Post by truthsower on Dec 28, 2009 16:07:39 GMT -5
Saw this in the nostalgia writeup for Dec 25:
December 25, 1971 (Saturday) – Atlanta, GA – WTCG Studios (Paul Jones (01) – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > El Mongol over Bill White > Dick Steinborn and Buddy Colt went to a draw > Mr. X (19) over Alex Medina > Jimmy Dancing Bear and Karl Von Stroheim went to a draw / Notes: This episode was the debut of “Georgia Championship Wrestling”, hosted by Ed Capral, on WTCG Channel 17. After having been on Channel 11 since May 1954, Ray Gunkel had become increasingly frustrated with the late time slots and constant movement thereof. On behalf of management, he negotiated a deal with Ted Turner, who had purchased WTCG in 1970. Earlier in 1971, WTCG became the first local station to launch twenty-four hours of television daily, and was interested in bringing professional wrestling in to fill time. It didn’t hurt that he was also somewhat of a wrestling fan himself. This move for the promotion would ultimately make “Georgia Championship Wrestling” a much larger company, and played a vital role in the growth of Turner’s station as well. The program would air from 6:00 to 7:00 PM for several years.
That was, IMO, the beginning of what pro wrestling is today as well as the beginning of what Ted Turner became in television. The purchase of WTCG by Ted Turner has to be one of the biggest moves in TV history. It was the first national STATION (as opposed to national NETWORK). It made Georgia the first national wrestling promotion as well. I really think if WTCG had not succeeded, thanks in no small part to pro wrestling IMO, there may not have been a CNN or a WWE. If I'm not mistaken, Turner also tried a music network either before MTV or before VH-1. My memory grows foggier with each passing day.
Rich, thanks for supplying the nostalgia info. I come in and enjoy it every now and then.
December 25, 1971 (Saturday) – Atlanta, GA – WTCG Studios (Paul Jones (01) – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > El Mongol over Bill White > Dick Steinborn and Buddy Colt went to a draw > Mr. X (19) over Alex Medina > Jimmy Dancing Bear and Karl Von Stroheim went to a draw / Notes: This episode was the debut of “Georgia Championship Wrestling”, hosted by Ed Capral, on WTCG Channel 17. After having been on Channel 11 since May 1954, Ray Gunkel had become increasingly frustrated with the late time slots and constant movement thereof. On behalf of management, he negotiated a deal with Ted Turner, who had purchased WTCG in 1970. Earlier in 1971, WTCG became the first local station to launch twenty-four hours of television daily, and was interested in bringing professional wrestling in to fill time. It didn’t hurt that he was also somewhat of a wrestling fan himself. This move for the promotion would ultimately make “Georgia Championship Wrestling” a much larger company, and played a vital role in the growth of Turner’s station as well. The program would air from 6:00 to 7:00 PM for several years.
That was, IMO, the beginning of what pro wrestling is today as well as the beginning of what Ted Turner became in television. The purchase of WTCG by Ted Turner has to be one of the biggest moves in TV history. It was the first national STATION (as opposed to national NETWORK). It made Georgia the first national wrestling promotion as well. I really think if WTCG had not succeeded, thanks in no small part to pro wrestling IMO, there may not have been a CNN or a WWE. If I'm not mistaken, Turner also tried a music network either before MTV or before VH-1. My memory grows foggier with each passing day.
Rich, thanks for supplying the nostalgia info. I come in and enjoy it every now and then.