WWWF All-Star Wrestling (1/10/76)

WWWF All Star Wrestling
January 10, 1976
Hamburg, PA
Hamburg Fieldhouse

Its 1976 and the world is hopping mad! This edition of WWWF All-Star Wrestling is hosted by Vince McMahon Jr and Antonino Rocca. Vince Jr says Bobo Brazil will be in action along with the tag champs Louis Cerdan and Tony Parisi. We also got Bugsy McGraw and Crusher Blackwell against Francisco Flores and a 26 year old Kevin Sullivan.....yes THAT Kevin Sullivan. Vince says they'll be right back before we get started with the first match. Joe McHugh says this hour of wrestling is promoted by Phil Zacko and sanctioned by the state athletic commission. The doctor at ringside is Dr. Fred Heinbach, the timekeeper at the bell is Mike Minton, the referees are "Wee" Willie Webber and Dick Woehrle and his name is JOEEEEEEE MCHUGH!

Match 1

Davey O'Hannon vs WWWF United States Heavyweight Champion Bobo Brazil

O'Hannon was a well respected wrestler in his day. He was a fan in the stands when Bruno Sammartino defeated Buddy Rogers to win the WWWF title and felt it was an honor to share the same ring with him in Davey's own capacity. The 41 year old Bobo Brazil needs no introduction for his contributions to wrestling. Davey is in the gold tights and the legit 6 foot 6 Bobo is in the purple trunks. They shake hands to start and Brazil and Davey clean break at the ropes. Davey backs Bobo in the corner and once again breaks clean. Brazil gets in an armbar before locking in a headlock. Vince Jr says Davey pulled the hair and Davey tries to forearm Brazil against the ropes...but Bobo no-sells it. Brazil stops another attempt by making a fist as Rocca puts over Brazil as a great wrestler. Bobo wins a test of strength and stomps on the hands of Davey. Bobo wins another test of strength and locks in another arm-bar. O'Hannon rakes the eyes and Bobo gets mad and punches him a bunch of times before throwing him across the ring. O'Hannon begs off but Bobo backs him into the corner before clubbing him with a forearm. Bobo rams his head into the buckle three times but Davey counters with right hands. Bobo counters with a headlocked punch and an elbow to the head. Bobo gets a front headlock in the corner but the ref makes him break. O'Hannon rallies with right hands and into a headlock but Brazil sends him off the ropes. Bobo back drops Davey who retreats to the apron where Bobo slingshots him back in. Davey begs off but then goes for the blatant choke. Bobo counters with the headbutt and another toss across the ring. Bobo hits the jumping headbutt and covers for 1..2....3 and its over. Standard 1970's match with ring psychology that would make zoomers fall down and cry, but back then it told a story. Davey couldn't hang with Bobo so he resorted to cheating tactics. After the match they shake hands again, isn't that nice?

Time of match: 7:40

Winner: Bobo Brazil by pinfall

Vince goes to commercial and we return to our next bout

Match 2

Pete McKay vs Louis Cyr (with Classie Freddie Blassie)

Who are these two? Pete was a standard jobber at the time while Cyr was supposed to be the Canadian version of Ken Patera. The name "Louis Cyr" comes from the turn of the century Canadian strongman Louis Cyr. Useless information I know. Blassie is wearing the purple suit and Cyr has a nanook of the north hat. McKay throws Cyr into the ropes but Cyr takes him over with a headlock. McKay gets in a sideheadlock but Cyr drops him with a knee to the ribs. A big right sends McKay down and Cyr drops him again and again. Rocca says Cyr has a "European style" as Blassie walks over and interrupts Antonino to say Cyr is the greatest ever. Blassie in his book said wrestling Rocca was a trip because the crowd would pop for everything he did. Cyr stomps on McKay's hands then punches him in the corner. Cyr heaves McKay across the ring and Rocca praises Cyr's ability. Cyr chokes McKay on the bottom rope then whips him into the other corner. McKay reverses a whip but runs into a big boot. Cyr suplexes McKay then hits a shoulderbreaker. Cyr covers for 1...2....3 and that's it. Impressive win by Cyr who attacks McKay after the bell for some more heat much to Blassie's delight. Standard jobber match that serves its purpose. Cyr is a mean looking fella, look out Bruno!

Time of match: 4:32

Winner: Louis Cyr by pinfall

Vince sends us to commercial and when he comes back he's got Ernie Ladd with him. Vince asks him how he's going to fare against two men in a handicap match. Ladd is mad that he wanted Ivan Putski and Bobo Brazil and he got two jobbers instead. The crowd boos so Ladd tells them to shut up. He says he can beat Bobo and Putski by himself and that's the match he wanted. Vince asks what happened and Ladd says the promoter saved Bobo from embarrassment. Ladd says Putski and Bobo aren't athletes like he is and he has no regard. Ladd puts over Superstar Billy Graham, Spiros Arion and Ivan Koloff as real athletes. Ladd says in the Superbowl, give him a front four of Graham, Koloff and himself and they'd win the Superbowl. Ladd challenges McMahon to do something about him shouting in his face. Hahaha wait 22 years there Ernie. Ernie heads to the ring for his match. 

Match 3

Sylvano Sousa and Tito Torres vs "Big Cat" Ernie Ladd

Ladd starts with Sousa and extends a hand. They shake hands and Ladd backs him into the ropes then locks in a bearhug before executing a hiplock takeover. Ladd works over Sousa in the corner when Torres interferes. Ladd stacks them up in the corner and picks them both up in a double bearhug. That's impressive. Ladd snapmares both of them before scoop slamming Torres. Ladd hits the big boot on Sousa before pressing Torres onto the top rope before clubbing away with forearms. Sousa then attacks from behind and clubs away. Sousa whips Ladd into the corner and Sousa presses the attack to get a pop from the crowd until Ladd drops him with a headbutt. Ladd uses his thumb to club Sousa before nailing Torres in the throat with it. Ladd tosses Torres to the outside and kicks away at Sousa. Ladd hits Sousa in the throat with the thumb and kicks away at him. Ernie gets in a blatant choke but Torres cuts him off. Ladd chops Torres then throws him out of the ring again. Another thumb to the throat of Sousa drops him and Ladd drops the big leg. Ernie puts his hands on Sousa's shoulders and the ref counts 1...2...3 even though Ladd was just setting up for a knee drop. Whoops! Ladd stomps Sousa for more heat as McHugh gets in to announce Ernie the winner. Ladd drew a ton of money as a heel and he'd be featured prominently in New York.

