GEORGIA WRESTLING NEWS, NOTES, AND NOSTALGIA: 03/07/2008

NEWS

Don Curtis passed away Thursday afternoon around 2 PM ET. Curtis had been in hospice care since suffering a stroke last week. Our most sincere condolences to his family in this difficult time. (Rich Tate)

Sal Rinauro sent out an email message stating he was never contacted about appearing on the March 28 Georgia Wrestling Promotions show. Rinauro confirmed that he was already booked for the Ring of Honor WrestleMania weekend in Orlando on March 28 and 29. Buff Bagwell responded to reports that he was among the wrestlers who was short paid from the February 29 GWP show in Woodstock, GA. In a phone conversation Thursday night, Bagwell said he was 100% squared up with GWP owner Roger Cantrell, and had never had experienced any money problems with Cantrell in the past. Cantrell had previously acknowledged that David Young did not receive any money at the Woodstock show, but added that he paid Young in full on Monday. Responding to reports that a number of other wrestlers had payment problems in Lafayette and Woodstock, Bagwell put the onus on the wrestlers themselves. Bagwell said they should be embarrassed to work for the same promoter again after being stiffed or shorted on pay, and should be “man enough to get their money.” (Larry Goodman)

Ultimate Christian Wrestling will be in Dallas, GA, at the Paulding County High School tonight, at 8:00 p.m. The Destroyer, Colt Derringer, Kyle Mathews, Dustin Powers, Sal Rinauro, Rob Adonis and many more will be on the card. (Larry Goodman)

Southern All-Star Wrestling is in Millersville, TN, at the Bakery tonight: Main Event-SAW Tag Team Championship – Tribal Nation (Lennox Lightfoot & Indian Outlaw)(c) versus TN Violence Authority (Hammerjack & Matt Dillenger); SAW TV Championship – Damien Adams versus Gary Valiant (w/Miss Boogie); Arrick Andrews versus Ric Santel; Chris Bomb versus J-5 (w/Cocky Cody); Drew Haskins versus Chris Cane; and Chris Eckos versus Sharp Dressed Man Lawrence. (Larry Goodman)

Tonight is the United States Wrestling Organization’s 7th Anniversary show with appearances by Bill & Jamie Dundee, Dutch Mantell, and Flash Flanagan. Kid Kash defends the USWO Championship versus Mitch Ryder plus a “fans bring the weapons” match between Tim Renesto and Steve O. (Larry Goodman)

Peach State Pandemonium will feature Jimmy Rave on March 8 at 11 AM ET. Feel free to call in at (347) 324-5735. We will also talk about the latest regarding the recent issues going on within Georgia Wrestling Promotions, as well as Senate Bill 413. Confirmed guests for upcoming shows include: Dick Steinborn, Ted Oates, and Bobby Simmons on March 15 to discuss the All-South Wrestling Alliance war with Georgia Championship Wrestling. Phil Shatter will be on the show on March 22. (Rich Tate)

Flatline Championship Wrestling is in Grovetown, GA, at Patriots Park on March 8, beginning at 7:00 PM. Admission is $7, but kids five and under get in free. Doors open at 6:30. (Thomas Bugg)

The New Frontier Wrestling Association will be back at the National Guard Armory in Franklin, NC, on March 8. The venue is located at 192 Industrial Park Loop, and matches begin at 8:00 PM. Advertised: Brokishi defends the NFWA Heavyweight Title against Carter Maine; the A-Team (Jamar Acid & Dark Angel) defend the NFWA Tag Team Title against Danny Diesel & Korrupt (w/ Sebastian St. Clair); Dirty defends the NFWA US Heavyweight Title against Talon Williams; Simon Sermon (w/ Mr. Tibbs) versus Sci-Fi; the Saturday Night Sensation (Matt Sells & Ryan Michaels) versus K.T. Hamill & Cornbread; Also scheduled to appear are Billy Starr, the Bounty Hunter, NFWA Commissioner Jay Hartigan, and NFWA officials Jen Holbrook and Dee Byers. (Rich Tate)

