WWWF at Zembo Shrine Center (1/29/71)

Zembo Shrine Center

Harrisburg, PA

January 29, 1971

Its Friday night and Vince Mcmahon Sr has booked a double shot. While half the crew is in North Attleboro the other half are here at the Zembo Mosque for WWWF action. This card was actually the big draw as the main event features a sneak preview of Madison Square Garden in 10 days. WWWF Heavyweight Champion Ivan Koloff teams with the International Tag Team Champions The Mongols to take on number 1 contender Pedro Morales, Gorilla Monsoon and Chief Jay Strongbow in a special six man tag  3 out of 5 falls match. Other matches include "Golden Boy" Arnold Skaaland taking on Blackjack Mulligan, "Popeye" Chuck Richards taking on Gene Dubois and The Black Demon taking on Hurricane Rivera. Let's get to the matches

Match 1

"Popeye" Chuck Richards vs Gene Dubois

Interesting opening match as Chris Candido's grandfather takes on Ontario promoter Dave McKigney.  Dubois got the win....wow, no opening match draw?

Winner: Dubois

Match 2

Hurricane Rivera vs The Black Demon

Demon had been a punching bag all month but in essence so has Rivera. Something has to give, right? Wrong! They fought to a 20 minute draw.

Winner: No one (Draw)

Match 3

"Golden Boy" Arnold Skaaland vs Blackjack Mulligan

Mulligan was quickly gaining steam with big victories to set himself up for future matches so it made sense to put him with the crafty veteran Skaaland. Mulligan got the win to further move up the ladder.

Winner: Mulligan

Match 4

WWWF United States Champion Pedro Morales, Chief Jay Strongbow and Gorilla Monsoon vs WWWF Heavyweight Champion Ivan Koloff and WWWF International Tag Team Champions The Mongols (Geeto & Beppo) in a 3 out of 5 falls match

Talk about a tag match that would be a PLE main event today. You got the world champ and the tag champs against the number one contenders for both titles. Koloff and Morales had a date with destiny ten days later while Monsoon would be facing Geeto. Not much is known about the match apart from it ended in a no-contest. Probably were tied two falls apiece before a pier six brawl erupted with both teams being counted out or disqualified. Good way to keep everyone's heat intact. Still, having Koloff and Morales face each other before the big Garden show should have done a lot of business.

Winners: No one (Draw)

The show has been lost to time at it was a spot show long before the era of recorded television, house shows, ppvs, etc....but that main event with all the talent and the stories going in would have been a MSG main event any time. The Mongols wouldn't be defending the straps at MSG but Koloff and Morales would be going mano e mano. The ramifications were huge as Koloff really didn't have many credible contenders apart from maybe Gorilla Monsoon while if Morales won, he had plenty of heels to chose from as opponents. As for this show, if only it was recorded. Now the next show was taking place the exact same day in North Attleboro, I'll see you there.

WWWF at Witchi's Sports Arena (1/15/71)

Witchi's Sports Arena

North Attleboro, MA

January 15, 1971

The WWWF roster was split into two on January 15th as they had this show in North Attleboro and another show with the other half in Pittsburgh. Maybe there was a show scheduled for the night before but it got postponed due to snow or whatever. Either way we're back in North Attleboro just three days before the Monday night show at Madison Square Garden. Pedro Morales has a date with The Wolfman at MSG but he's facing him tonight as a preview. The Mongols also have a date with Gorilla Monsoon and Chief Jay Strongbow at the Garden but here they take on Strongbow and Manuel Soto. Let's get to the card.

Match 1

Tony Marino vs Vincente Pometti

As per norm the Argentinian opens the show against the former Battman. Also as per norm they battled to a 20 minute time limit draw. Wouldn't that be boring for the first match to go the distance every single card?

Winner: No one (Draw)

Match 2

The Black Demon vs "Golden Boy" Arnold Skaaland

The human punching bag Demon gets fed to Arnold Skaaland three days before MSG. Skaaland gets the victory,  big surprise.

Winner: Skaaland

Match 3

Pete Sanchez vs Bulldog Brower

Brower was currently the number three heel behind The Wolfman and Ivan Koloff so he needed a big win against Sanchez if he wanted to keep pace with the others. Sanchez needed a win to put himself on the same level as Pedro Morales. Unfortunately for Sanchez, Brower got the win.

Winner: Brower

Match 4

The Wolfman vs Pedro Morales for the WWWF United States Championship

Three days before MSG, Morales defends against the same man he'll be facing in the Garden. Wolfman got himself disqualified by beating the daylights out of Pedro outside the ring. For a wild man, that was a brilliant move by Wolfman to soften Pedro up for the Garden by sacrificing this match.

Winner: Morales by DQ (still US Champion)

Match 5

Manuel Soto and Chief Jay Strongbow vs The Mongols (Beppo & Geeto) in a 2 out of 3 falls match for the WWWF International Tag Team Championship

The main event of the card saw Strongbow bringing Manuel Soto to help him take the titles from the evil Mongols. As per norm, the first fall went to the faces, the second fall went to the heels and all four men brawled to earn the double-disqualification to end the match. The Mongols retain the titles.

Winners: No one (Mongols retain)

North Attleboro had some rudimentary cards every week it seemed but fans didn't seem to mind. They were clearly building toward MSG but Vince Sr had all these house shows to drum up interest. Having Pedro & Wolfman and Strongbow vs The Mongols bring their matches around the territory but settling it at MSG was pretty standard. Up next is the other card that happened on this day.

