GEORGIA WRESTLING NEWS, NOTES, AND NOSTALGIA: 04/17/2008

Courtesy of GeorgiaWrestlingHistory.com:

NEWS

We reported several weeks back that there was a push to demolish the Cow Palace in San Francisco, CA, to make room for commercial ventures. It is being reported now that the historic facility has been saved, with only an adjoining parking lot being lost to the almighty dollar. (Rich Tate)

Great Championship Wrestling returns to the Great Skate Plex tonight at 7:30 pm. The main event has Michaels, Inc., members, GCW Heavyweight champion Johnny Swinger and Hot Like Lava (GCW Interstate Champion Cru Jones and Shaun Banks) w/Quentin Michaels faces David Young and the GCW tag team champions J-Rod and Tex Monroe. Also Sonny Siaki goes up against Zero Tolerance w/Quentin Michaels. Damien Steele makes his official return to GCW. (Brian Slack)

Georgia Pro Wrestling Association returns to City Limits in Tifton, GA, tonight. Bell time is 9 pm. Admission is $10. Advertised: GPWA Heavyweight Champion "Platinum Playboy" Preston Paradise vs. Paul Warfield. In a ladder match, The Marvelous Ones will face the United Alliance for the GPWA Tag team titles. "The Real Deal" Jake Slater vs. "Golden Boy" Chick Donovan in a "Last Man Standing" match. "Big Bank" Barfield vs. "The Shooter" Vordell Walker. The Almighty Brokishi vs. "Insane" Mike Pain in a "Barroom Brawl." Iron Will vs Psych in an "Submission" match. (Thomas Bugg)

Florida Championship Wrestling returns to Port Richey, FL, on April 19, at the USA Flea Market. Matches start at 1:00 PM. Advertised: the Puerto Rican Nightmares (Eric Perez & Eddie Colon) defend their newly won FCW Florida Tag Team Title against the Empire (drew McIntyre & Stu Sanders); Jake Hagar defends the FCW Florida Heavyweight Title against Rycklon; Heath Miller & Jake Gabriel versus T.J. Wilson & Ted DiBiase, Jr.; Victoria & Roucka versus the Bella Twins, with Daisy as special referee; Mike Kruell versus Big Rob; Johnny Curtis & Gabe Tuft versus Jay Bradley & Tyrone Jones; Atlas DaBone versus Sheamus O’Shaunessy; Brad Allen & Nic Nemeth versus Greg Jackson & Lupe Martinez; Shawn Spears versus Matt Sydal; a six-man match featuring Tommy Taylor, Charles Evans & Colt Cabana versus Andrew Vein, Sinn Bowdee & Kafu; and Bryan Kelly versus Kevin Kiley. (Rich Tate)

UXW Pro Wrestling will be at the Central Florida Fair with free shows on April 22-23. Both days will feature events beginning at 6:00 PM and 8:00 PM. Call (813) 960-8412 for more info. Advertised to appear: Jake Roberts, Steve Corino, Big Vito, Norman Smiley, Manny Fernandez, the Heartbreak Express, Ray Beez, the Masked Maniac, Jon Davis, Bruce Santee, Vordell Walker, Chris Jones, Craig Classic, Mike Tobin, Lou Cypher, Ken Kendrick, Greatness, Flex, Shannon Rose, Ralphus, and Amy Vitale. (Rich Tate)

Planet Championship Wrestling will be in Palmetto, FL, on May 4 at the Hall, located at 1330 US Highway 301 North. Bell time is 6:00 PM, and the doors open at 5:30. Ringside tickets are $25, with general admission seating at $20. Advertised: Brent Dail versus Andrew ‘Test’ Martin for the vacant PCW Heavyweight Title; Ricky Santana versus Konnan; King Haku versus Kevin Sullivan (w/ Abudadein) in a lumberjack match; Fidel Sierra (w/ Fantasy) defends the Cuban Heavyweight Title against Hector Guerrero (w/ Tabatha); the Shane Twins (w/ Ron Niemi) defend the PCW Tag Team Title against Bruiser Bradley & Hack Myers; a three-way featuring Barry Horowitz, Glamour Boy Shane, and the Navy Seal; and Mark Zout versus Francisco Ciatso. For $15, fans can attend a tailgate party beginning at Noon, promising food, beer, pro wrestlers, and fun. (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

NWA Wrestling Showcase will move to a new day and time, beginning this weekend. On April 19, fans can watch the program at 6:00 PM ET. A replay will air each Sunday at the same time. (Rich Tate)

As we reported several weeks ago, Raven is opening a wrestling school in Columbus, GA, next month. In an initial blog from Raven on his website, there were no references to a wrestling promotion. However, a press release today from Great Championship Wrestling’s Taylor McKnight confirms it is a training facility for GCW, with Raven in the position as head trainer. Johnny Swinger will also be working with the students. Email gcwschool@yahoo.com for more info. (Rich Tate)

GWH wishes a happy birthday to Roddy Piper (54) and Kevin Wacholz (50).

