The Overview: 1980 Georgia Championship Wrestling
What you need to know and watch from the year.
1980 in Georgia Championship Wrestling is packed with big feuds, shocking betrayals, and a consistent presence from the NWA World Heavyweight Champion.
The Superstar and Mr. Wrestling II fight over their masks, Tommy Rich pursues Harley Race and the World Heavyweight Title, Ole Anderson returns to fight for America but winds up showing his true colors, Austin Idol and Kevin Sullivan go from hated enemies to unlikely partners, Dusty Rhodes has major issues with Terry Funk and Ole Anderson, and The Fabulous Freebirds take over the territory.
Check out the top moments and go month-by-month through 1980 Georgia. Click on the deep dives to go in-depth on the months.
Five Key Moments:
Mr. Wrestling II recaps his feud with The Superstar (Jan. 27)
Austin Idol surprisingly comes to Kevin Sullivan’s aid (Jun. 21)
Everyone wishes Tommy Rich well in his World Title match (Jul. 5)
Ole Anderson’s shocking betrayal of Dusty Rhodes (Jul. 26)
Michael Hayes slips up and mentions ‘four flat tires’ (Nov. 8)
January (Deep Dive Part 1 and Part 2)
The Superstar is revealed as paying an imposter Mr. Wrestling II and takes both the real and imposter’s masks. Mr. Wrestling II gets payback by winning the Georgia Heavyweight Title from The Superstar and defeating him in a Shackle Match.
Dusty Rhodes and Terry Funk bring their feud to Georgia. Funk cost Rhodes the NWA World Heavyweight Title back in August of 1979 and is determined to put him out of wrestling.
Kevin Sullivan reveals that Austin Idol put his brother out of wrestling with the Las Vegas Leglock. Sullivan defeats Idol for the Television Title.
The Great Mephisto declares war on American wrestlers with his stable of Abdullah the Butcher, Killer Khan and Toru Tanaka.
Tommy Rich sets his sights on the NWA World Heavyweight Title in 1980 after overcoming a bounty attack placed on him by champion Harley Race. Rich first has to deal with The Great Mephisto’s crew.
What To Watch:
The Superstar is the brick wall at the end of the road (Jan. 12)
Kevin Sullivan reveals his history with Austin Idol (Jan. 19)
Terry Funk rips Dusty Rhodes (Jan. 26)
1980 will be Tommy Rich’s year (Jan. 26)
Mr. Wrestling II recaps his feud with The Superstar (Jan. 27)
February (Deep Dive Part 1 and Part 2)
The Georgia Heavyweight Champion Mr. Wrestling II overcomes The Superstar in a Cage Match sending him packing from the territory.
The Dusty Rhodes and Terry Funk feud escalates to a bloody Texas Death Match which never finishes after Dory Funk Jr. attacks Rhodes. Dusty calls on an old friend, Wahoo McDaniel, to help fight The Funks.
Tommy Rich is scheduled to get his shot at Harley Race for the NWA World Heavyweight Title but Race and Austin Idol attack Rich’s knee, taking him out of the match. Idol allegedly does it for $5K from Race. Mr. Wrestling II steps in to face Race for the World Title and wins by DQ.
Kevin Sullivan and Austin Idol continue their feud with Sullivan winning a Boston Street Fight and Idol winning a Lumberjack Strap Match.
The Andersons (Ole and Lars) step up to fight The Russians (Ivan Koloff and Alexis Smirnoff) but are unable to take the Georgia Tag Team Titles from them.
What To Watch:
Ole Anderson says it’s unusual to have the fans support but he likes it (Feb. 2)
Kevin Sullivan threatens to let the evil come out in a Boston Street Fight (Feb. 2)
Terry Funk defends what he and Dory did to Dusty in the Texas Death Match (Feb. 9)
Tommy Rich beats Austin Idol for the TV Title but is injured and taken out of his World Title match (Feb. 23)
Harley Race explains how he eliminated a threat in Tommy Rich (Feb. 23)
March (Deep Dive Part 1 and Part 2)
Mr. Wrestling II moves into a feud with Austin Idol and wins a few of the battles but with the help of Harley Race and an imposter II, Idol steals the Georgia Heavyweight Title. Idol’s popularity continues to soar and there are signs of trouble with him and Race.
