GEORGIA WRESTLING NEWS, NOTES, AND NOSTALGIA: 01/10/2008

NEWS

Georgia Wrestling TK on Johnny Swinger, named the December 2007 Wrestler of the Month: “Johnny Swinger regained the GCW Heavyweight Title by defeating Bull Buchanan and Sonny Siaki in a 3-way match. Swinger, a former GCW Heavyweight Champion, had lost the title to Bull and had been chasing it for months. Swinger's biggest complaint was that Bull was gone on tours to Japan and that prevented him from getting a title shot. Swinger's constant interference led to him being added to the match with Bull and Siaki, in which he won the title.” (GWTK)

Ultimate Christian Wrestling has canceled their January 12 event at the Canton National Guard Armory due a scheduling conflict. UCW's next show will be on January 26 in LaGrange at Tabernacle Baptist Church. More details on that event will be forthcoming. (Larry Goodman)

Georgia Wrestling Promotions will be in Woodstock, GA, on January 27 at the Hot Wheels Skate Center, with a bell time of 8:00 PM. Call (770) 296-5290 for more info. Advertised: Gangrel versus Patrick Bentley (w/ the Rev); Shaun Tempers & Iceberg have issued an open challenge; a 4-way tag team match featuring the Hollywood Brunettes, the Regular Guys, Talent & Money, and Kid Ego & Jeff Jameson; David Young versus Cru Jones; Ace Rockwell & Bill Dundee versus the Masked Superstar & Jay Clinton (w/ Aaron Voight); the Super Destroyer versus Jamar Acid; Loco Motive (w/ Ace Heffner) versus Big Head Hansen; and D.L. Norris & Jess Wade versus Justin Dirt & Dustin Powers. The Hellbillies and the Notorious D.O.G. are also on the card. Commissioner Jerry Palmer will be in the building. (Larry Goodman)

GWP promoter Roger Cantrell provided a clarification of his original statement previously published here regarding the cancellation of bookings for Rob Conway and Chris Moore (Masters). Both were scheduled to appear on the since postponed January 20 show in Woodstock. Regarding the quote stating, "I cannot deal with all the egos involved in bringing them in," Cantrell explained that he was not referring to Conway or Masters. Cantrell said that he no problems with either one, and he hoped to work with them in the future. (Larry Goodman)

NOTES

The son of Stan Raymond, noted here on GWH as having hosted an Atlanta radio program called “Sportscope” in the 1940s and 1950s, contacted us. He informed us that his father is still active and living in Florida, working as a media broker. Raymond, who was a close friend with promoter Paul Jones, often discussed local wrestling stories on his program. As a result, Stan, Jr., tells us he was able to frequently visit the Atlanta Municipal Auditorium for bouts, as well as meet many of the wrestlers of that era. Raymond, Sr., was inducted into the Georgia Association of Broadcasters Hall of Fame in 2005, joining a group that includes many notable pioneers. The Hall of Fame includes members such as Ernie Harwell, Bill Anderson, Larry Munson, Hal Suit, Guy Sharpe, Tom Brokaw, Don McGouirk, and Neal Boortz. (Rich Tate)

GWH wishes a happy birthday to Ed Wiskowski (63), Buff Bagwell (38), and Brian Christopher (36) today.

On this day in 1947, ‘Irish’ Jerry Monahan passed at the age of 45.

Promoter Cal Eaton died on this day in 1966. We are uncertain of his age at the time of his death.

Today marks the twentieth anniversary of the death of Steve ‘Crusher’ Casey, who passed away at 78.

NOSTALGIA

1947: Iron Man Talun defeated Nick Carter at the Atlanta Municipal Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Paul Jones.

1948: Tommy Ward and Joe Estes wrestled to a draw in the main event at the Porterdale Memorial Gymnasium for promoter Fred Ward. Ward, who incidentally was wrestling as Tommy Ward, was not yet affiliated with the Atlanta office of Georgia Championship Wrestling.

1949: Jim Coffield defeated Tiny Oxford in two straight falls in the main event at the Augusta Municipal Auditorium for promoter Jack Ross.

1958: The Mighty Yankee defeated Ray Gunkel to win the Southern Heavyweight Title at the Atlanta Municipal Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Paul Jones. Also, Boris & Nicoli Volkoff defeated Tarzan White & Billy Red Lyons in the semi-main event.

1961: A main event match between Danny Miller & Gypsy Joe and Adrien Baillargeon & Chief Little Eagle was ruled a no contest at the Macon City Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Fred Ward. Also, Skull Murphy defeated Bill Dromo in the semi-main event.

1964: Eddie Graham defeated Tarzan Tyler in the main event at the Atlanta Municipal Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Don McIntyre. Stan Stasiak defeated Chief Big Heart in the semi-main event.

1967: The Fabulous Moolah defeated Bette Boucher to retain the Women’s World Title in the main event at the Macon City Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Fred Ward. Also, with the no title change on a disqualification rule waived, Bobby Hart defeated Louie Tillet by disqualification to win the US Junior Heavyweight Title in the semi-main event.

1969: A main event title match between Georgia Heavyweight Champion Dale Lewis, managed by Jack Crawford, and El Mongol was ruled a no contest at the Atlanta Municipal Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Paul Jones. Ray Gunkel & Buddy Fuller defeated the Assassins in the semi-main event. Following the match, Assassin #2 was bleeding through his torn mask and nearly unconscious, requiring assistance to leave the ring. It was announced that Gene Kiniski would be wrestling the Professional on the card on January 17, 1969.

1973: Hiro Matsuda defeated Bob Armstrong to win the Columbus Heavyweight Title at the Columbus Municipal Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Fred Ward. During the match, referee Eddie Smith was knocked down during a collision involving all three men. Matsuda took advantage and attacked Armstrong using karate moves. When Smith came to, Matsuda covered Armstrong for the pin. Also, Bill Dromo & Jerry Oates defeated Jack Crawford & Norvel Austin by disqualification in the main event. Referee Leon Ogle gave Dromo & Oates the win over when Crawford ran into the ring illegally and remained, creating total chaos, that resulted in Ogle fighting with Crawford.

1975: Jerry Brisco & Rocky Johnson defeated Georgia Tag Team Champions Roger Kirby & Buddy Colt, managed by Bearcat Wright, by disqualification in a title match at the Atlanta Municipal Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Paul Jones. Also, Assassin #2, managed by Rock Hunter, defeated Mr. Wrestling #2 by countout in a no disqualification main event match. Ron West and Doug Smith were credited as being referees for this card.

1978: Bob Armstrong defeated Abdullah the Butcher, managed by Rock Hunter, to retain the Georgia Television Title at the Macon Coliseum for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Fred Ward. Hunter was handcuffed to a ringpost during the match. Also, Dick Slater defeated Ole Anderson to win the Macon Heavyweight Title in the semi-main event.

1981: Robert Fuller & Ted DiBiase defeated National Tag Team Champions Terry Gordy & Buddy Roberts by disqualification in a title match at the Chattanooga (TN) Memorial Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Paul Jones. Also, Kevin Sullivan defeated Steve Keirn to retain the National Television Title in the semi-main event. In addition, the Mongolian Stomper, managed by Don Carson, defeated Mr. Wrestling #2 to retain the National Heavyweight Title.

1987: The Nightmares defeated Ted & Jerry Oates to win the Deep South Tag Team Title at the VFW Fairgrounds in Carrollton for Deep South Wrestling promoter Jody Hamilton.

– GeorgiaWrestlingHistory.com