WWWF at Philadelphia Arena (1/31/71)

Philadelphia Arena

Philadelphia, PA

January 31, 1971

We're just eight days away from the showdown at Madison Square Garden between WWWF US Champion Pedro Morales and WWWF Heavyweight Champion Ivan Koloff. Both of them will be putting their belts on the line tonight in a special house show for the Philadelphia faithful. Morales faces his nemesis The Wolfman who is under strict orders from Ivan Koloff not to let Morales make it to New York. Meanwhile Morales countered by sending Gorilla Monsoon after Koloff in the main event tonight. With these ramifications that could potentially change history, let's get to the action.

Match 1

"Nobleman" Joe Turco vs Angelo Savoldi

These two met a year ago in North Attleboro so tonight was the big re-match. Turco got the victory.

Winner: Turco

Match 2

Vincente Pometti vs Chief Jay Strongbow

Strongbow scored a big win the day before against Bulldog Brower and needed another one if he wanted another shot at Ivan Koloff if Koloff were to get by Monsoon tonight and Morales on the 8th. Pometti was looking just to play spoiler but it didn't work, Strongbow won.

Winner: Strongbow

Match 3

Tony Marino vs Manuel Soto

Two popular babyfaces going one on one just to fill out the card was a rarity. To keep them both in their spots, the bout ended in a 20 minute draw.

Winner: No one (Draw)

Match 4

Gene Dubois, Geeto Mongol & Beppo Mongol vs Blackjack Mulligan, Bulldog Brower and The Black Demon

What the hell is THIS? An all-heel six man tag match was even rarer than the babyface match the previous bout. No idea why Vince Sr booked this match but its definitely interesting. To keep everyone's heat, the bout ended in a draw.

Winners: No one (Draw)

Match 5

The Wolfman vs Pedro Morales for the WWWF United States Championship

The rematch from Madison Square Garden last month had a special kick to it as Koloff sent Wolfman to specifically stop Morales from getting to MSG. Unfortunately for Koloff, Wolfman failed and Morales got the duke

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Winner: Morales (still US Champion)

Match 6

Gorilla Monsoon vs "The Russian Bear" Ivan Koloff for the WWWF Heavyweight Championship

Koloff looked nervous as he got in the ring as his henchman Wolfman failed to knock off Morales. Pedro in retaliation sent Gorilla Monsoon after Koloff just eight days before their showdown in MSG. Koloff barely escaped with the win when Monsoon was counted out. Morales came to the ring and chased away Koloff to end the show.

Winner: Koloff by count-out (still WWWF Champion)

Very interesting card with an all-heel 6 man tag, a babyface showdown and both main titles on the line. Vince Sr was saving the home run show for the Garden but this would have been a fun card to see if video footage of it existed. Koloff and Morales were on a collision course and Monsoon had a date with the Mongols. It was also nice to see Savoldi again nearing the end of his career. The crew travels to Allentown, PA for their next show. I'll see you there.

WWWF at Witschi's Sports Arena (1/16/70)

Witschi's Sports Arena

North Attleboro, MA

January 16, 1970

As it was learned yesterday, it was going to be WWWF Heavyweight Champion Bruno Sammartino defending the title against "Russian Bear" Ivan Koloff this Monday night at Madison Square Garden. Also Killer Kowalski and Waldo Von Erich would get a shot at the tag team champions Tony Marino and Victor Rivera. What about the rest of the card? Let's find out with today's show.

Match 1

"Nobleman" Joe Turco vs Angelo Savoldi

"Nobleman" Turco was another guy playing a lunatic but he had a handlebar mustache years before the Iron Sheik and usually shouted Italian obscenities at the irate crowd. Wrestling's version of Methuselah steps in the ring again at this special show to face Turco. For those that don't know, Savoldi was born Mario Fornini and Italy but moved to the US when he was five years old. He dropped out of school during the great depression to work as a metal cutter before joining his brother Lou in professional wrestling. His big break came in 1937 when legendary New York wrestler Joe Savoldi needed a partner so they turned Mario into "Angelo Savoldi" his storyline brother. Thirty four years later after a storied career in the territories he was still active at age 55 against Turco tonight. Its Italy vs Italy in this one with Savoldi getting the duke.

Winner: Savoldi

Match 2

Joe Crugnale vs Johnny Rodz

Rodz wins this one, not much to say.

Winner: Rodz

Match 3

Pete Sanchez vs Jean Dubois

Not sure why these two went at it but Sanchez gets the win.

Winner: Sanchez

Match 4

Red Demon vs Gorilla Monsoon

This was the fallout from yesterday in Washington, DC. "Kripper" Karl Kovacs sent his henchman to face Monsoon in North Attleboro. Monsoon got the win.

Winner: Monsoon

Match 5

Victor Rivera vs Waldo Von Erich

These two had a date this Monday night in the tag team match but they go one on one here. They brawl to a no-contest.

Winner: No one (draw)

Match 6

Tony Angelo and "Russian Bear" Ivan Koloff vs Battman and WWWF Heavyweight Champion Bruno Sammartino

For those that don't know, Tony Angelo was a heel wrestler in the 1950's and 60's that became a heel manager, mainly managing Ivan Koloff. "Battman" was Tony Marino's alter ego and even though he retired the gimmick full time, every now and then he brought it out for a reason. This match was a good reason. Bruno and Battman win.

Winners: Battman and Bruno

Kind of a nothing card just days before Madison Square Garden but it did have a preview of this Monday night with Bruno and Koloff. Madison Square Garden just happens to be up next. I'll see you there.