SOUTHEASTERN WRESTLING NEWS, NOTES, AND NOSTALGIA: 01/04/2009

NEWS and NOTES

Tonight’s debut of MMA Sunday, hosted by the Canvas Chronicle’s Ric Gillespie features a weekly recap of events in the world of mixed martial arts, the latest news, and previews of things to come, beginning at 9:00 PM ET, and is brought to you by Georgia Wrestling History’s GWH Radio Network. Bobby Lashley is expected to appear.

World Wrestling Entertainment’s RAW/ECW crew will be in Baton Rouge, LA, at the Baton Rouge Civic Center this afternoon. Advertised: John Cena defends the WWE World Heavyweight Title against Randy Orton; and Shawn Michaels & Rey Mysterio versus Mike Knox & Kane. Also on the bill: Matt Hardy, CM Punk, Kofi Kingston, William Regal, Cryme Tyme, Mark Henry, Beth Phoenix, John Morrison, the Miz, Jack Swagger, and Melina. Bell time is 5:00 PM.

WWE’s SmackDown crew will be in Bossier City, LA, at the CenturyTel Center this afternoon. Bell time is 5:00 PM.

WWE results from the SmackDown house show at the Oil Palace in Tyler, TX, on January 3: Carlito & Primo Colon over Brian Kendrick & Ezekiel Jackson; Kizarny over MVP; Shelton Benjamin over R-Truth; Vladimir Kozlov over Jimmy Wang Yang; Umaga over Hurricane Helms; Brie Bella over Natalya; the Undertaker over the Big Show; and Jeff Hardy over Edge to retain the WWE Heavyweight Title.

Rampage Pro Wrestling will be at Johnny G's in Warner Robins, GA, this afternoon. Advertised: The first ever Rampage Rumble, which is scheduled to include A.J. Steele, Cru Jones, Shaun Banks, J-Rod, Kodiak, Sal Rinauro, Oko Nono, Colt Derringer, Melissa Coates, and Chip Day. Colt Derringer vs. Chip Day. Melissa Coates vs. Tracy Taylor. Tickets are $5 after 2:45 and bell time is at 4:00. For more information, call (478) 329-8002.

The following information in regard to birthdays and memoriams has been compiled from various sources. In the event you can let us know of any omissions or corrections, please email to [email protected].

Today’s Birthdays: Chris Kanyon (1970) and Simon Sermon (1974).

Today In Memoriam: Clarence Eklund (93, 1981), Villano I (49, 2001), and Cowboy Lang (56, 2007).

I Believe in Wrestling results from Orlando, FL, on January 3: Gus Money over Austin Amadeus; Master Flesh over Dash Maverick; Bumz R' Us over The CNS Connection; Larry Zbyszko & Becky Bayless over Scott Davis & Jessika Haze; Nick Fame over Nooie Lee; The Heartbreak Express over Raymond Snow & Demon Toro; and Chasyn Rance w/ So Cal Val over Orlando Jordan w/ Creamsicle (13:02) to retain the SCW Florida Heavyweight Championship.

NWA Prime Time results from January 2 in Columbus, GA, with a reported attendance of 200: Killer Instinct (Mike Stratus & Jake Slater) beat Chip Day & Kyle Matthews to advance in the tag team title tournament. Ace Rockwell & Truitt Fields beat David Young & Chris Stevens to advance in the tag team title tournament when Fields pinned Young. Shaun Tempers beat Josh Stone (with Colt Derringer). Bull Buchanan & Bulldog Raines & Micah Taylor beat Johnny Swinger & Zero Tolerance & Iceberg. Enigma and Little Kane were declared as co-winners of a match between each other when things got out of hand. Deathrow & Marty Jannetty beat Travis Sawyer (with Tony Lucassio) & Colt Derringer. Click here for more detail, including a further explanation on the midget match.

