SOUTHEASTERN WRESTLING NEWS, NOTES, AND NOSTALGIA: 12/11/2008

NEWS and NOTES

Wednesday night’s edition of Peach State Pandemonium, hosted by Rich Tate and Les Thatcher, featured a discussion with Dennis Condrey, the passing of Steve Bradley, a review from Dan Masters of the Highspots show from last weekend, and a little college football talk, as well as the retirement of Greg Maddux. Tim Dix also provided additional commentary. Click here for the archive.

Tickets for the following World Wrestling Entertainment events go on sale Friday: January 11, in Springfield, MO, at the JQH Arena; January 17 in La Crosse, WI, at the La Crosse Center; and January 19, in Muncie, IN, at the John E. Worthen Arena.

WWE released Gene Snitsky today.

The lineup for tonight’s iMPACT broadcast on Spike TV, from Total Nonstop Action, is as follows: Eric Young versus Sheik Abdul Bashir and Jay Lethal versus Alex Shelley in the tournament for the vacant TNA X Division Title; in a beer-bottle-on-a-pole match, James Storm over Abyss; Hernandez, Homicide, and Curry Man open their briefcases from Final Resolution to learn their fate; Christy Hemme versus Sojourner Bolt; and Kurt Angle versus Bubba Ray Dudley.

Tickets for the following TNA events go on sale Friday: February 5, in Norfolk, VA, at the Scope; and February 6, in Charlottesville, VA, at the John Paul Jones Arena.

Great Championship Wrestling returns to action in Phenix City, AL, at the Gr8 Sk8 Plex tonight with a Bunkhouse Brawl (battle royal with weapons legal) featuring all the top stars of GCW, and the semifinals of the GCW Interstate Title Tournament: Shaun Banks vs. Rob Adonis and Orion Bishop vs. Kareem Abdul Jamar. Bell time is 7:30. For reserved seats call 334-664-1780. For this show, GCW has partnered with Santa’s Village for the purpose of collecting toys for needy children. Anyone who brings a toy valued at $10 or more will be admitted free of charge.

All-State Wrestling will be at the Statum Cab Company Building in Shelbyville, TN, tonight.

Ericules Wrestling Promotions will be at the Green Acres Flea Market in Louisville, TN, tonight.

Florida Championship Wrestling will be at the FCW Arena in Tampa, FL, tonight.

The Millennium Wrestling Federation will be at the Jack Rabbit's Sports Bar & Grill in Gastonia, NC, tonight.

GWH wishes a happy birthday to Doug Furnas (1961).

Today in Memoriam: Tor Yamato (1960) and Huracan Castillo, Sr. (1993).

Click here for this week’s update of Wrestler’s Eye View with Les Thatcher.

It is being reported that Steve Bradley, whose body was found dead in Manchester, NH, last week, had taken his parents car and disappeared. He was found in that same car. He was 32. Foul play was ruled out, and an autopsy has been done, but the cause of death will not be determined until toxicology tests are completed. He had been arrested for heroin possession in October, and was indicted on those charges last month. Bradley, a former developmental wrestler under contract to WWE, had sought and received help from WWE through their rehab assistance. He had relapsed after his program ended. After being released by WWE in 2002, Bradley had opened the Top Rope Wrestling Academy and a wrestling promotion called the Wrestling Federation of America that had recently closed. The location where he was discovered was parked across the street from the training facility.

Ultimate Fighting Championship results from the “Fight for the Troops” event held in Fort Bragg, NC, on December 10: in dark matches, it was Justin McCully over Eddie Sanchez, Dale Hartt over Corey Hill, Ben Saunders over Brandon Wolff, Steve Bruno over Johnny Rees, and Luigi Fioravanti over Brodie Farber; for the live broadcast on Spike TV, it was Jim Miller over Matt Wiman, Tim Credeur over Nate Loughran when it was stopped and it appeared Loughran had a broken rib, Steve Cantwell over Razak Al-Hassan when it was stopped and Al-Hassan’s arm could be messed up badly, Mike Swick over Jonathan Goulet, and and Josh Koscheck over Yoshiyuki Yoshida.

