08/04/2026
# This Day in Georgia Wrestling History — August 4
The date’s major stories:
* **1984:** *Championship Wrestling from Georgia* returned traditional Georgia wrestling to national WTBS television after Black Saturday.
* **2012:** PCW in Porterdale produced the strongest surviving full contemporary review.
* **2023:** SHW Rumblejack drew **562**, the largest documented modern August 4 Georgia crowd.
* **1961:** Terrible Ted the wrestling bear defeated Jack Dillon.
# # Historical cards
The principal historical record is [Rich Tate’s Georgia Wrestling History “News, Notes & Nostalgia” report](https://wrestlingfigs.com/wrestlingnews/southeastern-wrestling-news-notes-nostalgia-8408/), compiled with contributions from the GWH research staff.
# # # 1933 — Four Georgia cards
No documented results have surfaced, but the advertised matches survive.
**Cascade Arena, Atlanta**
* Lloyd Brown vs. Smitty Anderson
* Frank Remille vs. Jack Saunders
* Foy Rivers vs. Young Londos
**Northeast Arena, Atlanta**
* Bill Kaiser vs. Ira Teems
* Bob Anderson vs. Red Dugan
**Westlake Arena, Atlanta**
* Tom Malloy vs. Son Almand
* Eddie Wagner vs. Red Powell
* John Dameron vs. Glenn Cowan
**Avondale Arena**
* Sammy Miller vs. Ripper Reeves
* George Romanoff vs. Tony Ricco
[Source: August 4, 1933 listings](https://wrestlingfigs.com/wrestlingnews/southeastern-wrestling-news-notes-nostalgia-8408/)
# # # 1937 — Ponce de Leon Ball Park, Atlanta
* Cowboy Luttrall defeated Chris Zaharias.
* Orville Brown defeated Pete Schuh, two falls to one.
* George Zaharias defeated Dan O’Connor, two falls to one.
* Attendance: **3,000**.
[Source: August 4, 1937 results](https://wrestlingfigs.com/wrestlingnews/southeastern-wrestling-news-notes-nostalgia-8408/)
# # # 1944 — Atlanta and Augusta
**Atlanta Municipal Auditorium**
* Dick Lever defeated John Mauldin.
* Wally Greb drew Babe Zaharias.
* Hugh Winn defeated Bill Middlekauff by disqualification.
* Jack Wentworth drew Jack Dillon.
**Augusta Municipal Auditorium**
* Doris Dean defeated Nancy Miller.
* Bob King defeated A.S. K**b.
* Jack Nazworthy vs. Bill Blostock was advertised, but no result was reported.
* Attendance: **1,500**.
[Source: August 4, 1944 results](https://wrestlingfigs.com/wrestlingnews/southeastern-wrestling-news-notes-nostalgia-8408/)
# # # 1948 — Cleveland, Tennessee
This was part of the GWH report’s broader southeastern territory coverage, although the card took place outside Georgia.
* Violet Viann vs. Mae Young
* Bill Collins vs. Bill Steddum
* Tommy Ward vs. Chico Cortez
* No results or venue have been located.
[Source: August 4, 1948 listing](https://wrestlingfigs.com/wrestlingnews/southeastern-wrestling-news-notes-nostalgia-8408/)
# # # 1950 — Atlanta Municipal Auditorium
* Wladek Kowalski defeated Tom Mahoney.
* Farmer Jones defeated Red Roberts.
* Mae Young and Beverly Lehmer defeated Jean Holland and Eva Lee.
* Southern Heavyweight champion Art Nelson defeated Eddie Gossett.
[Source: August 4, 1950 results](https://wrestlingfigs.com/wrestlingnews/southeastern-wrestling-news-notes-nostalgia-8408/)
# # # 1952 — William Bell Auditorium, Augusta
* The Black Monsters defeated Mike Paidousis and Abe Coleman.
* P*e Wee James defeated Irish Jackie, two falls to none.
* Don McIntyre defeated Art Nelson in a Texas Death Match.
* An additional $25 was reportedly awarded to the winner of each fall in the main event.
