GEORGIA WRESTLING NEWS, NOTES, AND NOSTALGIA: 04/16/2008

NEWS

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. (Rich Tate)

Southern Extreme Championship Wrestling runs in Carrollton, GA, on April 24 at the VFW Fairgrounds, beginning at 7:30 PM. Ringside seats are $10. All other seating is $8. Call (770) 355-5742 for more info. Advertised: Tommy Rich versus Steve Lawler in a bounty match; Bulldog Raines versus Iceberg in a grudge match; Scotty Blaze versus Mr. Hughes; a six man battle royal featuring Frankie Valentine, Chick Donovan, Billy Love, Josh Stone, Amien Rios, and El Mexicano, whereas the first man up the pole wins the new SECW Junior Heavyweight Title; and Chris Lightning & a mystery partner versus the Exotic Ones (Rick Michaels & Simon Sermon). (Rich Tate)

Florida Championship Wrestling results from New Port Richey, FL, on April 15: Charles Evans over Chris Gray; the Puerto Rican Nightmares (Eric Perez & Eddie Colon) over the Empire (Drew McIntyre & Stu Sanders) to earn a title match later on the card; Atlas DaBone over Mr. Yamamoto; a match featuring Johnny Curtis & Gabe Tuft versus Bryan Kelly & Rycklon ended in a double countout; Sinn Bowdee & Kafu over Heath Miller & Jack Gabriel; Colt Cabana over Tommy Taylor; Mike Kruell & Sheamus O’Shaunessy over Matt Sydal & Big Rob; Jay Bradley & Shawn Spears over Greg Jackson & Lupe Martinez; Bri Bella over Victoria; and Perez & Colon over Brad Allen & Nic Nemeth to win the FCW Florida Tag Team Title. (Rich Tate)

Beginning on May 3, United Championship Wrestling will debut on MyNetwork TV out of Knoxville, TN. It will retain the same time slot of 11:30 AM on Saturdays that it has now on WMAK. The final program to air on WMAK will be on April 26. (Rich Tate, courtesy of Gene Restaino)

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

GWH wishes a happy birthday to George Steele, who turns 71 today.

NOSTALGIA

APRIL 16, 1934 (MONDAY) – ATLANTA, GA – FAIR STREET ARENA (Jason Thompson – Promoter) > Foy Rivers defeated Pete Rogers > Frank Remille defeated Wayne Coleman > Georgia Light Heavyweight Title / Southern Light Heavyweight Title Match: Hugh Winn* defeated Tarzan Jordan / Notes: It was reported that 2,000 were in attendance for this card. Wayne Coleman substituted for Bill Crussell in the match with Frank Remille. Hugh Winn had been the reigning Georgia Light Heavyweight Champion and Southern Light Heavyweight Champion since he defeated Fred Lassiter for both titles on March 5, 1934, in Atlanta, GA.

APRIL 16, 1934 (MONDAY) – ATLANTA, GA – WESTLAKE ARENA (Luke Appling – Promoter) > Jake Burton versus Chief Ping Pong > John Steele versus Mike Brady > Glenn Cowan versus Young Gotch / Notes: No documented results for this card have been found.

APRIL 16, 1937 (FRIDAY) – ATLANTA, GA – LOEW’S GRAND THEATRE (Frank Speer – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Ivan Evkovich defeated Roy Graham > Frank Speer defeated Al Getz > Lou Thesz defeated Bill Lee / Notes: Frank Speer substituted for Lou Plummer in the match with Al Getz.

APRIL 16, 1937 (FRIDAY) – ATLANTA, GA – NORTHSIDE ARENA (Frank Bettis and Cleve Roby – Promoters) > Tony Papalino versus Bull Montana > Chin Lee versus Young Londos > Buck Lawson versus Farmer Mack / Notes: No documented results for this card have been found.

APRIL 16, 1940 (TUESDAY) – ATLANTA, GA – LOEW’S GRAND THEATRE (Bill Hartman and Thad Holt – Promoters / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Tiny Morgan defeated John Grandovich > Marvin Jones defeated Juan Humberto by disqualification > NWA World Heavyweight Title Match: Ray Steele* defeated Hans Schnabel / Notes: Ray Steele had been the reigning NWA World Heavyweight Champion since he defeated Bronko Nagurski in St. Louis, MO, on March 7, 1940. This version was the one recognized by the National Boxing Association as the National Wrestling Association.

APRIL 16, 1941 (WEDNESDAY) – ATLANTA, GA – ATLANTA MUNICIPAL AUDITORIUM (Abe Simon – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Jack Kennedy defeated Marvin Jones > Joe Campbell defeated Sid Marcus > Lou Thesz and Dorv Roche wrestled to a draw at 90:00 / Notes: Sid Marcus substituted for Joe Millich in the match with Joe Campbell.