Dusty Rhodes gets the better of Terry Funk to end things in Georgia. First, Wahoo McDaniel helps him beat The Funks and then he overcomes Terry in his signature Texas Bullrope Match.
Tommy Rich returns from his knee injury vowing revenge on Austin Idol and Harley Race while successfully defending his National TV Title against Killer Khan.
Kevin Sullivan and Tony Atlas form a North-South Connection to defend America against the likes of Mephisto’s crew, Baron von Raschke, and The Russians.
The Russians put Ole Anderson out of action for three months with Lars throwing in the towel to save Ole. Stan Hansen backs up Lars on Ole’s recommendation but they can’t take the Georgia Tag Team Titles.
What To Watch:
Austin Idol talks Idolmania and denies being Race’s bounty hunter (Mar. 8)
Ole Anderson is injured by The Russians (Mar. 8)
Kevin Sullivan and Tony Atlas form the North-South Connection (Mar. 8)
Tommy Rich returns from injury vowing revenge (Mar. 15)
Dusty Rhodes reveals Mr. Panhandle to be Dory Funk Jr. (Mar. 15)
April (Deep Dive Part 1 and Part 2)
Tommy Rich and Austin Idol clash in a red hot feud as Rich seeks revenge for Idol costing him his World Title shot and making it personal by insulting his family. Neither Omni match is conclusive.
NWA World Heavyweight Champion Harley Race is claiming his money is being held hostage by the Georgia promoters who are forcing him to come back and defend against Mr. Wrestling II. Race survives in a time limit draw.
The North-South Connection (Sullivan & Atlas) take the Georgia Tag Team Titles off Koloff & Smirnoff but The Russians are able to regain them on TV with the use of an ether-soaked rag.
Baron von Raschke is a major presence and targets Tommy Rich.
Problems persist between Race and Idol with Race claiming he used Idol like a puppet and Idol wanting his shot for being Georgia Heavyweight Champion. The legendary Buddy Rogers endorses Idol and his variation of the Figure 4.
What To Watch:
Tommy Rich is ready, Austin Idol steals the Georgia Title from Mr. Wrestling II, and Harley Race is being held hostage (Apr. 5)
Tony Atlas and Kevin Sullivan shine as the North-South Connection (Apr. 5)
Tommy Rich outsmarts Baron von Raschke and Austin Idol (Apr. 19)
The Russians use an ether soaked rag to take the Tag Team Titles back from Atlas & Sullivan (Apr. 26)
Buddy Rogers believes Austin Idol will beat Harley Race for the World Heavyweight Title (Apr. 27)
May (Deep Dive Part 1 and Part 2)
Austin Idol doesn’t beat Harley Race for the World Heavyweight Title but moves into a feud with Baron von Raschke over the Georgia Heavyweight Title. Idol’s popularity continues to skyrocket as he opens up about losing his brother in Vietnam and that being his motivation for chasing the World Title.
The masked “Avengers” surprise Ivan Koloff & Alexis Smirnoff as the returning Ole Anderson and Lars Anderson. The Andersons are finally able to dethrone The Russians for the Georgia Tag Team Titles.
Tommy Rich sets out to be a fighting TV Champion, fens off the challenge of Baron Von Raschke and defends against all comers.
Mr. Wrestling II is voted the Champion of Champions and defeats former World Heavyweight Champion, Dory Funk Jr. II gets a measure of revenge on Harley Race in a Lights Out and then has to deal with Abdullah the Butcher.
The dangerous Mark Lewin debuts under the guidance of The Great Mephisto. Just don’t call him Maniac or he might put the sleeper on you.
What To Watch:
The Russians are masters of the devastating hammerlock (May 3)
Harley Race and Austin Idol have a war of words (May 3)
Ole and Lars Anderson surprise The Russians as the masked avengers (May 10)
Austin Idol tells an emotional story about his brother (May 31)
Mark Lewin is dangerous (May 31)
June (Deep Dive Part 1 and Part 2)
Baron Von Raschke takes the Georgia Heavyweight Title off a weakened Austin Idol and puts a bounty on Idol, sending Abdullah The Butcher after him while Idol responds by sending Stan Hansen after Baron.
In an unlikely twist, Idol comes to the aid of Kevin Sullivan against the dastardly Assassins and wants to make it right for what he did to his brother. Sullivan and Idol join forces to battle Mark Lewin and Abdullah The Butcher.
