GEORGIA WRESTLING NEWS, NOTES, AND NOSTALGIA: 05/02/2008

Courtesy of GeorgiaWrestlingHistory.com:

NEWS

Peach State Pandemonium will feature Bill Watts on May 3 at 11:00 AM ET. Feel free to call in at (347) 324-5735. Les Thatcher also makes his debut as a part of the co-hosting team on this edition. Tim Dix will provide additional commentary. (Rich Tate)

Independent Wrestling Network is celebrating their grand opening at the Fishcrow Arena in Columbus, GA, tonight, featuring Rick Steiner vs. Chris Stevens (with J. P. Money), Vordell Walker vs. Bulldog Raines in a Dog Collar Match and South Side Trash vs. Frankie Valentine & Adrian Hawkins. Jason Cross, Simon Sermon and Thomas Britain will be appearing. There were also be a tag match featuring luchadores. Bell time is 7:30. Doors open at 6:30. For ticket information call 706-507-7464. (Larry Goodman)

The planned Independent Wrestling Network card for May 3 in Columbus, GA, has been cancelled. (Brian Slack)

Ultimate Christian Wrestling results from Villa Rica High School in Dallas, GA, on May 1: Bulldog Raines over Josh Stone & J.T. Talent in a three-way; Evil, Inc. (Frankie Valentine & Colt Derringer) over Garrett Brown & Chris Rippy; Jeremy Vain & Adrian Hawkins over Kyle Matthews & Brian Lawler to win the UCW Tag Team Title; Sal Rinauro over Dustin Powers to retain the UCW Heavyweight Title; and Justin Brown over the Destroyer in a cage match. Reported attendance was 302. (Rich Tate)

The March 1 Great Championship Wrestling results from the Great Skate Plex in Phenix City, AL, were as follows: In the GCW tag title match, Tex Monroe and J-Rod were able to retain the titles by defeating The Bruiser and Orion Bishop. Scotty Beach defeated Randall Johnson. Zero Tolerance defeated Sonny Siaki by DQ. Micah Taylor w/Tracy Taylor defeated Michael Cook. Disco Inferno and Bull Buchanan defeated Hot Like Lava. Johnny Swinger defeated David Young to retain the GCW heavyweight title after Sonny Siaki turned on Young. (Brian Slack)

NAWA Ring Champions results from the National Guard Armory in Rome, GA, on May 1: Simon Sermon over Ced G. Sanford; Josh Vaughn (w/ Jackie Rosedale) over Chris Lightning and Torque in a three-way; Murder One over Waylon Rhodes; Chris Ganz over Chip Day and Kid Ego to retain the NAWA Cruiserweight Title in a three-way; and HCP (John Arden, Billy Love & Josh Hate) over the Exotic Ones (Jay Clinton, Rick Michaels & Simon Sermon) by disqualification. It was reported that 75 were in attendance. (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

Click here for Richard Berger’s updated Perspectives on Wrestling. (Rich Tate)

GWH wishes a happy birthday to Randy Colley (58) and Dwayne ‘the Rock’ Johnson (36).

Today in Memoriam: Frank Frazier (77, 1992), Jos LeDuc (54, 1999), and Sam Steamboat (71, 2006)

NOSTALGIA

MAY 2, 1932 (MONDAY) – AUGUSTA, GA – SUNNYDALE ARENA (C.S. Lippard – Promoter) > Headlock Padgett defeated Young Strangler Lewis > Jackie Nichols defeated Swede Hanson > Southern Lightweight Title Match: Jack Ross* defeated Jim Jeffries / Notes: The origin of the Southern Lightweight Title is unclear to us at this time. There was a different version also used elsewhere in Georgia that does not seem to have any lineage to this one.

MAY 2, 1933 (TUESDAY) – ATLANTA, GA – ATLANTA MUNICIPAL AUDITORIUM (Henry Weber – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Milo Steinborn defeated Casey Berger at 30:00 > Jim McMillen defeated Frank Brunowicz (2-1) / Notes: Frank Brunowicz substituted for Pete Sauer in the match against Jim McMillen.

MAY 2, 1933 (TUESDAY) – ATLANTA, GA – CENTER HILL ARENA (J.E. McKee – Promoter) > Oscar Williamson versus Jack Saunders > Eddie Wagner versus Wesley Brownlee / Notes: No documented results for this card have been found. It was reported the Armless Wonder of the World was to wrestle an opponent “of his own weight, and there was also another wrestling match, but no details were provided following the card.

