Thursday, March 25, 1971

WWWF at Sunnyside Garden Arena (3/25/71)



Sunnyside Garden Arena
Queens, NY
March 25, 1971


This is going to be a straight write up since no matches from this house show have ever been recorded. Ten days after Pedro Morales had his first WWWF title defense at Madison Square Garden, almost the same crew came to Queens for a house show. The main event was Pedro and Manuel Soto taking on Bulldog Brower and The Wolfman in a 2 out of 3 falls tag match. Other matches included Little Brutus and Sky Low Low taking on Little Joey and Frenchy Lamont who were subbing for Sonny Boy Hayes and Haiti Kid. Let's get to it.



Match 1

Mike Conrad vs Pete Sanchez

Sanchez was another New York latino veteran that was a fan favorite in the Garden. Here he takes on jobber Mike in the opening contest. The bout ended in a 20 minute draw.


Winner: No one (Draw)



Match 2

Jack Evans vs Hurricane Rivera

The big rematch from Madison Square Garden from 10 days earlier. Just like at MSG, Rivera got the victory


Winner: Hurricane Rivera



Match 3

Vincente Pometti vs Chief Jay Strongbow

The Argentinian takes on the fake Native American in the middle of the card. Strongbow got the victory.



Winner: Strongbow



Match 4

Little Joey and Frenchy Lamont vs Little Brutus and Sky Low Low in a 2 out of 3 falls match

This was advertised as Sonny Boy Hayes and Haiti Kid but apparently Joey and Lamont subbed for them against Brutus and Low Low. As usual Brutus and Low Low win.


Winners: Little Brutus and Sky Low Low



Match 5

Bulldog Brower and The Wolfman vs WWWF Heavyweight Champion Pedro Morales and Manuel Soto in a 2 out of 3 falls match.

Who thought back to back 2 out of 3 falls tag matches was a good idea needs their heads examined. Thankfully this was the main event and it had Pedro teaming with Manuel Soto to take on two top heels in Brower and Wolfman. After Pedro dispatched Blackjack Mulligan, he was going to need a new opponent and showcasing Wolf and Bulldog made sense. Pedro and Soto got the win


Winners: Morales and Soto



Not much to say about this show as it was a house show in Queens that's been lost to time. The good thing is it essentially had possible Pedro opponents in Bulldog and Wolfman. Really would have liked to have seen Strongbow and Pometti because Pometti in his younger days could go. Still, if you caught this show I doubt you left dissappointed.

Monday, March 15, 1971

WWWF at Madison Square Garden (3/15/71) Incomplete



Madison Square Garden
New York City, New York
March 15, 1971


Yes this is an incomplete writeup as this show has been lost to time except for the main event, which is a real treat. On January 18, 1971 Ivan Koloff defeated Bruno Sammartino for the WWWF Heavyweight Championship after Bruno had been on top for eight years. Four weeks later on February 8, Koloff dropped the belt to Pedro Morales in Madison Square Garden. Morales' first MSG title defense would come against Blackjack Mulligan on this card. Its a shame the rest of the card has been lost to time because a lot of pre 70's wrestlers are on it.


Match 1

Little Joey and Sonny Boy Hayes vs Little Brutus and Sky Low Low in a 2 out of 3 falls match

Vince Sr must have lost his mind when he thought opening an MSG show with a 2 out of 3 falls midget tag team match was a good idea. Sonny Boy was a legendary midget wrestler that wrestled well into the 80's. Brutus and Low Low were in that tag team match the previous month against Little Joey and here they are again facing Joey only with Sonny Boy Hayes as a partner. Apparently Low Low and Brutus got the duke in this match.


Winners: Sky Low Low and Little Brutus



Match 2

Manuel Soto vs "Unpredictable" Johnny Rodz

One of the greatest jobbers of all time takes on the rising star in Soto. As per custom, Rodz lost to Soto in this one.


