Ken Patera

[Dylan Waco]

Results thanks to Clawmaster http://sportsandwrestling.mywowbb.com/forum2/10387-2.html

 

Late 72-73

12/10/72 Minneapolis, MN @ Auditorium

Superstar Billy Graham beat Wahoo McDaniel dq when Wahoo hit Graham over the head with a chair

Dusty Rhodes beat Don Muraco dq 10:21

Ivan Koloff beat Lani Kealoha via pin in 10:27

Ken Patera beat Rene Goulet via pin in 7:09

George Scott beat George Gadaski via pin in 12:22

Farmer Pete & Cowboy Lang beat Little Tokyo & Billy The Kid

 

First date I have for Patera. Notable quirk is that Flair worked the tiny spot show the same day. This would launch a brief run v. Goulet in mid-cards with Patera getting what looks like the early end of the "Rheingans push."

 

 

12/13/72 Fargo, ND @ Civic Auditorium

Ken Patera beat Larry Hennig dq

Lani Kealoha beat Dick Murdoch

Rene Goulet beat Ric Flair

 

Technically his first "headline" match though it obviously is just a spot show.

 

Patera disappears for a couple of months and essentially re-debuts in Feb. of 73.

 

2/20/73 Fargo, ND @ Civic Auditorium

Don Muraco & Ken Patera & Billy Robinson beat Larry Hennig & Dusty Rhodes & Dick Murdoch

Reggie Parks (sub Wahoo McDaniel) beat Rene Goulet

Billy Robinson beat Dusty Rhodes

Jim Brunzell beat Johnny Heidman (sub Tinker Todd)

 

Interesting that he always seems to headline in Fargo.

 

3/4/73 Green Bay, WI @ Brown County Veteran’s Memorial Arena

Superstar Billy Graham beat AWA Champion Verne Gagne dq when Gagne tossed Graham over the top rope in 22:02

Wahoo McDaniel & Ken Patera beat Dusty Rhodes & Dick Murdoch 2/3

Larry Hennig drew Reggie Parks

Don Muraco beat Rene Goulet via pin

Jose Carlos beat Armando Rodriguez via pin

Att: Record Turnaway Crowd – 6,428

 

First really meaningful result. Less than six months into his career Patera teams with Wahoo against The Texas Outlaws in the semi-main underneath a Verne v. Superstar match that was obviously Gold at the Box office drawing what would be the biggest figure in Green Bay history up until the Sheiks v. High Flyers feud IIRC.

 

3/15/73 Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada @ Arena

Superstar Graham & Ivan Koloff beat Billy Robinson & Wahoo McDaniel

Ray Stevens beat Don Muraco COR

Dusty Rhodes beat Ken Patera dq

Dick Murdoch beat Vic Rossitani

Reggie Parks beat Jim Brunzell

Rene Goulet beat Ric Flair

Att: 6,000

 

Patera really did not work a complete schedule relative to other guys. This is an interesting result and something that would have been an interesting match to see at the time.

 

3/18/73 Sheboygan, WI @ Municipal Armory

AWA Tag Team Champions Nick Bockwinkel & Ray Stevens beat Wahoo McDaniel & Ken Patera 2/3 in 30:00

1. Wahoo was pinned

2. Wahoo pinned Stevens after a series of tomahawk chops

3. Bockwinkel beat Patera

Don Muraco beat Ivan Koloff dq

Ric Flair beat Big K

Khosrow Vaziri drew George Gadaski

Att: ”just under 3,200”

 

I would imagine this was a good figure for a house show.

 

4/1/73 Green Bay, WI @ Brown County Veteran’s Memorial Arena

Billy Robinson beat Superstar Graham dq at the 11:25 mark when Graham would not stop using rough tactics at the referee's count of five

Nick Bockwinkel beat Don Muraco by submission in 29:38

Ivan Koloff drew Ken Patera 20:00

Arm Wrestling

Superstar Graham beat Ken Patera

Horst Hoffman beat Rene Goulet via pin at 11:18

Reggie Parks beat Vic Rossitanni by submission in 13:35

att: 6,189

 

Really unique to see a rookie working an arm wrestling gimmick against the drawing card of the show and then turning around and working a twenty minute draw v. Uncle Ivan. I was not expecting to see Patera as anything more than a utility player at this point and while I don't want to overstate his worth during this period, he was clearly being groomed and was treated as more than just fodder.

 

4/18/73 Honolulu, HI @ HIC Arena

Wahoo McDaniel beat Superstar Billy Graham COR when Graham walked out on the match after taking a severe beating

Ken Patera beat Dusty Rhodes COR when Rhodes ran out of the ring

Ed Francis drew Sam Steamboat

Ray Stevens drew Don Muraco

Tony Borne beat Jimmy Snuka dq

Neff Maiava beat Wild Bill Howard

Sandy Parker beat Bambi Ball

 

Patera seemed to make all the Hawaii shows which I assume were joint promoted with Verne.

 

4/25/73 Fargo, ND @ Civic Auditorium

No Time Limit, No dq Match

Superstar Billy Graham beat Wahoo McDaniel via pin

Winner gets Tag Title shot against Bockwinkel & Stevens

Ken Patera & Don Muraco beat Dusty Rhodes & Dick Murdoch

European Rules

Geoff Portz drew Horst Hoffman after 4 rounds

Reggie Parks beat Larry Hennig dq

 

Really wonder what capacity was in Fargo. Those top two matches seem like they would have sold really well on the strength of the stips alone.

 

4/29/73 Green Bay, WI @ Brown County Veteran’s Memorial Arena

AWA Tag Team Champions Nick Bockwinkel & Ray Stevens drew Billy Robinson & Wahoo McDaniel 60:00

Superstar Billy Graham beat Ken Patera via pin at 9:30

5 Round European Style Match

Horst Hoffman drew Geoff Portz

Rene Goulet beat Jim Brunzell via pin in 12:06

att: 5,211

 

Patera wrestling Graham in Green Bay on the heels of Green Bay doing huge business with Graham on top. Attendance is down, but still fairly sharp. Main event must have been incredible.

 

5/11/73 Denver, CO @ Auditorium Arena

Non Title

Dusty Rhodes & Dick Murdoch beat AWA Tag Team Champions Nick Bockwinkel & Ray Stevens

Arm Wrestling

Superstar Billy Graham vs Ken Patera

Superstar Billy Graham beat Ken Patera via pin

European Style Match

Horst Hoffman beat Geoff Portz

Rene Goulet (sub Larry Hennig) beat Jim Brunzell

 

Double duty v. Graham working underneath what would have seemingly been a very strong drawing tag match.

 

5/14/73 Moline, IL @ Wharton Field House

Wahoo McDaniel & Billy Robinson & Ken Patera beat Nick Bockwinkel & Ray Stevens & Superstar Billy Graham

Horst Hoffman drew Ric Flair

Geoff Portz beat Greg Gagne

Lord Littlebrook beat Wee Willie Wilson

 

5/16/73 Honolulu, HI @ HIC Arena

Indian Death Match

Wahoo McDaniel beat Billy Graham

North American Champion Dusty Rhodes beat Billy Robinson dq

Ivan Koloff ddq Ken Patera

Sam Steamboat & Jimmy Snuka beat Mad Dog Vachon (sub Tarzan Tyler) & Lars Anderson

Ed Francis beat Bob Ramstead

Neff Maiava beat The Masked Man

 

5/17/73 Duluth, MN @ Arena

Billy Robinson & Ken Patera beat Nick Bockwinkel & Rene Goulet (sub Ray Stevens)

European Rules Match

Horst Hoffman drew Geoff Portz

Lord Littlebrook & Wee Willie Wilson beat Little Tokyo & Frenchy Lamont

Rene Goulet beat Vic Rossitani

 

5/18/73 Decatur, IL

Don Muraco & Ken Patera vs Dusty Rhodes & Dick Murdoch

The Crusher vs Ray Stevens

Rene Goulet vs Vic Rossitani

Jim Brunzell vs Geoff Portz

 

Interesting and insane run as Illinois to Hawaii, to Minnesota to Illinois is just nuts. Even though these are just spot shows this is also notable because excluding the Hawaii show, this is the first sustained run of main events Patera has to his credit.

 

5/23/73 Fargo, ND @ Civic Auditorium

AWA Tag Team Champions Ray Stevens & Nick Bockwinkel beat Ken Patera & Billy Robinson

Billy Graham beat Horst Hoffman

Lord Littlebrook & Wee Willie Wilson beat Frenchy Lamont & Little Tokyo

Geoff Portz beat Rene Goulet (sub Dick Murdoch)

Greg Gagne vs Kenny Jay

 

And another one in a small market a few days later.

 

6/2/73 Omaha, NE @ Civic Auditorium

Superstar Billy Graham & Ivan Koloff beat Ken Patera & Reggie Parks on a 3rd fall dq

Buddy Wolff beat Pat O'Connor

Arm Wrestling

Superstar Billy Graham beat Ken Patera

Joe Scarpello beat Rene Goulet

Geoff Portz beat Bill Crouch (sub Lars Anderson) via pin

 

On paper this feels like his biggest show to date. Underneath he has the arm wrestling match with Graham and then main events in a tag in a city that I THINK was pretty decent for them at the time.

 

6/6/73 Honolulu, HI @ HIC Arena

Ed Francis beat Sam Steamboat 2/3 to win Hawaiian Title

Billy Robinson beat Dusty Rhodes 2-0 to win North American title

Billy Graham & Ivan Koloff beat Ken Patera & Don Carson 2/3

Neff Maiava beat Frankie Castro

Jimmy Snuka drew Tony Borne

The Alaskan vs Jack Bence

 

Primarily noting this because it seems like a really insane card.

 

6/15/73 Peoria, IL @ Richwoods High School

Billy Graham & Ivan Koloff vs Wahoo McDaniel & Billy Robinson

Ken Patera vs Nick Bockwinkel

Geoff Portz vs Rene Goulet

Greg Gagne vs Reg Parks

 

Kind of funny to think the first singles match these guys had was on a house show at a high school.

 

6/30/73 Minneapolis, MN @ Auditorium

AWA Champion Verne Gagne beat Billy Robinson

Superstar Billy Graham & Ivan Koloff beat Ken Patera & Bill Watts

Larry Heiniemi drew Geoff Portz

Bob Bruggers beat Rene Goulet

Jim Brunzell beat George Grant

Greg Gagne beat Bill Crouch

 

This is one of those occasions where I would love to know the back story as Patera/Watts v. Ivan/Superstar is such an epic/bizarre match on paper.

 

He has a series of mid-card match ups with Ivan Koloff in July on decent drawing shows building to

 

7/7/73 St Paul, MN @ Civic Center

Nick Bockwinkel beat Ken Patera

The Crusher beat Ivan Koloff

Reggie Parks beat Larry Heiniemi dq

Bob Bruggers drew Joe Scarpello

Billy Red Cloud beat Joe Guzman

 

This is his first Twin City main event. Interesting that they paired Crusher off with Ivan who had been paired with directly underneath. Bock v. Patera really doesn't feel like it would have been a singles headliner in St. Paul in 73, but I'm not so sure it wasn't.

 

7/13/73 Denver, CO @ Auditorium Arena

No Time Limit

The Crusher beat Superstar Billy Graham dq in 11:02 when Ivan Koloff interfered

Ivan Koloff beat Ken Patera 2/3

1. Koloff beat Patera in 9:57

2. Patera beat Koloff in 6:28

3. Koloff beat Patera in 2:42

Ricky Romero beat Roger Kirby 15:59

Reggie Parks beat Rene Goulet via pin with a back cradle hold in 20:39

Greg Gagne drew Bob Bruggers 20:00

att: 5,397

 

Solid number from Denver, with Koloff and Patera in the strong support role.

 

7/21/73 Minneapolis, MN @ Auditorium

Superstar Billy Graham & Ivan Koloff beat The Crusher & Wahoo McDaniel 2/3 in 31:15

Billy Robinson beat Larry Heiniemi COR 12:15

Nick Bockwinkel beat Reggie Parks via pin in 12:00

Ray Stevens beat Ken Patera via pin in 11:20

Geoff Portz beat Frank Diamond via pin in 7:15

Vic Rossitani beat Farmer Vick via pin in 8:00

Greg Gagne beat Jim Dalton via pin in 11:20

Bob Bruggers beat Jay French via pin in 8:55

att: 4,380

 

This is a stacked show in up top in hindsight.

 

7/25/73 Honolulu, HI @ HIC Arena

AWA Champion Verne Gagne beat Superstar Billy Graham on a 3rd fall dq when Graham jumped off the top rope onto Gagne

AWA Tag Team Champions Nick Bockwinkel & Ray Stevens beat Ken Patera & Billy Robinson

Ripper Collins & Ed Francis beat Neff Maiava & Sam Steamboat 2/3 to win Hawaiian tag title

Hard Boiled Haggerty beat Ric Flair

Bill Francis drew Bull Ramos

 

This looks like a really fucking major show for Hawaii.

 

8/19/73 Green Bay, WI @ Brown County Veteran’s Memorial Arena

Saloon Match

The Crusher beat Superstar Billy Graham 17:17

Wahoo McDaniel beat Ivan Koloff via pin in 9:43

Red Bastien & Ken Patera beat Larry Heiniemi & Buddy Wolff on a 3rd fall dq in 28:00

Greg Gagne beat Vic Rositanni via pin at 21:42

att: 6,488

 

8/22/73 Honolulu, HI @ HIC Arena

Ken Patera & Billy Robinson beat AWA Tag Team Champions Nick Bockwinkel & Ray Stevens on a 3rd fall dq when Bockwinkel hit Patera with a chair

WWWF Champion Pedro Morales dcor Ed Francis

Betty Niccoli & Ripper Collins beat Jean Antone & Paul Jones

Sam Steamboat beat Hard Boiled Haggerty

Bill Francis beat Tony Borne dq

 

Hawaii main event may or may not be a big deal but I think it's interesting that they were booked last over Morales v. Francis. Patera/Bastien team is something unimaginable to me for some reason.

 

8/25/73 St Paul, MN @ Midway Stadium

Billy Robinson beat AWA Champion Verne Gagne dq

AWA Tag Team Champions Nick Bockwinkel & Ray Stevens beat The Crusher & Red Bastien

Superstar Billy Graham beat Ken Patera COR

Larry Heiniemi drew Reggie Parks

Buddy Wolff beat Billy Red Cloud

Ivan Koloff beat Bob Bruggers

Greg Gagne beat Vic Rossitani dq

Att: 10,000

 

I'm guessing this was something of a "big Summer show" for the AWA. Patera v. Graham is obviously not the main event, but it comes across as a strong compliment to the top of the card match ups.

 

9/12/73 Honolulu, HI @ HIC Arena

The Crusher beat Superstar Billy Graham

Ed Francis beat Sam Steamboat to win Hawaiian Title

Neff Maiava & Tosh Togo beat Tony Borne & Ripper Collins

Nick Bockwinkel beat Ken Patera

Ivan Koloff beat Al Madril

Billy Francis beat Jack Bence

 

Patera seemed to slip down the cards in Sept even in Hawaii, though that is a match that would have been fresh to Hawaii.

 

9/21/73 Denver, CO @ Auditorium Arena

Ken Patera won a 12 man battle royal by eliminating Nick Bockwinkel & Superstar Billy Graham to earn $20,000

Billy Robinson beat Ray Stevens COR 11:10

Superstar Billy Graham beat Ken Patera 9:22

Red Bastien beat Nick Bockwinkel 9:07 via pin

Ricky Romero beat Ric Flair 8:50 via pin

Geoff Portz drew Buddy Wolff 20:00

att: 7,660

 

I imagine this was close to a sellout in Denver? Battle Royal did strong as usual in the AWA.

 

9/22/73 Minneapolis, MN @ Auditorium

Superstar Billy Graham beat Ken Pateravia pin in 13:10 after Patera beat Graham by dq in an arm wrestling match

Billy Robinson & Geoff Portz beat Larry Hennig & Buddy Wolff 2/3

Nick Bockwinkel beat Red Bastien dq

Handicap Match

Ivan Koloff beat Bobby Vann via pin in 5:10 and then Raoul Guzman via pin in 12:35

Ric Flair beat Billy Howard 13:20

Att: 3,160

 

This had to have been a disappointing figure, but it's strange that they rotated him into a top slot for this show at this point in his run. Also strange that they are going back to Graham v. Patera which ran a few other times on this loop.

 

10/6/73 St Paul, MN

AWA Tag Team Champions Nick Bockwinkel & Ray Stevens beat Wahoo McDaniel & Billy Red Cloud

The Crusher beat Superstar Billy Graham

Ivan Koloff beat Ken Patera

Larry Hennig beat Reggie Parks

Geoff Portz drew Buddy Wolff

att: 4,589

 

I wonder if this was a good figure for this building?

 

10/20/73 Minneapolis, MN @ Auditorium

Billy Robinson & Geoff Portz (sub Red Bastien) beat AWA Tag Team Champions Nick Bockwinkel & Ray Stevens 2/3

Since Portz was not originally scheduled to be in the match, no title change occured.

Weightlifting Contest

Superstar Billy Graham attacked Patera and injured him before the contest

Larry Hennig & Buddy Wolff beat Wahoo McDaniel & Billy Red Cloud 2/3

Ivan Koloff beat Reggie Parks via pin

Tony Rocco beat Pancho Vasquez via pin

Ric Flair beat Red Mendez via pin

att: 6,169

 

Would be interesting to see how heavily this weightlifting contest was advertised. I would guess that would have been heavily hyped.

 

10/25/73 Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada @ Arena

$50,000 Battle Royal Prize Wrestle off

Superstar Billy Graham beat the Crusher dq when Crusher rammed Graham into the ring post

AWA Tag Team Champions Nick Bockwinkel & Ray Stevens beat Gene Kiniski & Wahoo McDaniel 2/3

1. Wahoo pinned Stevens

2. Bockwinkel pinned Wahoo

3. Bockwinkel pinned Kiniski

Handicap Match

Ken Patera beat Bill Kochen & Dave Muir (sub Ivan Koloff)

Bobby Jones beat Roddy Piper 10:00

Tony Rocco beat Ric Flair 18:00

Att: 7,200

 

10/27/73 Milwaukee, WI @ Auditorium

Dick the Bruiser & the Crusher beat AWA Tag Team Champions Nick Bockwinkel & Ray Stevens dq

Billy Robinson beat Buddy Wolff

Mitsu Arakawa beat Ken Patera

Ric Flair beat Kenny Jay

att: 6,112 sellout

 

Really funny in hindsight how secondary Flair was to Patera having both come out of the same camp.

 

11/2/73 Denver, CO @ Auditorium Arena

WWWF Champion Pedro Morales beat Ray Stevens 2/3

The weightlifting contest between Ken Patera & Superstar Billy Graham was cancelled when Patera was injured by Graham before the contest began

Their subsequent singles bout was also cancelled

Rocky Mountain Champion Ricky Romero beat Nick Bockwinkel

Greg Gagne drew Tony Rocco

Billy Red Cloud beat Ric Flair (sub Ivan Koloff)

att: 5,700

 

11/3/73 Minneapolis, MN

AWA Tag Team Champions Nick Bockwinkel & Ray Stevens beat Billy Robinson & Geoff Portz

Superstar Billy Graham beat Ken Patera dq

Larry Heiniemi drew Reggie Parks

Buddy Wolff beat Billy Red Cloud

Ric Flair drew Tony Rocco

Greg Gagne beat Dave Muir

 

Graham v. Patera still running and from the looks of things is being positioned as a drawing card on the shows.

