SOUTHEASTERN WRESTLING NEWS, NOTES and NOSTALGIA: 03/24/2009

– GeorgiaWrestlingHistory.com

NEWS and NOTES

World Wrestling Entertainment results from the RAW broadcast at the Sprint Center in Kansas City, MO, on March 23: Ric Flair, on behalf of Ricky Steamboat, Jimmy Snuka, and Roddy Piper, accepts the challenge of a 3-on-1 match featuring those three against Chris Jericho at WrestleMania – and then gets attacked by Jericho; Jeff Hardy over Dolph Ziggler in an extreme rules match; Kofi Kingston, Christian, CM Punk & MVP over Shelton Benjamin, Mark Henry, Finlay & Kane; Edge versus the Big Show ended in a no contest, with Chavo Guerrero, Jr., getting involved; Rey Mysterio, Jr., over William Regal; Mickie James over Santino Marella in an inter-gender match; Jerry Lawler calls out Jericho; and the three-on-one match featuring Triple H versus Randy Orton, Cody Rhodes & Ted DiBiase, Jr., never happened, as Legacy managed to handcuff HHH to the ropes, resulting in a brutal beatdown that also involved Stephanie McMahon, and included Orton kissing an unconscious Stephanie.

Dark match results from Kansas City: in a pre-show match, Melina over Jillian Hall; and Stephanie McMahon was taken out on a stretcher after the live feed ended. Ric Flair’s head wound, at the hands of Jericho, had to be stapled.

The lineup for tonight’s ECW broadcast on Sci-Fi, from WWE, is as follows: John Morrison versus Carlito; Jack Swagger & Tyson Kidd versus Tommy Dreamer & Evan Bourne; a VIP Lounge segment with the participants of WrestleMania’s Money-in-the-Bank match; and the announcement of the final inductee for the 2009 Hall of Fame. Click here for spoilers.

WWE results from the RAW/ECW house show at the Charles Koch Arena in Wichita, KS, on March 22: Beth Phoenix over Mickie James; Charlie Haas over Santino Marella; Kane over Kofi Kingston; Brie Bella, Carlito & Primo Colon over Nikki Bella, John Morrison & the Miz; Finlay over Mark Henry in a Belfast brawl; Jack Swagger over Christian to retain the WWE ECW Title; CM Punk over Chris Jericho; and John Cena over WWE World Heavyweight Champion Edge by disqualification in a title match.

Click here for Adam Russell’s review of WWE’s SmackDown March 20 broadcast. The final overall rating was 2.1.

Click here for Drew Carrig’s review of the March 21 debut of Ring of Honor’s new television program, Ring of Honor Wrestling.

ROH has announced the following events: June 13, at the Hammerstein Ballroom in New York, NY; and September 25, at the Court Times Sports Center in Elizabeth, PA. Ric Flair will be at the New York show, signing autographs for $30, with an additional $20 for a second item.

ROH has also made announcements on the following events:

On April 3 in Houston, TX, Nigel McGuinness defends the ROH World Heavyweight Title against Jerry Lynn; Brent Albright, Claudio Castagnoli, Blue Demon, Jr., and El Generico on a four-way match; and Colt Cabana versus D-Lo Brown.

On April 4, also in Houston, Jimmy Jacobs versus Necro Butcher in a no disqualification match; Roderick Strong versus Alex Koslov; Jay Briscoe, Magno, Kevin Steen & El Generico versus Chris Hero, Incognito & the American Wolves; and Colt Cabana versus Ace Steel. Blue Demon, Jr., is no longer listed as appearing.

Added to the April 9 tapings in Philadelphia, PA, are Jerry Lynn, Necro Butcher, Austin Aries, Claudio Castagnoli, Kenny Omega, Jimmy Jacobs, and Brodie Lee.

Added to the April 10 tapings in Philadelphia are Jerry Lynn, Austin Aries, Necro Butcher, Kenny Omega, Claudio Castagnoli, Jimmy Jacobs, and Brodie Lee.

Added to the April 17 event in Montreal, QC, as well as April 18 in Markham, ON, are Davey Richards, Eddie Edwards, Colt Cabana, Jay Briscoe, Brent Albright, and Jimmy Rave. Bison Smith is no longer listed.

Cabana and Rave have also been announced for the April 24 event in Dayton, OH, and the Chicago Ridge, IL, card on April 25.

American Combat Wrestling will be at the Bourbon Street Night Club in New Port Richey, FL, tonight.

The United Wrestling Association will be at the Seymour Hardware & Building Supply in Seymour, 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 [email protected].

