SOUTHEASTERN WRESTLING NEWS, NOTES, AND NOSTALGIA: 12/18/2008

Courtesy of GeorgiaWrestlingHistory.com:

NEWS and NOTES

Last night’s edition of Peach State Pandemonium, hosted by Rich Tate and Les Thatcher, along with Tim Dix, featured the hosts from the various shows set to launch under the new GWH Radio Network next month, including Jimmy Rave, Ric Gillespie, Dan Masters, John Cannon, and Joe Cowart. This was the final show of 2008. PSP returns January 7. Click here to listen to the archive.

Tickets for the following World Wrestling Entertainment events go on sale Friday: February 1, in Cape Girardeau, MO, at the Show Me Center; and February 2, in Tupelo, MS, at the Bancorp South Arena.

The final overall rating for the December 16 edition of WWE’s ECW was 1.3.

The lineup for tonight’s iMPACT broadcast on Spike TV, from Total Nonstop Action, is as follows: with Traci Brooks as referee, Taylor Wilde & Roxxi Laveaux versus the Beautiful People; Lance Rock versus Rhino; Chris Sabin versus Sonjay Dutt and Consequences Creed versus Akira Raijin as the tournament for the vacant TNA X Division Title continues; Scott Steiner & Booker T versus Matt Morgan & Abyss; Raisha Saeed & Rhaka Khan versus Christy Hemme & ODB; and Kevin Nash & Sting versus A.J. Styles & Samoa Joe in a cage match. Also more heat between Kurt Angle and Jeff Jarrett, and the Main Event Mafia-Frontline war continues.

Great Championship Wrestling presents "Nowhere to Hide," the company's final event of 2008 tonight at the Gr8 Sk8 Plex in Phenix City, AL. Advertised: The GCW Heavyweight Title Match: J-Rod (c) vs. Cru Jones in a no holds barred, no dq, falls count anywhere battle, GCW Tag Team Title Match: Orion Bishop & Murder One (c) vs. The Southside Trash, A new champion will be crowned in the final match of the GCW Interstate Title Tournament: Shaun Banks vs. Kareem Abdul Jamar, and GCW owner Diane Hewes has requested every employee of Great Entertainment to be in attendance, as she addresses the fans with a major announcement. Bell time is 7:30pm.

All-State Wrestling will be at the Statum Cab Company Building in Shelbyville, TN, tonight.

Ericules Wrestling Promotions will be at the Green Acres Flea Market in Louisville, TN, tonight.

Florida Championship Wrestling will be at the FCW Arena in Tampa, FL, tonight.

GWH wishes a happy birthday to Steve ‘Stone Cold’ Austin (1964), Rob Van Dam (1970), Trish Stratus (1975), and Eric Perez (1979).

Today in Memoriam: Larry ‘Ali Aliba’ LaBelle (40, 1948).

MMA fighter Justin Levens and his wife Sara were found dead Wednesday afternoon in a California condominium. Both had gunshot wounds, and the bodies were found by Levens’ mother-in-law. Levens, who fought for UFC, was also part of the IFL’s Southern California Condors in 2007. Dave Meltzer is reporting that Levens was serving a 180-day suspension that had been handed down by the California Athletic Commission for positive drug tests. According to the report, the couple was scheduled to appear in court on Wednesday, facing charges of assault with a deadly weapon. It also appears police had been called to their address twice in the last month, with one of those being for a drug overdose.

Click here for this week’s update of Wrestler’s Eye View with Les Thatcher.

NWA Main Event presents "Christmas Chaos" in Nashville, TN, on December 25 at the Tennessee State Fairgrounds in the Nick Gulas Sports Arena. Advertised: Grudge Battle, "Dangerous" Doug Gilbert & "Playboy" Scott Hayes vs. "Crippler" Jeff Daniels & Steve (with Dominique). NWA Mid-America Television Title Match, Shane Smalls (Champion) vs. Shawn Shultz. Special Challenge Match, Larry Cooter vs. "Colossal" Chris Cane. White Tiger vs. Yoshi Kwan. Dyron Flynn vs. Big Bully Douglas. Arachnio vs. Masked Ninja. Bell time is 8pm.

