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 Springfield Auditorium (2/6/71)

Springfield Auditorium

Springfield, MA

February 6, 1971

Vince McMahon Sr had his guys working overtime as the night of the big Boston Garden card saw a double shot all the way out in Springfield. Pedro Morales, Ivan Koloff, Chief Jay Strongbow and The Mongols had to drive all the way from Boston to Springfield for this card. Its only a 5 match card but there's going to be some long matches. We got three preliminaries but then we have a 2 out of 3 falls women's tag match featuring the queen herself, Fabulous Moolah. Then the main event is a special six man tag team 3 out of 5 falls match as the WWWF International Tag Team Champions The Mongols team with the WWWF Heavyweight Champion "Russian Bear" Ivan Koloff to take on the WWWF United States Champion Pedro Morales, Chief Jay Strongbow and Gorilla Monsoon. We got two fake Mongolians, a fake Russian, a fake Native American, a fake Chinaman and a real Puerto Rican. Let's get to the card.

Match 1

Mike Conrad vs Pete Sanchez

We open the show with a battle of jobbers, although calling Sanchez a jobber in early 1971 might be harsh. It wasn't until later on syndicated television that Sanchez was featured primarily as enhancement talent. Conrad was the jobber here and he did the job to Sanchez for sure.

Winner: Pete Sanchez

Match 2

"Unpredictable" Johnny Rodz vs Lee Wong

6 years or so later, we'd know who'd win this match as Johnny Rodz became the gold standard for jobbers. Fortunately it was still 1971 so Rodz got the duke.

Winner: Johnny Rodz

Match 3

Tomas Marin vs Vincente Pometti

Another preliminary bout that really doesn't matter as neither of these guys were in a prominent position to challenge Ivan Koloff or Pedro Morales in a big time main event. Still, Pometti got the victory.

Winner: Vincente Pometti

Match 4

Sharon Joy and Tippy Wells vs Donna Christianello and Fabulous Moolah in a 2 out of 3 Falls match

Moolah's girls in action. Sharon and Moolah we already know but who are the other two?  Donna was another Moolah trained girl who was working as a waitress that just happened to wait a table for Waldo Von Erich. Waldo got her in touch with Moolah and her career was off and running. Tippy Wells was born Fran Gravette in Alberta, Canada and started training under Moolah in 1959. She took a break from the ring for years but returned in 1970. This was definitely a case of Moolah getting her booked. Moolah and Donna won this one.

Winners: Moolah and Christianello

Match 5

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

To put this match in perspective, imagine its Pedro vs Koloff on a Premium Live Event and the night before on Smackdown they face off in a six man tag featuring two tag teams feuding with each other. Very common now, big time news back in 1971. The heels took the lead when Beppo Mongol rolled up Strongbow and hooked the tights for the 1-2-3. The heels then took the second fall when The Mongols beat up Monsoon on the outside and he was counted out. The faces rallied as Monsoon got back in the ring and crushed Beppo Mongol with the big splash for the 1-2-3 to take the third fall. Pedro then dropped Geeto Mongol and pinned him for the 1-2-3 to tie up the match. Then a big schmozz outside the ring caused the ref to throw the match out. All that for a draw? Still, all 6 men were going to be busy in two nights at Madison Square Garden so this was definitely a sneak preview.

Winners: No one (Draw)

Just days before Madison Square Garden, Vince Sr booked a nearly useless double-shot but at least the final match must have been entertaining. Like I mentioned earlier, nowadays six man or normal tag matches featuring guys in feuds is common for go-home shows before PLE's. Pedro and Koloff have a date with destiny while the Mongols are in singles action in Madison Square Garden. However, there's one more piece of business before that show in MSG. For some reason Vince Sr thought it would be a good idea to have a double-shot on Monday. Half the crew would be in Lewiston, Maine while the main stars would be at Madison Square Garden. Why? Ask Vince. See you in Lewiston, guys.

WWWF at Witchi's Sports Arena (2/5/71)

Witchi's Sports Arena

North Attleboro, MA

February 5, 1971

We are just three days away from Madison Square Garden with the card all set. Gorilla Monsoon takes on Beppo Mongol with Bruno Sammartino coming back to the Garden to face Geeto Mongol. Then, the US Champion Pedro Morales takes on WWWF Heavyweight Champion Ivan Koloff. Today's main event sees the Mongols defend the International Tag Team Tittles against Chief Jay Strongbow and Monsoon. Its only a four match card so let's get to it.

Match 1

Lee Wong vs Vincente Pometti

The Argentinian bull takes on the perennial jobber in the opening contest. These two were scheduled to jerk the curtain at MSG in three days. Not surprisingly, Pometti got the victory.

Winner: Pometti

Match 2

Tomas Marin vs Mike Conrad

The babyface jobber to the stars faces the heel jobber to the stars. Someone had to win and it was Marin on this date.

Winner: Marin

Match 3

Manuel Soto vs Jean Dubois

Dave McKigney is back as Jean Dubois as he takes on the latin star Manuel Soto in this one. Soto got the duke this time.

