Larry Atkins, Vince Sr., and the WWWA in 1963

Many fans are familiar with the WWWF name but a different entity was created along with the formation of the WWWF in 1963. Vincent James McMahon and Larry Atkins originally created the World Wide Wrestling Association (WWWA) in Cleveland, OH, in 1963. Promoter Larry Atkins helped promote Rogers as WWWA champ in Cleveland, alongside Rogers as WWWF champ in Vince Sr.'s New York/Washington D.C. territory. Atkins and his Buckeye Sports Corporation used the WWWA name for the company. Teamed with other men like Willie Gilzenberg, Vince Sr., and Joe “Toots” Mondt, Atkins promoted under the WWWA name for a short period. Rogers lost the WWWA title to Dory Dixon, in Cleveland, on March 28, 1963. A week later, in Chicago, IL, on April 5, Dixon and Rogers had a rematch, which Rogers won but he did not win the WWWA title. On April 11, Rogers was acknowledged as being the WWWF Champion, in Washington D.C, before a match with Bruno Sammartino, that went to a no-contest. It was around this time that Rogers' health took a turn for the worse, and the WWWF had to go in a different direction with Bruno at the helm.

Willie Gilzenberg and Bruno Sammartino

Dory Dixon held onto the WWWA championship until losing it to Karl Von Hess, on May 2. On May 17, Sammartino won the WWWF title from Rogers, in New York and Atkins took a break from promoting in Cleveland. By the time he started back up in the Cleveland Arena, there was some confusion about the two entities.  Bruno, at times, was billed as being either the WWWA or WWWF champion, until later in the year when his official association/title became WWWF Champion.

~Thanks to Tim Hornbaker and his work, especially his new Capitol Revolution book. I would highly recommend reading it.

Dory Dixon

WWF-Bob Backlund v. El Olympico-1980

Bob Backlund v. El Olympico-Ten minute Exhibition match

May 7, 1980-Hamburg, PA, Fieldhouse Referee:John Stanley

This was billed as a strictly scientific ten minute exhibition match. Vince McMahon and Bruno Sammartino, on commentary, got over the idea that El Olympico had done well in other places and now, he wants to try and fight the best, in the WWF. This was a different and unique match with takedowns mostly telling the story. Whenever a takedown would occur, Bob would usually break the hold and stand back up. Bob did just about all of the takedowns, as El Olympico was made to look inferior. I do not know who would book a scientific match with a luchadore against an amateur expert.

This started with a handshake from both men and they tried feeling each other out with lockups. Bob hit an O'Connor roll/waistlock takedown. Olympico put on a full nelson that Bob countered with his legs and strength. 

Bob locked in a stretch submission, grabbing a leg and arm barring an arm. Vince and Bruno put over how big it would be for Olympico to beat Bob here. One fan yelled “kick him in the balls” rather audibly. Olympico grabbed a leg but Bob countered with an explosive monkey flip.

Olympico hooked a headlock that was met with a back suplex and a pin attempt but the ref stopped it. No pins allowed for Bob. Olympico finally got in a wrist lock drag into a headscissors on the mat but Bob got out. They locked up and Olympico almost punched him but he thought twice since it was illegal.

 However, in the next exchange, he hit him with an open hand shot that he argued was legal and it was allowed. Olympico seemed to be getting frustrated by this point. Bob locked in a figure-four leglock and then a great stalling back suplex. 

Bob hoisted Olympico up for a possible atomic drop, which would have been illegal in this match, but Olympico hooked the top rope and it was broke. 

Finally, Bob tried for a Boston crab but could not get him. The bell rang and they shook hands.

Through my research, I have Olympico debuting in the WWWF/WWF, in June 1972, in North Dartmouth, MA, against Juan Caruso. He lost more matches than he won and wrestled between 1972 and 1980, and some of those years he did not work the territory. His most notable opponents include Mr. Fuji, several times, George Steele, and Blue Demon, on several occasions including once in MSG, in 1972. Also, Olympico put over Greg Valentine in Valentine's MSG debut on April 14, 1975. While wrestling in Madison Square Garden, he had to wear an open mask because the building did not allow full masks for competitors.

