01/08/2012 – January 8 Georgia Wrestling Nostalgia
From Rich Tate:
January 8, 1934 (Monday) – Atlanta, GA – Fair Street Arena (Jason Thompson –
Promoter) > Fifteen-Round Boxer versus Wrestler Match: Young Londos over K.O.
Ketchel > the Masked Marvel (06) over Tarzan Jordan > Hugh Winn over Ripper
Reeves / Notes: Reeves substituted for Bill Crussell in the match against Winn. It was
reported that the Marvel had a standing challenge, whereas he had vowed if he could
be over at anytime, he would unmask.
January 8, 1935 (Tuesday) – Augusta, GA – New Coliseum (Jack Browning –
Promoter) > Ed Nolan versus Billy Dusek > Leo Alexander versus Honey Boy Hackney
January 8, 1936 (Wednesday) – Albany, GA – Supreme Circle Hall (Frank Bettis –
Promoter) > Lee Folsom versus Pedro Torres > Joe Wolfe versus Young Hercules
January 8, 1936 (Wednesday) – Augusta, GA – New Coliseum (Bill Metzger –
Promoter) > Bill Middlekauff over Dick Powell two falls to one > Southern Lightweight
Title Match: Jack Ross* over Jim Hesslyn to retain the title / Notes: It is unclear as to
how Ross came to be recognized as the Southern Lightweight Champion. The last
reference we have found shows Don McIntyre defending the title against Hesslyn on
June 24, 1935.
January 8, 1937 (Friday) – Atlanta, GA – Atlanta Theatre (Frank Speer – Promoter /
Georgia Championship Wrestling) > George Harben and Bill Bartush went to a draw
at 30:00 > Milo Steinborn over Roland Kirchmeyer > Karl Davis over George Hagen
two falls to one
January 8, 1937 (Friday) – Atlanta, GA – Northside Arena (Frank Bettis and Cleve Roby
– Promoters) > Mike London over John Mauldin by disqualification > Doc Poole
versus Farmer Mack > John Dameron versus Glenn Cowan
January 8, 1953 (Thursday) – Columbus, GA – Columbus Sports Arena (Fred Ward –
Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Don McIntyre over Red Dugan > Herb
Welch over Jack Steele by disqualification > Aldo Bogni over Jerry Graham
January 8, 1954 (Friday) – Atlanta, GA – Atlanta Municipal Auditorium (Paul Jones (01)
– Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Red McIntyre over Karl Kowalski >
Mike Clancy and Frank Taylor went to a draw > Midget Tag Team Match: Tito Infante &
Tuffy McRae over Fritz Krueger (02) & Fuzzy Cupid > Southern Heavyweight Title
Match: Ray Villmer* over Leo Numa to retain the title / Notes: Villmer had been the
reigning Southern Heavyweight Champion since he went over Don McIntyre on
October 16, 1953, in Atlanta.
January 8, 1960 (Friday) – Atlanta, GA – Atlanta Municipal Auditorium (Paul Jones (01)
– Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Mike Paidousis versus Vince Bryant
> Johnny Weaver & Chief Little Eagle versus Tokyo Joe (01) & Mr. X (08) > Southern
Heavyweight Title Match: Ray Gunkel* over Freddie Blassie to retain the title / Notes:
Gunkel had been the reigning Southern Heavyweight Champion since he went over
Blassie on December 25, 1959, in Atlanta.
January 8, 1963 (Tuesday) – Macon, GA – Macon City Auditorium (Fred Ward –
Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Choo-Choo Lynn over Jose Quintero
> Lenny Montana over Mike Paidousis > Bronko Lubich over Bob Eisenburg > the Bat
(03) over Chief Little Eagle / Notes: Homer O’Dell managed Lubich.
January 8, 1965 (Friday) – Atlanta, GA – Atlanta Municipal Auditorium (Paul Jones (01)
– Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Sputnik Monroe over Silento
Rodriguez > Midget Match: Lord Littlebrook over Pee Wee James > Bill Dromo and
Joe Scarpa went to a draw > Buddy Fuller & Eddie Graham over Jack Dalton (01) &
Bob Dalton > Georgia Heavyweight Title Match: Mario Galento* over Greg Peterson to
retain the title / Notes: Galento had been the reigning Georgia Heavyweight
Champion since he went over Monroe on November 13, 1964, in Atlanta.