[Source: August 4, 1952 results](https://wrestlingfigs.com/wrestlingnews/southeastern-wrestling-news-notes-nostalgia-8408/)
# # # 1958 — Armory Hall, Augusta
Advertised card; complete results have not surfaced:
* Jack Dillon vs. Frank Townsend
* Tarzan White vs. Bronko Lubich
* Ray Gunkel vs. Angelo Poffo in a Texas Death Match
Lubich was barred from ringside during Gunkel–Poffo.
[Source: August 4, 1958 listing](https://wrestlingfigs.com/wrestlingnews/southeastern-wrestling-news-notes-nostalgia-8408/)
# # # 1961 — Atlanta Municipal Auditorium
* Jack Bence, Derrell Cochran and Gypsy Joe defeated Frank Morgan, Guy Mitchell and Marco Polo.
* Baby Cheryl vs. Darling Dagmar was advertised, but no result was reported.
* Wrestling bear **Terrible Ted defeated Jack Dillon** in a “Man vs. Animal” match.
* Ray Gunkel vs. The Sheik was ruled a no-contest.
* Princess Salima accompanied The Sheik.
[Source: August 4, 1961 results](https://wrestlingfigs.com/wrestlingnews/southeastern-wrestling-news-notes-nostalgia-8408/)
# # # 1964 — Macon City Auditorium
* Wildman Phillips defeated Jack Vansky.
* Bob Eisenburg defeated The Destroyer.
* John and Chris Tolos defeated Billy Hines and Greg Peterson.
[Source: August 4, 1964 results](https://wrestlingfigs.com/wrestlingnews/southeastern-wrestling-news-notes-nostalgia-8408/)
# # # 1965 — Columbus and Gainesville
No results have been located.
**Columbus Municipal Auditorium**
* Nick Kozak vs. The Mongolian
* Mario Galento vs. Chief Little Eagle
* Pepe Gomez vs. Wildman Phillips
* Benny Matta vs. Dutch Savage
* Jack Vansky vs. Greg Peterson
**Gainesville — venue unknown**
* Greg Peterson and Jesse James vs. The Corsicans
* Jack Vansky vs. Chief Little Eagle
[Source: August 4, 1965 listings](https://wrestlingfigs.com/wrestlingnews/southeastern-wrestling-news-notes-nostalgia-8408/)
# # # 1967 — Atlanta Municipal Auditorium
* Tim Geohagen drew Bob Nandor.
* Ricky Hunter defeated Dick Dunn.
* Sputnik Monroe defeated Ike Eakins by disqualification.
* Mr. Wrestling defeated Jerry Graham.
* Ray Gunkel and Buddy Fuller defeated Alex Perez and Louie Tillet.
* Lou Thesz, Alberto Torres and Ramon Torres defeated El Mongol, Stan Vachon and Butcher Vachon by disqualification.
* Jack Crawford managed El Mongol.
[Source: August 4, 1967 results](https://wrestlingfigs.com/wrestlingnews/southeastern-wrestling-news-notes-nostalgia-8408/)
# # # 1970 — Macon Coliseum
* Robert Fuller and Tim Geohagen defeated Cisco Grimaldo and Rocket Monroe.
* Buddy C**t defeated Doug Gilbert in a one-night tournament.
* Bill Dromo defeated Nick Bockwinkel.
* C**t defeated Dromo in the final.
C**t’s victory earned him a match against the NWA World Heavyweight champion on August 11. Homer O’Dell managed C**t.
[Source: August 4, 1970 results](https://wrestlingfigs.com/wrestlingnews/southeastern-wrestling-news-notes-nostalgia-8408/)
# # # 1972 — Atlanta Municipal Auditorium
* Juan Caruso defeated George Grant.
* Tim Geohagen defeated Bill Bowman by disqualification.
* Joe Turner defeated Jesse James.
* Bob Armstrong and Roberto Soto drew Ox Baker and Rocket Monroe.
* Assassin #2 defeated Dick Steinborn in a match requiring victory with a Japanese nerve hold.
* Argentina Apollo defeated Nick Bockwinkel by disqualification.
