GEORGIA WRESTLING NEWS, NOTES, AND NOSTALGIA: 12/25/2007 

NEWS

Georgia Wrestling Promotions results from Woodstock, GA, on December 23: Bob & Brad Armstrong over the Hollywood Brunettes; Ace Rockwell over Jay Clinton; Truitt Fields over Simon Sermon; Slim J over Kid Ego, Jr.; Shadow Jackson & Gangrel over Tank & Iceberg; the Regular Guys over Talent & Money to retain the GWP Southern Tag Team Title; Shaun Tempers over Buff Bagwell to retain the GWP Southern Heavyweight Title; and Big Head Hansen won a thirty-man battle royal to earn a shot at the title of his choice. It was reported that 285 were in attendance for this card. Jeff Morton, Chris Ganz, and Spanky Emerson were credited as being referees for this card.

NOTES

Click here for a report from Larry Goodman on the December 15 broadcast of Southern All-Star Wrestling.

NOSTALGIA

1917: Strangler Lewis, managed by Billy Sandow, defeated Constant LeMarin in two straight falls at the Liberty Theatre in Savannah for promoter Max Bauman.

1920: Charley Cutler and Rolando Heracle wrestled to a draw at the Savannah Municipal Auditorium for promoter Max Bauman.

1936: We have found no documented results, but Petro Rossi was scheduled to wrestle Tarzan Jordan in the main event at the Northside Arena in Atlanta for promoter Frank Bettis.

1953: Mike Clancy defeated Jack Dillon by disqualification in the main event at the Atlanta Municipal Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Paul Jones.

1959: With the DQ rule waived, Ray Gunkel defeated Freddie Blassie by disqualification to win the Southern Heavyweight Title at the Atlanta Municipal Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Paul Jones. Blassie had been the reigning champion since he defeated Dickie Gunkel (Dick Steinborn) on December 11, 1959, in Atlanta.

1963: Bob Eisenburg & Bob Morrow defeated Luke Graham & Al Galento to win the Southeastern Tag Team Title at the Columbus Municipal Auditorium for promoter Fred Ward. Ward was not affiliated with the Atlanta office of Georgia Championship Wrestling at this time. Graham & Galento had been the reigning champions since they defeated Morrow & Lonnie Brown (Dutch Savage) in a tournament final on November 6, 1963, in Columbus.

1964: Mario Galento defeated Dick Steinborn to retain the Georgia Heavyweight Title at the Atlanta Municipal Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Paul Jones. Galento had been the reigning champion since he defeated Sputnik Monroe on November 13, 1964, in Atlanta. Also, the Mysterious Medics defeated Eddie Graham & Sam Steamboat to retain the Southern Tag Team Title. The Medics had been the reigning champions since they defeated Graham & Steamboat on November 20, 1964, in Atlanta.

1965: Buddy Fuller & Sputnik Monroe defeated Eric & Karl Von Brauner, managed by Saul Weingeroff, in the main event at the Atlanta Municipal Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Paul Jones.

1968: We have found no documented results, but Dick Steinborn was scheduled to wrestle Stan Vachon in the main event at the Macon Coliseum for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Fred Ward.

1968: Alberto & Ramon Torres defeated the Assassins to win the Georgia Tag Team Title at the Savannah Municipal Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Aaron Newman. The Assassins had been the reigning champions since they defeated the Torres’ on November 22, 1968, in Atlanta.

1970: A card was scheduled for this date at the Griffin-Barnesville Sports Palace for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Paul Jones, but no information has been found.

1971: El Mongol defeated Bill White in the first match at the WTCG Studios in Atlanta for the debut of “Georgia Championship Wrestling”, hosted by Ed Capral, on Channel 17. After having been on Channel 11 since May 1954, Ray Gunkel had become increasingly frustrated with the late time slots and constant movement thereof. On behalf of management, he negotiated a deal with Ted Turner, who had purchased WTCG in 1970. Earlier in 1971, WTCG became the first local station to launch 24 hours of television daily, and was interested in bringing professional wrestling in to fill time. It didn’t hurt that he was also somewhat of a wrestling fan himself. This move for the promotion would ultimately make “Georgia Championship Wrestling” a much larger company, and played a vital role in the growth of Turner’s station as well. The program would aired from 6:00 to 7:00 PM for several years. The other matches on the debut episode were as follows: Dick Steinborn and Buddy Colt wrestled to a draw, Mr. X defeated Alex Medina, and a draw between Jimmy Dancing Bear and Karl Von Stroheim to close the show.

1971: El Mongol & Jimmy Dancing Bear defeated the Assassins in a main event tornado match at the Atlanta Municipal Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Paul Jones.