MAY 2, 1933 (TUESDAY) – AUGUSTA, GA – NEW COLISEUM (W.K. Carswell – Promoter) > Grady McCauley versus Kid Henderson > Southern Lightweight Title Match: Jim Hesslyn* versus Jack Ross / Notes: No documented results for this card have been found. Jim Hesslyn had been billed as the Southern Lightweight Champion since April 4, 1933.

MAY 2, 1934 (WEDNESDAY) – ATLANTA, GA – PONCE de LEON BALL PARK (Henry Weber – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Orville Brown and Matros Kirilenko wrestled to a draw at 60:00 > Pete Sauer defeated George Zaharias at 41:00 by disqualification (2-1) / Notes: It was reported that 3,500 were in attendance for this card.

MAY 2, 1935 (THURSDAY) – AVONDALE, GA – AVONDALE ARENA (Paul Robinson – Promoter) > Bob Anderson versus Whitey Patterson > Lou Bartell versus John Ellis > Tony Marconi versus King Kong Kashey / Notes: No documented results for this card have been found.

MAY 2, 1939 (TUESDAY) – ATLANTA, GA – WARREN ARENA (L.C. Warren – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Joe Corbett defeated Abe Yourist > Mike Mazurki defeated Bob Jensen > Henry Piers defeated Alf Johnson by disqualification / Notes: Abe Yourist substituted for Otto Kuss in the match with Joe Corbett.

MAY 2, 1945 (WEDNESDAY) – SAVANNAH, GA – SAVANNAH MUNICIPAL AUDITORIUM (Lou Masters, Dick Leonard, and Buster White – Promoters) > Tarzan White defeated Mr. X (2) > Cowboy Luttrall defeated Otto Schnabel > Jack Dillon defeated George Romanoff

MAY 2, 1947 (FRIDAY) – ATLANTA, GA – ATLANTA MUNICIPAL AUDITORIUM (Paul Jones – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Joe Corbett and Rudy Strongberg wrestled to a draw > Johnny Long & Don McIntyre versus Tom Mahoney & Al Galento > Leo Savage defeated Wally Greb > Jim Coffield versus Dick Lever / Notes: Johnny Long & Don McIntyre and Tom Mahoney & Al Galento were scheduled to wrestle each other, as were Jim Coffield and Dick Lever, but no results were reported after the card.

MAY 2, 1949 (MONDAY) – AUGUSTA, GA – AUGUSTA MUNICIPAL AUDITORIUM (Tom Mahoney – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Women’s Match: Elvira Snodgrass defeated Therese Theis > Rex Mobley and Al Massey wrestled to a draw at 30:00 > Don McIntyre defeated Lozano Martinez (2-1) / Notes: There seems to be a resurrection of the cooperative between Augusta and the Atlanta office beginning with this card. This time it was permanent, as it lasted through July 1984. Elmer Snodgrass managed Elvira Snodgrass.

MAY 2, 1952 (FRIDAY) – ATLANTA, GA – ATLANTA MUNICIPAL AUDITORIUM (Paul Jones – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Doran O’Hara versus Babe Zaharias > Danny Dusek versus Angelo Martinelli > Wally Dusek versus Tarzan White > Southern Heavyweight Title Match: Al Massey defeated Jack McDonald* to win title / Notes: Aside from the match between Al Massey and Jack McDonald, no documented results for the remaining matches on this card have been found. McDonald had been the reigning Southern Heavyweight Champion since he defeated Lou Newman on April 5, 1952, in Atlanta.

MAY 2, 1955 (MONDAY) – AUGUSTA, GA – WILLIAM BELL AUDITORIUM (Tom Mahoney – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Bob Cummings and Ace Freeman wrestled to a draw at 15:00 > Dizzy Davis defeated Ivan Petroff > Tokyo Joe defeated Jerry Graham (2-1) > Bob Cummings & Dizzy Davis defeated Ivan Petroff & Ace Freeman

MAY 2, 1955 (MONDAY) – VALDOSTA, GA – VALDOSTA LIVESTOCK ARENA (Gordon Walker – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Steve Novak versus Red Dugan > Charro Azteca versus Red McIntyre / Notes: No documented results for this card have been found.

MAY 2, 1958 (FRIDAY) – ATLANTA, GA – ATLANTA MUNICIPAL AUDITORIUM [P] (Paul Jones – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Jack Dillon & the Mighty Yankee defeated Angelo Martinelli & Rocky Columbo > Ronnie Etchison defeated Don Lee > Ray Gunkel defeated Kurt Von Brawner > Southern Heavyweight Title Match: Don McIntyre* defeated Karl Heinkler at 13:00 / Notes: Don McIntyre had been the reigning Southern Heavyweight Champion since he defeated the Mighty Yankee on April 25, 1958, in Atlanta. Chris Averoff was credited as being a referee on this card. The program we have for this card continues to reference Bill Hartman (Ticket Sales) and Simon Davis (Timekeeper) as part of the office staff in Atlanta. In the program there is a photo of Ray Gunkel and Jack Dempsey together, stating that Dempsey had managed Gunkel in Chicago at one time. It went on to say that Dempsey still offered Gunkel advice from time to time. It was announced that Verne Gagne would be wrestling in Atlanta soon.

