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Tim Puttre and I review the first title defense for newly re-crowned champion, Bruno Sammartino at Madison Square Garden. WWWF @ New York City, NY – Madison Square Garden – Monday night January 14, 1974 bell time 8:30 sellout crowd (22,147) Butcher Brannigan defeated Mike Pappas at 11:15 Otto Von Heller defeated Tony Altimore at 9:55 Jose Gonzalez & Manuel Soto defeated Pancho Valdez & Joe Turco in a Best 2 out of 3 falls match at 18:40 Chief Jay Strongbow defeated Mr. Fuji via disqualification at 9:41 Nikolai Volkoff defeated Gorilla Monsoon at 4:00 WWWF World Champion Bruno Sammartino pinned Don Leo Jonathon at 17:44 WWWF Tag Team Champions Dean Ho & Tony Garea defeated Larry Hennig & Mike McCord in a Best 2 out of 3 falls match at 18:20 Pedro Morales defeated Stan Stasiak at 14:45 JOIN THE PATREON PAGE FOR THIS PODCAST AND EXPERIENCE 50 YEARS OF HISTORY FROM THE ARCHIVES OF WRESTLING HISTORIAN AND CO-AUTHOR OF THE BEST SELLING BOOK MAT MEMORIES HERE: https://www.patreon.com/JohnArezzi Subscribe to the show's YouTube Channel Here: https://www.youtube.com/c/ProWrestlingSpotlight Follow John Arezzi Here: https://twitter.com/johnarezzi https://instagram.com/johnarezzi https://www.facebook.com/groups/prowrestlingspotlight https://www.facebook.com/JohnArezzisMatMemories Order a copy of John Arezzi's best selling memoir "MAT MEMORIES, My Wild Ride in Pro Wrestling, Country Music and with the Mets" here: https://a.co/d/4TXWVAv Copyright 2024 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Here is episode 26 of Mat Memories From Madison Square Garden.  A very special episode that reviews the night Bruno Sammartino re-captured the WWWF Heavyweight Title to begin his 2nd reign as champion.  Bruno beat Stan Stasiak before a delirious crowd at the sold out Garden. John Tolos also makes his first appearance ever at the "new" MSG.  A historic show!  Former owner of Ring of Honor - Cary Silkin joins us to discuss the show and those memories from this era of wrestling, still near and dear to us.   WWWF @ New York City, NY – Madison Square Garden – December 10, 1973 (22,000) El Olympico pinned Tony Altimore at 7:15 Jose Gonzalez pinned Joe Turco at 10:35 WWWF Tag Team Champion Dean Ho defeated Pancho Valdez at 11:05 Don Leo Jonathan defeated Manuel Soto at 14:45 when the match was stopped due to blood John Tolos fought Victor Rivera to a 20-minute time-limit draw Pedro Morales defeated Larry Hennig in a lumberjack death match with the Boston Crab Bruno Sammartino pinned WWWF World Champion Stan Stasiak at 12:14 to win the title after three consecutive body slams; prior to the bout, Sammartino was escorted to the ring by Arnold Skaaland and the Grand Wizard escorted the champion WWWF Tag Team Champion Tony Garea pinned Mike McCord at 12:35 Chief Jay Strongbow defeated Blackjack Lanza at 7:15  Host - John Arezzi Co-Host - Tim Puttre Special Guest - Cary Silkin Patreon Executive Producers - Anthony Pires and Joseph Holloway JOIN THE PATREON PAGE FOR THIS PODCAST AND EXPERIENCE 50 YEARS OF HISTORY FROM THE ARCHIVES OF WRESTLING HISTORIAN AND CO-AUTHOR OF THE BEST SELLING BOOK MAT MEMORIES HERE: https://www.patreon.com/JohnArezzi Subscribe to the show's YouTube Channel Here: https://www.youtube.com/c/ProWrestlingSpotlight Follow John Arezzi Here: https://twitter.com/johnarezzi https://instagram.com/johnarezzi https://www.facebook.com/groups/prowrestlingspotlight https://www.facebook.com/JohnArezzisMatMemories Order a copy of John Arezzi's best selling memoir "MAT MEMORIES, My Wild Ride in Pro Wrestling, Country Music and with the Mets" here: https://a.co/d/4TXWVAv Copyright 2023   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Here is episode 25 of Mat Memories From Madison Square Garden, covering the MSG house show I attended on November 12th, 1973. Lots of stories from this night are shared by John Arezzi about his breakthrough in being able to finally sit in the front ringside seats at the Garden, and tales about that night, which would turn out to be Pedro Morales's last title defense of the WWWF title (Pedro would lose the title on December 1st 1973 in Philadelphia against Stan Stasiak). WWWF @ New York City, NY – Madison Square Garden – November 12, 1973 (16,148) Televised on HBO – included Vince McMahon on commentary: Jose Gonzalez defeated El Olympico at 15:22 Dick Slater defeated Mike Pappas at 6:20 Iron Mike McCord fought Manuel Soto to a 20-minute time-limit draw Dean Ho defeated Pancho Valdez WWWF World Champion Pedro Morales defeated Larry Hennig at 12:45 when the match was stopped due to blood Don Leo Jonathan defeated Tony Garea at 18:45 Verne Gagne defeated WWWF Tag Team Champion Mr. Fuji at 12:16 Chief Jay Strongbow & Andre the Giant defeated Blackjack Lanza & Stan Stasiak in a Best 2 out of 3 falls match, 2-0 Host - John Arezzi Co Host - Tim Puttre Researcher and Writer - Ritchie Garcia JOIN THE PATREON PAGE FOR THIS PODCAST AND EXPERIENCE 50 YEARS OF HISTORY FROM THE ARCHIVES OF WRESTLING HISTORIAN AND CO-AUTHOR OF THE BEST SELLING BOOK MAT MEMORIES HERE: https://www.patreon.com/JohnArezzi Subscribe to the show's YouTube Channel Here: https://www.youtube.com/c/ProWrestlingSpotlight Follow John Arezzi Here: https://twitter.com/johnarezzi https://instagram.com/johnarezzi https://www.facebook.com/groups/prowrestlingspotlight https://www.facebook.com/JohnArezzisMatMemories Order a copy of John Arezzi's best selling memoir "MAT MEMORIES, My Wild Ride in Pro Wrestling, Country Music and with the Mets" here: https://a.co/d/4TXWVAv Copyright 2023 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Here is Episode 24 of Mat Memories from Madison Square Garden. On this episode, Tim Puttre and I review the house show I attended at the mecca of all arenas on October 15th, 1973 WWWF @ New York City, NY – Madison Square Garden – October 15, 1973 (22,102) Vicki Williams & Joyce Grable defeated Women’s Tag Team Champions Toni Rose & Donna Christianello at 17:07 to win the titles El Olympico fought Mike Pappas to a draw at 13:33 Manuel Soto defeated Tony Altimore at 8:07 Jose Gonzalez defeated Pancho Valdez at 10:27 Ron Fuller defeated Frank Valois at 9:02 Tony Garea defeated WWWF Tag Team Champion Mr. Fuji at 3:54 Victor Rivera defeated Mike McCord at 1:35 Andre the Giant defeated Blackjack Lanza at 10:51 Dean Ho defeated WWWF Tag Team Champion Prof. Toru Tanaka at 11:30 Chief Jay Strongbow fought Don Leo Jonathan to a 20-minute time-limit draw WWWF World Champion Pedro Morales pinned Stan Stasiak in a Texas Death Match at 7:36 Host - John Arezzi Co-Host - Tim Puttre Writer/Researcher - Ritchie Garcia Patreon Executive Producers - Anthony Pires and Joseph Holloway JOIN THE PATREON PAGE FOR THIS PODCAST AND EXPERIENCE 50 YEARS OF HISTORY FROM THE ARCHIVES OF WRESTLING HISTORIAN AND CO-AUTHOR OF THE BEST SELLING BOOK MAT MEMORIES HERE: https://www.patreon.com/JohnArezzi Subscribe to the show's YouTube Channel Here: https://www.youtube.com/c/ProWrestlingSpotlight Follow John Arezzi Here: https://twitter.com/johnarezzi https://instagram.com/johnarezzi