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Wednesday, January 14, 2009

SOUTHEASTERN WRESTLING NEWS, NOTES, AND NOSTALGIA: 01/14/2009

Courtesy of GeorgiaWrestlingHistory.com:

NEWS and NOTES

Tonight’s edition of Peach State Pandemonium, with hosts Rich Tate and Les Thatcher, along with Tim Dix, presents opinion-based commentary on top stories across the world of pro wrestling and will be joined by Cauliflower Alley Club Executive Vice President Karl Lauer. Bobby Simmons will be in the Wayback Machine. The show begins at 9:00 PM ET, and is brought to you by Georgia Wrestling History’s GWH Radio Network.

Tuesday night’s edition of Dan Masters Live featured Reno Riggins and Vordell Walker. John Cannon and Thomas Bugg from GWH also appeared. The show is also a presentation of the GWRN. Click here for the archive.

World Wrestling Entertainment continued the cutbacks on Tuesday with the releases of Ron Simmons and Sgt. Slaughter from their legends contracts.

WWE results from the SmackDown house show at the St. Joseph Civic Arena in St. Joseph, MO, on January 12: R-Truth over Shelton Benjamin; Umaga over Jimmy Wang Yang; Eve Torres over Natalya, with Kung Funaki as referee; Vladimir Kozlov over Hurricane Helms; Kizarny over MVP; Carlito & Primo Colon over Brian Kendrick & Ezekiel Jackson; the Big Show over the Great Khali; and Jeff Hardy over Edge.

The final overall rating for Monday’s edition of WWE’s RAW was 3.5, and last Friday night’s SmackDown was 3.9.

Click here for spoilers from Tuesday night’s SmackDown tapings.

WWE has announced the following events: February 21, RAW/ECW at the Viking Hall Civic Center in Bristol, TN; March 13, SmackDown at the Reed Arena in College Station, TX; March 13, RAW/ECW at the Ector County Coliseum in Odessa, TX; March 21, SmackDown at the Alltel Arena in North Little Rock, AR; March 28, RAW/ECW at the Laredo Entertainment Center in Laredo, TX; March 29, RAW/ECW at the Dodge Arena in Hidalgo, TX; and May 12, SmackDown/ECW at the Nutter Center in Dayton, OH.

WWE will present the 2009 Hall of Fame awards presentation live from the Toyota Center in Houston, TX, on April 4. To be inducted: Steve Austin and Bill Watts. Word is Watts has already asked Jim Ross to induct him, and that Austin is looking to Ric Flair. Also, Dave Meltzer is reporting that Terry Funk and Dory Funk, Jr., have been contacted by WWE about their interest, and that the Von Erichs are being considered for honors as well.

Meltzer is also reporting that Total Nonstop Action is cutting back by presenting the Against All Odds (February 8), Destination X (March 15), and Sacrifice (May 24) PPVs at their home base at Universal Studios in Orlando, FL. He noted the Lockdown event on April 19 would take place in Philadelphia, PA, though a venue has not been announced.

Click here for spoilers from TNA’s iMPACT tapings.

Ring of Honor will be at Sports Network and Fitness in Manassas, VA, on January 16. Advertised: Nigel McGuinness versus Tyler Black; Bryan Danielson versus Jimmy Jacobs; Jay Briscoe & Roderick Strong versus the American Wolves (Eddie Edwards & Davey Richards); Jerry Lynn versus Austin Aries; Delirious versus the Necro Butcher in a grudge match; Brent Albright & Erick Stevens versus Damien Wayne & Chris Escobar; and Rhett Titus versus Sean Denny. Bell time is 8:00 PM.

ROH will be at the Inman Sports Club in Edison, NJ, on January 17. Advertised: Nigel McGuinness defends the ROH World Heavyweight Title against Austin Aries; Bryan Danielson versus Jerry Lynn; a grudge match featuring Jimmy Jacobs versus Tyler Black; a lumberjack match featuring Erick Stevens & Roderick Strong versus the American Wolves (Eddie Edwards & Davey Richards), with Larry Sweeney; a four-corners match featuring Necro Butcher, Delirious, Damien Wayne, and Sean Denny; Brent Albright versus Rhett Titus; and Jay Briscoe versus Chris Escobar. Bell time is 7:30 PM.

