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 Baltimore Civic Center (2/6/63)

Baltimore Civic Center

Baltimore, MD

February 6, 1963

Yesterday's TV taping set up today's card perfectly. The Shadow not only takes on Frank Valois, but he has a date with Killer Kowalski as well. Magnificent Maurice and "Handsome" Johnny Barend take on Jolly Charlie and former world champ Gene Kiniski. Then in the main event, "Nature Boy" Buddy Rogers defends the Heavyweight championship against Bobo Brazil again. Let's get to the action.

Match 1

The Shadow vs Frank Valois

Shadow was scheduled to face Valois anyway but he challenged the sadistic Killer Kowalski later in the show. Shadow wins here with Kowalski at ring side scouting him.

Winner: Shadow

Match 2

Tommy O'Toole vs "Killer" Buddy Austin

Tommy O'Toole was a veteran wrestler going back to the 1930's but was nearing the end of the line in 1963. Austin made quick work of him here.

Winner: Austin

Match 3

Jolly Charlie and Gene Kiniski vs Magnificent Maurice and "Handsome" Johnny Barend

The former AWA champ teams with Charlie to take on Buddy Rogers' boys. Barend and Maurice win this one.

Winners: Barend and Maurice

Match 4

The Shadow vs Killer Kowalski

This turned out to be a wild brawl where they fought all the way into the stands, knocking fans over and almost causing a riot. The match was thrown out.

Winner: No one (No contest)

Match 5

Bobo Brazil vs "Nature Boy" Buddy Rogers for the World Heavyweight Championship

Here it is, the big rematch ordered by Toots Mondt under protest from Vince McMahon. Bobo had the upper hand but was thrown out of the ring. All of a sudden Magnificent Maurice and Johnny Barend hit the ring to beat him down with the ref's back turned. All of a sudden, Gene Kiniski and Jolly Charlie ran out to beat them down into the ring. The ref saw all six men brawling and threw the match out. Brazil, Charlie and Kiniski chased off the heels and stood tall to end the show.

Winner: No one (No Contest, Rogers retains)

Talk about a wild end to a show with back to back brawls, but at least it was entertaining. Buddy Rogers remains the champion and it doesn't look like he has any contenders left after dispatching Bruno Sammartino and coming out with the title against Bobo Brazil. The next couple of days the stars of New York would be competing in other territories but the next New York show would be at the Sunnyside Gardens on February 9th. I'll see yall there.

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!

WWWF at Harbor Yard Arena (1/29/63)

Arena at Harbor Yard

Bridgeport, CT

January 29, 1963

The battle lines have been drawn, World Heavyweight Champion Buddy Rogers has thrown the gauntlet down. You're either with him, or against him. Vince McMahon and Toots Mondt wanted him the champion, and now we're all stuck with him. One fella who doesn't take kindly to him is the young Italian Bruno Sammartino. Another fella who doesn't like him is 20 year old Puerto Rican sensation Pedro Morales. Let's get to today's action.  The show opens with the Heavyweight Champion "Nature Boy" Buddy Rogers himself flanked by "Handsome" Johnny Barend and Magnificent Maurice. He tells the irate crowd to shut up as he says that he's going to make an example out of "a nobody" to show who's boss around here. Then Maurice and Johnny will take care of "some losers" as well. Buddy gets in the ring for our first match.

Match 1

Ted Lewin vs "Nature Boy" Buddy Rogers

Non title match here but who's Ted Lewin? He was actually a critically acclaimed children's book author later in life. Wrestling on the side provided him with enough $ to be able to write his books down the road. Rogers makes quick work of him here.

Winner: Rogers

Rogers rolls out of the ring and says that's going to happen to Bobo Brazil or his cronies if they mess with him. Then he tells Johnny and Maurice to get in the ring and show them how tag team wrestling is done.

Match 2

El Capitan and Eugenio Marin vs "Handsome" Johnny Barend and Magnificent Maurice

Not much is known about Capitan and Marin although Marin was a frequent mainstay of Capitol Wrestling in the late 50's. Maurice and Barend win the match.

Winners: Maurice and Barend

After the match Barend and Maurice join up with Buddy Rogers and Rogers says they can't be stopped. Rogers says on the 31st in Cleveland, he's going to tear Bobo apart in a Texas Death Match. Suddenly Pedro Morales and Dory Dixon walk out and challenge Barend and Maurice to another tag match later. Rogers says they're on and they're going to regret this. On to the next match.

Match 3

The Shadow vs Gregory Jarque

Not much is known about The Shadow either although Gregory Jarque was a Capitol Wrestling jobber to the stars. The Shadow wins the match.

