GEORGIA WRESTLING NEWS, NOTES, AND NOSTALGIA

Posted in News by Jack at 08:31, Nov 07 2007

Thanks to http://www.georgiawrestlinghistory.com

NEWS

We learned late last night that All-Star Championship Wrestling has made a decision to cancel the event they had planned in Carrollton, GA, on November 8. In a message from promoter Rock Parsons: ?I tried for the last 3 months to come up with a huge show. But after 3 straight attempts of having card changes I believe the people of Carrollton are wondering what won't happen this time. So with less than 3 dozen tickets sold in advance and with 10 big names on the card. We won't be running the 8th. I knew awhile back that we were running too close to other groups and after the Bullet missed the first show, the Cage & Atlas the 2nd, and Morton the 3rd that this would be a problem. Also I think being only 8 miles from a weekly show is a mistake. I hope to return to several towns in the spring. I have decided to have a back surgery that I have put off for 6 months. This will also give our TV sometime to play. Thanks to all of you who came out and I will post website info.?

It was reported late yesterday that Dr. Phil C. Astin III, still under house arrest and under indictment for charges of overprescribing medication to Chris Benoit and Michael Durham (a/k/a Johnny Grunge), wrote four prescriptions of painkillers within a twenty-five day span during March 2005 for Durham. Two of those were for sixty 350mg Somas on March 3 and 7 of 2005. The investigation has shown that Astin signed off on thirty-two of the last thirty-six prescriptions in which Durham had received prior to his death in February 2006. There was also a period in November 2005 where Astin signed for two prescriptions of 100 painkillers each and six days apart for Durham. Further findings show that Astin was one of eleven physicians to prescribe medication to Durham between 1999 and his death. Astin?s initial legal representative, Manny Arora, requested to be removed from the case on September 26, citing indigence on Astin?s part since he could no longer work. The following day, Astin was appointed public defender Virginia Natasha Perdew-Silas, who has not commented publicly since taking over his defense. Astin filed for bankruptcy last month.

After months of speculation, the Southside Trash has confirmed to GWH that they are indeed returning to the ring in 2008. The SST has been a favorite heel team on the Georgia scene for several years, in two different lineups, with Rowdy Matiz being the constant, and it appears both of his former partners, Razor and Big Daddy, will be joining him. ?I will be returning to the ring very soon,? said Matiz. ?I will be teaming up with Razor. Big Daddy will be our manager. The new original Southside Trash: Rowdy and Razor, with Big Daddy. I've got quite a few plans up my sleeves.? Razor was Rowdy?s original partner, and Big Daddy joined up later. After Big Daddy suffered a back injury, the team ended, and Matiz made the decision to retire.

Southern Extreme Championship Wrestling results from Villa Rica, GA, on November 4: Kyle Matthews over Tony Black; the Regular Guys over Bruce Biggins & Todd Zane by disqualification; Frankie Valentine over Adrian Hawkins; Cru Jones & the Super Destroyer over Scotty Blaze & the Nightmare; and Bull Buchanan over Bulldog Raines to win the SECW Heavyweight Title. No attendance was reported for this card. Josh Stone was credited as being a referee. Buchanan substituted for Tommy Rich. Our reports say nothing regarding an explanation, if any, why Rich wasn?t in the match.

AWA World-1 South returns to action on December 22, at the Oconee Gym in Dublin, GA, raising funds for the Dublin Tipoff Club. Matches begin at 7:30 PM. Call (866) 244-0104 for more info. Just added to the previously announced matches are Tommy Rich versus Big Bank Barfield; Shawn Hunter versus Kevin Kantrell; and Lance Alonte versus Q-Ball. Other matches previously advertised: The Heartbreak Express defend the AWA World Tag Team Title versus K.I. Elite (Shawn Hunter & Jake Slater); and Francisco Ciatso will defend the World-1 South Southern Heavyweight Title versus Dave Holiday. Mike Stratus is also scheduled to appear.

NOTES

Georgia Wrestling History would like to wish a happy birthday today to Ken Patera (65) and Dave Prazak, whose age is unknown to us.

As we reported above, the Southside Trash is planning a return to Georgia rings next year. If you have never seen this team, make plans to do so once dates are announced. These guys are the best heel tag team in the business, including anyone in WWE, TNA, ROH, etc. They combine a solid old school wrestling style with a bit of comedy thrown in, and the fans love to hate them. We at GWH are very excited to know that these guys are going to be back on the scene.

Trash Talking Radio will feature Eric Gargiula and DJ Hyde on its show tonight at 7:00 PM ET, while Wrestling Weekly will have Shawn Stasiak on its show tonight at 8:00 PM ET.

NOSTALGIA

1933: Jim Hesslyn defeated George Romanoff in the main event at the American Legion in Augusta for promoter Max Stewart.

1934: Orville Brown and Karl Sarpolis wrestled to a draw in the main event at the Atlanta Municipal Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Henry Weber.

1935: Sammy Miller defeated Swede Hanson two falls to one in the main event at Supreme Circle Hall in Albany for promoter Frank Bettis.

1936: Dick Raines defeated Orville Brown in the main event at the Atlanta Municipal Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Frank Speer.

1942: The Golden Terror, managed by the Masked Manager, defeated Ben Morgan in the main event at the Atlanta Municipal Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Charles Rentrop.

1946: Tex Riley defeated Gene Blakely to retain the World Junior Heavyweight Title at the Savannah Municipal Auditorium for promoters Lou Masters, Dick Leonard, and Buster White. Riley had been the reigning World Junior Heavyweight Champion as recognized by the Nashville, TN, office since he won a tournament on July 12, 1946, in Nashville.

