WWWF at Lewiston Armory (2/8/71)

 

Lewiston Armory

Lewiston, Maine

February 8, 1971

Anyone want to ask what Vince McMahon Sr was thinking? On the same day you're running a very important Madison Square Garden card, you decide to run a double shot up in Maine? Thankfully none of these guys had to drive all the way to NYC for that night's card but still, this is overkill. You could have had this the day before or the day after. Anyway what we do have here is a women's tag team match along with Chief Jay Strongbow battling it out with Bulldog Brower. Let's get on with this totally useless card.

Match 1

"Nobleman" Joe Turco vs Tomas Marin

These two had been curtain jerkers in other cards so its no surprise to see them doing it here up in Maine. Just like their other bouts, this went the 20 minute time limit.

Winner: No one (Draw)

Match 2

Miguel Feliciano vs The Black Demon

Demon had beaten Joe Turco two days earlier in Springfield while Miguel was coming off a loss to The Wolfman four days earlier in Philadelphia. Surprisingly the Demon won this match as well. Talk about a hot streak for Black Demon standards.

Winner: The Black Demon

Match 3

Chuck Richards vs Mike Conrad

The man known as Popeye takes on perennial punching bag Conrad in this one. Richards gets the duke 25 years before his grandson would win the WWF Tag Team Championship.

Winner: Richards

Match 4

Sharon Joy and Barbara Owens vs Donna Christianello and Toni Rose

Moolah girls in action. Sharon and Donna we already know but who are the other two? Toni Rose was trained by Moolah and grew up in Terra Haute, Indiana....the hometown of Larry Bird. Barbara started wrestling as a 16 year old in 1965 and was very active in the late 60's. Ironically this was her only appearance in the McMahon territory in 1971. Donna and Toni won the match.

Winners: Toni and Donna

Match 5

Bulldog Brower vs Chief Jay Strongbow

The main event of the show had more implications than meets the eye. If Koloff were to successfully retain the WWWF Heavyweight title that night, a victory over Brower would theoretically put Strongbow in line for a title shot at the Garden. Now if Morales were to lose, Bulldog could lobby for a US title match immediately. If Morales to win, Bulldog would put himself up there for a future match with Pedro at the Garden if he beat Strongbow. The fans went home happy as Brower got himself disqualified to give Strongbow the win.

Winner: Strongbow

Who knows why Vince decided to have this completely useless card the same day as his big Madison Square Garden show but money is money I guess. Then again, this was 1971, the Garden show wouldn't be on television so at least the fans got to see live wrestling. Even if the rest of the card was lackluster, if Koloff were to dispatch Morales then Chief Jay Strongbow would be waiting. It all comes down to what happens at Madison Square Garden. See you all for the big one.

WWWF at Philadelphia Arena (2/4/71)

Philadelphia Arena

Philadelphia, PA

February 4, 1971

We are just 4 days away from Madison Square Garden with the big showdown between US Champion Pedro Morales and the Heavyweight champion Ivan Koloff. Tonight in Philly, the hot newcomer Blackjack Mulligan looks to continue his winning ways against Chuck Richards while Bulldog Brower wants another title shot, having to go through Jimmy Jones first. In the main event, Koloff defends the title against Lee Wong. Let's get to the show.

Match 1

Miguel Feliciano vs The Wolfman

Wolfman defeated Feliciano back on the 28th in Washington so Miguel wanted another crack at him. Unfortunately for Miguel, The Wolfman won.

Winner: Wolfman

Match 2

"Popeye" Chuck Richards vs Blackjack Mulligan

Mulligan had been on a hot streak since showing up in the territory on the 18th. "Popeye" Chuck Richards was his next test on his way to a future title shot against either Koloff or Morales, whoever won in MSG. Mulligan beat Richards to continue his streak.

Winner: Mulligan

Match 3

Jimmy Jones vs Bulldog Brower

For those that don't know, Jones was actually the legendary Burrhead Jones who damn near got the Fuller territory disbanded a few years after his WWWF stint. He was working as an elevator operator when he got trained. Vince Sr named him Jimmy Jones and he was in the Alabama territory as a heel until he was turned face by Jimmy Golden aka Bunkhouse Buck in WCW. Golden and Jones lost a "tar and feather" tag team match in which Jones was tarred and feathered, much to the chagrin of the NAACP who filed a formal complaint against Tri-States Wrestling. Back on this night, Bulldog got the duke.

