Georgia Wrestling History - the Home of Peach State Pandemonium: Cards & Results

1939

JULY 3 (MONDAY) – AVONDALE, GA – AVONDALE ARENA (Frank Bettis and Cleve Roby – Promoters) > Bill Collins versus Honey Boy Hackney > Jack McAdams versus the Skull (1) / Notes: No documented results for this card have been found.

JULY 6 (THURSDAY) – ATLANTA, GA – WARREN ATHLETIC FIELD (Frank Bettis and Cleve Roby – Promoters) > Al Olsen versus Carlos Rodriquez > Sid Marcus versus the Red Shadow > Women’s World Title Match: Mildred Burke* versus Gladys Gillem / Notes: No documented results for this card have been found. Leading up to this card, the Atlanta Constitution reported that Burke was the women’s champion for the 126-pound division, and that Clara Mortensen was the champion for the 135-pound version. Burke had actually won her claim to the Women’s World Title when she defeated Mortensen on January 28, 1937, in Chattanooga, TN.

JULY 10 (MONDAY) – AVONDALE, GA – AVONDALE ARENA (Frank Bettis and Cleve Roby – Promoters) > The Skull (1) defeated Bill Collins by disqualification > Jack McAdams versus Honey Boy Hackney / Notes: Jack McAdams and Honey Boy Hackney were scheduled to wrestle each other, but no results were reported after the card. It was reported that the National Wrestling Association ruled that Hackney didn’t win the Southern Light Heavyweight Title in an earlier match, when he scored the only fall before time ran out. A later match ended in a draw. This left both Hackney and McAdams claiming the title.

JULY 11 (TUESDAY) – ATLANTA, GA – WARREN ATHLETIC FIELD (L.C. Warren – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Bill Lee versus Popeye Swenson > Henry Piers versus Harry Kent > Babe Zaharias defeated Dorv Roche / Notes: Bill Lee and Popeye Swenson were scheduled to wrestle each other, as were Henry Piers and Harry Kent, but no results were reported after the card.

JULY 13 (THURSDAY) – ATLANTA, GA – WARREN ATHLETIC FIELD (Frank Bettis and Cleve Roby – Promoters) > Billy Sandow defeated Bill Green > Larry Tillman defeated Jimmie Goodrich > The Red Shadow defeated Tsutoo Higami / Notes: Bill Green replaced Larry Tillman in the match with Billy Sandow, as Tillman substituted for Jack McAdams in the match with Jimmie Goodrich.

JULY 14 (FRIDAY) – SAVANNAH, GA – SAVANNAH MUNICIPAL STADIUM (Max Bauman – Promoter) > Jimmie Goodrich and Bob Corby wrestled to a draw > Billy Sandow versus Young Londos > Larry Tillman versus Tsutoo Higami / Notes: Aside from the match between Jimmie Goodrich and Bob Corby, no documented results for the remaining matches on this card have been found.

JULY 17 (MONDAY) – AVONDALE, GA – AVONDALE ARENA (Frank Bettis and Cleve Roby – Promoters) > Eddie Pope versus Young Londos > Bill Collins versus the Skull (1) / Notes: No documented results for this card have been found.

JULY 18 (TUESDAY) – ATLANTA, GA – WARREN ATHLETIC FIELD (L.C. Warren – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Henry Piers defeated Popeye Swenson by disqualification > Dorv Roche defeated Alf Johnson > Leo Savage defeated Babe Zaharias / Notes: It was reported that 1,500 were in attendance for this card.

JULY 20 (THURSDAY) – ATLANTA, GA – WARREN ATHLETIC FIELD (Frank Bettis and Cleve Roby – Promoters) > Jim Spanos versus Mike Cassidy > Frankie Chambers versus Jimmie Goodrich > Southern Junior Heavyweight Title Match: Joe Gunther* versus the Red Shadow / Notes: No documented results for this card have been found. Joe Gunther had been billed as the Southern Junior Heavyweight Champion since May 25, 1939.

JULY 22 (SATURDAY) – SAVANNAH, GA – SAVANNAH MUNICIPAL STADIUM (Max Bauman – Promoter) > Jimmie Goodrich versus Joe Gunther > Bob Corby versus Frankie Chambers > Jim Spanos versus Walter Miller / Notes: No documented results for this card have been found.