The program carried a full-page memorial for Ray Gunkel, who had died on August 1, 1972.
[Source: August 4, 1972 results](https://wrestlingfigs.com/wrestlingnews/southeastern-wrestling-news-notes-nostalgia-8408/)
# # # 1973 — All-South and Georgia television
**All-South Championship Wrestling**
* The Super Gladiator defeated Goliath.
* Argentina Apollo defeated Ox Baker by disqualification.
* John Black and Bull Zomar defeated Ted Oates and Jesse James.
**Georgia Championship Wrestling — WTCG Studios**
* The Super Infernos defeated Bob Orton Jr. and Mr. Wrestling #2 to win the Georgia Tag Team Championship.
* Roy Lee Welch drew Gorgeous George Jr.
* Gordon Solie hosted.
* J.C. D***s managed the new champions.
[Source: August 4, 1973 results](https://wrestlingfigs.com/wrestlingnews/southeastern-wrestling-news-notes-nostalgia-8408/)
# # # 1975 — William Bell Auditorium, Augusta
Advertised card; results have not surfaced:
* Bob Backlund vs. Mr. Fuji
* Rick Martel vs. Dudley Clements
* Mike McCord vs. Nikolai Volkoff
* Dick Slater and Bob Orton Jr. vs. Mr. Wrestling #1 and #2 in a Texas Tornado match
* Toru Tanaka vs. Abdullah the Butcher
Gary Hart managed Abdullah, Volkoff, Fuji, Slater and Orton.
[Source: August 4, 1975 listing](https://wrestlingfigs.com/wrestlingnews/southeastern-wrestling-news-notes-nostalgia-8408/)
# # # 1978 — Atlanta Municipal Auditorium
* Roger Howell defeated Barry Orton.
* Pez Whatley defeated Hartford Love.
* Cocoa Willie defeated Lord Littlebrook.
* [Tommy “Wildfire” Rich](https://www.facebook.com/TOMMYWILDFIRERICH/) and Rick Martel defeated Sonny King and The Challenger.
* Ivan Koloff defeated Stan Hansen.
* Mr. Mystery defeated King Kong Mosca.
* United States Heavyweight champion [Ric Flair](https://www.facebook.com/RicFlairNatureBoy/) drew Thunderbolt Patterson.
[Source: August 4, 1978 results](https://wrestlingfigs.com/wrestlingnews/southeastern-wrestling-news-notes-nostalgia-8408/)
# # # 1979 — WTCG Studios
* Killer Karl Kox and The Masked Superstar defeated Bill Dromo and Chick Donovan.
* Jerry Stubbs defeated Mike Diamond.
* [Tony Atlas](https://www.facebook.com/tony.atlas.12979/) defeated Carl Fergie.
* Blackjack Lanza defeated Genichiro Tenryu.
* [Tommy “Wildfire” Rich](https://www.facebook.com/TOMMYWILDFIRERICH/) defeated Ben Alexander.
* Gordon Solie hosted.
* Bobby Heenan managed Kox and The Masked Superstar.
[Source: August 4, 1979 results](https://wrestlingfigs.com/wrestlingnews/southeastern-wrestling-news-notes-nostalgia-8408/)
# # # 1980 — William Bell Auditorium, Augusta
Advertised card; no results have been found:
* Steve Keirn vs. Charlie Fulton
* Lars Anderson vs. Assassin #1
* Alexis Smirnoff vs. Abdullah the Butcher
* Ole and Gene Anderson vs. Dusty Rhodes and Mr. Wrestling #2
* Mark Lewin vs. Kevin Sullivan in a Boston Street Fight
The Great Mephisto managed Lewin.
[Source: August 4, 1980 listing](https://wrestlingfigs.com/wrestlingnews/southeastern-wrestling-news-notes-nostalgia-8408/)
# # # 1982 — Columbus
* [The Iron Sheik](https://www.facebook.com/100044171152215/) defeated Kevin Sullivan.
* The Freebirds defeated Buzz Sawyer and The Super Destroyer.
* Paul Orndorff defeated Ole Anderson.
