GEORGIA WRESTLING NEWS, NOTES, AND NOSTALGIA: 04/03/2008

NEWS

On April 5 at 11:00 AM ET, Peach State Pandemonium will air a special two-hour episode in honor of Gary Hart. Bill Watts, Jack Brisco, Bill Irwin, Skandor Akbar, George Steele, Abdullah the Butcher, Michael Hayes, and Kevin Sullivan are scheduled to appear. In conjunction with K&S Wrestlefest, there will be a DVD giveaway of a Q&A featuring Hart, Irwin, and Akbar, done on March 15, one day before Gary’s passing. More details will be released throughout the week. (Rich Tate)

Regarding the story posted yesterday, Southern Extreme Championship Wrestling promoter Scott East and Ricky Spears of Power Pro Wrestling have had a personal conversation, according to both. We learned of this conversation only after we posted the story. After informing us of his concerns, the story was held until a reasonable amount of time had passed for East to respond. During that time, Spears did not communicate with us that he had already personally addressed the issue with East. In a voice mail received Wednesday night, East said his people would not do that, and that he personally put some of the PPW posters back up himself, as they apparently had been removed by torrential rain that has passed through the area recently. Spears confirmed via email that he had talked with East, noting that he personally apologized to East, but also made it clear that he hopes “whoever did this got their kicks and is through with their childish game.” (Rich Tate)

Southern Extreme Championship Wrestling runs in Carrollton, GA, tonight at the VFW Fairgrounds, beginning at 7:30 PM. Doors open at 6:30. Ringside tickets are $10, while general admission is $8. Call (770) 355-5742 for more info. Advertised: a falls-count-anywhere match featuring Tommy Rich versus Abdullah the Butcher; Bobby Eaton versus Ricky Morton; Bulldog Raines versus the Super Destroyer; Iceberg versus two opponents in a handicap match; Adrian Hawkins versus Frankie Valentine; and the Exotic Ones (Rick Michaels & Simons Sermon) versus Chris Ganz & Kid Ego. (Rich Tate)

The Georgia Pro Wrestling Association returns to Tifton, GA, at the City Limits tonight. Matches scheduled include: GPWA tag team champs The Marvelous Ones and Iron Will versus Johnny Romano & Prince Murphy (United Alliance) and Psych, GPWA Heavyweight champ Preston Paradise versus Sam Slaughter, and "The Real Deal" Jake Slater versus Ron Stalker. Also scheduled to appear: "Insane" Mike Pain, "Big Bank" Barfield, and the Almighty Brokishi. (Thomas Bugg)

Tonight, Great Championship Wrestling will be having a mini-preview of the War Games main event at the Great Skate Plex in Phenix City, AL, at 7:30 pm. Michaels, Inc., members Shaun Banks and the GCW Heavyweight champion Johnny Swinger will face off against Sonny Siaki and half of the GCW tag team champions, J-Rod. (Brian Slack)

NWA Anarchy returns to Cornelia, GA, on April 5 for an International Television Taping at the NWA Arena with an 8 pm bell time. Advertised matches include: Jeff Lewis & Hollywood Brunettes (Andrew Alexander & Kyle Matthews) vs. Truitt Fields & New Wave (Derrik Driver & Steven Walters), the new NWA Anarchy Heavyweight Champion Iceberg defends against ?, NWA Anarchy Tag Team Title Match: Devil's Rejects (Azrael & Shaun Tempers with The Reverend) (c) vs. Billy Buck & Chris King, G-Rated (Sal Rinauro & Seth Delay) vs. Talent & Money (J. T. Talent & Andrew Pendleton III), Chad Parham defends his Certificate of Awesomeness, Brodie Ray Chase vs. Hayden Young, Team Technician (Todd Sexton & Tyler Smith & Bob E.) vs. Wes Grissom & Chip Day & Adrian Hawkins, Nemesis & Jay Fury vs. opponents to be named. Plus appearances by Mikal Judas, Austin Creed, a statement from Attorney Jeff G. Bailey and Shatter about their future plans, Jeremy Vain & Mr. Adonis and NWA Anarchy owner Jerry Palmer, and will we hear from Slim J and Shadow Jackson? (Larry Goodman)