Today in Memoriam: Paul Jones (86, 1988), Villano II (1989), Mitsu Arakawa (69, 1997), Ray Mendoza (73, 2003), and Rattlesnake Brooks (43, 2004)

NOSTALGIA

APRIL 17, 1933 (MONDAY) – ATLANTA, GA – HOWELL MILL ARENA (F.P. Owens – Promoter) > Roy Stewart versus Tag Arnold > Bill Ward versus Red Powell > Gene Fox versus Whitey Patterson > Grudge Match: Eddie Wagner versus Glenn Cowan / Notes: No documented results for this card have been found.

APRIL 17, 1934 (TUESDAY) – ATLANTA, GA – HOWELL MILL ARENA (C.W. Bennett – Promoter) > Roy Stewart versus Tony Lombardi > Glenn Cowan versus John Mauldin > Bull Schmidt versus Pancho Villa / Notes: No documented results for this card have been found.

APRIL 17, 1934 (TUESDAY) – ATLANTA, GA – SUNSET ATHLETIC CLUB (Promoter – Unknown) > Jim Zbyszko versus Young Londos > Eddie Wagner versus Bull Schmidt > John Mauldin versus Bull Johnson / Notes: No documented results for this card have been found. There were also two boxing matches, but no details were provided following the card. The shows at the Sunset Athletic Club were reported to be for “colored only and designed to introduce some of the best wrestlers and boxers in this section of the country.”

APRIL 17, 1936 (FRIDAY) – ATLANTA, GA – PIEDMONT-ELLIS ARENA (Frank Bettis – Promoter) > Joe Woods versus Don Rainey > Sammy Miller versus Mex McClain > John Mauldin versus Carl Schobel / Notes: No documented results for this card have been found.

APRIL 17, 1951 (TUESDAY) – ATLANTA, GA – ATLANTA MUNICIPAL AUDITORIUM (Jack Troy – Promoter) > Bill Collins versus Harry Barnard > Larry King versus Sam Roberts > Johnny Long & Tiny Oxford versus Andy Butcher & Butcher Boy Martin > Hank Saggart versus Ripper Hawks / Notes: No documented results for this card have been found.

APRIL 17, 1953 (FRIDAY) – ATLANTA, GA – ATLANTA MUNICIPAL AUDITORIUM [P] (Paul Jones – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Mike Paidousis and Mayes McLain wrestled to a draw > Carlos Guzman defeated Red Dugan > No TL Match: Henry Harrell defeated Tex Riley > Ray Gunkel defeated Aldo Bogni / Notes: The program we have for this card reported that Chicago, IL, Rainbo Arena ring announcer Wayne Griffin was the guest announcer for this card. It also mentioned that this was the Atlanta debut of Ray Gunkel. There was an advertisement that Roy Rogers and Dale Evans would be appearing at the Atlanta Municipal Auditorium on May 1, 1953, for a special western entertainment show, along with their horse Trigger, dog Bullet, singers, and stunt specialists. It was announced that Dan O’Connor and Pedro Godoy would be wrestling in Atlanta soon. It was also announced that Sonny Myers would be on the card on May 8, 1953, as would guest ring announcer Wayne Griffin.

APRIL 17, 1959 (FRIDAY) – ATLANTA, GA – ATLANTA MUNICIPAL AUDITORIUM (Paul Jones – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Women’s Match: Ethel Johnson versus Babs Wingo > Albert Mills & Skull Murphy defeated Ray Gunkel & Don McClarty > Southern Heavyweight Title Match: Dickie Gunkel defeated Freddie Blassie* to win title / Notes: Ethel Johnson and Babs Wingo were scheduled to wrestle each other, but no results were reported after the card. Freddie Blassie had been the reigning Southern Heavyweight Champion since he defeated Ray Gunkel on January 2, 1959, in Atlanta.

