SOUTHEASTERN WRESTLING NEWS, NOTES, AND NOSTALGIA: 08/20/2008

Courtesy of GeorgiaWrestlingHistory.com:

NEWS and NOTES

Peach State Pandemonium will feature longtime promoter of Peach State Wrestling Ben Masters tonight at 9:00 PM ET. Also joining us will be Global Championship Wrestling’s Mad Dog Sawyer to talk about GCW and the upcoming event with Ric Flair. Feel free to call in at (347) 324-5735.

The updated lineup for World Wrestling Entertainment’s Unforgiven PPV, which will be broadcast live from the Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, OH, on September 7, as advertised: CM Punk defends the WWE Heavyweight Title in a twenty-minute time limit five-man scramble including John Cena, JBL, Batista, and Kane; Triple H defends the WWE World Heavyweight Title in a twenty-minute time limit five-man scramble including Jeff Hardy, Shelton Benjamin, Brian Kendrick, and MVP; and Mark Henry defends the WWE ECW Heavyweight Title against Matt Hardy.

The RAW crew will be at the American Bank Center in Corpus Christi, TX, on October 20.

Ring of Honor will be at the Gateway Center in Collinsville, IL, on December 5.

Today in Memoriam: Jerry London (41, 1970).

Click here for this week’s Bill Behrens’ NWA Notes update.

NAWA Ring Champions is returning to The Purks (330 West Ave.) in Cedartown, GA, on September 6 with a 7:30 pm bell time. Advertised matches include Former NWA World Champion, Ronnie Garvin & Air Paris vs. The Nightmare & David Young, The Natural Born Killers (Chase Stevens & Adam Armor) vs. Thunder & Lightning, Nigel Sherrod defends the Ladies Championship against Bambi, Bulldog Raines vs. Simon Sermon, and Frankie Valentine vs. Stupid (with Tweety). Tickets will be donated to a local orphanage, diversity center and churches a part of NAWA's commitment to Cedartown. Comedian Jamie Bendall & the crew from the TV show Oddlanta will be filming an episode at the event. For info call the (706) 314-9802.

An injury to Jason Day has resulted in a new match-up featuring Jason MacDonald versus Jason Lambert when Ultimate Fighting Championship 88 takes place at Philips Arena in Atlanta, GA, on September 6 for a live PPV, beginning at 7:00 PM. Also advertised: Chuck Liddell versus Rashad Evans; Rich Franklin versus Matt Hamill; Karo Parisyan versus Yoshiyuki Yoshida; Dan Henderson versus Rousimar Palhares; Kurt Pellegrino versus Thiago Tavares; Matt Brown versus Dong Hyun Kim; James Lee versus Tim Boetsch; and Roan Carneiro versus Ryo Chonan.

Southern Championship Wrestling presents “Hardcore Halloween” to talk place on October 4th at the Sherer Auditorum in Jasper, AL. Advertised: Former NWA World champion, "Wildfire" Tommy Rich, "Action" Mike Jackson, Ace Rockwell, Sal Rinauro & Kelvin Bozman are all scheduled to appear. Tickets are $10. "Action" Mike Jackson will be having a special autograph session as the Jasper Kmart on Oct 4th from 10:00 am-5:00 pm. Discount tickets can be purchased at the autographed session. Doors open at 6:30 and bell time is at 7:30.

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.

NOSTALGIA

AUGUST 20, 1936 (THURSDAY) – AVONDALE, GA – AVONDALE ARENA (Nat Jones – Promoter) > Don Rainey versus Whitey Patterson > John Mauldin versus Tiger Long > Sammy Miller versus Mex McClain / Notes: No documented results for this card have been found.

AUGUST 20, 1937 (FRIDAY) – ATLANTA, GA – WEST END ARENA (Frank Bettis and Cleve Roby – Promoters) > Bill Jeffries versus Baron Von Hoffman > Horace Coulter versus Doc Poole > Jack Layden versus Young Londos / Notes: No documented results for this card have been found.