Prime Time returns to Columbus on January 9 with the following advertised card: "The Midnight Rocker" Marty Jannetty vs. Sonny Siaki. PTPW Heavyweight Title Match, Champion Iceberg vs. "The Durham Bull" Chris Stevens. Ace Rockwell & Truitt Fields & Kyle Matthews vs. Killer Instinct (Mike Stratus & Jake Slater) & Shaun Tempers. Chip Day vs. Josh Stone (with Colt Derringer). Also, two matches to conclude the first round of the Tag Team Title Tournament Bulldog Raines & Bull Buchanan vs. Johnny Swinger & Zero Tolerance, and Micah & Tracy Taylor vs. The Exotic Ones (Simon Sermon & Rick Michaels with Thomas Britain). Bell time is 7:30.

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

JANUARY 4, 1888 (WEDNESDAY) – AUGUSTA, GA – CLINCH RIFLES HALL (Promoter – Unknown) > Greek George defeated Piero Celi (2-1) / Notes: It was reported that 300 were in attendance for this card.

JANUARY 4, 1918 (FRIDAY) – SAVANNAH, GA – LIBERTY THEATRE (Max Bauman – Promoter) > Strangler Lewis and Wladek Zbyszko wrestled to a draw at 75:00 / Notes: Billy Sandow managed Strangler Lewis. Wladek Zbyszko had vowed he would defeat Strangler Lewis in straight falls, and since he did not, the Savannah Morning News considered this a defeat for him. There must have been some outcry against Greco-Roman rules, as Bauman said he would never use them again, and would only use catch-as-catch-can rules. Lewis was mentioned as the World champion in the newspaper advertisement, but it was likely a misprint as Earl Caddock was the champion at that time, having been awarded the title when Joe Stecher forfeited a second fall to him in Omaha, NE, on April 9, 1917. It was reported that Lewis broke a rib during the match, though it is questionable as to whether this was legitimate.

JANUARY 4, 1929 (FRIDAY) – BOSTON, MA / Notes: Gus Sonnenberg defeated Strangler Lewis to win the World Heavyweight Title.

JANUARY 4, 1934 (THURSDAY) – ATLANTA, GA – EAST ATLANTA ARENA (Promoter – Unknown) > Sammy Miller versus Red Dugan > Eddie Wagner versus Tony Padrone > Son Almand versus George Harben / Notes: No documented results for this card have been found.

JANUARY 4, 1934 (THURSDAY) – ATLANTA, GA – LAKEWOOD HEIGHTS ARENA (Frank Bettis – Promoter) > Leon Fuller versus Roy Stewart > Young Americus defeated Bull Schmidt by disqualification > George Romanoff versus Charlie Harben / Notes: Aside from the match between Young Americus and Bull Schmidt, no documented results for the remaining matches on this card have been found.

JANUARY 4, 1934 (THURSDAY) – ATLANTA, GA – WESTLAKE ARENA (Luke Appling – Promoter) > Leon Fuller versus Red Dugan > Tony Padrone versus Son Almand / Notes: No documented results for this card have been found. There was also a boxing match, but no details were provided following the card.

JANUARY 4, 1935 (FRIDAY) – AVONDALE, GA – AVONDALE ARENA (Frank Bettis and Cleve Roby – Promoters) > Teddy Betts versus Charlie Harben > Eddie Wagner versus Bull Schmidt > Chippewa Charlie versus Son Almand / Notes: No documented results for this card have been found.

JANUARY 4, 1937 (MONDAY) – ATLANTA, GA – SPRING STREET ARENA (Frank Bettis and Cleve Roby – Promoters) > John Mauldin defeated Farmer Mack > Teddy Betts versus Doc Poole > John Dameron versus Bad Boy Brown / Notes: Aside from the match between John Mauldin and Farmer Mack, no documented results for the remaining matches on this card have been found.