WWWF at Hammonton Elementary School (1/13/71)

Hammonton Elementary School

Hammonton, New Jersey

January 13, 1971

We are just five days away from the big showdown at Madison Square Garden between Bruno Sammartino and Ivan Koloff. The International tag team champions The Mongols will be defending the straps at the Garden and Pedro Morales faces The Wolfman. Meanwhile Gorilla Monsoon was a busy man as he himself promoted this show 35 minutes from his hometown. Monsoon not only was the promoter but he'd be facing The Black Demon on the card. The Mongols would be defending the titles against Chief Jay Strongbow and Arnold Skaaland and in a sneak preview of MSG, Pedro Morales would be defending the US title against The Wolfman. Let's get to the matches.

Match 1

Tomas Marin vs "Nobleman" Joe Turco

These two had been going around the territory opening each show with a 20 minute draw so Monsoon figured to have them knock each other around for another 20 minutes in an elementary school. Well that's exactly what happened as the match ended in a 20 minute draw.

Winner: No one (draw)

Match 2

"Golden Boy" Arnold Skaaland and Chief Jay Strongbow vs The Mongols (Geeto and Beppo) in a 2 out of 3 falls match for the WWWF International Tag Team Championship

Five days before Monsoon and Strongbow get their shot at the Mongols, Strongbow teams with Skaaland to try to take the titles, logically that would be very awkward if the faces were to win. Well, as usual the bout ended in a draw at 1 fall apiece.

Winners: No one (Mongols retain)

Match 3

Gorilla Monsoon vs The Black Demon

The hometown hero Monsoon takes on the human punching bag Black Demon. Not surprisingly, Monsoon got the duke much to the fans delight.

Winner: Gorilla Monsoon

Match 4

The Wolfman vs Pedro Morales for the WWWF United States Championship

The final match on the card showcased Pedro defending the strap against his opponent in five days. The fans went home happy as Morales got the duke to keep the title.

Winner: Morales (still WWWF US Champion)

Short but sweet as it was just a four match card. Still, Monsoon was able to book a WWWF show five days away from a possible sellout at Madison Square Garden in a little town in New Jersey close to where he lived. It served its purpose as in those days without cable, internet and streaming the citizens of Hammonton weren't likely to make the trek to MSG so to have Pedro beat Wolfman there was good enough for them. The WWWF roster was going to be very busy Friday as they got TWO shows booked on the 15th, god help us.

WWWF at Scranton Catholic Youth Center (1/12/71)

Catholic Youth Center

Scranton, PA

January 12, 1971

We are six days out from the big showdown at Madison Square Garden between Bruno Sammartino and Ivan Koloff. Also on that card, The Wolfman takes on Pedro Morales for the US title and the tag champs The Mongols defend against Chief Jay Strongbow and Gorilla Monsoon. Tonight The Wolfman takes on Arnold Skaaland, Pedro defends against The Black Demon and The Mongols take on Monsoon & Strongbow a week early. Let's get to the matches.

Match 1

Tomas Marin vs "Nobleman" Joe Turco

Turco needed a big win to keep his heat while The Wolfman and Ivan Koloff were rising to the top of the card. In his way is Tomas Marin. Well, they fought to a 20 minute time limit draw.

Winner: No one (Draw)

Match 2

"Golden Boy" Arnold Skaaland vs The Wolfman

Wolfman had a date with Pedro Morales locked in but Arnold Skaaland was a big test for the wild man six days out. Wolfman ended up getting the duke over the Golden Boy.

Winner: Wolfman

Match 3

Pete Sanchez vs "Unpredictable" Johnny Rodz

A battle of the jobbers so something has to give. Fortunately for Sanchez, Rodz got himself disqualified.

Winner: Sanchez by disqualification

Match 4

The Black Demon vs Pedro Morales for the WWWF United States Championship

Morales was the new US champion and one of his first title defenses was going to be against Demon just six days before MSG. Naturally, Morales won it.

Winner: Morales

Match 5

Gorilla Monsoon & Chief Jay Strongbow vs The Mongols (Geeto & Beppo) for the WWWF International Tag Team Championship in a 2 out of 3 falls match

The main event for the evening is a preview of the tag team title match coming up at MSG. The Mongols defend against Monsoon and Strongbow in Scranton. The first fall went to the challengers and the second fall went to the Mongols. Then one minute into the third fall Monsoon and Beppo knocked each other out to render the match a draw. The Mongols were still the champs.

Winners: No one (Mongols retain)

Another standard house show but it served its purpose. The Mongols against Strongbow & Monsoon was a good main event and they'd lock up again in just six days. The Wolfman and Pedro Morales were due to go one on one and they both won their matches tonight. Joe Turco got a big win as well, he might be a future opponent for a top face as well. All in all at least it didn't look like a bad show.

WWWF at the Boston Garden (1/9/71)

Boston Garden

Boston, MA

January 9, 1971

One day after the Boston Celtics defeated the Phoenix Suns in the Boston Garden, the WWWF came to town. We got a stacked card on this one compared to the house shows in Buffalo and North Attleboro recently. Ivan Koloff is on a collision course with Bruno Sammartino at Madison Square Garden but he's got Chief Jay Strongbow here. Bruno himself has a tune up against Beppo Mongol while Pedro Morales defends the US title against The Black Demon. Its a 9 match card so fans were going to get their money's worth.