January 8, 1970 (Thursday) – Americus, GA – Sumter County Fairgrounds (Fred Ward
– Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Bill Kane & Vincent Lopez over
Roberto Soto & Cyclone Soto > Women’s Match: Donna Christianello over Rita
Boucher > Joe Scarpa over Assassin #1 (01)
January 8, 1971 (Friday) – Atlanta, GA – Atlanta Municipal Auditorium (Paul Jones (01)
– Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Bob Griffin over Skandor Akbar >
Michel Dubois & Fidel Castillo over Doug Gilbert (01) & Silento Rodriguez > Luke
Graham versus El Mongol ended in a no contest > Kubla Khan over Bobby Shane >
Buddy Colt and Paul DeMarco went to a draw > Ray Gunkel & Buddy Fuller over the
Assassins (01) (Assassin #1 (01) & Assassin #2 (01)) / Notes: Dubois and Castillo
were being billed as European Tag Team Champions. Jack Crawford managed
Khan. Homer O’Dell managed Colt. Charlie Smith and Leo Garibaldi were credited
as being referees for this card. It was announced that Bobo Brazil would be wrestling
in Atlanta soon. Gilbert participated in an autograph session for fans.
January 8, 1974 (Tuesday) – Atlanta, GA – Atlanta Municipal Auditorium (Ann Gunkel –
Promoter / All-South Wrestling Alliance) > Tommy Seigler versus the Viking (02) > Ted
Oates versus the Cougar (04) > Lanny Poffo versus the Great Fuji > Gorilla Watts
versus Bolo > Argentina Apollo versus Geto > Ray Candy & Charlie Cook versus
Assassin #2 (01) & the Super Gladiator > Ernie Ladd & Thunderbolt Patterson versus
Ox Baker & the Missouri Mauler / Notes: Rock Hunter managed Assassin #2 and the
Mauler. George Cannon managed the Mongols. Patterson participated in an
autograph session for fans. The program we have for this card mentioned that Tom
Renesto, Jr., is now the Timekeeper.
January 8, 1974 (Tuesday) – Macon, GA – Macon Coliseum (Fred Ward – Promoter /
Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Midget Match: Little Louie (01) over Billy the Kid
(01) > Rufus R. Jones over the Zebra Kid (02) > Ten-Round Boxing Match: Leon Ogle
over Frank Cochran by knockout > Jerry Lawler over Bobby Cash > Tim Woods &
Roberto Soto over Ron Garvin & Terry Garvin by disqualification > Lou Thesz & Robert
Fuller & Mr. Wrestling #2 (01) over Black Angus & the Samoans (01) (Tio & Tapu) >
Southeastern Heavyweight Title Match: Bob Armstrong* over Bobby Shane / Notes:
Gary Hart managed Angus, Shane, and the Samoans. Jimmy Garvin managed the
Garvins. Armstrong had been billed as the Southeastern Heavyweight Champion
since November 6, 1973.
January 8, 1978 (Sunday) – Savannah, GA – Savannah Civic Center (Aaron Newman
– Promoter / Jim Crockett Promotions) > Jimmy Garvin over Tony Russo > Jerry
Blackwell & Hartford Love over Ted Oates & Dino Bravo > Mr. Saito over Boris Malenko
> the Masked Superstar over Mr. Wrestling #1 by disqualification > United States
Heavyweight Title Match: Blackjack Mulligan* over the Mighty Igor / Notes: Malenko
managed the Superstar.
January 8, 1979 (Monday) – Augusta, GA – William Bell Auditorium (Charlie Harben –
Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Raymond Rougeau over Larry
Latham > the Grappler (02) over Pierre Lefebvre > Rufus R. Jones & Wahoo McDaniel
over Luke Graham & King Kong Mosca > Tommy Rich and Stan Hansen went to a
draw > Georgia Television Title Match: Thunderbolt Patterson* over Gene Anderson >
Georgia Heavyweight Title Match: the Masked Superstar* over Mr. Wrestling #2 (01)
January 8, 1983 (Saturday) – Chattanooga, TN – Chattanooga Memorial Auditorium
(Paul Jones (01) – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Joe Lightfoot over
the Super Destroyer (01) > Brad Armstrong & Tito Santana over the Moondogs (Rex
(01) & Spot) > Tommy Rich over the Iron Sheik > Stan Hansen & Paul Orndorff over
Ole Anderson & Ivan Koloff by disqualification > Butch Reed over Buzz Sawyer / Notes:
It was reported that the purse for the battle royal was $2,000. J.J. Dillon managed the
Moondogs.
January 8, 1983 (Saturday) – Atlanta, GA – Omni Coliseum (Paul Jones (01) –
Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Joe Lightfoot over Chick Donovan >
Women’s Match: Candy Malloy over Judy Martin > Tito Santana over the Iron Sheik by
countout > Paul Orndorff over the Super Destroyer (01) > Stan Hansen & Tommy Rich
over the Moondogs (Rex (01) & Spot) > Women’s Battle Royal: Judy Martin (Winner) >
Battle Royal: Butch Reed (Winner) / Notes: It is unclear as to the reason for the battle
royals. J.J. Dillon managed the Moondogs.