1973: Bob Armstrong & Robert Fuller defeated the Super Infernos, managed by J.C. Dykes, in the main event at the Macon Coliseum for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Fred Ward. Dykes was handcuffed to Bill Dromo during the match, and there were two referees in the ring. It was reported that 5,500 were in attendance for this card.

1974: Rocky Johnson defeated Buddy Colt by disqualification and then his manager Bearcat Wright, also by disqualification, at the Macon Coliseum for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Fred Ward.

1976: The Mongolian Stomper, managed by J.J. Dillon, defeated Bill Dromo in the main event at the Griffin-Barnesville Sports Palace for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Paul Jones.

1977: Ole Anderson & Jacques Goulet defeated Tony Atlas & Mr. Wrestling #2 to retain the Georgia Tag Team Title at the Columbus Municipal Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Fred Ward.

1977: Thunderbolt Patterson defeated Georgia Heavyweight Champion Stan Hansen by disqualification in a title match at the Atlanta Municipal Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Paul Jones. Also, a title match between Georgia Tag Team Champions Ole Anderson & Jacques Goulet and Dick Slater & Mr. Wrestling #2 was ruled a no contest. In addition, a match featuring Tony Atlas & Ernie Ladd versus Pak Song & Abdullah the Butcher, managed by Rock Hunter, was also ruled a no contest.

1978: A main event match between Mr. Wrestling #2 and the Masked Superstar was ruled a no contest at the William Bell Auditorium in Augusta for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Charlie Harben. Also, Ole Anderson defeated Thunderbolt Patterson in a taped fist match. Rufus R. Jones won a tournament final over King Kong Mosca. Other participants in the tournament were Pierre Lefebvre, Bryan St. John, Mr. Wrestling #1, Luke Graham, Bugsy McGraw, and Kurt Von Hess. Tommy Rich also won a battle royal. It is unclear as to the reason for the battle royal and the tournament.

1979: We have found no documented results, but Mr. Wrestling #2 was scheduled to wrestle the imposter Mr. Wrestling #2 (Joe Powell) in a main event cage match at the Columbus Municipal Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Fred Ward. Also, the Masked Superstar was schedule to defend the Georgia Heavyweight Title versus Tony Atlas, and Bill Dromo versus Abdullah the Butcher was on the bill as well. In addition, Ivan Koloff & Alexis Smirnoff were to defend the Georgia Tag Team Title against Ole Anderson & Thunderbolt Patterson, while Tommy Rich was set to challenge Austin Idol for the Georgia Television Title.

1979: With masks at stake, Mr. Wrestling #2 defeated the imposter Mr. Wrestling #2 in a cage match at the Omni Auditorium in Atlanta for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Paul Jones. As part of the stipulation, the imposter Mr. Wrestling #2 was forced to unmask following the match with the real Mr. Wrestling #2, and was identified as Joe Powell. Also, Ole Anderson & Thunderbolt Patterson defeated Georgia Tag Team Champions Ivan Koloff & Alexis Smirnoff by disqualification in a title match. Gene Anderson and Tom Shaft were the special referees for the match. Koloff & Smirnoff had been the reigning champions since they defeated Ole Anderson (substituting for Jack Brisco) & Jerry Brisco on December 7, 1979, in Atlanta. The Masked Superstar defeated Dick Slater to retain the Georgia Heavyweight Title. The Superstar had been the reigning champion since he defeated Tommy Rich on December 7, 1979, in Atlanta. Abdullah the Butcher defeated Tony Atlas, and Bob Backlund defeated Kevin Sullivan to retain the WWWF Heavyweight Title. Backlund had been the reigning champion since he defeated Billy Graham on February 20, 1978, in New York, NY. A match for the Georgia Television title between champion Austin Idol and Ric Flair was ruled a no contest. Killer Khan, managed by Gorgeous George, Jr., defeated Bob Armstrong in a judo jacket match.

1980: Mr. Wrestling #2 defeated Mr. Saito in a main event judo jacket match at the Omni Auditorium in Atlanta for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Paul Jones. Also, Ted DiBiase, Robert Fuller & Stan Frazier defeated the Freebirds in a six man no disqualification match. The Mongolian Stomper, managed by Don Carson, defeated Jack Brisco to retain the National Heavyweight Title. The Stomper had been the reigning champion since he defeated Brisco on December 12, 1980, in Atlanta. Tony Atlas defeated Kevin Sullivan to retain the Georgia Heavyweight Title. Atlas had been the reigning champion since he defeated Dennis Condrey on October 24, 1980, in Atlanta.