 

11/9/73 Decatur, IL @ Kintner Gym

Superstar Billy Graham beat Ken Patera dq when Patera tossed Graham over the top rope

Geoff Portz beat Johnny Valentine Jr (sub Ivan Koloff) via pin

Billy Red Cloud beat Prince Pullins (sub Larry Hennig) via pin

Reggie Parks beat Ric Flair

att: 1,550

 

Spot show main event.

 

11/10/73 Milwaukee, WI @ Auditorium

Nick Bockwinkel drew The Crusher 15:00

Billy Robinson beat Ray Stevens COR

Weightlifting Contest

Ken Patera beat Superstar Billy Graham by lifting 505 pounds

Larry Heiniemi & Buddy Wolff beat Reggie Parks & Tony Rocco 2/3

Greg Gagne beat Rene Goulet 15:45

att: 6,112

 

Milwaukee was their hottest town at the time largely due to The Crusher being The Crusher. Interesting that they actually went through with the weightlifting challenge here or maybe no "attack" was reported in the results.

 

11/16/73 Denver, CO @ Auditorium Arena

Billy Robinson & Ken Patera & Geoff Portz beat Nick Bockwinkel & Larry Heiniemi & Billy Graham 2/3

1. Patera pinned Bockwinkel

2. Bockwinkel beat Portz

3. Robinson beat Heiniemi

Ken Patera beat Billy Graham dq in 2:41 when Patera would not stop choking Graham

Greg Gagne beat Tony Rocco 21:04

Larry Heiniemi beat Reggie Parks via pin in 15:10

att: 4,778

Note: Ray Stevens no showed and the advertised main event of Stevens & Bockwinkel against Robinson & Portz had to be changed.

 

Patera subbed into the top spot on a show that does okay.

 

11/30/73 Denver, CO @ Auditorium Arena

No dq Match

Superstar Billy Graham beat Ken Patera

Billy Robinson beat Ivan Koloff via pin

Little Louie & Cowboy Lang beat Johnny Reb & Billy the Kid 2/3

Ricky Romero beat Bill Crouch

Geoff Portz beat Tony Rocco

att: 5,420

 

Patera v. Graham is now headlining several shows. This could probably be pointed to as Patera's first real "main event" program where he was positioned against a draw and as a draw. This does a good, but not outstanding number in Denver.

 

12/1/73 St Paul, MN @ Civic Center

AWA Champion Verne Gagne beat Nick Bockwinkel via pin in 17:00

The Crusher & Ken Patera beat Superstar Billy Graham & Ivan Koloff 2/3

Billy Robinson beat Ray Stevens 13:45

Buddy Wolff beat Reggie Parks via pin in 14:20

Greg Gagne drew Tony Rocco 15:00

Rene Goulet beat Ric Flair via pin in 9:25

att: 7,777

 

One of the better Twin City shows of the year, perhaps second only to the outdoor show. This is pretty clearly a double main with Verne v. Bock being the top billing, but the red hot Crusher and the rookie pairing against Graham and Koloff as a very solid support semi-main.

 

12/7/73 Milwaukee, WI @ Auditorium

AWA Tag Team Champions Nick Bockwinkel & Ray Stevens beat Billy Robinson & Geoff Portz

Superstar Billy Graham beat Ken Patera dq

Reggie Parks drew Tony Rocco

Sailor Art Thomas beat Ken Dillinger

Rene Goulet beat Tom Demarco

att: 6,084

 

Milwaukee show without Crusher still does well and Graham and Patera are still rolling in their slot. This continued for all of Dec with some tags w/Crusher v. Graham/Kollof littered throughout.

 

12/29/73 Minneapolis, MN @ Auditorium

Fence Match

The Crusher & Mad Dog Vachon beat Superstar Billy Graham & Larry Heiniemi

Buddy Wolff beat Ken Patera COR

Vivian Vachon beat Princess Jasmine

Greg Gagne drew Rene Goulet

Ric Flair beat Bull Bullinski via pin

Kenny Jay beat Tom Demarco via pin

att: sellout 7,986 with over 4,000 turned away

 

This is the last date I have from Patera in 73. Really feels like this was a one match show and Patera just happened to be in the semi-main. Also sucks for Patera that they transitioned from him/Crusher to Mad Dog/Crusher.

 

Over all Patera's first year in the business was far better than I was expecting to find. Not a true main eventer, but positioned as an upper mid-carder for a big portion of the year and put into programs with guys like Koloff and Graham, with the Graham matches clearly positioned as drawing cards. The Hawaii results are interesting too. He wasn't a true big time player, but he was clearly being groomed by Verne to be a big star.

[Dylan Waco]

74 (incomplete)

1/5/74 St Paul, MN

AWA Tag Team Champions Nick Bockwinkel & Ray Stevens beat Billy Robinson & Red Bastien

Mad Dog Vachon no contest Superstar Billy Graham

Buddy Wolff beat Ken Patera

Chris Taylor beat Redbeard Munson

Reggie Parks drew Tony Rocco

Greg Gagne beat Paul Perschmann

 

First result of 74, besides he tv show from earlier in the day.

 

1/6/74 Green Bay, WI @ Brown County Veteran’s Memorial Arena

AWA Tag Team Champions Nick Bockwinkel & Ray Stevens beat Billy Robinson & Red Bastien 2/3 in 27:31

Billy Graham beat Ken Patera via pin in 18:53

Larry Heiniemi beat Tony Rocco via pin in 16:51

Reggie Parks beat Rene Goulet via pin in 16:17

att: 3,668

 

This is not a good number for Green Bay really. They carry on with the Graham feud around the horn.

 

1/18/74 Chicago, IL @ International Amphitheatre

Ken Patera & Superstar Billy Graham were co-winners of the two ring $50,000 battle royal

Chris Taylor beat Mad Dog Vachon dq

Nick Bockwinkel drew Red Bastien

Pepper Gomez drew Jimmy Valiant

Bob Ellis no contest Ivan Koloff

Ken Patera beat Rene Goulet

Sailor Art Thomas drew Tony Romano

Baron Von Raschke beat Billy Red Cloud

Larry Heiniemi beat Bull Bullinski

 

Sounds like the battle royal was built around Patera v. Graham at least once the bell rang. Would be interesting to see the footage from this period in complete though I don't think anything close to that exists.

 

1/19/74 Milwaukee, WI @ Auditorium

1 Fall, No Disqualification

Crusher & Mad Dog Vachon beat AWA Tag Team Champions Nick Bockwinkel & Ray Stevens when Crusher pinned Bockwinkel in 16:20

Title did not change hands because Crusher did not pin the legal man in the ring

Superstar Billy Graham beat Ken Patera via pin

Chris Taylor beat Moose Morowski by submission

Greg Gagne beat Paul Perschmann via pin

Geoff Portz drew Ric Flair

att: 6,112 sellout

 

Milwaukee is still ablaze for The Crusher. Graham v. Patera is something the company has no worries about running into the ground which suggests it was still getting good heat.

 

1/27/74 Minneapolis, MN @ Auditorium

Crusher must beat Stevens in 15 minutes or forfeit $5,000

The Crusher drew Ray Stevens 15:00

Ken Patera & Chris Taylor beat Larry Heiniemi & Buddy Wolff 2/3

Wahoo McDaniel beat Moose Morowski via pin

Superstar Billy Graham beat Bull Bullinski via pin

Geoff Portz beat Tony Rocco

Bill Crouch beat Tom DeMarco

 

Patera teaming with Chris Taylor seems like a Verne "legit athlete" fetish wet dream.

 

2/2/74 Milwaukee, WI @ Auditorium

The Crusher & Ken Patera beat Superstar Billy Graham & Larry Heiniemi on a 3rd fall dq in 21:12

Billy Robinson beat Ray Stevens via pin

Buddy Wolff beat Wahoo McDaniel dq

Chris Taylor beat Bob Remus via pin

Greg Gagne drew Tony Rocco

att: 6,045

 

Patera gets to headline in Milwaukee with The Crusher which was a big deal. They do slightly less than a sellout.

 

2/8/74 Chicago, IL @ International Amphitheatre

Arm Wrestling

Ken Patera beat Superstar Billy Graham dq

AWA Tag Team Champions Nick Bockwinkel & Ray Stevens beat Billy Robinson & Red Bastien

Baron Von Raschke beat Wilbur Snyder dq

Chris Taylor no contest Jimmy Valiant

Bob Ellis no contest Horst Hoffman

Pepper Gomez beat Tony Romano

Greg Gagne beat Paul Perschmann

 

I love the fact that this headlined in Chicago as an arm wrestling match.

 

2/23/74 Sheboygan, WI @ Municipal Armory

Billy Robinson & Ken Patera beat AWA Tag Team Champions Nick Bockwinkel & Ray Stevens on a 2nd fall dq

Baron Von Raschke beat Red Bastien via pin in 14:02

Horst Hoffman beat Tony Rocco by submission with a claw hold

Geoff Portz beat Bob Remus via pin in 15:22

att: 2,238

 

This would have been a neat main event.

 

2/28/74 Denver, CO @ Auditorium Arena

Billy Graham beat Mad Dog Vachon dq at 11:37 when Vachon knocked down the referee

Baron Von Raschke & Horst Hoffman beat Ken Patera & Chris Taylor 2/3

1. Hoffman pinned Patera

2. Patera beat Hoffman

3. Von Raschke pinned Patera

Buddy Wolff beat Red Bastien via pin in 19:00

Ricky Romero beat Ric Flair (sub Rene Goulet) via pin at 6:02 after a drop kick

Greg Gagne beat Bob Remus via pin at 17:57 after a drop kick

att: 3,818

 

Patera was pretty consistently in semi-mains or mains during this run. This is notable as an oddball tag. You also start to get the feeling that Verne really wants Taylor to be a bigger star than he could ever be and may be trying to launch him into Patera's spot.

 

3/1/74 Cheyenne. WY

Billy Graham beat Ken Patera

Red Bastien & Greg Gagne beat Baron Von Raschke & Horst Hoffman

Chris Taylor beat Buddy Wolff

Ric Flair drew Bob Remus

 

I love the randomness of a Cheyenne spot show with Flair v. Sgt. Slaughter underneath Buddy Wolf and Chris Taylor

 

3/14/74 Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada @ Arena

Nick Bockwinkel beat the Crusher

Larry Heiniemi & Buddy Wolff beat Ken Patera & Wahoo McDaniel

Ray Stevens beat Red Bastien

Baron Von Raschke beat Geoff Portz

Horst Hoffman beat Jim Brunzell

Moose Morowski drew Rene Goulet

Att: 4,000

 

This isn't much for Winnipeg.

 

3/27/74 Honolulu, HI @ HIC Center

Billy Robinson beat AWA Champion Verne Gagne

Crusher & Ken Patera beat Larry Heiniemi & Billy Graham

Ripper Collins drew Ed Francis

Sam Steamboat beat Len Shelly dq

Neff Maiava beat Tony Borne

Oddjob Tosh Togo Sakata beat Peace Brother I

 

Another big Hawaii show.

 

3/30/74 Milwaukee, WI @ Auditorium

Wahoo McDaniel beat Larry Heiniemi dq

Baron Von Raschke & Horst Hoffman beat Ken Patera & Chris Taylor

Buddy Wolff beat Sailor Art Thomas

Ivan Putski beat Moose Morowski

Sgt Jacques Goulet beat Paul Perschmann

att: 5,853

 

Patera has missed a lot of shows during this period. I wonder if he was working elsewhere? Anyhow this is a good number for Milwaukee, especially without The Crusher.

 

4/4/74 Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada @ Arena

No dq Match

AWA Tag Team Champions Nick Bockwinkel & Ray Stevens beat The Crusher & Mad Dog Vachon when Bockwinkel pinned Vachon after hitting Mad Dog with brass knuckles

Billy Graham beat Red Bastien

Billy Robinson beat Baron Von Raschke dq when Raschke refused to obey the referee’s oeders to beak the hold from outide the ring

Superstar Billy Graham beat Red Bastien in 18:00

Horst Hoffman beat Ken Patera

Geoff Portz drew Greg Gagne 15:00

Ivan Putski beat Moose Morowski in 11:30

att: 6,200

 

4/7/74 Green Bay, WI @ Brown County Veteran’s Memorial Arena

Billy Robinson beat Nick Bockwinkel

Cage match

The Crusher & Mad Dog Vachon beat Superstar Billy Graham & Larry Heiniemi 12:00

Baron Von Raschke beat Ken Patera

Ivan Putski beat Rene Goulet

Vivian Vachon beat Princess Jasmine

Geoff Portz beat Prince Pullins

 

Patera is falling down the cards a bit and working singles against his tag team opponents.

 

4/13/74 Minneapolis, MN @ Auditorium

Indian Strap Match

Wahoo McDaniel beat Larry Heiniemi

Nick Bockwinkel & Superstar Billy Graham beat Ken Patera & Dusty Rhodes

Buddy Wolff beat Ric Flair

Handicap Match

Ivan Putski beat Raoul Guzman & Pancho Vazquez

Greg Gagne beat Rocky Montero

Paul Perschmann beat Tom DeMarco

att: 8,500

 

Really good number for Twin Cities or the territory in general at this point. Top two matches both look like huge deals. It's speculative, but I'm not sure I buy The lars v. Wahoo as the top draw on this show though I don't know the build to the Strap Match from tv.

 

4/20/74 St Paul, MN @ Auditorium

Arm wrestling, referee George Gadaski

Ivan Putski no contest Superstar Billy Graham

Billy Robinson & Geoff Portz beat Baron Von Raschke & Horst Hoffman

Nick Bockwinkel beat Ken Patera

Greg Gagne beat Rene Goulet

Bull Bullinski beat Dave Muir via pin

att: 3,919

 

Putski is now working the arm wrestling gimmick. Getting paired off v. Bock on a Twin City card is hardly a demotion but it wasn't positioned strongly (or doesn't appear to be). This number is actually not bad coming a week after such a huge show.

 

5/3/74 Houston, TX @ Sam Houston Coliseum

Superstar Billy Graham beat Jose Lothario 2/3

Red Bastien & Ken Patera beat AWA Tag Champions Nick Bockwinkel & Ray Stevens dq

Ivan Putski vs Great Mephisto

 

This is the first note I have of Patera working a Boesch show and it's in a good position to say the least.

 

Patera is not working Verne's loop at all at this point. Looks to have been working Texas.

 

5/20/74 Fort Worth, TX

Ciclon Negro vs Bob Roop

Ken Patera & Bob Orton Jr. vs AWA Tag Team Champions Nick Bockwinkel & Ray Stevens

Fritz Von Erich vs Blackjack Lanza

Jose Lothario vs Roger Kirby

Gran Markus vs Pierre Martin

 

5/23/74 Corpus Christi, TX @ Memorial Coliseum

International Champion Ciclon Negro vs El Solitario

AWA Tag Team Champions Nick Bockwinkel & Ray Stevens vs Red Bastien & Jose Lothario

Bob Roop vs Ken Patera

Blackjack Lanza vs Bob Orton Jr

Gran Markus vs The Texan

 

5/24/74 Houston, TX @ Sam Houston Coliseum

NWA Champion Jack Brisco vs Mil Mascaras 2/3

AWA Tag Team Champions Nick Bockwinkel & Ray Stevens vs Gran Markus & El Solitario

International Champion Ciclon Negro vs Jose Lothario 2/3

Ken Patera vs Blackjack Lanza

Red Bastien drew Bob Roop

Bob Roop vs Pierre Martin

 

6/15/74 Milwaukee, WI @ Arena

The Crusher & Baron Von Raschke were co-winners of a two ring 24 man $50,000 battle royal

Nick Bockwinkel drew Wahoo McDaniel

Baron Von Raschke beat Frank Nixon

Superstar Billy Graham beat Oddjob via pin

Larry Hennig beat Bull Bullinski via pin

Greg Gagne & Jim Brunzell beat Blackjack Lanza & Paul Perschmann

also in Battle Royal: Geoff Portz, Ray Stevens, Horst Hoffman, Andre Rousimoff, Larry Heiniemi, Chris Taylor, Buddy Wolff, Billy Robinson, Ivan Putski, Moose Cholak, Ken Patera.

att: 10,550

 

Patera returns to work a big battle royal show in Milwaukee that does a huge number though he didn't have shit to do with it. This was his last AWA appearance for quite a while.

 

Meanwhile more stuff I've found from the great state of Texas:

 

http://www.legacyofwrestling.com/Dallas74.html

 

http://www.worldclasswrestling.info/results/1974res.htm

 

Dallas, Texas: Tuesday, April 16, 1974

(The Sportatorium) … Fritz Von Erich b. The Masked Texan to regain the American

Heavyweight Title (2/3) … Bob Orton and Ken Patera (local debut) b. Stan Hansen and

Roger Kirby … Joe Blanchard b. Doug Somers … Black Angus b. Mike Paidousis … Jack

Lanza and Bob Roop drew … (promoter: Jack Adkisson)

Note: Von Erich lost the American Title to the Texan “three weeks ago” in a “disputed

bout.”

 

Dallas, Texas: Tuesday, April 23, 1974

(The Sportatorium) … Blackjack Mulligan b. Red Bastien (DQ) … Bob Orton Jr., Bob

Roop and Fritz Von Erich b. The Great Mephisto, Roger Kirby and Jack Lanza … Ken

Patera b. Jerry Timmins … Doug Somers b. Pancho Lopez … Roger Kirby and Bob Orton

Jr. drew … (promoter: Jack Adkisson)

 

4/29/74 Fort Worth

Bob Roop beat Frank Goodish (Bruiser Brody, debut), lights out match

Blackjack Mulligan beat Black Angus

Red Bastien & Ken Patera beat Roger Kirby & Blackjack Lanza

Great Mephisto drew Jose Lothario

Bob Roop beat Doug Somers

Bob Orton Jr beat Pierre Martin

 

Dallas, Texas: Tuesday, April 30, 1974

(The Sportatorium) … The Great Mephisto and Blackjack Mulligan b. Black Angus and

Bob Roop … Red Bastien and Jack Lanza wrestled to a double countout … Ken Patera

b. Pierre Martin … Jose Lothario and Bob Orton drew … Roger Kirby b. Doug Somers …

(promoter: Jack Adkisson)

 

Dallas, Texas: Tuesday, May 7, 1974

(The Sportatorium) … Jack Lanza b. Black Angus … Red Bastien and Bob Roop b.