Time of match: 4:48

Winner: Ernie Ladd by pinfall

When we get back from commercial, we go right to the next match.

Match 4

Baron Mikel Scicluna and Vincente Pometti vs Louis Cerdan and Tony Parisi (WWWF Tag Team Champions)

What a treat. The champs had beaten The Blackjacks for the tag belts the year prior and now take on Scicluna and Pometti in a non-title match. Captain Lou Albano makes his way to ringside to shout at the champs. Both faces are in red trunks with Scicluna in the royal blue. Parisi starts with Scicluna and armdrags him twice. Cerdan tags in and locks in an armringer but Pometti kicks him off. Vince hypes up the main event after this match as Cerdan goes back to the arm-ringer. Vince asks Rocca about Bobo earlier and Rocca says he looks "veddy veddy good". Cerdan armdrags Scicluna a few more times before Parisi walks in to help Cerdan bring Mikel to the corner. Parisi tags in and picks up where Cerdan left off on the left arm. Parisi swings and misses and Scicluna scoop slams him. Mikel covers for 1..2...nope, Parisi throws him off. Cerdan tags in and Scicluna meets him with boots to the mid-section. Pometti tags in but Cerdan throws him into the corner where Parisi tags in. Parisi grabs Pometti by the beard and referee Willie Webber breaks the grip which causes Pometti some agony. Cerdan tags in and literally steps on Pometti before tagging Parisi back in. Vince asks Rocca to say something and Antonino puts over the frequent tags made by the champs. Cerdan sends Pometti into a Parisi forearm and they repeat the sequence with Cerdan. Parisi tags in and drops an elbow before making the cover. Scicluna stands there and the ref counts 1..2...3 and its over. Baron picks up Pometti and leaves as McHugh annnounces the champs as the winner. That was as boring as it gets apart from a few comedy spots with the referee but that was the standard back then. Jobber matches on TV and the big house shows at MSG, Boston Garden and the Philadelphia Spectrum.

Time of match: 6:03

Winners: Cerdan and Parisi by pinfall

Vince goes to commercial and we get back, the final match is up next

Match 5

Kevin Sullivan and Francisco Flores vs Bugsy McGraw and Jerry "Crusher" Blackwell (with The Grand Wizard and Classy Freddie Blassie)

Lot to unpack here. Sullivan was just 26 at the time while Bugsy was managed by Wizard with Blackwell the protégé of Blassie. Bugsy was one of the top heels in Florida while Blackwell would eventually be a star in the AWA. Sullivan needs no introduction as Flores was billed as the "Mexican Heavyweight Champion". Sullivan starts with Blackwell and its funny how they were both born in 1949 but Blackwell was 6 months older. Blackwell misses a big punch by "a country mile" as said by Vince but gets in a headlock. Sullivan charges twice but is shoulderblocked down twice. Sullivan does catch Blackwell with an armdrag and tags in Flores. Flores works over the left arm as McGraw can't reach him. Sullivan brings Blackwell over and makes the tag to work over the left arm. Blackwell again reaches for the tag and this time McGraw gets it. Its funny how McGraw is 6 foot 3 but towers over everyone because Sullivan and Blackwell were notoriously short. McGraw drops Sullivan twice with two shoulderblocks but a big chop by Kevin sends Bugsy flying. Blackwell tags in and drives Sullivan into the corner. Bugsy tags in and goes to work on Sullivan in the corner. McGraw whips Sullivan to the other side, puts the boots to him then does a snapmare. McGraw throws Sullivan through the ropes who drops McGraw with a shoulderblock but Sullivan's foot gets caught in the middle rope. The referee counts to 10 and apparently Sullivan was counted out. Kind of a BS ending but it kept the heels heat intact without squashing the faces.

Time of match: 5:38

Winners: Blackwell and McGraw by count-out.

We go to Vince at ringside who says next week it'll be McGraw against Ivan Putski. He asks Rocca who's gonna win and Rocca picks Putski to win. Vince says Blassie may interfere as we go to the credits. It would be unfair to judge the show by todays standards because NOBODY was working fast pace crash style in 1976 but for what it was, its still boring. Not every show was this lackluster as next week at least has a featured match. Still, with Vince Sr running the business it was still old school territory wrestling. Hopefully there will be a big event coming up soon.

WWWF at Philadelphia Arena (3/24/73)

Philadelphia Arena

Philadelphia, PA

March 24, 1973

Why are we doing a random house show from 1973? A real good one reason actually. This was the first WWWF match of the one....the only....ANDRE THE GIANT! That's right, Andre made his WWWF debut at a house show days before his MSG debut and this was the show in question. Andre would be in a handicap match against the Argentinian Bull Pometti and Frank Valois. Other matches on the card included a women's showdown between Donna Christianello and Toni Rose against Joyce Grable and Susan Green, Mr. Fuji takes on Louis Tillett and the WWWF title is on the line as Pedro Morales takes on Moondog Mayne inside a steel cage! Let's get to it.

Match 1

Tony Garea vs El Olympico

Tony Garea was born Anthony Gareljich in Auckland, New Zealand to Croatian/Yugoslavian parents. He started wrestling in his native New Zealand before coming to New York to work for Vince Sr in 1971. If you ever wanted to know why Garea's been a WWE lifer, he was a "homegrown" talent for WWWF. Who the hell is El Olympico you ask? Joey Corea wrestled as one half of The Spoilers in the Gulas territory in 1970 but left after a year. Under a mask that showed his face, he wrestled as El Olympico which was new in the New York territory at the time. These two fought to a draw.