NWA Anarchy returns to action at the NWA Arena in Cornelia, GA, on December 20 with their annual major holiday show, Season's Beatings. The advertised card is as follows: Texas Tornado Match: Technicians (Bobby Moore & Tyler Smith) vs. Wild Bunch (Billy Buck & Chris King), Brodie Chase vs. Jerry Palmer (with Melissa Coates) , Young Lion’s Title: Slim J (c) vs. Azrael (with the Reverend), Ladder Match for the NWA Anarchy Tag Team Titles: New Wave (Steven Walters & Derrick Driver) (c) vs. Dynamic Duo (Chad Parham & Seth Delay) vs. Talent & Money (JT Talent & Drew Pendleton III) vs. Jeremy Vain & Rob Adonis, Adrian Hawkins vs. Hayden Young, NWA Anarchy TV Title Match: Truitt Fields (c) vs. Shaun Tempers, NWA Anarchy Heavyweight Title Match: Iceberg(c) (with the Reverend) vs. Shadow Jackson vs. Mikal Judas, Steel Cage Pinfall, Submission or Escape: Kimo (with Jeff G. Bailey) vs. Ace Rockwell. Bell time is 8pm. For reserved seats call 706-768-9071.

NAWA Ring Champions has announced their schedule for 2009, as follows: January 10, February 7, March 14, April 4, May 9, June 6, July 11, August 15, September 5, October 3, November 7, and December 5. All events take place at the Purks Building in Cedartown, GA, which is presently the only venue in Georgia that was run by Georgia Championship Wrestling during its heyday.

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.

NOSTALGIA

DECEMBER 11, 1933 (MONDAY) – ATLANTA, GA – FAIR STREET ARENA (Jason Thompson – Promoter) > Bulldog Mallory versus Gorilla Tucker > Bulldog Gust versus Tarzan Jordan > Tony Padrone defeated Hugh Winn / Notes: Aside from the match between Tony Padrone and Hugh Winn, no documented results for the remaining matches on this card have been found. It was reported that Padrone was claiming both the Georgia Light Heavyweight Title and the Southern Light Heavyweight Title. It is unclear as to how he came to be recognized as such. The last reference we have for the Georgia Light Heavyweight Title shows Winn being billed as champion on November 27, 1933. The origin of the Southern Light Heavyweight Title is unclear to us at this time.

DECEMBER 11, 1933 (MONDAY) – AUGUSTA, GA – AMERICAN LEGION (Max Stewart – Promoter) > Stanley Buresch versus Eddie Chebera > Cyclone Copley versus Bull Smith / Notes: No documented results for this card have been found.

DECEMBER 11, 1934 (TUESDAY) – ATLANTA, GA – ATLANTA MUNICIPAL AUDITORIUM (Henry Weber – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Dutch Green defeated John Dameron at 25:00 > Paul Jones and Sol Slagle wrestled to a draw > Orville Brown defeated George Hill (2-0)

DECEMBER 11, 1935 (WEDNESDAY) – ALBANY, GA – SUPREME CIRCLE HALL (Frank Bettis – Promoter) > Battle Royal featuring Al Olsen, Joe Wolfe, Sammy Miller, Young Americus, and Pedro Torres > Sammy Miller defeated Young Americus (2-1) / Notes: It is unclear as to the reason or the result for the battle royal.

DECEMBER 11, 1936 (FRIDAY) – ATLANTA, GA – ATLANTA THEATRE (Frank Speer – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Babe Zaharias defeated Swede Anderson > Roland Kirchmeyer defeated Jack League > Dorv Roche defeated Blue Sun Jennings by disqualification

DECEMBER 11, 1936 (FRIDAY) – ATLANTA, GA – NORTHSIDE ARENA (Frank Bettis – Promoter) > Don Jose versus Bad Boy Brown > Tony Papalino versus Chin Lee > Farmer Mack versus Petro Rossi / Notes: No documented results for this card have been found.

DECEMBER 11, 1939 (MONDAY) – ATLANTA, GA – ATLANTA THEATRE (Nat Jones and Cleve Roby – Promoters) > John Mauldin versus Young Gotch > Bill Jeffries versus Tony Papalino > Frank Remille versus Young Londos / Notes: No documented results for this card have been found.

DECEMBER 11, 1953 (FRIDAY) – ATLANTA, GA – ATLANTA MUNICIPAL AUDITORIUM (Paul Jones – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Women’s Match: Nell Stewart defeated Ida Mae Martinez > Mike Paidousis defeated the Great Goliath > Don & Red McIntyre defeated Jack Dillon & Karl Kowalski

DECEMBER 11, 1956 (TUESDAY) – MACON, GA – MACON CITY AUDITORIUM (Fred Ward – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Jackie Nichols versus Ike Eakins > Fred Atkins versus Red McIntyre > Southern Heavyweight Title Match: Bobby Weaver* versus Freddie Blassie / Notes: No documented results for this card have been found. Bobby Weaver had been the reigning Southern Heavyweight Champion since he defeated Freddie Blassie on November 23, 1956, in Atlanta.

