SOUTHEASTERN WRESTLING NEWS, NOTES, AND NOSTALGIA: 01/01/2009
NEWS and NOTES
The GWH Radio Network, set to launch on January 4 with the debut of Ric Gillespieâs MMA Sunday, has already suffered a setback. Jimmy Raveâs debut as host of Shot in the Dark, slated for January 5, will be postponed to a date not yet determined. However, the remainder of the networkâs programs will move forward as previously scheduled and announced. As soon as we have a certain launch date for Raveâs show, we will make an announcement.
Tickets for the following World Wrestling Entertainment events go on sale Friday: February 2, in Champaign, IL, at the Assembly Hall.
Fans of Total Nonstop Action who are Time Warner Cable subscribers are no longer at risk of losing their weekly broadcast of iMPACT. TWC and Viacom, Inc., reached an agreement that avoided a blackout of cable stations including Spike TV, according to a report from KTLA in Los Angeles. You can read the complete story here.
Ericules Wrestling Promotions at the Green Acres Flea Market in Louisville, TN, tonight.
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 contributions@georgiawrestlinghistory.com.
Todayâs Birthdays: Jimmy Hart (1944), Kimberly Page (1970), and Robert Roode (1977).
Today In Memoriam: Jack Rush (1955), Buck Moore (87, 2004), Eddie â~Flashâ Barker (91, 2007), Randy Barber (49, 2008), and Arman Hussein (2008).
For a listing of all wrestling-related deaths of which we have documented throughout 2008, click here.
Click here for this weekâs update of Wrestlerâs Eye View with Les Thatcher.
Great Championship Wrestling has their first show of 2009 set for January 8 at the GCW Asylum (1027 280 Bypass) in Phenix City, AL. The advertised main event: 2008 Tag Team of the Year, Hot Like Lava (Cru Jones & Shaun Banks) vs. GCW Champion J-Rod & Frankie Valentine. Also in action will be The Merchants of Death (Orion Bishop, Wicked Nemesis, Murder One, & Slaughter), Rob Adonis, Kareem Abdul Jamar, 80s Guy John Bogie, Princeton Gainey, The Southside Trash, Tex Monroe, and Joey Lightning. For advanced ticket info call 334-664-1780.
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 1, 1930 (WEDNESDAY) â” ATLANTA, GA â” ATLANTA MUNICIPAL AUDITORIUM (Henry Weber â” Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Frank Judson defeated Jack Sampson (2-0) > Jim Londos defeated Milo Steinborn at 35:00
JANUARY 1, 1931 (THURSDAY) â” ATLANTA, GA â” ATLANTA MUNICIPAL AUDITORIUM (Henry Weber â” Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Milo Steinborn defeated Marshall Blackstock > Dick Daviscourt defeated George Zaharias (2-1) / Notes: It was reported that 3,500 were in attendance for this card.
JANUARY 1, 1934 (MONDAY) â” ATLANTA, GA â” FAIR STREET ARENA (Jason Thompson â” Promoter) > Jimmy Morgan defeated Lloyd Brown > The Masked Marvel defeated John Mauldin > George Romanoff defeated Young Americus > Bill Crussell and Harry Nixon wrestled to a draw at 60:00 / Notes: John Mauldin substituted for Gorilla Tucker against the Masked Marvel, who had a standing challenge, stating that if he could be defeated, he would unmask.
JANUARY 1, 1935 (TUESDAY) â” ATLANTA, GA â” ATLANTA MUNICIPAL AUDITORIUM (Henry Weber â” Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Pat Mullins defeated Ed Williamson at 6:50 (2-0) > George Romanoff defeated Stanley Wyckoff at 28:00 (2-0) > Orville Brown defeated Dorv Roche by disqualification at 48:00 (2-1)
JANUARY 1, 1935 (TUESDAY) â” AUGUSTA, GA â” NEW COLISEUM (Jack Browning â” Promoter) > Bill Middlekauff versus Jim Henry > Southern Lightweight Title Match: Jack Ross* versus Ed Nolan / Notes: No documented results for this card have been found. Jack Ross had been billed as Southern Lightweight Champion since May 9, 1933.