Winner: No one (Draw)

Match 2

Joyce Grable and Susan Green vs Toni Rose and Donna Christianello

Oh boy, Moolah's girls....and Sue Green. 20 year old Betty Wade was actually the second woman to use the name Joyce Grable. She was given that name by Moolah because she looked almost like the original Grable. Sue Green was a 19 year old prodigy who grew up a huge wrestling fan in Texas. She actually got permission from Texas governor John B Connally to train at the age of 14 with Joe Blanchard. She had more matches in high school than some of these indy guys have their whole careers. Toni and Donna we all know. They were women's tag champs for years and had a lot of experience tagging together. Donna and Toni won the match.

Winners: Donna and Toni

Match 3

Louie Tillet vs Mr. Fuji

In case you didn't know, Mr. Fuji was born Harry Fujiwara in Hawaii to Hawaiian and Japanese parents. He made his debut as a heel in 1962 and first came to the WWWF in 1972 with his partner Professor Toru Tanaka. He and Tanaka defeated Sonny King and Strongbow for the WWWF tag titles in 1972. His opponent Louie Tillet was a Frenchman that was a star in the 1960's working the territories. Fuji got the win in this one

Winner: Mr. Fuji

Match 4

Professor Toru Tanaka vs Don Curtis

The other half of the tag champs, Tanaka, faces Don Curtis. Don aka The Buffalo Bomber was born Donald Beitelman and made his name at the University of Buffalo in 1949. He was best known for being tag partners with Mark Lewin in the 60's. By now he was 45 years old and on the downside of his career. Tanaka got the duke.

Winner: Tanaka

Match 5

Andre The Giant vs Vincente Pometti and Frank Valois in a handicap match

And now we get to the reason why we're doing a writeup on this show. Its Andre The Giant's first WWWF match. His bio is too long to give it justice but I'll give the cliffnotes. Andre was born Andre Rousimoff in Grenoble, France with acromegaly aka Giantism. He was over 6 feet tall at the age of 12 and he never really stopped growing. He had aspirations as a teen of being a soccer player but when he got too big, after he left school he became a farmer with his father. At 18 he trained to be a wrestler in 1964 and had his first pro bout in 1966. He was known as Geant Ferre aka The French Lumberjack but when he came over to North America for the first time, Vince Sr rechristened him Andre The Giant. We all know "Bull" Pometti and Valois although Frank was 51 years old at this time. No surprise but Andre wins his first match.

Winner: Andre The Giant

Match 6

Moondog Mayne vs Pedro Morales for the WWWF Heavyweight Championship

What's this? One of the Moondogs? Not exactly. Moondog Mayne was a second generation wrestler, the son of Kenny Mayne. His story is tragic but I'll get to that in a minute. Mayne wasn't actually apart of the "Moondog" stable that would eventually include Rex, King and Spot....he just was named that by Vince Sr. Unlike the Moondogs of the 80's, Mayne is dressed colorfully although he is a lunatic that twitches like he sees things that aren't there. Apparently he was supposed to be a deranged hippie. Morales is anything but a hippie and he beats Mayne to retain the title. As I mentioned earlier, the career of Mayne was cut short when he was killed in a car accident on August 14, 1978 at the age of 33. His name lived on in the Moondogs tag team that was formed years later.

Winner: Pedro Morales (still WWWF Heavyweight Champion)

Standard card for the time period and normally would be an average house show but its famously Andre's first WWWF match. It would have been fun to see Pedro vs Mayne and the women's tag match since Sue Green was the only non-Moolah girl in the match. Still, there was a lot of money to be made on Andre and both Vince Sr & Vince Jr knew it. This was just the start for the next 18 years of Andre in New York. One of the few times the main event was an afterthought.

WWF at Philadelphia Arena (12/18/71) Incomplete

         

Philadelphia Arena

Philadelphia, PA

December 18, 1971

Once again we got another incomplete writeup with one match that was thought to have been lost to time. It was December of 1971, Karl Gotch and Rene Goulet were the tag champs and Pedro Morales was the World champ. What makes this show tough to think about was this show was held mere hours after another house show in Queens earlier that day. Sad part was all but three guys worked on the matinee card. The match that has been restored is the tag team title match were Goulet and Gotch put the straps on the line against The Rugged Russians managed by Nikita Mulkovitch who was more well know designing championship belts in his later years. Let's get to it.

Match 1

Juan Caruso vs Mike Conrad

Both guys were pretty much jobbers here so something has to give. Not much is known about either of them, probably local Philly guys. Apparently Conrad got the duke here by count-out.

Winner: Conrad by count-out.

Match 2

Vincente "Bull" Pometti vs Mike Monroe

We already know Pometti was a big rough Argentinian while Monroe was a standard jobber at the time. Apparently they fought to a draw, no one wins.

Winner: No one: Draw

Match 3

The Black Demon vs Manuel Soto

Once again both these guys worked the other card with Demon tagging with Monroe from the previous match. Manuel Soto won this encounter.

Winner: Manuel Soto

Match 4

The Rugged Russians (Igor and Ivan) with Nikita Mulkovich vs Karl Gotch and Rene Goulet for the WWWF Tag Team Championship in a 2 out of 3 falls match

