SOUTHEASTERN WRESTLING NEWS, NOTES, AND NOSTALGIA: 07/29/2008

Courtesy of GeorgiaWrestlingHistory.com:

NEWS

A couple of odd things from World Wrestling Entertainment have taken place. There are reports that actor Freddie Prinze, Jr., a self-proclaimed lifelong wrestling fan, has joined the creative team. In what could be deemed even more strange, if that’s possible, Mike Adamle is now the General Manager on RAW. Brian Tramel of Rasslin’ Riot is reporting that Brian Christopher is in rehab, with WWE footing the bill under their assistance program for current employees and alumnus. GWH wishes him well and hope he comes out well. The ECW program, though still to be aired on Tuesday nights, moves to a 9:00 PM ET start on September 30. WWE’s SmackDown/ECW crew will be at the Giant Center in Hershey, PA, tonight. An updated card for WWE’s SummerSlam PPV on August 17: Edge versus the Undertaker for Hell in a Cell; Triple H versus the Great Khali; Mark Henry versus Matt Hardy; and John Cena versus Batista. (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. Click here for spoilers from Monday’s tapings. (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

According to the Boston Herald, Walter ‘Killer’ Kowalski, at the age of 81, is in a nursing home in Everett, MA. The story notes he is bedridden, as his legs “no longer support him,” and has a pacemaker to keep him breathing. Click here for the full story. GWH sends its prayers and thoughts to the Killer, and his friends and family. (Rich Tate)

The International Wrestling Institute in Waterloo, IA, is looking to fans for assistance in refurbishing its facilities, destroyed by floods in that region in June. The damage has been estimated at about $400,000, including the need to replace walls, carpeting, furnishings, etc. The organization did not have flood insurance. If you would like to make a donation, contact Kent Sesker at (319) 233-0745, or by email at kent@wrestlingmuseum.org. (Rich Tate)

The New Republic has posted a story on presidential candidate John McCain and his love for boxing and hatred of mixed martial arts. Click here for the article. (Rich Tate)

Jesse Ventura appeared on the Howard Stern show this morning. Among the highlights: Ventura talked about how he approached Hulk Hogan in 1987 to start a union, but Hogan balked; when asked about the Iron Sheik, he said had they started a union, the Sheik would be in better shape today; his political views were the bulk of the conversation, with him suggesting the U.S. was behind the 9/11 attacks, and believing if he was ever the President of the U.S. he would be assassinated; he referred to Osama Bin Laden as the new Lee Harvey Oswald, noting no charges have been brought against him to date; he said his decision not to run for the Senate was decided by a coin toss; he believes the majority of MMA events are fixed; he claimed that after Vince McMahon took 50% of his pay for appearing on an episode of the Fred Dryer television series “Hunter”, he decided to leave the company. (Rich Tate)

Hulk Hogan’s son Nick celebrated his 18 birthday in prison on Sunday, and was moved to an adult facility, according to reports. On Monday, Hogan’s daughter Brooke blasted media reports that claimed she snubbed her brother by not visiting him. In her myspace blog, she closed with “uhh...there's such thing as a back door you jerks.” Click here for the rest of the literary rant. Also on Monday, US Magazine posted a story with Hulk calling Linda the “most formidable opponent I’ve ever had.” Click here for the article. (Rich Tate)

Triple H and Stephanie McMahon are the proud parents of a second daughter, Murphy Claire Levesque, born on Monday. GWH congratulates the Levesque-McMahon family and wishes everyone well. (Rich Tate)

Click here for this week’s Bill Behrens’ NWA Notes update. (Rich Tate)

Click here for Larry Goodman’s review of Showtime All-Star Wrestling’s July 19 broadcast. (Rich Tate)

GWH wishes a happy birthday to Lou Albano (75) and Scott Steiner (46).

Today in Memoriam: Wild Red Berry (66, 1973), Danny Dusek (1982), and Dennis Coraluzzo (48, 2001).

NOSTALGIA

JULY 29, 1935 (MONDAY) – ATLANTA, GA – KEY ARENA (Frank Bettis and Cleve Roby – Promoters) > Emilio Firpo defeated Totem Pole Anderson (2-1) > Sammy Miller defeated Joe Wolfe by disqualification > George Romanoff defeated Honey Boy Hackney (2-0)

JULY 29, 1936 (WEDNESDAY) – ATLANTA, GA – PONCE de LEON BALL PARK (Frank Speer – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Otto Kuss defeated Tommy O’Toole > Milo Steinborn defeated Al Maynard > Dick Raines defeated George Hagen

JULY 29, 1936 (WEDNESDAY) – AUGUSTA, GA – NEW COLISEUM (Bill Metzger – Promoter) > Chief War Eagle defeated Billy McEwen > Southern Lightweight Title Match: Lon Chaney defeated Johnny Marrs* to win title / Notes: Johnny Marrs had been billed as the Southern Lightweight Champion since June 17, 1936.

