GEORGIA WRESTLING NEWS, NOTES, AND NOSTALGIA: 07/23/2008

Courtesy of GeorgiaWrestlingHistory.com:

NEWS

Tonight’s Peach State Pandemonium, hosted by Dan Masters in my absence while I reside on the beautiful beaches of Anna Maria Island in Florida with the family on a much needed semi-vacation, will feature A.J. Styles, as well as two figures from the Tennessee scene, where several Nashville area promotions are waging war, in Mike Porter and Marc Anthony. Larry Goodman will serve as co-host for the evening, and Tim Dix will provide additional commentary. (Rich Tate)

World Wrestling Entertainment has announced the following event: November 30 in Columbus, GA, at the Columbus Civic Center. Tickets go on sale on October 25. (Rich Tate)

We received two corrections to my post of the Great Championship Wrestling results for their July 19 show in Villa Rica, GA. Quentin Michaels of GCW corrected my wording regarding the appearance of Scott West as being “in lieu of” Southern Extreme Championship Wrestling owner Scott East with the following: “Scott East does not in any way work for or with Great Championship Wrestling. The character named "Scott West" is strictly a new G.C.W. performer and he is not intended to insult or degrade Scott East.” Scott East sent a correction to the attendance figure, stating that according to several eyewitnesses, the 275 reported by GCW was inflated from an actual attendance of 150-175 including freebies. (Larry Goodman)

The Florida Wrestling Association returns to action at the Volusia Speedway Park in DeLeon Springs, FL, on August 9. Matches start at 5:30 PM, with auto racing capping off the night. Tickets are $12, and cover entry to the wrestling and racing events. Advertised: Hack Meyers, Mike Enos, American Freedom Fighter, Rick the Reaper, Black Knight, and Wildman Brody. A bullrope match, where falls count anywhere throughout the speedway, is on the slate, as is a women’s match. Call (813) 960-8412 for more information. (Rich Tate)

NWA Main Event has announced that they have been invited back to provide true Southern style professional wrestling for the 2008 Tennessee State Fair. This is the third year in a row that Main Event has provided wrestling for the Fair. The wrestling show will be located in the Rose Garden area of the fairgrounds from Sept 5 through Sept 14. We invite everyone attending the State Fair this year to stop by and enjoy true Southern style professional wrestling. (Larry Goodman)

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

GWH wishes a happy birthday to Al Perez (48) and Sonny Siaki (34).

Today in Memoriam: Hercules Cortez (39, 1971), Herb Abrams (41, 1996), Ronnie Gossett (2007), and Tor Kamata (70, 2007).

NOSTALGIA

JULY 23, 1934 (MONDAY) – ATLANTA, GA – KEY ARENA (Jason Thompson and Cleve Roby – Promoter) > Eddie Elzea versus Tiger Moore > Pete Epting versus Jimmy Shaber > Sammy Miller versus Fred Lassiter / Notes: No documented results for this card have been found.

JULY 23, 1936 (THURSDAY) – AVONDALE, GA – AVONDALE ARENA (Nat Jones – Promoter) > George Wagner versus the Masked Marvel > Don Rainey versus Bob Anderson > Sammy Miller versus Baron Von Hoffman / Notes: No documented results for this card have been found.

JULY 23, 1937 (FRIDAY) – ATLANTA, GA – WEST END ARENA (Frank Bettis and Cleve Roby – Promoters) > Frank Remille versus Baron Von Hoffman > Joe Ferona versus Tarzan Jordan > NWA World Middleweight Title Match: Gus Kallio* and Buck Lawson wrestled to a draw / Notes: Aside from the match between Gus Kallio and Buck Lawson, no documented results for the remaining matches on this card have been found. Kallio had been recognized as the NWA World Middleweight Champion multiple times, but it is unclear at this time how he came to be recognized during this time frame.

JULY 23, 1941 (WEDNESDAY) – ATLANTA, GA – NORTHSIDE TENNIS CLUB (Abe Simon – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Harry Kent versus Rudy Strongberg > Tom Mahoney versus Marvin Jones > Jack Kennedy versus Dobie Osborne / Notes: No documented results for this card have been found.

JULY 23, 1943 (FRIDAY) – ATLANTA, GA – ATLANTA MUNICIPAL AUDITORIUM (Sammy Friedman – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Karl Davis & Babe Zaharias defeated Dick Lever & John Mauldin by countout > John Grandovich defeated Roland Kirchmeyer > Jack McAdams defeated Joe Estes / Notes: John Grandovich was declared the winner of his match when Roland Kirchmeyer was deemed unable to continue. Tiny Ruff was credited as being a referee on this card.