From Rich Tate:
January 8, 1934 (Monday) – Atlanta, GA – Fair Street Arena (Jason Thompson –
Promoter) > Fifteen-Round Boxer versus Wrestler Match: Young Londos over K.O.
Ketchel > the Masked Marvel (06) over Tarzan Jordan > Hugh Winn over Ripper
Reeves / Notes: Reeves substituted for Bill Crussell in the match against Winn. It was
reported that the Marvel had a standing challenge, whereas he had vowed if he could
be over at anytime, he would unmask.
January 8, 1935 (Tuesday) – Augusta, GA – New Coliseum (Jack Browning –
Promoter) > Ed Nolan versus Billy Dusek > Leo Alexander versus Honey Boy Hackney
January 8, 1936 (Wednesday) – Albany, GA – Supreme Circle Hall (Frank Bettis –
Promoter) > Lee Folsom versus Pedro Torres > Joe Wolfe versus Young Hercules
January 8, 1936 (Wednesday) – Augusta, GA – New Coliseum (Bill Metzger –
Promoter) > Bill Middlekauff over Dick Powell two falls to one > Southern Lightweight
Title Match: Jack Ross* over Jim Hesslyn to retain the title / Notes: It is unclear as to
how Ross came to be recognized as the Southern Lightweight Champion. The last
reference we have found shows Don McIntyre defending the title against Hesslyn on
June 24, 1935.
January 8, 1937 (Friday) – Atlanta, GA – Atlanta Theatre (Frank Speer – Promoter /
Georgia Championship Wrestling) > George Harben and Bill Bartush went to a draw
at 30:00 > Milo Steinborn over Roland Kirchmeyer > Karl Davis over George Hagen
two falls to one
January 8, 1937 (Friday) – Atlanta, GA – Northside Arena (Frank Bettis and Cleve Roby
– Promoters) > Mike London over John Mauldin by disqualification > Doc Poole
versus Farmer Mack > John Dameron versus Glenn Cowan
January 8, 1953 (Thursday) – Columbus, GA – Columbus Sports Arena (Fred Ward –
Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Don McIntyre over Red Dugan > Herb
Welch over Jack Steele by disqualification > Aldo Bogni over Jerry Graham
January 8, 1954 (Friday) – Atlanta, GA – Atlanta Municipal Auditorium (Paul Jones (01)
– Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Red McIntyre over Karl Kowalski >
Mike Clancy and Frank Taylor went to a draw > Midget Tag Team Match: Tito Infante &
Tuffy McRae over Fritz Krueger (02) & Fuzzy Cupid > Southern Heavyweight Title
Match: Ray Villmer* over Leo Numa to retain the title / Notes: Villmer had been the
reigning Southern Heavyweight Champion since he went over Don McIntyre on
October 16, 1953, in Atlanta.
January 8, 1960 (Friday) – Atlanta, GA – Atlanta Municipal Auditorium (Paul Jones (01)
– Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Mike Paidousis versus Vince Bryant
> Johnny Weaver & Chief Little Eagle versus Tokyo Joe (01) & Mr. X (08) > Southern
Heavyweight Title Match: Ray Gunkel* over Freddie Blassie to retain the title / Notes:
Gunkel had been the reigning Southern Heavyweight Champion since he went over
Blassie on December 25, 1959, in Atlanta.
January 8, 1963 (Tuesday) – Macon, GA – Macon City Auditorium (Fred Ward –
Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Choo-Choo Lynn over Jose Quintero
> Lenny Montana over Mike Paidousis > Bronko Lubich over Bob Eisenburg > the Bat
(03) over Chief Little Eagle / Notes: Homer O’Dell managed Lubich.
January 8, 1965 (Friday) – Atlanta, GA – Atlanta Municipal Auditorium (Paul Jones (01)
– Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Sputnik Monroe over Silento
Rodriguez > Midget Match: Lord Littlebrook over Pee Wee James > Bill Dromo and
Joe Scarpa went to a draw > Buddy Fuller & Eddie Graham over Jack Dalton (01) &
Bob Dalton > Georgia Heavyweight Title Match: Mario Galento* over Greg Peterson to
retain the title / Notes: Galento had been the reigning Georgia Heavyweight
Champion since he went over Monroe on November 13, 1964, in Atlanta.