APRIL 17, 1961 (MONDAY) – AUGUSTA, GA – WILLIAM BELL AUDITORIUM (Robert McCoy – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Gypsy Joe & Skull Murphy versus Bob Rasmussen & Guy Mitchell > Jerry Graham versus Bill Dromo / Notes: No documented results for this card have been found.

APRIL 17, 1962 (TUESDAY) – MACON, GA – MACON CITY AUDITORIUM (Fred Ward – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Charley Laye defeated Ali Bey > The Canadian Angel defeated Frank Hickey > Andre Drapp defeated Lenny Montana by disqualification > Dick Steinborn defeated Don Whittler > Ray Villmer defeated Jim Wright by disqualification

APRIL 17, 1963 (WEDNESDAY) – COLUMBUS, GA – COLUMBUS SPORTS ARENA (Fred Ward – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > International Tag Team Title Match: Lenny Montana & Tarzan Tyler* defeated Jack Armstrong & Derrell Cochran > Women’s World Title Match: the Fabulous Moolah* defeated Betty Garcia > World Heavyweight Title versus Mask Match: Eddie Graham* defeated the Bat / Notes: It was reported that 1,200 were in attendance for this card. As part of the stipulation, the Bat was forced to unmask following the match with Eddie Graham, and was identified as Joe Tomasso. This had already been done in Atlanta on January 18, 1963, but he had continued to wear the mask despite his identity being known to Atlanta fans. It had also been done in Columbus on March 6, 1963, but he had continued to wear the mask anyway. Graham had been the reigning World Heavyweight Champion since he defeated Freddie Blassie on February 1, 1963, in Atlanta. The Fabulous Moolah had been billed as Women’s World Champion since she defeated Judy Grable on September 18, 1956, in Baltimore, MD. However, she was not considered the undisputed champion until June Byers retired with her title, won in Atlanta on August 20, 1954, in a win over Mildred Burke, until Byers retired in 1964. Lenny Montana & Tarzan Tyler had been billed as International Tag Team Champions since April 9, 1963.

APRIL 17, 1964 (FRIDAY) – JEKYLL ISLAND, GA (Fred Ward – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Joe McCarthy & Tinker Todd versus Kurt & Karl Von Brauner > Red Roberts versus Chief Big Heart / Notes: No documented results for this card have been found. Saul Weingeroff managed Kurt & Karl Von Brauner. It is unclear as to what venue was the site of this card.

APRIL 17, 1964 (FRIDAY) – MARIETTA, GA – LARRY BELL AUDITORIUM (Elmo Chappell – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > The Bavarian Boys defeated Johnny Heidman & George Harris > Sputnik Monroe defeated Jerry London > Tex Riley defeated Don Carson > Stan Stasiak versus the Mighty Jumbo ruled a no contest

APRIL 17, 1965 (SATURDAY) – COLUMBUS, GA – COLUMBUS SPORTS ARENA (Fred Ward – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Women’s Match: Sandra Lee versus Barbara Galento > Pedro Zapata versus Choo-Choo Lynn > Mario Galento versus Frankie Cain / Notes: No documented results for this card have been found. Barbara Galento was billed as the daughter of Mario Galento. This was for the locally televised “Columbus Championship Wrestling,” though it is not known who was hosting the program, whether it was taped or broadcast live, nor is it clear as to which station the program was aired at the time.

APRIL 17, 1965 (SATURDAY) – CARROLLTON, GA (Paul Jones – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Women’s Match: Barbara Galento versus Sandra Lee > Charlie Carr versus Buddy Fuller > Billy Hines versus Mario Galento / Notes: No documented results for this card have been found. It is unclear as to what venue was the site of this card.

APRIL 17, 1970 (FRIDAY) – ATLANTA, GA – PAUL JONES SPORTS ARENA (Paul Jones – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Les Wolff defeated Oki Shikina > Karl Von Stroheim defeated Pedro Valdez > Buddy Colt & Professor Kimura defeated Alberto & Ramon Torres > El Mongol & the Challenger defeated El Medico & Assassin #2 > Georgia Heavyweight Title Match: Nick Bockwinkel defeated Assassin #1* to win title / Notes: Homer O’Dell managed Buddy Colt, Professor Kimura & Karl Von Stroheim. The Assassins were caught switching places by photographers and fans during the match with Nick Bockwinkel, but the referee missed it. However, the move backfired as Bockwinkel still managed to get the win. Assassin #1 had been the reigning Georgia Heavyweight Champion since he defeated Joe Scarpa in a tournament final on March 13, 1970. Charlie Harben and Leo Garibaldi were credited as being referees for this card.