* [Tommy “Wildfire” Rich](https://www.facebook.com/TOMMYWILDFIRERICH/) defeated The Masked Superstar.
* Mr. Wrestling #2 defeated Don Muraco by disqualification.
* Roddy Piper managed Muraco.
[Source: August 4, 1982 results](https://wrestlingfigs.com/wrestlingnews/southeastern-wrestling-news-notes-nostalgia-8408/)
# # The major television anniversary — 1984
On July 14, 1984—Black Saturday—Vince McMahon’s WWF displaced Georgia Championship Wrestling from its familiar WTBS national time slots. Fan protests helped Ole Anderson’s reorganized Georgia group obtain a new Saturday-morning slot.
At **7:35 a.m. on August 4, 1984**, *Championship Wrestling from Georgia* debuted on WTBS:
* Gordon Solie and Ole Anderson hosted.
* The program was initially assembled at Jim Crockett Promotions’ Briarbend Drive studio in Charlotte.
* Arena matches were prerecorded during Crockett tapings.
* The first broadcast featured Jimmy Valiant, The Assassins with Paul Jones, Pez Whatley, Bob Roop, Tully Blanchard, Wahoo McDaniel, Jerry Oates and The Road Warriors.
* Crockett wrestlers including Junkyard Dog, Don Kernodle, Ivan Koloff and Tully Blanchard recorded localized promos for Georgia cards.
* Exclusive WTBS studio matches did not resume until September 8.
This is the most historically important August 4 entry: it restored a traditional Georgia presentation to national television only three weeks after the WWF takeover.
[Full television history by Dick Bourne](https://www.midatlanticwrestling.net/almanac/tv_history/georgia/evolution.htm) | [Watch “Georgia Wrestling Returns to WTBS — 8/4/84”](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fe2Dgdy9Hpw)
# # Modern events and reviews
# # # 2007 — NWA Anarchy, Cornelia
Attendance: **180**.
* The World’s Prettiest Tag Team—Seth Delay and Adrian Hawkins—defeated Brodie Chase and Brandon Phoenix.
* The Devil’s Rejects defeated The Hustle Squad.
* Tony Santarelli submitted Wes Grissom.
* Awesome Attraction—[Austin Creed/Xavier Woods](https://www.facebook.com/xavierwoodsphd/) and Hayden Young—defeated Jeff Lewis and [Kory Chavis](https://www.facebook.com/kory.chavis/) to **retain** the NWA Anarchy Tag Team Championship.
[Complete NWA Anarchy results](https://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/nwa-anarchy/) | [Watch Creed and Young vs. Lewis and Chavis](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8gYqjLgFsBc)
The prior claim that Creed and Young won the championship that night was incorrect. They entered and left as champions.
# # # 2008 — WWE SmackDown/ECW, Macon
* Finlay defeated Mike Knox.
* ECW champion [Mark Henry](https://www.facebook.com/WWEMarkHenry/) defeated Matt Hardy.
* Cherry and Eve defeated [Natalya](https://www.facebook.com/Natalya/) and Maryse.
* United States champion [Shelton Benjamin](https://www.facebook.com/sheltonbenja/) defeated Ken Kennedy.
* Big Show defeated Great Khali.
* Curt Hawkins and Zack Ryder defeated Jesse and Festus.
* [R-Truth](https://www.facebook.com/WWERTruth/) defeated The Brian Kendrick.
* [Jeff Hardy](https://www.facebook.com/jeffhardy/) defeated MVP in a fan-selected Falls Count Anywhere main event.
**Contemporary review notes**
* Henry–Hardy was called “very good,” with strong crowd involvement.
* Benjamin–Kennedy was described as entertaining throughout.
* The women’s tag was criticized for numerous mistakes.
* R-Truth–Kendrick was considered entertaining.
* Hardy–MVP reportedly delivered as the main event, using steps, chairs and trash-can lids before Hardy won with the Swanton Bomb.
* Kennedy reportedly suffered a dislocated shoulder.
