GEORGIA WRESTLING NEWS, NOTES, AND NOSTALGIA: 01/18/2008

NEWS

It has been learned that Bill Behrens had a lunch meeting on Tuesday of this week with J.J. Biello and Kelly Farr of the Georgia Athletic and Entertainment Commission. The February session, which could once again determine the fate of the future of pro wrestling in Georgia, is scheduled for February 12. “I presented our suggestions,” said Behrens, head of the recently formed Georgia Wrestling Promoters Advisory Committee. “They listened and took copies.” Behrens said neither Biello nor Farr commented or discussed the content of the documents they received. “I thought there would be a more interactive process in creating these rules,” Behrens said, before adding, “There has been no ‘give-and-take’ at all.” According to Behrens, he was told at the meeting that should they agree to modify the regulations in light of what the GWPAC has proposed, the modifications will be published. At that time, the promoters will have another thirty days to comment on the new GAEC proposal. However, if the GAEC agree to pass the regulations initially proposed in November of last year without modifications, they will vote to pass and implement the original proposed rules at the February hearing. (Rich Tate)

Georgia Wrestling Promotions presents "Lockdown in Lafayette," February 9 at the Lafayette Recreation Department with an 8pm bell time: the Devil's Rejects (Iceberg & Shaun Tempers & Patrick Bentley with Reverend Dan Wilson) versus Tracy Smothers & the Hellbillies; "Master of the Spinebuster" David Young versus Andrew Pendleton III; the Regular Guys defend the GWP tag titles against the Hollywood Brunettes; the Super Destroyer versus Big Head Hansen; Ace Rockwell versus Jay Clinton (with Aaron Voight); and Justin Dirt & Dustin Powers versus Mighty Angus & Matt Fortune. Call 770-296-5290 for more info. (Larry Goodman)

NOTES

On behalf of everyone who works with GWH, I would like to congratulate Figure 4 Weekly’s Mike Sempervive, and his wife Jessica. On Tuesday, they brought into the world a son, Michael Avery Sempervive. Sempervive worked with us in our early years here, conducting a few interviews and contributing to our book reviews. (Rich Tate)

GWH wishes a happy birthday to Perro Aguayo (62), Ted DiBiase (54), and Batista (39) today.

We do not have much detail, but Gordon McKinley died on this day in 1958 following a match.

Today in 1984, ‘Lord’ Athol Layton suffered a fatal heart attach at the age of 63.

Marshall Carter passed away at 79 on this day in 1989.

On this day in 2003, Ed ‘the Sheik’ Farhat passed at the age of 80.

Don ‘Ox’ Anderson died that same day. He was 71.

Today marks the second anniversary of the death of Pez Whatley, who passed away at 54.

NOSTALGIA

1905: Charles Wittmer and M.J. Dwyer wrestled to a one-hour draw at the Atlanta Athletic Club.

1927: Joe Stecher defeated Pete Sauer (Ray Steele) in two straight falls to retain the World Heavyweight Title at the Atlanta Municipal Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter John Contos. This card also featured two future Atlanta promoters, as Dick Daviscourt defeated Henry Weber, and Jim Browning and Paul Jones wrestled to a draw.

1928: Paul Jones defeated Ivan Mikaloff in the main event at the Atlanta Municipal Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter John Contos.

1934: Glenn Cowan defeated Bill Collins at the Lakewood Heights Arena in Atlanta for promoter Frank Bettis.

1935: Jim Hesslyn defeated Hugh Winn in two straight falls in the main event at the Atlanta Municipal Auditorium for promoters Frank Bettis and Cleve Roby.

1945: Elmer Estep defeated Ed Henegar in the main event at the Atlanta Municipal Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Paul Jones.

1946: Herb Welch defeated Vic Emanuel to retain the World Junior Heavyweight Title at the Atlanta Municipal Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Paul Jones.

1950: Eddie Gossett (Graham) defeated Jack Bloomfield in the main event at the Larry Bell Auditorium in Marietta for promoter Fred Ward. Ward was not yet affiliated with Georgia Championship Wrestling.

1957: Jerry Graham & Pierre LaSalle defeated Tarzan White & Chief Big Heart in the main event at the Larry Bell Auditorium in Marietta for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Elmo Chappell.