The United Wrestling League re-launches on March 8 in Piedmont, AL, at the Civic Center. Matches begin at 7:30 PM. Tickets for ringside seats are $12. General admission seating is $10, and children under 12 are admitted for $3. Advertised is a blindfold battle royal, as well as what they are calling the Ultimate Pro Wrestling Challenge. Expected to appear are Bull Buchanan, Derrick King, Bulldog Raines, Johnny Slaughter, Jack Lord, Stan Lee, Orion Bishop, Damon Taz, the Alabama Jawjacker, Kevin White, Yaki, Chris Baddstreet, Mike Mason, and the Machine. This will be taped for a webcast which will be available on a PPV basis beginning the following night on their website. Michael St. John and Bill Dundee will be providing commentary. The cost for the PPV will be $11.95. (Rich Tate)

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)

NOTES

Click here for a full report on the March 1 broadcast of Southern All-Star Wrestling. (Larry Goodman)

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

GWH wishes a happy birthday to Chick Donovan, who turns 61 today.

Legendary promoter Paul Boesch died on this day in 1989. He was 76.

NOSTALGIA

1883: In this, the earlier reference we have found of a professional wrestling match in Georgia, Duncan C. Ross was scheduled to wrestle Thiebauld Bauer at the DeGive Opera House in Atlanta. Bauer was billed as a ‘Professor’. It was reported the purse for the match between Bauer and Ross was $200. It is unclear as to whether this match ever actually took place, as nearly five years later a card on December 12, 1887, was reported to be the first professional wrestling match held in Atlanta.

1929: Mike Romano defeated Gene LaGene in two straight falls in the main event at the Atlanta Municipal Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Earl McGrory. McGrory resumed promoting wrestling in Atlanta after John Contos had to step out as a result of the injuries he suffered in his automobile accident in Pittsburgh, PA, on January 2, 1929.

1940: It should be noted that Ray Steele (Pete Sauer) defeated Bronko Nagurski in St. Louis, MO, to win the NWA World Heavyweight Title.

1945: Otto Schnabel and Jack Dillon wrestled to a draw in the main event at the Savannah Municipal Auditorium for promoters Lou Masters, Dick Leonard, and Buster White.

1952: Paul Jones & Don McIntyre defeated Nick Carter & Jack Dillon in the main event at the Atlanta Municipal Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling. This marked a rare return to the ring for Jones, the retired wrestler turned promoter.

1953: ‘Gorgeous’ George Wagner defeated Don McIntyre to win the Southern Heavyweight Title at the Atlanta Municipal Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Paul Jones. George was escorted to the ring by his valet Jeffries.

1955: Jerry Graham defeated Dizzy Davis in a main event Texas death match at the William Bell Auditorium in Augusta for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Tom Mahoney. The Swedish Angel defeated Red McIntyre in the semi-main event.

1958: Karl Heinkler & Kurt Von Brawner defeated Rocky Columbo & Billy Red Lyons in the main event at the Larry Bell Auditorium in Marietta for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Elmo Chappell.

1959: Ray Gunkel defeated Freddie Blassie in five rounds of a main even ten-round boxing match at the Atlanta Municipal Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Paul Jones.

1960: We do not have results, but Freddie Blassie versus Ray Gunkel was the advertised main event at the William Bell Auditorium in Augusta for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Robert ‘Bibber’ McCoy. Haystacks Calhoun was also scheduled to appear.

1961: A main event match featuring Guy Mitchell versus Skull Murphy was ruled a no contest at the Macon City Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Fred Ward. Jim Burke & Killer Campbell defeated Bill Dromo & Tiny Evans in the semi-main event.