An angry Dusty Rhodes returns to fight The Assassins who had jumped him in a parking lot a year ago. Dusty offers up his innocence to accept former rival Ole Anderson as his partner.
Tommy Rich gives up the National TV Title in order to challenge Harley Race for the NWA World Heavyweight Title.
Mr. Wrestling II is not ashamed of losing to Harley Race and turns his attention to a returning Superstar.
What To Watch:
The Assassins are looking for Dusty Rhodes (Jun. 14)
Georgia Heavyweight Champion Baron von Raschke wants all opponents to prove themselves first (Jun. 14)
Austin Idol comes to Kevin Sullivan’s aid (Jun. 21)
Dusty Rhodes returns to get The Assassins and wants to team with Ole Anderson (Jun. 21)
Tommy Rich defends his TV Title against Dennis Condrey and gives it up to after the World Title again (Jun. 28)
July (Deep Dive Part 1 and Part 2)
Ole Anderson betrays Dusty Rhodes during their big showdown cage match with The Assassins. Ole reveals he plotted it for MONTHS and did such a good job that Dusty asked him to be his partner.
Lars Anderson is sick of Ole and Ole brings back Gene Anderson to be his partner while Dusty promises payback will be hell for Ole and recruits Andre The Giant as help.
Wahoo McDaniel arranges for Tommy Rich’s mother to show up and wish him well in his NWA World Heavyweight Title match with Harley Race. The match goes to a no contest and Race wins the return match resulting in Tommy disappearing from the territory.
Austin Idol also leaves Georgia during the month so Kevin Sullivan recruits Stan Hansen to help him against Mark Lewin & Abdullah the Butcher. However, they are unable to overcome Mephisto’s men.
Tony Atlas sets his sights on the Georgia Heavyweight Champion Baron Von Raschke and gets the better of him twice at The Omni but Baron wouldn’t put the title on the line.
What To Watch:
Mark Lewin and the Shanghai Sleeper may be banned (Jul. 5)
Tony Atlas is coming after Baron Von Raschke (Jul. 5)
Everyone wishes Tommy Rich well in his World Title match including his mother (Jul. 5)
Ole Anderson’s shocking betrayal of Dusty Rhodes (Jul. 26)
Dusty Rhodes vows that payback is hell (Jul. 26)
August (Deep Dive)
Ole and Lars Anderson best Dusty Rhodes and Andre The Giant in a Loser Leaves Town match. However, Bill Watts shows up with a ‘mysterious’ partner, Uvalde Slim, to take on The Andersons.
The Assassins dominate the Georgia Tag Team Title scene while trying unsuccessfully to eliminate Lars Anderson.
Kevin Sullivan wins his war with Great Mephisto’s crew causing a split between Abdullah The Butcher and Mark Lewin, resulting in those two monsters battling out. Butcher beats Lewin and both leave the territory.
Steve Keirn rises up the ranks quickly and takes the Georgia Heavyweight Title off Baron Von Raschke. He then fends off the challenge of Dennis Condrey.
The Funks are coming back to Georgia to straighten out the problems in The Anderson Family.
What To Watch:
Dusty Rhodes hypes up the Loser Leaves Town match (Aug. 16)
Ole Anderson cheap shots Mike Davis (Aug. 23)
Kevin Sullivan thanks Wahoo McDaniel for sacrificing himself (Aug. 23)
Cowboy Bill Watts comes to town and he has a partner (Aug. 30)
Georgia Champ Steve Keirn battles Ole Anderson until he mysterious masked Uvalde Slim arrives (Aug. 30)
September (Deep Dive)
Bill Watts and Uvalde Slim get payback on Ole and Gene Anderson, sending Gene from Georgia a Loser Leaves Town match then Uvalde takes out his old rival Terry Funk.
Tony Atlas returns from bodybuilding training to fight Ole on behalf of Lars because brothers can’t fight in the NWA.
Mr. Wrestling II finds his mask targeted again, this time by The Assassins. However, II has backup in the form of Mr. Wrestling I and they win the Georgia Tag Team Titles from The Assassins.
Mr. Saito arrives with a $5K challenge for American wrestlers.
The Fabulous Freebirds debut in a big way with their music and fresh off breaking the attendance record in New Orleans.