ROH will be at the Michigan State Fairgrounds & Expo Center in Detroit, MI, on January 30. Advertised: Kevin Steen & El Generico defend the ROH World Tag Team Title against the American Wolves (Eddie Edwards & Davey Richards), with Larry Sweeney; Brent Albright versus Claudio Castagnoli; Bryan Danielson versus Rhett Titus; and Brodie Lee versus Necro Butcher. Also on the bill: Nigel McGuinness, Roderick Strong, Erick Stevens, and Delirious. Bell time is 8:00 PM.

ROH will be at the Frontier Fieldhouse in Chicago Ridge, IL, on January 31. Advertised: Brent Albright, Erick Stevens, Roderick Strong, and two other partners to be announced versus Sweet N Sour, Inc., in a caged grudge match; and Alex Payne versus Silas Young. Also on the bill: Nigel McGuinness, Kevin Steen, El Generico, Bryan Danielson, Necro Butcher, Claudio Castagnoli, Delirious, Brodie Lee, and Rhett Titus. Bell time is 7:30 PM.

ROH has announced an event at the Indiana State Fairgrounds’ Farm Bureau Building in Indianapolis, IN, on March 14. Tickets go on sale tomorrow.

Kin Folk Wrestling will be at the National Guard Armory in Pigeon Forge, TN, tonight.

The following information in regard to birthdays and memoriams has been compiled from various sources. In the event you can let us know of any omissions or corrections, please email to contributions@georgiawrestlinghistory.com.

Today’s Birthdays: Jim Duggan (1954), Ernest ‘Cat’ Miller (1964), and Gene Snitsky (1970).

Lanny Kean, Jr., who wrestled as Cousin Junior, Moondog Cujo and Big Daddy Cyrus, passed away early Tuesday morning from a heart attack in his hometown of Jamestown, KY. He was 48. Services for Kean are being held on Friday at 11 AM at the H.E. Pruitt Memorial Chapel in Jamestown.

Click here for Larry Goodman’s review of the January 3 broadcast of NWA Main Event.

Southeastern MMA presents "Cage Wars IV" on January 16 at the Cullman Civic Center in Cullman, AL. Advertised: Jordan Donaldson vs. Jessie Fowlkes. Chase Horton vs. Kevin Primeau. Earl Anderson vs. Blake Morris. Mathew Martin vs. John Baker. Tommy Srygley vs. Randy Dawson. Leon Garza vs. Dylan McCreless. Brandon Kern vs. Ken Bundy. Sauska Zapata vs. John O'Brien. EJ Graff vs. Lee Cain. Wesley Sullivan vs. Ray Echols. Matt Vaughn vs. Stephen Wilhite. Josh Glover vs. Lucian Hornbuckle. Fred Weaver vs. Kent Waters. Doors open at 6:00 and bell time is at 7:00. For more information, call (205) 368-9114.

Phatlip MMA’s next event will be on January 16 at the Alcazar Shriners Temple in Montgomery, AL. Advertised: Tyler Woods vs. Joe Elmore. Sky Moiseichik vs. Kory James Cole. Chad Weaver vs. Sean Dyer. Mark Adams vs. Justin Foster. Luke Reiter vs. Buddy Hallman. Rex Wall vs. Harry Sallee. Omar Coronado vs. Justin Suggs. Rendan Russell vs. Justin Wallace. Graham Tolbert vs. Marcus Porterfield. Dewayne Stong vs. Michael Fyrberg. Chad Crice vs. Preston Crowder. Brian Lawhon vs. Dereck Wilson. Alec Bryant vs. Greg Granlund. Aaron Wilcox vs. DK Martin. Sammy Cope vs. Matthew Holland. Stanley Crowder vs. Josh Sanders. Advance tickets go from $20 and up. Doors open at 6:00 and bell time is at 7:00. For more information, call either (334) 279-7933 or (334) 318-5998.