JULY 23, 1945 (MONDAY) – SAVANNAH, GA – SAVANNAH MUNICIPAL AUDITORIUM (Lou Masters, Dick Leonard, and Buster White – Promoters) > Wally Greb defeated Al Massey > Nick Carter defeated Bill Collins > Jim Coffield defeated George Romanoff

JULY 23, 1948 (FRIDAY) – ATLANTA, GA – ATLANTA MUNICIPAL AUDITORIUM (Paul Jones – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Jim Coffield and Don McIntyre wrestled to a draw > Al Lovelock defeated Tom Mahoney > Rex Mobley & Bobby Roberts defeated Al Galento & Babe Zaharias > NWA World Heavyweight Title Match: Lou Thesz* defeated Sky Hi Lee by disqualification / Notes: Lou Thesz had been the reigning NWA World Heavyweight Champion since he defeated Bill Longson in Indianapolis, IN, on July 20, 1948. This version was the one recognized by the National Boxing Association as the National Wrestling Association.

JULY 23, 1954 (FRIDAY) – ATLANTA, GA – ATLANTA MUNICIPAL AUDITORIUM (Paul Jones – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Harry Smith versus Jack O’Reilly > Jerry Graham versus Tex Riley > Women’s Match: Carole Yantis versus Millie Stafford wrestled to a draw > El Toro defeated Chief Big Heart > Art Nelson and Roy McClarty wrestled to a draw / Notes: Harry Smith and Jack O’Reilly were scheduled to wrestle each other, as were Jerry Graham and Tex Riley, but no results were reported after the card.

JULY 23, 1957 (TUESDAY) – SAVANNAH, GA – BARN (Chic Witt – Promoter) > Choo-Choo Lynn versus Bill Alexander > Tommy Todd versus Yank Gavel > Randy Boatwright versus Don Goodwin / Notes: No documented results for this card have been found.

JULY 23, 1962 (MONDAY) – AUGUSTA, GA – WILLIAM BELL AUDITORIUM (Steve Manderson – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Ivor Barrett versus Chief Little Eagle > Joe Scarpa & Don Curtis versus Pedro Godoy & the Russian Crusher > Freddie Blassie versus Rito Carreon / Notes: No documented results for this card have been found.

JULY 23, 1963 (TUESDAY) – MACON, GA – MACON CITY AUDITORIUM (Fred Ward – Promoter / Fred Ward Promotions) > Roy Mulkey, Johnny Sevelle & Tarzan White defeated Bob Shipp, Bob Rose & Red Dugan > Georgia Heavyweight Title Match: Honey Boy Hannigan defeated Choo-Choo Lynn* to win title / Notes: Choo-Choo Lynn had been billed as Georgia Heavyweight Champion since February 5, 1963. This version of the title and the one that would later extend from 1964 through 1981 were not the same.

JULY 23, 1965 (FRIDAY) – ATLANTA, GA – ATLANTA MUNICIPAL AUDITORIUM [P] (Paul Jones – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Chief Little Eagle defeated Jack Vansky > Jesse James defeated Corsica Jean > The Mongolian defeated Greg Peterson > Joe Scarpa, Nick Kozak & Chief Little Eagle defeated Jack Vansky, Dutch Savage & Wildman Phillips > Southern Heavyweight Title Match: Bob Orton* defeated Mario Galento / Notes: Paul Jones was the special referee for the match between Bob Orton and Mario Galento. Orton had been the reigning Southern Heavyweight Champion as recognized by the Tampa, FL, office since he won a tournament on June 17, 1965, in Jacksonville, FL. It was announced that Benny Matta would be wrestling on the card on July 30, 1965, and that Eddie Graham and Lou Thesz would be wrestling in Atlanta soon.

JULY 23, 1966 (SATURDAY) – MARIETTA, GA – LARRY BELL BALLPARK (Elmo Chappell – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Bob Armstrong versus Kenny Mack > Enrique, Alberto & Ramon Torres versus George Harris, Butcher Vachon & Wildman Wehba / Notes: No documented results for this card have been found.

JULY 23, 1968 (TUESDAY) – MACON, GA – MACON CITY AUDITORIUM (Fred Ward – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Silento Rodriguez defeated Joe Turco > Bill Dromo defeated Butcher Vachon > Alberto & Ramon Torres defeated the Rising Suns by disqualification

JULY 23, 1969 (WEDNESDAY) – COLUMBUS, GA – COLUMBUS MUNICIPAL AUDITORIUM (Fred Ward – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > The Professional defeated Tony Nero > Bill Dromo defeated Mr. Ito > Midget Tag Team Match: Little Bobo & Cowboy Lang defeated Little Crusher & Little Bruiser > The Assassins defeated the Kentuckians

JULY 23, 1971 (FRIDAY) – ATLANTA, GA – ATLANTA MUNICIPAL AUDITORIUM [P] (Paul Jones – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Kubla Khan defeated Cisco Grimaldo by disqualification > Bill Dromo & Roberto Soto defeated Billy Spears & Ken Russell > Women’s Match: Sandy Parker defeated Lilly Thomas > George Scott & Klondike Bill defeated Rocket & Flash Monroe > George Scott & Klondike Bill defeated the Assassins by disqualification > Texas Death Match: Big John defeated El Mongol > Lights Out Match: Ray Gunkel defeated Homer O’Dell / Notes: Buddy Colt was barred from the building during the match between Ray Gunkel and Homer O’Dell. For Gunkel to have been declared the winner of the match, he had to pin O’Dell three times in thirty minutes. O’Dell attempted at one point to hit Gunkel with a chain wrapped around his fist, but Gunkel was able to take it from him before any damage could be done. El Mongol participated in an autograph session for fans.

