GEORGIA WRESTLING NEWS, NOTES, AND NOSTALGIA: 03/14/2008

NEWS

We have received word that Southern Extreme Championship Wrestling promoter Scott East has returnGEORGIA ed home to recuperate after angioplasty. (Rich Tate)

I had intended to write one last follow up to the Georgia Wrestling Promotions saga related to Roger Cantrell’s assertion that bad booking was largely to blame for the cancellation of the March 14 Dalton show, but that was before Monday night’s Jerkin' the Curtain radio show hosted by Trent Van Drisse and myself. One of the GWP bookers, “Reverend” Dan Wilson was the featured guest, and the other one, Iceberg called in about midway through the show. We covered everything I would have touched on in the story and then some. Click here for this particular episode. It’s worth a listen to hear how creepy “The Rev” can be, and just to hear Iceberg talk period. Wilson added the following thoughts about getting the opportunity to work with so many great veteran performers at GWP. “I mentioned I didn't get to talk to Raven, but had a great deal of respect for him. All the others were tremendous and I'd be remiss if I didn't extend a shout out and thanks to specifically Buff Bagwell, Bill Dundee, Jamie Dundee, Bill Eadie, Tracy Smothers, Gangrel, and Chick Donovan for all their professionalism and willingness to give honest, experienced, and knowledgeable critiques. If there's anyone I'm leaving out, I apologize, but those men, in particular, stood out as guys who had no requirement by any means to go as far as they did to try and give advice to the boys, and pass on some of their great knowledge. But they did it, and everyone who was fortunate enough to pay attention learned a little more about their craft on those days. That was far and above the greatest part about my tenure with GWP.” (Larry Goodman)

A sell out crowd of 320 came into the Great Skate Plex to watch Great Championship Wrestling action on March 13. Randy Ray and Jeff McGowan were the referees on record. GCW tag team champion, J-Rod defeated "The Wrestling Marvel" Michael Cook after hitting a TKO. The Bruiser won his debut by making Jonathan Davis pass out from the bear hug. Orion Bishop w/Wicked Nemesis defeated AJ Steele w/The Intern thanks to outside interference from Johnny Slaughter and a running powerslam from Bishop. "That 80's Guy" John Bogie defeated Amien Rios after an 80s Sault. Randall Johnson defeated GCW tag team champion Tex Monroe after blocking Monroe's outside in sunset flip, sitting on his chest and holding on the ropes to get the pin. "The Beach Boy" Scotty Beach defeated Zero Tolerance w/Quentin Michaels after Bull Buchanan distracted Zero and Scotty rolled him up for the 3 count. In the main event, David Young, Sonny Siaki and Bull Buchanan defeated The Michaels, Inc., team of GCW Heavyweight champion Johnny Swinger and Hot Like Lava (Shaun Banks and GCW Interstate champion Cru Jones) w/Quentin Michaels and Zero Tolerance. Click here for a full report. (Brian Slack)

Deuce and Domino will be appearing on March 15 at the Opry Mills Mall in Nashville, TN, signing autographs as part of the WrestleMania Fan Axxess Tour from Noon to 2:00 PM. (Rich Tate)

On March 15, at the Paul C. Parker Arena in Cornelia, GA, it's the final stop for NWA Anarchy on the highway to Hardcore Hell featuring: Mikal Judas versus Iceberg (with Reverend Dan Wilson) for the right to face Shatter for the Anarchy Heavyweight Title at Hardcore Hell; Mr. Adonis versus a Jerry Palmer's mystery opponent to determine the stipulation at Hardcore Hell. If Adonis wins, Jeremy Vain get Palmer in a wrestling match, but if Palmer wins, he gets Vain in a Bunkhouse Match with Adonis handcuffed to the ring; Truitt Fields defends the Anarchy Television Title against "Merciless" Don Matthews (with "Stray Cat" Brodie Chase); Anarchy Tag Team Title Match: Devil's Rejects ("Sleeper Cell" Shaun Tempers & "Son of Satan" Azrael with the Rev) (c) versus "The Big Deal" Sal Rinauro & "Kool" Seth Delay; Nemesis and Slim J will square off verbally, but there's a catch. If it gets physical the offending party is terminated from Anarchy and banned from the NWA for life; and Hollywood Brunettes ("The Wizard of Ahhs" Andrew Alexander & Kyle Matthews) versus Talent & Money (J. T. Talent & Andrew Pendleton III). Plus: Todd Sexton unveils his new prodigies, The Regular Guys, and explains why he chose them to help his efforts. And appearances by Awesome Attraction (Austin Creed & Hayden Young), Adrian Hawkins, The New Wave, Wes Grissom, Chip Day, Buck & King, and more. (Larry Goodman)