MAY 2, 1961 (TUESDAY) – MACON, GA – MACON CITY AUDITORIUM (Fred Ward – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Derrell Cochran and Jim Burke wrestled to a draw > Derrell Cochran & Farmer Powell defeated Jim Burke & Tiny Evans > Chief Little Eagle defeated Jerry Graham

MAY 2, 1962 (WEDNESDAY) – COLUMBUS, GA – COLUMBUS MUNICIPAL AUDITORIUM (Fred Ward – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Tony Barbetta versus Andre Drapp > Dick Steinborn defeated Jim Wright by disqualification > Ray Villmer defeated Lenny Montana > Southern Heavyweight Title Match: Eddie Graham* defeated the Canadian Angel / Notes: Tony Barbetta and Andre Drapp were scheduled to wrestle each other, but no results were reported after the card. Eddie Graham had been the reigning Southern Heavyweight Champion as recognized by the Tampa, FL, office since he won a tournament on March 17, 1962, in Tampa.

MAY 2, 1964 (SATURDAY) – MARIETTA, GA – LARRY BELL AUDITORIUM (Elmo Chappell – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > George Harris, Red Roberts & Sailor Moran versus Joe Scarpa, Buddy Fuller & the Mighty Jumbo > Stan Stasiak versus Tex Riley / Notes: No documented results for this card have been found.

MAY 2, 1967 (TUESDAY) – MACON, GA – MACON CITY AUDITORIUM (Fred Ward – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Bad Boy Hines & Choo-Choo Lynn defeated Dale Jones & Oki Shikina > Nick Kozak and El Mongol wrestled to a draw > Bad Boy Hines defeated Dale Jones > Nick Kozak & Dennis Hall defeated Jack Crawford & El Mongol by disqualification / Notes: Jack Crawford managed El Mongol.

MAY 2, 1969 (FRIDAY) – ATLANTA, GA – ATLANTA MUNICIPAL AUDITORIUM [P] (Paul Jones – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Bob Armstrong and Bill Dromo wrestled to a draw > Los Toros defeated Dennis Hall & Tim Geohagen at 12:00 > Ray Gunkel & Buddy Fuller defeated Dale Lewis & Skandor Akbar at 11:00 > El Mongol defeated Paul DeMarco at 15:00 > The Kentuckians defeated the Assassins

MAY 2, 1970 (SATURDAY) – ATLANTA, GA – WQXI STUDIOS (Paul Jones – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Doug Gilbert & the Challenger defeated Chati Yokuchi & Fuji > Nick Bockwinkel defeated Jim Wilson > Assassin #2 defeated El Medico / Notes: This was taped for the “Atlanta TV Wrestling” television program hosted by Ed Capral.

MAY 2, 1972 (TUESDAY) – MACON, GA – MACON COLISEUM (Fred Ward – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Jerry Oates and Mr. X wrestled to a draw > Bob Armstrong, Bill Dromo & El Mongol defeated Ox Baker, Oki Shikina & Assassin #1 > Georgia Heavyweight Title Match: Koa Tiki defeated Buddy Colt* by disqualification > Texas Death Match: Billy Spears defeated Roberto Soto / Notes: Buddy Colt had been the reigning Georgia Heavyweight Champion since he defeated El Mongol on April 8, 1972, in Griffin.

MAY 2, 1975 (FRIDAY) – ATLANTA, GA – ATLANTA MUNICIPAL AUDITORIUM [P] (Paul Jones – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Billy Spears versus Ricky Gibson > Jerry Brisco versus Jerry Lawler > Handicap Match: Chris Taylor versus Lorenzo Parente & Billy Raven > Georgia Tag Team Title Match: Toru Tanaka & Assassin #2* versus Bob Armstrong & Robert Fuller > Bobo Brazil versus Abdullah the Butcher > Mr. Wrestling #2 defeated Rock Hunter / Notes: Aside from the match between Mr. Wrestling #2 and Rock Hunter, no documented results for the remaining matches on this card have been found. Rock Hunter managed Assassin #2, Toru Tanaka, and Abdullah the Butcher.

