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

NEWS

On April 5 at 11:00 AM ET, Peach State Pandemonium will air a special two-hour episode in honor of Gary Hart. Crimson Mask and I will host this episode with the legendary Hart, whose impact on the business is often overlooked. Despite being perhaps the most compelling manager of his era, he was very instrumental behind the scenes not only in Georgia, but also Florida, Texas, and many other areas during his career. Bill Watts, Jack Brisco, Bill Irwin, James Beard, Skandor Akbar, George Steele, Abdullah the Butcher, Michael Hayes, and Kevin Sullivan are scheduled to appear. In conjunction with K&S Wrestlefest, there will be a DVD giveaway of a Q&A featuring Hart, Irwin, and Akbar, done on March 15, one day before Gary’s passing. (Rich Tate)

The House of Representative voted down SB 413, the bill designed to revamp regulation of pro wrestling in Georgia and remove World Wrestling Entertainment’s exemption from regulation, by a vote of 105-57 during the final session of this year's General Assembly. The defeat places regulation of Georgia pro wrestling back in the hands of the Georgia Athletic and Entertainment Commission. In November 2007, the GAEC attempted to implement strict new rules and encounted stiff opposition from independent promoters and wrestlers across the state. In February, the Commission announced a hold on further action pending the outcome of SB 413. (Larry Goodman)

Independent Wrestling Network will debut in Columbus, GA, tonight at the Fishcrow Arena, formerly the GCW Arena. The big surprise is an advertised match featuring Jason Cross versus A.J. Steele. Cross has been away from wrestling since Dropkick Pro shut down in Macon. Steele has been a regular with Great Championship Wrestling, and was the first and only GCW Interstate Champion until a few weeks ago. IWN and GCW are not on what you would call friendly terms, so it will be interesting to see how this plays out. Also advertised: Mr. Hughes versus Rob Adonis, the Wrestler versus Scottie Blaze, the Southside Trash versus Frankie Valentine & Adrian Hawkins, and "The Shooter" Vordell Walker versus Austin Creed. (Larry Goodman)

Championship Wrestling Overload will debut on April 4, presenting Ballpark Brawl at the Johnson County Recreation Center in Wrightsville, GA. Doors open at 8:00 PM, and bell time is 8:30 PM. For more info, call Eric at (478) 595-6904. Advertised: a battle royal whereas the last man eliminated becomes the CWO Southern States Heavyweight Champion and the winner is named CWO National Heavyweight Champion; and a hardcore grudge match featuring Bobby Joiner versus Loco Motive. There will also be a one-night tournament including three matches to determine the first CWO Tag Team Champions, with Iron Bear & T.J. Hayes, the Ringlord & the Assassin, Chaos & Carnage, and BLT & Psychoman participating; Steven Lowery versus Tommy Lee; a three way featuring T.W. James, Brad North, and Flatline; and a women’s match. (Rich Tate)

United Wrestling League announced their second internet pay-per-view event will take place tonight in Cleveland, Tennessee emanating from the Village Green Playhouse. The PPV will be available at their website starting April 5 starting at 7:30 pm EST. Ole Anderson will join the announce team. Bill Dundee makes his UWL in ring debut. Stan Lee, winner of the Ultimate Wrestlers Challenge at UWL's debut event, takes on Orion Bishop. The new Lords of the Ring (Kevin White & Jack Lord minus Johnny Slaughter) take on Damon Taz & Don Buchanan in a 2 out of 3 falls match. (Larry Goodman)

Southern Extreme Championship Wrestling results from the VFW Fairgrounds in Carrollton, GA, on April 3: the Exotic Ones (Rick Michaels & Simon Sermon) over Chris Ganz & Kid Ego; a match featuring Adrian Hawkins versus Frankie Valentine ended in a double countout; Iceberg over Ganz, Ego, and Jay Clinton in a handicap match; a match featuring Iceberg versus Bulldog Raines ended in a double countout; the Nightmare over the Super Destroyer by disqualification; Ricky Morton & the Nightmare over Bobby Eaton & the Super Destroyer; and the main event featuring Tommy Rich versus Abdullah the Butcher ended in a double disqualification. T.E. Hogan and Shannon Dumas were credited as being referees. It was reported that 325 were in attendance. Rich and Raines did a photograph session with fans during intermission. (Rich Tate)