NWA Charlotte returns to Charlotte, NC, for “Homecoming” at the brand new NWA Coliseum, on January 24. The doors will open at 6:30 PM, with a pre-show countdown at 7:30, and matches getting underway at 8 PM. Tickets are $5 general admission. Ringside is $15, “Rockstar” Seating is $25, and children 10 and under admitted free with paid adult. Advertised: This debut show is a TV taping, with matches to include NWA Main Event with Adam Pearce taking on Brent Albright for the right to face NWA World Champion Blue Demon, Jr. in February for the title; Phil Shatter battles Mikal Judas for the NWA National Championship; Ivan Koloff squares off against The Barbarian for the NWA Charlotte Legends Championship, with Tommy Young as referee; Action Mike Jackson takes on Ultimate Dragon for the Southeast Cruiserweight Championship; Chase Stevens & Andy Douglas, a/k/a The Naturals, battle Derek Driver & Steven Walters, a/k/a New Wave; Joey Sylvia goes against Dylan Cage; Truitt Fields is one-on-one against Ryan O’Reilly; and Kimo, w/ Jeff G. Bailey, & Jeff Lewis vs. Joey Agony & Ryan Chaos, a/k/a Chaotic Agony.

Ultimate Fighting Throwdown will be in Florence, AL, for MMA action on February 7. More information to be announced.

IWA Deep South will be having their “Southern Classic Invitational Tournament” on February 27-28. On February 27, the 16-man tournament starts at the National Guard Armory in Sylacauga, AL. It then goes to the National Guard Armory in Calera, AL, on February 28. Matches to be announced Tickets are $15 for the first row, $10 for general admission, and $5 for kids 10 and under. Bell time is at 7:00.

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

JANUARY 14, 1930 (TUESDAY) – ATLANTA, GA – ATLANTA MUNICIPAL AUDITORIUM (Henry Weber – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Pat Jones versus Joe Langford > Billy Manly and Bob Wilson wrestled to a draw at 15:00 > Frank Judson defeated Whitey Hewitt at 53:16 (2-0) > Milo Steinborn and Paul Jones wrestled to a draw at 60:00 / Notes: Pat Jones and Joe Langford were scheduled to wrestle each other, but no results were reported after the card.

JANUARY 14, 1936 (TUESDAY) – ATLANTA, GA – ATLANTA THEATRE (Henry Weber – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Marshall Blackstock defeated Carl Van Horn > Roland Kirchmeyer and Cy Williams wrestled to a draw > George Zaharias defeated Dorv Roche by disqualification

JANUARY 14, 1944 (FRIDAY) – ATLANTA, GA – ATLANTA MUNICIPAL AUDITORIUM (Paul Jones – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > The Red Devil defeated Otto Schnabel > Al Galento and the Black Panther wrestled to a draw > The Red Devil defeated Jack Dillon / Notes: The Red Devil substituted for Albert Mills in the match with Otto Schnabel. This was the first card promoted by Paul Jones.

JANUARY 14, 1948 (WEDNESDAY) – MARIETTA, GA – LARRY BELL AUDITORIUM (Fred Ward – Promoter / Fred Ward Promotions) > Red Dugan versus the Green Hornet > Tommy Ward versus Frank Remille > Bob Shipp versus George Schnabel / Notes: No documented results for this card have been found.

JANUARY 14, 1949 (FRIDAY) – ATLANTA, GA – ATLANTA MUNICIPAL AUDITORIUM (Paul Jones – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Johnny Long defeated George Thomas > Thor Morgan defeated Charro Azteca > Nick Carter defeated Red Roberts > Chris & Babe Zaharias defeated Jack Kennedy & Dick Lever / Notes: Dick Lever substituted for Joe Corbett to team with Jack Kennedy in the match with Chris & Babe Zaharias. At some point in January, though it may not have been this card, Thad Horton replaced Fred Anderson to call the main event matches on WQXI 790 AM radio each week. Ray McCay, who would later take that job, began work as a ring announcer in Atlanta around this time as well.

JANUARY 14, 1957 (MONDAY) – COLUMBUS SPORTS ARENA (Fred Ward – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Mark Lewin versus Red McIntyre > Jerry Graham versus Chief Big Heart > Don & Red McIntyre versus Mark & Donn Lewin / Notes: No documented results for this card have been found.