AUGUST 20, 1941 (WEDNESDAY) – ATLANTA, GA – NORTHSIDE TENNIS CLUB (Abe Simon – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Orville Brown versus Rudy Strongberg > Lee Wyckoff versus Harry Kent > Jack Kennedy versus Dick Lever / Notes: No documented results for this card have been found. Dobie Osborne was credited as being a referee on this card.

AUGUST 20, 1943 (FRIDAY) – ATLANTA, GA – ATLANTA MUNICIPAL AUDITORIUM (Sammy Friedman – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Roland Kirchmeyer defeated Dorv Roche > Jack Dillon and Albert Mills wrestled to a draw > Freddie Blassie defeated Babe Zaharias by disqualification / Notes: Roland Kirchmeyer was declared the winner of his match when Dorv Roche was deemed unable to continue. Tiny Ruff was credited as being a referee on this card.

AUGUST 20, 1945 (MONDAY) – SAVANNAH, GA – WILLIAM GRAYSON STADIUM (Lou Masters, Dick Leonard, and Buster White – Promoters) > The Green Hornet defeated Nick Carter > The Bat defeated Jim Coffield > Wally Greb defeated Bill Collins

AUGUST 20, 1948 (FRIDAY) – ATLANTA, GA – ATLANTA MUNICIPAL AUDITORIUM (Paul Jones – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Don McIntyre and Sky Hi Lee wrestled to a draw > Chris Belkas & Al Massey defeated Al Galento & Babe Zaharias > Jim Coffield defeated Pete Managoff > Women’s Match: June Byers defeated Juanita Coffman

AUGUST 20, 1954 (FRIDAY) – ATLANTA, GA – ATLANTA MUNICIPAL AUDITORIUM (Paul Jones – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Jerry Graham defeated Wild Man Zimm > Chief Big Heart defeated Jack Dillon > Don & Red McIntyre defeated Jack Steele & El Toro > Women’s World Title Match: June Byers defeated Mildred Burke* to win title / Notes: Mildred Burke had been the reigning Women’s World Champion since she defeated Betty Nichols in Columbus, OH, on December 1, 1938. It has been reported that the match between Burke and June Byers was a shoot, in that Burke was not supposed to lose the title, but when she became injured during the second fall and the match had to be stopped, Byers was awarded the title due to the fact she had won the first fall. Upset with the decision, Burke went to California and created the WWWWA, a women's promotion, and named herself as champion. She, like Byers, wore the belt until her retirement.

AUGUST 20, 1962 (MONDAY) – AUGUSTA, GA – WILLIAM BELL AUDITORIUM (Steve Manderson – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Johnny Walker versus Gene Murphy > Midget Women’s Match: Dolly Darcel versus Baby Cheryl > Chief Little Eagle & Chief Crazy Horse versus Mr. Moto & the Russian Crusher / Notes: No documented results for this card have been found.

AUGUST 20, 1963 (TUESDAY) – MACON, GA – MACON CITY AUDITORIUM (Fred Ward – Promoter / Fred Ward Promotions) > Man versus Animal Match: Killer Kodiak defeated Johnny Hipps > Mixed Tag Team Match: Marco Polo & Janice Hull defeated Red Dugan & Barbara Ball > Joe McCarthy & Chris Averoff defeated Bob Eisenburg & Choo-Choo Lynn