January 8, 1970 (Thursday) – Americus, GA – Sumter County Fairgrounds (Fred Ward
– Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Bill Kane & Vincent Lopez over
Roberto Soto & Cyclone Soto > Women’s Match: Donna Christianello over Rita
Boucher > Joe Scarpa over Assassin #1 (01)
January 8, 1971 (Friday) – Atlanta, GA – Atlanta Municipal Auditorium (Paul Jones (01)
– Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Bob Griffin over Skandor Akbar >
Michel Dubois & Fidel Castillo over Doug Gilbert (01) & Silento Rodriguez > Luke
Graham versus El Mongol ended in a no contest > Kubla Khan over Bobby Shane >
Buddy Colt and Paul DeMarco went to a draw > Ray Gunkel & Buddy Fuller over the
Assassins (01) (Assassin #1 (01) & Assassin #2 (01)) / Notes: Dubois and Castillo
were being billed as European Tag Team Champions. Jack Crawford managed
Khan. Homer O’Dell managed Colt. Charlie Smith and Leo Garibaldi were credited
as being referees for this card. It was announced that Bobo Brazil would be wrestling
in Atlanta soon. Gilbert participated in an autograph session for fans.
January 8, 1974 (Tuesday) – Atlanta, GA – Atlanta Municipal Auditorium (Ann Gunkel –
Promoter / All-South Wrestling Alliance) > Tommy Seigler versus the Viking (02) > Ted
Oates versus the Cougar (04) > Lanny Poffo versus the Great Fuji > Gorilla Watts
versus Bolo > Argentina Apollo versus Geto > Ray Candy & Charlie Cook versus
Assassin #2 (01) & the Super Gladiator > Ernie Ladd & Thunderbolt Patterson versus
Ox Baker & the Missouri Mauler / Notes: Rock Hunter managed Assassin #2 and the
Mauler. George Cannon managed the Mongols. Patterson participated in an
autograph session for fans. The program we have for this card mentioned that Tom
Renesto, Jr., is now the Timekeeper.
January 8, 1974 (Tuesday) – Macon, GA – Macon Coliseum (Fred Ward – Promoter /
Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Midget Match: Little Louie (01) over Billy the Kid
(01) > Rufus R. Jones over the Zebra Kid (02) > Ten-Round Boxing Match: Leon Ogle
over Frank Cochran by knockout > Jerry Lawler over Bobby Cash > Tim Woods &
Roberto Soto over Ron Garvin & Terry Garvin by disqualification > Lou Thesz & Robert
Fuller & Mr. Wrestling #2 (01) over Black Angus & the Samoans (01) (Tio & Tapu) >
Southeastern Heavyweight Title Match: Bob Armstrong* over Bobby Shane / Notes:
Gary Hart managed Angus, Shane, and the Samoans. Jimmy Garvin managed the
Garvins. Armstrong had been billed as the Southeastern Heavyweight Champion
since November 6, 1973.
January 8, 1978 (Sunday) – Savannah, GA – Savannah Civic Center (Aaron Newman
– Promoter / Jim Crockett Promotions) > Jimmy Garvin over Tony Russo > Jerry
Blackwell & Hartford Love over Ted Oates & Dino Bravo > Mr. Saito over Boris Malenko
> the Masked Superstar over Mr. Wrestling #1 by disqualification > United States
Heavyweight Title Match: Blackjack Mulligan* over the Mighty Igor / Notes: Malenko
managed the Superstar.
January 8, 1979 (Monday) – Augusta, GA – William Bell Auditorium (Charlie Harben –
Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Raymond Rougeau over Larry
Latham > the Grappler (02) over Pierre Lefebvre > Rufus R. Jones & Wahoo McDaniel
over Luke Graham & King Kong Mosca > Tommy Rich and Stan Hansen went to a
draw > Georgia Television Title Match: Thunderbolt Patterson* over Gene Anderson >
Georgia Heavyweight Title Match: the Masked Superstar* over Mr. Wrestling #2 (01)
January 8, 1983 (Saturday) – Chattanooga, TN – Chattanooga Memorial Auditorium
(Paul Jones (01) – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Joe Lightfoot over
the Super Destroyer (01) > Brad Armstrong & Tito Santana over the Moondogs (Rex
(01) & Spot) > Tommy Rich over the Iron Sheik > Stan Hansen & Paul Orndorff over
Ole Anderson & Ivan Koloff by disqualification > Butch Reed over Buzz Sawyer / Notes:
It was reported that the purse for the battle royal was $2,000. J.J. Dillon managed the
Moondogs.
January 8, 1983 (Saturday) – Atlanta, GA – Omni Coliseum (Paul Jones (01) –
Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Joe Lightfoot over Chick Donovan >
Women’s Match: Candy Malloy over Judy Martin > Tito Santana over the Iron Sheik by
countout > Paul Orndorff over the Super Destroyer (01) > Stan Hansen & Tommy Rich
over the Moondogs (Rex (01) & Spot) > Women’s Battle Royal: Judy Martin (Winner) >
Battle Royal: Butch Reed (Winner) / Notes: It is unclear as to the reason for the battle
royals. J.J. Dillon managed the Moondogs.
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