https://www.facebook.com/groups/prowrestlingspotlight https://www.facebook.com/JohnArezzisMatMemories Order a copy of John Arezzi's best selling memoir "MAT MEMORIES, My Wild Ride in Pro Wrestling, Country Music and with the Mets" here: https://a.co/d/4TXWVAv Copyright 2023 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this Bonus episode of Mat Memories from Madison Square Garden - Tim Puttre and I welcome Cary Silken, former owner of RING OF HONOR to talk about an interesting list of wrestlers who NEVER wrestled at Madison Garden.  Lots of names that will surprise you. Host - John Arezzi Co-Host and Producer - Tim Puttre Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Here is episode 23 of Mat Memories From Madison Square Garden, cover the August 27th, 1973 card from the Mecca of Wrestling arenas! ATTENDANCE: 18,666 MANUAL SOTO WRESTLED TO A DRAW WITH EL OLYMPICO - 20 MINUTES VICTOR RIVERA DEFEATED MR. FUGI FARMER JEROME & LITTLE LOUIE DEFEATED LITTLE BRUTUS AND PEE WEE ADAMS CHIEF JAY STRONGBOW BEAT PROFESSOR TORU TANAKA 15:01 GORILLA MONSOON BEAT GEORGE THE ANIMAL STEELE VIA COUNT OUT 12:22 PEDRO MORALES DEFEATED STAN THE MAN STASIAK 53:00 VIA A JUDGES DECISION!!! VINTAGE WWWF PROMO AUDIO ARE INCLUDED IN THIS EPISODE! HOST: JOHN AREZZI CO-HOST: TIM PUTTRE RESEARCHER: RITCHIE GARCIA JOIN THE PATREON PAGE FOR THIS PODCAST AND EXPERIENCE 50 YEARS OF HISTORY FROM THE ARCHIVES OF WRESTLING HISTORIAN AND CO-AUTHOR OF THE BEST SELLING BOOK MAT MEMORIES HERE: https://www.patreon.com/JohnArezzi Subscribe to the show's YouTube Channel Here: https://www.youtube.com/c/ProWrestlingSpotlight Follow John Arezzi Here: https://twitter.com/johnarezzi https://instagram.com/johnarezzi https://www.facebook.com/groups/prowrestlingspotlight https://www.facebook.com/JohnArezzisMatMemories Order a copy of John Arezzi's best selling memoir "MAT MEMORIES, My Wild Ride in Pro Wrestling, Country Music and with the Mets" here: https://a.co/d/4TXWVAv Copyright 2023     Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this 22nd episode of Mat Memories from Madison Square Garden, Tim and I review the July 23rd, 1973 show at the Mecca of all arenas, Madison Sq. Garden. An enjoyable look back at wrestling from the Garden! WWWF @ New York City, NY - Madison Square Garden - July 23, 1973 (20,629)  Televised on HBO - featured Vince McMahon on commentary Little Boy Blue & Pee Wee Adams defeated Sonny Boy Hayes & Little Louie in a Best 2 out of 3 falls match, 2-1; fall #1: Louie's team won; fall #2: Blue's team won at 5:43; fall #3: Blue's team won Manuel Soto defeated Joe Turco at 15:05 Blackjack Lanza defeated El Olympico at 6:55 Chief Jay Strongbow defeated Mike McCord at 11:16 Victor Rivera defeated Freddie Blassie via disqualification at 9:17 WWWF Tag Team Champions Haystacks Calhoun & Tony Garea defeated Mr. Fuji & Prof. Toru Tanaka in a Best 2 out of 3 falls match; fall #1: Tanaka pinned Garea at 13:12 with a kick to the midsection; fall #2: the challengers were disqualified for choking Haystacks; fall #3: Haystacks pinned Tanaka with a splash  WWWF World Champion Pedro Morales pinned George Steele at 10:45 in a no holds barred match with a flying body-press; after the bout, Steele went to punch guest referee Joe Louis, but he missed and Louis took a few shots at Steele instead Host - John Arezzi Co-Host - Tim Puttre Researcher - Ritchie Garcia Patreon Executive Producers - Anthony Pires and Joseph Holloway Copyright 2023 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this 21st episode of Mat Memories