SOUTHEASTERN WRESTLING NEWS, NOTES, AND NOSTALGIA: 07/28/2008

Courtesy of GeorgiaWrestlingHistory.com:

NEWS

Due to the fact our coverage has expanded beyond the state of Georgia this year, we are making the logical change to the name of our daily report to remind folks that Georgia Wrestling History is no longer just about Georgia, as we continue to try and promote the support of local wrestling throughout the southeastern United States. While GWH is primarily in existence to pay tribute to the past, we also feel it is important to help keep the spirit alive on the local scene as well. Thus, in addition to documenting the past to the best of our abilities, which is a never-ending search for information and accuracy, we also keep up with what is going on around us today. Our coverage not only includes the Georgia scene, but we also hit Alabama, Florida, Tennessee, and the Carolinas, as well as World Wrestling Entertainment, Total Nonstop Action, Ring of Honor, the National Wrestling Alliance, and the American Wrestling Association. We thank everyone for their continued support, and remind you that the content within the reports are only a small slice of what can be found at our site. (Rich Tate)

World Wrestling Entertainment’s RAW crew will be at the Verizon Center in Washington, DC, tonight. As well as broadcasting live, there will be tapings for Saturday Night’s Main Event. (Rich Tate)

Total Nonstop Action will be taping for iMPACT! at Universal Studios in Orlando, FL, tonight. Admission for tapings is free. Call (407) 224-6000 for more info. (Rich Tate)

Alternative Pro Wrestling will present “Freedom Fight ‘08” at the Gym in Royston, GA, located on Cherry Street, on August 1. Bell time is 8:15 PM, and doors open at 7:45. Tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for kids, and children under 6 are admitted free of charge. Advertised: J.T. Talent defends the APW Southern States Heavyweight Title against Shadow Jackson; Azrael & Darkness, with Lloth, defend the APW Tag Team Title against Bo Newsome & Slim J and the Friday Night Franchise (Matt Sells & Ryan Michaels) in a three-way; Chris Mayne defends the APW North Georgia Heavyweight Title against Seth Delay; Jeremy Vain versus Billy Buck; and Chris King versus the Royston Brawler. Also advertised: Chris Damien, Kareem Abdul Jamar, and Stryknyn. (Rich Tate)

R&B Entertainment Wrestling will be in Jesup, GA, at the Cracker Williams Recreation Center on August 3. Doors open at 2:30 PM and bell time is at 3:00. Tickets are $5. Advertised: National Championship, 4 Corners Elimination Tag Match featuring Vern Von Rashke (c) vs. "The Modern-Day Cowboy" Chris Anthony vs. Blade Walker vs. "Playboy" Jason Hayes. For the RBW Heavyweight Championship, Scotty Bullwinkle (c) vs. "The Broken Angel" FEAR. For the RBW Tag Team Championship, Fuego & Big Joe (c) vs. "The Hot One" Lance Alonte & Justin Taylor. Also advertised: "Top Story" Morgan Davis, Dallas Riley, Sektor, The Ring Lord, and The Gangsta Nation. R & B is owned and operated by Redd Groover and Billy Westberry. It is a non-profit organization that promotes wrestling shows to raise money for diabetes and other research. Redd is a former 30 year diabetic and Billy has been diagnosed with diabetes. (Thomas Bugg)

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

Bob Magee’s column, As I See It, has been updated. Click here for the latest entry. (Rich Tate)

GWH wishes a happy birthday to Jeremy Vain (27) and Billy Buck.

Today in Memoriam: Jackie Simpson (1999), Harlem Warlord (32, 2000), Lou Pitoscia (76, 2005), and Karl Gotch (82, 2007).

NOSTALGIA

JULY 28, 1931 (TUESDAY) – ATLANTA, GA – SPILLER FIELD (Henry Weber – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Cy Williams defeated Scotty Scott > Milo Steinborn defeated Jim Hesslyn (2-1)

JULY 28, 1937 (WEDNESDAY) – ATLANTA, GA – PONCE de LEON BALL PARK (Frank Speer – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Pete Schuh and Dobie Osborne wrestled to a draw > Milo Steinborn defeated Cowboy Luttrall by disqualification > Dan O’Connor defeated Dorv Roche

JULY 28, 1944 (FRIDAY) – ATLANTA, GA – ATLANTA MUNICIPAL AUDITORIUM (Paul Jones – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Al Massey defeated Babe Zaharias > Jack Wentworth & Wally Greb defeated John Mauldin & Dick Lever > Cowboy Luttrall defeated Jack Dillon by disqualification

JULY 28, 1948 (WEDNESDAY) – DALTON, GA (Fred Ward – Promoter / Fred Ward Promotions) > Tommy Ward defeated Andy Parkat > Bill Steddum and Chico Cortez wrestled to a draw / Notes: Jack Dempsey was the special referee for the match between Bill Steddum and Chico Cortez. It is unclear as to what venue was the site of this card.