Match 1

"Unpredictable" Johnny Rodz vs "Golden Boy" Arnold Skaaland

Skaaland gets the unpredictable one in the match top open the show. As per norm, Skaaland got the victory.

Winner: Skaaland

Match 2

Mike Conrad vs "Nobleman" Joe Turco

Speaking of jobbers, here's Conrad going up against everyone's most hated Italian. Apparently Conrad got himself disqualified so Turco gets the duke.

Winner: Turco by disqualification

Match 3

Vincente Pometti vs Tony Marino

The Argentinian is no fan of Battman so he wants to take his frustrations out on Tony Marino. Unfortunately for the Bull, Marino got the pinfall victory.

Winner: Marino by pinfall

Match 4

Manuel Soto vs The Wolfman

The rising star faces the Canadian wildman. Wolfman gets a BIG victory to launch himself up there with Ivan Koloff as opponents for Bruno Sammartino.

Winner: The Wolfman

Match 5

Hurricane Rivera vs Geeto Mongol

The Hurricane (no, not THAT one) takes on one half of the tag team champions in Geeto Mongol. Geeto got the win.

Winner: Geeto Mongol

Match 6

Gorilla Monsoon vs Bulldog Brower

Monsoon has had it up to HERE with the likes of Brower so he gets him in the ring one on one. The bout ended in a draw

Winner: No one (Draw)

Match 7

Chief Jay Strongbow vs Ivan Koloff

Koloff has a date with Bruno Sammartino for the WWWF title but first he's got to deal with Chief Jay Strongbow. Koloff maintained his hot streak with a big victory.

Winner: Koloff

Match 8

The Black Demon vs Pedro Morales for the WWWF United States Championship

This was originally scheduled to be Morales against Crusher Verdu but Crusher couldn't make it so Demon took his place. Pedro gets the win to keep his title.

Winner: Morales (still US Champion)

Match 9

Beppo Mongol vs Bruno Sammartino for the WWWF Heavyweight Championship

The other half of the tag team champions, Beppo Mongol gets a shot at Bruno in the main event of the evening. Bruno gets the win over the future Nikolai.

Winner: Bruno (still WWWF Heavyweight Champion)

A nine match card with a lot of action, too bad its been lost to time. You still had the main players in the right spots. Wolfman needed to be a strong number 2 heel so beating Soto made sense. Needed to keep Koloff strong and beating Strongbow accomplishes that. Morales and Bruno kept their belts for now and it was all heading to MSG. Would have been nice to see something from this show but oh well.

WWWF at Witchi's Sports Arena (1/8/71)

Witchi's Sports Arena

North Attleboro, MA

January 8, 1971

One week after the WWWF came to North Attleboro, they came right back. Vince Sr was gearing up toward Madison Square Garden on January 18th but the Boston Garden show was the very next night.  We got Bulldog Brower against Tony Marino, Hurricane Rivera against "Nobleman" Joe Turco and Gorilla Monsoon finally gets his hands on The Black Demon. Let's get to it.

Match 1

Hurricane Rivera vs "Nobleman" Joe Turco

The show opened with a bout between Rivera and Turco. If you're wondering why this was the opening contest, it was very early 1971....were you expecting Dory Funk Jr vs Gene Kininski? Turco got the win in this one.

Winner: Turco

Match 2

Mike Conrad vs "The Golden Boy" Arnold Skaaland

The perennial punching bag Conrad took on the legendary Golden Boy. Naturally Skaaland got the duke.

Winner: Skaaland

Match 3

Manuel Soto vs Pete Sanchez

Perennial latino fan favorites Soto and Sanchez go one on one in a rare babyface vs babyface encounter. You won't be surprised but it ended in a time limit draw most likely with both guy shaking hands after the match.

Winner: No one (Draw)

Match 4

Tomas Marin vs The Wolfman

Wolfman was being built as a future opponent for Bruno while Marin was a mid-carder at best at the time. Who the hell did you think was gonna win? Wolfman of course.

Winner: Wolfman

Match 5

Gorilla Monsoon vs The Black Demon

The week earlier it was supposed to be Monsoon vs Demon but Monsoon couldn't make it, so Ivan Koloff was subbed in. Finally Monsoon gets his hands on Demon and wins.

Winner: Gorilla Monsoon

Match 6

Tony Marino vs Bulldog Brower

The final match of the card featured the former Battman against the legendary Bulldog. Brower got the win to set himself up for a future title shot.

Winner: Brower

Not a whole lot happening here since the Boston Garden show was the very next night with Madison Square Garden just ten days away. The heavy hitters like The Mongols, Koloff, Bruno Sammartino and Pedro Morales weren't on the card. Still, it was 1971 so not many people were going to complain, especially in the territory era where guys came and went all the time. The buzz surrounding Koloff vs Sammartino was reaching its apex.

WWWF at Witchi's Sports Arena (1/1/71)

Witchi's Sports Arena

North Attleboro, MA

January 1, 1971

Happy New Year everyone! Its a new year for the World Wide Wrestling Federation and to kick the year off, we have a special show at the Witchi's Sports Arena in North Attleboro, Massachusetts. We got Arnold Skaaland, The Mongols and Joe Turco on the card. Let's kick the year off in style.....and 5 to 1 odds that half the card is hung over.

Match 1

Sandokan vs "Golden Boy" Arnold Skaaland

We kick the year off with the pride of Peru, Sandokan against the Golden Boy. Skaaland we all know but who was his opponent? Sandokan was born Luis Salazar Arenas and was the future promoter of GXLL in Mexico. Skaaland got the win.