JANUARY 1, 1936 (WEDNESDAY) â” AUGUSTA, GA â” NEW COLISEUM (Bill Metzger â” Promoter) > Fred Mortenson versus Tiger Nelson > George Romanoff versus Honey Boy Hackney / Notes: No documented results for this card have been found.
JANUARY 1, 1937 (FRIDAY) â” ATLANTA, GA â” NORTHSIDE ARENA (Frank Bettis and Cleve Roby â” Promoters) > Tarzan Jordan defeated Farmer Mack by disqualification > Don Jose versus Petro Rossi > John Ellis versus Chin Lee / Notes: Aside from the match between Tarzan Jordan and Farmer Mack, no documented results for the remaining matches on this card have been found.
JANUARY 1, 1938 (SATURDAY) â” AUGUSTA, GA â” NEW COLISEUM (L.A. Roche â” Promoter) > Jack Ross versus Raoul Lopez > Bill Jeffries versus Tony Marino / Notes: No documented results for this card have been found.
JANUARY 1, 1951 (MONDAY) â” COLUMBUS, GA â” COLUMBUS SPORTS ARENA (Fred Ward â” Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Womenâs Match: Violet Viann defeated Dot Dotson > Don McIntyre & Nick Carter defeated Bobby Lane & Tom Mahoney / Notes: Fred Ward began working with Paul Jonesâ Atlanta office by using the same core wrestlers.
JANUARY 1, 1954 (FRIDAY) â” ATLANTA, GA â” ATLANTA MUNICIPAL AUDITORIUM (Paul Jones â” Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Mike Clancy and Karl Kowalski wrestled to a draw > Babe Zaharias defeated Donn Lewin > Leo Numa defeated Tex Riley > Don McIntyre defeated Jack Dillon
JANUARY 1, 1955 (SATURDAY) â” ATLANTA, GA â” ATLANTA MUNICIPAL AUDITORIUM (Paul Jones â” Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Jack Steele defeated Harry Smith > Don McIntyre & Harry Smith defeated Tommy OâToole & Jack Steele > Tom Drake defeated Ivan Petroff > Chief Big Heart defeated Jerry Graham by disqualification
JANUARY 1, 1960 (FRIDAY) â” ATLANTA, GA â” ATLANTA MUNICIPAL AUDITORIUM Paul Jones â” Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Colored Womenâs Title Match: Babs Wingo* defeated Kathleen Wimbley > Texas Death Match: Ray Gunkel defeated Mike Paidousis / Notes: The origin of the Colored Womenâs Title is unclear to us at this time.
JANUARY 1, 1963 (TUESDAY) â” MACON, GA â” MACON CITY AUDITORIUM (Fred Ward â” Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Chief Little Eagle defeated Jose Quintero > Mike Paidousis defeated Rito Carreon > World Heavyweight Title Match: Choo-Choo Lynn defeated Freddie Blassie* by disqualification / Notes: Freddie Blassie had been billed as World Heavyweight Champion since June 29, 1962.
JANUARY 1, 1965 (FRIDAY) â” ATLANTA, GA â” ATLANTA MUNICIPAL AUDITORIUM (Paul Jones â” Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Vince Gironda defeated Paul DeGaulle > Joe Scarpa and Silento Rodriguez wrestled to a draw > Greg Peterson defeated Mario Galento > Southern Tag Team Title Match: the Mysterious Medics* defeated the Scufflinâ Hillbillies > Jack & Bob Dalton versus Buddy Fuller & Sputnik Monroe ruled a no contest / Notes: The Mysterious Medics had been the reigning Southern Tag Team Champions since they defeated Eddie Graham & Sam Steamboat on November 20, 1964, in Atlanta.
JANUARY 1, 1966 (SATURDAY) â” ATLANTA, GA â” WAII STUDIOS (Paul Jones â” Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Mario Galento defeated Johnny King > Chin Lee defeated Ken Hollis / Notes: This was for the âLive Atlanta Wrestlingâ television program hosted by Ed Capral.