JULY 28, 1950 (FRIDAY) – ATLANTA, GA – ATLANTA MUNICIPAL AUDITORIUM [P] (Paul Jones – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Eddie Gossett defeated Red Roberts > Don McIntyre and Buddy Knox wrestled to a draw > Women’s Match: Beverly Lehmer defeated Jean Holland > Women’s Match: Mae Young defeated Eva Lee > Southern Heavyweight Title Match: Art Nelson* defeated Tarzan White by countout / Notes: Art Nelson had been the reigning Southern Heavyweight Champion since he defeated Don McIntyre on July 7, 1950, in Atlanta. It was being reported that McIntyre had offered Nelson $200 for a shot at the title, but Nelson still balked at giving him the rematch. It was announced that Bill Longson would be wrestling in Atlanta soon.

JULY 28, 1951 (SATURDAY) – ATLANTA, GA – ATLANTA MUNICIPAL AUDITORIUM (Paul Jones – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Al Massey versus Jack Moore > Mike Paidousis versus Ben Morgan > Southern Heavyweight Title Match: Art Nelson defeated Don McIntyre* to win title > Baron Leone versus the Great Scott / Notes: Aside from the match between Art Nelson and Don McIntyre, no documented results for the remaining matches on this card have been found. McIntyre had been the reigning Southern Heavyweight Champion since he defeated the Golden Terror on March 30, 1951, in Atlanta.

JULY 28, 1958 (MONDAY) – AUGUSTA, GA – ARMORY HALL (Robert McCoy – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Ronnie Etchison versus Jack Dillon > Frank Townsend versus the Skull > Ray Gunkel versus Angelo Poffo / Notes: No documented results for this card have been found. There were two referees for the match between Ray Gunkel versus Angelo Poffo. Bronko Lubich managed Poffo.

JULY 28, 1961 (FRIDAY) – ATLANTA, GA – ATLANTA MUNICIPAL AUDITORIUM [P] (Paul Jones – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Marco Polo and Guy Mitchell wrestled to a draw at 20:00 > Matt Jewell defeated McKinley Pickens > Guy Mitchell & Marco Polo defeated Gypsy Joe & the Masked Phantom (2) at 60:00 > Ray Gunkel defeated Tommy Bell at 0:05 > The Sheik defeated Johnny Reid at 5:00 > AWA World Heavyweight Title Cage Match: Bob Ellis defeated Dick the Bruiser* by disqualification / Notes: The Sheik was escorted to the ring by his valet Princess Salima. This card was originally scheduled to take place at Ponce de Leon Ball Park, but the threat of inclement weather moved it indoors. Dick the Bruiser had been the reigning US Heavyweight Champion as recognized by the Detroit, MI, office, since he defeated Bobo Brazil on February 28, 1961, in Detroit. For some reason it was being called the AWA World Heavyweight Title here, and the Bruiser was being billed as such. It was announced that wrestling bear Terrible Ted would be on the card on August 4, 1961. Marco Polo participated in an autograph session for fans.

JULY 28, 1964 (TUESDAY) – MACON, GA – MACON CITY AUDITORIUM (Fred Ward – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Bob Eisenburg and the Destroyer wrestled to a draw > Women’s Match: Judy Grable defeated Marie Darnell > Wildman Phillips defeated Bob Hamby

JULY 28, 1965 (WEDNESDAY) – COLUMBUS, GA – COLUMBUS MUNICIPAL AUDITORIUM (Fred Ward – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Nick Kozak versus Bob Boyer > Mixed Women’s Tag Team Match: Barbara Galento & Diamond Lil versus Terry Majors & Darling Dagmar > Jesse James versus the Mongolian > Mario Galento versus Wildman Phillips / Notes: No documented results for this card have been found.

JULY 28, 1966 (THURSDAY) – ALBANY, GA (Fred Ward – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Kenny Mack versus Tito Carreon > Dick Steinborn versus George Harris > Danny Little Bear & Chief Crazy Horse versus the Infernos / Notes: No documented results for this card have been found. J.C. Dykes managed the Infernos. It is unclear as to what venue was the site of this card.

JULY 28, 1967 (FRIDAY) – ATLANTA, GA – ATLANTA MUNICIPAL AUDITORIUM [P] (Paul Jones – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Bob Nandor defeated Chico Cortez > Ricky Hunter defeated Jerry Graham by disqualification > Ray Gunkel & Buddy Fuller defeated Alex Perez & Louie Tillet > El Mongol defeated Tim Geohagen > Stan & Butcher Vachon defeated Ramon Torres & Mr. Wrestling > Loser Leaves Match (No DQ): Alberto Torres defeated Mad Dog Vachon / Notes: Jack Crawford managed El Mongol. The program for this card mentioned that Lou Thesz would be a guest on the Today Show on August 3, 1967, to be interviewed by guest hosts Hugh Downs and Joe Garagiola. It was announced that Thesz and Sputnik Monroe would be wrestling on the card on August 4, 1967.