DECEMBER 11, 1959 (FRIDAY) – ATLANTA, GA – ATLANTA MUNICIPAL AUDITORIUM [P] (Paul Jones – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Adrien Baillargeon & Gorgeous George defeated Ed Sharpe & Bob Shipp > Mike Paidousis and Johnny Weaver wrestled to a draw > Southern Heavyweight Title Match: Freddie Blassie defeated Dickie Gunkel* to win title / Notes: It is unclear as to how Freddie Blassie lost recognition as Southern Heavyweight Champion. The last reference we have shows Blassie defending the title against Johnny Weaver on November 20, 1959, in Atlanta. Although Ray Gunkel was billed as champion, he allowed Dickie Gunkel to defend the Southern Heavyweight Title against Blassie, since he was injured. Angelo Poffo interfered during the match to help Blassie. Dickie Gunkel participated in an autograph session for fans.

DECEMBER 11, 1961 (MONDAY) – AUGUSTA, GA – WILLIAM BELL AUDITORIUM (Steve Manderson – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Jerry Graham versus Jerry Miller > Jack Steele versus Sky Hi Krueger > Nick & Jerry Kozak versus the Assassins / Notes: No documented results for this card have been found.

DECEMBER 11, 1962 (TUESDAY) – MACON, GA – MACON CITY AUDITORIUM (Fred Ward – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Rito Carreon defeated the Russian Crusher > Derrell Cochran & Chief Little Eagle defeated Dick & Buddy Bison > Mike Paidousis versus Lenny Montana ruled a no contest

DECEMBER 11, 1963 (WEDNESDAY) – COLUMBUS, GA – COLUMBUS MUNICIPAL AUDITORIUM (Fred Ward – Promoter / Fred Ward Promotions) > Greg Peterson defeated the Inferno > Billy & Bad Boy Hines defeated Marco Polo & Killer Kosti (2-0) > Bob Morrow defeated Luke Graham (2-1) / Notes: Frankie Rogers managed the Inferno.

DECEMBER 11, 1964 (FRIDAY) – ATLANTA, GA – ATLANTA MUNICIPAL AUDITORIUM [P] (Paul Jones – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Rocky Smith defeated Pepe Gomez at 9:00 > Midget Women’s Match: Darling Dagmar defeated Diamond Lil at 9:30 > Greg Peterson defeated Frankie Cain at 9:00 > Joe Scarpa defeated Don Fargo by disqualification at 5:00 > Buddy Fuller & Sputnik Monroe defeated Dick Dunn & the Destroyer at 25:00 > Georgia Heavyweight Title Cage Match (No TL): Mario Galento* defeated Freddie Blassie / Notes: Tony Baillargeon was the special referee for the match between Mario Galento and Freddie Blassie. The match was stopped when Baillargeon deemed Blassie unable to continue to wrestle, enraging Blassie. Galento had been the reigning Georgia Heavyweight Champion since he defeated Sputnik Monroe on November 13, 1964, in Atlanta.

DECEMBER 11, 1965 (SATURDAY) – COLUMBUS, GA – COLUMBUS SPORTS ARENA (Fred Ward – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Ken & Chris Lucas versus Rocky Montero & Chin Lee > Don Carson versus Bad Boy Hines / Notes: No documented results for this card have been found. This was for the locally televised “Columbus Championship Wrestling”, though it is not known who was hosting the program, whether it was taped or broadcast live, nor is it clear as to which station the program was aired at the time.

DECEMBER 11, 1965 (SATURDAY) – MARIETTA, GA – FRANKLIN DRIVE ARENA (Elmo Chappell – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Bob Boyer versus the Red Shadow > Derrell Cochran versus Dutch Savage > No DQ Match: Billy & Bad Boy Hines versus Eric & Karl Von Brauner / Notes: No documented results for this card have been found. Saul Weingeroff managed Eric & Karl Von Brauner.

DECEMBER 11, 1970 (FRIDAY) – ATLANTA, GA – ATLANTA MUNICIPAL AUDITORIUM (Paul Jones – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Mr. Ito & the Great Ota defeated Bob Armstrong & Sabu Singh > Skandor Akbar defeated Jesse James > Bill Dromo and Luke Graham wrestled to a draw > El Mongol defeated Buddy Colt by disqualification > Paul DeMarco defeated Kubla Khan by disqualification > Georgia Tag Team Title Match: the Assassins* defeated Bobby Shane & Doug Gilbert / Notes: The Assassins had been the reigning Georgia Tag Team Champions since they defeated Mr. Ito & the Great Ota in a tournament final on October 16, 1970, in Atlanta. Homer O’Dell managed Buddy Colt. Jack Crawford managed Kubla Khan.

