GEORGIA WRESTLING NEWS, NOTES, AND NOSTALGIA: 02/08/2008

NEWS

A bill that would revamp the section of the Georgia code related to pro wrestling was introduced in the Georgia Senate on Wednesday. The legislative action comes only days before the Georgia Athletic and Entertainment Commission meets to reconsider the new rules they proposed in November, which resulted in a firestorm of protest from independent wrestling promoters across the state. Click here for a full article on the situation. (Larry Goodman)

The Independent Wrestling Network will be in Manchester, GA, tonight at Manchester High School, with a bell time of 7:30 PM. Ringside tickets are $12, and general admission is $10. MHS students get in for $8. Advertised: Buff Bagwell versus Southside Trash’s Rowdy Matiz; Brad Armstrong versus Mr. Hughes; K.I. Elite (Mike Stratus & Jake Slater) versus Frankie Valentine & J-Rod; Tommy Rich versus the Wrestler; Drew Golden versus the Stalker; the Last Rebel versus the Russian Con (w/ J.P. Money); and Razor versus Mystery Man. (Brian Slack)

Here is your official preview for Alternative Pro Wrestling tonight, at the Royston Gym in Royston, GA. Bell time is 8:15pm. The newly crowned North Georgia Champion, "Superstar" Aaron Lee undoubtedly had a career night last week and he has requested time to address his fans in Royston this Friday. The Talent Show returns with APW owner Jericho Stone as the guest. Talent obviously plans to gloat about "winning" the tag match last week with Slim J and Bo Newsom. What Talent and Jacob Ashworth don't know is that Mr. Stone has reviewed the footage from last week, and let’s just say, the door hasn't closed on Bo Newsom's championship dreams just yet. New APW Tag Team Champions, The Friday Night Franchise (Ryan Michaels & Matt Sells), will have their first title defense against ½ of the former champions, Dustin Powers and a partner of his choosing. In your main event, Don Matthews and Jeremy Vain will take on Slim J and Bo Newsom, and what will happen when both Chris Mayne and Billy Buck return from their suspension? For further information email [email protected]. (Larry Goodman)

Complete Card for tonight’s United States Wrestling Organization show in Nashville, TN, at the Stadium Inn: Main Event-USWO Championship: Kid Kash (c) versus Chris Michaels versus Mitch Ryder; USWO Tag Team Championship-2/3 Falls: Gigolo Jay Phoenix & Luscious Quinton Quarisma (c) versus Cousin Jason X & LT Falk; Mark Anthony (w/Charming Charles) versus Steve O; USWO Jr. Championship: Shane Smalls (c) versus Petey Wright; Lee Cross (w/The Diva Lisa Fayzon) versus Dyronic; and Tim Renesto & J-5 (w/Charming Charles) versus Rob C & New York Gangster. (Larry Goodman)

Tonight’s Southern All-Star Wrestling card in Millersville, TN, at the SAW Arena (otherwise known as The Bakery): Main Event: Gary Valiant (w/Miss Boogie) versus Rick Santel; SAW Tag Team Championship: Indian Outlaw & Lennox Lightfoot (c) versus Hammerjack & Matt Dillenger; Arrick Andrews versus Big Rig Bully; Chris Bomb (w/Cocky Cody Bomb) versus Chris Cane; Chris Eckos versus Sharp Dressed Man Lawrence; and Jason James along with other stuff. (Larry Goodman)

World Wrestling Entertainment has confirmed rumors that they have severed ties with Ohio Valley Wrestling. This leaves Florida Championship Wrestling as the only developmental affiliate. In a press release from WWE, no specific reason was given as to why the relationship with OVW came to an end. There was speculation that the reason had to do with logistics, and a decision was made to house all developmental talent in a single location. It is known that the company assisted FCW in renovations on facilities since it became an affiliate late last year, giving them more than 10,000 square feet to accommodate about 300 people to watch the television tapings which are expected to start later this month. According to reports from Pro Wrestling Insider’s Mike Johnson, John Laurinaitis, Senior Vice President of Talent Relations for WWE headed a meeting Thursday morning at OVW headquarters to address the contracted developmental talent. He informed them of the decision, and that effective immediately, they would relocate to FCW, owned and operated by Steve Keirn. Keirn, Tom Prichard, and Billy Kidman are responsible for training in FCW. No one is expected to be released. (Rich Tate)

The previously announced February 17 Wrestling Beyond Imagination event has been cancelled. (Rich Tate)

Total Nonstop Action will be in Aiken, SC, on March 12 at the USC Convocation Center. Tickets go on sale on February 9 at the box office and at the venue’s website. Call (866) 722-8877 for more info. (Rich Tate)

NOTES

Peach State Pandemonium will debut on February 16. The show will air live each Saturday from 11 AM to Noon ET. We encourage listeners to call in to the show. Our debut show will feature Bill Behrens, who will join us to discuss the latest in what is shaping up to be an ugly war to save pro wrestling in our state from extinction. Our guest for February 23 is still undetermined, but we anticipate a decision on that within the next few days. We also will be having Ron West and Bull Buchanan on March 1, and Jimmy Rave sits in on March 8. No other specific dates have been confirmed yet, but we have plans on a roundtable format to discuss Ann Gunkel’s All-South Wrestling with Dick Steinborn, Ted Oates, and Bobby Simmons. There should be a few more announcements of confirmed guests and dates over the next few days. Stay tuned. (Rich Tate)

GWH wishes a happy birthday today to Misty Blue Simms (46) and Paul Wight (36).

Irish Jackie died on this day in 2000. He was 69.

It has been one year since the death of Bob Luce, who died of natural causes at 78.

