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August 4-7, 2011 - Atlanta's Airport Marriott Hotel » Click Here To Buy Your VIP "All Access" Passes and Hall of Heroes Tickets! « Enjoy a 3-Day VIP Weekend With Dozens of Wrestling's Greatest Heroes & Villains!  Click here for complete details on Rowdy Roddy Piper's fanfest appearances! Lars Anderson, Big Mama Added To Atlanta Fanfest!  One of the original Anderson Brothers is returning to Atlanta, more than 40 years after winning the NWA World Tag Team championship here. Lars Anderson, one of the founding members of "The Minnesota Wrecking Crew" (even before "brother" Ole,) has a rich and storied history in the National Wrestling Alliance and the IWA.Lars and "brother" Gene Anderson began tagging in the mid-1960s, wrestling regularly in both Georgia and the Carolinas. In the early-1970s, he wrestled in San Francisco and returned to the AWA as "Luscious" Larry Heiniemi, where he'd trained previously under Verne Gagne. From there, he was off to the fledgling IWA in 1975 and back to the Carolinas, and later in the decade returning to the NWA promotions in Florida and Georgia. For the past 20+ years, he's been living in Hawaii.  "Big Mama" Felicia Valiant, then the real-life wife of "Boogie Woogie Man" Jimmy Valiant, debuted in the Carolinas in the mid-1980s and is most notably known for her participation in Starrcade '85 and '86.An Atlanta street fight at Starrcade '85 pitted Jimmy Valiant and Miss Atlanta Lively (Ron Garvin in drag,) accompanied by Big Mama, against Jim Cornette's Midnight Express, making their first appearance at the NWA's annual supercard. At Starrcade '86, in a match pitting Jimmy Valiant against Paul Jones, Big Mama put up her hair against the hair of Jones! Lars Anderson and "Big Mama" Felicia Valiant have confirmed their appearances at this summer's NWA Wrestling Legends Fanfest Weekend August 4-7 in Atlanta. They will join previously-announced featured guests Ole Anderson, The Assassin, Mr. Wrestling II, former AWA Rookie of the Year and NWA National champion Steve O, Killer Karl Kox, "Million Dollar Man" Ted Dibiase, "Doctor D" David Schultz, "Mr. USA" Tony Atlas, Killer Tim Brooks, The Masked Superstar, Dory Funk Jr., Terry Funk, "Continental Lover" Eddie Mansfield, "Wildfire" Tommy Rich, Nick Bockwinkel, Harley Race, Joyce Grable, Judy Martin, Leilani Kai, Thunderbolt Patterson, Ron Simmons, Gypsy Joe, Stan Hansen, Teddy Long, Ron Garvin, Ron Bass, Buddy Colt, Scrappy McGowan, Moondog Rex, Tully Blanchard, "The Perfect 10" Baby Doll and Greg "The Hammer" Valentine signing autographs and taking photos with fans over the course of the three-day, four night event at Atlanta's Airport Marriott hotel. Each featured guest will be scheduled to take photos with fans at least once (sometimes more,) during the weekend. For a nominal fee, we'll take your photo, process it -- even get it autographed for free! -- and return to you a beautiful, one-of-a-kind 8" x 10" autographed photo of you and your favorite wrestling heroes! An incredible keepsake that will last a lifetime! There will be individual photo ops with each of the featured guests, as well as some rare, group photo ops available. Each featured guest will also be scheduled to sign autographs for fans at least once during the weekend. Those with VIP "All Access" Passes are allowed to get two free autographs from each featured guest at our Autograph Stage. Please check the schedule for exact times. Over the next few weeks, we will be announcing our final guest confirmations for this year's Atlanta fanfest. Matches Return, 3 NWA World Titles To Be Defended At Fanfest!  Three NWA World championships will be at stake and the 2011 NWA Future Legends Cup winner will be crowned when live wrestling matches return to this August's NWA Wrestling Legends Fanfest Weekend!New NWA World Heavyweight Champion The Sheik has three challengers looking to get a shot at the famous "10 pounds of gold." Former champ Colt "Boom Boom" Cabana, 3-time former champ "Scrap Iron" Adam Pearce, and current TNA Television champion Gunner are the three top contenders, and each has a compelling case for why he should get the opportunity to fight for the championship. All have confirmed they'll be in Atlanta as well! The final rounds of the 2011 NWA Future Legends Cup competition will also take place, featuring eight of the very best young talents in the country. Last year's winner, the former Phill Shatter and current TNA Television champ Gunner will present the beautiful cup to this year's winner.  