Kingdom Championship Wrestling will be at Church Central, located at 620 South Wilkinson Street, in Milledgeville, GA, on March 15. Bell time is 7:00 PM. Advertised: Chick Donovan versus the Nightmare for the vacant KCW Heavyweight Title; Mr. Ohio versus the Georgia Bulldog for the KCW National Heavyweight Title; Power House versus Dark Side; Loco Motive versus Choo Choo Express in a train wreck match; Bobby Joiner versus Bulldog Raines; and Ricky Silver versus Q-Ball for the KCW Light Heavyweight Title. There will also be a ten-man battle royal to determine the number one contender for the KCW Title. (Rich Tate)

Power Pro Wrestling will return to the Temple Gym in Temple, GA, on March 15, with matches starting at 7:30 PM. Advertised: Cru Jones, Shaun Banks, J-Rod, Frankie Valentine, Chris Lightning, Chris Ganz, Jason Lynn, Dark Star, the Russian Kodiak, Fantasy, Gorgeous Stephanie, A.J. Steele, Josh Stone, Brandy Scotch Baker, Randall Johnson, and Michael Cook. Advance tickets are available by calling Nickell Rental in Temple at (770) 562-1222. (Rich Tate)

American Pro Wrestling will be back in Spartanburg, SC, on March 15. Advertised: Ken Magnum defends the APW Heavyweight Title against Tracy Smothers; Randy Wayne, Boomer & Dookie Payne versus Erik Anton, Mike Madden & Adam Jaxon; Heath Havoc & A.J. Frost defend the APW Tag Team Title versus Evan Force & Jake Jeckel; and Chief Jay Eagle versus the Assassin. (Rich Tate)

United Championship Wrestling will be back in Maryville, TN, on March 15 at the National Guard Armory, located at US Highway 321. The matches get underway at 8:15 PM, with a $10 admission. Advertised: Rick Steiner versus Edward Idol; John Justice versus Jeff Anderson in a last man standing match; Shane Williams defends the UCW Heavyweight Title against Henry Hoss; Trooper T versus the Rip; the Platinum Kings versus the Death Row Inmates; John Noble versus Donovan Daniels; and a hardcore match featuring Scotty Atomic versus the Man Called Chester. UCW is on TV in the Knoxville area on Saturdays at 11:30 via WMAK Channel 7. (Rich Tate)

The Florida Pro Wrestling Association returns to North Pinellas Park, FL, on March 15, in conjunction with XWE and KocoSports, at the Boys & Girls Club, located at 7790 61st Street. Matches start at 8:00 PM. All tickets are $10. Call (727) 368-6137 for more info. Advertised: Lou Cypher & State Line versus Sideshow & Punk and Disorderly; Torcher defends the XWE Heavyweight Title against Aaron Epic; Mark Zout versus Kahagas; and the Loggers versus the Psychedelics. Also scheduled are Heater, Flex Tolley, Marcus Hall, Kennedy Kendrick, Ash Kristiansen, Lenea, and Fetish. (Rich Tate)

K&S Wrestlefest is presenting the World Class Ringside Reunion event, to be held in Allentown, PA, on March 15, at Carson’s Pro Wrestling World. There will be an autograph session from 10:30 AM to 12:30 PM, and a Q&A session from 1-2:30 PM. Call (516) 473-4944 for more info. Gary Hart, Bill Irwin, and Skandor Akbar are scheduled to appear. (Rich Tate)

The Independent Wrestling Network will be having a show at the Wrestleplex in Fort Valley, GA, on March 22. Tickets are $10 for general admission and $5 for kids, with bell time being 7:30. The main event is going to be Buff Bagwell taking on Vordell Walker. The Southside Trash versus Bronco Bryan, Frankie Valentine and Ron Stalker. Mr Hughes versus Scottie Blaze. The Wrestler versus Prince Rhumma. Jonathan Davis versus Amien Rios. (Brian Slack)

Flatline Championship Wrestling is in Grovetown, GA, at Patriots Park on March 22, beginning at 7:00 PM. Admission is $7, but kids five and under get in free. Doors open at 6:30. (Thomas Bugg)

Southern Classic Wrestling will be having their rebirth on March 22 at Big Dogs Billiards in Sandersville, GA. Bell time is 8:00 and adult tickets are $6, and kids under 12 get in for $3. In the main event for the vacant SCW Heavyweight Championship, Big Bank Barfield takes on Leatherface. In a ladies match, Envy takes on Priscilla. "Hotshot" Jamie Holmes takes on his former tag team partner Ronnie Rage. In tag team action, it will be the Cult of Chaos versus the Stanton Clan. Flatline versus Tommy Lee in a Last Man Standing match. Javier Santana makes his SCW debut as he faces a returning Mike Margera. Also debuting is Shimazu the Devil who faces Brad North. Also scheduled is "Marvelous" Matt Mercer to face an unknown opponent. (Brian Slack)