The New Frontier Wrestling Association returns to Franklin, NC, on April 5 to celebrate their second anniversary at the National Guard Armory, located at 192 Industrial Park Loop. Bell time is 8:00 PM. Advertised: a four-way match, whereas if a champion in pinned, they lose their title, featuring NFWA Heavyweight Champion Brokishi, NFWA US Heavyweight Champion Dirty, Simon Sermon, and Stoney Hooker; a fan participation strap match featuring Billy Starr versus Carter Maine; the A-Team (Jamar Acid & Dark Angel) defend the NFWA Tag Team Title against the Saturday Night Sensation (Matt Sells & Ryan Michaels); Tommy Too Much versus Cornbread; and a twenty-man rumble featuring NFWA wrestlers from the past, present, and future. (Rich Tate)

Georgia Wrestling Promotions has a second show at Marietta Truck Beds and Trailer on Sunday April 6 with a 2 pm bell time. Advertised matches include Notorious D.O.G. & Murder One vs. Terry Lawler & Jess Wade in a Lights Out Parking Lot Brawl, Buff Bagwell & Eric Stanton vs. Hot Like Lave (Cru Jones & Shawn Banks with Lexi Pilman), Sonny Siaki vs. Jamar Acid in an No DQ match, Leatherface & ? vs. Russian Kodiak & Flatline (with Ace Hefner), Brian Alexander the Great vs. Dustin Powers, David Raines (with Matthew St. Clair) vs. Captain Chaos. Special meet and greet with Buff Bagwell and Manny Fernandez at 1pm. (Larry Goodman)

DISCLAIMER: GWH is not liable for any card changes, cancellations, etc. We can only report what is reported to us. As always, we suggest you check with the promotion within 24 hours to verify information posted here.

NOTES

GWH wishes a happy birthday to Lance Storm (39) and Monty Brown (38).

Today in Memoriam: Jack Forbes (64, 1953), Bobby Managoff (84, 2002), and Bobby Whitlock (68, 2005)

NOSTALGIA

APRIL 3, 1934 (TUESDAY) – ATLANTA, GA – ATLANTA MUNICIPAL AUDITORIUM (Henry Weber – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Frank Speer defeated Jimmy Parker > George Zaharias defeated Dorv Roche (2-1)

APRIL 3, 1936 (FRIDAY) – ATLANTA, GA – PIEDMONT-ELLIS ARENA (Frank Bettis – Promoter) > Bob Anderson versus Red Dugan > Eddie Elzea versus Young Londos > John Mauldin versus Sammy Miller / Notes: No documented results for this card have been found.

APRIL 3, 1951 (TUESDAY) – ATLANTA, GA – SPORTS ARENA (Jack Troy – Promoter) > The Thing defeated Creepy St. Cloud > Harry Barnard defeated Sam Roberts > Johnny Long defeated Butcher Boy Martin at 21:00 > Larry King and Hank Saggart wrestled to a draw at 30:00

APRIL 3, 1953 (FRIDAY) – ATLANTA, GA – ATLANTA MUNICIPAL AUDITORIUM (Paul Jones – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Carlos Guzman defeated Jack Steele > Midget Tag Team Match: Farmer Pete & Sonny Boy Cassidy and Irish Jackie & “Unknown Partner” wrestled to a draw > Henry Harrell defeated Tex Riley by disqualification > Don McIntyre & Mike Paidousis defeated Mayes McLain & Aldo Bogni / Notes: It is unclear as to who Irish Jackie's partner in the match with Farmer Pete & Sonny Boy Cassidy was, and whether this was billed as a "Mystery Partner", or if the newspaper couldn't get the facts correct.