1962: Eddie Graham defeated Assassin #2 by disqualification in the main event at the Columbus Sports Arena for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Fred Ward. Assassin #1 defeated Eduardo Martinez in the semi-main event. Also, Johnny King & Gloria Barratini defeated Frank Hickey & Mae Young in a mixed match. It was reported that 973 were in attendance for this card.

1967: Bobby Hart & Bad Boy Hines defeated Southern Tag Team Champions Lars & Gene Anderson by disqualification in a main event title match at the Macon City Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Fred Ward.

1969: Leo Garibaldi, Little John & El Mongol defeated Jack Crawford & the Assassins in the main event at the Paul Jones Sports Arena in Atlanta for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Paul Jones. It was reported that the NWA ordered the match. Dale Lewis defeated Bill Dromo in the semi-main event, and Paul DeMarco & the Professional defeated Alberto Torres & Dr. X.

1970: El Mongol defeated Nick Bockwinkel to win the Georgia Television Title at the WQXI Studios in Atlanta. This was taped for the “Atlanta TV Wrestling” television program hosted by Ed Capral.

1972: El Mongol defeated Buddy Colt to retain the Georgia Heavyweight Title at the Macon City Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Fred Ward. Bill Dromo & Roberto Soto defeated Macon Tag Team Champions Rocket & Flash Monroe by disqualification in a semi-main event title match.

1975: Mr. Wrestling #1 defeated Abdullah the Butcher, managed by Bearcat Wright, in the main event at the Atlanta Municipal Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Paul Jones. Bill Watts defeated Toru Tanaka in the semi-main event, and Rocky Johnson defeated Tarzan Tyler. Also, Jerry Brisco & Don Muraco defeated Jerry Lawler & Assassin #2. Rock Hunter managed Assassin #2 and Tanaka. Ron West and Doug Smith were credited as being referees for this card.

1976: Mr. Wrestling #2 defeated the Spoiler, managed by Gary Hart, by disqualification in the main event at the Macon Coliseum for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Fred Ward. Bob Armstrong defeated Abdullah the Butcher in the semi-main event, while a match featuring Dick Slater versus Stan Stasiak was ruled a no contest. Also, Les Thornton & Tony Charles defeated Ted & Jerry Oates.

1978: Stan Hansen defeated Bob Armstrong to retain the Georgia Heavyweight Title at the Macon Coliseum for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Fred Ward.

1981: Steve Keirn & Steve O defeated the National Tag Team Champion Freebirds (Terry Gordy & Buddy Roberts) by disqualification in a title match at the WTBS Studios in Atlanta. This was taped for the “Georgia Championship Wrestling” television program hosted by Gordon Solie. Tommy Rich returned on this episode, surprising everyone when he charged into the ring area during the match, just in time to stop Steve O from being piledrived onto the concrete floor. Rich joined Solie to apologize to the fans for his behavior while wrestling in the Memphis area during his absence from Georgia.

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

1983: The Assassin & the Super Destroyer defeated Ivan Koloff & Moondog Rex in the main event at the Richmond County Civic Center in Augusta for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Charlie Harben. Tito Santana defeated Chick Donovan in the semi-main event, and Velvet McIntyre defeated Donna Christianello.

1983: Buzz Sawyer defeated Butch Reed in the main event at the Charleston (WV) Civic Center for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Les Thatcher. Tommy Rich & Paul Orndorff defeated Ole Anderson & the Masked Superstar by disqualification in the semi-main event. Also, Dick Murdoch defeated the Iron Sheik, and Larry Zbyszko defeated Joe Lightfoot.

1985: Tommy Rich defeated Rip Rogers by disqualification in the main event in Cleveland, OH, for Championship Wrestling from Georgia promoter Ole Anderson. Ron Garvin defeated Ron Starr in the semi-main event, and Anderson defeated Scott Irwin in a brass knuckles match. Also, Bob Roop & Kareem Muhammad versus Thunderbolt Patterson & the Italian Stallion ruled a no contest.

– GeorgiaWrestlingHistory.com