JULY 23, 1974 (TUESDAY) – ATLANTA, GA – ATLANTA MUNICIPAL AUDITORIUM (Ann Gunkel – Promoter / All-South Wrestling Alliance) > Ox Baker versus the Magnificent Zulu > Ray Candy, Charlie Cook & Assassin #2 versus Crusher Verdu, Jerry & Luke Graham > Puerto Rico Heavyweight Title Match: Carlos Colon* versus Jonathan Boyd > Loser Leaves Chain Match: El Mongol versus Bolo Mongol / Notes: No documented results for this card have been found. Rock Hunter managed Crusher Verdu, Jerry & Luke Graham. George Cannon managed Bolo Mongol.

JULY 23, 1974 (TUESDAY) – MACON, GA – MACON COLISEUM (Fred Ward – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Steve Keirn defeated El Gaucho > The Professional defeated Doug Somers > Women’s World Tag Team Title Match: Joyce Grable & Vicky Williams* defeated Peggy Patterson & Miss Wrestling > Macon Heavyweight Title Match: Mr. Wrestling #2* and Roger Kirby wrestled to a draw > Handicap Tag Team Match: Leon Ogle & Choo-Choo Lynn defeated Ron, Terry & Jimmy Garvin / Notes: Jimmy Garvin managed Ron & Terry Garvin.

JULY 23, 1976 (FRIDAY) – ATLANTA, GA – ATLANTA MUNICIPAL AUDITORIUM [P] (Paul Jones – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Les Thornton and Jan Nelson wrestled to a draw > Stan Stasiak defeated Tony Charles > Jimmy & Johnny Valiant defeated Ken Mantell & Roberto Soto > Mr. Wrestling #2 defeated Yasu Fuji > Pak Song defeated Dusty Rhodes > Mark Lewin versus Abdullah the Butcher / Notes: Mark Lewin and Abdullah the Butcher were scheduled to wrestle each other, but no results were reported after the card. Rock Hunter managed Pak Song and Abdullah the Butcher. Ron West and Doug Smith were credited as being referees for this card.

JULY 23, 1977 (SATURDAY) – ATLANTA, GA – WTCG STUDIOS (Paul Jones – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Tape: Ole & Gene Anderson versus Andre the Giant & Thunderbolt Patterson > Jacques Goulet defeated Burrhead Jones > Dino Bravo defeated Roger Smith > Ric Flair defeated Randy Alls > Mr. Wrestling #2 defeated Ken Dillinger / Notes: This was taped for the “Georgia Championship Wrestling” television program hosted by Gordon Solie.

JULY 23, 1979 (MONDAY) – AUGUSTA, GA – WILLIAM BELL AUDITORIUM (Charlie Harben – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Genichiro Tenryu defeated Bill Howard > Killer Karl Kox defeated Mike Stallings > Stan Hansen & Tommy Rich versus Ole Anderson & Ivan Koloff ended in a double disqualification > Georgia Television Title Match: Ray Candy defeated Blackjack Lanza* > Georgia Heavyweight Title Indian Strap Match: Wahoo McDaniel* defeated the Masked Superstar / Notes: Ray Candy did not defeat Blackjack Lanza in the first fifteen minutes, so the title did not change hands. Bobby Heenan managed Blackjack Lanza, Killer Karl Kox and the Masked Superstar.

JULY 23, 1980 (WEDNESDAY) – COLUMBUS, GA – COLUMBUS MUNICIPAL AUDITORIUM (Fred Ward – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Mike George defeated Terry Taylor > Dennis Condrey defeated Steve Regal > Georgia Heavyweight Title Match: Tony Atlas defeated Baron Von Raschke > Stan Hansen & Mr. Wrestling #2 defeated the Assassins > Boston Street Fight Match: Kevin Sullivan defeated Mark Lewin by countout > NWA World Heavyweight Title Match: Harley Race* defeated Tommy Rich / Notes: Lou Thesz was the special referee for the match between Harley Race and Tommy Rich. The Great Mephisto managed Mark Lewin.

JULY 23, 1981 (THURSDAY) – MARIETTA, GA – COBB COUNTY CIVIC CENTER (Paul Jones – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Bruce Reed and Mike Sharpe wrestled to a draw > Bryan St. John defeated Bruno Sammartino, Jr. > Jim Duggan defeated George Wells > Ken Patera, Terry Gordy & Jimmy Snuka defeated Tommy Rich, Ted DiBiase & Steve O

JULY 23, 1983 (SATURDAY) – CHATTANOOGA, TN – CHATTANOOGA MEMORIAL AUDITORIUM (Bill Dundee – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Pat Rose and Joe Lightfoot wrestled to a draw > Arn Anderson defeated Bill Rose > Brett Wayne & the Stray Cat defeated Rick Connors & Sam the Samoan > The French Angel & the Bounty Hunter defeated the Fantastic Ones > Southern Heavyweight Title Match: Bill Dundee defeated Stagger Lee* to win title / Notes: Jim Cornette managed the French Angel and the Bounty Hunter.