1980 Georgia Championship Wrestling: May (2/2)
Idolmania is sweeping the country, the Russians get surprised, and a Maniac arrives. Plus, links to watch along!
Welcome to Georgia Championship Wrestling, in this edition you’ll read about Ole and Lars Anderson, Ivan Koloff and Alexis Smirnoff, Austin Idol, Baron von Raschke, Tony Atlas, Ernie Ladd, Tommy Rich, Mr. Wrestling II, Abdullah the Butcher, and a whole lot more!
Get caught up with Part One.
Sat. May 17 Georgia Championship Wrestling
National TV Champ Tommy Rich vs. The Angel. Solid TV bout with Rich mostly in control. Solie refers to these control segments as “strategic wrestling.” Rich wins. (Watch)
Mr. Wrestling II congratulates Tommy Rich for his strategy. Rich will wrestle anyone anywhere for his belt. II facing Abdullah the Butcher tomorrow at The Omni. It’s the biggest test of his career. Again, they pivot quick and don’t dwell on losses. (Watch)
Georgia Heavyweight Champ Austin Idol interview. Idolmania sweeping over the country. Send in posters. Idol has so much charism and feels like a big tv star. He’s facing Baron at The Omni tomorrow night. Onion head is inferior and ugly. Interesting to note that the Dusty Rhodes feud and match never happens. It appears to have been dropped as well. (Watch)
The Russians go after Ole. Lars makes the save and chases them off. (Watch)
Austin Idol interview. Has a new hit single called Heartthrob coming out. They replay the Omni incident. He’s gonna beat Baron. (Watch)
Other Results: Abdullah the Butcher defeated Jim Nelson. Bob Sweetan and French Angel defeated Gerald Finley and Jerry Mahoney. Ernie Ladd defeated Buck Starr. Charlie Fulton defeated Mike Davis. Baron Von Raschke defeated Bob Garrett. Ivan Koloff and Alexis Smirnoff defeated Eddie Gilbert and Ricky Pierce.
Sun. May 18 @ The Omni
French Angel defeated Mike Davis
Mike Sharpe defeated Charlie Fulton
Kevin Sullivan and Eddie Gilbert defeated Tio and Tapu
Bob Sweetan defeated Jerry Stubbs
Mr. Wrestling II defeated Abdullah the Butcher by disqualification
Tommy Rich defeated Kurt Von Hess
Tony Atlas defeated Ernie Ladd
NWA National Television Title Match: Austin Idol (c) defeated Baron Von Raschke
Minnesota Wrecking Crew (Ole Anderson and Lars Anderson) defeated Ivan Koloff and Alexis Smirnoff
Sat. May 24 Georgia Championship Wrestling
Iron Mike Sharpe promo. Mad about Bob Sweetan. There’s no need to hurt people. He’s going to put him in the hospital with the piledriver. (Watch)
Kevin Sullivan vs. Rick Craven. Sullivan wins. He’s competing to get into the Junior Heavyweight Tournament. Sullivan post-match interview. He thanks the people of Georgia and talk about the fast paced 10 minute TV time limit. There’s a one night junior tournament on June 8th. The Assassins are returning. The Andersons are back. Sullivan puts over Mark Lewin. Never seen anyone like him. (Watch)
Maniac Mark Lewin vs. Larry Clark. A squash from Knoxville, TN. Southeastern. Lewin with his big chops and eyes rolling back in his head. He’s foaming at the mouth and fans scatter. Wild commitment by Lewin. (Watch)
Rick Steamboat & Jay Youngblood vs. Billy Starr & Swede Hanson. This one is from Mid-Atlantic showcasing Steamboat and Youngblood. (Watch)
Tony Atlas interview. There’s a fan vote for who faces Race next. Tony states his case. He wants to be first black World Champion. (Watch)
Georgia Champ Austin Idol interview. Idolmania. He has signs now. He’s talking his talk. Mark Lewin or anyone can get a title match June 8 at The Omni. (Watch)
Kevin Sullivan & Mike Graham vs. Brian St John & Stan Lane. Magnificent Muraco is watching on in Sullivan and Graham’s corner. Stan Lane is using the Nature Boy moniker. Competitive match. Graham gets the pin. Muraco attacks Graham after. Has a spike. Ragdolls him. (Watch)
Kevin Sullivan & Mike Graham interview. Muraco thing is going on from Florida carried over here. Graham promises to shove his fist down his throat! (Watch)
Georgia Champ Austin Idol vs. Charlie Fulton. Big cheers for Idol. Tony Atlas on commentary. Idol wins with the Leglock. (Watch)
Tommy Rich interview. He wants the fan vote! (Watch)
Other Results: Bob Sweetan defeated Jerry Mahoney. Baron Von Raschke defeated Charlie Fulton. Tommy Rich defeated Tenryu
Sat. May 31 Georgia Championship Wrestling
Austin Idol interview. Something personal happened. His younger brother in Vietnam stepped on landmine, lost his legs, and passed away. His brother wanted him to win the World Title and let someone love him. Wow emotional stuff. (Watch)
Georgia Champ Austin Idol vs. Tenryu. Idol is still emotional. Great punches. Idol wins quick with the leglock. (Watch)
Mark Lewin vs. David White. Lewin squash with the sleeper. Great Mephisto has to cover his eyes to get him to release. Lewin is a freaky guy. Feels dangerous. Solie really sells this. (Watch)
Other Results: Ivan Koloff and Alexis Smirnoff defeated Eddie Gilbert and Charles Williams. Kevin Sullivan defeated Charlie Fulton.
If anything is missing or incorrect, please let me know!
Credits: WrestlingData, Retro Wrestling Archive, Kris Zellner, Cagematch.