Winner: Soto

Match 5

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

With Monsoon and Beppo Mongol having a date at MSG, the obligatory 2 out of 3 Falls match to main event North Attleboro has Gorilla teaming with Chief Jay again. This one ended in a draw

Winner: No one (Draw)

Kind of a nothing card but the territory had two big shows the following day, both in Massachusetts. Fans had to see the bottom of the barrel in this one but the good news is they didn't have to go very far for the following day's doubleheader. They had three jobber matches and the main event tag match. The following day had two shows in one day with a matinee at the Boston Garden and a nightcap at the Springfield Auditorium. Least the Boston area gets their big house show even if its just before MSG. See you all in the Boston Garden tomorrow.

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 Witchi's Sports Arena (1/29/71)

Witchi's Sports Arena

North Attleboro, MA

January 29, 1971

While half the crew was in Harrisburg, PA tonight, the other half made their way to North Attleboro for tonight's show. Unfortunately the card is pretty lackluster with the main event being Bulldog Brower vs Tony Marino. The Wolfman takes on Manuel Soto and Pete Sanchez goes up against Joe Turco. Its definitely a small spot show but its still something, let's get to the action.

Match 1

Carlos Parades vs Vincente Pometti

We open the show with a battle of the latinos as Argentina's Pometti takes on Parades. Pometti got the win, no 20 minute draw this time.

Winner: Pometti

Match 2

"Nobleman" Joe Turco vs Pete Sanchez

Another mid-card showdown between Turco and Sanchez. Turco got the win, no idea how.

Winner: Turco

Match 3

Tomas Marin vs "Unpredictable" Johnny Rodz

Another mid-card showdown with Rodz taking on Marin. Rodz somehow got the win.

Winner: Rodz

Match 4

Manuel Soto vs The Wolfman

Wolfman needed a big win to get back in title contention after losing to Pedro Morales earlier in the month and Soto wants to win to get back into title contention after losing to Ivan Koloff. Unfortunately for Soto, the Wolfman got the win.

Winner: Wolfman

Match 5

Tony Marino vs Bulldog Brower

Not much of a main event with the crazy Bulldog taking on the former Battman. Marino won by DQ and chased Bulldog away to send the fans home happy.

Winner: Marino by DQ

Not much of a show with a bunch of mid-carders and curtain jerkers. 30 years later this type of card would be perfect for an episode of WWF Metal. This was like re-arranging the chairs on the deck of the Titanic. None of these guys with the exception of maybe Brower would be in title contention in the future. Still, Vince Sr had a deal with North Attleboro so every week they'd send guys there no matter where they were in the pecking order. The main crew would make their way to Queens tomorrow night so we'll pick up 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 Witchi's Sports Arena (1/22/71)

 

Witchi's Sports Arena

North Attleboro, MA

January 22, 1971

The new era continues with Ivan Koloff was your new WWWF Heavyweight champion. The next Madison Square Garden show was just 17 days away and on Saturday it would be announced who Koloff's opponent would be. Until then, Manuel Soto gets the title shot tonight against the champ. Other matches include Pedro Morales once again defending the United States title against The Black Demon, Bulldog Brower takes on Jean Dubois and Bull Pometti takes on Tomas Morin. Let's get to the action.

Match 1

Carlos Parades vs "Nobleman" Joe Turco

The king of the curtain jerkers Joe Turco gets Parades in this one. As per norm, the match is a 20 minute draw.....how unusual.

Winner: No one (Draw)

Match 2

Jean DuBois vs Bulldog Brower

With Koloff as champion, Bulldog pretty much loses a future WWWF title shot by default since heels didn't face each other. But Pedro Morales as the US champion so Bulldog set his sights on him instead. He needed a win against DuBois to move up the ladder.....and he got it. Bulldog won the match.

Winner: Brower

Match 3

Mike Conrad vs Tony Marino

The punching bag Conrad takes on Battman in this one. Marino had lost his WWWF title match with Ivan Koloff and needed a win to get back in contention. Naturally he defeated Conrad in this one.

Winner: Marino

Match 4

Tomas Marin vs Vincente Pometti

Kind of a lackluster matchup consider neither of these guys have a big grudge or anything but the whole show is pretty much a hodge podge as it is. Pometti gets the win.

Winner: Pometti

Match 5

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

Don't know why they continue to run Demon vs Morales when Morales has won every time, especially with Bulldog Brower and Nobleman Joe Turco around. Morales beat Demon again to retain the title.

Winner: Morales (Still US Champion)

Match 6

Manuel Soto vs Ivan Koloff for the WWWF Heavyweight Championship

Last night Koloff defended against Tony Marino and now he gets Manuel Soto. Vince Sr was saving his big opponent for Madison Square Garden which would be announced the following day. Until then the rising star Soto gets his shot. Unfortunately for Soto, Koloff got the win.

Winner: Koloff (still WWWF Champion)

Apart from the final two matches (and the US title match was done to death anyway) the card was totally lackluster. Running the same venue every week eventually gets old and it looked like Vince Sr didn't even try. With Koloff as the champion, that meant the babyfaces were becoming the contenders now and having Soto and Marino as stop gaps before the big opponent is announced makes sense. We'll just have to find out tomorrow who Koloff will be facing on February 8th. As for this card, meh....they had to give North Attleboro something. See you tomorrow.

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 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 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 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.