Winner: Shadow

Pedro Morales and Dory Dixon come out for an interview. They say that they're standing up to Buddy and his cronies and they're going to beat the duo not only today but on the 31st in Capitol Arena. On to the next match.

Match 4

Tony Martinelli vs Buddy Austin

Martinelli was another jobber of the time period. Born Austin Rapes (yes, that was his name), he changed his name to Austin Rogers but started wrestling as Frankie Gabor in the 50's. Then he became a beach blonde heel named "The Golden Gladiator" Buddy Austin, pretty much a clone of Buddy Rogers. He trained a youngster by the name of Harley Race and was mostly known in the WWA and AWA territories. Austin won this match.

Winner: Austin

Dory Dixon and Pedro Morales come out ready for the tag match when Buddy Rogers comes out and says since Maurice and Barend has to wrestle already, then they have to as well. All of a sudden Tony Altomare of The Sicilians runs through the curtain and pulls Dory Dixon into the ring. Pedro Morales leaves to search for Lou Albano making this one on one.

Match 5

Dory Dixon vs Tony Altomare

Dixon had the upper hand against Altomare when all of a sudden, Magnificent Maurice and Johnny Barend hit the ring and beat down Dixon to cause the disqualification. 

Winner: Dixon

As the beatdown continues, Pedro Morales gets in and throws Altomare out of there. Morales goes to town on the other two before the referee restores order. Looks like the tag match is on.

Match 6

Pedro Morales and Dory Dixon vs Magnificent Maurice and "Handsome" Johnny Barend.

Back and forth tag match until Buddy Rogers runs in to make it a three on two beat down, thus earning the disqualification.

Winners: Morales and Dixon

The show ends with Rogers, Maurice and Barend leaving Dixon sprawled out and bloody. The question is will Dixon even make it to Capitol Arena to face Maurice and Barend? That same night, Bobo Brazil gets a heavyweight title shot in a Texas Death Match against Rogers. Its going to be an interesting double shot for sure. I'll see you on the 31st in Maryland.

WWWF at WIIC Studios (1/25/63)

WIIC Studios

Pittsburgh, PA

January 25, 1963

It was a landmark day in the world of professional wrestling. The night before in Toronto's Maple Leaf Gardens, Lou Thesz defeated NWA World Champion "Nature Boy" Buddy Rogers to win the title. One of the biggest opponents of this title change was Capitol Wrestling Corporation owner Vince McMahon Sr. Buddy Rogers was making him a ton of money when he came to the northeast and Vince was against the decision to put the belt on Thesz. Rather than take it lying down, Vince decided to break off from the National Wrestling Alliance. Today, the World Wide Wrestling Federation was born and it still recognized "Nature Boy" Buddy Rogers as its world champion. One of the top contenders to the strap was a young Italian named Bruno Sammartino. Vince McMahon took to WIIC Studios after the break off to announce they were standing alone. Still, some of the boys weren't taking kindly and would take it out on the "traitors" such as Bruno Sammartino, Arnold Skaaland and Gorilla Monsoon. Let's get to the matches.

Match 1

Killer Kowalski vs Eduoard Carpentier

Born Edward Spulnuk, the future "Killer" took a bunch of different names when he first started wrestling such as Walter Kowalski, Tarzan Kowalski and Hercules Kowalski. Then he got his nickname "Killer" in 1952. For those that don't know, Kowalski was the New Jack/Abdullah the butcher of the 50's, 60's and 70's. He got his reputation after dropping a knee on Yukon Eric (not Scott Irwin) that caused Eric's badly cauliflowered ear to simply fall off. While visiting Eric in the hospital, reporters saw him laughing with Eric at how silly Eric looked with the bandage on his head. To not break kayfabe, the reporters wrote Kowalski laughed AT him instead to cement his reputation as a bad guy. In 1958 in the Boston Garden, Kowalski accidentally kicked guest referee Jack Dempsey, the ex boxing champion, so hard he needed to be hospitalized. Once again it was an accident but the papers reported it to be on purpose to keep Kowalski as a villain. By this point he was 36 years old and still a big nasty heel. Eduoard Carpentier was born Eduoard Weiczorkiewicz (good luck spelling that correctly) in Roanne, France and was a legit part of the French Resistence during World War 2. You know the heel WWE group La Resistance? Carpentier was in the real one. He made his wrestling debut in 1956 in Montreal taking the name Eduoard Carpentier after boxer Georges Carpentier. Many claim he defeated NWA Heavyweight Champion Lou Thesz on June 14, 1957 but a lot of people claim he didn't. Whether or not he was recognized as champion depended on the territory but in 1963, he was here to take on Kowalski. They fought to a time limit draw.