MAY 2, 1977 (MONDAY) – AUGUSTA, GA – WILLIAM BELL AUDITORIUM (Charlie Harben – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Don Kernodle defeated Charlie Fulton > Randy Savage and Roberto Soto wrestled to a draw > Georgia Television Title Match: Thunderbolt Patterson* defeated the Great Malenko > Ole & Gene Anderson defeated Johnny Weaver & Tiger Conway, Jr. > Georgia Heavyweight Title Match: Paul Jones* defeated the Masked Superstar by disqualification

MAY 2, 1978 (TUESDAY) – MACON, GA – MACON COLISEUM (Fred Ward – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Doug Gilbert & the Invader defeated Wolfgang & Helmut Schmidt > Tommy Rich defeated El Lobo > 1,000 Silver Dollar Match (No DQ): Lars Anderson and Mr. Wrestling #2 wrestled to a draw at 20:00 > Macon Heavyweight Title Match: Abdullah the Butcher* versus Adrian Adonis ruled a no contest > Georgia Television Title Match: Thunderbolt Patterson defeated Ole Anderson* to win title / Notes: Doug Gilbert was scheduled to wrestle Jacques Goulet in the opener, Wolfgang & Helmut Schmidt were advertised to wrestle Paul Ellering & Pez Whatley, and the Invader was not advertised at all. No explanation was provided following this card as to why Goulet, Ellering, and Whatley did not appear. Rock Hunter managed Abdullah the Butcher, Wolfgang & Helmut Schmidt.

MAY 2, 1979 (WEDNESDAY) – COLUMBUS, GA – COLUMBUS MUNICIPAL AUDITORIUM (Fred Ward – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Ron Bass & John Wolfe versus Mike Stallings & Genichiro Tenryu > Kurt Von Hess versus Norvel Austin > Tommy Rich versus Ivan Koloff > Georgia Television Title Match: Bob Armstrong* versus Blackjack Lanza > Wahoo McDaniel versus King Kong Mosca / Notes: No documented results for this card have been found. Bobby Heenan managed Ron Bass, Blackjack Lanza and King Kong Mosca.

MAY 2, 1981 (SATURDAY) – CHATTANOOGA, TN – CHATTANOOGA MEMORIAL AUDITORIUM (Paul Jones – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > National Tag Team Title Match: Terry Gordy & Buddy Roberts* versus Ted DiBiase & Mr. Wrestling #2 > NWA World Heavyweight Title Match: Harley Race* versus Nikolai Volkoff / Notes: No documented results for this card have been found. Michael Hayes joined Terry Gordy and Buddy Roberts at the ring during their match with Ted DiBiase & Mr. Wrestling #2.

MAY 2, 1982 (SUNDAY) – COLUMBUS, GA (Fred Ward – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Buzz Sawyer defeated Brad Armstrong > John Studd & the Super Destroyer defeated Michael Hayes & Kevin Sullivan > Mr. Wrestling #2 defeated Ron Bass > Tommy Rich defeated the Masked Superstar by disqualification > Roddy Piper defeated Bob Armstrong

MAY 2, 1982 (SUNDAY) – ATLANTA, GA – OMNI COLISEUM [P] (Paul Jones – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Brad Armstrong & Tom Prichard defeated Ricky Harris & Chick Donovan > Michael Hayes defeated Ron Bass > Kevin Sullivan & Mr. Wrestling #2 defeated John Studd & the Super Destroyer > Leroy Brown defeated the Masked Superstar by disqualification > National Heavyweight Title Match: Buzz Sawyer defeated Tommy Rich* to win title > Bob Armstrong defeated the Great Kabuki > Bob Armstrong versus Gary Hart ruled a no contest > Dusty Rhodes & George Steele versus Ole Anderson & Roddy Piper ruled a no contest / Notes: Chick Donovan substituted for Eddy Mansfield to team with Ricky Harris in the match with Brad Armstrong & Tom Prichard. Gary Hart, who managed the Great Kabuki, was locked in a cage at ringside during the match with Bob Armstrong and Kabuki.

MAY 2, 1984 (WEDNESDAY) – COLUMBUS, GA – COLUMBUS MUNICIPAL AUDITORIUM (Fred Ward – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Jerry Oates defeated Greg Brown > Tommy Rogers defeated Dale Veasey > Bob Roop and Tim Horner wrestled to a draw > Brad Armstrong defeated Ted DiBiase > The Spoiler defeated the Masked Superstar by disqualification > Jake Roberts defeated Ron Garvin / Notes: Dale Veasey substituted for Les Thornton in the match with Tommy Rogers. All wrestlers and managers were escorted from the building prior to the match between Jake Roberts and Ron Garvin. Paul Ellering managed Jake Roberts, Ted DiBiase, and the Spoiler.