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

DECEMBER 18, 1905 (MONDAY) – ATLANTA, GA – DeGIVE GRAND OPERA HOUSE (Promoter – Unknown) > Mixed Catch-as-Catch-Can / Japanese Style Match: Professor Maeda defeated Sam Marburger (2-0)

DECEMBER 18, 1933 (MONDAY) – ATLANTA, GA – FAIR STREET ARENA (Jason Thompson – Promoter) > Eddie Wagner versus Gorilla Tucker > Wayne Coleman versus Bulldog Gust > Tony Padrone defeated Sammy Miller / Notes: Aside from the match between Tony Padrone and Sammy Miller, no documented results for the remaining matches on this card have been found.

DECEMBER 18, 1933 (MONDAY) – AUGUSTA, GA – AMERICAN LEGION (Max Stewart – Promoter) > Stanley Buresch defeated George Romanoff > Eddie Chebera defeated Bull Smith > Speck Hamilton defeated Kid Whaley (2-0) > Eddie Chebera defeated Cyclone Copley by disqualification / Notes: Jack Ross was the special referee for the match between Eddie Chebera and Cyclone Copley.

DECEMBER 18, 1934 (TUESDAY) – ATLANTA, GA – ATLANTA MUNICIPAL AUDITORIUM (Henry Weber – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > George Romanoff defeated Pat Brown (2-0) > Dorv Roche defeated Chief Chewacki at 52:00 (2-0) > NWA World Heavyweight Title Match: Jim Londos* defeated Orville Brown at 45:00 (2-0) / Notes: It was reported that 4,000 were in attendance for this card. Jim Londos had been the reigning NWA World Heavyweight Champion since he defeated Dick Shikat in Philadelphia, PA, on June 6, 1930. This version was the one recognized by the National Boxing Association as the National Wrestling Association.

DECEMBER 18, 1936 (FRIDAY) – ATLANTA, GA – ATLANTA THEATRE (Frank Speer – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Tuffy Cleet defeated Nick Elitch > George Hagen defeated Babe Zaharias by disqualification > Karl Davis defeated Blue Sun Jennings / Notes: Frank Speer was the special referee for the match between Karl Davis and Blue Sun Jennings.

DECEMBER 18, 1936 (FRIDAY) – ATLANTA, GA – NORTHSIDE ARENA (Frank Bettis – Promoter) > John Ellis versus Tony Papalino > Farmer Mack versus Bad Boy Brown > Don Jose versus Doc Poole > Petro Rossi versus Chin Lee / Notes: No documented results for this card have been found.

DECEMBER 18, 1939 (MONDAY) – ATLANTA, GA – ATLANTA THEATRE (Nat Jones and Cleve Roby – Promoters) > Tony Papalino versus Scotty Sullivan > Bill Collins versus Bill Jeffries > Frank Remille versus Honey Boy Hackney / Notes: No documented results for this card have been found.

DECEMBER 18, 1952 (THURSDAY) – COLUMBUS, GA – COLUMBUS SPORTS ARENA (Fred Ward – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Jack Curtis versus Jack Steele > George Curtis versus Red Dugan > Billy Steele versus Tarzan White / Notes: No documented results for this card have been found.

DECEMBER 18, 1953 (FRIDAY) – ATLANTA, GA – ATLANTA MUNICIPAL AUDITORIUM (Paul Jones – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Battle Royal featuring Jack Dillon, Red McIntyre, Donn Lewin, Karl Kowalski, Mike Clancy, and Mike Paidousis > Women’s Match: Terry Majors defeated Carole Carota > Mike Clancy and Red McIntyre wrestled to a draw > Jack Dillon defeated Mike Paidousis > Donn Lewin defeated Karl Kowalski / Notes: It is unclear as to the reason or the result for the battle royal.