JANUARY 14, 1964 (TUESDAY) – MACON, GA – MACON CITY AUDITORIUM (Fred Ward – Promoter / Fred Ward Promotions) > Johnny Bruce defeated Ken Hollis > Little Abner defeated Bud Clarity > Bad Boy Hines defeated Silento Rodriguez

JANUARY 14, 1966 (FRIDAY) – ATLANTA, GA – ATLANTA MUNICIPAL AUDITORIUM [P] (Paul Jones – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Alvero Velasco defeated Don Carson > Louie Tillet defeated Johnny King > Al Costello defeated Derrell Cochran > Chin Lee defeated Vince Gironda > Sputnik Monroe & Chief Little Eagle defeated Eric & Karl Von Brauner by disqualification > $1,000 Challenge versus Hair Cage Match: Mario Galento defeated Dale Lewis to win money / Notes: Dale Lewis put up $1,000 in the match with Mario Galento, betting he could not be pinned within the first thirty minutes, and Galento vowed to have his head shaved if he failed to win the money. Galento had help with the win when Sputnik Monroe came to the ring and knocked Lewis from the top rope as he was about to leap onto Galento. Saul Weingeroff managed Eric & Karl Von Brauner. It is unclear as to what happened, but in this program it does not list Roy Elrod as Commissioner, as he was first credited last week. It was announced that Dick the Bruiser, Al Greene, Tony Nero, and Johnny Apollo would be wrestling in Atlanta soon.

JANUARY 14, 1969 (TUESDAY) – MACON, GA – MACON COLISEUM (Fred Ward – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Women’s Match: Patti Neilson versus Barbara Owens > Jim Wilson versus Seiji Sakaguchi > World Tag Team Title Match: the Assassins* versus Alberto & Ramon Torres / Notes: No documented results for this card have been found. Jack Crawford managed Seiji Sakaguchi. The Assassins had been the reigning World Tag Team Champions since they defeated Ray Gunkel & Buddy Fuller on December 20, 1968, in Atlanta.

JANUARY 14, 1970 (WEDNESDAY) – CARTERSVILLE, GA – SPORTS PALACE (J.A. ‘Stiffy’ Williams – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Jim Wilson defeated Salvadore Dominguez > Buddy Colt defeated Cyclone Soto (2-0) > The Assassins defeated Alberto & Ramon Torres (2-0) / Notes: Homer O’Dell managed Buddy Colt.

JANUARY 14, 1972 (FRIDAY) – ATLANTA, GA – PAUL JONES SPORTS ARENA [P] (Paul Jones – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Billy Spears and Roberto Soto wrestled to a draw > Flash Monroe and Klondike Bill wrestled to a draw > Pat & Mike Kelly defeated Joe Turco & the Champ > Bob Armstrong defeated Rocket Monroe > Karl Von Stroheim & Mr. X defeated Jimmy Dancing Bear & El Mongol > Dick Steinborn defeated Buddy Colt / Notes: Bob Armstrong substituted for Bill Dromo in the match with Rocket Monroe. Assassin #1 managed Karl Von Stroheim and Mr. X. Eddie Smith was credited as being a referee for this card. It is believed that Paul Jones had been released from St. Joseph’s Infirmary sometime earlier in the week, as his column resumed in the program for this card. It was announced that a tournament would be held on January 21, 1972, for the new Brass Knucks Title. It was also announced that Nick Bockwinkel and Bobo Brazil would be wrestling in Atlanta soon. Haystacks Calhoun participated in an autograph session for fans.

JANUARY 14, 1975 (TUESDAY) – ALBANY, GA – ALLISON’S SKATING RINK [P] (Fred Ward – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Steve Keirn versus Mark Starr > Derrell Cochran versus Bill Costello > Rocky Johnson versus Man Mountain Blackwell > Bob Orton, Jr., versus Danny Little Bear > Roberto Soto versus Billy Spears / Notes: No documented results for this card have been found.

JANUARY 14, 1975 (TUESDAY) – MACON, GA – MACON COLISEUM (Fred Ward – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Jimmy Golden versus Ronnie Paul > Jerry Brisco versus Roger Kirby > Ken Patera versus Assassin #2 > Texas Death Match: Ron Garvin versus Ricky Gibson > Macon Tag Team Title Match: Robert Fuller & Mr. Wrestling #2 defeated the Mighty Yankees* by disqualification / Notes: Aside from the match between Robert Fuller & Mr. Wrestling #2 and the Mighty Yankees, no documented results for the remaining matches on this card have been found. Jimmy Golden was the special referee for the match between Ron Garvin and Ricky Gibson. Jimmy Garvin managed Ron Garvin. Rock Hunter managed Assassin #2. J.C. Dykes managed the Mighty Yankees. Bearcat Wright managed Roger Kirby.

