GEORGIA WRESTLING NEWS, NOTES, AND NOSTALGIA: 12/17/2007

NEWS

It has been reported that Cary Ichter, the attorney representing Michael Benoit and his family in the estate matters regarding Chris Benoit, offered to accept a $2 million settlement in exchange for not going forward with a suit against World Wrestling Entertainment. The offer was rejected by WWE. Apparently, the money would have gone to Chris’ two oldest children from his first marriage, in what Ichter deemed would have been “recognition of their father’s contributions to the company.” No suit has been filed as of this writing. Ichter has been heavily involved in targeting WWE, as well as local wrestling inside the state of Georgia. He has been working to close a loophole that makes it possible for WWE to be exempt from any form of regulation within the state. He also sits on the board of the Georgia Athletic and Entertainment Commission, which is ramping up attempts to provide tights restrictions on the business, regardless of the promoter or promotion. A public hearing to discuss the recently proposed regulations, as well as the aforementioned exemption, is slated for December 18 at 11:00 AM. Click here for more info.

Southern Classic Wrestling results from Sandersville, GA, on December 15: Josh Stone over Drive-By; Frankie Valentine over the Dirty Dawg; the Stanton Clan over Juan Tequila & Jorge Sanchez and Mike Margera & Damien Dread in a three-way match; the Nightmare over Big Bank Barfield; Loco Motive (w/ Ace Heffner) over Scotty Bullwinkle, substituting for Flatline, to win the Georgia Heritage Title; Too Badd (Jamie Holmes & Conner Cruze) over the Serial Killers (Michael Myers & Leatherface); and Bobby Joiner over Tommy Lee (w/ Ace Heffner) by disqualification. It was reported that 110 were in attendance for this card.

NOTES

We reached out to all promotions of which we are aware, all of whom run shows in Georgia. We will spend the next few days showing how they responded with answers to the specific questions regarding their plans in light of the proposed regulations by the Georgia Athletic and Entertainment Commission.

Following are responses from Southern States Championship Wrestling:

Do you or anyone from your promotion's staff plan to attend the December 18 meeting, and can you be specific by name as to whom will be in attendance?

“Brooks Rogers, Jarrod Michaels, and Jason Findish (a/k/a the Unknown Soldier) are in talks to go.”

What, in order, are the top three items that concern you the most, in regard to how it may affect your promotion, or the local wrestling community in general?

“The surety bond issue, the doctor issue, and the fingernail Issue – just interested in that one.”

What plans have you considered for your promotion going forward if the items are implemented as presented? Will you try to continue to run, shut it down, move elsewhere, etc.?

“This might mean fewer shows in Georgia. With us being so close to the Florida line, we may find a few towns there.”

If the proposed items pass as presented, it is our understanding that they would go into effect January 7, 2008. If you decide to shut down, what plans would you be making for a final card prior to that date?

“We will give the fans what they want and go out with a bang.”

Have you received any feedback from your fan base, and does there seem to be much support from them to appear at the meeting?

“Not appearing at the meeting, but they are registered voters just like the rest of us. The GAEC is an extension of the Secretary of State office. If we put pressure on them it might help as well.”

Quentin Michaels of Great Championship Wrestling sent this response:

“We here at GCW are very interested in the outcome of the Georgia Athletic Commission's decisions and plans. While GCW promotes events mainly in Alabama, we do have expansion plans that heavily involve events in Georgia. Myself and GCW owner Diane Hewes will be in attendance for the hearing on December 18, and are discussing possibly presenting an argument against many of the points of the commission. I have spoken directly to Bill Behrens, who is spear-heading the arguments and, in my opinion, is the best qualified to do so. GCW will continue to promote events in Georgia, as we are already in compliance with many of the proposed commission's plans. If the Georgia commission does indeed take effect, we will be prepared and we will work with other promotions to ensure that independent wrestling in Georgia does not die.”

NOSTALGIA

1920: Wladek Zbyszko defeated Charley Cutler at the Savannah Municipal Auditorium for promoter Max Bauman.