AUGUST 20, 1965 (FRIDAY) – ATLANTA, GA – ATLANTA MUNICIPAL AUDITORIUM [P] (Paul Jones – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > The Mongolian defeated Silento Rodriguez > Benny Matta & Pepe Gomez defeated Bob Boyer & Jesse James > Chief Little Eagle defeated Corsica Jean > Women’s Match: Terry Majors defeated Bette Boucher > Dick Steinborn defeated Mario Galento by disqualification > Dutch Savage defeated Nick Kozak / Notes: The promotion had been running a contest over the last few weeks, whereas women who wanted to enter the “Miss Georgia Wrestling Queen” contest could put their names in the hat. The event occurred during this card, with the finalists chosen to walk around the ring between matches, with the winner being announced prior to the match between Dick Steinborn and Mario Galento. Judges for the contest included wrestlers Nick Kozak, Terry Majors, and Freddie Blassie, as well as Alan Gottlieb (Vice President of Imperial Merchandisers, a sponsor giving away a watch to one of the runners-up) and Jerry Tinkie (Manger of the Atlanta Cabana Hotel, a sponsor who would be giving a runner-up a weekend for two at his hotel). The winner was to receive a trophy and an all expense paid week long vacation at Ray McCay’s Dixie Inn Motel in Laguna Beach, FL. Unfortunately, none of our research has turned up the entrants or who won this contest. It was announced that Bob Ellis and Dale Lewis would be wrestling in Atlanta soon.

AUGUST 20, 1966 (SATURDAY) – ATLANTA, GA – WAII STUDIOS (Paul Jones – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) Notes: This was for the “Live Atlanta Wrestling” television program hosted by Ed Capral. Dick Steinborn got into a brawl with Butcher Vachon, which led to a challenge for a match to be booked for August 26, 1966.

AUGUST 20, 1966 (SATURDAY) – MARIETTA, GA – LARRY BELL BALLPARK (Elmo Chappell – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Bob Armstrong versus George Harris > John Gudiski versus the Red Raider > Dick Steinborn & Greg Peterson versus Butcher Vachon & the Golden Terror / Notes: No documented results for this card have been found. Bob Armstrong and Leo Garibaldi were the special referees for the match between Dick Steinborn & Greg Peterson and Butcher Vachon & the Golden Terror.

AUGUST 20, 1968 (TUESDAY) – MACON, GA – MACON CITY AUDITORIUM (Fred Ward – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Pepe Gomez defeated Joe Turco at 12:00 > Women’s Match: Barbara Galento defeated Evelyn Stephens at 9:00 > Johnny Walker and Butcher Vachon wrestled to a draw > Bill Dromo defeated Brute Bernard / Notes: Jack Crawford managed Brute Bernard.

AUGUST 20, 1971 (FRIDAY) – ATLANTA, GA – ATLANTA MUNICIPAL AUDITORIUM [P] (Paul Jones – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Jerry Oates defeated Krusher Karlson > Roberto Soto defeated Billy Spears > Bill Dromo & Klondike Bill and Rocket & Flash Monroe wrestled to a draw > Dick Steinborn and Kubla Khan wrestled to a draw > George Scott versus Big John ended in a double disqualification > Ray Gunkel & El Mongol defeated the Assassins > NWA World Heavyweight Title Match: Dory Funk, Jr.,* defeated Buddy Colt by disqualification at 41:00 / Notes: Following the match between Bill Dromo & Klondike Bill and Rocket & Flash Monroe, it was reported that Rocket had to be helped from the ring. Homer O’Dell managed Buddy Colt. During the match between Colt and Dory Funk, Jr., El Mongol came to the ring to keep O’Dell and Colt in check, but O’Dell still managed to try to interfere. When he got caught, the referee ended the match, disqualifying Colt for outside interference. Funk, Jr., had been the reigning NWA World Heavyweight Champion since he defeated Gene Kiniski on February 11, 1969, in Tampa, FL. Charlie Smith was credited as being a referee for this card. Dick Steinborn participated in an autograph session for fans.