WWF Prime Time Wrestling-April 18, 1988

We start with Bobby talking about his jacket and how he was wearing it because Vanna White likes him in sequins. Next week, the show will have a new set that was designed by Bobby, along with a new phone and other surprises.

Butch Reed/One Man Gang w/Slick v. Bam Bam Bigelow/Don Muraco w/Sir Oliver Humperdink and “Superstar” Billy Graham

March 13, 1988-Philadelphia, PA The Spectrum Referee:Jeff Goldberg

This match was the epitome of long filler. Lots of stalling to start including Muraco stomping Slick's hand, who was outside. Gang and Reed had attacked and laid out Graham on January 25 and he was at ringside for revenge, as he nailed both guys with his cane. Muraco beat Reed on the April 11 Prime Time after Slick and Reed collided. Tension was teased between Reed and Gang including Reed accidently nailing Gang. They ended up putting the heat on Muraco for a while leading to a Bam Bam hot tag. Soon, all four guys were in and the faces tried to throw the heels into each other but it was reversed and Bigelow was clotheslined to the floor. Gang and Reed set-up a double team clothesline but Gang was grabbed from the outside. Reed kept running at Muraco but missed a crossbody, hitting the ropes, and Muraco pinned him. On a sidenote, announcer Dick Graham used the expression “man alive” seven times throughout this match.

Finish

Gorilla plugs the upcoming release of WrestleMania IV on VHS, which had a fold-out box with two cassettes since it was so big. Heenan is going to be making changes to Primetime starting next week. Gorilla asks him if he had permission for that and he said he does not need permission since he is the host. He tells Monsoon that if he has any plans on Monday nights, he will be free to do them. Gorilla ponders whether the show will be on Mondays still and Heenan insists he will still be there, just not Monsoon.

“Outlaw” Ron Bass v. Reno Riggins

March 9, 1988-Winston-Salem, NC, The Coliseum Referee:Dave Hebner

Riggins got no offense at all, as Bass kept destroying him. A couple times, he covered him and pulled him up at two. Alfred Hayes asked if he had a beard or if he just did not feel like shaving in the mornings. Bass won with a Pedigree where he did not hook the arms. Bass had recently choked the Junkyard Dog with Ms. Betsy, his bull whip.

Bass made his WWF debut in East Rutherford, NJ, at the closed Meadowlands, on January 5, 1987. He teamed with The Gladiator and Jimmy Jack Funk to lose to Blackjack Mulligan, Mike Rotundo, and Dan Spivey. His first singles match was a win against Lanny Poffo on January 7, Glens Falls, NY. His last match was a loss to The Blue Blazer, on March 19, 1989, in Denver, CO.

Brutus “The Barber” Beefcake v. Gene Watson

March 20, 1988-Springfield, IL, Prairie Capital Convention Centre Referee-Jimmy Korderas

Quick squash win by Beefcake with the sleeper, which Heenan questioned whether it was a choke and that the ref did not check if it was a choke. Given how quickly Watson went out, Beefcake would seemingly have the most effective submission in the company, if it were a choke. The ref does not check it, so he is good. Heenan did wonder if Gene Watson was related to Whipper Watson. Monsoon doubted that but Heenan said Gene was a lot better.

Whipper Watson won the Toronto NWA International Tag Titles with Bruno Sammartino on September 27, 1962, in Toronto, by beating Bulldog Brower and Sweet Daddy Siki. They lost the titles on February 28, 1963, in Toronto, to Johnny Valentine and Bulldog Brower. Watson happened to win these titles with many other men, including Brower, Valentine, Mark Lewin, Yukon Eric, Bill Soloweyko, and Billy Red Lyons.