Winner: Manuel Soto



Match 3

Hurricane Rivera vs Jack Evans

Puerto Rican legend Hurricane takes on the jobber Jack in this one. Not surprisingly, Rivera got the victory here.


Winner: Hurricane Rivera



Match 4

Tony Marino vs Mike Conrad

Marino we all know as the Batman cosplayer. His opponent Mike Conrad was a jobber in the early 70's and sure enough....Marino beats the jobber.


Winner: Tony Marino



Match 5

Chief Jay Strongbow vs Bulldog Brower

Two legends of the 60's and 70's right here. By this point Strongbow was 42 years old but still had a lot of years left. Bulldog was 37 but he too had a lot of years left. Apparently Jay and Bulldog fought to a 20 minute time limit draw.


Winner: No one (Draw)



Match 6

Blackjack Mulligan (with The Grand Wizard) vs Pedro Morales for the WWWF Heavyweight Championship

Finally we get to our main event which has been restored. Blackjack Mulligan was 28 years old and had Wizard as his manager  On January 6, 1971 Pedro won the United States title to become the number two babyface behind Bruno. Vince Sr decided that Bruno had enough on top and felt that Pedro could connect with the latin audiences of New York. Vince named Pedro the successor. On February 8, 1971 Pedro defeated Ivan Koloff to become the new WWWF champion and this was his first title defense in Madison Square Garden. The ref gives instructions and the bell rings with Blackjack mad at the crowd already. The legit 6'9 Mulligan towers over Pedro and Morales slaps his arm away. They tie up and Pedro takes him down with an armdrag which causes Mulligan to beg off. Mulligan stalls and looks around at the crowd before they tie up again. Pedro arm drags him a second time and Blackjack claims the tights were pulled. I always thought it was funny when heels complained in title matches because if the ref did lose his mind and disqualify the champ, the title doesn't change hands and the heel just cost themselves a lot of money. Mulligan collects himself in the corner and does the "object behind his back routine" where punches Pedro a few times but the ref never sees it. Mulligan locks in a nervehold but Pedro powers out of it and unloads with clubbing left forearms followed by a scoop slam. Mulligan begs off and calls for a test of strength. Mulligan gets the upperhand and kicks Pedro when Morales tries to come back. Mulligan bails to the outside to threaten the fans before getting back in. Pedro gets in a side headlock before getting whipped off the ropes. Pedro drops Mulligan with a shoulderblock but gets scoop slammed. Pedro nips up and catches Mulligan with a scoop slam of his own. Morales botches a bulldog attempt and Mulligan drops him with the object again. Mulligan punches away at Pedro but the ref finally catches on that Blackjack is cheating. Mulligan locks in a wristlock, backs him into the corner and lands a right hand. Mulligan backdrops Pedro and covers for 1...2..and Pedro taps Mulligan on the side so he stands up thinking he's won. You can look at it as Pedro telegraphed the spot or he kayfabed fooled him. Either way the ref says the match is NOT over and Pedro dropkicks Mulligan into the corner. Pedro goes upstairs and hits a whoopie cushion on the back of Mulligan. He covers for 1....2...3 and that's it. Mulligan looked to have gotten his shoulder up but to no avail, Pedro retains. Mulligan gets mad in the corner but he only has himself to blame for getting up too early on his pinfall attempt. It was 1971 so if you want to judge it by today's standards, your funeral. Back then that would have been a decent main event, especially for Pedro's first Garden defense.


Time of match: 14:12

Winner: Pedro by pinfall (Still WWWF Champion)


All in all that could have been a fun card if it was shown in its entirety. The main event was pretty good for what it was and it would have been funny to see midget action in the opening bout. The one I REALLY want to see was Brower vs Strongbow, that must have been a war. Still, this show establishes Pedro as the new king in town with Bruno working a much lighter schedule after carrying the company for eight years. Let's see how far Pedro can take his title reign.

Wednesday, February 10, 1971

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.

Monday, February 8, 1971

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 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.