Winner: Brower

Match 4

Mike Conrad vs Gorilla Monsoon

The perennial punching bag Conrad takes on the fan favorite Monsoon in this one. Monsoon wins it....as if you couldn't guess that would happen.

Winner: Monsoon

Match 5

Lee Wong vs "The Russian Bear" Ivan Koloff for the WWWF Heavyweight Championship

Its the main event of the evening. With Koloff locked in to face Pedro Morales in four days, it made sense to have someone like Wong main event the Philly show against Koloff. Not to anyone's surprise, Koloff won to retain the title.

Winner: Koloff (still WWWF Champion)

Philadelphia can't be happy that Wong lost to Koloff but they did get to see Monsoon win a match. Monsoon had a date with Beppo Mongol in four days at Madison Square Garden so he needed a big win to gain some steam. Mulligan was the one to watch, he was on a hot streak and was definitely being pushed to be a future opponent for Pedro Morales one way or another. In the event Pedro lost to Ivan, he'd still be the US champion. Bulldog Brower was still lurking around as well so there was much to do around the territory. It was all coming to ahead at MSG but we still have some cards to go to get there. The following day WWWF was coming back to North Attleboro, see you there.

WWWF at National Arena (2/3/71)

National Arena

Washington, DC

February 3, 1971

We are just five days away from Madison Square Garden and the big showdowns between Gorilla Monsoon & Beppo Mongol along with Ivan Koloff vs Pedro Morales. Tonight Pedro will be defending the United States championship against Joe Turco while The Mongols put the tag titles on the lines against Tomas Marin and Miguel Feliciano. Bulldog Brower also faces Vincente Pometti and its almost the exact same card a a month earlier just missing a few matches.

Match 1

Lee Wong vs The Wolfman

After losing to Pedro Morales on the house show circuit, Wolfman now has to face Lee Wong in the opening match at the National Arena. Wolfman did get the win

Winner: Wolfman

Match 2

Vincente Pometti vs Ernie Lassiter

The big rematch from a month earlier saw Lassiter and Pometti tangle again. Lassiter got the win.

Winner: Lassiter

Match 3

Bull Molina vs Bulldog Brower

Another rematch from a month earlier with the same result, Brower wins

Winner: Brower

Match 4

Mike Conrad vs Jack Evans

Its the exact same card as January 7th with the exact same result. Evans wins

Winner: Evans

Match 5

Miguel Feliciano and Tomas Marin vs The Mongols (Geeto and Beppo) for the WWWF International Tag Team Championship in a 2 out of 3 falls match

Same thing as January 7th, The Mongols win.

Winners: The Mongols (still Tag Team Champions)

Match 6

"Nobleman" Joe Turco vs Pedro Morales for the WWWF United States Championship

Same as January 7th with Morales getting the win

Winner: Morales (still WWWF Champion)

That was weird to have the exact same card a month after their January 7th show in the exact same arena. You would think the results would have changed even slightly....but nope. Still, there was no internet in those days so unless you were there in January, you wouldn't have known it was the same card with the same results. Either way the crew heads to Philadelphia so I'll see you there.

WWWF at National Arena (1/28/71)

National Arena

Washington, DC

January 28, 1971

We're eleven days away from Madison Square Garden but in the old days long before PPV and Cable TV, some house shows were more important than others. Vince McMahon Sr always had an affinity for Washington, DC hence the name Capitol Wrestling. We got a huge eight match card featuring Pedro Morales and Gorilla Monsoon going after the tag belts from The Mongols. Jean DuBois gets a shot at the Heavyweight crown when he faces Ivan Koloff and Blackjack Mulligan is back facing Lee Wong. Vince wanted the home run show in the nation's capital so let's get to it.

Match 1

Miguel Feliciano vs The Wolfman

Wolfman needed a big win to get his heat back after losing to Pedro in the Garden so he has to start at the bottom. Taking on local Baltimore jobber Feliciano was step one in getting back on track. Wolfman did win the match.

Winner: Wolfman

Match 2

Lee Wong vs Blackjack Mulligan

Needing a fresh heel, Vince Sr brought in Blackjack Mulligan to do some damage in the territory. He faces Lee Wong in the second match of the night and wins it. He's starting to gain steam for sure.

Winner: Mulligan

Match 3

"Popeye" Chuck Richards vs Manuel Soto

Interesting battle here as both of them have taken some losses lately so one of them has to win, right? Well it turns out Soto won this one.

Winner: Soto

Match 4

"Nobleman" Joe Turco vs Chief Jay Strongbow

Another big battle as both of them have lost some high profile matches. Strongbow needed a win to get back in the hunt for Koloff and Turco just had to establish himself again. Unfortunately for Joe, Strongbow got the duke.