Gene Watson

The WWF Event Center was next with a look back at the WrestleMania IV Battle Royal. We got interviews from Bad News Brown and Bret Hart. Brown told the story on how he got his name. When he would show up in the neighborhood, back in the day, everyone knew there was going to be bad news, and there will be bad news for the Hitman. But he is a kind and good guy, and he will leave just enough of Bret for them to make fertilizer out of him. Bret said after being trained in the Dungeon, no man has put fear into his heart and he is going to bust Brown in half. Both of these guys worked a lot of time limit draws after Mania, including a Primetime match that did not air until January of 1989. Brown pinned Bret at WrestleFest 88, on July 31, in Milwaukee, WI, which seemed to be the blowoff for the program.

Alfred Hayes has a special report on Rick Rude giving the Rude Awakening to select women fans, all over the country. Highlights were shown of Rude picking from six different women, as he looked them over and gave one a big make-out session. Rude said there were so many women, and so little time. Hayes surveyed a few women from the arena afterwards and most said they would not like the Rude Awakening.

Gorilla was embarrassed by Rude's behavior, and Bobby apologized to the losers. He said three of them ended up on ledges and two tried suffocating themselves in their cars and garages.

Craig DeGeorge interviewed Frenchy Martin and Dino Bravo about Ken Patera. Martin said America was full of idiots and morons. Bravo said Patera does not stand a chance against him.

Killer Bees v. The Islanders w/Bobby Heenan-Two out of Three Falls

March 7, 1988-Nashville, TN, Municipal Auditorium Referee-???

This was a re-match from the March 14,1988 show, which The Islanders won. Bobby Came to the ring wearing a bee keepers hat.

First fall

The heat was on Blair. Haku accidently kicked Tama, which led to the Brunzell hot tag. Brunzell had a sleeper on but it was broken and all four guys were in the ring. The Islanders won the first fall with a double team kick on Brunzell.

Second fall

Brunzell started off well but ended up down for the fall until a hot tag to Blair. He hit double back drops and a noggin knocker and Brunzell hit a dropkick on Tama for the pin. I could not get the fall in a gif because my disc was skipping at the fall.

Third fall

The Bees attacked to start this fall. However, Brunzell missed a dropkick out of an irish whip and he got the heat. Haku and Brunzell hit a double clothesline which led to a Blair hot tag. Blair hit an O'Connor roll on Tama that was broken up with a Haku clothesline and the pin.

The Islanders wrestled their last match together on June 11, in Worcester, MA.

Ted Dibiase w/Virgil v. Frank DeFalco

March 19, 1988-Cape Girardeau, MI, Show-Me Center Referee-???

This was the first tv appearance of the Million Dollar Dream, and Dibiase won after hooking it in and then using a Russian leg sweep to keep him down. DeFalco did start the match with a couple shoulder blocks though. Jesse Ventura remarked that Dibiase had enough money to pay off the national debt. Then, why exactly does he even need to wrestle?

Another Event Center recapping Mania IV. They pushed a Young Stallions/Bolsheviks feud with some generic interviews from each team.

Jim Duggan v. Pete Sanchez

March 19, 1988-Cape Girardeau, MI, Show-Me Center Referee-Jimmy Korderas

Pete Sanchez

Quick squash win for Duggan with the clothesline. Andre and Heenan came out and tried to fight Duggan but Duggan kept Andre back with the 2x4.

Bobby said he has no control over Andre and Andre wanted revenge on Duggan for knocking him out on March 9, which was the catalyst for Bobby managing Andre. Duggan lost to Andre in Milan, Italy, on April 2, taped for The Best of WWF Volume 16 VHS. Andre beat him again on June 4 for the Hacksaw Jim Duggan VHS. They wrestled many house show matches with Andre usually winning by cheating or count-out, so they were protecting both men. On August 6, for the Best of WWF Volume 17 VHS, Duggan was pinned in a lumberjack match, which was pretty much the blow-off.

Yet another Mania report, looking at a press conference after the show with small clips from an intereview with Savage and Elizabeth, and Hulk was interviewed with them.

Strike Force v. Conquistadors

March 19, 1988-Cape Girardeau, MI, Show-Me Center Referee-???

Fairly decent high flying squash win for Strike Force. They got the heat on Tito, for a cup of coffee, and it worked. Martel came in, and I love his fire. He hit a monkey flip and then shot one of the heels into the ropes, and Tito hit his forearm for the win.