JANUARY 1, 1966 (SATURDAY) â” ATLANTA, GA â” ATLANTA MUNICIPAL AUDITORIUM [P] (Paul Jones â” Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Ken Hollis defeated Cousin Alfred > Chin Lee defeated Mike Paidousis > Don Carson versus Mario Galento ruled a no contest > $1,000 Challenge Match: Dale Lewis defeated Lester Welch > Saul Weingeroff, Eric & Karl Von Brauner versus Ray Gunkel, Buddy Fuller & Sputnik Monroe ruled a no contest / Notes: Dale Lewis put up $1,000 in the match with Lester Welch, betting he could not be pinned within the first thirty minutes. Lewis was declared the winner when Welch was unable to continue. Saul Weingeroff managed Eric & Karl Von Brauner.
JANUARY 1, 1971 (FRIDAY) â” ATLANTA, GA â” ATLANTA MUNICIPAL AUDITORIUM [P] (Paul Jones â” Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Bob Griffin versus Silento Rodriguez > Skandor Akbar defeated Chief Little Eagle > Michel Dubois defeated Doug Gilbert > Jack & Jim Dalton defeated Mr. Ito & the Great Ota > Bobby Shane and Luke Graham wrestled to a draw > Ray Gunkel, Freddie Blassie & El Mongol defeated Buddy Colt & the Assassins / Notes: Bob Griffin and Silento Rodriguez were scheduled to wrestle each other, but no results were reported after the card. Charlie Harben and Charlie Smith were credited as being referees for this card. Homer OâDell managed Buddy Colt. It was announced that the appeal filed by OâDell to uphold the decision in which Colt lost the Georgia Heavyweight Title to Ray Gunkel on November 27, 1970, and the investigation led Paul Jones to declare the title vacant. According to the program for this card, âAtlanta TV Wrestlingâ has moved back to Channel 11âs time slot of 10:30 to 11:30 PM on Saturday nights, though it is still taping in the afternoon. Chief Little Eagle participated in an autograph session for fans.
JANUARY 1, 1972 (SATURDAY) â” ATLANTA, GA â” WTCG STUDIOS (Paul Jones â” Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Roberto Soto defeated Buddy Colt by disqualification > Dick Steinborn & Jerry Oates defeated Karl Von Stroheim & Mr. X > Klondike Bill defeated Joe Turco / Notes: This was taped for the âGeorgia Championship Wrestlingâ television program hosted by Ed Capral. Assassin #1 joined Capral to announce that he had become the manager for Karl Von Stroheim and Mr. X, and would also be bringing in Bepo Mongol soon.
JANUARY 1, 1974 (TUESDAY) â” ATLANTA, GA â” ATLANTA MUNICIPAL AUDITORIUM (Ann Gunkel â” Promoter / All-South Wrestling Alliance) > The Champ versus the Cougar > Wayne Cowan & Jack Armstrong versus Tommy Seigler & Lanny Poffo > Oki Shikina versus Gorilla Watts > Argentina Apollo versus the Enforcer > Georgia Television Title Match: the Super Gladiator* versus Ray Candy > Thunderbolt Patterson versus the Great Fuji / Notes: No documented results for this card have been found. Rock Hunter managed the Enforcer.
JANUARY 1, 1974 (TUESDAY) â” MACON, GA â” MACON COLISEUM (Fred Ward â” Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Bobby Cash versus the Zebra Kid > Frank Cochran versus Leon Ogle > Tom Jones versus Rasputin > Womenâs Match: Toni Rose versus Vicky Williams > Bill Dromo & Robert Fuller versus the Samoans > Southeastern Heavyweight Title Match: Bob Armstrong* versus Gorgeous George, Jr. > Lights Out Match: Bobby Shane versus Les Thatcher / Notes: No documented results for this card have been found. Gary Hart managed Bobby Shane & Gorgeous George, Jr.