Great Championship Wrestling results from Phenix City, AL, on April 3: Orion Bishop w/Wicked Nemesis defeated John Bogie. Cru Jones w/Quentin Michaels and Zero Tolerance retained the GCW Interstate title against Tex Monroe. AJ Steele and Scotty Beach w/Princeton Gainey defeated Michael Cook and Jonathan Davis. Zero Tolerance w/Quentin Michaels defeated David Young. J-Rod and Sonny Siaki defeated Johnny Swinger and Shaun Banks w/Quentin Michaels. Attendance was around 300. The referees were Scrappy and Jeff McGowan, and Randy Ray. (Brian Slack)

World Wrestling Entertainment will be in Raleigh, NC, at the RBC Center on July 14, to be broadcast live for RAW, with matches starting at 8:00 PM. Tickets go on sale tomorrow at 10:00 AM, and are available at the venue and through Ticketmaster. Call (919) 834-4000 for more info. (Rich Tate)

George’s Cards & Collectibles is presenting the second Signamania event, to be held in Levittown, PA, on April 5, at Benjamin Franklin Middle School. The event runs from 9 AM to 4 PM. Call (215) 943-2475 for more info. Scheduled to appear: Scott Steiner, Rick Steiner, Magnum T.A., Nikita Koloff, Road Warrior Animal, Tammy Sytch, Jerry Sags, Brian Knobbs, Greg Valentine, Koko B. Ware, Sabu, Bill Alfonso, Jerry Lawler, Kamala, Christy Hemme, Paul Orndorff, Bill Apter, Jay Strongbow, Bob Backlund, Roxxi Laveaux, Steve McMichael, the Blue Meanie, and James Mitchell. (Rich Tate)

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

Click here for Richard Berger’s updated Perspectives on Wrestling. (Rich Tate)

Tojo Yamamoto, Jr., sat in the Wrestling Hotseat this week. (Rich Tate)

Amy ‘Lita’ Dumas’ band, the Luchagors, will be playing at the Atrium in Stone Mountain, GA, on April 5. Check your local directories or the band’s site for more info. (Rich Tate)

GWH wishes a happy birthday to Spanky Emerson, who turns 25 today.

NOSTALGIA

APRIL 4, 1933 (TUESDAY) – ATLANTA, GA – ATLANTA MUNICIPAL AUDITORIUM (Henry Weber – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Jack Zarnas defeated Sid Nabors (2-0) > Gino Garibaldi defeated Frank Brunowicz (2-1)

APRIL 4, 1933 (TUESDAY) – ATLANTA, GA – CENTER HILL ARENA (J.E. McKee – Promoter) > Sam Rivers versus Smitty Anderson > Pat Austin versus Pat O’Brien > Bob Anderson versus Wesley Brownlee > Jack McAdams versus Chief Lakeside / Notes: No documented results for this card have been found.

APRIL 4, 1933 (TUESDAY) – ATLANTA, GA – GEORGIA POWER ATHLETIC AND SOCIAL CLUB (F.P. McGee – Promoter) > Bill Crussell versus Paul Burns > Hugh Winn versus Tarzan Jordan / Notes: No documented results for this card have been found. There were also two boxing matches, but no details were provided following the card.

APRIL 4, 1933 (TUESDAY) – AUGUSTA, GA – NEW COLISEUM (W.K. Carswell – Promoter) > Jack Ross versus Lou Bartell > Southern Lightweight Title Match: Jim Hesslyn* versus Yusef Hussane / Notes: No documented results for this card have been found. It is unclear as to how Jim Hesslyn came to be recognized as Southern Lightweight Champion. The last reference we have shows Pat Newman defending the title against Jack Ross on March 26, 1933, in Augusta.

APRIL 4, 1939 (TUESDAY) – ATLANTA, GA – WARREN ARENA (Frank Bettis and Cleve Roby – Promoters) > Benny Bolt defeated Charlie Sinkey > Man versus Animal Match: “450 Pound Bear” defeated Tiny Ruff > Southern Light Heavyweight Title Match: Jack McAdams* defeated Roy Welch / Notes: It is unclear as to the name of the “450 Pound Bear”. Jack McAdams had been the reigning Southern Light Heavyweight Champion since he defeated Eddie Williams on November 14, 1938, in Atlanta, GA.