APRIL 16, 1945 (MONDAY) – SAVANNAH, GA – SAVANNAH MUNICIPAL AUDITORIUM (Lou Masters, Dick Leonard, and Buster White – Promoters) > Tarzan White defeated Babe Zaharias by disqualification > Jack Dillon defeated Cowboy Luttrall > Roland Kirchmeyer defeated Otto Schnabel

APRIL 16, 1953 (THURSDAY) – COLUMBUS, GA – COLUMBUS SPORTS ARENA (Fred Ward – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Henry Harrell defeated Tex Riley > Carlos Guzman defeated Aldo Bogni > Jack Coulter and Gorgeous Gilpin wrestled to a draw

APRIL 16, 1954 (FRIDAY) – ATLANTA, GA – ATLANTA MUNICIPAL AUDITORIUM (Paul Jones – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Don & Red McIntyre and Don & Dick Big Kettle wrestled to a draw > Lu Kimm defeated the Swedish Angel > Freddie Blassie defeated Clyde Steeves > Pat O’Connor versus Hans Schmidt ruled a no contest

APRIL 16, 1956 (MONDAY) – AUGUSTA, GA – WILLIAM BELL AUDITORIUM (Tom Mahoney – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Billy Blassie versus Tom Drake > Harry Lewis versus Chief Big Heart > Jerry Graham versus Rocky Columbo > Jack O’Brien versus Argentina Rocca / Notes: No documented results for this card have been found. Although not mentioned, Kola Kwariani was likely in attendance, as he was charged with traveling with Argentina Rocca as a troubleshooter for him.

APRIL 16, 1962 (MONDAY) – AUGUSTA, GA – WILLIAM BELL AUDITORIUM (Steve Manderson – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Johnny King versus Ali Bey > Don Whittler versus Andre Drapp > Frank Hickey versus the Canadian Angel > Dick Steinborn & Ray Villmer versus Jim Wright & Lenny Montana / Notes: No documented results for this card have been found.

APRIL 16, 1963 (TUESDAY) – MACON, GA – MACON CITY AUDITORIUM (Fred Ward – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Jack Armstrong and Farmer Powell wrestled to a draw > Choo-Choo Lynn & Chief Little Eagle defeated George Bell & Tarzan Tyler > Women’s World Title Match: the Fabulous Moolah* defeated Betty Garcia > World Heavyweight Title Match: Eddie Graham* defeated Lenny Montana / Notes: The Fabulous Moolah had been billed as Women’s World Champion since she defeated Judy Grable on September 18, 1956, in Baltimore, MD. However, she was not considered the undisputed champion until June Byers retired with her title, won in Atlanta on August 20, 1954, in a win over Mildred Burke, until Byers retired in 1964. Eddie Graham had been the reigning World Heavyweight Champion since he defeated Freddie Blassie on February 1, 1963, in Atlanta.

APRIL 16, 1965 (FRIDAY) – ATLANTA, GA – ATLANTA MUNICIPAL AUDITORIUM [P] (Paul Jones – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Greg Peterson defeated Randy Roper > Frankie Cain defeated Pancho Villa > Tarzan Tyler defeated Jerry Miller > Red Roberts defeated Pedro Zapata > Southern Tag Team Title Match: the Corsicans defeated Buddy Fuller & Jesse James* to win title > Georgia Heavyweight Title Match: Lee Fields defeated Mario Galento* by disqualification / Notes: Buddy Fuller & Jesse James had been the reigning Southern Tag Team Champions since they defeated the Mysterious Medics on March 13, 1965, in Atlanta. Mario Galento had been the reigning Georgia Heavyweight Champion since he defeated Sputnik Monroe on November 13, 1964, in Atlanta. It was announced that Alex Perez and the Fabulous Moolah would be wrestling on the card on April 24, 1965, and that Joe Scarpa would be wrestling in Atlanta soon.

APRIL 16, 1968 (TUESDAY) – MACON, GA – MACON CITY AUDITORIUM (Fred Ward – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Corsica Jean defeated Chuck Adcox > Bobby Hart and Tank Morgan wrestled to a draw > Southern Tag Team Title Match: Enrique & Alberto Torres* defeated the Rising Suns by disqualification / Notes: Enrique & Alberto Torres had been the reigning Southern Tag Team Champions since they defeated Stan & Butcher Vachon on January 5, 1968, in Atlanta.

APRIL 16, 1971 (FRIDAY) – ATLANTA, GA – PAUL JONES SPORTS ARENA [P] (Paul Jones – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Robert Fuller defeated Nikita Mulkovitch > Derrell Cochran defeated Guillotine Gordon by disqualification > Michel Dubois & Fidel Castillo defeated Jim Wilson & Jerry Oates > Roberto Soto, Klondike Bill & El Mongol defeated Buddy Colt & the Assassins / Notes: Homer O’Dell managed Buddy Colt. Charlie Harben was credited as being a referee for this card. Robert Fuller participated in an autograph session for fans.