from Madison Square Garden, Tim and I review the June 30th, 1973 show at the Mecca of all arenas, Madison Sq. Garden. An enjoyable look back at wrestling from the Garden! WWWF @ New York City, NY - Madison Square Garden - June 30, 1973 (20,987) Televised on HBO - featured Vince McMahon on commentary: Blackjack Lanza defeated Lee Wong via submission with the claw at 5:05 Prof. Toru Tanaka pinned El Olympico with a chop to the throat at 9:34 Gorilla Monsoon defeated Lou Albano via count-out at 2:58 after Monsoon knocked Albano over the top to the floor and Albano walked backstage Victor Rivera pinned Black Gordman with a small package at 11:34 Joyce Grable & Jan Sheridan defeated Peggy Patterson & Dottie Downs in a Best 2 out of 3 falls match at 20:47; fall #1: Sheridan pinned Downs with a dropkick at 12:17; fall #2: Downs pinned Grable by grabbing the tights for leverage after Grable missed a dropkick at 6:21; fall #3: Grable pinned Patterson with a victory roll at 2:09 WWWF World Champion Pedro Morales defeated George Steele when the match was stopped due to blood at 8:16 after Morales repeatedly rammed Steele's face into the turnbuckles and punched him; after the bout, Steele attacked the champion until Morales gained the upper hand and chased Steele from ringside. Chief Jay Strongbow pinned Mr. Fuji with a double tomahawk chop to the face at 13:58 WWWF Tag Team Champion Haystacks Calhoun pinned Moondog Mayne with a splash at 6:03 Host - John Arezzi Co-Host - Tim Puttre Researcher - Ritchie Garcia Patreon Executive Producers - Anthony Pires and Joseph Holloway Copyright 2022: Mat Memories, LLC JOIN THE PATREON PAGE FOR THIS PODCAST AND EXPERIENCE 50 YEARS OF HISTORY FROM THE ARCHIVES OF WRESTLING HISTORIAN AND CO-AUTHOR OF THE BEST SELLING BOOK MAT MEMORIES HERE: https://www.patreon.com/JohnArezzi Check out our eBay page for some very cool items – with more added each week! https://www.ebay.com/usr/matmemories Subscribe to the show's YouTube Channel Here: https://www.youtube.com/c/ProWrestlingSpotlight Follow John Arezzi Here: https://twitter.com/johnarezzi https://instagram.com/johnarezzi https://www.facebook.com/groups/prowrestlingspotlight https://www.facebook.com/JohnArezzisMatMemories Order a copy of John Arezzi's best selling memoir "MAT MEMORIES, My Wild Ride in Pro Wrestling, Country Music and with the Mets" here: https://a.co/d/4TXWVAv     Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mat Memories From Madison Square Garden Episode 20 - June 4th, 1973 Special Guest Cary Silken On this 20th episode of Mat Memories from Madison Square Garden, Tim and I welcome former Ring of Honor President, Cary Silken to discuss his memories of this card.  Cary also discusses his memories of wrestling at the Garden, and his career. Cary, Tim and I review the June 4th, 1973 show at the Mecca of all arenas, Madison Sq. Garden. An enjoyable look back at wrestling from the Garden! WWWF @ New York City, NY - Madison Square Garden – Monday June 4, 1973 (22,146) sold out  Mike McCord fought El Olympico to a 20-minute time-limit draw Blackjack Lanza defeated Manuel Soto at 9:35 Tony Garea fought Moondog Mayne to a 20-minute time-limit draw Chief Jay Strongbow defeated Freddie Blassie via count-out at 15:20 in a Return Texas Deathmatch Women's Champion the Fabulous Moolah and Jan Sheridan when to a draw at 10:59 WWWF World Champion Pedro Morales pinned Don Leo Jonathan (w/ the Grand Wizard) at 12:14 with a reverse cradle as the challenger attempted a backdrop Victor Rivera defeated Great Goliath at 11:27 