APRIL 3, 1957 (WEDNESDAY) – AUGUSTA, GA – WILLIAM BELL AUDITORIUM (Tom Mahoney – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Harry Lewis versus Kurt Von Brawner > Guy LaRose versus the Great Mitsu > Argentina Rocca versus Tokyo Joe / Notes: No documented results for this card have been found. Although not mentioned, Kola Kwariani was likely in attendance, as he was charged with traveling with Argentina Rocca as a troubleshooter for him.

APRIL 3, 1959 (FRIDAY) – ATLANTA, GA – ATLANTA MUNICIPAL AUDITORIUM [P] (Paul Jones – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Don McClarty defeated Bob Shipp > Albert Mills defeated Johnny Gilbert > Ray Gunkel defeated Skull Murphy by disqualification > Southern Heavyweight Title Match: Freddie Blassie* versus Dickie Gunkel wrestled to a draw / Notes: Freddie Blassie had been the reigning Southern Heavyweight Champion since he defeated Ray Gunkel on January 2, 1959, in Atlanta. According to the program for this card, the “Live Atlanta Wrestling” television program is still airing “on Channel 11 every Saturday afternoon at 6:00”, but for the first time it is stated that the program runs 90 minutes. It was announced that Mickey Blassie and Ethel Johnson would be wrestling in Atlanta soon. Dickie Gunkel participated in an autograph session for fans.

APRIL 3, 1961 (MONDAY) – AUGUSTA, GA – WILLIAM BELL AUDITORIUM (Robert McCoy – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Women’s Battle Royal featuring Judy Grable, Rita Cortez, Betty Evans, Maria Perez, and Fran Gravette > Tiny Evans versus El Lobo > International Tag Team Title Match: Gypsy Joe & Skull Murphy* versus Bill Dromo & Chief Little Eagle / Notes: No documented results for this card have been found. It is unclear as to the reason for the battle royal. It is unclear as to how Gypsy Joe & Skull Murphy came to be recognized as International Tag Team Champions. The last reference we have shows the Corsicans defending the title against Doug Gilbert & Lou Whitson on June 10, 1960, in Atlanta.

APRIL 3, 1962 (TUESDAY) – MACON, GA – MACON CITY AUDITORIUM (Fred Ward – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Charley Laye defeated Johnny King > Andre Drapp defeated Evon Marion > Ray Villmer defeated Ali Bey by disqualification > Eddie Graham & Dick Steinborn defeated Tojo Yamamoto & Taro Myaki

APRIL 3, 1963 (WEDNESDAY) – COLUMBUS, GA – COLUMBUS MUNICIPAL AUDITORIUM (Fred Ward – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > George Bell and Ted Evans wrestled to a draw > Lenny Montana & Tarzan Tyler defeated Jack Armstrong & Chief Little Eagle > World Heavyweight Title Match: Eddie Graham* defeated the Bat / Notes: Eddie Graham had been the reigning World Heavyweight Champion since he defeated Freddie Blassie on February 1, 1963, in Atlanta.

APRIL 3, 1964 (FRIDAY) – ATLANTA, GA – ATLANTA MUNICIPAL AUDITORIUM [P] (Don McIntyre – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Chief Little Eagle defeated Charlie Carr > Stan Stasiak defeated Jerry London > Tex Riley, Guy Taylor & Red Steiner defeated George Harris, Randy Roper & Red Roberts > Sputnik Monroe defeated Bob Ellis > Fritz Von Erich defeated Joe Scarpa / Notes: It was announced that Buddy Fuller, Lou Thesz, Saul Weingeroff, and Kurt & Karl Von Brauner would be wrestling in Atlanta soon.