And now we get to the match that's been restored. On December 6, Goulet and Gotch knocked off "Crazy" Luke Graham and Tarzan Tyler and 12 days later they're pulling double duty. They beat Monroe & Black Demon in Queens earlier that day so they face the fake Russians here. Goulet and Gotch do some sort of battlerope taunt before Goulet bum rushes the "Russians". I don't have a clue which is Igor and which is Ivar so I'm just going to guess. Ivar starts with Goulet and they circle to start before exchanging mat based tactics. Goulet takes Ivar over with an armdrag before Ivan gets back to his feet. Goulet shoulderblocks him down before hitting another arm-drag takeover. Ivan makes it to his feet and he sends Goulet off only for Rene to clock Igor off the apron. Rene takes Ivan down with another arm-drag and Ivar takes nearly a full minute to get to his feet. Ivan pulls the hair but Rene won't let go. Ivan goes down to the mat again for another full minute, holy moly they'd never get away with this now. Igor interferes and eats an armdrag an Gotch tags in to put Igor in a full nelson....even though Igor isn't the legal man. Igor goes behind but Gotch stays with it to keep the full nelson then arm-drags Igor down...here we go again. A minute later Igor gets to his feet only to go down again. Ivan goes to interfere but the ref stops him. Another minute later Igor gets to his feet and looks to have reversed it but Gotch holds on to maintain it. Ivan goes to interfere again but the alert referee chases him off. Igor makes it to the ropes to force a break but Gotch refuses to let go. Finally Gotch tags in Goulet who teases punching Igor in the face only for Gotch to turn around just in time so Ivar clocks Igor instead. Goulet hops up and down but this time Igor gets the full nelson. He brings Goulet to his corner but naturally Rene ducks and Ivan hits Igor again. Rene clocks Ivar who gets in without making a tag. He kicks and scoop slams Goulet but Rene nips up and arm drags again. This time Ivar quickly rakes the eyes and rams Goulet into the buckle. Ivan kicks at Goulet and throws him through the ropes to the outside where Igor beats him up until Gotch chases him away. Goulet is attacked as he tries to get back in the ring so he falls off the apron. Finally the ref tells Ivar to back up so he can count. Goulet actually crawls under the ring and emerges from the other side where he taps Ivan on the shoulder. Ivan turns around into a forearm to the chest much to the crowd's delight.  Goulet hits a snap mare, a scoop slam....and another arm drag. Another scoop slam follows before Gotch tags in. Gotch lands a snap mare and a scoop slam and covers for 1....2...no. Gotch corners Ivan and unloads with forearms before heaving him across the ring. Gotch does it again and Ivan begs off. Gotch kicks at Ivan when Igor interferes and gets dropped. Gotch uses martial arts to drop both men and the camera closes in on Gotch so now I have no clue which "Russian" is which. I assume Ivan tags in Igor since Ivan was the legal man and Gotch goes to town with a wristlock and more foreams in the corner. A charge eats knee and Ivan tags back in, nailing Gotch with a running knee in the midsection. In the center of the ring Ivan hits a knee drop and covers for 1...2....3, that's it. The Russians take the first fall.

Gotch and Ivan start the second fall with Gotch taking control and Ivar complains the tights were pulled, nearly grabbing the ref's ass in the process. Gotch decks Ivan with a right hand and Igor tags in, only for all four men to get in the ring. The ref tells Goulet to beat it as Igor locks in a nerve hold only for Gotch to drop him with forearms. Ivar tags back in and Gotch hits a European uppercut that knocks Ivan over the top rope to the outside. Gotch sends Igor out too and caters to the crowd. Ivan misses a knee drop and Gotch hits a double chop and a karate kick before locking in what AJ Lee would later call the Black Widow. Goulet cuts off Igor and Ivan gives it up, the champs take the second fall.

The final fall starts with Gotch and Ivan again and they stall for time before Goulet tags in. Gotch beats up Ivan from the outside but Goulet gets clocked by Igor who switches with Ivan. Goulet goes for a victory roll for 1...2.., no, Ivan kicks him off. The "Russians" get Goulet in the corner and double team where Gotch is moved back by the ref. The "Russians" repeatedly throw the ref to the ground like idiots and he calls for the bell. The crowd pops as Goulet and Gotch beat up the "Russians" even though the bell already rang. Gotch heaves one of them and they bail. Really stupid move by the heels to throw the ref to the ground and it cost them the match. That was somewhat boring even by 1971 standards, guess you had to be there to appreciate it. Gotch moved pretty damn good for a 47 year old.

Time of match: 24:12

Winners: Gotch and Goulet 2 falls to 1

Match 5

"Handsome" Jimmy Valiant vs Chief Jay Strongbow

The last two matches of this card are just the reverse of the Queens card where Valiant faced Victor Rivera and Strongbow faced Freddie Blassie. Apparently Strongbow got the duke here.

Winner: Chief Jay Strongbow

Match 6

"Classy" Freddie Blassie vs Victor Rivera

By the end of 1971 Blassie was 53 years old with his knees starting to deteriorate. He still had some wars with John Tolos out in California and here he's taking on Rivera. Apparently Freddie won on a count-out.

Winner: Freddie Blassie by count-out.

This sounds like a fun show and imagine if you drove all the way from Queens to catch it? Its only 100 miles from Sunnyside Garden Arena to the Philadelphia Arena. The tag match was a bit of a let down with Goulet not letting up with the armdrags but again, it was standard for its time. Also that's one of the few matches I've seen utterly dominated by the babyfaces, usually its the heels getting the heat. Would have been nice to see Blassie who was nearing the end of the line or a young Handsome Jimmy long before he was the Boogie Woogie Man. Ah well, a small bit of footage is better than none

WWWF at Westchester County Civic Center (2/10/71)

Westchester County Civic Center

White Plains, New York

February 10, 1971

We have a new WWWF Heavyweight Champion and that's Pedro Morales. Morales defeated Ivan Koloff for the strap at Madison Square Garden and the next show was held two days later in White Plains, New York. Since Morales was the reigning United States champion, that meant Bulldog Brower was next in line by default. This five match spot show began the reign of Morales so let's get to it.

Match 1

Mike Conrad vs Jack Evans

Evans had beaten Conrad seven days earlier in the National Arena so now they go one on one again. Once again Evans got the duke.

Winner: Evans

Match 2

"Unpredictable" Johnny Rodz vs Jean DuBois

Two mid carders go one on one here as Dave McKigney takes on Johnny Rodz. These two fought to a draw.

Winner: No one (Draw)

Match 3

Frenchy Lamont and Joey Russell vs Sky Low Low and Little Brutus

Another standard midget tag team match. Low Low and Brutus took this one.