Gorilla Monsoon & Haystacks Calhoun defeated Prof. Toru Tanaka & Mr. Fuji in a Best 2 out of 3 falls match, 2-0; fall #1: Monsoon & Calhoun won via disqualification; fall #2: Monsoon & Calhoun won Host - John Arezzi Co-Host - Tim Puttre Researcher - Ritchie Garcia Patreon Executive Producers - Anthony Pires and Joseph Holloway JOIN THE PATREON PAGE FOR THIS PODCAST AND EXPERIENCE 50 YEARS OF HISTORY FROM THE ARCHIVES OF WRESTLING HISTORIAN AND CO-AUTHOR OF THE BEST SELLING BOOK MAT MEMORIES HERE: https://www.patreon.com/JohnArezzi Subscribe to the show's YouTube Channel Here: https://www.youtube.com/c/ProWrestlingSpotlight Follow John Arezzi Here: https://twitter.com/johnarezzi https://instagram.com/johnarezzi https://www.facebook.com/groups/prowrestlingspotlight https://www.facebook.com/JohnArezzisMatMemories Order a signed and numbered copy of John Arezzi's best selling memoir "MAT MEMORIES, My Wild Ride in Pro Wrestling, Country Music and with the Mets" by emailing me: [email protected]   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode, Tim and I review this HISTORIC MSG house show from April 30th 1973. Pedro Morales defends his title against Don Leo Jonathan. Andre The Giant made his 2nd ever appearance at the Mecca of all arenas, taking on Professor Tanaka. Mat Memories From Madison Sq. Garden Episode 19 - April 30th, 1973 WWWF @ New York City, NY - Madison Square Garden - Monday April 30, 1973 (22,090) El Olympico defeated Frank Valois at 10:47 Mike McCord defeated Joe Turco a 8:10 Don Curtis defeated Juan Caruso at 10:36 Moondog Mayne defeated Manuel Soto at 5:59 WWWF Tag Team Champion Mr. Fuji fought Tony Garea to a 20-minute time-limit draw Gorilla Monsoon defeated Buddy Wolfe at 14:54 Andre the Giant defeated WWWF Tag Team Champion Prof. Toru Tanaka Chief Jay Strongbow fought Freddie Blassie to a draw WWWF World Champion Pedro Morales defeated Don Leo Jonathan (w/ the Grand Wizard) at 11:38 when referee Eddie Gersh stopped the bout due to blood following a right hand punch from the champion that opened up the challenger's forehead. Host - John Arezzi Co Host - Tim Puttre Researcher/Writer - Ritchie Garcia Patreon Executive Producers: Anthony Pires and Joseph Holloway JOIN THE PATREON PAGE FOR THIS PODCAST AND EXPERIENCE 50 YEARS OF HISTORY FROM THE ARCHIVES OF WRESTLING HISTORIAN AND CO-AUTHOR OF THE BEST SELLING BOOK MAT MEMORIES HERE: https://www.patreon.com/JohnArezzi Check out our eBay page for some very cool items – with more added each week! https://www.ebay.com/usr/matmemories Subscribe to the show's YouTube Channel Here: https://www.youtube.com/c/ProWrestlingSpotlight Follow John Arezzi Here: https://twitter.com/johnarezzi https://instagram.com/johnarezzi https://www.facebook.com/groups/prowrestlingspotlight https://www.facebook.com/JohnArezzisMatMemories Order a signed and numbered copy of John Arezzi's best selling memoir "MAT MEMORIES, My Wild Ride in Pro Wrestling, Country Music and with the Mets" here:  https://py.pl/1SjMeX Copyright 2023 - Mat Memories, LLC Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

