Mat Memories From Madison Square Garden

On this special episode of Mat Memories from Madison Square Garden, Cary, Tim and I welcome wrestling historian - Evan Ginzburg. On June 24th, 1974 Evan attended his very first wrestling show, and we are happy to have him on this episode to talk about that night. And the card, which was a great one! WWWF @ New York City, NY – Madison Square Garden Monday Night June 24, 1974, 8:30 bell time (22,093...

Here is Episode 31 of Mat Memories from Madison Square Garden. A very special episode with a roundtable of former Ring of Honor owner Cary Silkin, Hall of Fame Writer/Photographer George Napolitano and John Arezzi discuss a wide variety of topics from back in the day! Moderated by Tim Puttre. WWWF @ New York City, NY – Madison Square Garden – Monday night May 20, 1974 Bell time 8:30 pm attendance...

Here is Episode 30 of Mat Memories from Madison Square Garden - where we review the wild April 29th, 1974 card that featured the brawl between challenger Killer Kowalski taking on the living legend Bruno Sammartino. Co-hosts John Arezzi and Cary Silkin go into detail on the show which featured rare run ins by wrestlers to break up the battle between a bloody Sammartino and Kowalski! WWWF @ New Yor...

Here is Episode 29 of Mat Memories from Madison Square Garden - where we review the April 1st, 1974 house show from the mecca of all arenas. We welcome former owner of Ring of Honor - Cary Silkin as a co-host of the show beginning with this episode. Cary has a rich history - and attended most of the MSG shows in this era. He's a great storyteller and we are happy to have him with us for each episo...

Here is Epsisode 28 of Mat Memories From Madison Square Garden, reviewing the house show I attended at the Mecca of all arenas on March 4th, 1974. WWWF @ New York City, NY – Madison Square Garden – Monday Night March 4, 1974 bell time 8:30pm (22,091; sell out) The scheduled bout between Don Leo Jonathan and Ed Sullivan did not take place Donna Christianello & Women’s Champion the Fabulous Moolah d...

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 i...

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 Si...

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...

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...

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 A...

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 & Li...

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 cla...

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...

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 Olym...

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 Champ...

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...

A very special episode of Mat Memories from Madison Square Garden! Tim Puttre and I discuss this house show I attended. Notable for John, as it was the first time he shot 8mm movies at the Garden. We share some of those films at: patreon.com/johnarezzi WWWF @ New York City, NY - Madison Square Garden - January 15, 1973 (22,096)  Sky Low Low & Little Brutus defeated Little Beaver & Farmer Jerome in...

Monday December 18, 1972 (22,906) a new gate record Joe Turco beat Blackjack Slade 9:10 Tony Garea beat Bull Pometti 10:46 The Great Goliath Pinned Manuel Soto 7:00 Sonny King VS Buddy Wolf (20min limit draw) Gorilla Monsoon beat Chuck O'Connor 6:17 El Olympico & Victor Rivera Beat Dory Funk Sr. & Terry Funk 2 falls to 1 in 15:03 Mil Mascaras pinned The Spoiler 7:20 WWWF Heavyweight Title: Pedro M...

WWWF @ New York City, NY - Madison Square Garden Monday November 27, 1972 (18,183) El Olympico defeated Joe Turco 9:24 Eddie Graham defeated Blackjack Slade 10:14 Black Gordman defeated Sonny King via submission 6:25 Victor Rivera fought the Spoiler to a 20-minute time-limit draw WWWF World Champion Pedro Morales defeated Ray Stevens at 11:58 when referee Danny Bartfield stopped the bout, ruling t...

Here is episode 13 of Mat Memories From Madison Square Garden, which reviews the Madison Square Garden WWWF card of October 16th, 1972. WWWF @ New York City, NY - Madison Square Garden - October 16, 1972 Attendance 15,423 The Black Demon defeated Joe Turco - 6 minutes Little Beaver & Little Louie defeated Frenchy Lamont & Sonny Boy Hayes 2-1 18:20 Buddy Wolfe defeated Blackjack Slade 7:03 WWWF Wor...

Here is the special bonus edition of MAT MEMORIES FROM MADISON SQUARE GARDEN, featuring the September 30th, 1972 SHOWDOWN AT SHEA - the much herald match between Bruno Sammartino and WWWF Champion Pedro Morales.   I recap the event, events leading up to it, and the disappointment with the show with Tim Puttre.  Attached are photos (courtesy John Pantozzi) newspaper clippings, and even a ticket stu...

Here is episode 12 of Mat Memories From Madison Square Garden, which reviews the Madison Square Garden WWWF card of September 2nd, 1972. Saturday September 2nd, 1972 Attendance 21,819 sell-out · Chuck O'Conner defeated Joe Nova · El Olympico defeated Joe Turco (13:51) · Sonny King defeated The Black Demon · Mr. Fugi & Professor Toru Tanaka defeated Gorilla Monsoon & Manual Soto in a Best Two Out O...

Here is episode 11 of Mat Memories From Madison Square Garden, which reviews the Madison Square Garden WWWF card of July 29th, 1972. WWWF @ New York City, NY - Madison Square Garden - July 29, 1972 (announced as 17,398) This was a Saturday Night Show @ MSG Bell time 8:30pm  Chuck O'Connor defeated Thomas Marin (sub. for Mike Conrad) 16:05 El Olympico defeated the Black Demon 15:05 Manuel Soto defe...

Here is episode 10 of Mat Memories From Madison Square Garden, which reviews the Madison Square Garden WWWF card of July 1st, 1972.   The Card: WWWF New York City, NY Attendance: 19,512 Madison Square Garden - July 1st, 1972 Mike Graham defeated Juan Caruso at 5:19 Fred Curry defeated Joe Nova at 6:43  Gorilla Monsoon defeated the Black Demon at 4:17   WWWF World Champion Pedro Morales pinned Geor...