Winner: Skaaland

Match 2

"Popeye" Chuck Richards vs Hurricane Rivera

Now this would have been a treat. Popeye Chuck was a badass wrestler in the 50's and 60's and is best known for being the grandfather of Chris "Skip" Candido. Hurricane Rivera was a veteran in Puerto Rico and Mexico. His real name is Jose Rivera which is why years later Jose Luis Rivera worked as Jose Luis or Mac so fans wouldn't get confused. It didn't work because when Hurricane died in October 2022, people thought it was Jose Luis. Richards got the win.

Winner: Richards

Match 3

The Black Demon vs "The Russian Bear" Ivan Koloff

Demon is actually Tony Nero. He wrestled mostly under this real name Anthony Aurelio but by now he was 47 years old and working as The Black Demon. The beauty of working in the days before cable and internet is you could go from territory to territory under different names and no one knew the wiser.  Koloff was due to face Bruno in a few weeks and he got the win here.

Winner: Ivan Koloff

Match 4

Tomas Marin vs "Nobleman" Joe Turco

Who is Tomas Marin? Tomas was a star in Puerto Rico who could have passed for a Wild Samoan with a big afro and bushy mustache.  Turco got the win here

Winner: Joe Turco

Match 5

Gorilla Monsoon and Manuel Soto vs The Mongols (Geeto and Beppo) in a 2 out of 3 falls match for the WWWF International Tag Team Championship

Lot of legends in this main event match. The WWE Tag Team titles as we know it hadn't been invented yet, The Mongols were the International Tag Team Champions at the time. Soto was a Puerto Rican star who was a fan favorite in New York since the late 60's. The Mongols were supposedly Mongolian when clearly neither of them were. Geeto Mongol was born Newton Tattrie in Nova Scotia and became a mainstay of Stampede Wrestling. That's where he met a young 20 year old Yugoslavian/Croatian named Josip Peruzovic in 1967. After training Josip, he was renamed Beppo Mongol and formed a tag team with Geeto. On June 15, 1970 the Mongols defeated Tony Marino and Victor Rivera to win the tag straps. So we got a fake Chinaman and two fake Mongolians.....wrestling everyone. Apparently the bout ended in a draw. By the way, if you ever see Beppo Mongol and thinks he looks familiar, its because he eventually became Nikolai Volkoff.

Winners: No one (Mongols retain)

Sounds like an interesting card for a local house show. North Attleboro is nowhere near the Boston Garden so a five match card seems pretty standard. The show did have a purpose with the tag belts on the line and building Ivan Koloff as Bruno Sammartino's next opponent at Madison Square Garden. Wrestling in those days was more "you gotta be there" than it is today and its unfortunate that so many matches and shows from the 70's have been lost to time. Still, we got MSG coming up so we got something to look forward to.

WWWF at National Arena (1/15/70)

National Arena

Washington, DC

January 15, 1970

Before we get started, today is a great day for the promoter Vince McMahon Sr. His grandson Shane was born today, congrats to Vince and Vince Jr. Also, we're going to decide who faces Bruno Sammartino at Madison Square Garden on Monday night. Let's get to the action. Before the show starts Eric The Red gets in the ring and starts ranting and raving of how he's going to cut the heads off everyone in the crowd until he gets a title shot. Gorilla Monsoon storms out, grabs a microphone and calls him a fountain of mis-information. Eric says if you want to go, let's go. Guess we're on to our first match.

Match 1

Eric The Red vs Gorilla Monsoon

Monsoon isn't going to put up with Eric's nonsense and Eric desperately needs a win to stay in contention for Bruno's title. Monsoon wins it with the big splash.

Winner: Monsoon by pinfall

Mario Milano is in the back playing cards with Victor Rivera when all of a sudden a dude in a red mask jumps them both. Krippler Karl Kovacs shows up and starts laughing at Victor and Mario laid out, telling Mario that he has to answer to the "Red Demon" later. National Arena security arrives too late to escort the heels out but Milano shouts in Italian. Back from break, we get our next match.

Match 2

Red Demon vs Mario Milano

For those that don't know, the Red Demon is actually "Killer" Joe Abby, a Pennsylvania local and Korean War veteran. Kovacs needed a henchmen to take down Milano so they had Abby don a mask and be the stooge. Milano gets the win here but Kovacs has sent a message, he wants Bruno and Milano won't stop him.

Winner: Milano

In the back Kovacs is still laughing when Arnold Skaaland shows up. He asks if Kovacs is happy with what he did to Rivera and Milano. Kovacs says he's more than happy, especially since Rivera may not make it to face Killer Kowalski later. Arnold says Vince Sr isn't here so he's in charge today. Arnold says Karl won't be happy because he's up next against Pete Sanchez....in a 2 out of 3 falls match. Kovacs kicks a trash can as we cut. Back from break, its on to the match.

Match 3

Pete Sanchez vs "Krippler" Karl Kovacs in a 2 out of 3 falls match

Monsoon made it official and here we are. Sanchez dominated most of the match but then Kovacs waffled Sanchez with a wooden chair when the ref wasn't looking and got the pinfall to take the first fall. Then with Sanchez still dazed, Kovacs locked in a chinlock and the ref said Sanchez could no longer continue. After the match, Kovacs demanded Bruno Sammartino come out to face him. Instead, Victor Rivera and Mario Milano hit the ring to clear him out. 