What To Watch:
Assassin #1 and Mr. Wrestling II explain the importance of their masks (Sept. 6)
Ole Anderson promises to break Tony Atlas in half (Sept. 6)
Uvalde Slim says Dusty told him how to handle The Funks (Sept. 6)
Terry Funk tells the kids not be crybabies (Sept. 20)
The Freebirds make their big debut in Georgia (Sept. 27)
October (Deep Dive)
The Fabulous Freebirds win a Round Robin match with The Assassins and Mr. Wrestling I & II to capture the Georgia Tag Team Titles. They begin declaring themselves the NATIONAL Tag Team Champions and the uncrowned six man tag team champions.
Ole Anderson and Terry Funk gloat about getting rid of Lars and try to take out young Terry Taylor. However, Stan Hansen returns to whoop Ole. Funk wins the TV Title from Taylor while Ole is able to survive Hansen.
Tony Atlas finally wins the Georgia Heavyweight Title from Dennis Condrey.
Mr. Saito continues his $5K challenge defeating Kevin Sullivan and then gets his biggest win over Mr. Wrestling II even though he uses a loaded boot.
Harley Race is back to successfully defend the NWA World Heavyweight Title against Dick Slater.
What To Watch:
Steve Keirn goes to the time limit with Mr. Saito in the $5K challenge (Oct. 4)
Cards and letters are pouring in for The Freebirds (Oct. 4)
Ole Anderson and Terry Funk get violent but have to deal with Stan Hansen (Oct. 11)
Stan Hansen goes off on Ole and Funk (Oct. 11)
The Fabulous Freebirds have the gold (Oct. 11)
November (Deep Dive)
Austin Idol is back teaming with Kevin Sullivan against The Freebirds. The Freebirds try to plant seeds of doubt between them but Michael Hayes slips up and reveals himself to be behind Idol’s four flat tires that prevented him from getting to the studio. Idol leaves town again at the end of the month.
The Tag Team Titles are held up in a Thanksgiving Tag Team Tournament that The Freebirds win over Robert Fuller and Plowboy Frazier in the finals to become the official National Tag Team Champions after switching partners using “The Freebird Rule.”
Kevin Sullivan shows a darker side when he wins the TV Title from Steve Keirn by questionable means. He claims it was simply the human game of chess.
The Mongolian Stomper arrives with manager Don Carson looking for an opportunity.
Tony Atlas bests the challenge of Ole Anderson and goes after Harley Race and the World Heavyweight Title but the match ends in a no contest.
What To Watch:
Austin Idol calls out The Jailbirds (Nov. 1)
Michael Hayes slips up and mentions ‘four flat tires’ (Nov. 8)
Terry Funk beats Terry Taylor for the TV Title (Nov. 9)
Sullivan and Idol take us through how The Freebirds won and why the titles are held up (Nov. 15)
Kevin Sullivan wins the TV Title from Steve Keirn using questionable means (Nov. 29)
December (Deep Dive)
The Freebirds continue their feud with Robert Fuller and Stan Frazier, even taking out Frazier with a triple piledriver. The recently arrived Ted Dibiase joins the fight against The Freebirds including winning a Lumberjack Elimination Match on Christmas night.
The Mongolian Stomper makes a huge impression taking the National Heavyweight Title off Jack Brisco and cementing himself as a force.
Kevin Sullivan continues down a dark path and blames former friend Tony Atlas for their tag team title loss earlier in the year. Atlas retains his Georgia Heavyweight Title against Sullivan.
Mr. Wrestling II wins his feud with Mr. Saito including a Judo Jacket match at The Omni. II regains his confidence and is going for gold in 1981.
Dusty Rhodes sends word of returning to take care of Ole Anderson and get it done in 1981 for the NWA World Heavyweight Title.
What To Watch:
The Mongolian Stomper is coming after the National Title (Dec. 6)
The Freebirds injure Stan Frazier with a triple piledriver (Dec. 20)
Kevin Sullivan blames Tony Atlas for losing the tag team titles (Dec. 20)
Robert Fuller and Ted Dibiase talk about The Freebirds reinjuring Stan Frazier (Dec. 27)
Dusty Rhodes is gonna get it done in 1981 (Dec. 27)
Is there a particular match from that year that stands out to you as the best not just from the basis of in-ring action but that also captures the spirited energy of the promotions in terms of the storytelling of a grudge-based feud?