WWWF at Sunnyside Garden Arena (2/9/63)

Sunnyside Garden Arena

Queens, NY

February 9, 1963

After Vince McMahon held joint promotion events in Chicago and Toronto with other NWA promoters, the next event would be held in Queens. Tonight, Magnificent Maurice and "Handsome" Johnny Barend take on Bobo Brazil and Miguel Perez Sr. "Nature Boy" Buddy Rogers defends the World Heavyweight Championship against Dory Dixon and youngster Pedro Morales takes on Karl Steif. Let's get to the action.

Match 1

Cowboy Reed vs Tommy O'Toole

Isn't this a treat. Cowboy Reed is none other than Buddy Colt, the future NWA North American Champion, survivor of the 1975 plane crash that killed Bobby Shane and future commentator/part owner of Championship Wrestling From Florida. The 27 year old defeated Tommy in this match.

Winner: Reed

Match 2

"Wild" Red Berry vs Frank Valois

Another treat with the legendary "Wild" Red Berry. To compare him to today, he was essentially that generation's Bobby Heenan. A small, chickenshit heel that relied on bombastic behavior to draw heat. By 1963 he was 57 years old and primarily managing tag teams like The Fabulous Kangaroos and a young 26 year old Gorilla Monsoon. Berry still defeated Valois with some old school tactics.

Winner: Berry

Match 3

Skull Murphy and Karl Von Hess vs "Golden Boy" Arnold Skaaland and Gene Kiniski

For those that don't know, Karl Von Hess was an evil German sympathizer gimmick but portrayed by legitimate US Navy Seal Frank Faketty. Faketty was trained by Joe Dusek and was inspired in 1955 to take an evil nazi gimmick, which was perfect for New York and Capitol Wrestling. Kiniski and Skaaland win this one.

Winners: Skaaland and Kiniski

Match 4

Karl Steif vs Pedro Morales

Karl Steif was born Clyde Steeves and wrestled primarily in the 1950's and 60's as The Preacher although he had a ton of gimmicks. The young Morales won this one.

Winner: Pedro Morales

Match 5

Bobo Brazil and Miguel Perez Jr vs Magnificent Maurice and "Handsome" Johnny Barend

This stems from the recent TV taping where Maurice and Barend jumped Bobo Brazil during his match against Buddy Rogers and Rogers had recently defeated Perez. The faces get their revenge and beat Rogers' crew.

Winners: Brazil and Perez

Match 6

Dory Dixon vs "Nature Boy" Buddy Rogers for the World Heavyweight Championship

Dixon gets the title shot on this spot show against the Nature Boy. Rogers came out on top to retain the title.

Winner: Rogers (Still world heavyweight champion)