Winner: Kovacs

In the back Arnold Skaaland is talking to Gorilla Monsoon about an upcoming match at Madison Square Garden when Professor Toru Tanaka walks up. He says Arnold is an abuse of power and has no business making matches in Vince's absence. Skaaland replies that he just made one more, him against Tanaka next. Tanaka says its his funeral and leaves. Monsoon says to watch for the pearl harbor job as Arnold goes to get ready.

Match 4

Professor Toru Tanaka vs "Golden Boy" Arnold Skaaland

Tanaka charges at the bell as Monsoon said he would but Skaaland was ready. Skaaland actually had the match won but Karl Kovacs ran to the ring and put Tanaka's foot on the bottom rope. When Skaaland spotted Kovacs at ringside, he turned his back on Tanaka to yell at him. Tanaka hit Skaaland with a chop and rolled him up, hooking the trunks for the win. Kovacs and Tanaka leave laughing with Skaaland vowing revenge.

Winner: Tanaka by pinfall

Kovacs and Tanaka laugh about what happened when Gorilla Monsoon is standing there waiting for them. He says he just got off the phone with Vince McMahon Sr and Kovacs will NOT be wrestling Bruno. He says the winner of tonight's Ivan Koloff and Willie Farkas match will determine who faces Bruno at MSG. Kovacs shouts he has no authority and this is an outrage. All of a sudden Skaaland runs in and jumps on Tanaka's back for a beatdown, causing Kovacs to hightail it out of there. So there you have it, all those dastardly deeds cost Kovacs a title shot. On to the next match.

Match 5

"Unpredictable" Johnny Rodz vs Miguel Feliciano

Kind of a pointless match with everything else going on but they had to fill out the card somehow. Johnny Rodz wins this one.

Winner: Rodz

Ivan Koloff is with Killer Kowalski in the back. Kowalski brings him the news that the winner of the next match faces Bruno. Ivan says his time is now and leaves. Karl Kovacs then comes into the room kicking and screaming with Toru Tanaka and Red Demon trying to calm him down. Meanwhile in the babyface room, Monsoon, Skaaland, Sanchez, Milano and Victor Rivera are hyping up Willie Farkas for his match with Koloff. We're going to find out who faces Bruno next.

Match 6

Willie Farkas vs Ivan Koloff

This is it, the winner of this one faces Bruno Sammartino at Madison Square Garden this Monday night. The mad Hungarian swings wildly at the end which Ivan uses the advantage to get the backbreaker on Willie. Farkas gives it up and Koloff is your winner. Ivan faces Bruno this Monday night.

Winner: Koloff by submission

In the back Kovacs is in the heel locker-room getting consoled by Red Demon, Toru Tanaka and Killer Kowalski when Ivan Koloff walks up to them. Kovacs goes nose to nose with him and says the title shot should have been his. Then he extends his hand and says to beat the daylights out of Bruno on Monday night. Koloff shakes his hand and says consider it done. Kowalski says he'll go take care of Victor Rivera right now. 

Match 7

Killer Kowalski vs Victor Rivera

The final match on the card is one half of the tag champs in Rivera taking on the evil Kowalski. Kowalski gets himself disqualified but beats Rivera to a bloody mess. Monsoon, Skaaland and the other faces run in to save Rivera as Kowalski runs off. Rivera was due to defend the tag straps with Tony Marino against Kowalski and Waldo Von Erich at the Garden, now the question is if Rivera can make it there.

Winner: Rivera by disqualification

That show was complete mayhem but we did get some things accomplished. It'll be Bruno Sammartino against Ivan Koloff this Monday night and Killer Kowalski gets another shot at Victor Rivera and the tag straps when he and Waldo Von Erich face Victor and Tony Marino. Gorilla Monsoon will also be at MSG so this is shaping up to be a good card. We have one last show in North Attleboro tomorrow before the big trip to New York City.

WWWF at Witschi's Sports Arena (1/9/70)

Witschi's Sports Arena

North Attleboro, Massachusetts

January 9, 1970

We're back in North Attleboro for this week's show at the Witschi's Sports Arena. Krippler Karl Kovacs is on a hot streak but so is Mario Milano. Milano takes on Johnny Rodz while Kovacs tangles with Gene Dubois. In the main event, one half of the tag champs Victor Rivera takes on Professor Toru Tanaka. Let's get to the action.

Match 1

"Golden Boy" Arnold Skaaland vs Eric The Red

Skaaland rebounds from his loss to Krippler Kovacs by beating Eric in the opening contest here.

Winner: Skaaland

Match 2

"Unpredictable" Johnny Rodz vs Mario Milano

Milano is on a hot streak but runs into the unpredictable one here in North Attleboro. Milano gets the duke.

Winner: Milano

Match 3

"Krippler" Karl Kovacs vs Gene Dubois

The unofficial number one contender to Bruno Sammartino is the Krippler. He makes a statement by beating Gene Dubois here that Bruno is on his radar.

Winner: Kovacs

Match 4

Willie Farkas vs Gorilla Monsoon

The mad Hungarian goes after the brute from Manchuria. Only difference is Farkas really is from Hungary. Monsoon gets the win.

Winner: Monsoon

Match 5

Victor Rivera vs Professor Toru Tanaka

One half of the tag team champions gets in a wild brawl with the evil Tanaka. Both men are disqualified as its absolute mayhem in the arena. Second week in a row these two battle to a draw.