APRIL 16, 1974 (TUESDAY) – ATLANTA, GA – ATLANTA MUNICIPAL AUDITORIUM (Ann Gunkel – Promoter / All-South Wrestling Alliance) > Wayne Cowan defeated Lanny Poffo > Afa defeated Oki Shikina > Georgia Tag Team Title Match: Ray Candy & El Mongol* defeated the Royal Kangaroos > Georgia Heavyweight Title Match: Ron Pritchard defeated the Missouri Mauler* to win title > Thunderbolt Patterson defeated Ox Baker by disqualification > Assassin #2 defeated the Mighty Yankee > Lights Out Texas Death Match: the Magnificent Zulu defeated Crusher Verdu / Notes: Rock Hunter managed Crusher Verdu & the Mighty Yankee.

APRIL 16, 1974 (TUESDAY) – MACON, GA – MACON COLISEUM [P] (Fred Ward – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Tiger Conway, Jr., defeated Bill Costello > Jerry Oates defeated the Zebra Kid > Jerry Brisco defeated Derrell Cochran > Ron & Terry Garvin and Robert Fuller & Earl Maynard wrestled to a draw > Round Robin Match: Bob Armstrong defeated Jerry Lawler and Mr. Wrestling #2 / Notes: The winner of the match between Bob Armstrong, Jerry Lawler, and Mr. Wrestling #2 was to earn a match for the NWA World Heavyweight Title on April 23, 1974. Jimmy Garvin managed Ron & Terry Garvin.

APRIL 16, 1976 (FRIDAY) – ATLANTA, GA – ATLANTA MUNICIPAL AUDITORIUM [P] (Paul Jones – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Ted Oates and Skip Young wrestled to a draw > Jerry Oates defeated Karl Von Steiger > Greg Valentine defeated Rick Martel > Dick Slater & Mark Lewin defeated the Red Devils > Georgia Heavyweight Title Cage Match: the Spoiler* defeated Mr. Wrestling #2 > $5,000 Bounty Match: Dusty Rhodes defeated Stan Stasiak / Notes: Gary Hart managed the Spoiler.

APRIL 16, 1978 (SUNDAY) – MACON, GA – MACON COLISEUM (Fred Ward – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Paul Ellering defeated Ken Dillinger > Jacques Goulet defeated Pierre Lefebvre > Abdullah the Butcher defeated Tommy Rich > Ole & Lars Anderson defeated Rocky Johnson & Adrian Adonis > AWA Heavyweight Title Match: Mr. Wrestling #2 defeated Nick Bockwinkel* by disqualification > Dusty Rhodes defeated Stan Hansen / Notes: Adrian Adonis substituted for Wahoo McDaniel to team with Rocky Johnson in the match with Ole & Lars Anderson. Bobby Heenan managed Nick Bockwinkel. Rock Hunter managed Abdullah the Butcher.

APRIL 16, 1978 (SUNDAY) – ATLANTA, GA – OMNI COLISEUM (Paul Jones – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Adrian Adonis defeated John Ruggers > Wolfgang & Helmut Schmidt defeated Raymond Rougeau & Pez Whatley > AWA Heavyweight Title Match: Nick Bockwinkel* defeated Mr. Wrestling #2 > Georgia Heavyweight Title Match: Stan Hansen* defeated Ric Flair > Abdullah the Butcher defeated Tommy Rich > Rocky Johnson & Thunderbolt Patterson defeated Ernie Ladd & Ole Anderson > Billy Graham versus Dusty Rhodes ruled a no contest / Notes: Bobby Heenan managed Nick Bockwinkel. Rock Hunter managed Abdullah the Butcher, Wolfgang & Helmut Schmidt.

APRIL 16, 1979 (MONDAY) – AUGUSTA, GA – WILLIAM BELL AUDITORIUM (Charlie Harben – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Carl Fergie versus Chick Donovan > Frank Dusek versus Rocket Monroe > Mike Stallings versus King Kong Mosca > Georgia Television Title Match: Ole Anderson* versus Bob Armstrong > Georgia Heavyweight Title Match: the Masked Superstar* versus Mr. Wrestling #2 > Russian Chain Match: Ivan Koloff versus Dusty Rhodes / Notes: No documented results for this card have been found.

APRIL 16, 1980 (WEDNESDAY) – COLUMBUS, GA – COLUMBUS MUNICIPAL AUDITORIUM (Fred Ward – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Handicap Match: Mike Sharpe defeated Charlie Fulton & Jim Nelson > Jay Strongbow defeated the French Angel > Ivan Koloff & Alexis Smirnoff defeated Kevin Sullivan & Lars Anderson > Baron Von Raschke defeated Mr. Wrestling #2 by disqualification > Tommy Rich versus Austin Idol ended in a double disqualification / Notes: Rock Hunter managed Ivan Koloff and Alexis Smirnoff.

APRIL 16, 1983 – CHATTANOOGA, TN – CHATTANOOGA MEMORIAL AUDITORIUM (Paul Jones – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Tony Atlas defeated Bob Roop by forfeit > Destruction, Inc., defeated Brian Blair & Brett Wayne > Dick Murdoch defeated Ivan Koloff > National Heavyweight Title Match: Tommy Rich defeated Larry Zbyszko* by disqualification / Notes: Homer O’Dell managed Ivan Koloff. Paul Ellering managed Destruction, Inc.

– GeorgiaWrestlingHistory.com