The All-Star Wrestling Network presents their monthly Outsiders show on March 29 at the Wrestleplex in Fort Valley, GA. This show is for talent new to AWN for a shot at impressing AWN officials. Bell time is 7:30pm and tickets are $5 for all seats. The main event will be "Mean" Mike Stratus taking on The Super Skull. In tag team action, Bad Reputation w/Killer Keith Steinborn versus The New Age Freebirds. "Hell's Henchman" Loco Motive versus "The Prodigal Son" Bobby Joiner. "The Rock N Roll Rebel" versus "The Bulldog". And "The Real Superstar" Derrick Andrew Reynolds versus Scotty Carmichael. (Brian Slack)

NOTES

On March 15 at 11:00 AM ET, in the first of what we hope to become a recurring feature on our show, Peach State Pandemonium will hold the first roundtable discussion. This one will feature Dick Steinborn, Ted Oates, and Bobby Simmons, and we will be discussing the All-South Wrestling Alliance, which produced one of the most intriguing wrestling wars in the history of the business. Steinborn was part of the handful of folks behind the plan, Oates was the young up-and-comer pushed heavily, and Simmons established himself as a referee and a guy who could be trusted, earning the respect of Jim Barnett, who brought him to Georgia Championship Wrestling upon the demise of the ASWA. (Rich Tate)

Click here for Richard Berger’s updated Perspectives on Wrestling. (Rich Tate)

Jack Hurley fell to his death from a hotel balcony in 1933.

Happy Humphrey suffered a fatal heart attack on this day in 1989.

Antonio Baillargeon died on this day in 1997 at the age of 68.

NOSTALGIA

1933: Gino Garibaldi defeated Whitey Hewitt by disqualification two falls to one in the main event at the Atlanta Municipal Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Henry Weber. Paul Jones and Tom Marvin wrestled to a one hour draw in the semi-main event.

1934: Jim Londos defeated George Zaharias to retain the NWA World Heavyweight Title at the Atlanta Municipal Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Henry Weber.

1939: Jack McAdams defeated the Red Devil to retain the Southern Light Heavyweight Title at the Warren Arena in Atlanta for promoters Frank Bettis and Cleve Roby. During the match, McAdams removed the Devil’s mask to identify him as Mike Cassidy.

1945: Abe Ginsberg defeated Jack Dillon in the main event at the Savannah Municipal Auditorium for promoters Lou Masters, Dick Leonard, and Buster White.

1947: Don McIntyre & Nick Carter defeated Wally Dusek & Wally Greb in the main event at the Atlanta Municipal Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Paul Jones. Jack Dempsey was the special referee for the match. Johnny Long and Tom Mahoney wrestled to a draw in the semi-main event.

1953: A main event featuring Mike Paidousis versus Gorgeous George ruled a no contest at the Savannah Municipal Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Joe Cassius.

1958: Don McIntyre defeated the Mighty Yankee by KO in sixth round of a main event ten-round boxing match at the Atlanta Municipal Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Paul Jones. Karl Heinkler & Kurt Von Brawner defeated Ray Gunkel & Rocky Columbo in the semi-main event.

1961: Gypsy Joe & Skull Murphy defeated Guy Mitchell & Chief Little Eagle to retain the Southern Tag Team Title at the Macon City Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Fred Ward.

1962: The US Tag Team Champion Assassins and Eddie Graham & Haystacks Calhoun wrestled to a draw in a title match at the Columbus Sports Arena for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Fred Ward. There were two referees for the match. Ray Villmer defeated Frank Hickey & Jack Terry in a handicap match. It was reported that 1,579 were in attendance for this card.

1964: In an ongoing tournament for the Southern Television Title at the WAII Studios in Atlanta, Chief Little Eagle defeated Red Roberts to advance on the “Live Atlanta Wrestling” television program hosted by Ed Capral.

1967: The Fabulous Moolah defeated Judy Grable to retain the Women’s World Title at the Macon City Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Fred Ward. Also, Bad Boy Hines defeated Gene Anderson, and Bob Armstrong defeated Bull Ramos.

1969: Buddy Fuller defeated Jack Crawford in the main event at the Atlanta Municipal Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Paul Jones. In the semi-main event, Ray Gunkel & Louie Tillet defeated the Assassins, managed by Crawford. The Assassins were at ringside during the match between Crawford and Fuller. Following the match they left Crawford lying in the ring, bloody and motionless. Also, Paul DeMarco defeated Bob Armstrong, and the Professional defeated Bill Dromo.