JANUARY 4, 1946 (FRIDAY) – ATLANTA, GA – ATLANTA MUNICIPAL AUDITORIUM (Paul Jones – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Ben Bennicasa defeated Charlie Harben > Rudy Strongberg defeated Wally Greb > Dick Lever and Tarzan White wrestled to a draw > Al Massey & Laverne Baxter defeated Jack LaRue & Vic Emanuel

JANUARY 4, 1952 (FRIDAY) – ATLANTA, GA – ATLANTA MUNICIPAL AUDITORIUM (Paul Jones – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Bill Cazzell versus Sonny Kurgis > Eddie Gossett versus Lou Newman > Women’s Match: Babs Wingo versus Mary Horton > Southern Heavyweight Title Match: Don McIntyre* versus Babe Zaharias / Notes: No documented results for this card have been found. Don McIntyre had been the reigning Southern Heavyweight Champion since he defeated Art Nelson on September 10, 1951, in Augusta.

JANUARY 4, 1954 (MONDAY) – AUGUSTA, GA – WILLIAM BELL AUDITORIUM (Tom Mahoney – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Midget Match: Victorio Gonzales versus Tuffy McRae > Leo Numa versus Jack Dillon > Frank Taylor versus Red McIntyre > Southern Heavyweight Title Match: Ray Villmer* defeated Don McIntyre / Notes: No documented results for this card have been found. Ray Villmer had been the reigning Southern Heavyweight Champion since he defeated Don McIntyre on October 16, 1953, in Atlanta.

JANUARY 4, 1957 (FRIDAY) – ATLANTA, GA – ATLANTA MUNICIPAL AUDITORIUM (Paul Jones – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Donn Lewin and Red McIntyre wrestled to a draw > Pierre LaSalle defeated Tom Drake > Mark & Donn Lewin defeated Jackie Nichols & Red McIntyre > Southern Heavyweight Title Match: Chief Big Heart defeated Jerry Graham* to win title / Notes: Jerry Graham had been the reigning Southern Heavyweight Champion since he defeated Bobby Weaver on December 14, 1956, in Atlanta.

JANUARY 4, 1961 (WEDNESDAY) – COLUMBUS, GA – COLUMBUS SPORTS ARENA (Fred Ward – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Adrien Baillargeon defeated Mickey Blassie > Adrien Baillargeon & Tiny Evans defeated Mickey Blassie & Gypsy Joe > Barbed Wire Fence Match: Chief Little Eagle defeated Freddie Blassie

JANUARY 4, 1963 (FRIDAY) – ATLANTA, GA – ATLANTA MUNICIPAL AUDITORIUM [P] (Don McIntyre – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Homer O’Dell defeated Jose Quintero > Mike Paidousis and Lenny Montana wrestled to a draw > Bronko Lubich defeated Chief Little Eagle > The Bat defeated Rito Carreon > World Heavyweight Title Match: Freddie Blassie* and Ray Gunkel wrestled to a draw / Notes: Homer O’Dell managed Bronko Lubich. Les Ruffen was the special referee for the match between Ray Gunkel and Freddie Blassie. Blassie had been billed as World Heavyweight Champion since June 29, 1962. It was announced that John Paul Henning, the Bat, and the Steve Boys would be wrestling on the card on January 11, 1963, and that Bob Ellis would be wrestling on the card on January 18, 1963.

JANUARY 4, 1965 (MONDAY) – AUGUSTA, GA – WILLIAM BELL AUDITORIUM (Steve Manderson – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Charlie Carr and Silento Rodriguez wrestled to a draw > Bill Dromo defeated Mario Galento by disqualification > Jack & Bob Dalton defeated Joe Scarpa & Sputnik Monroe

JANUARY 4, 1966 (TUESDAY) – MACON, GA – MACON CITY AUDITORIUM (Fred Ward – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Johnny King defeated Cousin Alfred > Ken Fryer defeated Rip Carson by disqualification > Eric & Karl Von Brauner defeated Billy & Bad Boy Hines / Notes: Saul Weingeroff managed Eric & Karl Von Brauner.