JULY 29, 1937 (THURSDAY) – AVONDALE, GA – AVONDALE ARENA (Frank Bettis and Cleve Roby – Promoters) > Bill Jeffries versus Doc Poole > Gus Kallio defeated Young Londos by countout / Notes: Aside from the match between Gus Kallio and Young Londos, no documented results for the remaining matches on this card have been found.

JULY 29, 1937 (THURSDAY) – NASHVILLE, GA – NASHVILLE HIGH SCHOOL GYMNASIUM (Tom Cody – Promoter) > Pat Newman versus Abe Friedman > Alan Eustace versus Slim Zimble / Notes: No documented results for this card have been found.

JULY 29, 1949 (FRIDAY) – ATLANTA, GA – ATLANTA MUNICIPAL AUDITORIUM (Paul Jones – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Ben Morgan defeated Charlie Harben > The Black Menace defeated Frank Marconi > Southern Heavyweight Title Match: Tom Mahoney* defeated George Holmes > Johnny Long & Don McIntyre defeated Al Galento & Babe Zaharias / Notes: Tom Mahoney had been the reigning Southern Heavyweight Champion since he defeated Al Massey on July 15, 1949, in Atlanta.

JULY 29, 1955 (FRIDAY) – ATLANTA, GA – ATLANTA MUNICIPAL AUDITORIUM (Paul Jones – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Roy Shire versus Red McIntyre > Eddie Gossett versus Chet Wallick > Art Nelson defeated Farmer Jones > Southern Heavyweight Title Match: Don McIntyre defeated Freddie Blassie* by disqualification / Notes: Roy Shire and Red McIntyre were scheduled to wrestle each other, as were Eddie Gossett and Chet Wallick, but no results were reported after the card. Freddie Blassie had been billed as Southern Heavyweight Champion since he allegedly defeated Mr. Moto on February 8, 1954, in Birmingham, AL. Bobby Wallace managed Shire.

JULY 29, 1957 (MONDAY) – AUGUSTA, GA – WILLIAM BELL AUDITORIUM (Tom Mahoney – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Freddie Blassie and Don McIntyre wrestled to a draw > Don McIntyre & Mike Clancy defeated Freddie Blassie & Kurt Von Brawner by disqualification > NWA World Heavyweight Title Match: Edouard Carpentier* defeated Bob Langevin (2-0) / Notes: Edouard Carpentier had been the reigning NWA World Heavyweight Champion since he defeated Lou Thesz on June 14, 1957, in Chicago, IL, when Thesz injured his back and could not finish the match. In a rematch between them on July 24, 1957, in Montreal, PQ, Thesz won by disqualification and began claiming the title, but the NWA still recognized Carpentier as its champion.

JULY 29, 1960 (FRIDAY) – ATLANTA, GA – ATLANTA MUNICIPAL AUDITORIUM (Paul Jones – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Ray Gunkel, Leo Garibaldi & Bill Dromo defeated Tony Neopolitan, Corsica Jean & Mr. X (2) > Southern Heavyweight Title Match: the Mighty Yankee defeated Dick Steinborn* to win title / Notes: Dick Steinborn had been the reigning Southern Heavyweight Champion since he defeated the Mighty Yankee on July 22, 1960, in Atlanta.

JULY 29, 1965 (THURSDAY) – ALBANY, GA (Fred Ward – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Joe Scarpa versus Corsica Jean > Ken & Chris Lucas versus Wildman Phillips and the Mongolian / Notes: No documented results for this card have been found. It is unclear as to what venue was the site of this card.

JULY 29, 1966 (FRIDAY) – ATLANTA, GA – PAUL JONES SPORTS ARENA [P] (Paul Jones – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Greg Peterson defeated Charlie Carr > Tito Carreon defeated Pancho Rosario > The Golden Terror defeated Danny Little Bear > Buddy Fuller defeated Wildman Wehba > Ray Gunkel defeated George Harris > Butcher Vachon defeated Kenny Ackles > Texas Death Tag Team Match: Enrique & Alberto Torres defeated the Infernos / Notes: J.C. Dykes managed the Infernos. Mario Galento managed Enrique & Alberto Torres. With the program for this card, Atlanta office members are once again listed, and there have been no changes: Bill Hartman (Ticket Sales), George Burie (Timekeeper), and Ed Capral (Announcer). It was announced that the Fabulous Moolah, Eric & Karl Von Brauner, and Saul Weingeroff would be wrestling in Atlanta soon.

