GEORGIA WRESTLING NEWS, NOTES, AND NOSTALGIA: 05/16/2008

NEWS

In a special episode of Peach State Pandemonium, we have comments from Jody Hamilton, Les Thatcher, and Bobby Simmons, discussing Leo Garibaldi and Penny Banner. Click here for the archive. PSP will feature the Heartbreak Express’ Sean Davis, Murder One, and Independent Wrestling Network owner Dwayne Bell on May 17 at 11:00 AM ET. Feel free to call in at (347) 324-5735. Larry Goodman will handle co-hosting duties, and Tim Dix will provide additional commentary. This will be our final show until June. (Rich Tate)

The Independent Wrestling Network returns to Columbus, GA, tonight. The Fishcrow Arena has been renamed the IWN Arena. Bell time is 7:30 PM. Doors open at 6:30. Advertised: Ron Stalker defends the IWN Heavyweight Title against Raunchy; A.J. Steele versus Mr. Hughes; Jason Cross versus Chris Stevens; Rob Adonis versus Iceberg Slim; Melissa Coates versus Sumi; and Thomas Britain & Simon Sermon versus the Slaughter Pitt. (Rich Tate)

Southern Extreme Championship Wrestling runs in Hokes Bluff, AL, tonight at the Championship Arena, located at 10351 US Highway 278, beginning at 7:30 PM. Doors open at 6:30. All front row seats are $7. General admission is $6, and kids get in for $4. Call (770) 355-5742 for more info. Advertised: Tommy Rich versus Bulldog Raines; Bambi defends the SECW Women’s Title against Lady X; and Frankie Valentine, Chris Lightning & TDC versus Josh Stone, Tyler Smith & the Inferno. (Rich Tate)

Showtime All-Star Wrestling returns to the Bakery in Millersville, TN, tonight. Advertised: Rick Santel versus the Indian Outlaw. Also advertised are Damien Adams, Kid Kash, Chrisjen Hayme, Frank Malone, Gary Valiant, Miss Boogie, Arrick Andrews, Sean Casey, and Cassidy Riley. (Rich Tate)

The United States Wrestling Organization will be at the Stadium Inn in Nashville, TN, tonight. Advertised: Chris Michaels defends the USWO Heavyweight Title against Mark Anthony, with Charming Charles; Quinton Quarisma & Gigolo Jay defend the USWO Tag Team Title against Damien Payne & L.T. Falk; Tim Renesto, with Charming Charles, puts up $500 to whoever answers the challenge; Seven versus the New York Gangster; Steven Green versus J.C. Crowe; and a three-way match for the USWO Junior Heavyweight Title featuring Lee Cross, Shane Smalls, and Justin Spade. (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)

GWH wishes a happy birthday to Charles Wright, who turns 47 today.

Today in Memoriam: Emile Czaja (61, 1970), Andy Kaufman (35, 1984), Little Coco (40, 1993), Shoichi Arai (36, 2002), and Dick Dudley (34, 2002)

NOSTALGIA

MAY 16, 1932 (MONDAY) – AUGUSTA, GA – SUNNYDALE ARENA (C.S. Lippard – Promoter) > Lew Epting defeated Young Jordan > Jackie Nichols defeated Swede Hanson > Southern Lightweight Title Match: Jack Ross* defeated Bearcat Jones / Notes: Jack Ross had been billed as the Southern Lightweight Champion since May 2, 1932.

MAY 16, 1933 (TUESDAY) – ATLANTA, GA – ATLANTA MUNICIPAL AUDITORIUM (Henry Weber – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Milo Steinborn defeated George Zaharias

MAY 16, 1933 (TUESDAY) – AUGUSTA, GA – MUNICIPAL STADIUM (W.K. Carswell – Promoter) > Inman Rabon defeated Young Speer > Fred Furlong defeated Charlie Fairbrother > Dick Lever defeated Cleve Walsh > Jim Achlin defeated Jack Ross

MAY 16, 1934 (WEDNESDAY) – ATLANTA, GA – CENTER HILL ARENA (J.E. McKee – Promoter) Notes: A scheduled card for this date was postponed due to rain and rescheduled for May 23, 1934.

MAY 16, 1935 (THURSDAY) – AVONDALE, GA – AVONDALE ARENA (Nat Jones – Promoter) > Leon Fuller versus Foy Rivers > John Dameron versus Totem Pole Anderson > Bob Anderson versus Whitey Patterson / Notes: No documented results for this card have been found.