JANUARY 4, 1969 (SATURDAY) – ATLANTA, GA – WQXI STUDIOS (Paul Jones – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > The Assassins defeated Dick Steinborn & Mario Galento > The Professional defeated the Blue Destroyer / Notes: This was taped for the “Atlanta TV Wrestling” television program hosted by Ed Capral. During the match between the Professional and the Blue Destroyer, the Pro removed the Destroyer’s mask to identify him as Gene Kiniski. Kiniski explained to Capral that he wanted to test the Pro without his NWA World Heavyweight Title on the line. Kiniski had been the reigning champion since he defeated Lou Thesz on January 7, 1966, in St. Louis, MO. Jack Crawford appeared on the program and announced he was managing Dale Lewis.

JANUARY 4, 1972 (TUESDAY) – MACON, GA – MACON COLISEUM (Fred Ward – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > The Red Demon defeated Derrell Cochran > Dick Steinborn defeated Oki Shikina > Women’s Tag Team Match: Debbie Johnson & Jan Sheridan defeated Paula Kaye & the Black Venus > Bob Armstrong & Jimmy Dancing Bear defeated Billy Spears & Buddy Colt by disqualification > Bill Dromo versus Flash Monroe ruled a no contest

JANUARY 4, 1974 (FRIDAY) – ATLANTA, GA – ATLANTA MUNICIPAL AUDITORIUM [P] (Paul Jones – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Stan Vachon defeated Bill Dromo > Rasputin defeated Sonny King > The Samoans defeated Roy Lee Welch & Sputnik Monroe > Jerry Lawler defeated Bobby Cash > Mr. Wrestling #2 defeated Tim Woods > Bob Armstrong & Robert Fuller defeated Bobby Shane & Stan Vachon > Lights Out Match: Robert Fuller defeated Frank Cochran / Notes: Stan Vachon substituted for Gorgeous George, Jr., to team with Bobby Shane in the match with Bob Armstrong & Robert Fuller. Gary Hart managed Rasputin, Bobby Shane & the Samoans.

JANUARY 4, 1977 (TUESDAY) – MACON, GA – MACON COLISEUM (Fred Ward – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Charlie Fulton defeated Mike Stallings > Raymond Rougeau defeated Bill Howard > Black Atlas defeated Killer Brooks > Dick Slater & Abdullah the Butcher defeated Bob Backlund & Mr. Wrestling #2 > Georgia Tag Team Title Match: Ole & Gene Anderson* defeated Thunderbolt Patterson & the Mighty Igor

JANUARY 4, 1978 (WEDNESDAY) – COLUMBUS, GA – COLUMBUS MUNICIPAL AUDITORIUM (Fred Ward – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Raymond Rougeau versus the Invader > Midget Match: Cowboy Lang versus Lord Littlebrook > Tommy Rich versus Pak Song > Tony Atlas versus Abdullah the Butcher > Bob Armstrong, Dick Slater & Mr. Wrestling #2 versus Stan Hansen, Ole Anderson & Jacques Goulet / Notes: No documented results for this card have been found. Rock Hunter managed Abdullah the Butcher and Pak Song.

JANUARY 4, 1979 (THURSDAY) – ROME, GA – ROME MEMORIAL GYMNASIUM (Charlie Harben – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Randy Savage versus Dutch Mantell > Tommy Rich versus Stan Hansen > Mr. Wrestling #2 versus the Masked Superstar / Notes: No documented results for this card have been found. Raymond Rougeau and Pierre Lefebvre were also advertised.

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

01/04/2009: MMA Sunday Debut Archive Online

The GWH Radio Network launched Sunday night, with the debut of MMA Sunday, hosted by the Canvas Chronicle’s Ric Gillespie, along with Casey Trowbridge from Combat Hooligans. The show featured a lengthy conversation with Bobby Lashley, who shared some information not previously disclosed elsewhere. Click here for the archive.