Winner: No one (Draw)

Kind of a nothing spot show but it does put one thing over. Karl Kovacs is hot on Bruno Sammartino's tail but Mario Milano might stand in his way. Still, the big Madison Square Garden Show is on the 19th and Bruno's opponent hasn't been decided yet. It might not be Karl Kovacs but he's definitely on the radar now. The next show is tomorrow night in Philadelphia at the Arena. I'll see you there.

WWWF at Uline Arena (1/8/70)

Uline Arena

Washington, DC

January 8, 1970

Yes, I know I said we'd be in Salisbury, Maryland on the seventh but the show got postponed due to bad weather. Instead, the day after the crew traveled to Washington, DC for the big show. Have to remember, up until the mid 70's, Washington DC was just as important as Madison Square Garden. WWWF Heavyweight Champion Bruno Sammartino defends against the upstart Hungarian Willie Farkas. Victor Rivera teams with Gorilla Monsoon against the dastardly duo of Waldo Von Erich and Killer Kowalski. Johnny Rodz takes on Pete Sanchez and Boris Yeltsin might make an appearance. Let's get to the action.

Match 1

"Golden Boy" Arnold Skaaland vs "Krippler" Karl Kovacs

Back in the late 60's and early 70's, heels would face and most likely defeat Arnold Skaaland before getting their title shot against Bruno. During the Pedro Morales reign, it was usually Gorilla Monsoon in the role. Well on this night, Kovacs defeated Skaaland to become number 1 contender.

Winner: Kovacs

Match 2

Pete Sanchez vs "Unpredictable" Johnny Rodz in a 2 out of 3 falls match

For those that don't know, Johnny Rodriguez became Johnny Rodz in 1964 at the age of 23 and became a mainstay in New York starting in 1965. If Sky Low Low is on the Mt Rushmore of midget legends, Johnny Rodz is up there for jobbers. However, Rodz won the match 2 falls to zip.

Winner: Rodz

Match 3

Eric The Red vs Mario Milano in a 2 out of 3 falls match

Another two out of 3 falls match featuring Milano against the evil Eric. Milano won it 2 falls to nada.

Winner: Milano

Match 4

Willie Farkas vs Bruno Sammartino for the WWWF Heavyweight Championship

The mad hungarian takes on Bruno for the crown here in the main event in the nation's capital. Farkas fought hard but Bruno wins it with the backbreaker.

Winner: Bruno by submission (still WWWF Heavyweight Champion)

Match 5

Gene Dubois vs Professor Toru Tanaka

The evil Japanese heel (who's actually Chinese) takes on Gene Dubois in this one. This time he did NOT trip and fall, beating Dubois to win the match.

Winner: Tanaka

Match 6

Killer Kowalski and Waldo Von Erich vs Victor Rivera and Gorilla Monsoon

To end the show we have the evil heels take on the fan favorite Monsoon and one half of the tag champs, Rivera. It was mayhem with chairs and chainsaws with the ref throwing the match out with the arena being torn apart. That's one way to end the show.

Winners: No one (Draw)

Just as with every show that's been lost to time, this would have been interesting to see live. Bruno vs pre-Wolfman Farkas and a younger, more mobile Monsoon against an equally younger Kowalski would have been interesting. Karl Kovacs was definitely going to be facing Bruno at one point or another after taking out Skaaland. Just a question of when they're gonna clash. Tomorrow the crew travels to North Attleboro, Massachusetts for another show at the Witschi's Sports Arena. I'll see you there.

WWWF at Witschi's Sports Arena (1/2/70)

Witschi's Sports Arena

North Attleboro, MA

January 2, 1970

Welcome to 1970, everyone. Its a new decade for the World Wide Wrestling Federation that's going to begin with the man who ended it as WWWF Heavyweight Champion, Bruno Sammartino NOT going to appear on tonight's wrestling card. We got 10 guys for today's show so let's get to the wrestling.

Match 1

Jean Dubois vs Joe Crugnale

For those that know, Gene Dubois is actually Dave McKigney. McKigney made his name wrestling Terrible Ted the bear in Toronto then later playing a Canadian wildman gimmick no different than The Wolfman I'll be mentioning later. He came to the states in 1969 as Gene Dubois and here he takes on Joe Crugnale. Not much is known about Joe apart from he trained "The Duke of Dorchester" Pete Dougherty. No, this isn't the same Joe Crugnale that founded Bertucci's either. Jean got the victory on this night.

Winner: Jean Dubois

Match 2

"The Golden Boy" Arnold Skaaland vs "Captain" Lou Albano

Two legends in the making in the World Wide Wrestling Federation collide. Arnold was about to turn 46 in a few weeks but still was over in New York. Albano was born in Italy while his father was in med school before moving to New York. Albano played college football at Tennessee U and was roomates with future National Football League coach Sam Rutigliano. After college, Lou wanted to become a boxer and the legendary trainer Lou Duva hooked him up with promoter Willie Glizenberg. Willie then took one look at Albano and realized he'd be much better off as a wrestler. Guess who trained Albano? Skaaland himself along with Solider Barry. Albano made his name in the 1960's as one half of a tag team called The Sicilians along with Tony Altomare. Legend has it that REAL Chicago mob boss Tony Accardo told them to stop saying "mafia" in their interviews. By now, Altomare was gone and Albano was by himself against his old mentor. The two men fought to a draw in this one.

Winner: No one (Draw)

Match 3

Pete Sanchez vs Miguel Feliciano

The battle of the Latin stars as Sanchez takes on Feliciano. Miguel was yet another latin star of the 60's that was primarily enhancement talent by the 70's. Sanchez got the victory in this one.