APRIL 4, 1945 (WEDNESDAY) – SAVANNAH, GA – SAVANNAH MUNICIPAL AUDITORIUM (Lou Masters, Dick Leonard, and Buster White – Promoters) > Jack Dillon & Otto Schnabel defeated Nick Carter & Tarzan White by disqualification > The Black Monster defeated Ernie Dusek

APRIL 4, 1955 (MONDAY) – VALDOSTA, GA – VALDOSTA LIVESTOCK ARENA (Gordon Walker – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Chris Averoff versus Wild Red Berry > Boxing Match: Carlos Rodriguez versus Red McIntyre / Notes: No documented results for this card have been found.

APRIL 4, 1956 (WEDNESDAY) – AUGUSTA, GA – WILLIAM BELL AUDITORIUM (Tom Mahoney – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Jack O’Brien versus Rocky Columbo > Women’s Match: Belle Starr versus Catherine Simpson > Jerry Graham versus Chief Big Heart / Notes: No documented results for this card have been found.

APRIL 4, 1958 (FRIDAY) – ATLANTA, GA – ATLANTA MUNICIPAL AUDITORIUM (Paul Jones – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Ronnie Etchison defeated Jack Steele > Karl Heinkler and Rocky Columbo wrestled to a draw > International Tag Team Title Match: Don Lee & the Mighty Yankee defeated Ray Gunkel & Billy Red Lyons* to win title / Notes: Ray Gunkel & Billy Red Lyons had been billed as International Tag Team Champions since February 14, 1958.

APRIL 4, 1961 (TUESDAY) – MACON, GA – MACON CITY AUDITORIUM (Fred Ward – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Jim Burke, Gypsy Joe & Killer Campbell defeated Bill Dromo, Guy Mitchell & Tiny Evans > Southern Heavyweight Title Match: Chief Little Eagle defeated Skull Murphy* to win title / Notes: It is unclear as to how Skull Murphy came to be recognized as Southern Heavyweight Champion. The last reference we have shows Guy Mitchell defeating Murphy to win the title on March 29, 1961, in Columbus. It is believed that Chief Little Eagle’s claim after defeating Skull Murphy on this date was only recognized in Macon.

APRIL 4, 1962 (WEDNESDAY) – COLUMBUS, GA – COLUMBUS MUNICIPAL AUDITORIUM (Fred Ward – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Andre Drapp defeated Ali Bey > Eddie Graham defeated Evon Marion > Dick Steinborn & Ray Villmer defeated Tojo Yamamoto & Taro Myaki

APRIL 4, 1964 (SATURDAY) – PHENIX CITY, AL (Fred Ward – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Joe McCarthy versus Juan Sebastian > Johnny Bruce versus Chief Big Heart > Mixed Tag Team Match: Tex Riley & Rita Cortez versus Don Carson & Ida Mae Martinez / Notes: No documented results for this card have been found. It is unclear as to what venue was the site of this card.

APRIL 4, 1969 (FRIDAY) – ATLANTA, GA – ATLANTA MUNICIPAL AUDITORIUM (Paul Jones – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > The Professional defeated the Spoiler > Georgia Tag Team Title One-Night Tournament: the Kentuckians defeated Dale Lewis & Eduardo Perez; the Assassins defeated Ray Gunkel & Buddy Fuller; Bill Dromo & Bob Ramstad defeated Bobby & Lee Fields; Louie Tillet & El Mongol defeated Paul DeMarco & Skandor Akbar; Assassins defeated Kentuckians; Tillet & Mongol defeated Dromo & Ramstad; Assassins defeated Tillet & Mongol to win title / Notes: The Georgia Tag Team Title had been held up when the NWA held up the decision from the March 21, 1969, match between champions Assassin #2 & the Professional and Ray Gunkel & Buddy Fuller, and declared vacant.

APRIL 4, 1970 (SATURDAY) – ATLANTA, GA – WQXI STUDIOS (Paul Jones – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Assassin #1 defeated Pedro Valdez > Assassin #2 defeated Jim Wilson > Doug Gilbert defeated El Medico by disqualification / Notes: This was taped for the “Atlanta TV Wrestling” television program hosted by Ed Capral.

APRIL 4, 1972 (TUESDAY) – MACON, GA – MACON COLISEUM (Fred Ward – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > John Sullivan defeated Karl Von Stroheim > Rocket Monroe defeated the Champ > Koa Tiki defeated Mr. X > Jerry Oates & Roberto Soto defeated Billy Spears & Buddy Colt > Boxing Match: Bill Dromo defeated Flash Monroe / Notes: Assassin #1 managed Karl Von Stroheim and Mr. X.