1970: On the “Atlanta TV Wrestling” television program hosted by Ed Capral, Ray Gunkel & Buddy Fuller announced they would be reuniting to challenge the Assassins for the Georgia Tag Team Title on March 20, 1970.

1972: Bill Dromo won a battle royal at the Macon Coliseum for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Fred Ward. Also participating were the Champ, Buddy Colt, Tim Geohagen, Klondike Bill, Bepo Mongol, El Mongol, Flash Monroe, Rocket Monroe, Roberto Soto, Billy Spears, and Karl Von Stroheim.

1975: Mr. Wrestling #1 defeated Toru Tanaka, managed by Rock Hunter, in the main event at the Atlanta Municipal Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Paul Jones. Haystacks Calhoun defeated Abdullah the Butcher, managed by Bearcat Wright, in the semi-main event. Also, Harley Race defeated Danny Little Bear, substituting for Dusty Rhodes, while Jerry Lawler and Don Muraco wrestled to a draw. Ron West and Doug Smith were credited as being referees for this card.

1976: Dick Slater defeated Stan Stasiak in the main event at the Macon Coliseum for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Fred Ward. Bob Armstrong & Mr. Wrestling #2 defeated Georgia Tag Team Champions Les Thornton & Tony Charles by disqualification in a title match. Bob Backlund defeated Jerry Stubbs, substituting for Moondog Mayne, and Rick Martel defeated Skandor Akbar.

1977: Black Atlas defeated the French Angel, managed by J.J. Dillon, by disqualification in the main event in Fayetteville, GA, for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Paul Jones. Raymond Rougeau defeated Bill Howard in the semi-main event.

1978: Nick Bockwinkel, managed by Bobby Heenan, defeated Mr. Wrestling #2 to retain the AWA Heavyweight Title at the Macon Coliseum for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Fred Ward. Also, Tommy Rich defeated Stan Hansen in the final round of a one-night tournament to win the Macon Heavyweight Title. Also in the tournament were Tony Atlas, Jacques Goulet, Raymond Rougeau, Pierre Lefebvre, Helmut Schmidt, Ole Anderson, Adrian Adonis, the Bounty Hunter, Wolfgang Schmidt, and Mr. Wrestling #1. Rock Hunter managed Wolfgang & Helmut Schmidt. The advertisement for this card had Mr. Wrestling #1 challenging Bockwinkel, and Mr. Wrestling #2 appearing in the tournament. There was no explanation provided for this change, but it also could have been an error on the advertisement.

1981: Ted DiBiase defeated the Mongolian Stomper, managed by Don Carson, in the main event at the VFW Fairgrounds in Carrollton for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Hugh Butler. Steve O & Mike Davis defeated Jos LeDuc & the Mighty Yankee in the semi-main event. Also, Jerry Oates defeated Ken Timbs.

1981: Mr. Wrestling #2 defeated Don Carson in the main event at the Chattanooga (TN) Memorial Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Paul Jones. The Freebirds (Terry Gordy & Buddy Roberts) defeated Robert Fuller & Steve Keirn to retain the National Tag Team Title. Also, Charlie Cook defeated Jim Duggan, and Kevin Sullivan defeated Ted Oates.

1982: Bob Armstrong & Tommy Rich defeated Roddy Piper & the Great Kabuki in the main event at the Chattanooga (TN) Memorial Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Paul Jones. Brad Armstrong defeated Kevin Sullivan and Buzz Sawyer in two separate matches.

1982: Ric Flair defeated Harley Race to retain the NWA World Heavyweight Title at the Omni Coliseum in Atlanta for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Paul Jones. Roddy Piper defeated Tommy Rich in the semi-main event. Also, Bob Armstrong defeated the Great Kabuki, managed by Gary Hart, by disqualification, and Ole Anderson & Stan Hansen defeated Dusty Rhodes & Terry Funk, who was billed as a mystery partner. John Studd & the Super Destroyer defeated Brad Armstrong, substituting for Ron Fuller, & Leroy Brown. In other matches, Buzz Sawyer defeated Jimmy Garvin, while Brad Armstrong and Kevin Sullivan wrestled to a draw. Gino Hernandez defeated Tom Prichard in the opener.

1983: Dick Murdoch & the Masked Superstar, substituting for Tommy Rich, defeated Ole Anderson & Buzz Sawyer in the main event at the Richmond County Civic Center in Augusta for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Charlie Harben. Paul Orndorff defeated the Assassin by disqualification in the semi-main event, and Larry Zbyszko defeated Brian Blair. Also, Larry Zbyszko, substituting for Pete Martin, defeated Brian Blair, while Monndog Rex & the Iron Sheik, substituting for Moondog Spot, defeated the Masked Superstar & the Super Destroyer. Zbyszko defeated Joe Lightfoot in the opener.

– GeorgiaWrestlingHistory.com