1950: Red Dugan and Gorgeous Gilpin wrestled to a draw in the main event at the Thomasville Municipal Auditorium for promoter Fred Ward, who had not yet become affiliated with the Atlanta office of Georgia Championship Wrestling.

1953: Ray Villmer defeated Gorgeous George by disqualification to retain the Southern Heavyweight Title at the Atlanta Municipal Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Paul Jones. Villmer had been the reigning Southern Heavyweight Champion since he defeated Don McIntyre on October 16, 1953, in Atlanta. Gorgeous George was escorted to the ring by his valet Jeffries.

1959: Farmer Powell defeated Freddie Blassie by disqualification in the main event at the Atlanta Municipal Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Paul Jones. Also, Lenny Montana defeated Johnny Weaver in the final round of a tournament to earn a title match with US Television Champion Verne Gagne, to take place on November 13, 1959. Others included in the tournament were Baron Gattoni, Adrien Baillargeon, Tony Marino, Gorgeous George, Ed Sharpe, and Ray Gunkel.

1962: Jake Smith defeated Gypsy Joe in the main event at the Macon City Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Fred Ward.

1963: Luke Graham & Al Galento defeated Lonnie Brown & Bob Morrow in the final round of a tournament for the vacant Southeastern Tag Team Title at the Columbus Municipal Auditorium for promoter Fred Ward. At the time, Ward was not affiliated with the Atlanta office of Georgia Championship Wrestling. He had split from his partnership in July 1963. It is said that the reasons were over booking fees to use the talent sent in by the Atlanta office. The partnership was renewed and resumed in March 1964. Other teams in the tournament included Jack Bence & Ronnie Hill and Bob Eisenburg & the Inferno.

1964: A title match between Southern Tag Team Champions Eddie Graham & Sam Steamboat and the Mysterious Medics was ruled a no contest at the Atlanta Municipal Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Paul Jones. It is unclear as to how Graham & Steamboat came to be recognized as champions. The last reference we have shows the Kentuckians defending the title against Lenny Montana & Gypsy Joe on November 23, 1962, in Atlanta. A title match involving Georgia Heavyweight Champion Sputnik Monroe and Mario Galento ended the same, with Monroe retaining the title. Monroe had been the reigning Georgia Heavyweight Champion since he defeated Don Fargo on October 16, 1964, in Atlanta.

1970: Paul DeMarco, Bobo Brazil & El Mongol defeated Skandor Akbar & the Assassins in the main event at the Atlanta Municipal Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Paul Jones.

1973: Bob Armstrong defeated Stan Vachon to retain the Southeastern Heavyweight Title at the Macon Coliseum for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Fred Ward. It is unclear at this time how Armstrong came to be recognized as champion. The last reference we have found shows him and Buddy Colt in a title match on September 5, 1973, in Columbus, and there was no indication as to which was defending the title. Also, Bobby Shane & Gorgeous George, Jr., defeated Tim Woods & Mr. Wrestling #2 to win the Macon Tag Team Title. Woods & Wrestling #2 had been the reigning champions since they defeated the Super Infernos, managed by J.C. Dykes, on October 30, 1973, in Macon. In the main event, Roberto Soto & Bobo Brazil defeated Bobby Duncum & Bill Watts.

1977: Ric Flair defeated US Heavyweight Champion Ricky Steamboat by disqualification in a title match at the Savannah Civic Center for Jim Crockett Promotions promoter Aaron Newman. Because of the disqualification, Steamboat retained the title. Steamboat had been the reigning champion since he defeated Flair on October 21, 1977, in Charleston, SC. Also, Baron Von Raschke defeated Mr. Wrestling #1 to retain the Mid-Atlantic Television Title. Von Raschke had been the reigning champion since he defeated Steamboat on October 12, 1977, in Raleigh, NC.

1978: Ole Anderson & Stan Hansen defeated Rick Martel & Mr. Wrestling #2 to retain the Georgia Tag Team Title at the William Bell Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Charlie Harbin. Anderson & Hansen had been the reigning champions since they defeated Rick Martel & Tommy Rich on October 20, 1978, in Atlanta. Anderson also defeated Pez Whatley in a Lights Out Match.

1979: Tommy Rich defeated Killer Karl Kox, managed by Bobby Heenan, to retain the Georgia Heavyweight Title at the Macon Coliseum for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Fred Ward. It was advertised that Rich would get five minutes in the ring with Heenan if he won, but there were no details provided afterward. Rich had been the reigning champion since he defeated Kox on October 26, 1979, in Atlanta.

1983: Tommy Rich defeated Ted DiBiase by disqualification in the main event at the Omni Auditorium for Georgia Championship Wrestling promoter Paul Jones. It is unclear as to how the match between Rich and DiBiase came about. Harley Race was advertised rather than DiBiase. Race claims he was not booked, but Ole Anderson claims he was scheduled to defend the NWA World Heavyweight Title versus Rich. Also, a title match between National Tag Team Champion Road Warriors, managed by ?Precious? Paul Ellering, and Brett Sawyer & Dusty Rhodes ended in a double disqualification, thus no title change. Jake Roberts, also managed by Ellering, defeated Ron Garvin to win the National Television Title.

2004: A.J. Steele defeated Bull Buchanan in a match to determine which would have the right to claim the GCW Tag Team Title at the GCW Sports Arena in Columbus for Georgia Championship Wrestling. One week prior, Steele & Buchanan defeated David Young & Chris Stevens for the title, but Buchanan had walked away from the ring and never returned. After the match, Steele, chose Damien Steele to be his partner for future title defenses. Also, Erik Watts defeated Brad Armstrong to retain the GCW Heavyweight Title.