Sept. 1980 Georgia Championship Wrestling
The Freebirds make their monumental debut. Uvalde Slim handles things for Dusty Rhodes. Mr. Wrestling I & II battle The Assassins over their masks. Plus, links to watch along!
Welcome to Georgia Championship Wrestling, in this edition you’ll read about Ole and Gene Anderson, Dusty Rhodes, Bill Watts, Mr. Wrestling I and II, The Superstar, Steve Keirn, Terry Funk, Kevin Sullivan, Lars Anderson, The Assassins, Terry Taylor, Baron von Raschke, Mr. Saito, Dennis Condrey, and so much more.
Get caught up with August.
Current Champions (As of September 1, 1980)
NWA World Heavyweight Champion: Harley Race
Defeated Giant Baba (Nov. 7, 1979)
NWA Georgia Heavyweight Champion: Steve Keirn
Defeated Baron von Raschke (Aug. 11, 1980)
NWA Georgia Tag Team Champions: The Assassins
Defeated Mr. Wrestling & Steve Keirn (Aug. 6, 1980)
NWA National Television Champion: Terry Taylor
Won Vacant Title (Aug. 22, 1980)
NWA Georgia Junior Heavyweight Champion: Kevin Sullivan
Defeated Dutch Mantell for vacant title (Jun. 8, 1980)
Fri. Sept. 5 @ The Omni
Steve O defeated Charlie Fulton
Mr. Saito defeated Jerry Oates
NWA National Television Title Match: Dennis Condrey vs. Terry Taylor (c) ended without a winner as a time limit draw
NWA Georgia Junior Heavyweight Title Match: Kevin Sullivan (c) defeated Stan Lane
Lars Anderson and Mr. Wrestling II defeated Assassins
NWA Georgia Heavyweight Title Match: Steve Keirn (c) defeated Terry Funk
Loser Leaves Town Cage Match: Mr. Wrestling II defeated The Superstar
Loser of Fall Leaves Town Match: Bill Watts and Uvalde Slim defeated Andersons (Ole Anderson and Gene Anderson)
Sat. Sept. 6 Georgia Championship Wrestling
The Assassin and Mr. Wrestling II talk about why they wear their masks. II had trouble getting matches. Assassin doesn’t want notoriety. He rips into II. II calls his bluff and wants him in the ring now. Assassin backs down and II brings him in. Assassin #2 attacks and goes for the mask but Steve Keirn makes the save. He covers up II’s face while Assassin #1 holds up the bloody mask. II cuts a crazed promo with a bloody towel covering his face. Later on, Mr. Wrestling I and II go after Assassin #1’s mask and get it. They gloat. They’re going for the Tag Team Titles on Sept. 19 at The Omni. Excellent angle here. Assassin #1 showed why he’s a hell of a promo and II matched him very well. (Watch)
Tony Atlas interview. Talks over Omni footage of Lars and Ole Anderson. He’s been taking time off to train for bodybuilding. However, the NWA says brothers can’t wrestle so he’ll face Ole on the 19th. Good promo. (Watch)
Ole Anderson interview. Responds to Atlas. Wearing suspenders and shouting at fans. Ole claims he always beat up Lars. He’s upset at Solie for talking to Atlas. His own Mr. Universe body is going to break Atlas in half. Great promo. (Watch)
Lars Anderson interview with promoter Paul Jones. Lars will pay any fine or suspension to get his hands on Ole. Great follow up. (Watch)
Uvalde Slim promo. This was funny. He’s in the limelight now. Dusty told him how to handle the situation. The Funks are coming for him Sept 19. (Watch)
Other Results: Terry Taylor defeated Oki Shikina. Terry Funk defeated Marvin Turner. Dennis Condrey defeated Mike Davis. Masa Saito defeated Jim Nelson. Assassins defeated Ricky Pierce and Zane Hickey by disqualification. Les Thornton defeated Oki Shikina. Mr. Wrestling I and Mr. Wrestling II defeated Buck Brannigan and Killer Khan. Stan Lane defeated Mike Davis
Sun. Sept. 7 Best of Georgia Championship Wrestling
Lars Anderson & Mr. Wrestling I interview. Lars says both he and Ole are independent contractors so they should be able to settle it. I offers to be in his corner. Love the use of the legend in a corner to offer support. Adds to it and doesn’t steal the spotlight. Lars finishes promoting a Taped Fist Match tonight in Marietta. (Watch)
Ole Anderson interview. Has taped fists. Him and The Assassin. Can cut and maim. Assassin looks forward to knocking them out. It’s all legal now. Sold the match great. (Watch)
Mr. Wrestling II promo on The Assassins and Ole Anderson. They have their sights set on his mask. Now he has Mr. Wrestling I watching his back and vice versa. (Watch)
Sat. Sept. 13 Georgia Championship Wrestling
Missing episode.
Results: Jim Brunzell defeated Charlie Fulton. Terry Taylor defeated Jim Nelson. Stan Lane defeated Marvin Turner. Stan Lane defeated Mike Davis. Les Thornton defeated Oki Shikina. Mr. Wrestling I and Mr. Wrestling II defeated Buck Brannigan and Killer Khan.