One Man Gang w/Slick v. Van Van Horne

March 19, 1988-Cape Girardeau, MI, Show-Me Center Referee-Dave Hebner

I really like OMG, so I'm going to post a lot from this squash. Jesse told McMahon that if he ever wrestled, he would want OMG to be his opponent. Vince was not happy with his choice. Gang hit a holding choke suplex, and then a front suplex for the pin.

One Man Gang made his WWF TV debut on May 12, 1987 against Jesse Cortez.

Monsoon believed that there are really two champions, Hogan and Savage. Bobby says that Hulk is just a sore loser and does not really want to do interviews in favor of Savage, like the aforementioned press conference. Gorilla calls Heenan a bigot, and Heenan goes off on a tangent about being greedy and selfish. He said “what belongs to me, belongs to me” and “do unto others, as long as a I survive.” He also said “what's mine is mine, and what's yours is mine”, “you only get one shot at life, make the best of it”, “take what you can, when you can” and finally, “don't be greedy, just grab.”

Junkyard Dog v. Hercules

March 7, 1988-Nashville, TN, Municipal Auditorium Referee-Jimmy Korderas

This was billed as chain vs. chain, since they both carry chains. JYD started strong with headbutts, and Hercules retreated outside before a commercial.

Bobby noted that Hercules was ahead on points and that Bobby was the most loved person on television.

Herc dragged JYD outside and threw him into the railing. He got him back in the ring for a bearhug that did not last long. JYD hit a thump power slam but Hercules got his foot on the rope and thrown outside. Hercules grabbed a chain but was thrown back in the ring before he could use it. They started brawling with the chain and the match was thrown out and ruled a double disqualification. Herc tried to hit an elbow with the chain from the ropes but he missed and retreated.

Gorilla said that no one will get the purse money and it will all go into the Gorilla Monsoon Retirement Fund. Bobby said he would like to donate to that. Next week will be Bobby's two-year anniversary on the show, and he will have a new set and other surprises.

I will be posting more pics and gifs from this episode on Twitter @stevesgraps, thanks!

WWWF Title Match:Bob Backlund v. Ernie Ladd-October 23, 1978

Bob Backlund w/Arnold Skaaland v. “King of Wrestling” Ernie Ladd w/The Grand Wizard

October 23, 1978 New York, NY Madison Square Garden Referee:John Stanley

This match started slow with Ladd working underneath initially but it really picked up in the home stretch. As much as I consider myself a WWWF/WWF/WWE historian, I admit I think this may be one of the only matches I have seen of Ernie Ladd. I like how, in submission situations like ankle locks, he would use his long legs to kick himself free. Also, he was very agile and played the heel role smoothly. He sold pretty well too.

It was played up that Ladd had a taped thumb from a previous injury. Vince McMahon said that this match “has the makings of a real humdinger.” I imagine him using this terminology still today. Bob wanted a handshake and got it clean from Ladd. Backlund started work on the left leg/hamstring early, and this was Ladd's weakpoint during the whole match. A lot of times, Ladd would get the upper hand only to have one leg shot take him back down. Prior to the match, The Grand Wizard gave Ladd a foreign object that he stuffed in his tights. Ladd wanted another handshake but Bob was not buying it. Ladd got some good strikes in, finally, but he missed a flying shoulder tackle in the corner, and Backlund went back on the leg. 

Bob had his leg, on the mat, and was rowing it back-and-forth but he caught a big kick to the throat and left him open for a Ladd comeback. Lots of strikes from Ladd, and then, he reached in his tights for the foreign object and blasted him in the throat a couple times. Backlund sold this like death. John Stanley tried to check for the object in his hand/tape but Ladd had already put it back in his tights. Ladd caught him with a big boot and a leg drop but only got a one-count. All this time, I guess Hogan stole his finishers from Ladd.

Ladd got in some chokes, including a lift but Bob began his comeback. He hit a big back drop out of the corner, followed by a leg drop and a near fall.