1981: Ric Flair defeated Dusty Rhodes to retain the NWA World Heavyweight Title at the Omni Auditorium in Atlanta for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Paul Jones. Flair had been the reigning champion since he defeated Dusty Rhodes on September 17, 1981, in Kansas City, MO. Tommy Rich defeated Abdullah the Butcher by disqualification in the semi-main event. Also, Leroy Brown, Big Red & Andre the Giant defeated the Assassin, the Masked Superstar & the Super Destroyer. In addition, two referees were involved in a match where Austin Idol defeated Michael Hayes. Bob & Brad Armstrong defeated Kevin Sullivan & Ox Baker, and Jimmy Garvin defeated Terry Gordy by disqualification. Ron Bass defeated Ted Oates in the opener.

1982: Butch Reed defeated Buzz Sawyer in a main event cage match with hair at stake at the Omni Auditorium in Atlanta for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Paul Jones. Ivan Koloff defeated Paul Orndorff in a semi-main event Russian chain match. Also, a match between the Moondogs, managed by J.J. Dillon, and the Wild Samoans, managed by Sonny King, ended in a double disqualification. Stan Hansen, Tito Santana & Andre the Giant defeated the Great Kabuki (managed by Gary Hart), the Masked Superstar & the Super Destroyer (Scott Irwin) in a six man tag match. Tommy Rich defeated the Iron Sheik, also managed by King. In addition, Johnny Rich defeated Chick Donovan, and Joe Lightfoot and Les Thornton wrestled to a draw. In the opener, Terry Gibbs defeated Ken Timbs. It was reported that 13,000 were in attendance for this card.

1983: We have not found documented results, but Buzz Sawyer was scheduled to wrestle King Kong Bundy in the main event at the Columbus Municipal Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Fred Ward. Brett Sawyer, Tommy & Johnny Rich versus Paul Ellering & the Road Warriors was the advertised semi-main event match. Also, Les Thornton was scheduled to defend the NWA World Junior Heavyweight Title against Tommy Rogers. Jake Roberts was slated to defend the National Television Title versus Pez Whatley. In addition, Ron Garvin was to wrestle Chick Donovan. The opener was to be a midget match featuring Cowboy Lang versus Little Tokyo.

1983: Buzz Sawyer defeated Paul Ellering in a lights out match at the Omni Auditorium in Atlanta for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Paul Jones. Stan Hansen & Bugsy McGraw defeated the Road Warriors, managed by Ellering, by disqualification in the semi-main event. Also, Ted DiBiase defeated Tommy Rich to retain the National Heavyweight Title. DiBiase had been the reigning champion since he defeated Brett Sawyer on November 18, 1983, in Cleveland, OH. Brett Sawyer defeated National Television Champion Jake Roberts, also managed by Ellering, in a title match, but not in the first fifteen minutes, so the title did not change hands. Roberts had been the reigning champion since he defeated Ron Garvin on November 6, 1983, in Atlanta. Les Thornton defeated Tommy Rogers to retain the NWA World Junior Heavyweight Title. Thornton had been billed as champion since November 1983, said to have won a match in the Philippines which never actually took place. In addition, Buzz Sawyer defeated the Sheik, and Cowboy Lang defeated Little Tokyo in the opener, a midget match.

1984: Hulk Hogan defeated Paul Orndorff to retain the WWF World Heavyweight Title at the Omni Auditorium in Atlanta for the World Wrestling Federation. We do not have results for the remainder of the card, but Adrian Adonis & Dick Murdoch were scheduled to defend the WWF World Tag Team Title versus Jack & Jerry Brisco. Also, Wendi Richter was slated to defend the WWF Women’s World Title against Judy Martin, and Blackjack Mulligan was to wrestle the Iron Sheik. Other matches scheduled were as follows: Tony Atlas versus Terry Gibbs, Barry Windham versus Moondog Rex, and Mike Rotundo versus Moondog Spot. The opener was David Sammartino versus Mr. Wrestling #2.

1986: Dusty Rhodes, Nikita Koloff & the Road Warriors defeated the Four Horsemen in the main event at the Omni Auditorium in Atlanta for Jim Crockett Promotions. The Midnight Express defeated the Lightning Express in the semi-main event. A match between Ricky Morton and Manny Fernandez was ruled a no contest. Also, Robert Gibson defeated Rick Rude by disqualification. Ron Garvin & Barry Windham defeated Ivan Koloff & Krusher Khrushchev. In addition, Dick Murdoch defeated Bobby Eaton, and Denny Brown and Nelson Royal wrestled to a draw in the opener. It was reported that 18,000 were in attendance for this card.

– GeorgiaWrestlingHistory.com