AUGUST 20, 1974 (TUESDAY) – ATLANTA, GA – ATLANTA MUNICIPAL AUDITORIUM [P] (Ann Gunkel – Promoter / All-South Wrestling Alliance) > Gama Singh versus the Great Fuji > Charlie Cook versus Angelo Poffo > Ray Candy, Assassin #2 & El Mongol versus Crusher Verdu & the Royal Kangaroos > Puerto Rico Heavyweight Title Match: Carlos Colon* versus Luke Graham > Georgia Brass Knucks Title Match: Rock Hunter* versus the Missouri Mauler > World Heavyweight Title Match: Ox Baker defeated Ernie Ladd* to win title / Notes: Aside from the match between Ernie Ladd and Ox Baker, no documented results for this card have been found. Rock Hunter managed Crusher Verdu and Luke Graham. The program we have for this card features a copy of a letter written to Ann Gunkel from Otis Head on behalf of the Youth Development Center, showing their appreciation for making them feel welcome at the cards.

AUGUST 20, 1974 (TUESDAY) – MACON, GA – MACON COLISEUM (Fred Ward – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Tom Jones defeated El Gaucho > Midget Match: the Haiti Kid defeated Little Tokyo by disqualification > Midget Match: Little Bobo defeated Little Louie > Harley Race defeated Jerry Oates > Roger Kirby & Buddy Colt versus Mr. Wrestling #1 & #2 ruled a no contest > Beard versus Beard Match: Ole & Gene Anderson defeated Bill Dromo & the Professional / Notes: It was reported that 4,600 were in attendance for this card.

AUGUST 20, 1976 (FRIDAY) – ATLANTA, GA – ATLANTA MUNICIPAL AUDITORIUM [P] (Paul Jones – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Ricky Steamboat defeated Yasu Fuji > Roberto Soto defeated Bill Howard > Jos LeDuc defeated Jim Lancaster > Jimmy & Johnny Valiant defeated Ted Oates & Dean Ho > Georgia Heavyweight Title Match: Dick Slater* defeated the Spoiler > NWA World Heavyweight Title Match: Dusty Rhodes defeated Terry Funk* by disqualification / Notes: Don Curtis was the special referee for the match between Dusty Rhodes and Terry Funk.

AUGUST 20, 1977 (SATURDAY) – ATLANTA, GA – WTCG STUDIOS (Paul Jones – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Dino Bravo & Tony Atlas defeated Mike York & Bill White > Tommy Rich defeated Jim Kent > Ole & Gene Anderson defeated Terry Gibbs & Jim Cooke > Steven Little Bear defeated Ken Dillinger > Midget Match: Willie Wilson defeated Lord Littlebrook > Pak Song defeated Bob Kaiser / Notes: This was taped for the “Georgia Championship Wrestling” television program hosted by Gordon Solie. Rock Hunter managed Pak Song.

AUGUST 20, 1978 (SUNDAY) – MARIETTA, GA – COBB COUNTY CIVIC CENTER (Paul Jones – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Sonny King defeated Rick McGraw > Tommy Rich defeated Mr. Saito > Mr. Wrestling #2 defeated the French Angel > Thunderbolt Patterson defeated King Kong Mosca > Stan Hansen & Dick Slater defeated Ole Anderson & Ivan Koloff by countout / Notes: Rick McGraw substituted for Roger Howell in the match with Sonny King.

AUGUST 20, 1982 (FRIDAY) – MACON, GA (Fred Ward – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Johnny Rich defeated Chick Donovan > Brad Armstrong defeated Les Thornton by disqualification > Tito Santana defeated the Super Destroyer > The Freebirds defeated Matt Borne & Buzz Sawyer > Lumberjack Match: Paul Orndorff defeated Don Muraco

The information compiled within our daily reports are through the efforts of various contributors, including, but not limited to, Rich Tate, Larry Goodman, Chuck Thornton, Brian Waits, Don Luce, Brian Slack, Fred Hornby, Thomas Bugg, J Michael Kenyon, Steve Yohe, David Williamson, Becky Taylor, John Cannon, Mike Norris, Bobby Simmons, Les Thatcher, Crimson Mask, Dan Masters, Tim Dix, Tim Dills, Jimmie Daniel, Gene Restaino, Shannon Rose, Alan Wojcik, Devin Cutting, and Richard O’Sullivan.