Blackjack Mulligan and Roger Kirby (2/3) … Ken Patera b. Joe Blanchard … Pierre Martin

b. Pancho Lopez … Bob Orton Jr. b. Doug Somers … (promoter: Jack Adkisson)

 

Dallas, Texas: Tuesday, May 14, 1974

(The Sportatorium) … NWA World Heavyweight Champion Jack Brisco b. Jack Lanza

(2/3) (third fall by DQ) … Gran Marcus b. Roger Kirby … Red Bastien and Bob Orton Jr.

b. Joe Blanchard and Roger Kirby (Kirby was a substitute for The Great Mephisto, who

was injured) … Ken Patera and Bob Roop drew … Pierre Martin b. Doug Somers …

(promoter: Jack Adkisson)

 

5/20/74 Fort Worth (no results available)

Ciclon Negro vs Bob Roop, International title

Ken Patera & Bob Orton Jr. vs Ray Stevens & Nick Bockwinkle

Fritz Von Erich vs Blackjack Lanza

Jose Lothario vs Roger Kirby

El Gran Markus vs Pierre Martin

 

Dallas, Texas: Tuesday, May 21, 1974

(The Sportatorium) … Jack Lanza and The Masked Texan b. Red Bastien and Ken

Patera (Texan was a substitute for Blackjack Mulligan) … Gran Marcus b. Cyclone Negro

… Bob Roop b. Frank Goodish … The Great Mephisto b. Bob Orton … Roger Kirby b.

Pierre Martin … (promoter: Jack Adkisson)

 

Dallas, Texas: Tuesday, May 28, 1974

(The Sportatorium) … Red Bastien b. The Great Mephisto to capture the Texas State

Heavyweight Title … Jack Lanza and The Masked Texan b. Gran Marcus and Bob Roop

… Bob Orton b. Pedro Lopez … Ken Patera b. Roger Kirby … Tio Tio b. Paul Pershman

… (promoter: Jack Adkisson)

 

Pretty broad range of stuff in this first wave as Patera is all over the cards. The match Stevens/Bock with Orton as a partner sounds incredible on paper.

 

 

6/17/74 Fort Worth

Either this show or the 6/24 show was the first Fort Worth card taped in color by KTVT for the newly-retitled Saturday Night Wrestling, which had previously aired in black-and-white as Main Event Wrestling.

Red Bastien & Ken Patera beat Blackjack Mulligan & The Texan

Jose Lothario drew Blackjack Lanza

El Gran Markus drew Frenchy LaSalle

Tio Tio beat Joe Cassidy

Joe Blanchard beat Inca Peru

 

6/18/74 Dallas

Red Bastien beat The Texan

Ken Patera beat Superstar Billy Graham, weightlifting

Blackjack Lanza & Blackjack Mulligan beat El Gran Markus & Jose Lothario

Tio Tio drew Joe Blanchard

Frenchy LaSalle beat Inca Peru

 

6/24/74 Fort Worth

Red Bastien & Ken Patera beat Blackjack Lanza & Blackjack Mulligan

Jose Lothario beat Frenchy LaSalle

Terry Funk drew Tio Tio

Kung Fu beat El Gran Markus

Inca Peru beat Joe Cassidy

 

Patera in main events here and they bring the Graham show on the road from the AWA.

 

7/1/74 Fort Worth

Blackjack Lanza & Kung Fu beat Red Bastien & Ivan Putski

Blackjack Mulligan drew Jose Lothario

Ken Patera beat Superstar Billy Graham, weightlifting

Terry Funk beat El Gran Markus

Frenchy LaSalle beat Inca Peru

 

7/2/74 Dallas

Red Bastien & Andre the Giant beat Blackjack Lanza & Blackjack Mulligan

Kung Fu beat Ivan Putski DQ

Ken Patera beat Frank Valois

Jose Lothario beat Frenchy LaSalle

Tio Tio beat Inca Peru

 

7/8/74 Fort Worth

Red Bastien & Ken Patera beat Blackjack Mulligan & Kung Fu

El Gran Markus beat Jose Lothario

Golden Hawk beat Frenchy LaSalle

Kung Fu drew Red Bastien

Tio Tio beat Inca Peru

 

7/9/74 Dallas

Blackjack Lanza beat Johnny Valentine

Red Bastien beat Blackjack Mulligan DQ

Jose Lothario drew Kung Fu

Ken Patera beat Frenchy LaSalle & Inca Peru, handicap match

El Gran Markus beat Tio Tio

 

7/15/74 Fort Worth

Kung Fu won battle royal

Red Bastien beat Frenchy LaSalle

Kung Fu drew El Gran Markus

Ken Patera drew Blackjack Mulligan

Blackjack Lanza beat Tio Tio

Golden Hawk beat Inca Peru

 

7/16/74 Dallas (Memorial Auditorium)

Superstar Billy Graham beat Ken Patera, special referee Bull Curry

Red Bastien beat Terry Funk, Russian chain match

Blackjack Lanza beat Ivan Putski

Blackjack Mulligan beat Frenchy LaSalle

Kung Fu beat Tio Tio

El Gran Markus drew Golden Hawk

 

7/22/74 Fort Worth

Tex McKenzie & Ken Patera beat Blackjack Lanza & Blackjack Mulligan to win American Tag titles

Jose Lothario beat Kung Fu

Tex McKenzie beat Bobby Heenan

El Gran Markus beat Frenchy LaSalle

Golden Hawk beat Inca Peru

 

7/23/74 Dallas

Blackjack Lanza beat Fritz Von Erich, "riot match" (falls count anywhere), two referees

Blackjack Mulligan beat Frenchy LaSalle & Inca Peru, handicap match

Tex McKenzie (sub for Red Bastien) & Jose Lothario beat El Gran Markus & Kung Fu

Ken Patera beat Bobby Heenan

Golden Hawk beat Pancho Lopez

 

7/29/74 Fort Worth

Blackjack Lanza & Blackjack Mulligan beat Red Bastien & Fritz Von Erich

Ken Patera beat Kung Fu

Tex McKenzie beat Bobby Garcia

Scott Casey beat Inca Peru

Joe Blanchard beat Golden Hawk

 

7/30/74 Dallas

Blackjack Mulligan DDQ Ken Patera, lumberjack match

Red Bastien beat Kung Fu

Tex McKenzie & Scott Casey beat Blackjack Lanza & Bobby Garcia

Joe Blanchard beat Inca Peru

El Gran Markus beat Golden Hawk

 

This deserves to be looked at in bulk as you have a strange run. They seem to establish Patera some by drawing out the Graham program over the course of several weeks. They also set up a Blackjacks feud during all this. Patera wins his first regional title here and it's also worth noting that he worked his future manager/rival Bobby Heenan on a rare undercard appearance here. Just a really interesting run to look at.

 

Red Bastien beat Blackjack Mulligan DQ

Ken Patera beat Blackjack Lanza

Tex McKenzie drew Kung Fu

Scott Casey beat Bobby Garcia

El Gran Markus beat Golden Hawk

 

Still at war with the Blackjacks.

 

8/12/74 Fort Worth

Kung Fu beat Red Bastien, judo jacket match

Superstar Billy Graham beat Ken Patera

Tex McKenzie & Jose Lothario drew Blackjack Mulligan & El Gran Markus

Bobby Garcia beat Golden Hawk

Scott Casey beat Joe Blanchard

 

And evidently still Billy Graham too. After this Patera seems to slide down the card some and it's strange that I see no title defenses with Tex during this stretch, though they lost the belts somewhere along the way. Patera stays down the card for big parts of Sept. including a couple of matches way down the card v. Mosca near the end of the month.

 

 

10/8/74 Dallas

Fritz Von Erich beat Blackjack Mulligan, cage match, no referee

Blackjack Lanza & Angelo Mosca beat Red Bastien & Ken Patera

Tex McKenzie drew Black Gordman

Scott Casey beat Joe Blanchard

Bearcat Brown beat El Gran Markus DQ

 

This is the last Patera match I have from TX in 74.

 

 

http://www.georgiawrestlinghistory.com/car...70s/1974-4.html

 

Not going to CandP these because of the formatting, but he finished the year up in GA. First month or so was nothing of note working way down the card. He finishes up the year in a feud with the Assassin and brushes up against some other guys of note here or there.

 

74 was not as interesting a year as 73. The Graham feud carried over and carried over strong but Verne seems lost about how to use him after that even though he stays in something of a feature role. Texas figures are similar as he seemed to get a main event rub, got his first title win and feuded with some names but slipped into mid-card status by the end of the run. Georgia he started at the bottom and appeared to be creeping into a solid mid-card position toward the tail end of the year.

[rzombie1988]

Heinemi is not Axe, it's Lars Anderson.

[Dylan Waco]

Doh! Fixed

[Dylan Waco]

1975

 

http://www.georgiawrestlinghistory.com/car...70s/1975-1.html

 

Edit:

 

The first six weeks of the year were spent wrapping up his brief run in Georgia. He actually had some relevant stuff here, namely wrapping up his program with The Assassin in Texas Death matches in Atl and Macon, some tag matches of note and a brief program with Abby. Still this year is really about his MACW run.

 

2/18/75 Raleigh, NC @ Dorton Arena

Paul Jones & Wahoo McDaniel beat NWA Tag Team Champions Gene Anderson & Ole Anderson

Ken Patera beat Brute Bernard

Mid Atlantic TV Champion Ric Flair beat Sandy Scott

Blue Scorpion beat Joe Furr

Mike Stallings beat Mr. Hayashi

 

This is the first date I have for Patera in Mid-Atlantic. If I'm not mistaken he was brought in as a babyface, All-American type at this point. Looks like he worked Brute Bernard around the loop.

 

2/20/75 Greensboro, NC

No dq match

NWA champion Jack Brisco beat Wahoo McDaniel via pin in 21:00

NWA Tag Team Champions Gene Anderson & Ole Anderson beat Mid Atlantic Tag Team Champions Tiger Conway Jr & Paul Jones when Gene pinned Conway in 19:00 after a body slam

Mid Atlantic Tag Titles retired at this point.

Dusty Rhodes dcor Mid Atlantic TV Champion Ric Flair

Jerry Brisco beat Cowboy Parker

Ken Patera beat Art Nelson

Kevin Sullivan drew Tommy Seigler

Sandy Scott & Tio Tio beat Frank Monte & Frank Morrell

att: 7,812

 

Notable as his first Greensboro show though he is buried in the undercard.

 

3/3/75 Charlotte, NC @ Park Center

Mid Atlantic Champion Johnny Valentine beat Paul Jones COR

Ken Patera beat Mid Atlantic TV Champion Ric Flair dq

Sandy Scott & Tommy Seigler beat Cowboy Parker & Art Nelson

Frank Morrell beat Mike Stallings

Bill Crouch beat Joe Furr

 

THIS is the first result v. Flair that I can find.

 

3/6/75 Asheboro, NC @ Southwest Randolph Senior High School Gymnasium

Mid Atlantic TV Champion Ric Flair vs Paul Jones

Ken Patera & Sandy Scott vs Brute Bernard & Art Nelson

Abe Jacobs vs Cowboy Parker

Joe Furr vs Mr Hayashi

Charlie Cook vs Frank Morrell

 

The Scott's were a big deal in Mid-Atlantic so even though this is a spot show this is cool result that suggests they were trying to get him over pretty strong.

 

3/11/75 Raleigh, NC @ Dorton Arena

Ken Patera & Paul Jones beat Super Destroyer & Johnny Valentine

Blackjack Mulligan beat Charlie Cook

Tommy Seigler beat Mr Fuji dq

Frank Monte drew Kevin Sullivan

Steve Keirn beat Ken Dillinger

 

Tag match main event that would have meant a lot at the time as the other three guys in the match were pretty big regional stars.

 

3/15/75 Spartanburg, SC @ Memorial Auditorium

Super Destroyer & Ric Flair vs Ken Patera & Tiger Conway Jr

Brute Bernard vs The Avenger

Cowboy Parker vs Klondike Bill

Tio Tio vs Ken Dillinger

El Gaucho vs Mr Hayashi

 

3/18/75 Columbia, SC @ Township Auditorium

NWA Tag Team Champions Gene Anderson & Ole Anderson beat Wahoo McDaniel & Sonny King

Ken Patera beat Ric Flair

Brute Bernard & Art Nelson drew Abe Jacobs & Bob Bruggers

Blue Scorpion drew Charlie Cook

 

First main event in the territory, followed by what was probably his first meeting singles match v. Flair [edit - no it wasn't]. Flair was the Mid-Atlantic TV champ at the time, but this isn't listed as a title match and the result seems to imply that Patera won clean - another sign that MACW saw value in him.

 

3/22/75 Winston-Salem, NC @ Memorial Coliseum

Bearcat Wright & Sonny King vs Johnny Valentine & Super Destroyer

Mid Atlantic TV Champion Ric Flair vs Paul Jones

Ken Patera vs Blackjack Mulligan

The Avenger & Bob Bruggers vs Brute Bernard & Blue Scorpion

Steve Keirn vs Ken Dillinger

Tio Tio vs Frank Monte

Mr Hayashi vs Mike Stallings

 

Patera v. Mulligan may have meant something at the time. Mulligan is one of those guys old school MACW fans in the area still talk about like crazy.

 

4/3/75 Norfolk, VA @ Scope Exhibition Hall

Ken Patera & Swede Hanson beat Ric Flair & Johnny Valentine dq

The Avenger beat Blue Scorpion

Charlie Cook beat Brute Bernard

Klondike Bill beat Frank Monte

Frank Morrell drew Tio Tio

 

Is this an adjoining facility to the Scope? The undercard doesn't look special, but that would have been a really big main event for a random house show.

 

4/5/75 Hampton, VA @ Hamton Roads Coliseum

Super Destroyer beat Ken Patera dq

Rufus R Jones & Swede Hanson beat Ric Flair & Blackjack Mulligan dq

The Avenger & Abe Jacobs beat Brute Bernard & Art Nelson

Blue Scorpion beat Kevin Sullivan

Tio Tio beat Mr Hayashi

Frank Monte drew Don Kernodle

 

Who was SD in MACW? The tag match that proceeded it really seems like it would have been the real draw on the show.

 

4/18/75 Lynchburg, VA @ City Armory

Mid Atlantic TV Champion Ric Flair vs Ken Patera

Haystack Calhoun vs Brute Bernard

Doug Gilbert & Cowboy Parker vs Abe Jacobs & Charlie Cook

Frank Morrell vs LD Lewis

Klondike Bill vs Joe Wilson

 

No result here, just the scheduled card. I assume this was a Flair title defense.

 

4/20/75 Canton, NC @ YMCA

Ric Flair & Johnny Valentine vs Paul Jones & Ken Patera

Haystack Calhoun vs Blue Scorpion

Brute Bernard vs Charlie Cook

Bob Bruggers vs Cowboy Parker

LD Lewis vs Frank Monte

 

Pretty big main event match for what was almost certainly a really small spot show. Flair v. Patera is something of a go to match on the small shows.

 

Friday, April 25, 1975 – County Hall – Charleston, SC

1) Kevin Sullivan defeated Frank Morrell

2) Klondike Bill defeated Bill Crouch

3) Swede Hanson defeated Brute Bernard

4) Rufus R. Jones & Ken Patera defeated Blackjack Mulligan & The Super Destroyer

 

Main event in my home town where Blackjack is regarded as king.

 

5/9/75 Charleston, SC @ County Hall

Super Destroyer vs Ken Patera

Rufus R Jones vs Ric Flair

Abe Jacobs & The Avenger vs Brute Bernard & Art Nelson

LD Lewis vs Frank Monte

Tommy Seigler vs Frank Morrell

 

He worked some tag semi-mains and mains leading up to this show in my home town. Super D program carries on and finally we get...

 

5/15/75 Greensboro, NC @ Coliseum

Paul Jones & Wahoo McDaniel beat Gene Anderson & Ole Anderson to win the NWA Tag Title in 33:00 when Jones pinned Gene

Bullrope match

Dusty Rhodes beat Blackjack Mulligan

Mid Atlantic TV Champion Ric Flair beat Ken Patera dq when Patera tossed Flair over the top rope

Swede Hanson & Bob Bruggers beat Mr Fuji & Art Nelson dq

Sandy Scott beat Frank Monte

Ox Baker beat Charlie Cook

Don Kernodle beat Bill Crouch

 

Pretty good placement for Patera on this card, though we are missing a figure.

 

5/19/75 Salem, VA @ Roanoke Valley Civic Center

Mid Atlantic Champion Johnny Valentine beat Paul Jones via pin

Ken Patera beat Mid Atlantic TV Champion Ric Flair dq

Swede Hanson & Charlie Cook beat Art Nelson & Mr Fuji

Vicki Williams & Honey Girl Paige beat Paula Kaye & Marie Leveau

Kevin Sullivan beat Frank Morrell

Don Kernodle drew Blue Scorpion

att: 2,199

 

Notable as a show with a figure. Though devoid of context who knows if it is a good one?

 

5/22/75 Anderson, SC @ Recreation Center

Mid Atlantic Champion Johnny Valentine vs Ken Patera

Sonny King & Steve Keirn vs Doug Gilbert & Brute Bernard

Jerry Blackwell vs Abe Jacobs

Larry Sharpe vs Tio Tio

Bob Bruggers vs Frank Morrell

 

Valentine title defense in the main event. Show is pretty light over all, but still notable as the first shot Patera got at the regional belt.

 

6/9/75 Charlotte, NC @ Park Center

Ken Patera & Sonny King beat Ric Flair & Super Destroyer

Swede Hansen beat Brute Bernard

Jerry Blackwell ddq Klondike Bill

Greg Peterson beat Charlie Fulton

Joe Soto beat Bill Crouch

 

Another main event. I'm missing a lot of dates for Patera in here because the results aren't complete (MACW was running split crews at this point I think).

 

6/10/75 Raleigh, NC @ Dorton Arena

Lumberjack Match

Paul Jones beat Mid Atlantic TV Champion Ric Flair

Gene Anderson & Ole Anderson vs Ken Patera & Rufus R Jones

Brute Bernard vs Don Kernodle

Ron Starr vs Charlie Fulton

Don Serrano vs Frank Monte

 

Patera and Rufus are such an odd pairing to me.

 

6/12/75 Anderson, SC @ Recreation Center

Mid Atlantic Champion Johnny Valentine beat Paul Jones dq when Jones hit the referee

Ken Patera beat Ole Anderson via pin

Steve Keirn & Kevin Sullivan beat Art Nelson & Mr Fuji

Larry Sharpe drew Don Kernodle

 

Ken v. Ole in a singles match, possibly for the first time.

 

6/20/75 Richmond, VA @ Arena

Super Destroyer beat Sonny King

Ken Patera & Sandy Scott beat Boris Malenko & Brute Bernard

Fence Match

Steve Keirn beat Charlie Fulton

Blue Scorpion beat Bob Burns

Don Kernodle beat Bill Crouch

Kevin Sullivan drew Joe Soto

 

Keirn worked Fulton in a Cage??

 

6/27/75 Lexington, VA @ VMI Field House

NWA Tag Team Champions Gene Anderson & Ole Anderson vs Paul Jones & Ken Patera

Mr Fuji vs Klondike Bill

Charlie Cook vs Larry Sharpe

Danny Miller vs Joe Soto

Don Serrano vs Bill Crouch

 

At this point Patera is pretty clearly a plug in guy against whatever top heel/heels needs an opponent. That is hardly a bad role for a virtual rookie to have.

 

7/3/75 Greensboro, NC @ Coliseum

Johnny Valentine beat Harley Race to win US Title

NWA Tag Team Champions Gene Anderson & Ole Anderson beat Andre The Giant & Paul Jones

Rufus R Jones won 20 Man Battle Royal

Ken Patera beat Mr Fuji

Rufus R Jones beat El Goucho

Boris Malenko beat Abe Jacobs

Ox Baker drew Danny Miller 10:00

Klondike Bill & Sandy Scott beat Frank Monte & George Two Ton Harris

Steve Keirn beat Joe Soto

Ron Starr beat Don Serrano

Attendance: 10,000+

 

BIg show, with a huge double main event, plus a battle royal. Patera v. Fuji probably meant little even as mid-card fodder.