Winner: Sanchez

Match 4

Gorilla Monsoon vs Eric The Red

One legend in the world of wrestling and one not so much. Monsoon was born Bob Marella and was a standout amateur heavyweight wrestler for Jefferson High School in Rochester, NY and Ithica College. He placed second in the NCAA Championship in 1959 and turned pro as Gino Marella, a singing Italian babyface....imagine if Prime Time era Bobby Heenan had a hold of 1960 Gino Marella footage? He made his name as Gorilla Monsoon, a complete savage from Manchuria who spoke no English (ironic) and terrorized babyfaces. Manchuria is actually in northeast China so naturally when you think northeast China you think of an Italian guy. Eric was born Ib Solvang Hansen in Denmark before immigrating to Canada. He got his start working for Frank and Jack Tunney in Toronto as a Viking based off the real Erik The Red before turning heel in 1969. Monsoon beat Eric on this card.

Winner: Gorilla Monsoon

Match 5

Professor Toru Tanaka vs Victor Rivera

Victor Rivera was a rising latino star that would be a mainstay for years to come as a face or heel. Tanaka was actually an American Hawaiian of CHINESE descent named Charles Kalani Jr but because of the way wrestling was in the 60's, he became an evil Japanese heel after serving 11 years in the US military. You have to be a proud man to be an 11 year serviceman only to be called a "dirty Jap" by the predominantly xenophobic crowds of wrestling at the time. These two fought to a no-contest to end the show.

Winner: No one (draw)

All in all with two wild brawls to end the show, this must have been fun to witness in person. Its a shame there's virtually no footage remaining from shows as old as these but they served their purpose, especially in the territory days. The following day an entire different crew (sans Albano) would be in Hubbard, Ohio for the next show. I'll see you there.

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)

WWWF at Harbor Yard Arena (2/5/63)

 

Arena at Harbor Yard

Bridgeport, CT

February 5, 1963

In a span of four days, world heavyweight champ "Nature Boy" Buddy Rogers survived a Texas Death Match against Bobo Brazil and a 2 out of 3 falls match with Bruno Sammartino. Who's going to be Buddy's opponent at the next big Madison Square Garden show on February 25th? Let's find out. 

We start today's program with "Nature Boy" Buddy Rogers coming out with "Handsome" Johnny Barend and Magnificent Maurice in tow. Rogers gloats about how he has no contenders left and nobody is in the same league as he is. He praises Vince McMahon Sr for knowing he was the true champion and denounces Toots Mondt as a stooge for Bruno. All of a sudden Bobo Brazil, Arnold Skaaland and Tony Martinelli walk out. Arnold says he has a message from Toots Mondt that not only will Rogers face Bobo in a rematch in the main event, but Maurice and Barend faces himself and Martinelli RIGHT HERE, RIGHT NOW! Rogers spazzes out saying its a conspiracy and Vince will take care of this. Rogers leaves but Maurice and Barend stay in the ring. The main event is in question but Rogers doesn't have enough time to reverse the tag match, its on.

Match 1

"Golden Boy" Arnold Skaaland and Tony Martinelli vs "Handsome" Johnny Barend and Magnificent Maurice

Its two out of three falls as Skaaland and Martinelli take on Rogers' crew. Unfortunately for Skaaland, Maurice and Barend win the match in two straight falls.

Winners: Maurice and Barend

Maurice and Barend continue to attack the faces after the match but Dory Dixon and Bobo Brazil run out to chase them away. In the back, Buddy Rogers is on a payphone trying to get Vince McMahon to cancel the main event. Buddy cracks a smile to imply something went his way. On to the next match.

Match 2

Killer Kowalski vs Frank Martinez in a 2 out of 3 falls match

Frank was a standard jobber of the time period and Kowalski mauls him in two straight falls to win the match.

Winner: Kowalski

After the match, Kowalski gets on the mic and says that Buddy may be the world champion, but he's the most dangerous man in Capitol Wrestling. He says if anyone wants a piece of him, come see him in the back later. We cut to Bobo Brazil in the back preparing for his match against Dory Dixon when Buddy walks in with Maurice and Johnny in tow. Buddy says Vince McMahon says the match is OFF and Dory is up next so he better get to the ring. Brazil says we'll see about that as he leaves the room. Dory stares down the trio as they leave. Uh oh, Brazil's title shot is off and Dixon has to face a mystery opponent. Who will it be?

Match 3

Dory Dixon vs Gordo Chihuahua

Dixon gets in the ring and out walks Gordo Chihuahua. Who's that you ask? A prominent "rudo" in Mexico in the 1950's and 60's. Dixon wins the match when Gordo gets disqualified for excessive biting. After the match, Dixon is helped to the back. Once again, Buddy Rogers has sent a goon to do his dirty work.

Winner: Dixon

We cut to Kowalski changing in the back when The Shadow walks up to him. He says he's got a match with El Capitan today and Frank Valois tomorrow and is going to stretch the daylights out of them. Kowalski says that's great but what's that got to do with him. Shadow says after he's done with El Capitan and Valois, he's doing the same to Kowalski tomorrow in Baltimore as well. Onto the next match.

Match 4

Ted Lewin vs "Killer" Buddy Austin

The future author takes on the bad boy from Georgia. Austin wins the match.