DECEMBER 18, 1959 (FRIDAY) – ATLANTA, GA – ATLANTA MUNICIPAL AUDITORIUM [P] (Paul Jones – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Derrell Cochran defeated Gorgeous George > Ed Sharpe & Gorgeous George defeated Johnny Weaver & Adrien Baillargeon > Ray & Dickie Gunkel defeated Freddie Blassie & Angelo Poffo / Notes: For the match between Ray & Dickie Gunkel and Freddie Blassie & Angelo Poffo, the first two rows of ringside seats were removed. Although the last reference we have to the International Tag Team Title shows Gunkel & Don McIntyre defending the title against Freddie Blassie & Skull Murphy on March 27, 1959, in Atlanta, the program we have for this card mentions that Ray & Dickie Gunkel are recognized as the reigning champions. It was announced that Mr. X would be wrestling in Atlanta soon. Johnny Weaver participated in an autograph session for fans.

DECEMBER 18, 1961 (MONDAY) – AUGUSTA, GA – WILLIAM BELL AUDITORIUM (Steve Manderson – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Jerry Miller versus Jerry Graham > Doug Adkins versus Bulldog Lawley > Nick & Jerry Kozak versus the Assassins / Notes: No documented results for this card have been found. Paul Jones was the special referee for the match between Nick & Jerry Kozak versus the Assassins.

DECEMBER 18, 1962 (TUESDAY) – MACON, GA – MACON CITY AUDITORIUM (Fred Ward – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Chief Little Eagle defeated Buddy Bison > Mixed Tag Team Match: Rito Carreon & Ann Casey defeated Bulldog Lawley & Brenda Scott > Choo-Choo Lynn defeated Lenny Montana

DECEMBER 18, 1963 (WEDNESDAY) – COLUMBUS, GA – COLUMBUS MUNICIPAL AUDITORIUM (Fred Ward – Promoter / Fred Ward Promotions) > Women’s Match: Betty Ann Spencer versus Sweet Georgia Brown > Billy & Bad Boy Hines versus Greg Peterson & Jan Madrid > Southeastern Heavyweight Title Match: Bob Morrow defeated Luke Graham* by disqualification / Notes: Aside from the match between Bob Morrow and Luke Graham, no documented results for the remaining matches on this card have been found. Graham had been the reigning Southeastern Heavyweight Champion since he defeated Marco Polo on December 10, 1963, in Macon.

DECEMBER 18, 1964 (FRIDAY) – ATLANTA, GA – ATLANTA MUNICIPAL AUDITORIUM [P] (Paul Jones – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Don Fargo & Billy Strong defeated Frankie Cain & Lee Fields > Joe Scarpa defeated Dick Dunn > The Mysterious Medics defeated Rocky Smith & Sputnik Monroe > Freddie Blassie defeated Tony Baillargeon > NWA World Heavyweight Title Match (No DQ / No TL): Lou Thesz* defeated Ray Gunkel / Notes: Lou Thesz had been the reigning NWA World Heavyweight Champion since he defeated Buddy Rogers on January 24, 1963, in Toronto, ON. It was announced that Dick Steinborn and the Scufflin’ Hillbillies would be wrestling on the card on December 25, 1964, and that George Harris would be wrestling in Atlanta soon.

DECEMBER 18, 1965 (SATURDAY) – MARIETTA, GA – FRANKLIN DRIVE ARENA (Elmo Chappell – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Johnny King versus Silento Rodriguez > Bob Boyer versus Dutch Savage > Dale Lewis versus Chief Little Eagle / Notes: No documented results for this card have been found.

DECEMBER 18, 1967 (MONDAY) – AUGUSTA, GA – WILLIAM BELL AUDITORIUM (Steve Manderson – Promoter) > Southern Tag Team Title Match: Stan & Butcher Vachon defeated Enrique & Alberto Torres* to win title / Notes: Enrique & Alberto Torres had been the reigning Southern Tag Team Champions since they defeated Stan & Butcher Vachon on September 5, 1967, in Macon.

DECEMBER 18, 1968 (WEDNESDAY) – COLUMBUS, GA – COLUMBUS MUNICIPAL AUDITORIUM (Fred Ward – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Bob Armstrong versus Stan Vachon > Mike Burns versus Seiji Sakaguchi > Alberto & Ramon Torres versus the Assassins > Dale Lewis versus Louie Tillet / Notes: No documented results for this card have been found.