Birthdays: Barry Horowitz (1960), the Undertaker (1965), and Christopher Daniels (1971).

In Memoriam: Warren Bockwinkel (74, 1986) and Bill Miller (69, 1997).

The viewing for Steven Dunn will be at Hibbett & Hailey Funeral Home, 429 Donelson Pike, Nashville, TN, Wednesday from 4-8 pm and Thursday from 10 am-2 pm. The funeral will follow at 2 pm Thursday.

Rick Crabtree, who turned 51 last week, has died following a long battle with liver disease. Crabtree was on a list for a transplant. He spent more than a decade wrestling on the independent circuit in the southeast.

Tonight’s edition of Dan Masters Live features a blend of wrestling and entertainment news and information, beginning at 9:00 PM ET, and is brought to you by Georgia Wrestling History’s GWH Radio Network.

Monday’s edition of the Sports Buffet, hosted by ‘Chef’ Tim Dix, along with Rich Tate, featured discussion on the Atlanta Hawks and Braves, as well as UGA’s search for a basketball coach. The program is a presentation of the GWHRN. Click here for the archive.

We just learned that WAFF TV reported last week that American Championship Wrestling promoter Mickey Henry was arrested and indicted before a grand jury on charges of sexual abuse of a minor at his residence in Boaz, AL. According to the report, Henry had been investigated on similar charges in 2005, but was never charged or arrested.

Showtime All-Star Wrestling can now be viewed Fridays at 8 PM on WKNI-TV25 in Andalusia, AL.

Riot Wrestling Entertainment results from “Deadlocked” at Element Nightlife in Columbia, SC, on March 22: The Jack Hammer defeated Dalton Adams. Mr. X Rated Dillon Dollar & Bob Keller defeated Tyson Riddick & J.C. Walker. Hans Baumbgardner defeated Kronik. Chris Mayne defeated Roughhouse Matthews. Hallowicked defeated Jesse Wilkes Windham. Nick Fury defeated Steven Vaughn. Cali Casanova defeated Jon Malus to retain the RWE Heavyweight Championship. Rick Jacobs & Devon Wright defeated Brandon Paradise & Nick Kismet. Killian O’Conn defeated Nightmare to win the RWE Anarchy Championship.

The All-Star Wrestling Network was in Ft. Valley, GA, on March 21. Results: Paul Warfield defeated "the Extreme" Phenom to retain the AWN Heavyweight championship. Jerry Thompson & Ash defeated Nigel Sherrod & "the Almighty" Brokishi by DQ. "The Marvelous One" Michael Stevens defeated Douglas McGuiness. Sin City Mafia defeated the Slaughter Pit thanks to outside interference from J.W. Outlaw, Mike Money's security advisor. "Encore" Zac Edwards defeated Larry Carmichael, who is Chick Donovan's protege. Iron Will defeated Scotty Carmichael. Reported attendance was 45, and the referee was Wendell Brown.

The AWN will be at the AWN Wrestleplex in Ft. Valley, GA, on March 28. Advertised: Slaughter Pit, Leon Michaels, Ash, "the Marvelous One" Michael Stevens, "the Last Rebel" Jerry Thompson, "the Golden Boy" Chick Donovan, Paul Warfield, "the Almighty" Brokishi, Mike Kross, Iron Will, Sin City Mafia, Douglas McGuiness, Damenchia, "the Extreme" Phenom, and Nigel Sherrod. Doors open at 7:30 and bell time is at 8:00. For more information, call (478) 397-5734.

Great Championship Wrestling returns to the Gr8 Sk8 Plex in Phenix City, AL, on March 26. Advertised: Lumberjack Match for the GCW Title, Champion Cru Jones vs. Rob Adonis; First Time Ever in GCW, Orion Bishop vs. Frankie Valentine; Rematch from Two Weeks Ago, Sal Rinauro vs. J-Rod; Special Challenge, Scott Steele vs. Murder One; and an appearance by Amy Morgan. Bell time is 7:30pm. For reserved seats, call 334-664-1780.

Southern States Wrestling will be in Kingsport, TN, at the National Guard Armory on March 28. Advertised: Coward Waves the Flag Match with Beau James vs. Tony Givens - match goes until one of the corner women waves the flag because she feels her man cannot continue; National Title Match, Robbie Cassidy vs. Tracy Smothers; CWA World TAG Title Match, KMF (with John Hawkins) vs. Wayne Adkins and Ray Idol; Misty James & Rebecca Lynn vs. Crystal Fire & Fabulous Blondie; and a TV Title Match, Eric Darkstorm vs. Moe Jenkins. Also advertised are Jamey Gibson and Mike Cooper. Front row tickets are $10, general admission is $8, and kids 10 and under get in for $5.