[Complete results and contemporary review](https://www.wrestlingnewssource.com/news/7633/WWE-SmackDownECW-House-Show-Results-080408-Macon-Georgia/)
# # # 2012 — Platinum Championship Wrestling, Porterdale
Attendance was approximately **80**, reportedly producing PCW’s best Porterdale gate to that point.
**Complete documented card**
1. Assisino, Eric Walker and Mr. Eric defeated Najasism, Supernatural and De La Vega.
2. Jacob Ashworth defeated Rick Michaels.
3. The Washington Bullets and Pandora vs. Marko Polo, Johnny Danger and Nina Monet ended in a no-contest.
4. Daisho—Kyle Matthews and Vordell Walker—won a three-team elimination match over Master Jae and Sylar Cross, and William Huckaby III and Shaun Adams.
5. Jagged Edge defeated Dany Only in a loser-leaves-town dog-collar match.
6. Shane Marx defeated [Chip Day](https://www.facebook.com/chipday88/) to retain the EMPIRE Championship.
7. Mason submitted Brian Blaze to retain the PCW Championship.
**Larry Goodman’s review**
* Marx–Day was selected as the **best match of the weekend**. Goodman particularly praised Marx’s hotshot, the stiff closing exchange and the Death Valley Driver finish.
* Jagged Edge–Only was a grueling war of attrition. Goodman did not consider it the most creative chain match he had seen, but called it a sick match that sent Only out strongly.
* Daisho’s elimination match was an effective showcase for Matthews and Walker.
* Ashworth–Michaels was called a good match, with Michaels’ precision praised despite his reduced athleticism.
* Mason–Blaze developed into a decent match but had no realistic chance of following Marx–Day.
* The crowd reportedly responded enthusiastically from beginning to end.
[Original Georgia Wrestling History report](https://gwhnewsandnotes.blogspot.com/2012/08/august-4-platinum-championship.html) | [Full syndicated Larry Goodman review](https://411mania.com/wrestling/platinum-championship-wrestling-live-report/)
**Also that night — AWF World of Wild, Ringgold**
* Iron-Mann defeated [Raven](https://www.facebook.com/theraveneffect/) by disqualification after “Natureboy” Paul Lee interfered.
* Jocephus, Don Michaels and Chris Crunk also appeared.
[Complete AWF report](https://gwhnewsandnotes.blogspot.com/2012/08/august-4-awf-world-of-wild-results-from.html?m=1)
# # # 2016 — WWA4, Atlanta
* Tommy Maserati defeated Kavron Kanyon.
* Bobby B defeated [AC Mack](https://www.facebook.com/acmackindywrestler/) to retain the Internet Championship.
* Talon defeated Jon Averson.
* Austin Towers defeated The Reflection.
* WWA4 Heavyweight champion [Austin Theory](https://www.facebook.com/TheoryWWE/) defeated [AR Fox](https://www.facebook.com/Wholefoxinshow/).
This is an excellent developmental snapshot: Theory and AC Mack were emerging local prospects, while AR Fox was already WWA4’s established standard-bearer and trainer.
[Complete WWA4 results](https://www.cagematch.net/?id=8&nr=2031&page=8)
# # # 2018 — Southern Fried Championship Wrestling, Monroe
Bobby Moore won the **Ultimate Battleground** battle royal.
The documented field included:
* [Alan Angels](https://www.facebook.com/trey.tucker.7587/)
* [Ashton Starr](https://www.facebook.com/ItsAshtonStarr/)
* Azrael
* Billy Buck
* Bolo
* Crystal Rose
* Damien Bennett
* [David Ali](https://www.facebook.com/100046125827700/)
* Hoax
* Jacob Ashworth
* Johnny Nixx
* Kenji Brea
* [Kevin Blue](https://www.facebook.com/KevinBlue4/)
* King Heru
* [Marcus Kross](https://www.facebook.com/dominic.karl.7/)
* Michael Stevens
* Mikael Judas
* Rob Adonis
* [Will Kaution](https://www.facebook.com/DaExceptional1/)
[Documented Ultimate Battleground result](https://www.cagematch.net/?id=2&nr=16423&page=4)
# # # 2019 — AWE Homegrown, Atlanta
* [Chip Day](https://www.facebook.com/chipday88/) retained the Georgia Wrestling Crown against Gary Jay in a main event lasting approximately 21 minutes.