JULY 24 (MONDAY) – AVONDALE, GA – AVONDALE ARENA (Frank Bettis and Cleve Roby – Promoters) > Bill Collins versus Red Dugan > The Skull (1) defeated Honey Boy Hackney / Notes: No documented results for this card have been found.

JULY 25 (TUESDAY) – ATLANTA, GA – WARREN ATHLETIC FIELD (L.C. Warren – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Alf Johnson defeated Popeye Swenson by disqualification > Harry Kent and Dorv Roche wrestled to a draw > Leo Savage versus Cowboy Luttrall ruled a no contest

JULY 27 (THURSDAY) – ATLANTA, GA – WARREN ATHLETIC FIELD (Frank Bettis and Cleve Roby – Promoters) > Jim Spanos defeated Bad Boy Brown > Sid Marcus defeated Al Olsen > The Red Shadow defeated Charlie Keene / Notes: Bad Boy Brown substituted for Billy Sandow in the match with Jim Spanos, and Charlie Keene substituted for Jimmie Goodrich in the match with the Red Shadow.

AUGUST 1 (TUESDAY) – ATLANTA, GA – WARREN ARENA (L.C. Warren – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Johnny Marrs defeated Alf Johnson > Henry Piers and Harry Kent wrestled to a draw > Cowboy Luttrall defeated Leo Savage (2-0)

AUGUST 3 (THURSDAY) – ATLANTA, GA – WARREN ATHLETIC FIELD (Frank Bettis and Cleve Roby – Promoters) > Gus Pappas versus Bad Boy Brown > Sid Marcus defeated Charlie Keene > Loser Must Unmask: the Red Shadow and the Skull (2) wrestled to a draw / Notes: Gus Pappas and Bad Boy Brown were scheduled to wrestle each other, but no results were reported after the card.

AUGUST 3 (THURSDAY) – AVONDALE, GA – AVONDALE ARENA (Nat Jones – Promoter) > Young Gotch versus Honey Boy Hackney > Bill Collins versus the Skull (1) / Notes: No documented results for this card have been found.

AUGUST 7 (MONDAY) – AVONDALE, GA – AVONDALE ARENA (Frank Bettis and Cleve Roby – Promoters) > Boxing Match: Bill Collins versus the Skull (1) / Notes: No documented results for this card have been found.

AUGUST 8 (TUESDAY) – ATLANTA, GA – WARREN ATHLETIC FIELD (L.C. Warren – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Johnny Marrs and Heinie Olson wrestled to a draw > Henry Piers versus Angelo Cistoldi > Dick Raines versus Cowboy Luttrall / Notes: Henry Piers and Angelo Cistoldi were scheduled to wrestle each other, as were Dick Raines and Cowboy Luttrall, but no results were reported after the card.

AUGUST 10 (THURSDAY) – ATLANTA, GA – WARREN ATHLETIC FIELD (Frank Bettis and Cleve Roby – Promoters) > Jim Spanos versus Tsutoo Higami > Southern Light Heavyweight Title Match: Jack McAdams* versus Mike Cassidy > Sid Marcus versus the Skull (2) / Notes: No documented results for this card have been found. As a result of a reported National Wrestling Association ruling, both Jack McAdams and Honey Boy Hackney were claiming to be the Southern Light Heavyweight Champion.

AUGUST 10 (THURSDAY) – AVONDALE, GA – AVONDALE ARENA (Frank Bettis and Cleve Roby – Promoters) > Southern Light Heavyweight Title Match: the Skull (1) defeated Honey Boy Hackney* to win title / Notes: As a result of a reported National Wrestling Association ruling, both Jack McAdams and Honey Boy Hackney were claiming to be the Southern Light Heavyweight Champion.

AUGUST 14 (MONDAY) – ATLANTA, GA – RED ROCK ARENA (Frank Bettis and Cleve Roby – Promoters) > Honey Boy Hackney versus Young Londos > Loser Must Unmask: the Skull (1) versus the Skull (2) / Notes: No documented results for this card have been found.