JULY 29, 1969 (TUESDAY) – MACON, GA – MACON CITY AUDITORIUM (Fred Ward – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Women’s Match: Jessica Rogers defeated Kay Noble > Roberto & Cyclone Soto defeated Tony Nero & Gorilla Marconi > The Kentuckians defeated the Super Assassins by disqualification / Notes: The Super Manager managed the Super Assassins.

JULY 29, 1972 (SATURDAY) – ATLANTA, GA – WTCG STUDIOS (Paul Jones – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Ox Baker defeated George Grant > Dick Steinborn & Argentina Apollo and Bill Bowman & Joe Turner wrestled to a draw > Mr. X defeated Nick Russo / Notes: This was taped for the “Georgia Championship Wrestling” television program hosted by Ed Capral.

JULY 29, 1972 (SATURDAY) – GRIFFIN, GA – GRIFFIN-BARNESVILLE SPORTS PALACE (Paul Jones – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Wayne Cowan versus Tim Geohagen > Mixed Tag Team Match: Rocket Monroe & Toni Rose versus Nick Russo & Dottie Downs > Bill Bowman & Joe Turner versus Argentina Apollo & the Avenger > Bob Armstrong versus Ox Baker / Notes: No documented results for this card have been found.

JULY 29, 1974 (MONDAY) – AUGUSTA, GA – WILLIAM BELL AUDITORIUM (Paul Jones – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Steve Keirn versus King Pago Pago > Ron & Terry Garvin versus Dennis Stamp & Bill Dromo > Roger Kirby versus Bob Orton, Jr. > Super A, Ole & Gene Anderson versus the Professional, Mr. Wrestling #1 & #2 > NWA World Heavyweight Title Match: Jack Brisco* versus Buddy Colt / Notes: No documented results for this card have been found. Jimmy Garvin managed Ron & Terry Garvin.

JULY 29, 1975 (TUESDAY) – MACON, GA – MACON COLISEUM (Fred Ward – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Bill Malone defeated Don Kernodle > Sonny King defeated George McCreery > Bob Backlund defeated Billy Spears > Bob Griffin defeated Bobby Duncum > No DQ / No TL Match: Leon Ogle defeated Jerry Lawler > Macon Tag Team Title Match: Dick Slater & Bob Orton, Jr., defeated Mr. Wrestling #1 & #2* to win title / Notes: Gary Hart managed Dick Slater and Bob Orton, Jr.

JULY 29, 1977 (FRIDAY) – ATLANTA, GA – ATLANTA MUNICIPAL AUDITORIUM [P] (Paul Jones – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Bill White defeated Roberto Soto > Jacques Goulet defeated Richard Blood > Dino Bravo defeated Randy Savage > Dusty Rhodes & Mr. Wrestling #2 defeated Lars & Gene Anderson > Tony Atlas versus Pak Song ruled a no contest > No DQ / No TL Match: Bill Watts defeated Ole Anderson / Notes: Rock Hunter managed Pak Song.

JULY 29, 1978 (SATURDAY) – ATLANTA, GA – WTCG STUDIOS (Paul Jones – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Ric Flair defeated Bearcat Brown > Steve Regal defeated Barry Orton > King Kong Mosca defeated Dennis Johnson > Sonny King defeated Bill Irwin > Rick Martel & Tommy Rich defeated Ken Dillinger & the Challenger / Notes: This was taped for the “Georgia Championship Wrestling” television program hosted by Gordon Solie.

JULY 29, 1980 (TUESDAY) – MACON, GA – MACON COLISEUM (Fred Ward – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Charlie Fulton defeated Steve Regal > Dennis Condrey defeated Chavo Guerrero > Terry Taylor defeated Eddy Mansfield > Steve Keirn & Mr. Wrestling #2 defeated the Assassins > Boston Street Fight Match: Kevin Sullivan defeated Mark Lewin / Notes: The Great Mephisto managed Mark Lewin.

JULY 29, 1981 (WEDNESDAY) – COLUMBUS, GA – COLUMBUS MUNICIPAL AUDITORIUM (Fred Ward – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > George Wells defeated Mike Sharpe > Ted Oates & Bruno Sammartino, Jr., and Jim Duggan & the French Angel wrestled to a draw > Steve O defeated Bryan St. John > Tommy Rich defeated Ken Patera by disqualification > Terry Gordy & Jimmy Snuka defeated Ted DiBiase & Bruce Reed