 

7/28/75 Charlotte, NC

NWA Tag Team Champions Gene Anderson & Ole Anderson beat Paul Jones & The Avenger

Ken Patera beat Jerry Blackwell

Tony Atlas beat Charlie Fulton

Little Louie beat Little John

Larry Sharpe beat Greg Peterson

 

Almost certainly irrelevant in the scheme of things but I thought I'd not Patera v. Blackwell!

 

8/1/75 Richmond, VA @ Coliseum

NWA Tag Team Champions Gene Anderson & Ole Anderson drew Paul Jones & Wahoo McDaniel 90:00

US Champion Johnny Valentine beat Ken Patera

Tony Atlas beat Ric Flair dq

Cowboy Lang & Little Louie beat Lord Littlebrook & Little John

Art Nelson & Doug Gilbert beat Don Serrano & Bob Bruggers

Ron Starr beat Blue Scorpion

Steve Keirn beat Charlie Fulton

 

8/4/75 Charlotte, NC @ Park Center

Paul Jones & Ken Patera beat NWA Tag Team Champions Gene Anderson & Ole Anderson on a reverse decision dq

Tony Atlas beat Frank Monte

Abe Jacobs beat Larry Sharpe

Abe Jacobs drew Kevin Sullivan

Don Kernodle beat George Two Ton Harris

 

8/9/75 Hampton, VA @ Hampton Roads Coliseum

NWA Tag Team Champions Gene Anderson & Ole Anderson drew Paul Jones & Wahoo McDaniel 60:00

Ken Patera beat Ric Flair dq when Flair tossed Patera over the top rope

Boris Malenko & Missouri Mauler beat Klondike Bill & Danny Miller

Mr Wrestling Tim Woods beat Jerry Blackwell via pin

Don Kernodle drew Bob Bruggers

El Gaucho beat Bob Burns via pin

 

Richmond would have been a big show as that was one of their bigger buildings. Workings second from the top v. Valentine would have meant a lot in that context. Another main event for The Andersons also speaks well of him. Flair match as semi-main in Hampton Roads would have meant at least something also as that was a 5k plus building and not a "spot show" town.

 

Friday, August 15, 1975 – County Hall – Charleston, SC

1) Ron Starr defeated Don Serrano

2) Steve Keirn defeated Frank Monte

3) Boris Malenko defeated Klondike Bill

4) Ken Patera defeated The Missouri Mauler

5) World Tag Team Champions Gene Anderson & Ole Anderson defeated Wahoo McDaniel & Tony Atlas via CO

 

8/17/75 Asheville, NC @ Civic Center (Afternoon show)

US Champion Johnny Valentine vs Wahoo McDaniel

NWA Tag Team Champions Gene Anderson & Ole Anderson vs Dusty Rhodes & Paul Jones

Ken Patera vs Jerry Blackwell

Mr Wrestling Tim Woods vs Frank Monte

Steve Keirn vs Bob Bruggers

Sandy Scott vs Joe Soto

 

There are other Blackwell matches on spot shows. That seems to have been Patera's fall back opponent on shows that didn't have a lot of talent or where the other big names had strong opponents.

 

Friday, August 29, 1975 – County Hall – Charleston, SC

1) Kevin Sullivan vs. Don Serrano

2) Steve Keirn & Ron Starr vs. John Smith & Bill Howard

3) Tiger Conway, Jr. vs. Jerry Blackwell

4) Gene Anderson vs. Ken Patera

5) Indian Strap Match: Wahoo McDaniel vs. Ole Anderson

 

Both of these are interesting results as Mauler and Gene were big stars in the Carolinas and a town that usually ran a single main event with an under card as a mixed bag looked to have used Patera v. them as a clear semi-main.

 

8/30/75 Roanoke, VA @ Civic Center

Paul Jones & Wahoo McDaniel beat NWA Tag Team Champions Gene & Ole Anderson when Gene Anderson was knocked unconscious and was unable to continue. The NWA Tag Title did not change hands because the victory was not by pin fall or submission.

Ken Patera & Tiger Conway beat Missouri Mauler & Boris Malenko dq

Tony White (Atlas) beat Bill Howard (sub Brute Bernard)

Klondike Bill beat Jerry Blackwell

Bill Howard beat Bobby Williams

 

Huge hole in terms of dates here but again I have very incomplete listings.

 

9/1/75 Charlotte, NC @ Memorial Stadium

NWA Tag Team Champions Gene Anderson & Ole Anderson beat Paul Jones & Wahoo McDaniel

Ken Patera beat Boris Malenko dq

Women’s Champion Fabulous Moolah beat Susan Green

Tony Atlas beat Brute Bernard

Larry Sharpe beat Don Kernodle

Frank Monte drew Tony Rocco

 

Big show with Patera in the semi-main. He seems to have had a mini-program with Boris going for a while. He continues working singles and tags with him around the loop through Sept usually in mains or semi-mains leading to...

 

9/7/75 Greensboro, NC @ Coliseum

Dusty Rhodes beat US Champion Johnny Valentine dq

Non Title Texas Tornado bout

Wahoo McDaniel & Mr Wrestling Tim Woods beat NWA Tag Team Champions Gene Anderson & Ole Anderson

Rufus R Jones & Ken Patera beat Missouri Mauler & Boris Malenko

Mr Wrestling Tim Woods beat Brute Bernard

Spoiler II beat Swede Hanson

Tiger Conway beat Doug Gilbert

Art Nelson drew Klondike Bill 15:00

Greg Peterson & Tony Rocco beat Charlie Fulton & Bill Howard

att: 9,352

 

Notable that Patera is third from the top, underneath two title matches, which I think shows where he stood in the MACW landscape at the time. This was a strong number.

 

9/19/75 Danville, VA @ City Armory

Mid Atlantic TV Champion Paul Jones beat Gene Anderson

Tony Atlas & Ken Patera beat Jerry Blackwell & George Two Ton Harris

Don Serrano beat Mike Dubois

Tony Rocco beat John Smith

Charlie Fulton drew Greg Peterson 20:00

 

Stuff like this was common throughout Sept, though more often than not he was paired off against Boris and an opponent. There is this...

 

9/23/75 Raleigh, NC @ Dorton Arena

US Champion Johnny Valentine beat Ken Patera

Mid Atlantic TV Champion Paul Jones beat Gene Anderson

Danny Miller & The Avenger beat Boris Malenko & Missouri Mauler

Tony Atlas beat Jerry Blackwell

Roberto Soto beat Larry Sharpe

 

9/28/75 Greensboro, NC @ Coliseum

Paul Jones & Dusty Rhodes beat NWA Tag Team Champions Gene Anderson & Ole Anderson COR

US Champion Johnny Valentine beat Wahoo McDaniel

Bounty Match

Ray Stevens beat Mr Wrestling Tim Woods dq

Ken Patera beat Boris Malenko

Spoiler II beat The Avenger

Tiger Conway Jr beat Mid Atlantic Champion Ric Flair

Danny Miller & Steve Keirn beat Jerry Blackwell & Mike Dubois

att: 9,600+

 

Another big show. Patera v. Malenko was a feud of note, but clearly was not a top of the card feud on the A-shows if this is any indication.

 

10/6/75 Charlotte, NC @ Park Center

NWA Champion Jack Brisco beat Paul Jones on a 3rd fall dq when Jones tossed Brisco over the top rope

Ken Patera beat Gene Anderson (sub Ric Flair)

Swede Hanson & Johnny Weaver beat Steve Strong & Art Nelson

Larry Sharpe & Joe Soto beat Kevin Sullivan & Roberto Soto

Tony Rocco beat Don Serrano

 

Not much of note in October as he was doing some stuff with Malenko still and working utility slot in the upper mid-card.

 

10/30/75 Marion, NC @ McDowell High School Gym

Texas Tornado Match

Paul Jones & Ken Patera vs Spoiler I & Spoiler II

Mr Wrestling Tim Woods & Sandy Scott vs Charlie Fulton & Mike Dubois

Swede Hanson vs Joe Soto

 

That main event sounds really interesting on paper.

 

Friday, November 7, 1975 – County Hall – Charleston, SC

1) Larry Sharpe defeated Don Serrano

2) Klondike Bill defeated Joe Soto

3) Tony Rocca defeated Bill Howard

4) Roberto Soto defeated Mike DuBois

5) World Tag Team Champions Gene Anderson & Ole Anderson defeated Ken Patera & Rufus R. Jones

 

This would have been a reasonably big shot for Patera as the tag belts were the top belt in the territory for much of MACW history.

 

11/9/75 Greensboro, NC @ Coliseum

US Title tournament

First Round

Rufus R Jones beat Steve Strong

Terry Funk beat Red Bastien

Blackjack Mulligan beat Ken Patera

Dusty Rhodes beat Boris Malenko

Wahoo McDaniel beat Superstar Billy Graham

Harley Race beat Tiger Conway Jr

Paul Jones beat Ole Anderson

Johnny Weaver (sub Mr Wrestling Tim Woods) beat Gene Anderson

Second Round

Terry Funk beat Rufus R Jones

Dusty Rhodes beat Blackjack Mulligan

Harley Race beat Wahoo McDaniel

Paul Jones beat Johnny Weaver

Semi Finals

Terry Funk beat Dusty Rhodes

Paul Jones beat Harley Race

Finals

Terry Funk beat Paul Jones to win the U.S. heavyweight championship

att: 15,076

 

Huge show with the one night tourney. Patera goes out in the first round.

 

11/25/75 Raleigh, NC @ Dorton Arena

Boris Malenko & Missouri Mauler & Steve Strong vs Paul Jones & Mr Wrestling Tim Woods & Ken Patera

Tony Atlas vs Bill Howard

Tiger Conway Jr vs Mike Dubois

Swede Hanson vs Bill White

 

He's got some matches w random partners v. Spoilers and stuff like this where he is on the top of the card on what was probably a low priority B show.

 

12/27/75 Hampton, VA @ Hampton Roads Coliseum

US Champion Paul Jones beat Blackjack Mulligan

Angelo Mosca beat Ken Patera

Roberto Soto & El Rayo beat Steve Strong & Mike Dubois

Danny Miller beat George Two Ton Harris

Bill Howard beat Greg Peterson

Cowboy Lang & Vicki Williams beat Sonny Boy Hayes & Leilani Kai

 

This is the only MACW date I see for Patera in 75. Patera v. Mosca would have been promoted as a "strong man" match and probably would have had some value as a special attraction affair underneath a U.S. title match in a reasonably big venue for the promotion.

 

That's the last date I have from Patera in 75 at the moment. Sort of similar to the AWA results in that he was positioned as an "up and comer" who headlined some shows on the circuit, but was never up top on the biggest shows. He did appear to have programs of perceived value with Malenko and Super Destroyer and even Flair. I've heard of an angle he did with Valentine from tv during this rough period but can only find one date with them paired off together. Overall this is still "pre-prime" Patera stuff, but it shows yet again that he was seen as a guy that could make some coin in the right setting against the right opponent.

 

Edit: The stuff I edited in today shows that he really seemed to be on the verge of hitting the top tier in August but was pulled back some shortly thereafter. Either way I think the general conclusions that can be drawn remain the same.

[Ricky Jackson]

I think the Spoiler/Jardine was Super Destroyer in Carolinas (also AWA).

[rainmakerrtv]

I think the Spoiler/Jardine was Super Destroyer in Carolinas (also AWA).

I thought that was Rob "Sgt. Slaughter" Remus, but wikipedia says you are correct.

[Ricky Jackson]

Slaughter wrestled as Super Destroyer "Mark II" in his early days.

[Dylan Waco]

Found pretty complete listings for 75 and edited several more results of relevance

[flairchops]

Peace Brother I is a very intriguing name. I'm imagining a team of Vietnam protestors who get the shit kicked out of them every night.

[Dylan Waco]

1976

1/2/76 Richmond, VA @ Arena

US Champion Paul Jones beat Spoiler II

Non title match

Roberto Soto & El Rayo beat NWA Tag Team Champions Gene Anderson & Ole Anderson

Ken Patera beat Bill White

Larry Sharpe beat Greg Peterson

Jack Evans drew Steve Keirn

Tiger Conway Jr vs George Two Ton Harris

 

First date from 76.

 

1/17/76 Greensboro, NC @ Coliseum

US Champion Paul Jones beat Blackjack Mulligan

NWA Tag Team Champions Gene Anderson & Ole Anderson beat Rufus R Jones & Ken Patera

Angelo Mosca beat Wahoo McDaniel 17:00

Mr Wrestling Tim Woods beat Steve Strong

Roberto Soto & El Rayo beat Bill White & Jack Evans

Steve Keirn beat Michel DuBois

Charlie Fulton beat Klondike Bill

Ronnie Garvin beat Bill Howard

att: 8,229

 

That's a pretty strong show on paper, with three matches on the show that could be seen as main events in that territory.

 

1/30/76 Richmond, VA @ Arena

Gene Anderson & Ole Anderson beat Paul Jones & Rufus R Jones dq

Geto Mongol & Bolo Mongol beat Swede Hanson & Danny Miller

Johnny Weaver beat Boris Malenko

Ken Patera beat Doug Gilbert

Ronnie Garvin beat Charlie Fulton

Klondike Bill drew Jack Evans

Att: 4,000

 

This is a rare non-Greensboro show with a figure attached to it, though it's clear Patera is meandering around in meaningless mid-card matches at this point.

 

2/7/76 Roanoke, VA @ Starland Arena

Ken Patera (sub Paul Jones) & Tony Atlas beat Boris Malenko & Angelo Mosca

Ken Patera beat Doug Gilbert

Tio Tio beat George Two Ton Harris

Greg Peterson beat Joe Soto

Doug Somers drew Don Kernodle

 

Patera does double duty, but he's becoming increasingly less relevant on the shows and only got spot of note here as a last minute sub.

 

2/16/76 Charlotte, NC @ Park Center

US Champion Paul Jones beat Blackjack Mulligan

Geto Mongol & Bolo Mongol beat Ken Patera & Swede Hanson

Boris Malenko beat Danny Miller

Tony Atlas beat Bill Howard

Bill White drew Tio Tio

 

This isn't a bad match for Patera but it's a rare appearance during this stretch. I don't have another appearance of him on an MACW show until...

 

12/14/76 Raleigh, NC @ Dorton Arena

US Champion Paul Jones vs Blackjack Mulligan

Mid Atlantic TV Champion Rufus R Jones vs Greg Valentine

Mid Atlantic Tag Team Champions Mr Wrestling Tim Woods & Dino Bravo vs Masked Superstar & Boris Malenko

Also in Action: Ken Patera, Hans Schroeder and others

 

That is followed shortly thereafter by..

 

12/25/76 Charlotte, NC @ Coliseum 8:15 PM Starting Time

US Champion Blackjack Mulligan beat Paul Jones dq

Ole Anderson beat Mid Atlantic Champion Ric Flair dq

Wahoo McDaniel beat Greg Valentine

Dino Bravo & Ken Patera beat Brute Bernard & Jerry Blackwell

Princess Little Dove beat Diamond Lil

Tony Russo drew Danny Miller

Herb Gallant beat Jack Evans

 

12/26/76 Greensboro, NC @ Coliseum

No dq Match

Ric Flair & Greg Valentine beat Gene Anderson & Ole Anderson to win the NWA Tag Team Title

Wahoo McDaniel beat US Champion Blackjack Mulligan dq

Dusty Rhodes & Mighty Igor beat Brute Bernard & Jacques Goulet

Kim Duk beat Ken Patera

Joyce Grable beat Vivian St John

Blue Scorpion beat Klondike Bill

Johnny Eagles beat Randy Poffo

Herb Gallant beat Doug Somers

Att: 9,387

 

12/27/76 Richmond, VA @ Coliseum

Wahoo McDaniel beat Ric Flair to win Mid Atlantic Title

US Champion Blackjack Mulligan beat Paul Jones dq

Greg Valentine beat Tiger Conway Jr

Dino Bravo & Ken Patera & Frankie Laine beat Brute Bernard & Jerry Blackwell & Jacques Goulet

Tony Russo beat Joey Rossi

Danny Miller beat Doug Somers

 

12/30/76 Norfolk, VA @ Scope Exhibition Hall

Cage Match

Mid Atlantic Champion Wahoo McDaniel vs Ric Flair

US Champion Blackjack Mulligan vs Rufus R Jones

Mid Atlantic Tag Team Champions Mr Wrestling Tim Woods & Dino Bravo vs Brute Bernard & Jerry Blackwell

Kim Duk vs Ken Patera

Also in action: Johnny Eagles, Butch Malone, Danny Miller and many others

 

Patera is essentially an irrelevant undercard performer by this point.

 

Meanwhile between Feb and Dec Patera went to Tri-State where he debuted with a big angle destroying Bill Watts with his full nelson on tv. This is of note because I am fairly sure this was Patera's first big heel angle and certainly the first use of him as an unquestioned top tier guy by any territory.

 

http://www.oklafan.com/results/complete/TSW.html

 

Apr 19 1976 · Expo Square Pavillion · Tulsa

Jay Clayton def. Jerry Brown

Ted DiBiase def. Oni Wiki Wiki

The Hollywood Blondes (Jerry Brown & Buddy Roberts) def. Jay Clayton & Ted DiBiase

Ken Patera def. Dick Murdoch

TSW North American Champion Bill Watts def. Waldo Von Erich

 

That's the first date I see from that run. Notable that there is a two month gap. Maybe I will find something to fill in the gaps later.

 

May 31 1976 · Expo Square Pavillion · Tulsa

Buck Robley def. Ted Heath

TSW United States Tag Team Champion Karl Kox & Bob Sweetan def. Ted DiBiase & Nelson Royal

TSW North American Bill Watts def. Ken Patera

 

May 24 1976 · Expo Square Pavillion · Tulsa

Ted Heath vs. Gene Lewis went to a draw

Nelson Royal def. Buck Robley

TSW United States Tag Team Champions Karl Kox & Bob Sweetan def. Jay Clayton & Ted DiBiase

Ken Patera def. TSW North American Champion Bill Watts by DQ

 

May 17 1976 · Expo Square Pavillion · Tulsa

Nelson Royal def. TSW United States Tag Team Champion Karl Kox

Little Dove def. Diamond Lil

Ted DiBiase & Jay Clayton def. Rick McGraw & Ted Heath

Ken Patera vs. TSW North American Champion Bill Watts was declared a No-Contest

 

May 3 1976 · Expo Square Pavillion · Tulsa

Rick McGraw vs. Professor Ito went to a draw

TSW United States Tag Team Champion Ted DiBiase def. Oliver Humperdink

Jay Clayton & Nelson Royal def. The Hollywood Blondes (Buddy Roberts & Jerry Brown)

TSW United States Tag Team Champion Dick Murdoch & TSW North American Champion Bill Watts vs. Karl Kox & Ken Patera went to a Double DQ

 

Month long run v. the top draw and icon of the territory. No clue what TSW was drawing at this point. Also worth noting these are all Tulsa shows. No clue what there loop was, but I assume Watts v. Patera headlined around the horn.