Winners: Low Low and Brutus

Match 4

Vincente Pometti and The Black Demon vs Gorilla Monsoon and Tony Marino in a 2 Out of 3 Falls match

Kind of a hodge podge of a match as Marino and Monsoon take on Demon and Pometti. Monsoon and Marino win this one.

Winners: Monsoon and Marino

Match 5

Bulldog Brower vs Pedro Morales for the WWWF Heavyweight Championship

Pedro's first title defense comes two days after taking the title from Ivan Koloff. Brower was the number 1 contender for the US title so it made sense he'd get the first crack at the unified champion. Not surprisingly, Pedro wins the match.

Winner: Pedro Morales

The Morales era had begun which would usher in a new group of fans. For eight years, Italian fans packed Madison Square Garden to see Bruno Sammartino but now it would be the Latin fans to see Pedro Morales. The babyface champion also meant they were going to need new heels to face him since he'd face the guys that Bruno faced in short order. As for the rest of the card, not something I'd pay for. The main crew would be back tomorrow in Washington DC so I'll see you there.

WWWF at Madison Square Garden (2/8/71) Incomplete

Madison Square Garden

New York City, NY

February 8, 1971

We finally made it to Madison Square Garden. Three weeks earlier "The Russian Bear" Ivan Koloff pulled off the miracle of beating EIGHT year champion Bruno Sammartino to become the new WWWF Heavyweight Champion. His first title defense in Madison Square Garden would be against the WWWF United States Champion Pedro Morales. This is an incomplete writeup because the rest of the card is lost to time, but the main event remains. So what else was on the card? Remember last month where The Mongols fought Chief Jay Strongbow and Gorilla Monsoon to a draw? Well tonight Monsoon goes one on one with Beppo Mongol. Bruno Sammartino in his first MSG match since dropping the belt to Koloff takes on Geeto Mongol. Blackjack Mulligan had come to New York a few weeks earlier and won all six singles matches. He takes on Tony Marino and we got a midget tag team match. Let's get to it.

Match 1

Lee Wong vs Vincente Pometti

Pometti makes his return to the Garden and this time he's got Lee Wong with him. These two didn't really have a feud or history, just a classic opening match. Pometti gets the duke.

Winner: Vincente Pometti

Match 2

Jack Evans vs Gene Dubois

Dave McKigney is back as "Gene Dubois" and he's got Jack Evans tonight. Jack Evans was a territory jobber that later became the masked Mr. X. Jack gets the win over Dubois.

Winner: Jack Evans

Match 3

Little Brutus and Sky Low Low vs Frenchy Lamont and Little Joey

Oh boy....a midget tag team match. The same guys wrestled each other in Boston two days earlier. Apparently Brutus and Low Low won this time.

Winners: Low Low and Brutus

Match 4

Tony Marino vs Blackjack Mulligan

Looks like Mr. Battman has his hands full with Blackjack Mulligan on this night. Mulligan had been undefeated since coming to New York three weeks earlier. Mulligan got the win and pretty much set himself up as one of the top heels for the WWWF at the time.

Winner: Blackjack Mulligan

Match 5

Gorilla Monsoon vs Beppo Mongol

As I mentioned earlier, these two worked the previous month in a tag match. Now one half of the International tag champs faces Monsoon one on one. Apparently the match ended in a double count-out, so much for a feud blowoff.

Winner: No one (Draw)

Match 6

The Wolfman vs Manuel Soto

Big rough wild man takes on the latin sensation Soto. Apparently they went a 20 minute broadway....one of the only times I'm glad I don't have to see a match. The idea of those two going 20 isn't appealing, no offense to either.

Winner: No one (Draw)

Match 7

Bruno Sammartino (with Arnold Skaaland) vs Geeto Mongol

One month after Bruno drops the World title to Koloff, he gets to take his frustrations out on half of the tag champs in Geeto Mongol. Bruno knocked him off in about 5 minutes.

Winner: Bruno Sammartino

Match 8

WWWF United States Champion Pedro Morales vs Ivan Koloff for the WWWF Heavyweight Championship

Its title vs title as the main event of tonight's MSG card has the US champ Pedro taking on the world champ Koloff. Essentially the winner is the unified champion. The bell rings and the ref argues with Koloff before anything happens. Morales tries to right jab Koloff who backs off and tells the ref to watch the fists. They tie up twice and Pedro shoves him off. Koloff steps between the ropes. Morales shoulderblocks Koloff down but runs right into a backdrop. Morales nips up, scoop slams and does a headlock takeover. Morales does another one and locks it in but Koloff makes it to his feet. Morales is sent off but shoulderblocks Koloff down. Koloff responds with a kick to the mid-section to trip up Pedro. Koloff locks in a rear chinlock but Pedro gets up only to eat a snapmare by Ivan. Koloff locks in another chinlock but starts choking Pedro. The alert ref tells him to let go and Koloff gets up to taunt the crowd. Pedro gets up and backs Koloff off with a big left hand. Koloff begs off and extends a handshake but Pedro is too smart for that. Koloff wins a test of strength against Pedro but Morales starts to reverse it and monkey flips Koloff off. Koloff begs off again but gets in a side headlock. He rakes the eyes and goes for the bearhug. Morales gets a left hand in to break up the bearhug but Ivan collects himself, reapplying it. Morales somehow gets his arm underneath and scoop slams Koloff. Ivan kicks away and goes for another bearhug but Morales breaks free. Koloff unloads with right hands and shoulderblocks Pedro down. Morales tries to slam Ivan but his back gives out and Koloff lands on top for 1...2..no. Ivan misses a knee drop but scoop slams Pedro. Koloff goes for the top rope knee drop that beat Bruno but misses it. Pedro goes upstairs and hits a crossbody for 1...2...no. Koloff sends Pedro into the corner then to the other corner. He throws him into a third corner and hits a german suplex. Both men's shoulders are down for 1....2....Pedro gets his arm up....THREE! Its over! Pedro Morales is the new WWWF Heavyweight Champion. Koloff goes ballistic thinking he's won but the ref raises Pedro's arm instead. Bruno Sammartino hits the ring and raises Pedro's arm to signify the passing of the torch. The match itself was damn good for 1971 standards, it would have fit right in 10-12 years later.