MAY 16, 1939 (TUESDAY) – ATLANTA, GA – PONCE de LEON BALL PARK (L.C. Warren – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Young Stecher defeated Joe Corbett > Alf Johnson defeated Abe Yourist > Cowboy Luttrall defeated Dorv Roche by disqualification

MAY 16, 1945 (WEDNESDAY) – SAVANNAH, GA – SAVANNAH MUNICIPAL AUDITORIUM (Lou Masters, Dick Leonard, and Buster White – Promoters) > Babe Zaharias and Tarzan White wrestled to a draw at 60:00 > Roland Kirchmeyer defeated Jack Dillon > Cowboy Luttrall defeated Stanley Wyckoff

MAY 16, 1947 (FRIDAY) – ATLANTA, GA – ATLANTA MUNICIPAL AUDITORIUM (Paul Jones – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Nick Carter and Leo Savage wrestled to a draw > Jim Coffield versus Carlos Rodriguez > Tom Mahoney & Rudy Strongberg versus Nick Carter & Al Massey > Don McIntyre defeated Strangler Lewis by disqualification / Notes: Tom Mahoney & Rudy Strongberg and Nick Carter & Al Massey were scheduled to wrestle each other, as were Jim Coffield and Carlos Rodriguez, but no results were reported after the card.

MAY 16, 1952 (FRIDAY) – ATLANTA, GA – ATLANTA MUNICIPAL AUDITORIUM (Paul Jones – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Women’s Match: Millie Stafford defeated Mars Bennett > Danny Dusek defeated Angelo Martinelli > Doran O’Hara and Wally Dusek wrestled to a draw > Jack McDonald defeated Kola Kwariani > Argentina Rocca defeated Don McIntyre

MAY 16, 1953 (SATURDAY) – ATLANTA, GA – ATLANTA MUNICIPAL AUDITORIUM (Paul Jones – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Nick Carter versus Danny Dusek > Carlos Guzman versus Tex Riley > Southern Heavyweight Title Match: Don McIntyre* versus Henry Harrell > Art Nelson versus Argentina Rocca / Notes: No documented results for this card have been found. Don McIntyre had been billed as Southern Heavyweight Champion since March 16, 1953. Although not mentioned, Kola Kwariani was likely in attendance, as he was charged with traveling with Argentina Rocca as a troubleshooter for him.

MAY 16, 1955 (MONDAY) – AUGUSTA, GA – WILLIAM BELL AUDITORIUM (Tom Mahoney – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Charro Azteca defeated Ace Freeman > Bob Cummings defeated Andre Drapp > Dizzy Davis defeated Jerry Graham (2-0)

MAY 16, 1955 (MONDAY) – VALDOSTA, GA – VALDOSTA LIVESTOCK ARENA (Gordon Walker – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Ivan Petroff versus Tarzan White > Doran O'Hara versus Tokyo Joe / Notes: No documented results for this card have been found.

MAY 16, 1956 (WEDNESDAY) – AUGUSTA, GA – WILLIAM BELL AUDITORIUM (Tom Mahoney – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Dick Raines & Lou Plummer and Jack Bence & Rocky Columbo wrestled to a draw > Jerry Graham defeated Chief Big Heart > Jack Bence defeated Lou Plummer > North American Heavyweight Title Match: Danny McShain* versus Don McIntyre ruled a no contest / Notes: It was reported that 3,000 were in attendance for this card. The origin of the North American Heavyweight Title is unclear to us at this time. It seems as though Danny McShain was billed as such upon arrival. The decision in the match between McShain and Don McIntyre caused the title to be held up pending a rematch on May 23, 1956.

MAY 16, 1958 (FRIDAY) – ATLANTA, GA – ATLANTA MUNICIPAL AUDITORIUM [P] (Paul Jones – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Ronnie Etchison and the Jungle Boy wrestled to a draw > Women’s Match: Nell Stewart defeated Corinne Cordero > Ray Gunkel defeated Angelo Poffo > Southern Heavyweight Title versus Mask Match (No DQ): Don McIntyre* versus the Mighty Yankee wrestled to a draw / Notes: Don McIntyre had been the reigning Southern Heavyweight Champion since he defeated the Mighty Yankee on April 25, 1958, in Atlanta. Bronko Lubich managed Angelo Poffo. Charlie Harben was credited as being a referee on this card. The program we have for this card features a photo of artist Dimitri Vail painting a portrait of the posing Ray Gunkel. It was announced that Don Lee, Dick the Bruiser, Farmer Powell, and Yukon Eric would be wrestling in Atlanta soon.