 

Jun 7 1976 · Expo Square Pavillion · Tulsa

Rick McGraw vs. Silento Rodriguez went to a draw

Ron Starr def. Bob Griffin

Ken Patera def. Ted DiBiase

Nelson Royal def. TSW United States Tag Team Champion Bob Sweetan

Buck Robley def. TSW United States Tag Team Champion Karl Kox by DQ

TSW North American Champion Bill Watts def. Assassin III

 

I doubt this was a demotion, but rather Patera v. a plucky babyface up and comer. My guess is Patera destroyed him.

 

Jun 18 1976 · Great Plains Collesium · Lawton

The Following matches were advertised, but the results are unknown:

 

Ted Heath vs. Ricky Gibson

Tom Jones vs. Ron Starr

Ted DiBiase vs. TSW United States Tag Team Champion Karl Kox

TSW North American Champion Bill Watts vs. Ken Patera

 

Jul 16 1976 · Expo Square Pavillion · Tulsa

Pat Barrett def. Igor Putski

Pat Kelly & Mike Kelly def. Gene Lewis & Tony Russo

Nelson Royal def. Bobby Jaggers

Skandar Akbar def. Tom Jones

TSW United States Tag Team Champions Karl Kox & Ken Patera def. Dick Murdoch & TSW North American Champion Bill Watts

 

Jun 28 1976 · Expo Square Pavillion · Tulsa

Ted Heath def. Mike Hendrick

Jay Clayton def. Gene Lewis

Nelson Royal vs. Pat Barrett went to a draw

TSW United States Tag Team Champion Karl Kox def. Buck Robley

Ken Patera & TSW United States Tag Team Champion Bob Sweetan def. Dick Murdoch & TSW North American Champion Bill Watts by DQ

 

Jun 21 1976 · Expo Square Pavillion · Tulsa

Oni Wiki Wiki & Rick McGraw def. John Brown & Jerry Green

TSW United States Tag Team Champion Bob Sweetan def. Ted Heath

Nelson Royal def. Bob Griffin

Dick Murdoch def. Ken Patera by DQ

Buck Robley def. TSW United States Tag Team Champion Bob Sweetan

 

Still effectively on top as he is the top heel in the promotion and works Watts or Murdoch or both on the key shows.

 

Aug 23 1976 · Expo Square Pavillion · Tulsa

Silento Rodriguez def. Ted Heath

Kitty Adams & Vivian St. John def. Leilani Kai & Toni Rose

Nelson Royal def. Pat Barrett

Skandar Akbar & TSW United States Tag Team Champions Karl Kox & Bob Sweetan def. Ken Patera, Larry Hennig & TSW North American Champion Bill Watts

 

Aug 9 1976 · Expo Square Pavillion · Tulsa

The following matches were advertised, but no results are known:

Silento Rodriguez vs. Tony Russo

Rick McGraw vs. Ted Heath

Pat Barrett vs. Bobby Jaggers

Nelson Royal vs. TSW United States Tag Team Champion Karl Kox

TSW North American Champion Bill Watts vs. Ken Patera

NWA World Champion Terry Funk vs. Dick Murdoch

 

Aug 2 1976 · Expo Square Pavillion · Tulsa

Tony Russo def. Rick McGraw

Nelson Royal & Pat Barrett def. Randy Tyler & Bobby Jaggers

Ken Patera def. TSW North American Champion Bill Watts by DQ

Dick Murdoch def. TSW United States Tag Team champion Karl Kox

 

Jul 30 1976 · Great Plains Collesium · Lawton

Bob Griffin def. Gene Lewis

Farmer Pete def. Little Tokyo

Dick Murdoch & Nelson Royal def. Ken Patera & TSW United States Tag Team Champion Karl Kox

 

Jul 19 1976 · Expo Square Pavillion · Tulsa

Silento Rodriguez vs. Ted Heath went to a draw

Randy Tyler & Bobby Jaggers def. Bob Griffin & Nelson Royal

Ken Patera def. Pat Barrett

Dick Murdoch def. Seigfried Stanke

Bill Watts def. Karl Kox

 

Oct 24 1976 · Great Plains Collesium · Lawton

The following matches were announced, but no results are known:

 

Abe Jacobs vs. Choi Sun

Nelson Royal vs. TSW United States Tag Team Champion Karl Kox

Dick Murdoch vs. Skandar Akbar

TSW North American Champion Bill Watts vs. Ken Patera

 

Sep 20 1976 · Expo Square Pavillion · Tulsa

Jim Starr def. Bob Griffin

Abe Jacobs def. Pat McGinnis

Choi Sun def. Rick McGraw

The Spoiler def. Grizzly Smith by DQ

TSW North American Champion Bill Watts def. Bobby Jaggers

Dick Murdoch & Larry Hennig def. Ken Patera & Skandar Akbar by DQ

 

Sep 13 1976 · Expo Square Pavillion · Tulsa

Bob Griffin def. Tony Russo

Pat McGinnis def. Igor Putski

Buck Robely def. Ron Starr

Nelson Royal & Larry Hennig def. Skandar Akbar & Pat Barrett

Dick Murdoch vs. Ken Patera went to a No-Contest

 

Nov 20 1976 · Great Plains Collesium · Lawton

The following matches were announced, although no results are known:

 

Pat McGinnis vs. Rick Oliver

Billy Robinson & Jay Clayton vs. Skandar Akbar & Choi Sun

NWA World Champion Terry Funk vs. Ken Patera

 

I decided to bunch these all together because I think they illustrate their own point - Patera clearly made a positive impact on business in 76. Despite being a non-regional player he was booked in main events and title matches pretty much across the board. His heel run v. Watts had to have done well given how many times the company went to it and when he went face he was still in main events and finished up his run getting his first NWA title shot (despite being a non-local face for the region and effectively an import himself).

 

76 is really a tale of two places for Patera. His brief stints in MACW were totally irrelevant and produced nothing of note. Meanwhile his first real heel run appeared to have been very strong. The Watts angle that kick started his run there is still remembered and sort of set a template for future heel runs he would have. For the first time he was a true, unqualified, main eventer. And the evidence would strongly suggest that he drew/did good business in that role as well.

[jdw]

Dylan, may I make a suggestion:

 

Rather than limiting this to that sub header of "results review", you probably should open this up to all things about Ken. It would be worthwhile after the results for folks to put together a list of his available matches, and probably talk about them. Just as the results reflect well on him, so do a chunk of the matches that are available.

 

John

[Dylan Waco]

Dylan, may I make a suggestion:

 

Rather than limiting this to that sub header of "results review", you probably should open this up to all things about Ken. It would be worthwhile after the results for folks to put together a list of his available matches, and probably talk about them. Just as the results reflect well on him, so do a chunk of the matches that are available.

 

John

I'll adjust it. If you have the time/are willing would you mind dragging over some of the WWF reviews you've done John?

 

I edited some stuff in from 74 by the way

[Ricky Jackson]

Great stuff so far. I knew Patera started in the AWA, but I didn't know about his Mid-Atlantic babyface run or his first heel run with Watts.

[Dylan Waco]

I think what's notable about his early AWA run is that he came right out of camp and pretty quickly got pushed into the upper mid-card tier of talent. Compare that to how Flair or Slaughter or Buddy Rose or any number of Verne trainees got treated out of the gate. His Olympic background no doubt had a lot to do with it, but it's still pretty crazy that he never really "paid his dues" deep in the undercard the way those other guys did.

[khawk20]

I think the Spoiler/Jardine was Super Destroyer in Carolinas (also AWA).

I thought that was Rob "Sgt. Slaughter" Remus, but wikipedia says you are correct.

 

Jardine was the first Super Destroyer in the AWA, Remus came later as SD II, followed by Neil Guay as SD III. II and III teamed and feuded at various points.

[Dylan Waco]

1977

 

WWWF @ New York City, NY - Madison Square Garden - January 17, 1977

Televised on the MSG Network - featured Vince McMahon on commentary:

Jose Gonzalez fought Pete Sanchez to a draw

Doug Gilbert defeated Don Serrano

Greg Gagne defeated Johnny Rodz

Tor Kamata & Nikolai Volkoff defeated Dominic DeNucci & Manuel Soto

North American Champion Pat Patterson defeated Baron Mikel Scicluna (Patterson's MSG debut)

Bobo Brazil defeated Stan Stasiak via disqualification

WWWF Tag Team Champions Chief Jay Strongbow & Billy Whitewolf defeated the Executioners

Ivan Putski fought Bruiser Brody to a double disqualification at 6:10

Ken Patera defeated WWWF World Champion Bruno Sammartino via count-out

 

From what I can tell this is Patera's first match of the year in 77 but that seems strange. You have to assume he had some local promos and maybe a tv squash to set up this match as he comes in and immediately headlines against Bruno at the Garden. Bruno was coming off a feud with Brody - Patera was coming off of being a low mid-carder in Mid-Atlantic. Really crazy to think of, but I'm guessing they were familiar with Patera's heel run against Watts and co. and how well it got over. Still would like to hear what the build to this was.

 

WWWF @ Queens, NY - Sunnyside Garden - January 20, 1977

Ted Adams defeated Frank Monroe via disqualification

Baron Mikel Scicluna defeated Pete Sanchez

Pat Patterson defeated Mark Tendler

Executioner #2 defeated Jose Gonzalez

Executioner #1 defeated Manuel Soto

Ken Patera defeated SD Jones

Ivan Putski defeated Stan Stasiak

 

This is the second Patera match I have from the WWWF. I learned doing the Blackwell research that some of these WWWF spot shows were really weak on paper. This illustrates that well.

 

WWWF @ Boston, MA - Boston Garden - January 22, 1977

Nikolai Volkoff won a battle royal when, after the match came down to him and Stan Stasiak, Volkoff won a coin toss to win; other participants included: Bruiser Brody, Stan Hansen, Doug Gilbert, Pat Patterson, Tor Kamata, Baron Mikel Scicluna, Ken Patera, Larry Zbyzsko, Jose Gonzalez, Tony Altimore, the Executioners, Pete Sanchez, Johnny Rivera, Billy White Wolf, SD Jones, Chief Jay Strongbow, and Johnny Rodz; order of elimination: ? by Patera; Patera by Zbyzsko via a dropkick; Strongbow, White Wolf, and the Executioners eliminated each other; Scicluna by Sanchez, Gonzalez, & Zbyzsko; Zbyzsko eliminated; Kamata eliminated; Sanchez by Stasiak; Gonzalez by Volkoff & Stasiak; due to pre-match stipulations, Volkoff earned a world title match for later in the evening

Chief Jay Strongbow defeated Pete Sanchez

Executioner #2 defeated Pete Sanchez

Executioner #1 (Kowalski) defeated Manuel Soto

Tor Kamata defeated Tony Altimore

Stan Stasiak defeated Larry Zbyzsko via disqualification

Ken Patera defeated Jose Gonzalez

Bruiser Brody fought Billy Whitewolf to a draw

Doug Gilbert pinned Johnny Rivera with a neckbreaker

Baron Mikel Scicluna fought SD Jones to a draw

WWWF World Champion Bruno Sammartino defeated Nikolai Volkoff

 

Patera in the middle of a card on a show where they picked the title contender on the fly.

 

WWWF @ Portland, ME - January 25, 1977

Tor Kamata defeated SD Jones

The Executioners defeated Manuel Soto & Pete Sanchez

Larry Zbyzsko defeated Doug Gilbert

Ken Patera defeated Gorilla Monsoon

Stan Stasiak defeated Chief Jay Strongbow

 

WWWF @ Bangor, ME - January 26, 1977

SD Jones defeated Johnny Rodz

Nikolai Volkoff defeated Sylvano Sousa

Tor Kamata defeated Pete Austin

Ken Patera defeated Jose Gonzalez

Executioner #1 defeated Manuel Soto

Stan Stasiak defeated Pete Sanchez

Billy Whitewolf defeated Executioner #2

Larry Zbyzsko defeated Baron Mikel Scicluna

Chief Jay Strongbow defeated Doug Gilbert

Ken Patera won a battle royal

 

Stasiak is still being booked above Patera in the heel hierarchy on spot shows, thought the battle royal win may suggest the beginning of a shift.

 

WWWF @ Baltimore, MD - Civic Center - January 29, 1977

Ken Patera vs. Jose Gonzalez

Stan Stasiak vs. Billy White Wolf

WWWF World Champion Bruno Sammartino & Bobo Brazil vs. the Executioners

 

I'm assuming this is an incomplete result, but still an interesting one.

 

WWWF @ Worcester, MA - Memorial Auditorium - February 3, 1977

Johnny Rodz defeated Johnny Rivera

Tor Kamata won a battle royal

John Tzinas defeated Pinky Larson

Stan Stasiak defeated Mike Santocapito

Executioner #1 defeated Jose Gonzalez

Ken Patera defeated Pete Austin

Tor Kamata defeated Billy Whitewolf

Larry Zbyzsko defeated Sylvano Sousa

SD Jones defeated Baron Mikel Scicluna

Chief Jay Strongbow defeated Executioner #2

Doug Gilbert defeated Pete Doherty

 

Patera buried in the dead middle of an extremely weak and dense b-show. After working Bruno a few weeks earlier at MSG? WTF?

 

WWWF @ Philadelphia, PA - Spectrum - February 5, 1977 (8,200)

SD Jones defeated Davey O'Hannon

Baron Mikel Scicluna fought Manuel Soto to a draw

Larry Zbyzsko defeated Doug Gilbert

Tor Kamata defeated Johnny Rodz

Ken Patera defeated Mike Santocapito

Jose Gonzalez defeated Executioner #2

Stan Stasiak defeated Billy Whitewolf via count-out

Executioner #1 defeated Gorilla Monsoon via count-out

WWWF World Champion Bruno Sammartino defeated Bruiser Brody at 10:33

 

Patera still in the middle of the show while Bruno finishes up with Bruiser. I assume they were building Patera around the loop, which means maybe he didn't debut on tv before his shot at the Garden v. Bruno?

 

WWWF @ New York, NY - Madison Square Garden - February 7, 1977

Mil Mascaras defeated Doug Gilbert

Larry Zbyzsko defeated Executioner #1

WWWF Tag Team Champions Chief Jay Strongbow & Billy Whitewolf defeated Nikolai Volkoff & Tor Kamata

Carlos Rocha defeated Frank Monroe

Stan Stasiak defeated Manuel Soto

Jose Gonzalez defeated Baron Mikel Scicluna via disqualification

Johnny Rodz fought Pete Sanchez to a draw

WWWF World Champion Bruno Sammartino fought Ken Patera to a draw in a Texas Death Match after the referee was knocked out

 

Patera main eventing the Garden again after working mid-level at best on several house shows leading up to this. Two MSG main events is a big notch in his belt, though I still find the way he was eased in a bit odd. That may have been a previous standard I am unaware of to be fair.

 

Patera's first listed tv dates are the tapings on the 8th and 9th of Feb where I think he was really put over as a fierce heel though he worked only squashes.

 

WWWF @ Portland, ME - February 15, 1977

Pete Austin defeated Sylvano Sousa

Doug Gilbert defeated Pete Doherty

Tony Garea defeated the Gladiator

Larry Zbyzsko defeated Executioner #2

Executioner #1 defeated SD Jones

Ken Patera defeated Ivan Putski via count-out

 

Patera with a first - a smaller show main event, now that he has headlined the Garden twice.

 

WWWF @ Providence, RI - Civic Center - February 19, 1977

Sylvano Sousa defeated Frankie Williams

Pete Austin defeated Tony Altimore

Larry Zbyzsko defeated Pete Doherty

Tony Garea defeated Doug Gilbert

Carlos Rocha defeated Johnny Rodz (sub. for Rocky Tomayo)

Ivan Putski defeated Tor Kamata

Ken Patera, Stan Stasiak, & Nikolai Volkoff defeated WWWF World Champion Bruno Sammartino, Chief Jay Strongbow, & Billy Whitewolf

 

That main event seems like it would have been a fairly big deal on paper as those three guys were arguably the top heels in the promotion v. the World and tag champs.

 

WWWF @ Pittsfield, MA - Boys Club Gym - February 25, 1977 (1,200)

Pete Sanchez fought Don Serrano to a 20-minute time-limit draw

Mike Santocapito defeated Johnny Rodz via disqualification at 12:45 when Rodz threw referee Mario Savoldi out of the ring

Tony Garea defeated Frank Monroe via submission at 16:05 with an abdominal stretch

WWWF Tag Team Champions Chief Jay Strongbow & Billy White Wolf defeated Ken Patera & Tor Kamata in a Best 2 out of 3 falls match, 2-0; fall #1: Strongbow pinned Kamata at 14:15; fall #2: Patera & Kamata were disqualified at the 21-second mark when Patera gave a forearm smash to referee Mario Savoldi

 

This is worth noting even though that is not near a sell out at that building (saw a figure of 2k at the same building on an earlier result) because it shows how strong they were putting over Patera as a vicious heel. Wonder if the White Wolf attack is going to pop up in the results as that was the huge thing that "made" him in the territory.

 

WWWF @ New Haven, CT - February 26, 1977

Tor Kamata defeated Mike Santocapito

Carlos Rocha defeated Johnny Rodz

Ken Patera defeated SD Jones

WWWF World Champion Bruno Sammartino defeated Nikolai Volkoff

Larry Zbyzsko defeated Doug Gilbert

Tony Garea defeated Baron Mikel Scicluna

Stan Stasiak defeated Jose Gonzalez

WWWF Tag Team Champions Chief Jay Strongbow & Billy Whitewolf defeated the Executioners

 

Did New Haven have a curfew issue to? Trying to figure out why Bruno would be working mid show otherwise.

 

WWWF @ Brownsville - February 28, 1977

Larry Zbyzsko fought Tor Kamata to a draw

Vicki Williams & Joyce Grable defeated Toni Rose & Donna Christianello

Ken Patera & Stan Stasiak defeated WWWF Tag Team Champions Chief Jay Strongbow & Billy Whitewolf via count-out

 

House show main event.

 

WWWF @ New York City, NY - Madison Square Garden - March 7, 1977

Don Kent fought Jose Gonzalez to a draw

Gino Hernandez defeated Johnny Rodz

Larry Zbyzsko defeated Doug Gilbert

Bobo Brazil defeated Jan Nelson

Carlos Rocha defeated Executioner #2

Ivan Putski defeated Executioner #1

Tony Garea defeated Baron Mikel Scicluna

Dusty Rhodes defeated Rocky Tomayo

WWWF Tag Team Champions Chief Jay Strongbow & Billy Whitewolf defeated Stan Stasiak & Tor Kamata

WWWF World Champion Bruno Sammartino defeated Ken Patera when guest referee Gorilla Monsoon stopped the match due to blood loss

 

Yet another Garden main event v. Bruno.

 

WWWF @ Steubenville, OH - St. John Arena - March 13, 1977

Johnny DeFazio fought Johnny Rodz to a draw

Dominic DeNucci defeated Joe Andrews

Chief Jay Strongbow defeated Tor Kamata in a strap match

Ken Patera defeated Billy Whitewolf via disqualification

Doug Gilbert & Baron Mikel Scicluna defeated Jose Gonzalez & Don Seranno

 

Patera/Whitewolf and the strap match were the real main events here, but this is pretty much the definition of a "spot" show.

