GEORGIA WRESTLING NEWS, NOTES, AND NOSTALGIA: 03/20/2008

NEWS

In yesterday’s report, we inadvertently referred to Southern All-Star Wrestling as being “formerly known as Southern All-Star Wrestling. That should have read as “Showtime All-Star Wrestling, formerly known as Southern All-Star Wrestling”. Click here for a report for the March 15 broadcast. (Rich Tate and Larry Goodman)

Afa Anoai, Jr., of Florida Championship Wrestling, has been suspended for thirty days for a violation of the Wellness Program in place with World Wrestling Entertainment. (Rich Tate)

Great Championship Wrestling presents live wrestling action tonight at the Great Skate Plex in Phenix City, AL. Bell time is 7:30 and the doors open at 6:45. Tickets are $15 ringside and $12 general. The main event will be Johnny Swinger defending the GCW Heavyweight championship against Sonny Siaki. (Brian Slack)

NOTES

Jamar Acid has submitted an article to us with his thoughts on SB 413. Click here for the article. (Rich Tate)

Amy ‘Lita’ Dumas’ band, the Luchagors, will be playing at Fuel in Jacksonville, FL, tonight, and at the Backbooth in Orlando, FL, on March 21. Check your local directories or the band’s site for more info. (Rich Tate)

Trash Talking Radio, hosted by Mike Trash, will feature Chio and the Stro on its show on March 25 at 7:00 PM ET. (Rich Tate)

GWH wishes a happy birthday to Paul Christy (69), Sting (49), and Legion Cage (32).

‘Big’ John Studd died on this day in 1995 at the age of 46.

Five years ago today, cancer claimed ‘Sailor’ Art Thomas. He was 79.

NOSTALGIA

1946: Joe Bennicasa defeated Jack Singer in the main event at the Savannah Municipal Auditorium for promoters Lou Masters, Dick Leonard, and Buster White. The Silver Star defeated Charlie Harben in the semi-main event.

1948: We do not have results, but Mae Young was to wrestle Midge Marsh in Gainesville, GA, for promoter Fred Ward. Ward was not yet affiliated with Georgia Championship Wrestling.

1962: Ray Villmer & Haystacks Calhoun defeated the Assassins by disqualification in the main event at the Macon City Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Fred Ward. Eddie Graham defeated Evon Marion in the semi-main event, and Dick Steinborn defeated Charlie Harben.

1963: Tarzan Tyler defeated Tarzan White in the main event at the Columbus Sports Arena for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Fred Ward. The Bat defeated Jack Armstrong in the semi-main event.

1970: Ray Gunkel & Buddy Fuller, managed by Doug Gilbert, defeated the Assassins to win the Georgia Tag Team Title at the Atlanta Municipal Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Paul Jones. Gilbert had begun rehabilitation for a possible return to the ring despite doctors saying he may never wrestle again. Nick Bockwinkel defeated El Mongol to win the Georgia Television Title in the semi-main event. Charlie Harben and Leo Garibaldi were credited as being referees for this card. The program for this card reported that NWA President Sam Muchnick had a meeting in Atlanta with Paul Jones to discuss the petition that had been submitted requesting the Assassins be suspended and stripped of the Georgia Tag Team Title. A decision would be forthcoming after an investigation. It also featured letters reportedly written to Paul Jones from Dory Funk, Jr., Jim Crockett, and Jules Strongbow, denouncing the Assassins and showing support for his campaign for their suspension. However, since Gunkel & Fuller won the title from them on this card, it became moot.

1971: Klondike Bill defeated Luke Graham to win the Georgia Television Title on the “Atlanta TV Wrestling” television program hosted by Ed Capral. It was announced that Buddy Colt had been fined $250 for attacking special referee Joe Higuchi following the match against El Mongol on March 19, 1971, and a suspension was possible as well. In addition, Colt’s manager, Homer O’Dell, vowed to file an appeal to the NWA to demand a rematch, as they felt Higuchi was partial to Mongol. It was also announced that the NWA had denied the Assassins’ protest to be able to return to wearing matching masks and tights.

1973: Rock Hunter & Assassin #2 defeated Dick Steinborn & Argentina Apollo to win the Georgia Tag Team Title at the Atlanta Municipal Auditorium for All-South Wrestling Alliance promoter Ann Gunkel. Ernie Ladd defeated Ox Baker in the main event.

1973: Bob Armstrong & Mr. Wrestling #1 defeated the Macon Tag Team Champion Super Infernos, managed by J.C. Dykes, by disqualification in a title match at the Macon Coliseum for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Fred Ward.

1977: Andre the Giant defeated Blackjack Mulligan by countout in the main event at the Savannah Civic Center for Jim Crockett Promotions promoter Aaron Newman.

1978: Tony Atlas defeated Georgia Heavyweight Champion Stan Hansen by disqualification in a title match at the William Bell Auditorium in Augusta for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Charlie Harben. Mr. Wrestling #2 defeated Ole Anderson in the semi-main event, and Thunderbolt Patterson defeated Ric Flair.

1979: Stan Hansen & Wahoo McDaniel defeated Ole Anderson & Ivan Koloff in the main event at the Macon Coliseum for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Fred Ward. Bob Armstrong defeated the Masked Superstar by disqualification in the semi-main event. Also, Tommy Rich defeated Rocket Monroe, substituting for Blackjack Lanza.

1982: Bob Armstrong & Tommy Rich defeated Ron Bass & the Super Destroyer in the main event at the Chattanooga (TN) Memorial Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Paul Jones. Buzz Sawyer defeated Jimmy Garvin in the semi-main event, and Brad Armstrong defeated Kevin Sullivan.

1983: Killer Brooks defeated Paul Orndorff to win the National Heavyweight Title at the Omni Coliseum in Atlanta for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Paul Jones. Larry Zbyszko immediately paid Brooks $25,000 for the title. Dick Murdoch defeated Ivan Koloff by disqualification in the semi-main event. Also, Tommy Rich defeated Zbyszko, and Tony Atlas defeated the Iron Sheik. Stan Hansen & the Masked Superstar defeated Ole Anderson & Buzz Sawyer in a Canadian lumberjack match.

1983: Jimmy Valiant defeated Oliver Humperdink in the main event at the Savannah Civic Center for Jim Crockett Promotions promoter Aaron Newman. Valiant & Bugsy McGraw defeated Greg Valentine & Dick Slater in the semi-main event, and Sweet Brown Sugar defeated Jake Roberts by disqualification.

– GeorgiaWrestlingHistory.com