30, 1977 (SATURDAY) – FAYETTEVILLE, GA (Paul Jones – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Richard Blood defeated Bill Howard > Don Kernodle and Randy Savage wrestled to a draw > Georgia Television Title Match: Black Atlas* defeated Lars Anderson > Mr. Wrestling #2 defeated Dick Slater by disqualification

APRIL 30, 1978 (SUNDAY) – COLUMBUS, GA – COLUMBUS MUNICIPAL AUDITORIUM (Fred Ward – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Doug Gilbert versus Jacques Goulet > Pez Whatley versus Helmut Schmidt > Columbus Heavyweight Title Match: Mr. Wrestling #2* versus Abdullah the Butcher > Georgia Tag Team Title Match: Ole & Lars Anderson* versus Tommy Rich & Rocky Johnson > Stan Hansen & Ernie Ladd versus Dusty Rhodes & Thunderbolt Patterson / Notes: No documented results for this card have been found. Rock Hunter managed Abdullah the Butcher & Helmut Schmidt.

APRIL 30, 1979 (MONDAY) – AUGUSTA, GA – WILLIAM BELL AUDITORIUM (Charlie Harben – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Mike Stallings and Carl Fergie wrestled to a draw > Ron Bass defeated Genichiro Tenryu > Bob Armstrong & Norvel Austin defeated Ivan Koloff & Blackjack Lanza by disqualification > Georgia Heavyweight Title Match: the Masked Superstar* and Mr. Wrestling #1 wrestled to a draw > Wahoo McDaniel defeated King Kong Mosca / Notes: Bobby Heenan managed Ron Bass, Blackjack Lanza and King Kong Mosca.

APRIL 30, 1981 (THURSDAY) – ROME, GA – ROME MEMORIAL GYMNASIUM (Charlie Harben – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > NWA World Heavyweight Title Match: Tommy Rich* defeated Harley Race

APRIL 30, 1983 (SATURDAY) – CHATTANOOGA, TN – CHATTANOOGA MEMORIAL AUDITORIUM (Paul Jones – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Destruction, Inc., defeated Brian Blair & Tito Santana > Ron Garvin defeated the Iron Sheik > Tony Atlas defeated Killer Brooks by disqualification > Dick Murdoch defeated Buzz Sawyer by countout > Tommy Rich defeated Larry Zbyszko / Notes: Brian Blair substituted for Brett Wayne to team with Tito Santana in the match with Destruction, Inc. Paul Ellering managed the Iron Sheik and Destruction, Inc. Ernie Shavers was the special referee for the match between Tommy Rich and Larry Zbyszko.

APRIL 30, 1984 (MONDAY) – AUGUSTA, GA – RICHMOND COUNTY CIVIC CENTER (Charlie Harben – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Tommy Rogers defeated Bob Roop > Tim Horner defeated Les Thornton > Ted DiBiase versus Brad Armstrong ruled a no contest > The Masked Superstar defeated the Spoiler > The Road Warriors defeated Sweet Brown Sugar & King Kong Bundy > Jake Roberts defeated Ron Garvin / Notes: Paul Ellering managed Jake Roberts, Ted DiBiase, the Spoiler, and the Road Warriors.