* The Hierarchy—Jimmy Rave, Murder-1, Adrian Armour and Suge D—defeated Young Dumb N Broke in a 26:50 eight-man match.
* [AJ Gray](https://www.facebook.com/ajjuicegray/), [Savannah Evans](https://www.facebook.com/savannahevs/) and The Gym Nasty Boyz also appeared.
[Complete AWE Homegrown card](https://www.cagematch.net/index.php?id=1&nr=236029)
# # # 2023 — SHW Rumblejack, Canton
Attendance: **562**.
* [Chip Day](https://www.facebook.com/chipday88/) retained the Jake Roberts Legacy Championship against Kyle Matthews.
* The Hierarchy—Joe Black and Murder-1—retained the SHW Tag Team Championship against All Star Special by disqualification.
* Judais retained the SHW Championship against Corey Hollis and [Gunner Miller](https://www.facebook.com/RealGunnerM11/).
* Surprise returnee [David Ali](https://www.facebook.com/100046125827700/) won the Rumblejack and earned a future championship opportunity.
The Rumblejack field included [Alan Angels](https://www.facebook.com/trey.tucker.7587/), [Ashton Starr](https://www.facebook.com/ItsAshtonStarr/), Bull Buchanan, Carlie Bravo, [Chip Day](https://www.facebook.com/chipday88/), Cole Karter, David Young, Krule, Kyle Matthews, Lee Johnson, Luther, [QT Marshall](https://www.facebook.com/officialqtmarshall/), Zicky Dice, Adam Priest, Zach Mosley and numerous Georgia regulars.
The return and victory of David Ali supplied the event’s major story. Although the attendance is documented, the available Cagematch record does not contain enough votes to support a meaningful match-quality rating.
[Complete card and attendance](https://www.cagematch.net/en/?id=1&nr=372799&page=3) | [Southern Honor Wrestling’s retrospective](https://www.facebook.com/southernhonorwrestling/posts/lets-take-a-look-back-at-our-fifth-rumblejack-event-from-2023-go-ahead-and-make-/1469287201905025/)
# # # 2024 — ACTION at DAS BBQ, Atlanta
The corrected record contains **eight matches**, not twelve:
1. Top Team defeated The Nawfside Heroes.
2. Tyler Stevens defeated Justin Kindred.
3. Mr. Sexy defeated Neji Ichiban.
4. Erron Wade defeated Christopher Prince.
5. Kasey Owens defeated [Rob Killjoy](https://www.facebook.com/3motherduckers/).
6. Zach Mosley defeated Takuri.
7. [Darian Bengston](https://www.facebook.com/p/Darian-Bengston-100063724053914/) defeated Damon Stryker.
8. [Brayden Toon](https://www.facebook.com/156900554178251/) defeated [Dillon McQueen](https://www.facebook.com/zaddydillonmcqueen/) and Moses in a three-way match.
Kasey Owens and Mr. Sexy each wrestled once; the earlier claim that they competed twice was incorrect.
[Complete ACTION results](https://www.cagematch.net/?id=8&nr=2151&page=8) | [Event page on IWTV](https://independentwrestling.tv/events/action-at-das-bbq-Gb40AeBLgm)
# # August 4 verdict
* **Greatest historical significance:** *Championship Wrestling from Georgia* returning to WTBS in **1984**.
* **Best surviving contemporary review:** Shane Marx vs. [Chip Day](https://www.facebook.com/chipday88/) at PCW in **2012**.
* **Largest documented modern Georgia crowd:** **562** for SHW Rumblejack in **2023**.
* **Most unusual attraction:** Terrible Ted the wrestling bear vs. Jack Dillon in **1961**.
* **Deepest vintage card:** Columbus in **1982**, with Iron Sheik–Kevin Sullivan, Orndorff–Ole, Rich–Masked Superstar and Wrestling II–Muraco.
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