Winner: No one (Draw)

After the match, Heavyweight Champion Buddy Rogers comes out with Johnny Barend and Magnificent Maurice in tow. Rogers gets on the microphone and says he's the real world champion and his buddies Johnny and Maurice say to hell with the fans and the National Wrestling Alliance. If anyone's got a problem with him as champion, come say so. Right on cue Bobo Brazil, Dory Dixon and Art Thomas walk out to cheers from the crowd. Thomas says they're sick of Rogers and his stooges trying to hurt people legitimately and they're going to stop him. They challenge the trio to a six man tag match later which the heels accept. Bobo then says if Rogers was a real man, he'd face him right here, right now. Rogers says bring it.

Match 2

Bobo Brazil vs "Nature Boy" Buddy Rogers for the Heavyweight Championship

Bobo was born Houston Harris and his father died when he was 7. He actually played baseball for The House of David (don't ask) before being discovered by Joe Savoldi. After he was trained, Savoldi wanted to call him BuBu Brasil a South American star with a cape but the guy who printed the advertising poster printed "Bobo Brazil" and the name stuck. Bobo pretty much broke segregation in the wrestling south as white promoters wanted him to work with their top white stars in the 1950's. By now he was 38 years old and he had a tall task ahead of him. Born Herman Rohde Jr, the future "Nature Boy" was born to German parents although he served in the US Navy during World War 2. He began his career in 1939 for the Hanley brothers and started to really make his name in Ohio for Jack Pfefer. He was called "Natural Guy" Buddy Rogers and was managed by Slave Girl Moolah who we all know as Fabulous Moolah. He started his run as the Nature Boy in the 1940's with a rivalry with Lou Thesz. Rogers became NWA Champion in 1961 as a braggadocios, bleach blonded heel compared to the clean cut Pat O'Connor. As mentioned earlier, Rogers was due to drop the title to Thesz on January 24, 1963 but Vince Sr didn't want to recognize it. With no internet or cable television in those days, Vince just kept Rogers as "heavyweight champion" in the northeast. He defeated Brazil to keep the strap.

 

Winner: Rogers (Still Heavyweight Champion)

All of a sudden Bruno Sammartino walks out for an interview. He asks where Toots Mondt gets off putting him on the same card with Buddy Rogers. He says Rogers better stay away from him or else he'll knock his block off. On to the match.

Match 3

Bill Scholl vs Bruno Sammartino

Who is Bill Scholl? Nobody knows although he was an opponent of Dr. Sam Sheppard. Bruno wins the match.

Winner: Bruno

After the match Bruno walks to the back but out walks the trio of Magnificent Maurice, Johnny Barend and Buddy Rogers. Bruno and Buddy give each other the stank eye as Bruno walks off and the trio get in the ring to a chorus of boos. On to the main event.

Match 4

"Sailor" Art Thomas, Dory Dixon and Bobo Brazil vs "Handsome" Johnny Barend, Magnificent Maurice and Heavyweight Champion Buddy Rogers

Rogers barely kept his title against Brazil earlier but now its six man action. So who are the other four guys? "Sailor" Art Thomas was a merchant marine before making his wrestling debut in 1943. Remember Sgt Craig Pittman? Think that only 50 years earlier. By now he was a fan favorite usually teaming with Brazil. Dory Dixon was born in Jamaica and was actually a physical education teacher before making his debut in 1955. Him and Brazil were frequent tag team partners as well. "Handsome" Johnny Barend was one of Capitol Wrestling's original heels even before the NWA split and was tag team champions with Magnificent Maurice. Maurice was born Eugene Dubuque and made his wrestling debut in 1947. He was one of the flamboyant heels not unlike Gorgeous George. Maurice and Barend were tag team champs in both Capitol Wrestling and the AWA. Apparently Rogers and his crew won this match.

Winners: Rogers, Barend and Maurice

After the match is over. Rogers gets on the mic and says he's here to stay. If anyone's got a problem with him, they'll have to get through Handsome Johnny and Magnificent Maurice first. He tells Toots Mondt and Vince McMahon that they wanted him as champion, now they're stuck with him. They leave to a chorus of boos. That was quite a first show for the newly named World Wide Wrestling Federation. Its clear that Buddy Rogers thinks he runs the show but he's going to make a lot of people angry along the way. The next TV show is on the 29th in Bridgeport, Connecticut. I'll see you there.