NWA LEGENDS FANFEST UPDATE FOR 4/12/11
- 04/12/2011 (8:52:55 pm)
- Bob Mulrenin
…
If you saw Georgia Championship Wrestling on television in the 1980's, you should remember Charles "Scrappy" McGowan. His shaggy blond hair often in disarray, McGowan wore the stripes and officiated many televised matches and even more Georgia-area main events, including a July 4, 1982 match in the Omni pitting NWA World champion "Nature Boy" Ric Flair against WWF World champion Bob Backlund.Randy Colley is a veteran of the mat game. Most folks will remember him as one-half of WWF's World Tag Team champion Moondogs in the early-1980's (managed by the late Captain Lou Albano and wrestling as Moondog Rex,) and one of the original members of Demolition.
But what you probably don't know is that Colley joined Joe Hamilton as one of the masked Assassins in 1980 and, on two occassions, the masked duo held the Georgia Tag Team belts.
Scrappy McGowan and Moondog Rex have confirmed their appearances at this summer's NWA Wrestling Legends Fanfest Weekend August 4-7. They will join previously-announced featured guests Ole Anderson, The Assassin, Mr. Wrestling II, former AWA Rookie of the Year and NWA National champion Steve O, Killer Karl Kox, "Million Dollar Man" Ted Dibiase, "Doctor D" David Schultz, "Mr. USA" Tony Atlas, Killer Tim Brooks, The Masked Superstar, Dory Funk Jr., Terry Funk, "Continental Lover" Eddie Mansfield, "Wildfire" Tommy Rich, Nick Bockwinkel, Harley Race, Joyce Grable, Judy Martin, Leilani Kai, Thunderbolt Patterson, Ron Simmons, Gypsy Joe, Stan Hansen, Teddy Long, Ron Garvin, Ron Bass and Buddy Colt signing autographs and taking photos with fans over the course of the three-day, four night event at Atlanta's Airport Marriott hotel.
Each featured guest will be scheduled to take photos with fans at least once (sometimes more,) during the weekend. For a nominal fee, we'll take your photo, process it -- even get it autographed for free! -- and return to you a beautiful, one-of-a-kind 8" x 10" autographed photo of you and your favorite wrestling heroes! An incredible keepsake that will last a lifetime! There will be individual photo ops with each of the featured guests, as well as some rare, group photo ops available.
Each featured guest will also be scheduled to sign autographs for fans at least once during the weekend. Those with VIP "All Access" Passes are allowed to get two free autographs from each featured guest at our Autograph Stage.
Please check the schedule in late-May for exact times.
Over the next couple months, we will be announcing more guest confirmations as we receive them.
Rob Van Dam To Make First-ever Fanfest Appearance!
Vendor Toploaders & More has confirmed their first booth guest for this year's NWA Wrestling Legends Fanfest Weekend in Atlanta -- current TNA superstar, "The Whole F'n Show" Rob Van Dam!
The only man to ever hold the ECW, WWE and TNA World heavyweight championships, Van Dam will be signing autographs and taking photos with fans on Friday, August 5. Time and pricing details will be forthcoming.
More vendor guests will be announced over the next few months. For more information on our fanfest vendors and their booth guests, please visit http://www.nwalegends.com/2011/vendor.htm
Ted Turner, Gordon Solie Among 8 Tapped For Hall of Heroes!
Media mogul, philanthropist, and former WTBS SuperStation owner Ted Turner and legendary TV announcer Gordon Solie are among eight iconic figures being inducted into our Hall of Heroes this August in Atlanta.
Turner will be recognized for seeking out wrestling programming in the early days of cable TV and, for more than two decades, providing a broadcast home for matches sanctioned by the once-mighty National Wrestling Alliance.
The exposure gained from being on Turner's quickly-expanding SuperStation broadcasts, and the station’s jump to satellite transmission in 1976, brought Georgia Championship Wrestling and the NWA to a new level of national popularity.
In short order, it made household names of "Nature Boy" Ric Flair, "Wildfire" Tommy Rich, and Mr. Wrestling II. Another is Atlanta wrestling legend Thunderbolt Patterson.
A 2007 Hall of Heroes inductee himself, Patterson arrived in Georgia in the early 1970’s and experienced first-hand the added popularity of being seen on one of cable television’s first wrestling shows. "Ted Turner provided us a lot of opportunities in the early days," said Patterson, who will be inducting Turner during a dinner banquet and awards ceremony Friday night, August 5, at Atlanta’s Airport Marriott hotel. "Suddenly, our TV wrestling show was not just seen in Atlanta each week, but in far-away places like Michigan, Ohio and West Virginia. Without Ted Turner, Atlanta wrestling would still be 'Atlanta wrestling.' Thanks to his vision, it became World Championship Wrestling!"