Fri. Sept. 19 @ The Omni
Jim Brunzell and Steve O defeated Tio and Tapu
Mr. Saito defeated Mike Davis
NWA National Television Title Match: Terry Taylor (c) defeated Killer Khan
NWA Georgia Junior Heavyweight Title Match: Stan Lane (c) defeated Kevin Sullivan
Lars Anderson defeated Baron Von Raschke
Dennis Condrey defeated Wahoo McDaniel
Tony Atlas defeated Ole Anderson
NWA Georgia Tag Team Titles Match: Mr. Wrestling I and Mr. Wrestling II defeated Assassins - TITLE CHANGE!!!
Uvalde Slim defeated Terry Funk
Lights Out Match: Ole Anderson defeated Lars Anderson
Sat. Sept. 20 Georgia Championship Wrestling
New Georgia Tag Champs Mr. Wrestling I & II interview. The Assassins are crying the blues. They did what they said they would. The fans are happy. Their masks were on the line. Assassins have to put theirs up if they want a rematch. (Watch)
Terry Funk and Ole Anderson smack around Mike Davis and Terry Taylor. Vicious. Mr. Wrestling I & II make the save. (Watch)
TV Champ Terry Taylor interview. He’s upset about what happened. Terry is very soft spoken. (Watch)
Terry Funk interview. Tells kids not to be crybabies. Accept your defeats. Kevin Sullivan in his face. Very intense. They get in the ring. Ole gets involved. Terry Taylor makes the save. Good segment. I liked Funk and Sullivan interacting. (Watch)
Quick Dusty Rhodes promo on facing Ole in Columbus. (Watch)
Ole Anderson promo talking The Omni on Oct 10th. Harley Race is back defending NWA World Heavyweight Title against Dick Slater. Stan Hansen is coming back. All star card. Tells people in Griffin to come out. Very much Ole in booker mode on TV. (Watch)
Other Results: Jim Brunzell defeated Billy Starr. Dennis Condrey defeated Benny Romeo. Mike Davis defeated Rocket Monroe. Masa Saito defeated Bob Garrett. Kevin Sullivan and Steve Keirn defeated Stan Lane and Charlie Fulton. Terry Funk defeated Benny Romeo. Kevin Sullivan defeated Billy Starr. Dennis Condrey defeated Bobby Garrett. Steve O defeated Rocket Monroe. Assassins defeated Sun.
Sept. 21 Best of Georgia Championship Wrestling
Bob Armstrong interview from Gulf Coast Wrestling. Amazing backdrop. He talks about his shape and speed. His son Brad is starting to wrestle! (Watch)
Jim Brunzell promo on Bob Armstrong facing Dennis Condrey. (Watch)
Tony Atlas interview. He’s massive and only 25 here. He’s been to Houston and New York but Georgia is his home. Atlas gives his backstory. Has the Mr. International and Mr. Universe contests coming up. (Watch)
Mr. Saito interview. He’s tough and strong. (Watch)
Kevin Sullivan interview. Georgia is the hotbed. Stanley Lane stole something. He runs down all the great stars in Georgia. Ole versus Lars in a boxing match tonight in Marietta. (Watch)
Mr. Wrestling I & II interview. The next thing is taking The Assassins masks. (Watch)
Georgia Champ Dennis Condrey interview. He says if Bob Armstrong can beat him he’ll give him a title match every night. (Watch)
Ole Anderson cuts a promo on his boxing skills. He chose wrestling instead of knocking out Ali! (Watch)
Sat. Sept. 27 Georgia Championship Wrestling
Fabulous Freebirds debut interview. Michael Hayes is the spokesperson. Music in the background. They talk about The Freebird Rule. They have their own vibe and Hayes has the promo down. Fast talking big stars. They broke the attendance record in New Orleans. Very good first impression. (Watch)
Fabulous Freebirds (Terry Gordy and Buddy Roberts vs. Tim Horner & Jerry Roberts. Hayes does commentary. Terry Gordy is so good. Buddy and Terry come off as a great team not just some gimmick. Terry uses a vicious power bomb. Good showcase. (Watch)
Mr. Saito interview. He apologizes to the American wrestler for kicking him in the throat so he can only eat soup. Funny. Saito rules. (Watch)
Mr. Saito vs. Jack Lavkin. $5k challenge. Saito uses his amateur wrestling. I like this presentation. Saito wins. (Watch)
Special look at the NWA World Heavyweight Champion Harley Race in action from Kansas City against Gary Young. Race dissects him and wins. (Watch)
Dick Slater interview. Going for the World Title. He’s serious. Race can be beat. In his best shape. I love how wrestlers get serious and sports like when going for the World Title. It’s above everything. (Watch)
NWA World Champ Harley Race interview. Press conference type setup. He talks about all his challenges. He’s the man who can beat anyone in the world. (Watch)
Fabulous Freebirds (Buddy Roberts and Michael Hayes) vs. Mike Davis and Zane Hickey. The music is a very nice touch. Gordy is on commentary for this one. They’re revolutionizing tag team wrestling and Gordy is a space cowboy. He’s pretty funny. Buddy and Hayes use quick tags and get the win. (Watch)
They show an old win for Austin Idol when he was Georgia Champ. (Watch)
Other Results: Stan Lane defeated Mike Davis. Steve Keirn defeated Bob Garrett. Jim Brunzell and Steve O defeated Jim Hart and Rocket Monroe. Jim Brunzell defeated Bob Garrett. Masa Saito defeated Chris McNew. Stan Lane defeated Marvin Turner.
If anything is missing or incorrect, please let me know!
Credits: WrestlingData, Retro Wrestling Archive, Kris Zellner, Cagematch.