NOSTALGIA

1934: Leo Wallich defeated Al Stecher by disqualification in the main event at the Atlanta Municipal Auditorium for promoter John Bollas. Admission prices to the auditorium were reported to be $0.25, $0.40, $0.55, and $0.77.

1935: Honey Boy Hackney defeated Sammy Miller two falls to one in the main event at the Atlanta Municipal Auditorium for promoters Frank Bettis and Cleve Roby.

1937: Jack McAdams defeated Bill Jeffries two falls to one in the main event at the Spring Street Arena in Atlanta for promoters Frank Bettis and Cleve Roby.

1946: Bill Longson defeated Laverne Baxter to retain the NWA World Heavyweight Title at the Atlanta Municipal Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Paul Jones. Jack LaRue & Dick Lever defeated Ralph Garibaldi & Al Massey by disqualification in the semi-main event.

1954: It should be noted that sources report Freddie Blassie defeated Mr. Moto on this date in Birmingham, AL, to win the Southern Heavyweight Title.

1957: Mark & Donn Lewin defeated Red McIntyre & Chief Big Heart to win the International Tag Team Title at the Atlanta Municipal Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Paul Jones. Also, Wilbur Snyder defeated Pierre LaSalle in the semi-main event.

1961: Tiny Evans defeated Skull Murphy by disqualification in a main event penalty belt match at the Columbus Sports Arena for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Fred Ward.

1963: Eddie Graham defeated Freddie Blassie to retain the World Heavyweight Title at the Atlanta Municipal Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Don McIntyre. Atlanta Constitution Sports Editor Furman Bisher was reportedly in attendance for this card.

1965: We do not have results for this card, but a match between Linda Carroll and the Fabulous Moolah was advertised in Albany for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Fred Ward. It is unclear as to what venue was the site of this card.

1965: Bill Dromo defeated Mario Galento by disqualification in the main event at the William Bell Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Steve Manderson.

1966: A main event match featuring Billy & Bad Boy Hines versus the Mysterious Medics was ruled a no contest at the Macon City Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Fred Ward.

1969: On the “Atlanta TV Wrestling” television program hosted by Ed Capral, Dale Lewis and manager Jack Crawford, blamed special referee Hans Schmidt for his loss of the Georgia Heavyweight Title to El Mongol on February 7, 1969. Lewis challenged Schmidt to a match on February 14, 1969, and by the end of the program Schmidt had accepted under the conditions that Crawford not be at ringside during the bout, to which Lewis agreed. Lewis also said that after he took care of Schmidt, he was going after Mongol for participating in what he considered a double-cross to remove him as champion.

1971: It should be noted that Pedro Morales defeated Ivan Koloff to win the WWF Heavyweight Title in New York, NY.

1972: Macon Tag Team Champions Rocket & Flash Monroe and Bill Dromo & Bob Armstrong wrestled to a draw in a main event title match at the Macon Coliseum for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Fred Ward. The Fabulous Moolah defeated Susan Green to retain the Women’s World Title in the semi-main event. It was announced that the Assassins would be wrestling in Macon on February 15, 1972, and that Roberto Soto, Bepo Mongol (Nikolai Volkoff), and Koa Tiki would be wrestling in Macon soon.

1976: Mr. Wrestling #2 defeated Abdullah the Butcher in the main event at the Cobb County Civic Center in Marietta for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Paul Jones. Bob Armstrong defeated the Spoiler, managed by Gary Hart, in the semi-main event.

1977: Ole & Gene Anderson defeated Georgia Tag Team Champions Mr. Wrestling #1 & #2 by disqualification in a title match at the Macon Coliseum for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Fred Ward. A semi-main event title match between Georgia Heavyweight Champion Dick Slater and Thunderbolt Patterson was ruled a no contest.

1979: We do not have results for this match, but a main event featuring Andre the Giant & Wahoo McDaniel versus King Kong Mosca & the Masked Superstar was advertised at the Rome Memorial Gymnasium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Charlie Harben.

1981: Robert Fuller, Mr. Wrestling #2 & Andre the Giant defeated the Freebirds (Michael Hayes, Terry Gordy & Buddy Roberts) in the main event at the Mid-South Auditorium in Griffin for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Paul Jones. Stan Frazier defeated the Mongolian Stomper, managed by Don Carson, by disqualification in the semi-main event. Also, Kevin Sullivan and Steve O wrestled to a draw, and Steve Keirn defeated Jim Duggan.

1981: A main event title match featuring NWA World Heavyweight Champion Harley Race versus Tony Atlas ended in a double countout at the Omni Auditorium in Atlanta for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Paul Jones. Andre the Giant defeated the Mongolian Stomper, managed by Don Carson, in the semi-main event. Robert Fuller & Ted DiBiase defeated the Freebirds (Terry Gordy & Buddy Roberts), with Michael Hayes was handcuffed to the Junkyard Dog during the match. Also, Mr. Wrestling #2 defeated Ole Anderson, while Kevin Sullivan defeated Steve Keirn in a Boston street fight match. Steve O defeated Bobby Eaton to win the National Television Title. Ted Oates, substituting for Dick Slater, and Jim Duggan wrestled to a draw, and Charlie Cook defeated Alexis Smirnoff in the opener.

1983: Stan Hansen & Tommy Rich defeated Ivan Koloff & Buzz Sawyer by countout in the main event in Ironton, OH, for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Les Thatcher. Butch Reed defeated Bruiser Brody by disqualification in the semi-main event, and Paul Orndorff defeated the Super Destroyer. In other matches, Buck Robley defeated Brad Armstrong, and Bob Roop defeated Tom Prichard. Paul Ellering defeated Tito Santana in the opener.

– GeorgiaWrestlingHistory.com