WWWF @ New York City, NY - Madison Square Garden - Monday Night March 26, 1973 Bell time 8:30 pm (22,136) SELL OUT El Olympico defeated Joe Turco at 8:14 Tony Garea defeated Frank Valois at 10:15 Mad Dog & Butcher Vachon defeated Don Curtis & Louie Tillet at 12:09 Victor Rivera fought the Giant Goliath to a 20 minute draw WWWF Tag Team Champion Mr. Fuji defeated Sonny King at 7:26 WWWF World Champion Pedro Morales defeated Fred Blassie at 8:20 when referee Danny Bartfield stopped the match, deeming the challenger was unable to continue due to excessive bleeding Gorilla Monsoon fought WWWF Tag Team Champion Prof. Toru Tanaka to a 20-minute time-limit draw Andre the Giant defeated Buddy Wolfe at 7:46 (Andre's MSG debut) Chief Jay Strongbow fought Moondog Mayne to a draw In this episode, Tim and I review this HISTORIC MSG house show from March 1973. It is the first time I ever get backstage, and meet Fred Blassie fo the first time, before his match vs Pedro Morales. It is also the debut at the mecca of ANDRE THE GIANT. I share all the details, including my capturing the ONLY KNOWN FOOTAGE of Andre's debut! Host - John Arezzi Co Host - Tim Puttre Researcher/Writer - Ritchie Garcia Patreon Executive Producers: Anthony Pires and Joseph Holloway JOIN THE PATREON PAGE FOR THIS PODCAST AND EXPERIENCE 50 YEARS OF HISTORY FROM THE ARCHIVES OF WRESTLING HISTORIAN AND CO-AUTHOR OF THE BEST SELLING BOOK MAT MEMORIES HERE: https://www.patreon.com/JohnArezzi Check out our eBay page for some very cool items – with more added each week! https://www.ebay.com/usr/matmemories Subscribe to the show's YouTube Channel Here: https://www.youtube.com/c/ProWrestlingSpotlight Follow John Arezzi Here: https://twitter.com/johnarezzi https://instagram.com/johnarezzi https://www.facebook.com/groups/prowrestlingspotlight https://www.facebook.com/JohnArezzisMatMemories Order a signed and numbered copy of John Arezzi's best selling memoir "MAT MEMORIES, My Wild Ride in Pro Wrestling, Country Music and with the Mets" here:  https://py.pl/1SjMeX   Copyright 2023 - Mat Memories, LLC Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

WWWF @ New York City, NY - Madison Square Garden – Monday Night February 26, 1973 Bell time 8:30 pm (22,098) Plus 2 from Jan 15thshow another sellout Susan Green & Lily Thomas defeated Peggy Patterson & Paula Kaye at 18:12 in a Best 2 out of 3 falls match Tony Garea defeated Mike Conrad at 15:05 Mike Graham defeated Joe Turco at 5:42 Terry Funk defeated Chuck Richards (sub. for Eddie Graham) at 10:55 AWA World Champion Verne Gagne defeated Eddie Graham (sub. for Ray Stevens) at 14:35 (Graham's last MSG appearance) WWWF World Champion Pedro Morales pinned King Curtis at 5:37 Victor Rivera defeated Dory Funk Sr. at 11:45 Mil Mascaras defeated Buddy Wolfe at 9:46 In this episode, Tim and I review this MSG house show, when I heard wrestling on the radio for the first time, my filming many of the matches from this show, Mil Mascaras, and other Mat Memories from 1973! Host - John Arezzi Co Host - Tim Puttre Researcher/Writer - Ritchie Garcia Patreon Executive Producers: Anthony Pires and Joseph Holloway JOIN THE PATREON PAGE FOR THIS PODCAST AND EXPERIENCE 50 YEARS OF HISTORY FROM THE ARCHIVES OF WRESTLING HISTORIAN AND CO-AUTHOR OF THE BEST SELLING BOOK MAT MEMORIES HERE: https://www.patreon.com/JohnArezzi Check out our eBay page for some very cool items – with more added each week! https://www.ebay.com/usr/matmemories Subscribe to the show's YouTube Channel Here: https://www.youtube.com/c/ProWrestlingSpotlight Follow John Arezzi Here: https://twitter.com/johnarezzi https://instagram.com/johnarezzi https://www.facebook.com/groups/prowrestlingspotlight https://www.facebook.com/JohnArezzisMatMemories Order a signed and numbered copy of John Arezzi's best selling memoir "MAT MEMORIES, My Wild Ride in Pro Wrestling, Country Music and with the Mets" here:  https://py.pl/1SjMeX   Copyright 2023 - Mat Memories, LLC Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices