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.

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.