Rampage Pro Wrestling debuts in Macon, GA, on April 10 with "Showdown" at the City Auditorium advertising a 12-Man Battle Royal, plus eight big matches. Bell time is 7:30 pm. Tickets are available through Ticketmaster and at the box office - Ringside $17, Floor Seating $13.50, General Admission (Balcony) $11.50, and Children 3-9 $6.50.

NOSTALGIA

MARCH 24, 1931 (TUESDAY) – ATLANTA, GA – ATLANTA MUNICIPAL AUDITORIUM (Henry Weber – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Paul Harper and John Paxos wrestled to a draw > George Zaharias defeated Charley Lehman / Notes: It was reported that Atlanta Mayor James L. Key was in attendance at the card.

MARCH 24, 1936 (TUESDAY) – ATLANTA, GA – ATLANTA THEATRE (Henry Weber – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Count Zarnoff defeated Babe Zaharias > Dorv Roche defeated Eddie Newman > Orville Brown defeated Pat O’Shocker by disqualification

MARCH 24, 1937 (WEDNESDAY) – AUGUSTA, GA – NEW COLISEUM (Bill Metzger – Promoter) > Speedy Lawrence defeated Jack Ross > Leroy McGuirk defeated Buddy Knox (2-0)

MARCH 24, 1939 (FRIDAY) – AUGUSTA, GA – RICHMOND POST ARENA (Dobie Osborne – Promoter) > Women’s Match: Jane Blondell versus Betty Lee > Bob Anderson versus the Red Shadow > Sammy Miller versus Young Londos / Notes: No documented results for this card have been found.

MARCH 24, 1944 (FRIDAY) – ATLANTA, GA – ATLANTA MUNICIPAL AUDITORIUM (Paul Jones – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Al Massey defeated Don Lee by disqualification > The Red Devil defeated Tony Ross > Joe Marsh and Tom George wrestled to a draw > Hugh Winn defeated Otto Schnabel

MARCH 24, 1951 (SATURDAY) – ATLANTA, GA – ATLANTA MUNICIPAL AUDITORIUM (Paul Jones – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Benny Becker versus Rube Wright > Jack Curtis & Nick Carter versus Jim Coffield & Tom Mahoney > Southern Heavyweight Title Match: the Golden Terror* versus Bobby Lane / Notes: No documented results for this card have been found. The Golden Terror had been the reigning Southern Heavyweight Champion since he defeated Art Nelson on January 26, 1951, in Atlanta.

MARCH 24, 1958 (MONDAY) – AUGUSTA, GA – WILLIAM BELL AUDITORIUM (Robert McCoy – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Rocky Columbo defeated Jack Steele > Ray Gunkel and Don Lee wrestled to a draw > Karl Heinkler & Kurt Von Brawner defeated Jerry Graham & the Mighty Yankee

MARCH 24, 1964 (TUESDAY) – MACON, GA – MACON CITY AUDITORIUM (Fred Ward – Promoter / Fred Ward Promotions) > Billy Hines defeated George Wolfe > Joe McCarthy & Chief Big Heart defeated Johnny Bruce & Crusher Verdu > Georgia Heavyweight Title Match: Choo-Choo Lynn* defeated Chuck Campbell / Notes: Choo-Choo Lynn had been the reigning Georgia Heavyweight Champion since he defeated Honey Boy Hannigan on July 30, 1963, in Macon. This version of the title and the one that would later extend from 1964 through 1981 were not the same.

MARCH 24, 1965 (WEDNESDAY) – COLUMBUS, GA – COLUMBUS MUNICIPAL AUDITORIUM (Fred Ward – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Jerry Miller versus Pancho Villa > Mario Galento versus Tony Marino > Billy Hines & Greg Peterson versus the Mysterious Medics / Notes: No documented results for this card have been found.

MARCH 24, 1965 (WEDNESDAY) – JEKYLL ISLAND, GA (Fred Ward – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Crybaby Harris versus Choo-Choo Lynn > Bob Dalton versus Jesse James > Tom Bradley versus Red Roberts / Notes: No documented results for this card have been found. It is unclear as to what venue was the site of this card.