DECEMBER 18, 1970 (FRIDAY) – ATLANTA, GA – ATLANTA MUNICIPAL AUDITORIUM [P] (Paul Jones – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Bill Dromo defeated the Cougar > Midget Women’s Match: Darling Dagmar versus Diamond Lil > Luke Graham & Skandor Akbar versus Bobby Shane & Doug Gilbert ruled a no contest > Paul DeMarco and Buddy Colt wrestled to a draw > The Assassins defeated Mr. Ito & the Great Ota > Handicap Match: El Mongol defeated Jack Crawford & Kubla Khan / Notes: Darling Dagmar and Diamond Lil were scheduled to wrestle each other, but no results were reported after the card. Homer O’Dell managed Buddy Colt. Jack Crawford managed Kubla Khan. Charlie Harben and Eddie Smith were credited as being referees for this card. It was announced that Ray Gunkel & Freddie Blassie would wrestle Buddy Colt & Homer O’Dell on December 26, 1970. Paul DeMarco participated in an autograph session for fans.

DECEMBER 18, 1971 (SATURDAY) – ATLANTA, GA – WQXI STUDIOS (Paul Jones – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Roberto Soto defeated Billy Spears by disqualification > Jimmy Dancing Bear & El Mongol defeated Mr. X & Assassin #2 by disqualification > Jerry Oates and Karl Von Stroheim wrestled to a draw / Notes: This was taped for the “Georgia Championship Wrestling” television program hosted by Ed Capral.

DECEMBER 18, 1973 (TUESDAY) – ATLANTA, GA – ATLANTA MUNICIPAL AUDITORIUM [P] (Ann Gunkel – Promoter / All-South Wrestling Alliance) > Wayne Cowan versus Johnny Ringo > Ted Oates versus the Cougar > Charlie Cook versus the Great Fuji > Tommy Seigler versus Bolo Mongol > Dick Steinborn versus Geto Mongol > Georgia Television Title Match: the Super Gladiator* versus Argentina Apollo > Georgia Tag Team Title Match: Assassin #2 & the Enforcer* versus Ray Candy & Gorilla Watts > US Heavyweight Title Match: Ox Baker* versus Ernie Ladd / Notes: No documented results for this card have been found. Rock Hunter managed Assassin #2 and the Enforcer. George Cannon managed the Mongols.

DECEMBER 18, 1976 (SATURDAY) – ATLANTA, GA – WTCG STUDIOS (Paul Jones – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) Notes: This was the first episode of “Georgia Championship Wrestling”, hosted by Gordon Solie, since WTCG began transmitting their signal via satellite the day before, making it the first Superstation.

DECEMBER 18, 1976 (SATURDAY) – GRIFFIN, GA – GRIFFIN-BARNESVILLE SPORTS PALACE (Paul Jones – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Raymond Rougeau defeated Bobby Simmons > Ricky Steamboat defeated Scott Irwin > Women’s Battle Royal: Terry Shane defeated Susan Green, Vivian St. John, Leilani Kai, and Judy Mansfield > Black Atlas defeated Two-Ton Harris > Bill Dromo defeated the Mongolian Stomper / Notes: It is unclear as to the reason for the battle royal. J.J. Dillon managed the Mongolian Stomper. Ron West was credited as being a referee for this card.

DECEMBER 18, 1980 (THURSDAY) – ROME, GA – ROME MEMORIAL GYMNASIUM (Charlie Harben – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Steve O versus Jos LeDuc > Ted DiBiase versus the Mongolian Stomper > Tony Atlas, Stan Frazier & Mr. Wrestling #2 versus the Freebirds > Kevin Sullivan versus Steve Keirn / Notes: No documented results for this card have been found. Don Carson managed the Mongolian Stomper.

DECEMBER 18, 1982 (SATURDAY) – CHATTANOOGA, TN – CHATTANOOGA MEMORIAL AUDITORIUM (Paul Jones – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Spot defeated Pat Rose > Rex defeated Brad Armstrong > The Iron Sheik defeated Johnny Rich > Tommy Rich & Butch Reed defeated Ole Anderson & Buzz Sawyer by disqualification > Ivan Koloff defeated Paul Orndorff / Notes: Pat Rose substituted for Dale Veasey in the match with Spot. J.J. Dillon managed the Moondogs. Sonny King managed the Iron Sheik.

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.