 

WWWF @ Pittsburgh, PA - Civic Arena - March 18, 1977

Baron Mikel Scicluna fought Billy White Wolf to a 20-minute draw

Frank Durso pinned Ron Lee

Ken Patera defeated SD Jones with the bearhug

Dominic DeNucci pinned JoJo Andrews

Stan Stasiak defeated WWWF World Champion Bruno Sammartino via disqualification

Jose Gonzalez pinned Joe Abby

Larry Zbyzsko & Ivan Putski defeated the Executioners in a Best 2 out of 3 falls match; #1 - Executioners disqualified; #2 - Putski pinned Executioner #1

 

Bruno has moved on to Stasiak on a lot of these shows. Meanwhile Patera is working the likes of SD Jones.

 

WWWF @ North Attleboro, MA - Witschi's Sports Arena - March 18, 1977

Frank Monroe vs. Pete Austin

Johnny Rivera vs. Jan Nelson

Doug Gilbert vs. Manuel Soto

Carlos Rocha vs. Tor Kamata

 

I just wanted to save this as I can't recall ever seeing less interesting or meaningful card than this. Even the PWF shows that used to run here in the 90's would give you an Italian Stallion v. George South main event.

 

WWWF @ Boston, MA - Boston Garden - March 19, 1977 (10,580)

SD Jones defeated Pete Doherty

Manuel Soto fought Johnny Rivera to a draw

Jose Gonzalez defeated Johnny Rodz

Ken Patera defeated Billy White Wolf

Chief Jay Strongbow defeated Tor Kamata

Carlos Rocha defeated Frankie Williams

Tony Garea & Larry Zbyzsko defeated the Executioners

WWWF World Champion Bruno Sammartino defeated Stan Stasiak

 

Make no mistake, the crowd is there to see Bruno I'm sure, but Patera's placement is deceptive. That was probably the "first half" of the show main event before intermission if I had to guess.

 

WWWF @ Hamburg, PA - Fieldhouse - March 23, 1977

All Star Wrestling taping:

3/26/77:

Superstar Billy Graham defeated Bill Berger

4/2/77:

Superstar Billy Graham defeated Pete Austin

4/9/77:

Dark match after the taping: Bob Backlund vs. Ken Patera

 

Three years before their more famous run. Note that this is the beginning of the Superstar run too.

 

WWWF @ Garfield - March 25, 1977

Don Serano fought Pete Sanchez to a draw

Jose Gonzaelz defeated Ted Adams

Manuel Soto fought Johnny Rivera to a draw

SD Jones defeated Johnny Rodz

Billy Whitewolf defeated Baron Mikel Scicluna via disqualification

Ken Patera defeated Chief Jay Strongbow via count-out

 

WWWF @ Glouchester - March 26, 1977

Don Serano defeated Stan Lavdis

Pete Sanchez fought Jan Nelson to a draw

Johnny Rodz defeated Ted Adams

SD Jones defeated Lee Morgan

Ken Patera defeated Billy Whitewolf

 

WWWF @ New York City, NY - Madison Square Garden - March 28, 1977

Televised on the MSG Network - featured Vince McMahon on commentary

Johnny Rodz fought Jan Nelson to a draw

Jose Gonzalez fought SD Jones to a draw

Carlos Rocha defeated Baron Mikel Scicluna

Chief Jay Strongbow defeated Executioner #2

The Hillbilly Kid & the Haiti Kid defeated Little Johnny & Billy the Kid

WWWF World Champion Bruno Sammartino defeated Baron Von Raschke via disqualification at 17:35 when the challenger brought a steel chair into the ring, as Sammartino had his leg tied in the ring ropes, and hit him with the weapon; prior to the bout, the challenger was escorted to the ring by Freddie Blassie while Sammartino was escorted down by Arnold Skaaland; after the match, Von Raschke applied the claw on the champion, as he was tied in the ropes, and threw down the referee until Tony Garea, Larry Zbyzsko, and another wrestler came out to pull Von Raschke from the ring as Skaaland checked on the champion (Bruno Sammartino: Wrestling's Living Legend)

Tony Garea defeated Doug Gilbert

Billy Whitewolf defeated Executioner #1 via disqualification

Championship Wrestling - 9/17/77: Dusty Rhodes pinned Tor Kamata with the Bionic elbow drop

Ivan Putski & Larry Zbyzsko fought Ken Patera & Stan Stasiak to a draw

 

Patera gets a couple of spot show main events - including one that almost certainly took place less than 400 yards from my old residence - leading into the Garden show. Patera is on last again, but is obviously not the main event. Though Patera/Stasiak teaming against Putski and Larry Z would have been a suitable semi-main for the era. Was this Dusty's debut in the Garden too?

 

WWWF @ Bangor, ME - March 30, 1977

Pete Sanchez defeated Jan Nelson via disqualification

Baron Von Raschke defeated Jose Gonzalez

Ken Patera defeated Ivan Putski via disqualification

The Haiti Kid & Hillbilly Kid defeated Little Johnny & Billy the Kid

Larry Zbyzsko fought Executioner #2 to a draw

Tony Garea defeated Johnny Rodz

 

On paper Patera v. Putski looks like the real main event of this show.

 

WWWF @ Philadelphia, PA - Spectrum - April 2, 1977 (12,804)

SD Jones pinned Johnny Rodz at 10:06

Carlos Rocha defeated Doug Gilbert at 6:14

Jan Nelson defeated Frank Monroe at 6:58

Baron Mikel Scicluna fought Jose Gonzalez to a 20-minute draw

The Haiti Kid & Hillbilly Pete defeated Billy the Kid & Little John in a Best 2 out of 3 falls match

Larry Zbyzsko defeated Executioner #1 via disqualification at 4:09

Tony Garea pinned Executioner #2 at 7:15

Ivan Putski pinned Tor Kamata at the 11-second mark

Ken Patera & Baron Von Raschke defeated WWWF Tag Team Champions Chief Jay Strongbow & Billy White Wolf in a Best 2 out of 3 falls match; fall #3: Patera & Von Raschke won via disqualification

WWWF World Champion Bruno Sammartino pinned Stan Stasiak at 14:32

 

Best figure of the year so far at the Spectrum. I don't doubt that Bruno v. Stan would get them in, but Patera and a new heel ally v. the tag champs who he had been at war with for the better part of the year could easily be pointed to as something that would help the gate.

 

WWWF @ New Haven, CT - April 3, 1977

Jan Nelson defeated Sylvano Sousa

Carlos Rocha defeated Doug Gilbert

SD Jones defeated Tor Kamata via disqualification

Baron Von Raschke defeated Johnny Rivera

Billy Whitewolf defeated Johnny Rodz

Tony Garea & Larry Zbyzkso defeated the Executioners

Ken Patera defeated Ivan Putski via count-out

 

A lot of these spot shows are like this now with Patera v. Putski as the clear main event.

 

77/04/03

NWA TITLE:

Harley Race D Ken Patera (curfew) 34:19

Stan Stasiak/Chief Jay Strongbow WP The Sheik/Crazy Luke Graham 6:38

The Wildman/Chris Tolos D Sweet Daddy Siki/The Beast 15:00

The Crusaders D The Wolfman/Reginald Love 15:00

Michele Barone W Terry Yorkston 11:18

Steve Bolus WP Brian Macnee 5:57

Tony Parisi DCOR Ivan Koloff 8:26

 

Did he really work a New haven spot show and Toronto the same day? Either way getting a title shot v. Harley is impressive. He's worked a few other MP matches earlier in the year as well.

 

WWWF @ Queens, NY - Sunnyside Gardens - April 16, 1977 (matinee)

Chief Jay Strongbow vs. Ken Patera

 

WWWF @ Boston, MA - Boston Garden - April 16, 1977

SD Jones fought Rocky Tomayo to a draw

Carlos Rocha defeated Executioner #2

Executioner #1 defeated Pete Austin

The Haiti Kid & Hillbilly Kid defeated Little Johnny & Billy the Kid

WWWF World Champion Bruno Sammartino defeated Ken Patera via disqualification

Stan Stasiak defeated Gorilla Monsoon

Tony Garea & Larry Zbyzsko defeated Doug Gilbert & Baron Mikel Scicluna

 

WWWF @ Long Island, NY - Nassau Coliseum - April 18, 1977

Doug Gilbert defeated Jan Nelson

Carlos Rocha defeated Rocky Tomayo

Baron Mikel Scicluna fought SD Jones to a draw

Baron Von Raschke defeated Tony Garea via count-out

WWWF Tag Team Champions Chief Jay Strongbow & Billy Whitewolf defeated Tor Kamata & Stan Stasiak

Andre the Giant & Larry Zbyzsko defeated the Executioners

WWWF World Champion Bruno Sammartino fought Ken Patera to a double count-out

 

This is really intriguing to me. They had not run Patera v. Bruno anywhere other than the Garden before this. Patera had been working main events v. Putski on a lot of spot shows as well as several tag main events. They finally decide to take Bruno v. Patera to other big arenas. I really wish I had numbers for all of their run. I can't imagine it was doing anything other than rock solid business for them to go back to it.

 

WWWF @ Bangor, ME - April 20, 1977

Don Serano defeated Sylvano Sousa

Doug Gilbert defeated Pete Austin

SD Jones fought Rocky Tomayo to a draw

Andre the Giant, Tony Garea, & Larry Zbyzsko defeated Ken Patera & the Executioners

 

I imagine the Patera/Andre power spot schtick in this would have been entertaining.

 

WWWF @ New York City, NY - Madison Square Garden - April 25, 1977

Carlos Rocha defeated Rocky Tomayo

Larry Zbyzsko defeated Baron Mikel Scicluna

Billy Whitewolf defeated Doug Gilbert

Ivan Putski defeated Tor Kamata

Gorilla Monsoon defeated Nikolai Volkoff

Chief Jay Strongbow fought Stan Stasiak to a draw

Ken Patera defeated Tony Garea via count-out

Bob Backlund defeated Executioner #2

WWWF World Champion Bruno Sammartino defeated Baron Von Raschke

 

Patera had been working around the loop with Garea at this point. Follows this up with more dates v. Putski.

 

WWWF @ Portland, ME - Exposition Building - May 10, 1977

Frank Monroe vs. Pete Austin

Johnny Rodz vs. Ted Adams

Doug Gilbert vs. Don Serrano

Baron Mikel Scicluna vs. Billy White Wolf

Ivan Putski vs. Ken Patera

WWWF World Champion Superstar Billy Graham defeated Tony Garea; Tony Altimore was the guest referee for the bout

 

Patera's old rival from the AWA and Texas now has the WWWF title. He is still main or semi-main opposite Putski but by no means can be said to be the top heel now if he ever was.

 

WWWF @ Fort Dix, NJ - Sports Arena - May 12, 1977

Gorilla Monsoon & Tony Garea vs. Ken Patera & Nikolai Volkoff (Best 2 out of 3 falls)

Also included Baron Mikel Scicluna, Carlos Rocha, SD Jones, Rocky Tomayo, Pete Sanchez, Johnny Rivera, Ted Adams, and Tony Altimore

 

There's a bizarre match.

 

WWWF @ Springfield, MA - Civic Center - May 14, 1977

Jose Gonzalez vs. Sylvano Sousa

Ted Adams vs. Jan Nelson

Johnny Rivera & Don Serrano vs. Johnny Rodz & Pete Doherty

Joyce Grable vs. Terri Shane

Tony Garea vs. Baron Mikel Scicluna

SD Jones vs. George Steele

Chief Jay Strongbow vs. WWWF World Champion Superstar Billy Graham (Best 2 out of 3 falls)

Bruno Sammartino vs. Ken Patera

 

Bruno and Ken finally main event in a non-A venue. The next day he worked deep in the undercard v. Jay Strongbow at the Boston Garden.

 

WWWF @ New York City, NY - Madison Square Garden - May 16, 1977

Carlos Rocha defeated Jan Nelson

Ron Mickolajoka defeated Doug Gilbert

Baron Mikel Scicluna fought Ivan Putski to a draw

Ken Patera fought Chief Jay Strongbow to a draw

Billy Whitewolf defeated Rocky Tamoyo

Tony Garea & Larry Zbyzsko defeated Stan Stasiak & Nikolai Volkoff

Bruno Sammartino defeated George Steele when the match was stopped due to blood

WWWF World Champion Superstar Billy Graham (w/ the Grand Wizard) pinned Gorilla Monsoon with a knee drop off the top after repeatedly ramming the challenger into the steel barrier on the floor (History of the WWF Heavyweight Championship)

 

Patera's "worst" match at the Garden so far. Working Strongbow is hardly awful in this era WWWF, but he doesn't feel like a main player on this lineup.

 

WWWF @ New London, CT - Ocean Beach Park Auditorium - May 18, 1977

Don Serrano fought Johnny Rivera to a 20-minute time-limit draw

Joe Esposito defeated Jan Nelson via submission with a bearhug at 10:21

Tony Garea & Larry Zbyszko defeated Baron Mikel Scicluna & Frank Rodriguez in a Best 2 out of 3 falls match, 2-1; fall #1: Scicluna & Rodriguez won at 7:03; fall #2: Garea & Zbyszko won at 3:07; fall #3: Garea & Zbyszko won at 7:15

Ken Patera defeated Ivan Putski via count-out at 11:45; stipulations stated the winner would earn a WWWF World Title shot

 

Interesting stipulation and result considering their was a heel champion at the time.

 

WWWF @ Philadelphia, PA - Arena - May 24, 1977

Championship Wrestling taping:

5/28/77:

Bob Backlund defeated Rocky Tomayo

WWWF World Champion Superstar Billy Graham defeated Don Serrano

Larry Zbyzsko defeated Sylvano Sousa

Prof. Toru Tanaka & Mr. Fuji defeated Jose Gonzalez & SD Jones

Peter Maivia defeated Doug Gilbert

Ken Patera defeated Chief Jay Strongbow via disqualification

6/4/77:

Nikolai Volkoff defeated Johnny Rivera

Tony Garea & Larry Zbyzsko defeated Rocky Tomayo & Johnny Rodz

Jose Gonzalez defeated Frank Rodriguez

Bob Backlund defeated Buddy Wolfe

Stan Stasiak defeated Frank Williams

George Steele defeated SD Jones

6/11/77:

Prof. Toru Tanaka & Mr. Fuji fought Larry Zbyzsko & Tony Garea to a draw

Ivan Putski defeated Rocky Tomayo

Buddy Wolfe defeated Pete Austin

Peter Maivia defeated Pete McKay

Ken Patera (w/ Capt. Lou Albano) defeated Billy White Wolf via submission with the full nelson at 5:52; after the bout, Patera refused to break the hold until several referees and wrestlers came out to pull him away; moments later, White Wolf was taken backstage on a stretcher

 

Patera is put over huge at these tapings, with the White Wolf angle being one of the more memorable tv angles of the period for the WWWF. This single event probably won him the PWI Most Hated Wrestler of the year "award."

 

WWWF @ North Attleboro, MA - May 27, 1977

Jan Nelson vs. Pete Austin

Carlos Rocha vs. Jose Rodriguez

Chief Jay Strongbow & Billy White Wolf vs. Frank Monroe & Ken Patera

Included 2 other bouts

 

Post-White Wolf injury angle but I don't think that had hit tv yet.

 

WWWF @ Baltimore, MD - Civic Center - May 28, 1977

Johnny Rodz vs. Tony Garea

Ken Patera vs. Peter Maivia

Nikolai Volkoff vs. Chief Jay Strongbow

Billy White Wolf vs. Geroge Steele

Bruno Sammartino fought WWWF World Champion Superstar Billy Graham to a double disqualification

Included 2 other bouts

 

This is actually a fairly loaded show in some respects. Certainly by the standard of the era at least.

 

WWWF @ Steubenville, OH - St. John's Arena - May 29, 1977 (2,500)

Frank Durso pinned Bobby Shaffer

George Steele defeated SD Jones

Dominic DeNucci fought Stan Stasiak to a draw

Johnny Rodz defeated Joe Abby

Baron Mikel Scicluna & JoJo Andrews defeated Johnny DeFazio & Bill Berger

Chief Jay Strongbow fought Ken Patera to a double disqualification in a lumberjack match

 

This was a pretty good number for a spot show.

 

WWWF @ Portland, ME - Exposition Building - May 31, 1977 (1,900)

SD Jones defeated Jan Nelson at 10:08

Peter Maivia defeated Johnny Rodz

Pete Austin defeated Frank Rodriguez

Larry Zbyzsko, Tony Garea, & Haystacks Calhoun defeated Doug Gilbert, Baron Mikel Scicluna, & Pete Doherty in a Best 3 out of 5 falls match, 3-0

WWWF World Champion Superstar Billy Graham fought Ken Patera to a double disqualification after hitting each other over the head with a chair

 

Kind of insane that they ran this heel v. heel match. No clue what capacity was in Portland, but there is noting else of note on this card which makes heel v. heel an even crazier proposition.

 

WWWF @ Philadelphia, PA - Spectrum - June 4, 1977 (13,797)

Carlos Rocha defeated Johnny Rodz

SD Jones pinned Jan Nelson

Tony Garea defeated Gashouse Gilbert

George Steele fought Haystacks Calhoun to a no contest when Steele went bezerk before the match, tearing off the turnbuckle padding and thowing it at his opponent

Bruno Sammartino fought Ken Patera to a double disqualification when both men began to box one another

WWWF World Champion Superstar Billy Graham pinned Chief Jay Strongbow at 10:07

 

Even bigger figure than the previous Philly show. I know Billy is perceived as a huge draw and I'm not saying he wasn't. But I don't see Billy v. Strongbow as the big draw here. I just don't buy it. I see this number as being a Patera v. Bruno number.

 

77/06/05 (Exhibition Stadium)

Tiger Jeet Singh WDQ The Sheik 5:42(Singh subs for Dusty Rhodes)

The Crusaders W Reginald Love/Bulldog Kent

Ken Patera W Gorilla Monsoon (Monsoon subs for Andre the Giant)

Chief Jay Strongbow WP Pat Kelly

Tony Parisi W Bounty Hunter #1

Carlos Rocha WP Bounty Hunter #2

Al Costello D Chris Tolos

Michele Barone W Bill Morgan,The Mongol D The Beast

 

Man the crowd must have been pissed getting Singh instead of Dusty and Monsoon instead of Andre.

 

WWWF @ Pittsburgh, PA - Civic Arena - June 10, 1977

Ken Patera defeated Dwayne Graci

Frank Holtz defeated George Steele via disqualification

Tony Garea defeated Jo Jo Andrews

Dominic DeNucci won an 18-man battle royal by last eliminating George Steele to earn a title shot in the main event; other participants included: Gorilla Monsoon and Ken Patera

Larry Zbyzsko fought Mr. Fuji to a draw

Johnny DeFazio defeated Davey O'Hannon

Bill Berger fought Bob Bruggers to a draw

Prof. Toru Tanaka defeated Joe Abbey

WWWF World Champion Superstar Billy Graham defeated Dominic DeNucci

 

Really odd result. Patera does triple duty as you know good and fucking well he worked the battle royal too. DeNucci in Pitt would have meant something as a challenger but this is really insane an odd looking show top to bottom.

