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Post by dannygoddard on Sept 20, 2009 20:40:42 GMT -5
Does anyone remember the tournament that went for several weeks back in the late 60s that included different states? I remember each state had 3 wrestlers. I know Eddie Graham was there from Florida and maybe Don Curtis. I remember from Tennessee was Tojo Yammamoto and a couple of others. I think the Carolinas sent Johnny Weaver and Becker and someone. I don't remember who Georgia's team was, probably Ray Gunkel and Chief Little Eagle and maybe Joe Scarpa, This went for weeks. There was a threesome from Alabama and maybe Louisiana. It was kinda fun. Did they do that in other states? Seems like I heard Florida did. I'd love to see results of the whole thing.
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Post by Rich Tate on Sept 20, 2009 21:01:15 GMT -5
I know they did some in Florida, and here's what I have from Atlanta: March 26, 1965 (Friday) – Atlanta, GA – Paul Jones Sports Arena (Paul Jones (01) – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Lee Fields versus Tony Marino (02) > Greg Peterson & Billy Hines versus George Harris & Crybaby Harris > Battle of the States – Georgia versus Florida: Buddy Fuller (GA) over Sam Steamboat (FL); Eddie Graham (FL) over Red Roberts (GA); Dick Steinborn (FL) over Lester Welch (GA) > Georgia Heavyweight Title Match: Jesse James (02) over Mario Galento* by disqualification; Galento retained the title / Notes: Galento had been the reigning Georgia Heavyweight Champion since he went over Sputnik Monroe on November 13, 1964, in Atlanta. Advance tickets were now being sold at the front of the building at 310 Chester Avenue, relocating from the aforementioned Houston Street address. This venue was still undergoing renovations, and was being used prematurely this night because the Atlanta Municipal Auditorium was unavailable. The cover of the program for this card read, in large bold letters, “Welcome to the Paul Jones Sports Arena”.
April 2, 1965 (Friday) – Atlanta, GA – Atlanta Municipal Auditorium (Paul Jones (01) – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > the Corsicans (Corsica Jean & Corsica Joe) over Tom Bradley & Tony Marino (02) > Battle of the States – Georgia versus Florida: Buddy Fuller (GA) over Dick Dunn (FL); Derrell Cochran (GA) over Randy Roper (FL); Lee Fields (GA) over Pancho Villa (02) (FL) > Georgia Heavyweight Title Match (Disqualification Rule Waived): Mario Galento* over Jesse James (02) to retain the title / Notes: Galento had been the reigning Georgia Heavyweight Champion since he went over Sputnik Monroe on November 13, 1964, in Atlanta. Jones reported that the televised matches would move to the Sports Arena soon, but we have no evidence this ever happened. It was announced that Dick Steinborn and Chief Little Eagle would be wrestling on the card on April 10, 1965, and that Frankie Cain would be wrestling in Atlanta soon.
April 24, 1965 (Saturday) – Atlanta, GA – Ponce DeLeon Ballpark (Paul Jones (01) – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Pedro Zapata over Randy Roper > Lee Fields over Pancho Villa (02) > Alex Perez over Jerry Miller > Tarzan Tyler over Tom Bradley > Women’s Match: the Fabulous Moolah over Dot Dotson > Battle of the States – Georgia versus Tennessee: Ray Gunkel & Greg Peterson & Jesse James (02) (GA) versus Ronnie Etchison & Tony Milano & Lester Welch (TN) > Georgia Heavyweight Title Match: Mario Galento* and Buddy Fuller ended in a double countout; Galento retained the title / Notes: The pairings and results for the tournament were not reported after the card. Galento had been the reigning Georgia Heavyweight Champion since he went over Sputnik Monroe on November 13, 1964, in Atlanta.
May 7, 1965 (Friday) – Atlanta, GA – Atlanta Municipal Auditorium (Paul Jones (01) – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Pedro Zapata over Crybaby Harris > Women’s Match: Betty Ann Spencer over Sweet Georgia Brown > Jesse James (02) over Alex Perez > Battle of the States – Georgia versus Florida: Eddie Graham & Sam Steamboat & Dick Steinborn (FL) over Ray Gunkel & Greg Peterson & Chief Little Eagle (GA) > Southern Tag Team Title Match: the Corsicans (Corsica Jean & Corsica Joe)* over Mario Galento & Tarzan Tyler to retain the title / Notes: The pairings for the tournament were not reported after the card. Following the Galento & Tyler-Corsicans match, Galento attacked Tyler, blaming him for the loss. The Corsicans had been the reigning Southern Tag Team Champions since they went over James and Buddy Fuller on April 16, 1965, in Atlanta. It was announced that Joe Scarpa would be wrestling in Atlanta in June 1965, and that George Harris, Bob Dalton, Saul Weingeroff, and Kurt Von Brauner and Karl Von Brauner would be wrestling in Atlanta soon.
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Post by dannygoddard on Sept 21, 2009 21:21:13 GMT -5
Thanks, Rich. I figured you would know. That brings back memories.
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