MAY 16, 1961 (TUESDAY) – MACON, GA – MACON CITY AUDITORIUM (Fred Ward – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Guy Mitchell defeated Tiny Evans > Ronnie Hill & Guy Mitchell defeated Jim Burke & Tiny Evans by disqualification > Bob Rasmussen and Gypsy Joe wrestled to a draw

MAY 16, 1962 (WEDNESDAY) – COLUMBUS, GA – COLUMBUS MUNICIPAL AUDITORIUM (Fred Ward – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Lenny Montana defeated Mark Stone > Dick Steinborn defeated Jim Wright > US Tag Team Title Match: the Assassins* and Andre Drapp & Chief Little Eagle wrestled to a draw at 60:00 / Notes: The Assassins had been billed as US Tag Team Champions since May 15, 1962.

MAY 16, 1964 (SATURDAY) – MARIETTA, GA – LARRY BELL AUDITORIUM (Elmo Chappell – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Buddy Fuller versus Red Steiner > Sputnik Monroe versus Chief Little Bear > Ray Gunkel & Tex Riley defeated Saul Weingeroff & Kurt Von Brauner / Notes: Aside from the match between Ray Gunkel & Tex Riley and Saul Weingeroff & Kurt Von Brauner, no documented results for the remaining matches on this card have been found.

MAY 16, 1967 (TUESDAY) – MACON, GA – MACON CITY AUDITORIUM (Fred Ward – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Nick Kozak and Bobby Graham wrestled to a draw > Corsica Jean defeated Dale Jones > Women’s Match: Cora Combs defeated Mae Goodner > US Junior Heavyweight Title Match: Louie Tillet* defeated Dennis Hall / Notes: Louie Tillet had been the reigning US Junior Heavyweight Champion since he defeated Bobby Hart on January 17, 1967, in Macon.

MAY 16, 1969 (FRIDAY) – ATLANTA, GA – ATLANTA MUNICIPAL AUDITORIUM [P] (Paul Jones – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Bill Dromo defeated Skandor Akbar > Los Toros defeated Dennis Hall & Silento Rodriguez > The Kentuckians and the Professional & the Spoiler wrestled to a draw > El Mongol defeated Paul DeMarco > World Tag Team Title Match: Ray Gunkel & Buddy Fuller* defeated the Assassins > Georgia Heavyweight Title Match: the Professional defeated El Mongol* to win title / Notes: Lou Thesz was the special referee for both the match between El Mongol and Paul DeMarco and the match with the Professional and El Mongol. Mongol had been the reigning Georgia Heavyweight Champion since he defeated Assassin #1 on April 18, 1969, in Atlanta. The Spoiler was the special referee for both the match between Ray Gunkel & Buddy Fuller and the Assassins. Prior to the match, the Spoiler unmasked to prove he was indeed Mike Davis, who had been forced to unmask on April 11, 1969. Gunkel & Fuller had been the reigning World Tag Team Champions since they defeated the Assassins on March 29, 1969, in Atlanta. The program for this card featured an article titled “How I Became Champ”, reportedly written by Dory Funk, Jr., an “Open Letter to a New Champion from an Ex Champion”, reportedly written by Thesz, and another short item reportedly written by Eddie Graham, titled “Dory Will Be a Great Champion”.

MAY 16, 1970 (SATURDAY) – ATLANTA, GA – WQXI STUDIOS (Paul Jones – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > The Challenger defeated George Harris > Alberto & Ramon Torres defeated Karl Von Stroheim & Professor Kimura > Assassin #1 defeated Bad Boy Hines / Notes: This was taped for the “Atlanta TV Wrestling” television program hosted by Ed Capral. Following the match between Alberto & Ramon Torres and Karl Von Stroheim & Professor Kimura, Kimura and Von Stroheim nearly came to blows. Homer O’Dell managed Kimura & Von Stroheim.

MAY 16, 1972 (TUESDAY) – MACON, GA – MACON COLISEUM (Fred Ward – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Bepo Mongol & Mr. X defeated Tim Geohagen & John Sullivan > Oki Shikina defeated Mike Burns > Dick Steinborn and Buddy Colt wrestled to a draw at 45:00 > Macon Tag Team Title Match: Bob Armstrong & Koa Tiki defeated the Assassins* by disqualification / Notes: Assassin #1 managed Bepo Mongol. The Assassins were disqualified in their match against Bob Armstrong & Koa Tiki when Assassin #1 entered the ring illegally and dropkicked Tiki, keeping him from removing the mask of Assassin #2. The Assassins had been the reigning Macon Tag Team Champions since they defeated Bill Dromo & Bob Armstrong May 9, 1972, in Macon.

