GEORGIA WRESTLING NEWS, NOTES, AND NOSTALGIA: 02/01/2008

NEWS

Alternative Pro Wrestling will hold a tournament tonight at the Royston Gym to determine the first North Georgia Heavyweight Champion. First round match-ups are Jeremy Vain versus Justin Dirt; Chris King versus Dustin Powers; Aaron Lee versus Chase Darkness; and Don Matthews versus Seth Delay. The semis will feature the Vain-Dirt winner against the King-Powers winner, with Lee or Darkness against Matthews or Delay, leading to the final round. Other matches include J.T. Talent and Jacob Ashworth versus Bo Newsome and Slim J. If Newsome and J win, Newsome gets a shot at Talent’s Southern States Heavyweight Title at a later date. Also, the Friday Night Franchise of Ryan Michaels and Matt Sells will be in attendance. Bell time is 8 PM. (Larry Goodman)

The United Wrestling Federation will be in Wilson, NC, tonight at the Bill Ellis Convention Center with action starting at 7:30 PM. Advertised: Kevin Nash versus Robert Roode; Awesome Kong versus Velvet Sky, with special referee Daffney; Caleb Konley versus Scotty Too Hotty; James Storm versus Petey Williams; Charlie Dreamer versus Abyss; Jake Manning & Joey Silva versus Team Macktion. (Rich Tate)

Down South Hardcore Wrestling returns to Darien’s Multiplex with Swift Retribution on February 2 at 7:00 PM. The Multiplex is at 230 Blount Crossing Road. There will be a ladder match for the DSHW Heavyweight Title featuring Cameron Valentine versus Morbid Angel. The DSHW Light Heavyweight Title will be on the line with Sebastian Troy versus Dallas Riley. Gangsta Nation, Teddy Baddstreet, Sinn, Ryan Savage, and Frizza are also scheduled. (Thomas Bugg)

NWA Anarchy returns to the NWA Arena in Cornelia, GA, on February 2 for a television taping. It will be essentially the same card that was cancelled on January 19 due to the winter storm. In hour number one, Jeff Lewis squares off with Slim J, with the winner earning a title shot in hour number two against Anarchy Heavyweight Champion Shatter (w/ Jeff G. Bailey). Also on the card: the Devil's Rejects defend the Anarchy Tag Team Title against the Awesome Attraction; Jimmy Rave versus Sal Rinauro; Melissa Coates versus Brodie Chase; Todd Sexton versus Adrian Hawkins; Iceberg versus the Regular Guys in a handicap match; and in 8-man action, the Hollywood Brunettes & Talent & Money versus Billy Buck, Chris King & New Wave. Nemesis, Mikal Judas, Jeremy Vain, Rob Adonis, Don Matthews, and Jerry Palmer will all be there as well. 8:00 PM bell time. (Larry Goodman)

The Georgia Pro Wrestling Association will be in Albany, GA, at the Wayne Frier Homes on 3006 Sylvester Road on February 2 as a part of their 5th annual $750,000 blowout, midnight madness sale. There will be carnival rides, D.J. Philgood, and many other activities that day. Bell time is 8:00. Main Event: The Masked Nightmare versus "The Golden Boy" Chick Donovan. GPWA Heavyweight Champion "Insane" Mike Pain will defend the title against the AWA World-1 Southern champ Francisco Ciatso. GPWA Tag Team Champions K.I. Elite ("Mean" Mike Stratus and "The Real Deal" Jake Slater) versus the Hotshots (J-Rod and Frankie Valentine). "Platinum Playboy" Preston Paradise (also of K.I. Elite) versus Bulldog Raines. (Thomas Bugg)