 

WWWF @ Providence, RI - Civic Center - June 18, 1977 (7,500)

Lenny Hurst fought Rocky Tomayo to a draw

Prof. Toru Tanaka defeated SD Jones (sub. for Gorilla Monsoon)

Tony Garea fought Mr. Fuji to a draw

Larry Zbyzsko defeated George Steele via disqualification

Donna Christianello & Judy Mansfield defeated Little Heart & Jan Sheridan in a Best 2 out of 3 falls match

WWWF World Champion Superstar Billy Graham defeated Carlos Rocha in a Best 2 out of 3 falls match at 11:06, 2-1; fall #1: Rocha won via a sleeper; fall #2: Graham won; fall #3: Graham won

Bruno Sammartino pinned Ken Patera at 16:38

 

Patera and Bruno is the definite draw on this show. I don't even think it's arguable frankly.

 

WWWF @ Wildwood, NJ - Convention Hall - June 20, 1977

Jose Gonzalez vs. Jan Nelson

Don Serrano vs. Mr. Fuji

Johnny Rivera vs. Prof. Toru Tanaka

Tony Garea vs. Rock Tomayo

Larry Zbyszko vs. George Steele

Chief Jay Strongbow vs. Ken Patera

 

This had taken the place of Putski v. Patera as a sort of go to main event on spot shows.

 

WWWF @ Harrisburg, PA - Zembo Mosque - June 24, 1977

Johnny Rodz pinned Tony Altimore at 14:38

Baron Mikel Scicluna pinned Frank Rodriguez at 13:36

Peter Maivia pinned Nikolai Volkoff at 14:25

Stan Stasiak pinned SD Jones at 17:10 with the heart punch

Gorilla Monsoon (sub. for Chief Jay Strongbow who couldn't make the show due to a death in the family) defeated Ken Patera via disqualification at 11:47 after Patera hit Monsoon with the timekeeper's bell

 

More vicious Patera at work, this time against Monsoon.

 

WWWF @ Steubenville, OH - St. John's Arena - June 26, 1977 (4,000+)

SD Jones fought Johnny Rodz to a draw

Peter Maivia defeated Baron Mikel Scicluna

Joyce Grable & Little Heart defeated Jan Sheridan & Judy Mansfield

Stan Stasiak defeated Dominic DeNucci

Ken Patera defeated Chief Jay Strongbow in a steel cage match

 

This is a massive number for Steubenville I would imagine for a heel that is hated in a rare spot show gimmick match. This was also a blow off from the previous Lumberjack match that also did solid business at the same venue.

 

WWWF @ New York City, NY - Madison Square Garden - June 27, 1977 (22,090; 4,000 in Felt Forum)

Televised on the MSG Network - included Vince McMahon on commentary:

Jose Gonzalez pinned Jan Nelson at 9:46

Larry Zbyszko pinned Rocky Tamayo with a small package at 7:31

Tony Garea defeated George Steele via disqualification at 7:28 after using a foreign object; after the bout, Steele continued to attack Garea with the object until Garea was able to fight, attack Steele with the object, and clear him from the ring

Andre the Giant & Chief Jay Strongbow defeated Nikolai Volkoff & Ken Patera in a Best 2 out of 3 falls match at 16:25, 2-0; fall #1: Volkoff & Patera were disqualified at 13:46; fall #2: Andre pinned Volkoff at 2:39 with a splash after Patera walked out on his partner

Stan Stasiak pinned Lenny Hurst at 8:21 with the heart punch

WWWF World Champion Superstar Billy Graham fought Bruno Sammartino to a double disqualification at 18:39

Ivan Putski fought Baron Von Raschke to a 30-minute time-limit draw

Peter Maivia pinned Baron Mikel Scicluna at 2:09 (Miavia's MSG debut)

Prof. Toru Tanaka & Mr. Fuji defeated Haystacks Calhoun & Dominic DeNucci in a Best 2 out of 3 falls match; fall #1: Fuji pinned DeNucci at 3:06; fall #2: the bout was stopped due to the curfew; Calhoun was never tagged into the match

 

Fucking massive show for Bruno v. Billy which is a match everyone obviously wanted to see. Patera/Volkoff v. Andre/Strongbow is pretty clearly the "number 2" match on the show, but no one in their right mind is giving Patea credit for this gate.

 

WWWF @ Pittsfield, MA - Boys Club Gym - July 1, 1977

Ted Adams vs. Pete Doherty

Pete Austin vs. Rocky Tomayo

Jose Gonzalez vs. Prof. Toru Tanaka

Chief Jay Strongbow, Tony Garea, & Larry Zbyszko vs. Ken Patera, George Steele, & Nikolai Volkoff

 

Pretty random main event.

 

WWWF @ Philadelphia, PA - Spectrum - July 9, 1977 (15,602)

Peter Maivia defeated Baron Von Rashke

SD Jones pinned Baron Mikel Scicluna

Johnny Rivera pinned Rocky Tamayo

Larry Zbyszko defeated Stan Stasiak

Mr. Fuji & Prof. Toru Tanaka defeated Chief Jay Strongbow & Jose Gonzalez in a Best 2 out of 3 falls match

Lenny Hurst defeated George Steele via disqualification when Steele used the turnbuckle padding to rub into Hurst's eyes and bit his arm

Bruno Sammartino defeated Ken Patera when guest referee Gorilla Monsoon stopped the bout at 15:27 due to loss of blood

WWWF World Champion Superstar Billy Graham pinned Tony Garea at 18:52

 

Philly continues trending upward. Again I give Graham credit as a drawing card, but let's be clear - Garea is not a guy who is going to bring 15k plus as a World title challenger. This is Patera and Bruno's gate with the special ref stip perhaps helping some.

 

Toronto, Ontario - Exhibition Stadium - July 10, 1977

Farmer Pete defeated Little Bruiser

The Wildman defeated Pat Kelly

Tony Parisi defeated the Mongol

Haystacks Calhoun defeated Bulldog Kent via disqualification

Stan Stasiak defeated Al Costello

International Tag Team Champions Billy Red Lyons & Dewey Robertson defeated Reginald Love & Chris Tolos

Andre the Giant fought Ken Patera to a double disqualification

WWWF World Champion Superstar Billy Graham pinned Chief Jay Strongbow

NWA World Champion Harley Race defeated the Sheik via disqualification at 8:56

 

This is a loaded show, with essentially a triple main event. Andre v. Patera is something I can totally buy as on the level of the two title matches that come after it. Would like to have a figure for this.

 

WWWF @ Boston, MA - Boston Garden - July 11, 1977 (6,205)

Tony Altimore defeated Joe Turco via disqualification

Johnny Rodz fought Johnny Rivera to a draw

Jose Gonzalez defeated Rocky Tomayo

Prof. Toru Tanaka & Mr. Fuji defeated SD Jones & Lenny Hurst

Chief Jay Strongbow fought Baron Von Raschke to a draw

Peter Maivia defeated Stan Stasiak via disqualification

Ken Patera defeated Tony Garea

Bruno Sammartino defeated George Steele

WWWF World Champion Superstar Billy Graham defeated Larry Zbyzsko

 

This seems like it would be a weak number for the Garden at the time but I'm not positive. There are plenty of stars on the show, but it looks like a lot of guys working the wrong people to me.

 

WWWF @ Portland, ME - Civic Center - July 12, 1977 (1,984)

Lenny Hurst defeated Pete Doherty

Frank Monroe defeated Pete Austin

George Steele defeated Chief Jay Strongbow via count-out

Prof. Toru Tanaka fought Larry Zbyzsko to a draw

WWWF World Champion Superstar Billy Graham defeated Ken Patera via disqualification; Gorilla Monsoon was guest referee for the bout

Mr. Fuji defeated SD Jones

Jose Gonzalez defeated Johnny Rodz

 

Bizarre that they ran this heel v. heel match as a mini-program in Portland, Maine of all places. This was about what they did for the last show. I have to assume this is at least in the neighborhood of a sell out?

 

WWWF @ Baltimore, MD - Civic Center - July 16, 1977

Johnny Rodz defeated Johnny Rivera

SD Jones defeated Frankie Williams

Ivan Putski defeated George Steele via count-out

WWWF World Champion Superstar Billy Graham defeated Bobo Brazil

Lenny Hurst defeated Rocky Tomayo

Chief Jay Strongbow fought Ken Patera to a no contest

Stan Stasiak defeated Joe Turco

Baron Von Raschke defeated Jose Gonzalez

Prof. Toru Tanaka & Mr. Fuji fought Tony Garea & Larry Zbyzsko to a draw

 

Bobo popping up for a random spot here. This is a pretty all over the place show.

 

WWWF @ New York City, NY - Madison Square Garden - August 1, 1977

Carlos Colon defeated Johnny Rodz at 6:50

Tony Garea & Larry Zbyzsko defeated George Steele & Stan Stasiak via disqualification

Ivan Putski defeated Baron Von Raschke

Prime Time Wrestling - 4/28/86: Prof. Toru Tanaka & Mr. Fuji defeated Jose Gonzalez & Lenny Hurst in a Best 2 out of 3 falls match, 2-0; fall #1: Fuji pinned Gonzalez with a clothesline; fall #2: Tanaka pinned Hurst after applying a cobra clutch and then shoving Hurst to the mat

Peter Maivia defeated Nikolai Volkoff at 16:35

Ken Patera defeated Chief Jay Strongbow via count-out at 7:04

Bruno Sammartino (w/ Arnold Skaaland) fought WWWF World Champion Superstar Billy Graham (w/ the Grand Wizard) to a draw at 13:05 when both men were too bloody to continue; Gorilla Monsoon was the special referee for the bout; after the match, Bruno continued to attack the champion, despite Monsoon trying to hold him back (Grudge Matches)

 

Another Bruno title challenge at the Garden v. Graham. Patera v. Chief has been headlining spot shows leading into this and was probably just heated back up by the announcement of White Wolf/Strongbow being stripped of the tag belts due to the injury Billy sustained at the hands of Ken.

 

WWWF @ Bangor, ME - Bass Park Race Track - August 3, 1977

Held as part of the state fair

Frank Williams defeated Joe Turco

Lenny Hurst fought Johnny Rodz to a draw

Baron Von Raschke defeated Jose Gonzalez

Chief Jay Strongbow & Peter Maivia defeated Ken Patera & Lou Albano

WWWF World Champion Superstar Billy Graham defeated Tony Garea

 

Patera teaming with Lou here makes me wonder if this was a substitution or something thrown together at the last second.

 

WWWF @ Long Island, NY - Nassau Coliseum - August 8, 1977

Tony Garea defeated Prof. Toru Tanaka via disqualification

Chief Jay Strongbow defeated Mr. Fuji via count-out

Lenny Hurst defeated Tony Altimore

Johnny Rodz fought Johnny Rivera to a draw

Stan Stasiak & George Steele fought Peter Maivia & Haystacks Calhoun to a draw

SD Jones defeated Joe Turco

Ken Patera fought Ivan Putski to a no contest

WWWF World Champion Superstar Billy Graham defeated Larry Zbyzsko

 

These Putski matches are still pretty common around the horn. Funny to think of Larry as the great babyface hope in hindsight.

 

WWWF @ Pittsburgh, PA - Civic Arena - August 13, 1977

Frank Holtz pinned Tony Altimore

Waldo Von Erich fought Johnny DeFazio to a double count-out

Ken Patera defeated Gorilla Monsoon (sub. for Billy White Wolf) via count-out

Peter Maivia pinned Baron Von Raschke

Dominic DeNucci (sub. for Jose Gonzalez) defeated George Steele via disqualification

Ivan Putski defeated WWWF World Champion Superstar Billy Graham via referee's decision when the bout was stopped due to blood

Also included a women's match

 

On paper this seems like a really strong show for Pitt. I wonder if White Wolf was announced ahead of time for this purely as a way to get a pop for the Gorilla sub or if he was actually supposed to make the date.

 

WWWF @ Steubenville, OH - St. John's Arena - August 14, 1977

Waldo Von Erich (sub. for Nikolai Volkoff) fought Johnny DeFazio to a double count-out

Larry Zbyzsko pinned the Red Demon

Susan Green defeated Leilani Kai via disqualification

Vicki Williams pinned Judy Mansfield

Ivan Putski & Peter Maivia defeated Ken Patera & Baron Von Raschke in a Best 2 out of 3 falls match, 2-0; fall #1: Maivia & Putski won; fall #2: Maivia & Putski won via disqualification

Dominic DeNucci (sub. for Billy White Wolf) pinned Frank Holtz

 

Steubenville had done some good business for the Strongbow v. Patera mains that were gimmicked. The 2/3 falls tag might have popped a solid house two. Either way Patera really comes across as the go to guy over the course of the year for the spot show circuit.

 

WWWF @ Wildwood, NJ - Convention Hall - August 15, 1977

Johnny Rodz defeated Tony Altimore (sub. for Billy White Wolf)

Haystacks Calhoun & Peter Maivia defeated Rocky Tomayo & Frank Monroe

WWWF World Champion Superstar Billy Graham defeated Chief Jay Strongbow via count-out in a non-title match

Larry Sharpe defeated Johnny Rivera

Bob Backlund defeated Ken Patera via disqualification

 

Possibly the first main event these two would have opposite either other though the "real" main event was the title match with Graham. The Backlund rise is starting.

 

WWWF @ Norwalk, CT - High School Gym - August 18, 1977 (1,200)

Johnny Rivera pinned Sylvano Sousa at 12:42

Johnny Rodz pinned Pete Austin at 14:15

SD Jones fought Pete Doherty to a 20-minute time-limit draw

Peter Maivia, Tony Garea, & Larry Zbyszko defeated Mr. Fuji, Ken Patera & Jack Evans (sub. for an injured Prof. Toru Tanaka) (w/ Tanaka) in a Best 3 out of 5 falls match, 3-1; fall #4: Maivia pinned Evans at 3:07

 

Solid spot show figure for what was a weak show other than the main event and honestly look at that heel team other than Ken.

 

WWWF @ Philadelphia, PA - Spectrum - August 20, 1977 (16,600)

Mark Tendler pinned Frank Rodriguez

Pete Sanchez pinned Frankie Williams

SD Jones pinned Joe Turco

Tony Garea pinned Nikolai Volkoff

Haystacks Calhoun & Peter Miavia defeated Mr. Fuji & Rocky Tamayo (sub. for Prof. Tanaka) in a Best 2 out of 3 falls match, 2-0

Ken Patera defeated Gorilla Monsoon via count-out at 7:20

Bruno Sammartino pinned George Steele at 8:30

WWWF World Champion Superstar Billy Graham pinned Larry Zbyzsko at 11:33

 

Philly up another thousand. Hell maybe it was Graham, though this show is pretty strong up top in terms of star power.

 

WWWF @ Boston, MA - Boston Garden - August 22, 1977

Johnny Rodz defeated SD Jones

Johnny Rivera fought Joe Turco to a draw

Gorilla Monsoon defeated George Steele via count-out

Tony Garea & Larry Zbyzsko defeated Ken Patera & Lou Albano

Bruno Sammartino defeated Mr. Fuji

Chief Jay Strongbow defeated WWWF World Champion Superstar Billy Graham when the bout was stopped due to blood; after the bout, Strongbow continued to attack the champion

Ivan Putski & Haystacks Calhoun defeated Stan Stasiak & Frank Monroe

Peter Maivia defeated Rocky Tomayo

 

Would llike to have a figure for this to comp with the previous BG show. Patera has had a view matches teaming with Lou now.

 

WWWF @ Baltimore, MD - Civic Center - August 27, 1977

Johnny Rivera pinned Joe Turco

Stan Stasiak pinned Jack Evans with the heart punch

Peter Maivia defeated Rocky Tomayo

Ivan Putski defeated George Steele in a steel cage match; Haystacks Calhoun was the guest referee for the bout

Ken Patera defeated Haystacks Calhoun via count-out

Tony Garea & Larry Zbyzsko defeated Johnny Rodz & Nikolai Volkoff

Mr. Fuji & Moose Monroe defeated SD Jones & Lenny Hurtz

WWWF World Champion Superstar Billy Graham defeated Chief Jay Strongbow via count-out at 11:42

 

Pretty sure this is the first time Patera worked Haystacks in a singles match for whatever that is worth. He's been headlining several spot shows leading up to this.

 

WWWF @ New York City, NY - Madison Square Garden - August 29, 1977

Televised on the MSG Network and HBO - featured Vince McMahon on commentary:

Lenny Hurst defeated Rocky Tomayo

Johnny Rivera defeated Joe Turco at 10:51

SD Jones defeated Jack Evans at 8:19

Peter Maivia defeated Stan Stasiak at 7:35 via count-out after Miavia avoided the Heart Punch on the floor and Stasiak accidentally hit the ringpost; prior to the bout, Vince McMahon interviewed Miavia on the ring apron

Tony Garea & Larry Zbyzsko defeated George Steele & Baron Mikel Scicluna in a Best 2 out of 3 falls match, 2-0; fall #1: Steele & Scicluna were disqualified after Steele shoved the referee; fall #2: Garea pinned Scicluna with a sunset flip off the top

WWWF World Champion Superstar Billy Graham defeated Ivan Putski via count-out at 18:01 after the challenger was backdropped to the floor; prior to the bout, McMahon interviewed the champion inside the ring; the Grand Wizard escorted the champion to the ring before the match (20 Years Too Soon: The Superstar Billy Graham Story)

Bruno Sammartino (w/ Arnold Skaaland) pinned Ken Patera in a Texas Death Match at 12:13 by kicking off the corner, as Patera had a full nelson applied, and falling backwards onto his opponent; prior to the bout, Capt. Lou Albano escorted Patera to the ring (Bruno Sammartino: Wrestling's Living Legend)

Verne Gagne pinned Nikolai Volkoff at 7:10 with a roll up as Volkoff attempted an over-the-knee backbreaker

Chief Jay Strongbow fought Mr. Fuji to a curfew draw at around the 6-minute mark; prior to the bout, Freddie Blassie & Prof. Toru Tanaka escorted Fuji to the ring, with Tanaka on crutches and announced as being unable to compete

 

Would kill for a figure here as Bruno v. Patera in a Texas Death Match strikes me as every bit the draw that Billy v. Putski would be. Wonder if the crowd even gave a fuck about Verne?

 

WWWF @ Poughkeepsie, NY - September 1, 1977

Jack Evans defeated Ted Adams

Pete Doherty defeated Pete Austin

Lenny Hurst defeated Rocky Tomayo

Chief Jay Strongbow defeated Ken Patera in an Indian Strap Match

Baron Mikel Scicluna defeated SD Jones

Tony Garea defeated Stan Stasiak via disqualification

 

They add a strap to the Patera v. Strongbow feud that had been one of the anchors of the house show circuit for months.

 

WWWF @ Steubenville, OH - September 11, 1977

Tony Garea defeated Baron Mikel Scicluna via disqualification

Stan Stasiak defeated Larry Zbyzsko

Larry Sharpe & Jack Evans defeated Johnny DeFazio & Lenny Hurst

Dominic DeNucci defeated Rocky Tomayo

Peter Maivia defeated Ken Patera via count-out

 

Ken Patera - King of Steubenville?