JANUARY 1, 1977 (SATURDAY) â” ATLANTA, GA â” OMNI COLISEUM [P] (Paul Jones â” Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Ricky Steamboat defeated Bill Howard > Bob Backlund defeated El Gaucho > Black Atlas defeated Bill White > Womenâs Battle Royal: Susan Green (Winner) > Killer Brooks defeated Raymond Rougeau > Bill Watts defeated the Mongolian Stomper > Thunderbolt Patterson defeated the Sheik > Georgia Heavyweight Title Match: Dick Slater* defeated Dusty Rhodes by disqualification > Abdullah the Butcher defeated the Mighty Igor by disqualification > World Tag Team Title Match: Ole & Gene Anderson* versus Mr. Wrestling #1 & #2 / Notes: Ole & Gene Anderson and Mr. Wrestling #1 & #2 were scheduled to wrestle each other, but no results were reported after the card. It was reported that the purse for the battle royal was $3,000. J.J. Dillon managed the Mongolian Stomper.
JANUARY 1, 1978 (SUNDAY) â” MACON, GA â” MACON COLISEUM (Fred Ward â” Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Raymond Rougeau defeated Randy Savage > Tommy Rich defeated the Invader > Jacques Goulet defeated Charlie Cook > Bob Armstrong & Tony Atlas defeated Ernie Ladd & Pak Song > Dick Slater & Mr. Wrestling #2 defeated Ole Anderson & Stan Hansen > Dusty Rhodes defeated Abdullah the Butcher by disqualification / Notes: Rock Hunter managed Abdullah the Butcher.
JANUARY 1, 1978 (SUNDAY) â” ATLANTA, GA â” OMNI COLISEUM [P] (Paul Jones â” Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Intern #1 defeated Richard Blood > Gorgeous George, Jr., defeated Jerry Stubbs > Charlie Cook defeated Intern #2 > Raymond Rougeau & Tommy Rich defeated Randy Savage & Jacques Goulet > Georgia Television Title Match: Bob Armstrong* defeated the Mongolian Stomper > Dick Slater, Tony Atlas & Mr. Wrestling #2 defeated Ole Anderson, Ox Baker & Pak Song > Ernie Ladd & Abdullah the Butcher versus Andre the Giant & Thunderbolt Patterson ruled a no contest > Georgia Heavyweight Title Match: Dusty Rhodes defeated Stan Hansen* by disqualification / Notes: Dick Slater and Ole Anderson were the special referees for the match between Dusty Rhodes and Stan Hansen. Rock Hunter managed Abdullah the Butcher and Pak Song. Gorgeous George, Jr., managed the Mongolian Stomper.
JANUARY 1, 1979 (MONDAY) â” COLUMBUS, GA â” COLUMBUS MUNICIPAL AUDITORIUM (Fred Ward â” Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Raymond Rougeau versus the Challenger > Rufus R. Jones versus Kurt Von Hess > Stan Hansen versus Bugsy McGraw > Ole Anderson & Ivan Koloff versus Bob Armstrong & Mr. Wrestling #1 > Columbus Heavyweight Title Match: King Kong Mosca* versus Tommy Rich > Georgia Heavyweight Title Match: the Masked Superstar* versus Mr. Wrestling #2 > Ernie Ladd versus Andre the Giant / Notes: No documented results for this card have been found.
JANUARY 1, 1979 (MONDAY) â” ATLANTA, GA â” OMNI COLISEUM [P] (Paul Jones â” Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Raymond Rougeau defeated Larry Latham > Pierre Lefebvre defeated Bryan St. John > Bugsy McGraw defeated Kurt Von Hess > Georgia Television Title Match: Thunderbolt Patterson* defeated Luke Graham > Wahoo McDaniel defeated King Kong Mosca > Tommy Rich & Dusty Rhodes defeated Ernie Ladd & Stan Hansen > Georgia Heavyweight Title Match: Mr. Wrestling #2 defeated the Masked Superstar* by disqualification > Georgia Tag Team Title Match: Jack & Jerry Brisco defeated Terry Funk & Dory Funk, Jr.,* to win title > NWA World Heavyweight Title Match: Harley Race* versus Andre the Giant ended in a double countout
JANUARY 1, 1981 (THURSDAY) â” ATLANTA, GA â” OMNI COLISEUM [P] (Paul Jones â” Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Bobby Eaton defeated the Assassin > Jos LeDuc defeated Jerry Oates > Steve Keirn and Kevin Sullivan wrestled to a draw > NWA World Junior Heavyweight Title Match: Les Thornton* defeated Steve O > Georgia Heavyweight Title Match: Tony Atlas* defeated Alexis Smirnoff > National Heavyweight Title Match: Mr. Wrestling #2 defeated the Mongolian Stomper* by disqualification > National Tag Team Title Match: Robert Fuller & Ted DiBiase defeated Terry Gordy & Buddy Roberts* by disqualification > Andre the Giant defeated Hulk Hogan > No DQ Match: Dusty Rhodes defeated Ole Anderson / Notes: Don Carson managed the Mongolian Stomper. Michael Hayes joined Terry Gordy and Buddy Roberts at the ring during their match with Robert Fuller & Ted DiBiase. Freddie Blassie managed Hulk Hogan.
