WWF at Rosemont Horizon (11/25/88)

Rosemont Horizon

Chicago, IL

November 25, 1988

We've made it to the final show in our Black Friday triple shot. Now we got the star power with a main event of Andre The Giant taking on "Macho Man" Randy Savage for the WWF Heavyweight Championship, The Ultimate Warrior defends the Intercontinental Championship against Honky Tonk Man and The Fabulous Rougeaus take on The Hart Foundation. Let's get to the show.

Match 1

Jim Powers vs Conquistador 1

Jose Luis Rivera takes on Jim Powers in the opening contest. Powers gets the duke, not much to say on this one.

Winner: Powers

Match 2

Koko B Ware vs The Red Rooster (with Bobby Heenan)

The first matchup on this card with guys on opposite Survivor Series themes features Koko B Ware taking on The Red Rooster. Rooster got the win in this one.

Winner: The Red Rooster

Match 3

Bad News Brown vs "Jumping" Jim Brunzell

The second match featuring guys from opposite teams features Bad News Brown taking on Jim Brunzell. Brian Blair was gone so Brunzell would be going solo from here on in. Brown wins the match.

Winner: Bad News

Match 4

Dino Bravo (with Frenchy Martin) vs "Hacksaw" Jim Duggan

The third straight match with guys featured on opposite Survivor Series teams. This match would have been fun to see live, but no one wins. This was declared a no contest.

Winner: No one (No contest)

Match 5

The Fabulous Rougeau Brothers (Jacques and Raymond) with Jimmy Hart vs The Hart Foundation (Bret Hart and Jim Niedhart)

The fourth straight match with fallout from Survivor Series. Now that the British Bulldogs were gone, the Rougeaus could work in peace. Jim and Bret had no beef with the brothers in real life so the feud on screen continued. The Rougeaus won this one.

Winners: The Rougeau's

Match 6

Honky Tonk Man (with Jimmy Hart) vs The Ultimate Warrior for the WWF Intercontinental Championship

Warrior once again defends the strap against the Honky Tonk Man. They were definitely running the feuds into the ground at this point but it wouldn't be much longer until the mood shifts. Honky wins this one by count-out, but Warrior retains.

Winner: Honky Tonk by count-out (Warrior retains the IC title)

Match 7

Andre The Giant (with Bobby Heenan) vs "Macho Man" Randy Savage (with Miss Elizabeth) for the WWF Heavyweight Championship

Our main event features the monster Andre getting a title shot against the Macho Man. Savage win this by DQ to retain.

Winner: Savage by DQ (Still WWF Champion)

Even though the crew was spread thin, this was still a good card with three good matches to end it. Duggan on a house show would have been funny and it would have been interesting to see what the show looked like live. Tomorrow is going to be a very busy day as we have FIVE writeups to do. The syndicated episode of Superstars, house shows from Tulsa and Detroit, Saturday Night's Main Event that was taped the week before Survivor Series and a live Madison Square Garden house show. See you tomorrow for Superstars.

WWWF at Washington Coliseum (2/11/63)

Washington Coliseum

Washington, DC

February 11, 1963

Capitol Wrestling returns home to Washington, DC for a big show tonight. Bobo Brazil, Art Thomas and Dory Dixon face Magnificent Maurice, "Handsome" Johnny Barend and The Canadian Wrecking Crew in an eight man tag, but Bobo's team has a mystery partner. Who could it be? Somehow "Killer" Buddy Austin has a Heavyweight title shot against "Nature Boy" Buddy Rogers in a rare battle of the brutes. Let's get to the action.

Match 1

Tommy O'Toole vs Tim Woods

Talk about a rare treat. Tim Woods is the unmasked alter-ego of the original Mr. Wrestling, one of the greatest American masked wrestlers of all time. George Woodin was a college wrestler for Michigan State, damn near winning the national championship in 1959. He made his wrestling debut at age 28 in 1962 and took the Mr. Wrestling gimmick national but would also wrestle as "Tim Woods" back when nobody could have known the difference. Woods beats O'Toole here.

Winner: Tim Woods

Match 2

Miguel Torres vs "Irish" Pat Barrett

Miguel was a star in Mexico going back to the 1940's and was well traveled by this point. Barrett was an Irish born wrestler who started in 1960 but was on his first American tour in 1963. He would eventually be WWWF Tag Champion but that's down the road. He defeats Torres here.

Winner: Barrett

Match 3

Cowboy Reed vs Pedro Morales

The future Buddy Colt takes on the future heavyweight champion. They go the 20 minute distance for a draw.

Winner: No one (Draw)

Match 4

Gordo Chihuahua vs Jolly Charlie

Two gimmicks, only one will walk out a winner. Charlie got the victory.

Winner: Charlie

Match 5

The Shadow vs Pete Sanchez

The Shadow attacks faces and heels, he doesn't care. He faces Sanchez here and wins.

Winner: Shadow

Match 6

Magnificent Maurice, "Handsome" Johnny Barend, Chris and John Tolos vs Bobo Brazil, Dory Dixon, "Sailor" Art Thomas and Johnny Valentine

Surprise!!! The mystery partner in this eight man tag is none other than Johnny Valentine. Valentine and Bob Ellis lost the NWA US Tag Team Titles to Buddy Rogers and Barend so he has no love lost for the other team. Bobo's team wins.

Winners: Thomas, Dixon, Valentine and Brazil

Match 7

"Killer" Buddy Austin vs "Nature Boy" Buddy Rogers for the World Heavyweight Championship

Its a battle of the brutes as they say as its heel vs heel. Austin got a title shot for his hot streak of late but was counted out in the match.

Winner: Rogers by count out (still World Heavyweight Champion)

That was definitely an interesting show with Mr. Wrestling on the card under his maskless name along with an 8 man tag with Johnny Valentine stepping up to fight with Brazil's crew. Rogers survived his challenge from Buddy Austin but where does he go from here? There's actually going to be two shows tomorrow, the first is that week's TV taping at Bridgeport. I'll see you there.

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.