APRIL 3, 1965 (SATURDAY) – ATLANTA, GA – WAII STUDIOS (Paul Jones – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > The Corsicans defeated Tony Marino & Red Roberts by disqualification > Pancho Villa defeated Mario Galento by disqualification > Buddy Fuller defeated Randy Roper / Notes: This was for the “Live Atlanta Wrestling” television program hosted by Ed Capral.

APRIL 3, 1970 (FRIDAY) – ATLANTA, GA – ATLANTA MUNICIPAL AUDITORIUM [P] (Paul Jones – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Bill Dromo & Greg Peterson defeated Chati Yokuchi & Fuji > Paul DeMarco defeated Les Wolff > Alberto & Ramon Torres defeated Buddy Colt & Karl Von Stroheim > Nick Bockwinkel defeated Joe Scarpa by disqualification > Doug Gilbert & El Mongol defeated the Assassins by disqualification / Notes: Homer O’Dell managed Buddy Colt & Karl Von Stroheim. Stroheim was billed as a mystery partner to Buddy Colt for the match with Alberto & Ramon Torres, but it is unclear as to whether he was the same mystery partner who did not appear on March 27, 1970. El Medico accompanied the Assassins to the ring for their match with Doug Gilbert & El Mongol. At one point during the bout, the masked men left the ring, upset that their opponents seemed intent with removing their masks, but they were met on stage by Paul Jones. Jones reportedly threatened to suspend them if they did not return to the ring. After some heated conversation, they did as instructed to avoid being banned. Medico interfered in the match, bringing it to an end. Leo Garibaldi was credited as being a referee for this card. It was announced that Dory Funk, Jr., would be wrestling in Atlanta on April 10, 1970.

APRIL 3, 1971 (SATURDAY) – ATLANTA, GA – WQXI STUDIOS (Paul Jones – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Klondike Bill defeated Krusher Karlson > Buddy Colt defeated Eduardo DeLynch > Bob Griffin & Roberto Soto defeated Michel Dubois & Fidel Castillo by disqualification / Notes: This was taped for the “Atlanta TV Wrestling” television program hosted by Ed Capral. Homer O’Dell managed Buddy Colt.

APRIL 3, 1973 (TUESDAY) – ATLANTA, GA – PAUL JONES SPORTS ARENA [P] (Paul Jones – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Women’s Tag Team Match: Joyce Grable & Tippi Wells versus Peggy Patterson & Dottie Downs > Cadillac Tournament Match: Bob Orton, Jr., defeated Ben Justice > Cadillac Tournament Match: Bobby Hart and Jim Wilson wrestled to a draw > Cadillac Tournament Match: Butcher Brannigan defeated Lorenzo Parente > Cadillac Tournament Match: Sputnik Monroe and Mr. Wrestling #2 wrestled to a draw > Texas Death Match: Bobby Shane versus Bob Orton, Jr. / Notes: Joyce Grable & Tippi Wells versus Peggy Patterson & Dottie Downs were scheduled to wrestle each other, as were Bobby Shane and Bob Orton, Jr., but no results were reported after the card. Butcher Brannigan substituted for Bill Watts in the match with Lorenzo Parente.

APRIL 3, 1973 (TUESDAY) – ATLANTA, GA – ATLANTA MUNICIPAL AUDITORIUM [P] (Ann Gunkel – Promoter / All-South Wrestling Alliance) > Guillotine Gordon versus Kubla Khan > Wayne Cowan versus Bearcat Wilkerson > Krusher Karlson versus Koa Tiki > Randy Curtis versus Bill Bowman > Dick Steinborn versus Tommy Seigler > Ron Pritchard versus Joe Turner > Ray Candy, Ernie Ladd, Argentina Apollo & El Mongol versus Jack Armstrong, Rock Hunter, Ox Baker & Assassin #2 / Notes: No documented results for this card have been found. Rock Hunter managed Assassin #2.