APRIL 17, 1971 (SATURDAY) – ATLANTA, GA – WQXI STUDIOS (Paul Jones – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Guillotine Gordon defeated Sabu Singh > Bill Dromo & Roberto Soto and Michel Dubois & Fidel Castillo wrestled to a draw > Buddy Colt defeated Jerry Oates / Notes: This was taped for the “Atlanta TV Wrestling” television program hosted by Ed Capral. Homer O’Dell managed Buddy Colt.

APRIL 17, 1974 (WEDNESDAY) – COLUMBUS, GA – COLUMBUS MUNICIPAL AUDITORIUM [P] (Fred Ward – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Jerry Brisco versus the Zebra Kid > Derrell Cochran & Earl Maynard versus Art Nelson & Bobby Duncum > Jerry Lawler versus Tiger Conway, Jr. > Jerry Oates & Robert Fuller versus Ron & Terry Garvin > Georgia Heavyweight Title Match: Mr. Wrestling #2* versus Bob Armstrong / Notes: No documented results for this card have been found. Jimmy Garvin managed Ron & Terry Garvin.

APRIL 17, 1977 (SUNDAY) – SAVANNAH, GA – SAVANNAH CIVIC CENTER (Aaron Newman – Promoter / Jim Crockett Promotions) > Johnnie Eagle defeated Larry Sharpe > Bill Dromo defeated Kim Duk > The Hollywood Blonds defeated Ron Starr & Ken Novak > Ric Flair defeated Rufus R. Jones > US Heavyweight Title Match: Blackjack Mulligan* defeated Dino Bravo / Notes: Boris Malenko managed Kim Duk.

APRIL 17, 1978 (MONDAY) – AUGUSTA, GA – WILLIAM BELL AUDITORIUM (Charlie Harben – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Paul Ellering defeated Ken Dillinger > Wolfgang & Helmut Schmidt defeated Raymond Rougeau & Pez Whatley > Stan Hansen defeated Tommy Rich > Nick Bockwinkel defeated Mr. Wrestling #2 > Dusty Rhodes versus Abdullah the Butcher ended in a double disqualification / Notes: Bobby Heenan managed Nick Bockwinkel. Rock Hunter managed Abdullah the Butcher, Wolfgang & Helmut Schmidt.

APRIL 17, 1980 (THURSDAY) – ROME, GA – ROME MEMORIAL GYMNASIUM (Charlie Harben – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Eddie Gilbert versus Joe Powell > Handicap Match: Mike Sharpe versus Jim Nelson & Ted Allen > Kevin Sullivan & Jay Strongbow versus Ivan Koloff & Alexis Smirnoff > Austin Idol versus Mr. Wrestling #2 / Notes: No documented results for this card have been found. Rock Hunter managed Ivan Koloff and Alexis Smirnoff.

APRIL 17, 1983 (SUNDAY) – ATLANTA, GA – OMNI COLISEUM [P] (Paul Jones – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Brian Blair defeated Pat Rose > Brett Wayne defeated Chick Donovan > Paul Ellering defeated Tito Santana > Ron Garvin defeated Killer Brooks > Destruction, Inc., defeated Ray Candy & Joe Lightfoot > Tony Atlas defeated Buzz Sawyer by disqualification > National Heavyweight Title Match: Larry Zbyszko* defeated Tommy Rich > Bullrope & Chain Match: the Texas Outlaws defeated Ivan Koloff & the Iron Sheik / Notes: Dick Murdoch was handcuffed to Ivan Koloff and Dusty Rhodes was tied to the Iron Sheik during their match. Homer O’Dell managed Koloff and the Sheik. Paul Ellering managed Destruction, Inc.

APRIL 17, 1984 (TUESDAY) – MACON, GA – MACON COLISEUM (Fred Ward – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Tommy Rogers defeated Bob Roop > Sweet Brown Sugar defeated Jake Roberts > Tim Horner defeated Les Thornton > Ron Garvin & King Kong Bundy defeated Paul Ellering & Hawk by countout > The Spoiler defeated Brad Armstrong / Notes: Paul Ellering managed Jake Roberts, the Spoiler, and Hawk.