AUGUST 15 (TUESDAY) – ATLANTA, GA – WARREN ARENA (L.C. Warren – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Gabe Zeller defeated Joe Millich > Heinie Olson defeated Johnny Marrs > Henry Piers and Harry Kent wrestled to a draw at 90:00

AUGUST 17 (THURSDAY) – ATLANTA, GA – WARREN ATHLETIC FIELD (Frank Bettis and Cleve Roby – Promoters) > Frankie Chambers versus Bad Boy Brown > Southern Light Heavyweight Title Match: Jack McAdams* versus Al Olsen > Charlie Keene versus the Skull (2) / Notes: No documented results for this card have been found. As a result of a reported National Wrestling Association ruling, both Jack McAdams and the Skull were claiming to be the Southern Light Heavyweight Champion.

AUGUST 21 (MONDAY) – ATLANTA, GA – RED ROCK ARENA (Frank Bettis and Cleve Roby – Promoters) > Tony Papalino versus John Dameron > Red Dugan versus Young Londos > Glenn Cowan versus the Skull (1) > Honey Boy Hackney versus Young Gotch / Notes: No documented results for this card have been found.

AUGUST 22 (TUESDAY) – ATLANTA, GA – WARREN ATHLETIC FIELD (L.C. Warren – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Frank Sexton defeated Gabe Zeller > Dorv Roche and Heinie Olson wrestled to a draw > Harry Kent defeated Chief Saunooke

AUGUST 24 (THURSDAY) – ATLANTA, GA – WARREN ATHLETIC FIELD (Frank Bettis and Cleve Roby – Promoters) > Larry Tillman versus Jim Spanos > Gus Pappas versus Bad Boy Brown > Southern Light Heavyweight Title Match: Jack McAdams* versus the Skull (2) / Notes: No documented results for this card have been found. As a result of a reported National Wrestling Association ruling, both Jack McAdams and the Skull were claiming to be the Southern Light Heavyweight Champion. It is purely speculation, but this match may have actually been to settle the dispute over the title.

AUGUST 28 (MONDAY) – ATLANTA, GA – RED ROCK ARENA (Frank Bettis and Cleve Roby – Promoters) > Honey Boy Hackney defeated Bill Collins by disqualification > Southern Light Heavyweight Title Match: the Skull (1)* versus Jack Ross / Notes: Aside from the match between Honey Boy Hackney and Bill Collins, no documented results for the remaining matches on this card have been found. As a result of a reported National Wrestling Association ruling, both Jack McAdams and the Skull were claiming to be the Southern Light Heavyweight Champion as of a match between them on August 24, 1939, but it appears the Skull may have owned the only rightful claim at this time. Although no results were documented from that card, it appears the Skull may have defeated McAdams to settle the dispute over the title.

AUGUST 29 (TUESDAY) – ATLANTA, GA – WARREN ATHLETIC FIELD (L.C. Warren – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Cowboy Luttrall defeated Heinie Olson > Orville Brown defeated Harry Kent > Henry Piers defeated Angelo Cistoldi by disqualification

AUGUST 31 (THURSDAY) – AVONDALE, GA – AVONDALE ARENA (Frank Bettis and Cleve Roby – Promoters) > John Mauldin versus the Skull (1) > Bill Collins versus Honey Boy Hackney / Notes: No documented results for this card have been found.

AUGUST 31 (THURSDAY) – ATLANTA, GA – WARREN ATHLETIC FIELD (Frank Bettis and Cleve Roby – Promoters) > Gus Boras versus Gus Pappas > Jack McAdams versus Bad Boy Brown > The Skull (2) versus the Red Shadow / Notes: No documented results for this card have been found. It was reported that during the match between the Red Shadow and the Skull, the Shadow removed the Skull’s mask to identify him as Eddie Pope.

SEPTEMBER 4 (MONDAY) – ATLANTA, GA – RED ROCK ARENA (Frank Bettis and Cleve Roby – Promoters) > Red Dugan versus Young Gotch > Women’s Match: Betty Lee versus Babe Murphy > Tony Papalino versus Honey Boy Hackney / Notes: No documented results for this card have been found.

SEPTEMBER 5 (TUESDAY) – ATLANTA, GA – WARREN ATHLETIC FIELD (L.C. Warren – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Heinie Olson defeated Babe Zaharias by disqualification > Angelo Cistoldi defeated Cowboy Luttrall > Henry Piers defeated Harry Kent

SEPTEMBER 12 (TUESDAY) – ATLANTA, GA – WARREN ATHLETIC FIELD (L.C. Warren – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Angelo Cistoldi defeated Heinie Olson > Babe Zaharias defeated Johnny Marrs > NWA World Heavyweight Title Match: Bronko Nagurski* defeated Henry Piers / Notes: Bronko Nagurski had been the reigning NWA World Heavyweight Champion since he defeated Lou Thesz in Houston, TX, on June 23, 1939. This version was the one recognized by the National Boxing Association as the National Wrestling Association.