APRIL 4, 1975 (FRIDAY) – ATLANTA, GA – ATLANTA MUNICIPAL AUDITORIUM [P] (Paul Jones – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Bill Dromo defeated Joe Tomayo > Ricky Gibson and Roberto Soto wrestled to a draw > Robert Fuller defeated Don Kent > Jerry Brisco & Rocky Johnson defeated Don Greene & Assassin #2 > Abdullah the Butcher defeated Dominic Denucci > Toru Tanaka defeated Mr. Wrestling #2 by disqualification / Notes: The match between Toru Tanaka and Mr. Wrestling #2 was billed as the “Revenge Match of the Century”. Rock Hunter managed Assassin #2, Toru Tanaka, and Abdullah the Butcher. The program for this card shows new stations that have picked up “Georgia Championship Wrestling” in Chattanooga, TN (Channel 3 WRCB on Sunday at 1:00 PM), and Orlando, FL (Channel 35 WSWB on Sunday at 1:00 PM), with both stations only showing one hour of the program.

APRIL 4, 1978 (TUESDAY) – MACON, GA – MACON COLISEUM (Fred Ward – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Pez Whatley defeated Jacques Goulet at 12:00 > Wolfgang Schmidt defeated Raymond Rougeau > Adrian Adonis defeated Helmut Schmidt by disqualification > Macon Heavyweight Title Match: Tommy Rich* defeated Ole Anderson > Tony Atlas, Rocky Johnson & Mr. Wrestling #2 defeated John Studd, Ole & Lars Anderson / Notes: Rock Hunter managed Wolfgang & Helmut Schmidt.

APRIL 4, 1979 (WEDNESDAY) – COLUMBUS, GA – COLUMBUS MUNICIPAL AUDITORIUM (Fred Ward – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Mike Stallings versus Larry Latham > Raymond Rougeau versus Kurt Von Hess > Tommy Rich & Thunderbolt Patterson versus Ron Bass & King Kong Mosca > Bob Armstrong versus Blackjack Lanza > Wahoo McDaniel versus the Masked Superstar > Street Fight Match (No TL): Stan Hansen versus Ole Anderson / Notes: No documented results for this card have been found. Bobby Heenan managed Ron Bass and Blackjack Lanza.

APRIL 4, 1981 (SATURDAY) – CHATTANOOGA, TN – CHATTANOOGA MEMORIAL AUDITORIUM (Paul Jones – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Charlie Fulton versus Bill Dromo > Roberto Soto versus Rocket Monroe > Steve Keirn versus the Mighty Yankee > National Heavyweight Title Match: Steve O* defeated the Mongolian Stomper by countout > National Tag Team Title Match: Tommy Rich & Mr. Wrestling #2 defeated Terry Gordy & Buddy Roberts* by disqualification / Notes: No documented results for the remaining matches on this card have been found. Michael Hayes joined Terry Gordy and Buddy Roberts at the ring during their match with Tommy Rich & Mr. Wrestling #2. Don Carson managed the Mongolian Stomper.

APRIL 4, 1982 (SUNDAY) – ATLANTA, GA – OMNI COLISEUM [P] (Paul Jones – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Brad Armstrong defeated Ricky Harris > Kevin Sullivan and Tom Prichard wrestled to a draw > Michael Hayes, Leroy Brown & Mr. Wrestling #2 defeated Ricky Harris, the Assassin & the Super Destroyer > National Heavyweight Title Match: Ron Bass* defeated Tommy Rich > Dick Slater defeated Roddy Piper by disqualification > Bob Armstrong versus the Great Kabuki ruled a no contest > Bunkhouse Match: Ole Anderson & Stan Hansen defeated Dusty Rhodes & Terry Funk / Notes: Ricky Harris substituted for John Studd to team with the Assassin & the Super Destroyer in the match with Michael Hayes, Leroy Brown & Mr. Wrestling #2. Gary Hart, who managed the Great Kabuki, was barred from ringside during the match between Bob Armstrong and Kabuki.

APRIL 4, 1984 (WEDNESDAY) – COLUMBUS, GA (Fred Ward – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Brad Armstrong defeated the Spoiler > Tommy Rogers defeated Bob Roop > Les Thornton defeated Sweet Brown Sugar > Tim Horner defeated Jake Roberts > Ron Garvin & King Kong Bundy defeated the Road Warriors / Notes: Paul Ellering managed Jake Roberts, the Spoiler, and the Road Warriors.

– GeorgiaWrestlingHistory.com