MARCH 24, 1967 (FRIDAY) – ATLANTA, GA – ATLANTA MUNICIPAL AUDITORIUM [P] (Paul Jones – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Lorenzo Parente and Corsica Jean wrestled to a draw > Bobby Hart defeated Ike Eakins by disqualification > Buddy Fuller defeated Tom Bradley > Eddie Graham & Nick Kozak defeated El Mongol & Oki Shikina > Bobby Graham defeated Mike Paidousis > Tornado Tag Team Match: Enrique & Ramon Torres defeated Lars & Gene Anderson / Notes: Jack Crawford managed El Mongol. It was reported in the program for this card that Paul Jones had finally gotten Gene Kiniski to sign a contract to defend the NWA World Heavyweight Title against Lou Thesz, and the bout was scheduled for April 14, 1967. It claimed that the signing took place in Chicago, IL, during a meeting of the NWA Board of Governors, including Sam Muchnick, Jules Strongbow, Frank Tunney, Jim Crockett, Ed McLemore, Gust Karras, Pedro Martinez, and Jim Barnett. Supposedly, Kiniski was reprimanded by the Board as a response to his allegations of collusion between Muchnick and Jones to make the match happen. Kiniski reportedly apologized, but also insisted that an impartial referee from a different promotion be assigned to officiate the bout, and Jones agreed in order to seal the deal. Kiniski had been the reigning champion since he defeated Thesz on January 7, 1966, in St. Louis, MO. Leo Garibaldi was credited as being a referee on this card. It was announced that Louie Tillet would be wrestling on the card on March 31, 1967, and that Gene Kiniski would be wrestling Lou Thesz on the card on April 14, 1967.

MARCH 24, 1970 (TUESDAY) – MACON, GA – MACON CITY AUDITORIUM (Fred Ward – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Bob Armstrong defeated Pancho Rosario > Chati Yokuchi & Fuji defeated Greg Peterson & Pedro Valdez > Macon Tag Team Title Match: Joe Scarpa & El Mongol* defeated the Assassins by disqualification / Notes: Joe Scarpa & El Mongol had been the reigning Macon Tag Team Champions since they defeated Homer O’Dell & Buddy Colt on March 17, 1970, in Macon.

MARCH 24, 1972 (FRIDAY) – ATLANTA, GA – ATLANTA MUNICIPAL AUDITORIUM [P] (Paul Jones – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Karl Von Stroheim defeated Tim Geohagen > John Sullivan defeated Mr. X > Billy Spears & Ox Baker defeated Roberto Soto & Jimmy Dancing Bear > Buddy Colt defeated Bill Dromo > The Assassins defeated Dick Steinborn & El Mongol > NWA World Heavyweight Title Match: Dory Funk, Jr.,* defeated Bepo Mongol by disqualification / Notes: Dory Funk, Jr., had been the reigning NWA World Heavyweight Champion since he defeated Gene Kiniski on February 11, 1969, in Tampa, FL. Assassin #1 managed Karl Von Stroheim, Bepo Mongol, and Mr. X. Charlie Smith was credited as being a referee for this card. Dory Funk, Jr., participated in an autograph session for fans.

MARCH 24, 1973 (SATURDAY) – “ALL-SOUTH CHAMPIONSHIP WRESTLING” (Ann Gunkel – Promoter / All-South Wrestling Alliance) > Bearcat Wilkerson defeated Juan Caruso > Dick Steinborn and Jack Armstrong wrestled to a draw > Ted Oates defeated the Champ

MARCH 24, 1973 (SATURDAY) – ATLANTA, GA – WTCG STUDIOS (Paul Jones – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Tarzan Tyler defeated Bobby Cash > Mr. Wrestling #1 & #2 defeated Chati Yokuchi & Fuji > Norvel Austin defeated Treach Phillips > Roy Lee Welch & Pantera Negra and the Super Infernos wrestled to a draw / Notes: This was taped for the “Georgia Championship Wrestling” television program hosted by Gordon Solie. Jack Crawford managed Tarzan Tyler. J.C. Dykes managed the Super Infernos.

MARCH 24, 1975 (MONDAY) – AUGUSTA, GA – WILLIAM BELL AUDITORIUM (Charlie Harben – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Don Greene and Larry Zbyszko wrestled to a draw at 15:00 > Ricky Gibson defeated Dudley Clements > Ray Candy defeated Jerry Lawler > Boxing Match: Tommy Gilbert defeated Don Kent > Georgia Tag Team Title Match: Jerry Brisco & Rocky Johnson defeated Toru Tanaka & Assassin #2* by disqualification / Notes: Rock Hunter managed Assassin #2 and Toru Tanaka.