SEPTEMBER 14 (THURSDAY) – AVONDALE, GA – AVONDALE ARENA (Frank Bettis and Cleve Roby – Promoters) > John Mauldin versus Tony Papalino > Bill Collins versus Young Londos > Red Dugan versus Young Gotch / Notes: No documented results for this card have been found.

SEPTEMBER 15 (FRIDAY) – ATLANTA, GA – WARREN ARENA (Frank Bettis and Cleve Roby – Promoters) > Jack Smithers versus Gus Pappas > Eddie Pope versus Larry Tillman > Jack McAdams versus the Red Shadow / Notes: No documented results for this card have been found.

SEPTEMBER 18 (MONDAY) – ATLANTA, GA – RED ROCK ARENA (Frank Bettis and Cleve Roby – Promoters) > Battle Royal featuring Red Dugan, the Skull (1), Bill Collins, Young Gotch, and Tony Papalino > Bill Collins versus Tony Papalino > Southern Light Heavyweight Title Match: Red Dugan defeated the Skull (1) to win title / Notes: Aside from the match between Red Dugan and the Skull, no documented results for this card have been found. It is unclear as to the reason or the result for the battle royal. Apparently, the Southern Light Heavyweight Title had been vacated at some point prior to this card. Dugan won the vacated title against the Skull, and apparently the Skull was either unmasked by Dugan, or unmasked voluntarily, perhaps per a stipulation, and was identified as Frank Remille.

SEPTEMBER 19 (TUESDAY) – ATLANTA, GA – WARREN ARENA (L.C. Warren – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Joe Millich versus Popeye Swenson > Johnny Marrs versus Cowboy Luttrall > Henry Piers versus Angelo Cistoldi / Notes: No documented results for this card have been found.

SEPTEMBER 21 (THURSDAY) – AVONDALE, GA – AVONDALE ARENA (Frank Bettis and Cleve Roby – Promoters) > Tony Papalino versus Young Gotch > Sammy Miller versus Red Dugan > Frank Remille versus Honey Boy Hackney / Notes: No documented results for this card have been found.

SEPTEMBER 22 (FRIDAY) – ATLANTA, GA – WARREN ARENA (Frank Bettis and Cleve Roby – Promoters) > Battle Royal featuring Pete Tripodes, Charlie Keene, Jack Purdin, Eddie Pope, Jack McAdams, and Bad Boy Brown / Notes: It is unclear as to the reason or the result for the battle royal.

SEPTEMBER 25 (MONDAY) – ATLANTA, GA – RED ROCK ARENA (Frank Bettis and Cleve Roby – Promoters) > Tony Papalino versus Young Gotch > Frank Remille and Young Londos wrestled to a draw > Women’s Match: Betty Lee versus Babe Murphy > Southern Light Heavyweight Title Match: Red Dugan* versus Honey Boy Hackney / Notes: Aside from the match between Frank Remille and Young Londos, no documented results for the remaining matches on this card have been found. Red Dugan had been the reigning Southern Light Heavyweight Champion since he defeated the Skull on September 18, 1939, in Atlanta.

SEPTEMBER 26 (TUESDAY) – ATLANTA, GA – WARREN ARENA (L.C. Warren – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Chris Zaharias defeated Bad Boy Brown > Tiny Ruff defeated Babe Zaharias by disqualification > Angelo Cistoldi defeated Leo Savage by disqualification / Notes: Bad Boy Brown substituted for Popeye Swenson in the match with Chris Zaharias.

SEPTEMBER 28 (THURSDAY) – AVONDALE, GA – AVONDALE ARENA (Frank Bettis and Cleve Roby – Promoters) > Tony Papalino versus John Dameron > Frank Remille versus Young Londos > Bill Collins versus Young Gotch / Notes: No documented results for this card have been found.

SEPTEMBER 29 (FRIDAY) – ATLANTA, GA – WARREN ARENA (Frank Bettis and Cleve Roby – Promoters) > Larry Tillman versus Cyclone Burns > Jack Purdin versus Al Olsen > Jack McAdams versus Charlie Keene / Notes: No documented results for this card have been found.