KAPOW will be in Lenoir City, TN, Saturday night at the National Guard Armory with a bell time of 7:30 pm for World War Lenoir. The main event will have Robbie Race going against Samoa Joe from TNA Wrestling. Also Mr. Wrestling #3 will go against Donovan Daniels. The will be a 8-man tag match with team Middle east headed up by KAPOW owner Jaheed Al-Jazerra against team USA headed by Trooper T. Also, The Death Row Inmates & UCW heavyweight champion Shane Williams will be on the card. In addition, former ECW & NWA world heavyweight champion Steve Corino will be holding a wrestling seminar that day beginning at 3 pm. Cost is $25.00 and is open to workers and non-workers. (Gene Restaino)

Kingdom Championship Wrestling will be in Eastman, GA, on February 22 at the Eastman-Dodge Recreation Center. Admission is free, and the event gets underway at 8:00 PM. Advertised: Q-Ball versus the Georgia Bulldog for the KCW National Heavyweight Title; Frankie Valentine & Colt Derringer versus Rob Adonis & Josh Stone; Chick Donovan versus the Nightmare; and Power House versus the Eliminator. There will be a ten-man battle royal. Thunderbolt Patterson is also scheduled to appear. (Rich Tate)

NOTES

Click here for Richard Berger’s updated Perspectives on Wrestling.

Click here for a recap of the January 30 edition of In Your Head, featuring Scotty Too Hotty. (Neal Jones)

Amy ‘Lita’ Dumas’ band, the Luchagors, will be playing at the Drunken Unicorn in Atlanta, GA, tonight. Check your local directories or the band’s site for more info. (Rich Tate)

GWH wishes a happy birthday to Charlie Smith, who turns 78 today.

Perhaps known best as one of the Medics, Luis Hernandez died on this day in 1972.

NOSTALGIA

1918: Strangler Lewis, managed by Billy Sandow, defeated Ivan Linow in two straight falls in just under one hundred minutes at the Liberty Theatre in Savannah for promoter Max Bauman.

1934: Al Stecher defeated Ripper Reeves in the main event at the Atlanta Municipal Auditorium for promoter John Bollas. It was reported that 1,500 were in attendance for this card. It was also reported that this was John Bollas’ debut as a promoter.

1934: A main event title match between Southern Light Heavyweight Champion Hugh Winn and Son Almand was ruled a no contest at the Lakewood Heights Arena in Atlanta for promoter Frank Bettis.

1935: Jack Ross and Jim Hesslyn wrestled to a one-hour draw in the main event at the Atlanta Municipal Auditorium for promoters Frank Bettis and Cleve Roby.

1937: John Mauldin defeated Jack McAdams in the main event at the Spring Street Arena in Atlanta for promoters Frank Bettis and Cleve Roby.

1946: Herb & Jack Welch and Jack LaRue & Vic Emanuel wrestled to a draw in the main event at the Atlanta Municipal Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Paul Jones.

1952: Argentina Rocca defeated Art Nelson in the main event at the Atlanta Municipal Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Paul Jones. Also, Lou Newman defeated Kola Kwariani in the semi-main event.

1957: Don McIntyre defeated Jerry Graham in the main event at the Atlanta Municipal Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Paul Jones. Mark & Donn Lewin defeated Tom Drake & Chief Big Heart in the semi-main event.

1961: Tiny Evans defeated Skull Murphy by disqualification in the main event at the Columbus Sports Arena for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Fred Ward. Bill Dromo & Chief Little Eagle defeated Danny Miller & Gypsy Joe in the semi-main event.

1963: Eddie Graham defeated Freddie Blassie to win the World Heavyweight Title at the Atlanta Municipal Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Don McIntyre. Graham was declared the winner of his match when Blassie was unable to continue the match. Graham’s plane from Florida had been forced to land in Birmingham, AL, as Atlanta was experiencing bad weather, and he had to endure a three-hour taxi ride to Atlanta. Blassie later complained that his ribs were hindering him and the title should not have been allowed to change hands, but his complaints did not change the decision. However, Graham agreed to a return match on February 8, 1963.

1966: Louie Tillet & Bad Boy Hines defeated the Mysterious Medics by disqualification in the main event at the Macon City Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Fred Ward. Also, Donna Christianello & Lord Littlebrook defeated Judy Grable & Frenchy Lamont.