MAY 16, 1973 (WEDNESDAY) – COLUMBUS, GA – COLUMBUS MUNICIPAL AUDITORIUM [P] (Fred Ward – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Derrell Cochran versus Frank Martinez > Otto Von Heller versus Bob Orton, Jr. > Bill White & Billy Spears versus Jerry Oates & Tiger Conway, Jr. > Bill Dromo, Jack Brisco, & Mr. Wrestling #2 versus Bobby Duncum & the Super Infernos > Bob Armstrong versus Bill Watts / Notes: J.C. Dykes managed the Super Infernos.

MAY 16, 1975 (FRIDAY) – ATLANTA, GA – ATLANTA MUNICIPAL AUDITORIUM [P] (Paul Jones – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Ricky Gibson and Bob Orton, Jr., wrestled to a draw > Jerry Lawler defeated Tommy Gilbert > Jerry Brisco defeated Billy Spears > Georgia Tag Team Title Match: Bob Armstrong & Robert Fuller* defeated the Outlaws > Mr. Wrestling #1 defeated Toru Tanaka > Dory Funk, Jr., versus Abdullah the Butcher / Notes: Dory Funk, Jr., and Abdullah the Butcher were scheduled to wrestle each other, but no results were reported after the card. Rock Hunter managed Toru Tanaka and Abdullah the Butcher.

MAY 16, 1977 (MONDAY) – AUGUSTA, GA – WILLIAM BELL AUDITORIUM (Charlie Harben – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Roberto Soto defeated Bill Howard > Abe Jacobs defeated Charlie Fulton > Waldo Von Erich defeated Don Kernodle > Thunderbolt Patterson & Wahoo McDaniel defeated Ole & Gene Anderson by disqualification > Dick Slater defeated Mr. Wrestling #2

MAY 16, 1978 (TUESDAY) – MACON, GA – MACON COLISEUM (Fred Ward – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Steve Regal and the French Angel wrestled to a draw > Helmut Schmidt defeated Doug Gilbert > Rocky Johnson defeated Bobby Duncum > 1,000 Silver Dollar Match: Ole Anderson and Mr. Wrestling #2 wrestled to a draw > Tommy Rich & Dusty Rhodes defeated Rock Hunter & Abdullah the Butcher / Notes: The French Angel substituted for Wolfgang Schmidt in the match with Steve Regal. Rock Hunter managed Abdullah the Butcher and Helmut Schmidt.

MAY 16, 1979 (WEDNESDAY) – COLUMBUS, GA – COLUMBUS MUNICIPAL AUDITORIUM (Fred Ward – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Kurt Von Hess versus Genichiro Tenryu > Bill Howard versus Norvel Austin > Bob Armstrong & Tommy Rich versus Ron Bass & Eddy Mansfield > Georgia Heavyweight Title Match: the Masked Superstar* versus Wahoo McDaniel > Georgia Tag Team Title Match: Ole Anderson & Ivan Koloff* versus Mr. Wrestling #1 & #2 / Notes: No documented results for this card have been found. Bobby Heenan managed Ron Bass.

MAY 16, 1982 (SUNDAY) – ATLANTA, GA – OMNI COLISEUM [P] (Paul Jones – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Ted DiBiase defeated Bill White > Tom Prichard defeated Bobby Garrett > Brad Armstrong defeated Chick Donovan > Michael Hayes, Mr. Wrestling #2 & El Mongol defeated Ray Stevens, the Masked Superstar & the Super Destroyer > Kevin Sullivan defeated Buzz Sawyer > Bob Armstrong defeated Gary Hart > Tommy Rich & Dusty Rhodes defeated Ole Anderson & Roddy Piper > NWA World Heavyweight Title Match: Ric Flair* defeated Leroy Brown by disqualification / Notes: The Great Kabuki was barred from ringside during the match between Bob Armstrong and Gary Hart.

MAY 16, 1983 (MONDAY) – CANTON, OH – CANTON CIVIC CENTER (Les Thatcher – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Bob Roop defeated Brett Wayne > Ron Garvin defeated Killer Brooks > The Iron Sheik defeated Brian Blair > Destruction, Inc., defeated Tommy Rich & Paul Orndorff by disqualification > Tony Atlas defeated Larry Zbyszko > Dick Murdoch defeated Buzz Sawyer / Notes: Paul Ellering managed the Iron Sheik and Destruction, Inc.

MAY 16, 1984 (WEDNESDAY) – COLUMBUS, GA (Fred Ward – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Jake Roberts defeated Dale Veasey > Ron Garvin defeated Ted DiBiase > Les Thornton versus Tim Horner ruled a no contest > King Kong Bundy & King Konga defeated the Road Warriors > Brad Armstrong defeated the Spoiler / Notes: Paul Ellering managed Jake Roberts, Ted DiBiase, the Spoiler, and the Road Warriors.

– GeorgiaWrestlingHistory.com