Time of match: 23:18

Winner: Morales by pinfall (new WWWF unified Heavyweight Champion)

Well that looked like a fun card, too bad only one match is still in existence. Big changes were going on as Bruno dropped the belt to Koloff who dropped it to Pedro. Morales was going to be the next star in  New York and this was his coming out party. Now Vince Sr had a dilemma because Pedro would be facing the same guys Bruno had so Vince had to import or elevate new heels for Pedro to compete against at the Garden. Definite a rematch with Koloff would be one of them but otherwise it was more of the same. Still, this was wrestling history of Pedro winning the championship.

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 Scranton Catholic Youth Center (2/2/71)

Catholic Youth Center

Scranton, PA

February 2, 1971

Six days away from Madison Square Garden and the crew heads to Scranton for another card of WWWF wrestling. Once again both contestants in the main event of MSG will be defending their titles as Pedro Morales once again faces The Wolfman while Ivan Koloff puts the WWWF Heavyweight title on the line against Chief Jay Strongbow. Basically its the same card as the day before with almost the same results, which was common back then. Let's get to the matches.

Match 1

Lee Wong vs "Nobleman" Joe Turco

An irate Turco has to face Wong in the opening match and he gets on the microphone to DEMAND a match with Pedro Morales instead. Pedro comes out and says tomorrow in Washington, he's on. Turco celebrates and taunts the irate crowd but Wong rolls him up and gets the pin. Whoops!

Winner: Wong by pinfall

Match 2

Tony Marino vs Bulldog Brower

Brower comes to the ring threatening to attack the fans sitting ring side and Marino will have none of it so they brawl on the floor to start. Back inside they hold a match but Marino continues to frustrate Brower with various holds. Finally Brower can't take it anymore and grabs the ring bell. The ref warns Brower not to use it and Brower nails the ref with it. Marino knocks Brower around and chases him away as the official word is Brower has been disqualified. The ref is carried out on a stretcher, poor guy.

Winner: Marino by DQ

Match 3

Vincente Pometti vs Manuel Soto

The Argentinian takes on Soto and.....wins? Wow, big win for the Bull

Winner: Pometti

Match 4

The Wolfman vs Pedro Morales for the WWWF United States Championship

Once again Wolfman gets a US title shot under orders from Ivan Koloff to take out Morales before he even gets to MSG. Wolfman doesn't waste any time attacking Morales and eventually gets himself disqualified for excessive violence. Bad news for Pedro but he keeps the title.

Winner: Morales by DQ

Match 5

Chief Jay Strongbow vs Ivan Koloff for the WWWF Heavyweight Championship

Six days before MSG Strongbow gets a title shot against Koloff but unlike Wolfman, he's out to win the title. After a fierce battle Strongbow was counted out of the ring giving Koloff the victory.

Winner: Koloff by count-out (still WWWF Champion)

Pretty standard card although it was almost the exact same as the day before, which was common. The mind-set was every town got its turn and this practice would go well into the 2000's. Friday night in Maine Koloff hits Strongbow with a chair outside and then does the same finish Saturday night in Pennsylvania. Still, the fans in Scranton probably had a good time and that's all that matters. The crew now goes to Washington DC for the next show, I'll see you there.

WWWF at Philadelphia Arena (1/31/71)

Philadelphia Arena

Philadelphia, PA

January 31, 1971

We're just eight days away from the showdown at Madison Square Garden between WWWF US Champion Pedro Morales and WWWF Heavyweight Champion Ivan Koloff. Both of them will be putting their belts on the line tonight in a special house show for the Philadelphia faithful. Morales faces his nemesis The Wolfman who is under strict orders from Ivan Koloff not to let Morales make it to New York. Meanwhile Morales countered by sending Gorilla Monsoon after Koloff in the main event tonight. With these ramifications that could potentially change history, let's get to the action.

Match 1

"Nobleman" Joe Turco vs Angelo Savoldi

These two met a year ago in North Attleboro so tonight was the big re-match. Turco got the victory.

Winner: Turco

Match 2

Vincente Pometti vs Chief Jay Strongbow

Strongbow scored a big win the day before against Bulldog Brower and needed another one if he wanted another shot at Ivan Koloff if Koloff were to get by Monsoon tonight and Morales on the 8th. Pometti was looking just to play spoiler but it didn't work, Strongbow won.

Winner: Strongbow

Match 3

Tony Marino vs Manuel Soto

Two popular babyfaces going one on one just to fill out the card was a rarity. To keep them both in their spots, the bout ended in a 20 minute draw.

Winner: No one (Draw)

Match 4

Gene Dubois, Geeto Mongol & Beppo Mongol vs Blackjack Mulligan, Bulldog Brower and The Black Demon

What the hell is THIS? An all-heel six man tag match was even rarer than the babyface match the previous bout. No idea why Vince Sr booked this match but its definitely interesting. To keep everyone's heat, the bout ended in a draw.

Winners: No one (Draw)

Match 5

The Wolfman vs Pedro Morales for the WWWF United States Championship

The rematch from Madison Square Garden last month had a special kick to it as Koloff sent Wolfman to specifically stop Morales from getting to MSG. Unfortunately for Koloff, Wolfman failed and Morales got the duke

 Th

Winner: Morales (still US Champion)

Match 6

Gorilla Monsoon vs "The Russian Bear" Ivan Koloff for the WWWF Heavyweight Championship

Koloff looked nervous as he got in the ring as his henchman Wolfman failed to knock off Morales. Pedro in retaliation sent Gorilla Monsoon after Koloff just eight days before their showdown in MSG. Koloff barely escaped with the win when Monsoon was counted out. Morales came to the ring and chased away Koloff to end the show.