 Ladd ate a strike and got caught in the ropes. Backlund got some shots in but ran into another boot that stopped him. Ladd had the object again and nailed him in the throat. However, Bob fought back, and hooked in a headlock and got whipped into the ropes. They collided and Ladd actually got sent to the mat. Ladd really gave a lot to Backlund in this match and it showed with that kind of stuff. Backlund ran into the ropes and Ladd dropped down and then hit a leapfrog followed by a big dropkick and a nearfall. 

 Ladd hit the same big boot and leg drop combo but he tried to add a big splash but missed.

 Backlund got behind him and hit the atomic drop for the pin.

On a side note, Backlund teamed with Peter Maivia to beat Ladd and Crusher Blackwell on Septermber 19 in Philadelphia. Ladd would go on to beat Backlund, via blood stoppage, in New Haven, CT, on March 18, 1979 but failed on June 3, in Toronto. 

WWF-The Undertaker v. Tito Santana October 5, 1991

The Undertaker w/Paul Bearer v. Tito Santana Referee:Danny Davis

WWF-Barcelona, Spain-Palau Sant Jordi October 5, 1991

Just from reading the results of this match, I thought Tito went over clean. It was not quite a clean victory for Tito but it was pretty damn good, beating the 1991 WWF pet project the Undertaker. The match itself was not amazing but just seeing Tito get so much offense on the Undertaker makes this match unique.

Taker tried ambushing Tito but he saw it coming and proceeded to work on Taker for a good few minutes. Any type of offense from Taker was usually countered. Taker tried a back drop and Tito hit a sunset flip. 

Taker attempted to punch him but he just nailed the mat. Tito went back on the attack.

 Taker tried throwing him into the corner only to meet a boot to the face, followed by three clothesline, finally sending Taker to the floor. Santana sent Taker into the steps and tried to bring him back in the ring but got hit throat first onto the top rope, which began Taker working from the top.

Taker hit old school and went for a bunch of chokes and bites, as even Paul Bearer got a shot in. 

Tito had one or two hope spots but nothing major. Taker missed a flying elbow and then tried another old school but got pulled off the turnbuckle. 

This was Tito's comeback and he hit two flying forearms and could not get the Undertaker down. He tried a third and Taker pulled Danny Davis in front of him. 

 As Tito checked the ref, Taker came in with a kick and a sidewalk slam to follow. Taker asked Bearer for a bodybag and he proceeded to get Tito in it but Tito started fighting back.

 Santana then nailed three piledrivers, two of which the Undertaker sat up from. He could not get up for the third piledriver and Paul Bearer tried to will him up with the urn. Tito grab bed the urn, shoved Bearer off the apron, and clocked Taker in the head for the win. Barcelona loved Tito and they were behind him most of the match.

Honestly, I was interested in this match strictly because I was intrigued by the thought of Tito Santana beating The Undertaker in 1991. I knew Taker was protected but after doing some research, he was not as protected as I thought. Still, he was not pinned more times than you can count on two hands between his debut and this match. He worked a lot of DQ losses against The Ultimate Warrior, followed by outright losses in bodybag matches with the Warrior. He lost many casket matches and bodybag matches against Sid Justice, as fall 1991 began. As far as pins, Hulk Hogan was the first guy to pin him via roll-up on July 29, in Worcester, MA. In the next couple months, he was pinned by the Warrior more than once, Randy Savage once, and Sid Justice once, followed by this pin by Tito. Bear in mind that this match was in Spain and Tito was cheered for his Spanish background, and went over for that, as well. However, it still puts him in a good spot in the history books as being only the fifth guy to score a pin on the Undertaker, especially considering Tito's overall card placement by fall 1991. Tito wrestled pretty sporadically in 1991 and never in anything but throw away mid-card matches against guys like Haku and The Barbarian (not to say those match-ups are bad). Around this period of 1991, Tito was getting ready to re-debut as El Matador, and did so on September 30 in Wheeling, WV against Bob Bradley.

Taker did lose many matches against big names like the Ultimate Warrior but a lot of those losses were DQ's. Still, he did lose a fair amount of bodybag and casket matches. He lost far more than he won, in those matches, up until this point.