Winner: Strongbow

Match 5

Jean Dubois vs "Russian Bear" Ivan Koloff for the WWWF Heavyweight Championship

Somehow, someway Dave McKigney got himself a WWWF Heavyweight title shot against Koloff. As I mentioned before, the big showdown with Pedro was less than two weeks away so it made sense for Koloff to beat up on the curtain jerkers on the spot show circuit to save the heavy hitters for future MSG shows. As expected, Koloff beats McKigney.

Winner: Koloff (Still WWWF Champion)

Match 6

Bulldog Brower vs Tomas Marin

Bulldog was very irate after failing to win the US title from Pedro Morales so he asked for an open challenge, anyone will do. Tomas Marin stepped up to the plate only to be dispatched by the angry Bulldog.

Winner: Bulldog

Match 7

Vincente Pometti vs Ernie Lassiter

The big rematch from three weeks earlier in the same arena as Pometti looks to avenge his loss to Ernie. Unfortunately for him, Ernie won again.

Winner: Lassiter

Match 8

WWWF US Champion Pedro Morales & Gorilla Monsoon vs The Mongols (Geeto & Beppo) for the WWWF International Tag Team Championship in a 2 out of 3 falls match.

Kind of telegraphing who wins this match because Pedro didn't need two belts. Ironically The Mongols would be split up for singles competition at MSG. The actual details of this match has been lost to time but as per norm, the bout ended in a draw. Don't know how the fans were sent home happy, maybe the faces cleaned house of the heels at the end.

Winners: No one (Draw)

Eight match cards are usually reserved for the big shows but remember this was 1971 and the "big" shows were still house shows. Basically Boston, Philadelphia, DC and New York were the core areas so Vince Sr usually had the home run shows booked for there. Koloff continues his run with the world title but Morales his hot on his trail. Blackjack Mulligan looked to put himself in a good position with Bulldog and Wolfman lurking around. The Mongols still had a stranglehold on the tag belts so things were done with purpose on this night. Well the crew was about to get busy because Vince Sr booked a double shot for the next day. Half the crew would go to North Attleboro while the other half went to Harrisburg, PA. That's where we'll pick up next time.

WWWF at Bangor Municipal Auditorium (1/11/71)

Bangor Municipal Auditorium

Bangor, ME

January 11, 1971

Two days after the Boston Garden show the WWWF crew travels to Bangor, Maine for another house show. Only this one has an ultra rare treat, ladies MIDGET wrestling! Little Joey's wife Celine Fontaine takes on legendary ladies midget Cuddles Anderson. We also got Ivan Koloff against Tony Marino and the main event of Manuel Soto going one on one with Bulldog Brower. Clearly Brower wanted a crack at Bruno Sammartino but with Ivan Koloff locked in at the Garden and The Wolfman on a hot streak, Brower needs a win over Soto to put himself in position to challenge Bruno. Let's get to the card.

Match 1

Miguel Feliciano vs Mike Conrad

Everyone's favorite punching bag Mike Conrad takes on latin star Miguel Feliciano. Well the good news for Conrad fans is he didn't lose, too bad he didn't win either. They fought to a 20 minute time limit draw.

Winner: No one (Draw)

Match 2

Vincente Pometti vs Lee Wong

Very interesting matchup to put lower card guys against each other. The thinking was whoever wins could face a guy like Wolfman, Brower or Pedro Morales down the road. Good news for Lee Wong is Pometti went insane and got himself disqualified.

Winner: Lee Wong by disqualification

Match 3

Celine Fontaine vs Cuddles Anderson

And now we have a very rare situation, midget women's wrestling. Cuddles Anderson was born Marilu Walker in Thief River Falls, Minnesota and got into wrestling in 1965 at the age of 19. She was nicknamed "Cuddles" by The Sheik's wife when Anderson was working in Detroit. She actually trained with her opponent Celine Fontaine. At the time there were only four lady midgets Little Darling Dagmar, Celine, Cuddles and Diamond Lil. Cuddles eventually married Frenchy Lamont. Celine trained with Cuddles and she herself married Little Joey. Too bad Vince Jr wasn't the promoter back then, the natural tag team match of Cuddles & Lamont vs Celine and Joey would have been epic. Cuddles got the win on this night.