1972: El Mongol defeated Assassin #1 to retain the Georgia Heavyweight Title at the Macon City Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Fred Ward. Also, Rocket & Flash Monroe defeated Bill Dromo & Bob Armstrong to retain the Macon Tag Team Title.

1974: Tim Woods defeated Mr. Wrestling #2 by disqualification in a main event coal miner’s glove match at the Atlanta Municipal Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Paul Jones. Also, Jerry Lawler, managed by Gary Hart, defeated Roberto Soto in a semi-main event loser leaves match. Ron & Terry Garvin, managed by Jimmy Garvin, defeated Ricky Gibson & Rufus R. Jones by disqualification to retain the Georgia Tag Team Title. Bobby Duncum, also managed by Hart, and Bob Armstrong wrestled to a draw. In other matches, Robert Fuller defeated Jimmy Garvin, and Lou Thesz and Ali Vaziri (Iron Sheik) wrestled to a draw in the opener.

1977: Mr. Wrestling #1 defeated Georgia Heavyweight Champion Dick Slater by disqualification in a title match at the Warner Robins Civic Center for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Fred Ward. Also, Thunderbolt Patterson defeated Ole Anderson in the semi-main event.

1979: We do not have results for this card, but Wahoo McDaniel versus the Masked Superstar was the advertised main event at the Rome Memorial Gymnasium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Charlie Harben. The scheduled semi-main event was to be Tommy Rich & Andre the Giant versus Luke Graham & King Kong Mosca.

1981: The Freebirds (Michael Hayes & Buddy Roberts) defeated Robert Fuller & Ted DiBiase in the main event at the Mid-South Auditorium in Griffin for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Paul Jones. The Mongolian Stomper, managed by Don Carson, defeated Mr. Wrestling #2 in the semi-main event. Also, Tony Atlas defeated Kevin Sullivan, and Jos LeDuc defeated Bill Dromo. Dick Slater, who won a battle royal on this card, defeated Terry Gordy, and Bobby Eaton defeated Charlie Cook in the opener.

1981: Dick Slater defeated the Mongolian Stomper, managed by Don Carson, by disqualification in the main event at the Cobb County Civic Center in Marietta for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Paul Jones. The Freebirds (Terry Gordy & Buddy Roberts) defeated Robert Fuller & Ted DiBiase in the semi-main event. In addition, Tony Atlas defeated Kevin Sullivan, and Steve O defeated Ole Anderson by disqualification. Steve Keirn defeated Bobby Eaton in the opener.

1982: The Masked Superstar & the Super Destroyer defeated Leroy Brown & Big Red to retain the National Tag Team Title at the William Bell Auditorium in Augusta for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Charlie Harben. Also, Tommy Rich defeated Ron Bass to retain the National Heavyweight Title in the semi-main event. A title match between NWA World Junior Heavyweight Champion Les Thornton and Brad Armstrong ended in a double countout. Bob Armstrong & Jimmy Garvin and Kevin Sullivan & Buzz Sawyer wrestled to a draw. Ricky Harris (Black Bart) defeated Tommy Rogers, substituting for El Gran Apollo, in the opener.

1987: Ric Flair and Barry Windham wrestled to a draw in the main event at the Omni Auditorium in Atlanta for Jim Crockett Promotions. The Road Warriors defeated Rick Rude & Manny Fernandez by disqualification in the semi-main event, and Dusty Rhodes & Nikita Koloff defeated Ivan Koloff & Vladimir Petrov. Also, Robert Gibson & Ron Garvin defeated the Midnight Express (Dennis Condrey & Bobby Eaton). Tully Blanchard defeated Wahoo McDaniel, while Arn Anderson defeated Brad Armstrong, and Bob Armstrong defeated Jimmy Garvin. Bill Dundee defeated Dutch Mantell in the opener. It was reported that 4,500 were in attendance for this card.

– GeorgiaWrestlingHistory.com