Saturday, February 6, 1971

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 the Boston Garden (2/6/71)



Boston Garden
Boston, Massachusetts
February 6, 1971


We are two days away from Madison Square Garden and the showdown between WWWF US Champion Pedro Morales and the WWWF Heavyweight Champion Ivan Koloff. Until then, we have a big match card for the Boston Garden. We got a midget tag team match, Chief Jay Strongbow takes on one half of the International tag team champions Geeto Mongol in singles action with the other half, Beppo, taking on Bruno Sammartino. Ivan Koloff will be defending the title against Jean Dubois and Blackjack Mulligan puts his hot streak on the line against Manuel Soto. Let's get to the action.


Match 1

Little Joey and Frenchy Lamont vs Little Brutus and Sky Low Low in a 2 out of 3 Falls match

Good lord, they're starting the show with a midget tag team match. Who are Joey and Frenchy? Joey Russell was a midget wrestler in the late 60's and early 70's and Frenchy Lamont was probably the strongest midget of all time. He legit picked up the near 400 pound Gorilla Monsoon and carried him around on his shoulders according to Jesse "The Body" Ventura. Low Low pinned Joey to win the first fall, Lamont pinned Low Low to tie the match up. Joey pinned Brutus to win the match.


Winners: Joey and Lamont by pinfall



Match 2

Geeto Mongol vs Chief Jay Strongbow

For months now, Strongbow and Gorilla Monsoon had been chasing the Tag Champs the Mongols so today in Boston, Chief takes on Geeto one on one. Apparently these two did a 20 minute broadway draw.


Time of match: 20:00

Winner: No one (Draw)



Match 3

The Wolfman vs Pedro Morales for the WWWF United States Championship

A rematch from the last Madison Square Garden show as Wolfman once again challenges Morales for the title. Morales finished him off rather quickly.


Time of match: 4:08

Winner: Morales by pinfall (Still US Champion)



Match 4

Jean Dubois vs Ivan Koloff for the WWWF Heavyweight Championship

Just two days away from Madison Square Garden, Koloff defends the strap against Dubois in the Boston Garden. Koloff made short work of Dubois and finished him with the backbreaker.


Time of match: 3:40

Winner: Koloff by submission (still WWWF Champion)



Match 5

Beppo Mongol vs Bruno Sammartino in a Texas Death Match

Bruno makes his return to the Boston Garden taking on half of the tag champs in Beppo Mongol in a special Texas Death Match. Bruno took a chair and whacked Beppo in the head with it then covered for the three count to win the match.


Time of match: 5:20

Winner: Sammartino by pinfall



Match 6

Tony Marino vs Bulldog Brower

If you're wondering why the main event matches were put on first, The Mongols, Bruno, Koloff and Strongbow were performing in Springfield, Massachusetts for the second half of the double shot later that night. As for this match, Brower got the victory when he put his feet on the ropes.


Time of match: 8:40

Winner: Brower by pinfall



Match 7

"Nobleman" Joe Turco vs The Black Demon

Shockingly Demon defeated the Nobleman. I have no idea why or how.


Time of match: 6:10

Winner: Demon by pinfall



Match 8

Blackjack Mulligan vs Manuel Soto

Mulligan had been on a hot streak since coming into the territory and was pretty much situating himself as the number one contender to Pedro Morales regardless if he was successful in MSG or not. Mulligan needed just 5 minutes to slap the iron claw on Soto and make him give up to end the day.


Time of match: 5:10

Winner: Mulligan by submission



Booking this show not only just two days away from the Madison Square Garden showdown but as the first half of a double shot is peculiar. If that wasn't bad enough, there was a house show booked in Lewiston, Maine the day of the MSG show as well. This show definitely would have been fun to see but they were too close to MSG to have anything truly drastic happen. It did put over Mulligan as a future contender and Bruno wasn't taking kindly to the Mongols. Later that night the crew made it to Springfield for the second half of the double shot. I'll see you there.