1935: Young Americus defeated Popeye Swenson in the main event at Supreme Circle Hall in Albany for promoter Frank Bettis.

1943: John Mauldin defeated Joe Estes in the main event at the Atlanta Municipal Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Sammy Friedman. Also, Elvira Snodgrass defeated Mae Young, and Gladys Gillem defeated Mae Weston.

1945: Ivan Mikaloff defeated Abe Zvonkin in the main event at the Savannah Municipal Auditorium for promoters Lou Masters, Dick Leonard, and Buster White.

1948: Herb Welch defeated Tex Riley to retain the World Junior Heavyweight Title at the Atlanta Municipal Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Paul Jones. Welch had been the reigning champion as recognized by the Nashville, TN, office since he defeated the Green Shadow on July 6, 1948, in Nashville, TN.

1954: Jerry Graham defeated Chief Big Heart in a Texas death / loser leaves match at the Atlanta Municipal Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Paul Jones. Despite the stipulation, Big Heart remained wrestling and did not leave. It is unclear as to how this was done.

1963: Billy & Bad Boy Hines defeated Greg Peterson & Marco Polo in the main event at the Macon City Auditorium for promoter Fred Ward. Ward was not affiliated with the Atlanta office of Georgia Championship Wrestling at this time.

1965: Saul Weingeroff defeated Mario Galento in a lights out match at the Atlanta Municipal Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Paul Jones. The stipulation stated that Galento had to pin Weingeroff twice within twenty minutes in order to be declared the winner, but he failed to do so, as the Eric & Karl Von Brauner got away with outside interference as the referee was distracted.

1968: The Professional defeated Johnny Valentine to retain the Georgia Heavyweight Title at the Macon Coliseum for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Fred Ward. The Pro had been the reigning champion since he defeated Valentine on December 6, 1968, in Atlanta.

1971: Ray Gunkel & Buddy Fuller defeated the Assassins to win the Georgia Tag Team Title at the Atlanta Municipal Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Paul Jones. Jones was the special referee for the match. The Assassins had been the reigning champions since they defeated Bill Dromo & Bob Armstrong in a tournament final on November 26, 1971, in Atlanta. It was announced that in January 1972, a tournament would be held for the new Brass Knucks Title.

1973: With the DQ rule waived, Bob Armstrong & Roberto Soto defeated the Super Infernos, managed by J.C. Dykes, by disqualification to win the Southeastern Tag Team Title at the Macon Coliseum for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Fred Ward. The Infernos had been the reigning champions since they defeated Armstrong & Soto on November 27, 1973, in Macon.

1974: Jack Brisco & Rocky Johnson defeated Buddy Colt & Bearcat Wright by disqualification in the main event at the Macon Coliseum for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Fred Ward.

1976: Mr. Wrestling #1 defeated Georgia Heavyweight Champion Dick Slater by disqualification in a title match at the Atlanta Municipal Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Paul Jones. Slater had been the reigning champion since he defeated Mr. Wrestling #2 on November 15, 1976, in Augusta. Also, Thunderbolt Patterson & Mr. Wrestling #2 defeated Ole & Gene Anderson by disqualification in the semi-main event. Bill Watts defeated the Mongolian Stomper, managed by J.J. Dillon.

1979: Ivan Koloff & Alexis Smirnoff defeated Ole Anderson & Mr. Wrestling #2 in the main event at the William Bell Auditorium in Augusta for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Charlie Harben.

1983: We have not been able to find documented results, but Ted DiBiase was scheduled to defend the National Heavyweight Title against Pez Whatley at the Richmond County Civic Center in Augusta for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Charlie Harben. Also, Les Thornton was scheduled to defend the NWA World Junior Heavyweight Title against Tommy Rogers.

2005: Justin Dirt defeated Damien Synn to win the UCW National Heavyweight Title in a ladder match at the National Guard Armory in Canton for Ultimate Christian Wrestling.

– GeorgiaWrestlingHistory.com