This showcase of the very best the National Wrestling Alliance has to offer takes place Saturday night, August 6 at the VFW Fairgrounds in Carrolton, Georgia (a regular stop during the glory days of Georgia Championship Wrestling.) The all-star card is being held in conjunction with this year's NWA Wrestling Legends Fanfest Weekend in Atlanta August 4-7.NWA World Junior Heavyweight Champion Craig Classic will defend against longtime Alabama Junior Heavyweight Champion "Action" Mike Jackson, and the NWA World Tag Team Championship will be defended on the card, as well. Charter buses will be available for a nominal fee to provide roundtrip transportation from Atlanta's Airport Marriott (site of this year's fanfest activities,) to Carrolton's VFW Fairgrounds, for any fanfest attendees that would like to attend the matches. It's about a 50-minute drive each way. The buses will leave Atlanta's Airport Marriott at 5:30 p.m. and return by 11 p.m. (just in time for "All My Rowdy Friends" with "Rowdy" Roddy Piper!) As in previous years, those with fanfest VIP "All Access" Passes will be admitted to the matches free of charge and prior to non-VIPs. More details on the night of wrestling will be forthcoming, as well as an opportunity to signup for the charter bus service to the matches.  Ted Turner, Gordon Solie Among 8 Tapped For Hall of Heroes! Media mogul, philanthropist, and former WTBS SuperStation owner Ted Turner and legendary TV announcer Gordon Solie are among eight iconic figures being inducted into our Hall of Heroes this August in Atlanta.  Turner will be recognized for seeking out wrestling programming in the early days of cable TV and, for more than two decades, providing a broadcast home for matches sanctioned by the once-mighty National Wrestling Alliance.The exposure gained from being on Turner's quickly-expanding SuperStation broadcasts, and the station’s jump to satellite transmission in 1976, brought Georgia Championship Wrestling and the NWA to a new level of national popularity. In short order, it made household names of "Nature Boy" Ric Flair, "Wildfire" Tommy Rich, and Mr. Wrestling II. Another is Atlanta wrestling legend Thunderbolt Patterson. A 2007 Hall of Heroes inductee himself, Patterson arrived in Georgia in the early 1970’s and experienced first-hand the added popularity of being seen on one of cable television’s first wrestling shows. "Ted Turner provided us a lot of opportunities in the early days," said Patterson, who will be inducting Turner during a dinner banquet and awards ceremony Friday night, August 5, at Atlanta’s Airport Marriott hotel. "Suddenly, our TV wrestling show was not just seen in Atlanta each week, but in far-away places like Michigan, Ohio and West Virginia. Without Ted Turner, Atlanta wrestling would still be 'Atlanta wrestling.' Thanks to his vision, it became World Championship Wrestling!" The Hall of Heroes inductions are part of Atlanta's first-ever NWA Wrestling Legends Fanfest Weekend August 4-7. The tenth annual event offers fans and followers of all ages an exciting three-day forum to reconnect with some of TV wrestling's notable heroes and villains. Autograph sessions, photo opportunities, and question-and-answer sessions fill the weekend, and tons of wrestling memorabilia will be on display.  