DECEMBER 11, 1971 (SATURDAY) – ATLANTA, GA – WQXI STUDIOS (Paul Jones – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > The Assassins defeated Roberto Soto & Kubla Khan > El Mongol defeated Buddy Colt > Jimmy Dancing Bear defeated Oki Shikina by disqualification / Notes: This was taped for the “Georgia Championship Wrestling” television program hosted by Ed Capral.

DECEMBER 11, 1973 (TUESDAY) – ATLANTA, GA – LAKEWOOD FAIRGROUNDS (Ann Gunkel – Promoter / All-South Wrestling Alliance) > Wayne Cowan versus the Champ > Ted Oates versus the Great Fuji > Ernie Ladd versus Ox Baker > Dick Steinborn & Gorilla Watts versus Assassin #2 & the Missouri Mauler > Tommy Seigler & Argentina Apollo versus the Mongols > Ray Candy versus the Super Gladiator / Notes: No documented results for this card have been found. Rock Hunter managed Assassin #2 and the Missouri Mauler. George Cannon managed the Mongols.

DECEMBER 11, 1973 (TUESDAY) – MACON, GA – MACON COLISEUM (Fred Ward – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Bobby Cash defeated the Invader > The Samoans defeated Robert Fuller & Tom Jones > Sardo the Great defeated Bob Orton, Jr. > Bob Armstrong & Roberto Soto defeated the Super Infernos > Freddie Blassie versus Luke Graham ruled a no contest > Macon Tag Team Title Match: Tim Woods & Mr. Wrestling #2 defeated Bobby Shane & Gorgeous George, Jr.,* by disqualification / Notes: Gary Hart managed the Samoans. J.C. Dykes managed the Super Infernos.

DECEMBER 11, 1975 (THURSDAY) – MACON, GA – MACON COLISEUM (Fred Ward – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Macon Tag Team Title One-Night Tournament: Luke Graham & Moondog Mayne (Winners) Ron Garvin & Nikolai Volkoff, Brute Bernard & the Spoiler, Chief Jay Strongbow & Mr. Wrestling #2, Tony Garea & Dean Ho, Rocket Monroe & Billy Spears, Les Thornton & Tony Charles and Jerry Brisco, and Dick Slater also participated / Notes: It is unclear as to the pairings and results of the tournament. Gary Hart managed the Spoiler, Nikolai Volkoff and Brute Bernard.

DECEMBER 11, 1978 (MONDAY) – AUGUSTA, GA – WILLIAM BELL AUDITORIUM (Charlie Harben – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Raymond Rougeau and Larry Latham wrestled to a draw > Skip Young defeated Kurt Von Hess by disqualification > Bugsy McGraw defeated King Kong Mosca > Mr. Wrestling #2 defeated the Spoiler > Thunderbolt Patterson defeated Ole Anderson > Georgia Heavyweight Title Match: the Masked Superstar* defeated Jack Brisco

DECEMBER 11, 1979 (TUESDAY) – MACON, GA – MACON COLISEUM (Fred Ward – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Tom Shaft defeated Gerald Finley > Killer Khan defeated Ricky Fields > Kevin Sullivan defeated Bobby Jaggers > Austin Idol defeated Tommy Rich > Ray Candy & Tony Atlas defeated Ivan Koloff & Alexis Smirnoff > Georgia Heavyweight Title Match: the Masked Superstar* defeated Mr. Wrestling #2 / Notes: Gorgeous George, Jr. managed Killer Khan.

The information compiled within our daily reports are through the efforts of various contributors, including, but not limited to, Rich Tate, Larry Goodman, Chuck Thornton, Brian Waits, Don Luce, Brian Slack, Fred Hornby, Thomas Bugg, J Michael Kenyon, Steve Yohe, David Williamson, Becky Taylor, John Cannon, Mike Norris, Bobby Simmons, Les Thatcher, Crimson Mask, Dan Masters, Tim Dix, Tim Dills, Jimmie Daniel, Gene Restaino, Shannon Rose, Alan Wojcik, Devin Cutting, and Richard O’Sullivan.

– GeorgiaWrestlingHistory.com