Winner: Koloff by count-out (still WWWF Champion)

Very interesting card with an all-heel 6 man tag, a babyface showdown and both main titles on the line. Vince Sr was saving the home run show for the Garden but this would have been a fun card to see if video footage of it existed. Koloff and Morales were on a collision course and Monsoon had a date with the Mongols. It was also nice to see Savoldi again nearing the end of his career. The crew travels to Allentown, PA for their next show. 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 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 Madison Square Garden (1/18/71) Incomplete

Madison Square Garden

New York City, New York

January 18, 1971

We finally made it to MSG after a month of hype. Unfortunately only one match on this card remains but its the most important one, perhaps one of the most important in wrestling history. On May 17, 1963 Bruno Sammartino defeated Buddy Rogers to become the WWWF Heavyweight Champion and hadn't lost since. Tonight, Bruno put the title on the line against "The Russian Bear" Ivan Koloff who had been on a hot streak since the year began. Other matches include Pedro Morales putting the US title on the line against The Wolfman, The Mongols put the WWWF International Tag Team titles on the line against Chief Jay Strongbow and Gorilla Monsoon after Chief chased them all month, and Toronto's own Gene Dubois goes at it with "Nobleman" Joe Turco. After a whole month of hype, let's get to the card.

Match 1

Gene Dubois vs "Nobleman" Joe Turco

Good to see ol Dave McKigney again as Gene Dubois and on this night he takes on the Italian wildman Joe Turco. Gene Dubois got the victory.

Winner: Gene Dubois

Match 2

Vincente "Bull" Pometti vs The Black Demon

We all know both these guys so no sense going over that again. Pometti won this match.

Winner: Vincente Pometti

Match 3

Mike Conrad vs Manuel Soto

Conrad was a standard jobber at the time while Soto was a rising star in New York. Soto won this match.

Winner: Manuel Soto

Match 4

Blackjack Mulligan vs Hurricane Rivera

For those that don't know, Blackjack was born Robert Windham and played college football for Texas Western, now known as UTEP. He actually went to training camp with the New York Jets in the fall of 1966 but washed out. Wahoo McDaniel, who was on the Miami Dolphins in 66, convinced Mulligan to become a wrestler. He was trained by Joe Blanchard (Tully's father, Tessa's grandfather) and worked for Verne Gagne in Minnesota as a big rough cowboy. Ironically he was inspired by Bobby Duncum who was two years younger than Blackjack. We all know who Rivera is so no sense introducing him. Blackjack got the win here.

Winner: Blackjack Mulligan

Match 5 

Tony Marino vs Bulldog Brower

We all know the legendary heel Brower is and how Marino was The Battman. Brower got the win here.

Winner: Bulldog Brower

Match 6

The Wolfman vs Pedro Morales for the WWWF United States Championship

Pedro defends the strap against the lunatic Wolfman. Pedro had won the US strap 12 days before this night. Apparently Pedro won this match and kept the title.

Winner: Pedro Morales (still US Champion)

Match 7

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

The Mongols and Monsoon we know but Chief Jay Strongbow was actually an Italian man named Joe Scarpa who began his career in 1947 after being trained by Chief Don Eagle. He came to New York in 1970 under the Strongbow name and became a fan favorite. In this match we had a fake Native American team with a fake Chinaman facing two fake Mongolians. Apparently the bout ended in a draw. 

Winners: No one (Mongols retain)

Match 8

"The Russian Bear" Ivan Koloff vs Bruno Sammartino for the WWWF Heavyweight Championship

Finally we get to the main event. We all know their backstories but storyline wise, Koloff had been beating everyone in sight so Ivan gets a crack at the title. The bell rings and they circle before a tieup goes nowhere. Koloff drops Bruno with a shoulderblock but Koloff eats a back body drop. Bruno covers for just a 1 count. Sammartino armdrags Ivan then executes a single leg takedown. Koloff flips Bruno but Bruno takes him down by the leg again. Ivan gets to his feet but eats another arm-drag. Ivan gets to his feet for a test of strength and Koloff wins it. Koloff goes to the standing surfboard and Bruno counters into one of his own. Ivan breaks free and Bruno gets in a side headlock. Bruno is whipped off into a hiptoss by Koloff but the count only gets 1. Shoulderblock by Koloff drops Bruno but Sammartino counters with a drop toe-hold. He rams Ivan's knee into the mat but Koloff gets up and takes control with forearms and kicks. Ivan rams Bruno into the buckle and delivers a series of forearms in the corner. Ivan kicks away at Bruno and Bruno finally makes his comeback. He punches and kicks at Ivan before sending him into the ropes for a big powerslam. Bruno covers for 1...2...no. Bruno gets in a chinlock but Ivan makes it to the ropes. Bruno rocks Ivan with right hands and another cover gets 1. Another chinlock has Ivan down and he covers for 1.....2..nope. Ivan then rallies with right hands and accidentally clocks the ref. Bruno sends Ivan into the corner but a charge eats knee.  Ivan scoop slams Bruno and goes upstairs. He drops a knee from off the top and covers for 1....2....3! That's it! The 8 year reign of Bruno is over! Anyone who was at the Garden that night said the building went completely silent when the bell ring and Koloff was announced the winner. This was the 1971 version of Undertaker's streak ending as the unstoppable champion had finally been stopped. Koloff becomes just the third WWWF champion since 1962

Time of match: 14:55

Winner: Ivan Koloff

The rest of the card pales in comparison to the monumental defeat of Bruno. Ivan Koloff was the new WWWF Champion and fans wondered who was going to beat Koloff. It would have been fun to have seen the Mongols face Monsoon and Strongbow and a younger Dave McKigney away from Toronto. For the first time since 1963, Bruno was NOT the champion. The 8 year reign is a record that will probably never be broken. Here's to a new era in New York.