The Hall of Heroes inductions are part of Atlanta's first-ever NWA Wrestling Legends Fanfest Weekend August 4-7. The tenth annual event offers fans and followers of all ages an exciting three-day forum to reconnect with some of TV wrestling's notable heroes and villains. Autograph sessions, photo opportunities, and question-and-answer sessions fill the weekend, and tons of wrestling memorabilia will be on display.
Turner will be joined by seven other Class of 2011 Hall of Heroes inductees, including legendary TV wrestling announcer Gordon Solie, affectionately known as "The Dean" of all wrestling announcers.
Recognized by fans for his monotone, stoic interview style, Solie arrived in Atlanta in 1974 at the urging of Turner and played a vital role in Turner’s broadcast expansion and ultimate media empire.
He became the voice of the weekend studio wrestling shows -- filmed on location at Tuner's 1050 Techwood Drive studio -- that quickly became the most-watched programming on cable television at the time.
"He was the man," said wrestling icon Dusty Rhodes, "the absolute best to ever call a match!"
Others being honored will include wrestling legends The Assassins (Joe Hamilton and Tom Renesto,) "Hands of Stone" Ron Garvin, Sir Oliver Humperdink, Ray "The Crippler" Stevens, and the Masked Superstar.
Former PWI Editor Returning To Atlanta!
Wrestling fans from everywhere remember Bill Apter, Editor of Pro Wrestling Illustrated and it's family of wrestling magazines, including The Wrestler and Inside Wrestling.
Georgia-area fans also remember him for the PWI Scouting Report, a segment he hosted on the Best of World Championship Wrestling, broadcast weekly on Ted Turner's WTBS Superstation.
Apter returns to the Peach State this August as part of the NWA Wrestling Legends Fanfest Weekend, hosting "Apter's Antics!" -- a live show each day, featuring offbeat interviews, comedy, karaoke and more!
Fanfest Travellers Save $$$ Flying With Delta!
Delta Airlines is offering a discount to folks flying to/from Atlanta for our NWA Wrestling Legends Fanfest Weekend!
It's not a tremendous discount, but every little bit helps, right?
To compare fares and book your flights to Atlanta, please call 1-800-328-1111 and use the Booking Code: NM6KF
The discount is good, as well, on KLM and AirFrance flights booked through Delta.
Book Your Rooms Now At Discounted Group Rate!
The Atlanta Airport Marriott, the host hotel for this summer's NWA Wrestling Legends Fanfest Weekend, is offering a discounted group rate for those that book early.
Nestled among 14 acres of picturesque grounds, this luxurious 628-room airport-area hotel represents a tranquil retreat combined with state-of-the-art amenities. Spacious rooms feature Plug In Panel (lets guests check-in then plug-in all of their electronic devices,) a 32-inch flat screen panel LCD TV, deluxe bedding and double pane soundproof windows.
Located inside the hotel, Bentley's Steakhouse features delectable cuisine and tender steaks, or delight in authentic Japanese sushi prepared at The Lobby Bar. Situated near the Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport, the hotel provides complimentary shuttle to the airport and MARTA transportation.
The $99 discounted group rate for fanfest attendees is being offered for the dates Wednesday, August 3 through Monday, August 8 and, if available, the hotel may offer you the discounted group rate up to three days prior or three days after these dates.
Keep in mind, we have a limited number of rooms at this $99 discounted group rate, so please make your room reservations as soon as you're certain of your travel plans.
You may now make reservations online at Marriott.com or by calling 1-800-228-9290. If you book online, please use the Group/Convention Code: GWLGWLA to receive the discounted group rate. If you make your reservations by phone, make sure to tell them you want the discounted group rate for the NWA Wrestling Legends Fanfest Weekend at the Atlanta Airport Marriott.
Make your reservations by Friday, July 22, 2011, or even sooner to guarantee you receive the $99 discounted group rate for fanfest attendees.
Please make plans now to be with us for "The Last Battle of Atlanta!" -- 3 HUGE DAYS and 4 NIGHTS celebrating wrestling tradition!
This will make a great summer vacation!
NWA Wrestling Legends Fanfest
Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday, August 4-7, 2011
Atlanta Airport Marriott Hotel; Atlanta, Georgia
VIP All Access Passes on sale now at http://www.NWALegends.com/
Discuss pro wrestling tradition at our Fanfest Forum. Meet and get to know many other folks like yourself that share a similar passion for wrestling's past. Go to http://www.NWALegends.com/fanfestforum
Fanfest Highlights -- and more -- on YouTube! Go to http://www.youtube.com/nwawrestlinglegends for some rare video footage. And much more to come.
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