Turner will be joined by seven other Class of 2011 Hall of Heroes inductees, including legendary TV wrestling announcer Gordon Solie, affectionately known as "The Dean" of all wrestling announcers.Recognized by fans for his monotone, stoic interview style, Solie arrived in Atlanta in 1974 at the urging of Turner and played a vital role in Turner’s broadcast expansion and ultimate media empire. He became the voice of the weekend studio wrestling shows -- filmed on location at Tuner's 1050 Techwood Drive studio -- that quickly became the most-watched programming on cable television at the time. "He was the man," said wrestling icon Dusty Rhodes, "the absolute best to ever call a match!" Others being honored will include wrestling legends The Assassins (Joe Hamilton and Tom Renesto,) "Hands of Stone" Ron Garvin, Sir Oliver Humperdink, Ray "The Crippler" Stevens, and the Masked Superstar. Former PWI Editor Bill Apter Returning To Atlanta!  Wrestling fans from everywhere remember Bill Apter, Editor of Pro Wrestling Illustrated and it's family of wrestling magazines, including The Wrestler and Inside Wrestling.Georgia-area fans also remember him for the PWI Scouting Report, a segment he hosted on the Best of World Championship Wrestling, broadcast weekly on Ted Turner's WTBS Superstation. Apter returns to the Peach State this August as part of the NWA Wrestling Legends Fanfest Weekend, hosting "Apter's Antics!" -- a live show each day, featuring offbeat interviews, comedy, karaoke and more! First-Ever Atlanta Fanfest Weekend Is Coming This August! Mark your calendars! The dates have been set. Georgia's first-ever NWA Wrestling Legends Fanfest Weekend, a huge three-day reunion with dozens of wrestling's legendary heroes and villains, and wrestling fans from all over the world, takes place Thursday through Sunday, August 4-7, 2011 at Atlanta's beautiful Airport Marriott hotel! Stars from the glory days of Georgia Championship Wrestling and the National Wrestling Alliance return to the Peach State not only to reunite with old rivals, but to mix and mingle with the throngs of fans that supported them during wrestling's heyday. In addition, a bevy of today's top superstars and future legends will take part in countless weekend activities that include autograph signings, photo opportunities and much more. VIP "All Access" Passes are on sale now! These get you early admission each day, first access to the Autograph Stage and photo booths, and exclusive admission to revealing Question-and-Answer sessions! Throw in a free souvenir t-shirt and a laminated "All Access" neck lanyard and you have the VIP hookup! Your purchase helps support our efforts to celebrate the rich tradition of wrestling in Georgia and to honor the heroes of wrestling's past and present. Thanks for being part of a truly special weekend. Most folks will tell you it's a remarkable reunion. Should you have any questions or comments to share, please feel free to email us at NWALegends@aol.com We look forward to seeing you in Atlanta! Fanfest Travellers Save Money With Delta Airlines! Delta Airlines is offering a discount to folks flying to/from Atlanta for this year's NWA Wrestling Legends Fanfest Weekend!  It's not a tremendous discount, but every little bit helps, right?To compare fares and book your flights to Atlanta, please call 1-800-328-1111 and use the Booking Code: NM6KF The discount is good, as well, on KLM and AirFrance flights booked through Delta. Any troubles, please email NWALegends@aol.com Book Your Hotel Rooms Now At Discounted Group Rate!  The Atlanta Airport Marriott, the host hotel for the 2011 NWA Wrestling Legends Fanfest Weekend, is offering a discounted group rate for those that book early.Nestled among 14 acres of picturesque grounds, this luxurious 628-room airport-area hotel represents a tranquil retreat combined with state-of-the-art amenities. Spacious rooms feature Plug In Panel (lets guests check-in then plug-in all of their electronic devices,) a 32-inch flat screen panel LCD TV, deluxe bedding and double pane soundproof windows. Located inside the hotel, Bentley's Steakhouse features delectable cuisine and tender steaks, or delight in authentic Japanese sushi prepared at The Lobby Bar. Situated near the Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport, the hotel provides complimentary shuttle to the airport and MARTA transportation. » Click here for more details on our discounted group rate... « |