JULY 28, 1970 (TUESDAY) – MACON, GA – MACON COLISEUM [P] (Fred Ward – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Women’s Match: Sharon Joyce defeated Rita Boucher > Sabu Singh defeated Rocket Monroe > Bob Armstrong and Derrell Cochran wrestled to a draw > Nick Bockwinkel and Doug Gilbert wrestled to a draw > Bill Dromo defeated Buddy Colt / Notes: Homer O’Dell managed Buddy Colt. Leon Ogle was credited as being a referee for this card. This is the first Macon program we have that mentions details on the “Macon Championship Wrestling” program, which could be seen every Saturday on WCWB Channel 41 at 1:00 PM, hosted by Don McGouirk and Ralph Freed. It also credits some office members, with Choo-Choo Lynn recognized as Assistant Promoter to Fred Ward and Gordon Price as Ring Announcer. It was announced that Dory Funk, Jr., would be wrestling in Atlanta on August 11, 1970.

JULY 28, 1972 (FRIDAY) – ATLANTA, GA – ATLANTA MUNICIPAL AUDITORIUM [P] (Paul Jones – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Cisco Grimaldo defeated Nick Russo > Women’s Match: Toni Rose defeated Debbie Johnson > Assassin #1 defeated Jesse James > Bob Armstrong & Argentina Apollo defeated Bill Bowman & Joe Turner by disqualification > Brass Knuckles Match: Rocket Monroe defeated Billy Spears > Dick Steinborn and Assassin #2 wrestled to a draw at 60:00 > No TL / No DQ Match: Ox Baker defeated the Avenger / Notes: Charlie Smith and Bill McMinn were credited as being referees for this card. Debbie Johnson participated in an autograph session for fans. The program for this card mentioned that Ray Gunkel, the Brass Knucks Champion, also still held the Georgia Television Title. Gunkel had been the reigning Brass Knucks Champion since he defeated Ox Baker on June 30, 1972, in Atlanta, and Georgia Television Champion since he defeated Big John on October 15, 1971, in Atlanta. In an ad in this program for the television program, the Wednesday time slot, which began as a second weekly broadcast several weeks prior, is no longer mentioned. It was announced that Nick Bockwinkel and Haystacks Calhoun would be wrestling in Atlanta soon.

JULY 28, 1973 (SATURDAY) – “ALL-SOUTH CHAMPIONSHIP WRESTLING” (Ann Gunkel – Promoter / All-South Wrestling Alliance) > The Super Gladiator defeated John Black > Tommy Seigler defeated Tarzan Tyler by disqualification > Rock Hunter & Assassin #2 and Argentina Apollo & El Mongol wrestled to a draw > Randy Curtis versus the Golden Gladiator ruled a no contest / Notes: Rock Hunter managed Assassin #2.

JULY 28, 1973 (SATURDAY) – ATLANTA, GA – WTCG STUDIOS (Paul Jones – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Billy Spears defeated Greg Lake > Tom Jones & Jim Wilson defeated Bill White & Ed Wiskowski > Roy Lee Welch, Bob Orton, Jr., & Mr. Griffin and Bobby Duncum & the Super Infernos wrestled to a draw / Notes: This was taped for the “Georgia Championship Wrestling” television program hosted by Gordon Solie. J.C. Dykes managed the Super Infernos.

JULY 28, 1973 (SATURDAY) – AUGUSTA, GA – RICHMOND ACADEMY GYMNASIUM (Paul Jones – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Bobby Shane & Billy Spears versus Bob Orton Jr., & Mr. Wrestling #2 > NWA World Heavyweight Title Match: Jack Brisco* versus Bill Watts / Notes: No documented results for this card have been found. Toni Rose, Vicky Williams, and the Fabulous Moolah were scheduled, but no details were reported following the card.

JULY 28, 1978 (FRIDAY) – ATLANTA, GA – ATLANTA MUNICIPAL AUDITORIUM (Paul Jones – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Pez Whatley defeated Len Denton > The French Angel defeated Roger Howell > Sonny King defeated Rick McGraw > Stan Hansen and Ernie Ladd wrestled to a draw > Georgia Tag Team Title Match: Ole Anderson & Ivan Koloff* defeated Rick Martel & Tommy Rich > Mr. Wrestling #2 defeated the Assassin > NWA World Heavyweight Title Match: Harley Race* defeated Thunderbolt Patterson

JULY 28, 1980 (MONDAY) – AUGUSTA, GA – WILLIAM BELL AUDITORIUM (Charlie Harben – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Baron Von Raschke defeated Lars Anderson > Steve Regal defeated Charlie Fulton > Dennis Condrey defeated Steve Keirn > Assassin #1 defeated Chavo Guerrero > Lars Anderson defeated Assassin #2 > Kevin Sullivan defeated Mark Lewin / Notes: The Great Mephisto managed Mark Lewin.