This week on Georgia Rasslin’, it’s a look into more Georgia history courtesy of host Ray Russell and Guest Rick Fields. Talking the years of 1955 – 1957. In this era, Georgia wrestling took a major step forward as the promotion began bringing in nationally recognized stars from Chicago and the DuMont television network while introducing fans to increasingly wild gimmick matches like Indian Strap Matches, Texas Death Matches, Boxing bouts, and even “mask vs. loser leave town” encounters. Jerry Graham remained one of the promotion’s top heels, while the fierce rivalry between Freddie Blassie and the McIntyre brothers became the backbone of the territory. During this period, Georgia also expanded its touring schedule well beyond Atlanta, establishing a regular loop of towns that helped grow wrestling across the entire state. Plus, Augusta gets its own TV, and a steady parade of legendary names passed through including Lou Thesz, Buddy Rogers, Argentina Rocca, Verne Gagne, Dick the Bruiser, Bull Curry, the Lewin Brothers, and many others. We’ll follow the Southern Championship lineage, the top rivalries, the expansion of the territory, and the foundation being laid for what would soon become one of wrestling’s premier promotions. We set the stage for a deveopment that will take place in 1957 which leads to promoter Paul Jones and the ABC Booking company leaving the NWA.

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This week on Georgia Rasslin’, Guest Rick Fields is back as he joins host Ray Russell to continue the discusson of Georgia Wrestling history. This week, the duo take a look at some of the happenings covering the years of 1953 – 1955 and include talk of interesting booking patterns, the June Byers/Mildred Burke “screwjob”, the lack of World Title defenses, Georgia’s first Wrestling TV program, the introduction of the Southern Title, Don & Red McIntyre, Jackie Fargo, The Swedish Angel, Verne Gagne, Gorgeous George, Buddy Rogers, Johnny Valentine, Jerry Graham, Baron Leone, Argentina Rocca, Fred Blassie, Pat O’Connor, Ray Villmer, Ida Mae Martinez, Cora Combs, the Mighty Midgets, & much more!

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Georgia Rasslin’ continues to futher explore the build-up of one of the most successful territories in pro wrestling history. RIck Fields returns to chat with Ray Russell about the 1940s and 1950s in Georgia. Some of the topics include the arrival of NWA (Association) Champion Lou Thesz, Paul Jones’ “ABC Booking” Company, Cowboy Luttrell vs. Boxing Legend Jack Dempsey, the Fred Ward relationship begins, the NWA (Alliance) is born, Gorgeous George, Argentina Rocca, Fabulous Moolah, Eddie Graham debuts with a 5 second win, Don McIntyre, Ginger the Wrestling Bear, Herb Welch, Fred Blassie, Al Lovelock (the Bolo), Art Nelson, the ‘Riot Squad’ Duseks, Bobby Lane, Red Duggan, Charlie Harben standing his ground, and the territory debut of a major figure moving forward, Ray Gunkel!

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It’s another new and exciting project starting up this week in Regional Rasslin when Guest, Rick Fields, joins Ray Russell to talk all things Georgia Rasslin History, as they set the stage for the 1970s “Georgia War” to come. We go back to touch on the earliest known bout from 1873, and then jump ahead to the John Contos era of the late 1920s. From there we move ahead to the 1940s and discuss promoter Paul Jones’ arrival and creating the foundation of his ABC Booking company. Plus, we discuss World Heavyweight Champions, Mr. Wrestling #2, Bobby Simmons, many of the early talents to come through the State, just how far back classic booking goes, and so much more!

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Bob Roop & Ray Russell discuss more Georgia Rasslin', as Bob dives into the aftermath and rebuilding process that Ole Anderson incurred following Vince McMahon's takeover of GCW. Hear how Ole fought to rebuild his new Georgia promotion from the ashes. With the WWF making aggressive moves into southern strongholds, Ole didn’t just push back, he tried to reclaim what was his. We break down the fallout, how Ann Gunkel played a pivotal role in getting Anderson back on TBS, talent jumping ship, a brief alliance with Jerry Jarrett, and what made Georgia’s rebirth under Ole such a gritty, fascinating chapter in wrestling history. Politics, pride, and pure stubbornness... it’s all here!

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Ray Russell joins Bob Roop for mroe Georgia Rasslin', as Roop talks The Fabulous Moolah and the many allegations & stories of her pimping, sex trafficking, and requesting sexual favors from students. We also talk smart fans trying to dictate the matches, and how to veterans handled it versus the younger talent. Plus, we talk Georgia talent defecting to the WWF in 1984, Scott & Bill Irwin, Ron Slinker, Tom Horner, Pat Rose, George Tragos, & more!

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New Georgia Rasslin' episode with Bob Roop & Ray Russell, as Bob talks the art of a wrestling promo, what makes a good referee, and how to put together a match that entertains the fans. Plus, we talk more stories from the Georgia territory and beyond, featuring Ted Dibiase, Skip Young, Arn Anderson, King Kong Bundy, Mr. Wrestling (Tim Woods), Mr. Wrestling #2 (Johnny Walker), Thunderbolt Patterson, Jimmy Valiant, Referee Nick Patrick, Spoiler (Don Jardine), The Sheik, Dutch Mantel, Dewey Forte going "home", and so much more!

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Bob Roop & Ray Russell are back talking more talent passing through the Georgia territory through the early 1980s. Bob shares a fun story of Assassin (Jody Hamilton), Ray Stevens, and a gun! Plus, we talk the art of getting over a squash match, bringing ICW talent like Ron Garvin & Pez Whatley over to Georgia, as well as the likes of Larry Zbyszko, Rick Rude, Terry Taylor, Karl Kox, Joe Lightfoot, Tito Santana, Ted & Jerry Oates, Mike Jackson, Barry Darsow, Killer Tim Brooks, & more!

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