Winner: Cuddles Anderson

Match 4

Tony Marino vs "The Russian Bear" Ivan Koloff

Koloff had a date with Bruno Sammartino in a week at Madison Square Garden so Tony Marino wants to deal him a loss on this night in Bangor. Unfortunately for Tony, Ivan gets the win by pin.

Winner: Ivan Koloff by pinfall

Match 5

Manuel Soto vs Bulldog Brower

The final match of the night is somewhat important as Brower needs a big win to put himself as a future contender for Bruno while Soto needs the win to get him a step closer to a US title run if Pedro Morales were to ever lose it. Well, Brower pinned Soto so Bruno now has a possible opponent after he's done with Koloff.

Winner: Brower by pinfall

Pretty cool house show with ladies midget wrestling, Ivan Koloff's tuneup and Brower putting himself as a future contender for Bruno. Still, house shows were standard at the time to have time limit draws and four or five matches. They were kept short and sweet and without entrance music and mannerisms, was probably a lot easier to sit through. Madison Square Garden was one week away.

WWWF at National Arena (1/7/71)

National Arena

Washington, DC

January 7, 1971

Pretty stacked card for this house show in the heart of Washington DC, the original McMahon territory. The Black Demon was scheduled to face Gorilla Monsoon but instead faces Ivan Koloff. Bulldog Brower takes on Bull Molina and The Wolfman locks up with Lee Wong. Also in the main event, Pedro Morales faces "Classy" Freddie Blassie in the finals to crown a new WWWF United States Champion. Lots going on so let's get to it.

Match 1

Miguel Feliciano and Tomas Marin vs The Mongols (Geeto and Beppo) in a 2 out of 3 falls match for the WWWF International Tag Team Championship

We start the show with a tag title match. Marin and Feliciano were real Latin stars while the other two were about as Mongolian as John Cena. The Mongols won both falls to win the match.

Winners: The Mongols

Match 2

Mike Conrad vs Jack Evans

Now this is a battle of futility, two jobbers facing each other. Imagine Barry Horrowitz vs Duane Gill in 1991. Jack Evans won the match.

Winner: Evans

Match 3

Carlos Peredes vs Manuel Soto

A battle of the latin stars but who is Carlos? Another enhancement talent that's been lost to time. Soto beats Peredes in this one.

Winner: Soto

Match 4

Bull Molina vs Bulldog Brower

Its the legendary Bulldog Brower! Bulldog was born Richard T Gland who served in the US Marines and became a powerlifter. Bulldog Brower was a big rough heel who frequently challenged Bruno Sammartino for the WWWF title in the 60's. He could always draw so he's here in WWWF. Molina was....you guessed it, an enhancement talent. Bulldog got the duke.

Winner: Brower

Match 5

"Nobleman" Joe Turco vs Pedro Morales for the WWWF United States Championship

Literally the day before Morales had defeated "Classy" Freddie Blassie to win the vacant US Championship in Buffalo. This was Pedro's first title defense against the insane Nobleman. Pedro got the victory.

Winner: Pedro

Match 6

The Wolfman vs Lee Wong

The Wolfman was born Vilmos Farkas in Hungary before fleeing to Canada in 1958. There he met Stu Hart and became a mainstay for Stampede Wrestling and Frank (Jack's brother) Tunney's Maple Leaf Wrestling. He came up with The Wolfman gimmick in Hawaii under Ed Francis and brought it to New York in 1970. He's been "The Wolfman" in WWWF ever since. Who was Lee Wong? Lee Wong was a territorial heel in the 1960's and the legendary Stu Saks of Pro Wrestling Illustrated said he was the worst wrestler he'd ever seen. Well Stu might be on to something because The Wolfman won the match.

Winner: Wolfman

Match 7

Vincente Pometti vs Ernie Lassiter

Lassiter was a mid-carder working for Vince Sr in 1966 and Pometti was a big Argentinian that was nicknamed "bull" for rough-house tactics. Lassiter won this match by pinning Pometti

Winner: Lassiter by pinfall

Match 8

"The Russian Bear" Ivan Koloff vs The Black Demon

The final match was supposed to be Gorilla Monsoon against Demon but he couldn't make it so they subbed Koloff in. So now it's the rematch from North Attleboro the week before. Just like the week before, Koloff wins.

Winner: Koloff

Kind of a nothing happening card except for two key matches. Morales keeping up his hot streak as the new US Champion and Koloff keeping his win streak going heading into Madison Square Garden in 11 days for a shot at Bruno Sammartino. I bet that fans in the National Arena were entertained, its too bad this show and many others have been lost to time.

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 (1/2/70)

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.