JANUARY 1, 1982 (FRIDAY) â” COLUMBUS, GA â” COLUMBUS MUNICIPAL AUDITORIUM (Fred Ward â” Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Jimmy Garvin defeated the French Angel > Terry Gordy and Mr. Wrestling #2 wrestled to a draw > National Tag Team Title Match: Bob & Brad Armstrong* defeated Ron Bass & Buzz Sawyer > Tommy Rich defeated the Great Kabuki > No DQ Match: the Masked Superstar & the Super Destroyer defeated Leroy Brown & Big Red > Battle Royal: Jimmy Garvin (Winner) / Notes: It was reported that the purse for the battle royal was $10,000. Gary Hart managed the Great Kabuki.
JANUARY 1, 1982 (FRIDAY) â” ATLANTA, GA â” OMNI COLISEUM [P] (Paul Jones â” Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Jimmy Garvin defeated the French Angel > Ron Bass defeated Jerry Oates > Kevin Sullivan defeated El Gran Apollo > Big Red defeated Austin Idol > Stan Hansen versus Terry Gordy ruled a no contest > Texas Death Match: Buzz Sawyer defeated Mr. Wrestling #2 > National Tag Team Title Match: Bob & Brad Armstrong* defeated Terry Funk & Dory Funk, Jr. > Dick Slater defeated the Great Kabuki > Andre the Giant defeated Ricky Harris > Texas Tornado Tag Team Match: Tommy Rich & Leroy Brown defeated the Masked Superstar & the Super Destroyer / Notes: Ricky Harris substituted for the Assassin in the match with Andre the Giant. Gary Hart managed the Great Kabuki.
JANUARY 1, 1984 (SUNDAY) â” ATLANTA, GA â” OMNI COLISEUM [P] (Paul Jones â” Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Johnny Rich versus Pat Rose > Tommy Rogers versus Brad Armstrong > Ron Garvin versus Pez Whatley > National Television Title Match: Jake Roberts* versus Jerry Lawler > Brett Sawyer, Jerry Brisco & Bugsy McGraw versus Killer Karl Krupp & the Road Warriors > National Heavyweight Title Match: Ted DiBiase* versus Bob Armstrong > Jos LeDuc versus Buzz Sawyer / Notes: No documented results for this card have been found. Paul Ellering managed Jake Roberts, Killer Karl Krupp, and the Road Warriors.
JANUARY 1, 1985 (TUESDAY) â” ATLANTA, GA â” OMNI COLISEUM [P] (Ole Anderson â” Promoter / Championship Wrestling from Georgia) > Tommy Rogers and the Italian Stallion wrestled to a draw > Len Denton defeated Jerry Oates > Brian Adidas defeated Chick Donovan > Ron Ritchie defeated Ox Baker by disqualification > Ron Slinker defeated Bob Roop by disqualification > Tag Team Battle Royal: the Long Riders defeated Manny Fernandez & Dusty Rhodes, the Dirty White Boys, the Fabulous Ones, Tully Blanchard & Bob Roop, the Hollywood Blonds, and Tommy Rich & Michael Hayes > Ole Anderson & Thunderbolt Patterson defeated the Terminators > Tommy Rich & Abdullah the Butcher defeated the Long Riders > National Heavyweight Title Match: Ron Garvin* defeated Ox Baker / Notes: It was reported that the purse for the battle royal was $50,000. Ox Baker substituted for Wahoo McDaniel in the match with Ron Garvin.
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 OâSullivan.