JANUARY 14, 1977 (FRIDAY) – ATLANTA, GA – ATLANTA MUNICIPAL AUDITORIUM (Paul Jones – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Bob Backlund defeated Jack Evans > Raymond Rougeau and Bill Howard wrestled to a draw > The French Angel defeated Randy Colley > Dusty Rhodes & the Mighty Igor defeated Abdullah the Butcher & the French Angel > Thunderbolt Patterson defeated Dick Slater by disqualification > Mr. Wrestling #1 & #2 defeated Ole & Gene Anderson / Notes: The French Angel substituted for the Mongolian Stomper to team with Abdullah the Butcher in the match with Dusty Rhodes & the Mighty Igor. J.J. Dillon managed the French Angel.

JANUARY 14, 1978 (SATURDAY) – ATLANTA, GA – WTCG STUDIOS (Paul Jones – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Georgia Television Title Match: Bob Armstrong* defeated the Invader > Stan Hansen & Abdullah the Butcher defeated Randy Alls & Raymond Rougeau > Mr. Wrestling #2 defeated Abdul Zataar > The Bounty Hunter defeated Ted Allen > Tommy Rich & Tony Atlas defeated Jim Kent & Jacques Goulet / Notes: This was taped for the “Georgia Championship Wrestling” television program hosted by Gordon Solie. Abdul Zataar had been shown sitting in the television audience for two weeks, and it was announced he had signed a contract to wrestle in Atlanta.

JANUARY 14, 1979 (SUNDAY) – MACON, GA – MACON COLISEUM (Fred Ward – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Raymond Rougeau and Luke Graham wrestled to a draw > Bugsy McGraw defeated Frank Dusek > Tommy Rich defeated Larry Latham > Georgia Heavyweight Title Match: Mr. Wrestling #2 defeated the Masked Superstar* by disqualification > Jack Brisco, Wahoo McDaniel & Thunderbolt Patterson defeated King Kong Mosca, Ole & Gene Anderson

JANUARY 14, 1979 (SUNDAY) – MARIETTA, GA – COBB COUNTY CIVIC CENTER (Paul Jones – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Pierre Lefebvre defeated Bryan St. John > Luke Graham and Rufus R. Jones wrestled to a draw > Jack Brisco defeated Stan Hansen > Tommy Rich & Wahoo McDaniel defeated Ole & Gene Anderson > Mr. Wrestling #2 defeated the Masked Superstar by disqualification

JANUARY 14, 1980 (MONDAY) – AUGUSTA, GA – RICHMOND COUNTY CIVIC CENTER (Paul Jones – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Killer Khan and Crusher Blackwell wrestled to a draw > Kevin Sullivan & Steve Travis defeated Eddy Mansfield & Austin Idol > Tony Atlas & Ray Candy versus Abdullah the Butcher & the Sheik ended in a NC > Tommy Rich defeated Terry Funk > Dusty Rhodes defeated Ken Patera by disqualification > Georgia Tag Team Title Match: Ivan Koloff & Alexis Smirnoff* defeated Ole & Lars Anderson > The Masked Superstar defeated Mr. Wrestling #2 by disqualification > Battle Royal: Tommy Rich and Austin Idol (Co-Winners) / Notes: It was reported that the purse for the battle royal was $20,000, and the co-winners split the money. Gorgeous George, Jr., managed Killer Khan.

JANUARY 14, 1983 (FRIDAY) – WHEELING, WV – WHEELING CIVIC CENTER (Les Thatcher – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > The Iron Sheik defeated Joe Lightfoot > Brad Armstrong & Tito Santana defeated the Moondogs > Butch Reed defeated the Super Destroyer > Paul Orndorff defeated Ivan Koloff > Tommy Rich defeated Buzz Sawyer by disqualification / Notes: J.J. Dillon managed the Moondogs.

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.