WWWF at Philadelphia Arena (1/16/71)

Philadelphia Arena

Philadelphia, PA

January 16, 1971

We are two days away from the Madison Square Garden showdown between Ivan Koloff and Bruno Sammartino but there's still business left to do in Pennsylvania. The day before Vince Sr pulled a double shot with half of the roster in North Attleboro and the other half in Pittsburgh. Today Philadelphia gets their turn to showcase the WWWF. We got the main roster on this one as Bruno defends the title against the red hot Bulldog Brower, The Mongols put the tag straps on the line against Chief Jay Strongbow and Tony Marino and Pedro Morales defends the US belt against The Black Demon. Morales and Sammartino took a beating yesterday so let's see if it affects them moving forward.

Match 1

Victor Rivera vs Jim Grabmire

We open the show with the rising star Rivera against the grizzled veteran Grabmire. For once the opening match wasn't a draw as Rivera got the victory

Winner: Rivera

Match 2

Baron Mikel Scicluna and George "The Animal" Steele vs Dominic DeNucci and WWWF Junior Heavyweight Champion "Jumpin" Johnny DeFazio

The duo that beat up Bruno yesterday take on the local Pennsylvania boys DeNucci and DeFazio. Unfortunately for the good guys, Steele and Scicluna got the victory.

Winners: Scicluna and Steele

Match 3

Vincente Pometti vs "Nobleman" Joe Turco

Gotta love when two curtain jerkers face each other for bragging rights. The Argentinian and the Italian face off and surprise, surprise....it ends in a draw.

Winner: No one (draw)

Match 4

Manuel Soto vs The Wolfman

Big match here as Soto wants to be a successor to Pedro Morales as US Champion while Wolfman is locked in to a US title shot against Morales in two days. Wolfman keeps his heat by getting the win, Morales awaits.

Winner: Wolfman

Match 5

Gorilla Monsoon vs "The Russian Bear" Ivan Koloff

Talk about a monster match before the big show at MSG. If Koloff wants to beat Bruno, he has to get by the big Monsoon first. Ivan gets the duke to have all the momentum going into MSG.

Winner: Koloff

Match 6

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

The human punching bag Demon somehow gets a crack at the US title two days before Madison Square Garden. Bruno has to face Bulldog Brower on a hot streak while Morales faces the winless all month Demon. No surprise but Morales gets the win.

Winner: Morales

Match 7

Chief Jay Strongbow and Tony Marino vs The Mongols (Beppo & Geeto) in a 2 out of 3 falls match for the WWWF International Tag Team Championship

Strongbow has been chasing the Mongols all month with various tag team partners ranging from Gorilla Monsoon to the local peanut vendor in the arena so this time he chooses Tony Marino. As per norm, Strongbow gets the first fall, the Mongols got the second fall and Marino got counted out to end it. The Mongols retain the titles.

Winners: The Mongols (still Tag Team Champions)

Match 8

Bulldog Brower vs Bruno Sammartino for the WWWF Heavyweight Championship

Brower has been on a hot streak since the month began and he gets Bruno two days before the big MSG show. Bruno got the crap kicked out of him by George Steele and Baron Scicluna the previous day and now he's got the vicious Bulldog on his tail. The match ended in a double disqualification when everyone in the back interfered and had a big brawl. That must have been fun to watch.

Winner: No one (Bruno retains)

That was a stacked card and it definitely served its purpose as a preview for Madison Square Garden coming up. Bruno & The Mongols have their work cut out for them moving forward while Pedro goes into the US title match with momentum. They kept Bulldog strong for a future match with Bruno so he was definitely getting another title shot down the road. All in all it was a good card that unfortunately has been lost to time. Next up is MSG, you don't want to miss it.

WWWF at Witchi's Sports Arena (1/15/71)

Witchi's Sports Arena

North Attleboro, MA

January 15, 1971

The WWWF roster was split into two on January 15th as they had this show in North Attleboro and another show with the other half in Pittsburgh. Maybe there was a show scheduled for the night before but it got postponed due to snow or whatever. Either way we're back in North Attleboro just three days before the Monday night show at Madison Square Garden. Pedro Morales has a date with The Wolfman at MSG but he's facing him tonight as a preview. The Mongols also have a date with Gorilla Monsoon and Chief Jay Strongbow at the Garden but here they take on Strongbow and Manuel Soto. Let's get to the card.

Match 1

Tony Marino vs Vincente Pometti

As per norm the Argentinian opens the show against the former Battman. Also as per norm they battled to a 20 minute time limit draw. Wouldn't that be boring for the first match to go the distance every single card?

Winner: No one (Draw)

Match 2

The Black Demon vs "Golden Boy" Arnold Skaaland

The human punching bag Demon gets fed to Arnold Skaaland three days before MSG. Skaaland gets the victory,  big surprise.

Winner: Skaaland

Match 3

Pete Sanchez vs Bulldog Brower

Brower was currently the number three heel behind The Wolfman and Ivan Koloff so he needed a big win against Sanchez if he wanted to keep pace with the others. Sanchez needed a win to put himself on the same level as Pedro Morales. Unfortunately for Sanchez, Brower got the win.

Winner: Brower

Match 4

The Wolfman vs Pedro Morales for the WWWF United States Championship

Three days before MSG, Morales defends against the same man he'll be facing in the Garden. Wolfman got himself disqualified by beating the daylights out of Pedro outside the ring. For a wild man, that was a brilliant move by Wolfman to soften Pedro up for the Garden by sacrificing this match.

Winner: Morales by DQ (still US Champion)

Match 5

Manuel Soto and Chief Jay Strongbow vs The Mongols (Beppo & Geeto) in a 2 out of 3 falls match for the WWWF International Tag Team Championship

The main event of the card saw Strongbow bringing Manuel Soto to help him take the titles from the evil Mongols. As per norm, the first fall went to the faces, the second fall went to the heels and all four men brawled to earn the double-disqualification to end the match. The Mongols retain the titles.

Winners: No one (Mongols retain)

North Attleboro had some rudimentary cards every week it seemed but fans didn't seem to mind. They were clearly building toward MSG but Vince Sr had all these house shows to drum up interest. Having Pedro & Wolfman and Strongbow vs The Mongols bring their matches around the territory but settling it at MSG was pretty standard. Up next is the other card that happened on this day.