MARCH 24, 1978 (FRIDAY) – ATLANTA, GA – ATLANTA MUNICIPAL AUDITORIUM [P] (Paul Jones – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Pez Whatley defeated the Invader > Jacques Goulet defeated Raymond Rougeau > Tommy Rich & Adrian Adonis defeated Wolfgang & Helmut Schmidt > Dusty Rhodes defeated Terry Funk > Tony Atlas defeated Billy Graham by countout > Georgia Heavyweight Title Match: Stan Hansen* versus Thunderbolt Patterson ruled a no contest / Notes: Rock Hunter managed Wolfgang & Helmut Schmidt.

MARCH 24, 1979 (SATURDAY) – ATLANTA, GA – WTCG STUDIOS (Paul Jones – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Raymond Rougeau defeated Larry Latham > Stan Hansen defeated Buck Brannigan > Bob Armstrong & Tommy Rich defeated Rick Oliver & Frank Dusek > Blackjack Lanza defeated Buddy Diamond / Notes: This was taped for the “Georgia Championship Wrestling” television program hosted by Gordon Solie. Bobby Heenan managed Blackjack Lanza.

MARCH 24, 1979 (SATURDAY) – SAVANNAH, GA – SAVANNAH CIVIC CENTER (Aaron Newman – Promoter / Jim Crockett Promotions) > Len Denton defeated Herb Gallant > Skip Young and Kim Duk wrestled to a draw > Gene Anderson defeated Nick DeCarlo > Pedro Morales defeated Moose Morowski > Ric Flair & Paul Jones defeated Ricky Steamboat & Dino Bravo

MARCH 24, 1980 (MONDAY) – AUGUSTA, GA – WILLIAM BELL AUDITORIUM (Charlie Harben – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Jay Strongbow defeated Jim Nelson > Lars Anderson defeated Genichiro Tenryu > Kevin Sullivan defeated Charlie Fulton > Wahoo McDaniel versus Baron Von Raschke ended in a double disqualification > Tommy Rich & Tony Atlas defeated Ivan Koloff & Alexis Smirnoff > Bounty Match: Mr. Wrestling #2 defeated Austin Idol / Notes: Rock Hunter managed Ivan Koloff and Alexis Smirnoff.

MARCH 24, 1982 (WEDNESDAY) – COLUMBUS, GA – COLUMBUS MUNICIPAL AUDITORIUM (Fred Ward – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Women’s Match: Sabrina defeated Leilani Kai > Tom Prichard defeated Chick Donovan > Bob & Brad Armstrong defeated Kevin Sullivan & Buzz Sawyer > National Heavyweight Title Match: Ron Bass* defeated Leroy Brown by disqualification > NWA World Heavyweight Title Match: Ric Flair* defeated Tommy Rich

MARCH 24, 1983 (THURSDAY) – GRAND RAPIDS, MI (Les Thatcher – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Larry Zbyszko defeated Johnny Rich > The Iron Sheik defeated Brian Blair > Tony Atlas defeated Bob Roop > Killer Brooks defeated Paul Orndorff > Dick Murdoch & the Masked Superstar defeated Ole Anderson & Ivan Koloff > Tommy Rich defeated Buzz Sawyer by disqualification

MARCH 24, 1985 (SUNDAY) – ATLANTA, GA (Ole Anderson – Promoter / Championship Wrestling from Georgia) > Brett Sawyer defeated Doug Somers > Thunderbolt Patterson defeated Kareem Muhammad > Ron Garvin defeated Ron Starr by disqualification > Magnum T.A. defeated Chick Donovan > Jimmy Valiant defeated Bob Roop by disqualification > Ole & Gene Anderson versus Ivan & Nikita Koloff ruled a no contest > Lights Out Match: Buzz Sawyer defeated Bill Irwin > Rip Rogers defeated Tommy Rich

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.

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, 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, Matt Tew, Dave Wills, Shannon Rose, Alan Wojcik, Devin Cutting, Red Jones, Drew Carrig, Adam Russell, and Richard O’Sullivan.

Since November 2002, Georgia Wrestling History has been an online source for the state’s nostalgia dating back to the 1800s. Over the years, GWH has also become a news source for current Georgia promotions, as well as covering groups based in Alabama, Florida, Tennessee, and the Carolinas, and the major companies such as WWE, TNA, and Ring of Honor. In 2008, GWH debuted a weekly radio program called Peach State Pandemonium, and the GWH Radio Network launched in January 2009, featuring programs not only dedicated to wrestling, but also MMA and Georgia-based sports. We thank our many supporters who have been with us over the long haul, as well as those who have tuned in more recently. We encourage everyone to spread the word about GWH. We also thank all of those who have so graciously contributed material over the years which are featured throughout our site, for without you, there would be no GWH.