1957: We do not have results for this match, but Don & Red McIntyre versus Mark & Donn Lewin was the scheduled main event at the Forest Park High School Gymnasium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Paul Jones.

1961: Chief Little Eagle defeated Skull Murphy by disqualification in the main event at the Columbus Sports Arena for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Fred Ward.

1963: Eddie Graham & Bob Ellis defeated Lenny Montana, substituting for Freddie Blassie, & the Bat in the main event at the Atlanta Municipal Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Don McIntyre. As part of a stipulation, the Bat was forced to unmask following the match, and was identified as Joe Tomasso. Tomasso continued to wear the mask afterwards. It was reported that Blassie could not wrestle because he had five broken ribs.

1965: Bill Dromo & Silento Rodriguez defeated Jack & Bob Dalton (Don Fargo & Billy Strong) in the main event at the William Bell Auditorium in Augusta for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Steve Manderson. Also, the Fabulous Moolah defeated Bette Boucher.

1966: Derrell Cochran & Bad Boy Hines defeated Eric & Karl Von Brauner, managed by Saul Weingeroff, in the main event at the Macon City Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Fred Ward.

1969: On the “Atlanta TV Wrestling” television program hosted by Ed Capral, the Assassins joined Capral, announcing that Ray Gunkel & Buddy Fuller had still not proven themselves worthy of a shot at the World Tag Team Title. Gunkel & Fuller came on later claiming the Assassins were dodging them because they were scared. Dale Lewis issued a challenge to whomever should win the match between El Mongol and the Professional, scheduled to take place on January 24, 1969. Lewis, despite being the Georgia Heavyweight Champion, said he felt he was slipping as a contender for Gene Kiniski’s NWA World Heavyweight Title due to recent non-title wins by Mongol and the Pro over the World champ, and wanted the chance to prove he was still the top man in Georgia.

1972: El Mongol defeated Georgia Heavyweight Champion Buddy Colt by disqualification in a title match at the Macon Coliseum for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Fred Ward. Also, Rocket & Flash Monroe defeated Bob Armstrong & Roberto Soto in the semi-main event.

1974: Jack Brisco defeated Mr. Wrestling #2 by disqualification to retain the NWA World Heavyweight Title at the Atlanta Municipal Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Paul Jones. Also, Ron & Terry Garvin, managed by Jimmy Garvin defeated Tim Woods & Ricky Gibson in the final round of a one-night tournament to win the Georgia Tag Team Title. Also participating in the tournament were Bobby (Porkchop) Cash & Roberto Soto, Jerry Lawler & Bobby Duncum, Bob Armstrong & Robert Fuller, Lou Thesz & Ali Vaziri (Iron Sheik), Bill Costello & the Zebra Kid (Jack Evans), and the Samoans, managed by Gary Hart.

1975: With this episode of “Georgia Championship Wrestling”, hosted by Gordon Solie, the program expanded to two hours, seen from 6:00 to 8:00 PM each Saturday on Channel 17.

1977: We do not have results for this card, but Dick Slater was scheduled to defend the Georgia Heavyweight Title against Thunderbolt Patterson at the Macon Coliseum for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Fred Ward. The advertised semi-main event was Mr. Wrestling #2 defending the Macon Heavyweight Title against Abdullah the Butcher. Also, Ole & Gene Anderson were slated to wrestle Ricky Steamboat & Dean Ho.

1978: We do not have results for this card, but Mr. Wrestling #2 was scheduled to defend the Columbus Heavyweight Title against Stan Hansen at the Columbus Municipal Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Fred Ward. Also, Bob Armstrong was scheduled to defend the Georgia Television Title against Jacques Goulet. The advertised main event was advertised as Dick Slater, Tony Atlas & Pak Song versus Ole Anderson, Rock Hunter & Abdullah the Butcher.

1982: Ric Flair defeated Dusty Rhodes by disqualification to retain the NWA World Heavyweight Title at the William Bell Auditorium in Augusta for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Charlie Harben. Bob & Brad Armstrong defeated Kevin Sullivan & Buzz Sawyer in the semi-main event. Also, Ron Bass & the Masked Superstar defeated Tommy Rich & Big Red.

– GeorgiaWrestlingHistory.com