Winner: Austin

Dory Dixon is being treated for his bites with Arnold Skaaland and Tony Martinelli also brandishing ice packs. Bobo Brazil walks in and says the bad news is Toots Mondt can't overrule Vince's decision not to have Bobo in a rematch today. He does say he has a match against Frank Valois later and has a surprise for Buddy at the end though. On to the next match.

Match 5

El Capitan vs The Shadow

The Shadow challenged Killer Kowalski to a match tomorrow in Baltimore but he gets El Capitan in this show. Kowalski himself walks out with his arms folded to watch the match. The Shadow wins and Kowalski just shakes his head and walks away. Tomorrow is going to be a big battle.

Winner: The Shadow

Back to the babyface locker-room where Bobo is preparing for his match when Rogers, Maurice and Barend walk in. Buddy demands to know what the surprise is for later and Bobo says he doesn't have to tell him anything. He does say that since Vince didn't say anything about tomorrow, Toots ordered a tag match in Baltimore between Johnny & Maurice against Jolly Charlie and Gene Kiniski. The heels leave complaining as Bobo heads tot he ring.

Match 6

Bobo Brazil vs Frank Valois

Brazil comes out to face Valois alone and the match goes off for a while. Suddenly Buddy Rogers, Maurice and Johnny come out to attack Bobo to earn the DQ. Dory Dixon, Arnold Skaaland and Tony Martinelli come out to help Bobo.

Winner: Brazil

Brazil tells the others to leave Buddy but "get rid of the garbage". Tony, Arnold and Dory get Maurice and Johnny out of there as Valois leaves as well. Bobo gets on the mic and declares that while Vince may have blocked the title shot today, Toots Mondt booked the rematch TOMORROW in Baltimore. Buddy complains but Bobo says he's not done yet. Buddy has to defend the title today, just not against him.....against MIGUEL PEREZ JR!

Match 7

Miguel Perez Jr vs "Nature Boy" Buddy Rogers for the World Heavyweight Championship

Latin superstar Perez hits the ring and attacks Rogers at the bell. After Rogers gets beat on for most of the match, Rogers gets the fluke pin to win the match. After the bell, Bobo chases Buddy away. Brazil and Perez shake hands and raise each other's arms to end the show.

Winner: Rogers (Still world heavyweight champion)

That was a wild show that not only was exciting television but set up tomorrow's show in Baltimore. It looks like we have a dueling promoter's war between Vince McMahon and Toots Mondt. Either way Bobo Brazil gets his title shot tomorrow while Maurice and Johnny are facing former champ Kiniski and Charlie. The Shadow takes on Killer Kowalski as well. I'll see you all in Baltimore.

WWWF at Capitol Arena (1/31/63)

Capitol Arena

Washington, DC

January 31, 1963

As mentioned on television, today's house show is part of a double shot. Here in Maryland, Pedro Morales and Dory Dixon were supposed to face Magnificent Maurice and "Handsome" Johnny Barend. But after the beatdown the heels gave Dixon, he may not make it tonight. Also on the card will be fan favorite "Golden Boy" Arnold Skaaland and dastardly George "The Great" Scott. Let's get to the action.

Match 1

Gene Kelly vs The Shadow

No, that's not the famous singer & dancer Gene Kelly. That's none other than hall of famer Gene Kiniski. Eugene Kiniski was an Edmonton, Alberta born football player who played for the University of Arizona and the Edmonton Eskimos before a knee injury retired him. He took to wrestling in 1953 and became one of the top heels in the United States and Canada ever since. Gene beat The Shadow here.

Winner: Kelly

Match 2

Frank Valois vs Jolly Charlie

Montreal legend Frank Valois steps into the ring at 42 years old but faces 47 year old Al Smith aka Jolly Charlie. He was a legend of the old National Wrestling Association in the 1940's then became an NWA mainstay in the 50's. Valois wins this one.

Winner: Valois

Match 3

Gregory Jarque vs The Great Scott

Jarque we all know but who is The Great Scott? None other than George Scott, yes THAT George Scott. The future booker in JCP, World Class, WWE and WCW was still active in 1963. George was born in Scotland but who's parents were from Hamilton, Ontario. He and his brother (and future Smoky Mountain Wrestling promoter) Sandy were The Flying Scotts. He almost had to retire in 1952 after Buddy Rogers broke his back for real with very stiff kicks. 11 years later he's here in Maryland to face Jarque. The Great Scott wins it.

Winner: Great Scott

Match 4

The Great Mephisto vs "Golden Boy" Arnold Skaaland

"The Great Mephisto" Frankie Cain was doing a Sheik gimmick while Eddie "The Sheik" Farhat was still active. Then again, that's wrestling for you. Mephisto would have a lot of success in the territories as a wrestler and a manager. Skaaland served in the US Marines during World War 2 and turned pro in 1946. On this night, Skaaland gets the duke.

Winner: Skaaland

Match 5

Pedro Morales and "The Golden Greek" Tony Manousos vs Magnificent Maurice and "Handsome" Johnny Barend

Morales has a big surprise for Maurice and Barend, "The Golden Greek" is here to replace Dory Dixon as his partner against Buddy Rogers' heel team. Morales and Manousos get the win.

Winners: Morales and Manousos

That was a great card full of legends in their prime. Also it was brilliant for Morales to replace Dory Dixon with The Golden Greek. Buddy Rogers won't be happy about this but he's currently busy. While this was taking place in Maryland, Rogers was set to defend the Heavyweight title against Bobo Brazil in Cleveland. I'll see you there!