APRIL 3, 1973 (TUESDAY) – MACON, GA – MACON COLISEUM (Fred Ward – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Jack Evans defeated Pantera Negra > Jerry Oates defeated the Destroyer > Bill Watts defeated Rocket Monroe > Boxing Match: Leon Ogle defeated Jack Crawford by KO > Bob Armstrong, Bill Dromo & Sweet Daddy Siki defeated Tarzan Tyler & the Super Infernos / Notes: Jack Crawford managed Tarzan Tyler. J.C. Dykes managed the Super Infernos.

APRIL 3, 1974 (WEDNESDAY) – COLUMBUS, GA – COLUMBUS MUNICIPAL AUDITORIUM [P] (Fred Ward – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Jerry Lawler versus Derrell Cochran > Ron & Terry Garvin versus Earl Maynard & Black Crusader #1 > Bobby Duncum versus Tomi Tsuruta > Columbus Heavyweight Title Match: Bob Armstrong* versus Art Nelson > Georgia Heavyweight Title Match: Mr. Wrestling #2 versus Rufus R. Jones > Cage Match: Ricky Gibson versus Jimmy Garvin / Notes: No documented results for this card have been found. Jimmy Garvin managed Ron & Terry Garvin.

APRIL 3, 1976 (SATURDAY) – GRIFFIN, GA – GRIFFIN-BARNESVILLE SPORTS PALACE (Paul Jones – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Greg Valentine defeated Ervin Smith > Roy Lee Welch defeated Les Thornton by disqualification > Mark Lewin versus Moondog Mayne ended in a double disqualification > Ted & Jerry Oates and Les Thornton & Tony Charles wrestled to a draw > Mr. Wrestling #2 defeated the Spoiler / Notes: Gary Hart managed the Spoiler. Doug Smith was credited as being a referee for this card.

APRIL 3, 1978 (MONDAY) – AUGUSTA, GA – WILLIAM BELL AUDITORIUM (Charlie Harben – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Jerry Stubbs and John Ruggers wrestled to a draw > Tommy Rich & Pez Whatley defeated John Studd & Jacques Goulet > Mr. Wrestling #1 defeated Blackjack Mulligan > Rocky Johnson defeated Lars Anderson > Thunderbolt Patterson defeated Ole Anderson / Notes: Jerry Stubbs substituted for Steve Regal in the match with John Ruggers.

APRIL 3, 1980 (THURSDAY) – ROME, GA – ROME MEMORIAL GYMNASIUM (Charlie Harben – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Gerald Finley versus Joe Powell > Jay Strongbow versus Snake Brown > Kevin Sullivan versus Charlie Fulton > Mr. Wrestling #2 versus Baron Von Raschke > Tommy Rich versus Austin Idol / Notes: No documented results for this card have been found.

APRIL 3, 1983 (SUNDAY) – ATLANTA, GA – OMNI COLISEUM [P] (Paul Jones – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Paul Ellering defeated Joe Lightfoot > Destruction, Inc., defeated Brian Blair & Tito Santana > Killer Brooks defeated Brett Wayne > The Masked Superstar defeated Buzz Sawyer by disqualification > Larry Zbyszko defeated Tommy Rich > The Texas Outlaws defeated Ivan Koloff & the Iron Sheik > NWA World Heavyweight Title Match: Ric Flair* defeated Tony Atlas ruled a no contest / Notes: Homer O’Dell managed Ivan Koloff and the Iron Sheik. Paul Ellering managed Destruction, Inc.

APRIL 3, 1984 (TUESDAY) – MACON, GA – MACON COLISEUM (Fred Ward – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Sweet Brown Sugar defeated Bob Roop > The Spoiler defeated Tommy Rogers > Tim Horner defeated Les Thornton > Brad Armstrong defeated Jake Roberts > Ron Garvin & King Kong Bundy defeated the Road Warriors / Notes: Paul Ellering managed Jake Roberts, the Spoiler, and the Road Warriors.

– GeorgiaWrestlingHistory.com