 

WWWF @ Long Island, NY - Nassau Coliseum - September 12, 1977

The Haiti Kid & Cowboy Lang defeated Little Tokyo & Little John

Baron Mikel Scicluna fought Jack Evans to a double count-out

Larry Zbyzsko defeated Rocky Tomayo

WWWF World Champion Superstar Billy Graham defeated Tony Garea

Mr. Fuji defeated Johnny Rivera

Larry Sharpe defeated Lenny Hurst

Peter Maivia fought Stan Stasiak to a double disqualification

Ivan Putski defeated Ken Patera via count-out

 

Would love to see a number here. I know Patera v. Putski is arguably not the main event, but it had been positioned that way on house shows on and off for months and in some respects it comes across as the match that might hold the most intrigue if I was a mark kid in 1977.

 

WWWF @ Albany, NY - Washington Avenue Armory - September 16, 1977

Johnny Rivera vs. Rocky Tomayo

Pete Austin vs. Dennis Johnson

Sonny Boy Cassidy & Cowboy Bradley vs. the Bruiser & Mighty Adam

Peter Maivia defeated Ken Patera after the 31-minute mark

WWWF World Champion Superstar Billy Graham defeated Chief Jay Strongbow after the 23-minute mark

 

Who in the fuck booked those two matches to go a combined 54 minutes back to back on a card??

 

WWWF @ Springfield, MA - Civic Center - September 17, 1977

Mark Tendler vs. Frankie Williams

Pete Austin vs. Frank Monroe

Jose Estrada vs. Rocky Tomayo

Johnny Rivera vs. Joe Turco

The Haiti Kid & Cowboy Lang vs. Little Tokyo & Little John

Peter Maivia vs. Stan Stasiak

Ivan Putski vs. Ken Patera

 

WWWF @ Phildephia, PA - Spectrum - September 17, 1977 (19,000; sell out)

Televised on the PRISM Network - featured Vince McMahon & Dick Graham on commentary:

Frank Rodriguez defated Mike Madero

Johnny Rodz fought Johnny Rivera to a draw

Gorilla Monsoon defeated Nikolai Volkoff

Larry Sharpe defeated Ted Adams

Chief Jay Strongbow defeated George Steele via count-out

Bruno Sammartino defeated WWWF World Champion Superstar Billy Graham via referee's decision when the match was stopped due to blood at 13:55

Tony Garea & Larry Zbyzsko defeated Mr. Fuji & Baron Mikel Scicluna

 

This is unusual as they schedule a show in Springfield and the Spectrum on the same day with totally separate crews. Springfield was NOT a tiny spot show town and they essentially run a double main event there. Meanwhile The Spectrum sells out for the first time all year under the strength of Graham v. Bruno for the title. I'm honestly not sure if I can recall a result like this but it was probably good business. They knew the Spectrum was selling out with that on top and I would guess they did well in Springfield also (IIRC that is at minimum a 4k Arena).

 

WWWF @ Boston, MA - Boston Garden - September 19, 1977

Pete Austin defeated Dennis Johnson

Lenny Hurst fought Pete Doherty to a draw

Bruno Sammartino defeated Ken Patera via referee's decision in a Texas Death Match

The Haiti Kid & Cowboy Lang defeated Little Tokyo & Little John

Tony Garea & Larry Zbyzsko defeated Mr. Fuji & Larry Sharpe (sub. for Prof. Toru Tanaka)

WWWF World Champion Superstar Billy Graham defeated Chief Jay Strongbow in a steel cage match after Strongbow threw the champion against the fence near the door and turned away just long enough for Graham to slide out the door

 

This is one where I wold really like to have a figure. Two big gimmick matches on the show albeit not much else. Still I imagine this would have done very strong business.

 

WWWF @ Worcester, MA - Memorial Auditorium - September 20, 1977

Pete Austin vs. Johnny Rodz

Johnny Rivera vs. Jack Evans

Lenny Hurst vs. Baron Mikel Scicluna

Ivan Putski vs. Stan Stasiak

Peter Maivia vs. Ken Patera

Also included a midget tag team match

 

WWWF @ Scranton, PA - September 20, 1977

Cowboy Lang defeated Little John

Johnny Rivera defeated Rocky Tomayo

Frank Monroe defeated Mark Tendler

Jack Evans defeated Lenny Hurst

Peter Maivia defeated Baron Mikel Scicluna

Ivan Putski defeated Ken Patera via disqualification

 

Double duty and double main events for Patera. He's started working Maivia a fair amount on house shows.

 

WWWF @ Providence, RI - Civic Center - September 24, 1977

Little Tokyo & Little John vs. Cowboy Lang & the Haiti Kid

Johnny Rodz vs. Ted Adams

Jack Evans vs. Lenny Hurst

Ken Patera vs. Chief Jay Strongbow (Indian strap match)

WWWF World Champion Superstar Billy Graham defeated Peter Maivia via count-out

Bruno Sammartino defeated George Steele

 

Strap match pops up again. This was a pretty strong three match close out and Providence was a fairly large building so I imagine this did good business.

 

WWWF @ New York City, NY - Madison Square Garden - September 26, 1977 (22,102; 3,000 in Felt Forum)

Televised on the MSG Network - included Vince McMahon on commentary:

Cowboy Lang & the Haiti Kid defeated Little John & Little Tokyo in a Best 2 out of 3 falls match, 2-0; fall #1: Lang & Haiti won at 7:31; fall #2: Lang & Haiti won at 9:11

Prof. Toru Tanaka pinned Johnny Rivera at 10:09 with a chop to the neck after Rivera missed a dropkick

Baron Mikel Scicluna fought Jack Evans to a double count-out at 7:29 when both men began fighting on the ring apron

Mr. Fuji pinned Lenny Hurst at 6:19 with a clothesline

Bob Backlund pinned Larry Sharpe at 9:04 with the atomic drop; prior to the bout, Vince McMahon conducted an interview with Backlund on the ring apron about his undefeated streak

Dusty Rhodes defeated WWWF World Champion Superstar Billy Graham via count-out at 15:55 after Graham was backdropped over the top to the floor; prior to the bout, Graham was escorted to the ring by the Grand Wizard; after the match, Rhodes celebrated with the title belt and put it around his waist until it was taken away by the referee; after the decision was announced, the crowd chanted "Bullshit" until Rhodes grabbed the mic and said "Superstar, I came a long way to whip your ass. Now come out here, baby!" (American Dream: The Dusty Rhodes Story, WWE's Top 50 Superstars of All Time)

Peter Maivia defeated George Steele via count-out at 13:19 when Steele's legs became entangled in the ring ropes; after the bout, Miavia cleared Steele from the ring with Steele's own foreign object

Chief Jay Strongbow, Tony Garea, & Larry Zbyzsko defeated Ken Patera, Stan Stasiak, & Capt. Lou Albano via referee's decision in a Best 3 out of 5 falls match; fall #1: Strongbow pinned Stasiak with a double chop to the throat at 10:40; fall #2: Patera pinned Zbyzsko with a double axe handle off the top at 5:21; the match then went to an 11 pm curfew with the referee awarding the contest to Strongbow, Garea, & Zbyzsko

 

Another huge Garden show this time on the strength of Dusty v. Graham. Note the rise of Backlund continues. The six-man to close out the show was probably a good use of all of those guys to fill out the card, but it wasn't anything that was moving tickets. At this point Patera vanishes from the WWWF scene for about six weeks.

 

WWWF @ Long Island, NY - Nassau Coliseum - November 14, 1977

Johnny Rivera defeated Joe Turco

Butcher Vachon defeated Dennis Johnson

Peter Maivia defeated Mr. Fuji

Prof. Toru Tanaka defeated Dewey Robertson

WWWF World Champion Superstar Billy Graham defeated Ivan Putski via count-out

Ken Patera defeated Chief Jay Strongbow

 

Comes back in strong as the top support match for Graham v. Putski in one of their key buildings.

 

WWWF @ Portland, ME - November 15, 1977

Larry Sharpe & Jack Evans defeated Johnny Rivera & Pete Austin

The Golden Terror defeated Johnny Rivera

Peter Maivia defeated Stan Stasiak via disqualification

Ken Patera defeated Dewey Robertson

WWWF World Champion Superstar Billy Graham defeated Chief Jay Strongbow

 

Pre-Missing LInk, Missking Link v. Patera stacked in between two matches that seem like they would have been bigger deals. Patera is mostly working Strongbow on spot shows.

 

WWWF @ New York City, NY - Madison Square Garden - November 21, 1977 (17,914)

Ken Patera defeated Dewey Robertson at 12:25

Stan Stasiak pinned Dominic DeNucci at 15:16

Baron Mikel Scicluna defeated Johnny Rivera at 10:31

Dusty Rhodes defeated Butcher Vachon at 6:39

Mil Mascaras pinned Larry Sharpe at 11:29

Mr. Fuji & Prof. Toru Tanaka defeated Tony Garea & Larry Zbyzsko

WWWF World Champion Superstar Billy Graham defeated Peter Maivia via count-out

 

Patera is buried in the opening match for possibly the first time during his WWWF run - and it's in the building where he debuted as a main eventer in Jan.

 

WWWF @ Baltimore, MD - Civic Center - November 26, 1977 (8,800)

Baron Mikel Scicluna fought Johnny Rodz to a draw

Nikolai Volkoff defeated Pete Reeves

Larry Sharpe & Jack Evans defeated Lenny Hurst & Dennis Johnson in a Best 2 out of 3 falls match, 2-0, at 12:35

Ivan Putski fought Ken Patera to a 20-minute time-limit draw

WWWF World Champion Superstar Billy Graham defeated Larry Zbyzsko (w/ Tony Garea) via disqualification at 19:10 when Garea interfered

Dominic DeNucci defeated Butcher Vachon via disqualification

Peter Maivia, Tony Garea, & Chief Jay Strongbow defeated Prof. Toru Tanaka, Mr. Fuji, & the Golden Terror in a Best 3 out of 5 falls match, 3-0

 

This seems like a fairly strong number for Baltimore. I have no fucking clue why anyone would book Patera v. Putski to go to a time limit draw but there you have it.

 

WWWF @ Staten Island, NY - November 28, 1977

Dennis Johnson defeated Frank Monroe via disqualification

The Golden Terror defeated Pete Austin

Larry Sharpe & Jack Evans defeated Johnny Rivera & Frankie Williams

Tony Garea defeated Mr. Fuji

Ken Patera defeated Peter Maivia via count-out

 

Patera v. Maivia has been the headliner on several b-shows.

 

WWWF @ Landover, MD - Capital Centre - December 5, 1977

Chief Jay Strongbow won a $5,000 18-man battle royal; after teaming with Peter Maivia to eliminate Mr. Fuji and Prof. Toru Tanaka, Strongbow and Miavia refused to fight each other and Strongbow was declared the winner via a coin toss; other participants included: Ken Patera, Johnny Rodz, Tony Garea, Dewey Robertson, Gorilla Monsoon, Larry Sharpe, Jack Evans, Butcher Vachon, Stan Stasiak, Ivan Putski, Baron Mikel Scicluna, Larry Zbyzsko, Johnny Rivera, and Dennis Johnson; due to pre-match stipulations, Strongbow won a world title shot in the main event

Ivan Putski defeated Larry Sharpe

Johnny Rodz defeated Dennis Johnson

Prof. Toru Tanaka defeated Johnny Rivera

Gorilla Monsoon defeated Baron Mikel Scicluna

Peter Maivia defeated Jack Evans

Ken Patera defeated Larry Zbyzsko

Butcher Vachon defeated Tony Garea

Dominic DeNucci fought Stan Stasiak to a draw

WWWF World Champion Superstar Billy Graham defeated Chief Jay Strongbow at 13:47

 

Patera and Larry Z would have been an interesting match up at this point. Patera is milling around with other "names" in the company but isn't really doing much of anything at this point.

 

WWWF @ Portland, ME - Expo Building - December 6, 1977

Larry Sharpe & Jack Evans defeated Johnny Rivera & Frankie Williams in a Best 2 out of 3 falls match

Chief Jay Strongbow defeated Butcher Vachon

Dominic DeNucci (sub. for Dewey Robertson) fought the Golden Terror to a draw

Ken Patera fought Peter Maivia to a draw

WWWF World Champion Superstar Billy Graham fought Bob Backlund to a double count-out

 

This MIGHT have been the first Backlund v. Graham singles match.

 

WWWF @ Poughkeepsie, NY - Mid-Hudson Civic Center - December 8, 1977

Mark Tendler vs. Moose Monroe

Johnny Rivera vs. Johnny Rodz

Baron Mikel Scicluna vs. Frankie Williams

Chief Jay Strongbow vs. Mr. Fuji

Larry Zbyszko vs. Prof. Toru Tanaka

Peter Maivia vs. Ken Patera

 

The same building headlined by Jerry Lawler and Terry Funk - on Oct. 1st of this year!

 

WWWF @ Springfield, MA - Civic Center - December 10, 1977

Johnny Rivera vs. the Golden Terror

Pete Austin vs. Johnny Rodz

Dewey Robertson vs. Frank Monroe

Mark Tendler vs. Tony Altimore

Bob Backlund & Peter Maivia vs. Larry Sharpe & Jack Evans

Chief Jay Strongbow vs. Ken Patera

 

WWWF @ Phildelphia, PA - Spectrum - December 10, 1977 (19,500; sell out)

Televised on the PRISM Network - featured Vince McMahon & Dick Graham on commentary:

Davey O'Hannon defeated Steve King

Joe Turco defeated Ted Adams

Baron Mikel Scicluna pinned Frank Williams

Nikolai Volkoff defeated Pete Reeves

Gorilla Monsoon defeated Stan Stasiak

Ivan Putski defeated Butcher Vachon

WWWF Tag Team Champions Prof. Toru Tanaka & Mr. Fuji defeated Tony Garea & Larry Zbyzsko in a Best 2 out of 3 falls match

Bruno Sammartino defeated WWWF World Champion Superstar Billy Graham via count-out at 18:31 when Graham left ringside

 

Another day where they doubled up with Spingfield and Philly on the same day - again Bruno v. Graham successfully carries the load at the Spectrum. Strongbow/Patera and the soon to be champ Bob Backlund share the duties in Springfield.

 

Toronto, Ontario - Maple Leaf Gardens - December 11, 1977

Ken Patera defeated Roger Kirby

Peter Maivia defeated Chris Tolos via disqualification

Angelo Mosca defeated Nick DeCarlo

Billy Red Lyons defeated Waldo Von Erich

Verne Gagne defeated Bobby Duncum

Ken Patera (sub. for Bobby Heenan) & Blackjack Lanza defeated Greg Gagne & Jim Brunzell

AWA World Champion Nick Bockwinkel defeated Edouard Carpentier

WWWF World Champion Superstar Billy Graham defeated Chief Jay Strongbow

 

Notable as Patera is brought in as a sub and ends up working against a team that he would later have his last big money feud against.

 

WWWF @ New York City, NY - Madison Square Garden - December 19, 1977 (22,085)

Televised on the MSG Network - featured Vince McMahon on commentary; Debra Harry of Blondie and Andy Kauffman were in attendance for the card; the scheduled bout between Peter Maivia and Ken Patera was cancelled

Baron Mikel Scicluna fought SD Jones to a 15-minute time-limit draw

Dominic DeNucci fought the Golden Terror to a double count-out; this bout was not televised, rather footage of NWA World Champion Harley Race facing Rick Martel in Australia aired in its place

Butcher Vachon pinned Johnny Rivera (sub. for Victor Rivera) at 6:04

Arnold Skaaland defeated Lou Albano via count-out at 4:35 when Albano walked out of the match after losing his foreign object and being bloodied by Skaaland (Best of the WWF Vol. 7, The World's Greatest Wrestling Managers)

Bob Backlund pinned WWWF Tag Team Champion Mr. Fuji (w/ Freddie Blassie) with the atomic drop at 11:40

Mil Mascaras (w/ Bob Backlund) defeated WWWF World Champion Superstar Billy Graham via referee's decision at 16:24 when referee John Stanley stopped the match due to a cut on the champion's forehead

Dusty Rhodes pinned Stan Stasiak with the Bionic elbow at 11:22 (American Dream: The Dusty Rhodes Story)

Prime Time Wrestling - 3/17/86: Chief Jay Strongbow defeated WWWF Tag Team Champion Prof. Toru Tanaka via disqualification at 11:23 after Tanaka threw salt into the referee John Stanley's eyes as Strongbow had the sleeper applied

Tony Garea & Larry Zbyzsko defeated Larry Sharpe & Jack Evans in a Best 2 out of 3 falls match; fall #1: Zbyzsko pinned Evans with a kneedrop at 7:45; fall #2: the curfew ended the match at 12:39

 

I wonder why Patera v. Miavia was dropped? No show? Patera worked Backlund and Putski mostly before and slightly after this show.

 

WWWF @ Cherry Hill, NJ - December 30, 1977

Nikolai Volkoff defeated Pete Reeves

Gorilla Monsoon & SD Jones defeated Larry Sharpe & Jack Evans via disqualification

Peter Maivia defeated Stan Stasiak

Ken Patera defeated Gorilla Monsoon via count-out

Chief Jay Strongbow defeated Baron Mikel Scicluna

 

This is the last date of the year I have for Patera. A couple of days before he worked Strongbow at the Convention Center in Asbury Park which would later go on to be a primary ECW venue.

 

Over all this is a really strong year for Patera. He debuts in New York at MSG v. Bruno. They work a three match feud in the Garden that they don't run anywhere else. Later in the year they come back to that feud and it plays strong in other key markets. He gets over huge as the guy who almost kills Billy White Wolf and carries that heat over the course of the year as a key figure on spot shows where the few numbers we have seem to suggest that he was a draw on that circuit. He even got a heel v. heel mini-program v. Billy Graham in Portland, Maine for the title, which was not common in the WWWF at the time. Looking around I can't find any quick dates to explain Patera's brief absence from the company from the tail end of Sept. through the middle of Nov. When he returned he was kept reasonably strong and worked with the all the big "ethnic" babyfaces (as he did much of the year frankly), but he was clearly not booked as an absolute upper, upper tier guy even if he was still expected to hold it down on the b-show circuit. He's not the top heel of year because Billy Graham is Billy Graham. But he in my estimation is the clear number 2 heel and this is a strong business year for the WWWF. In the over all depth chart he's below Graham and Bruno for the year in the WWWF - it's hard to make a case for him being below anyone else.

[Dylan Waco]

1978

 

WWWF @ West Orange, NJ - South Mountain Arena - January 5, 1978

Baron Mikel Scicluna pinned Frankie Williams at 14:20

Ken Patera pinned SD Jones at 5:20

Gorilla Monsoon & Peter Maivia defeated Jack Evans & Larry Sharpe at 25:10

Bob Backlund pinned Stan Stasiak at 11:42

WWWF Tag Team Champions Mr. Fuji & Prof. Toru Tanaka defeated Tony Garea & Larry Zbyszko at 16:28 when Fuji pinned Garea

WWWF World Champion Superstar Billy Graham defeated Chief Jay Strongbow via count-out at 20:45

 

The first date of the year for Patera so far as I can tell.

 

WWWF @ Albany, NY - January 6, 1978

Mr. Fuji vs. Frankie Williams

Peter Maivia & Chief Jay Strongbow vs. WWWF World Champion Superstar Billy Graham & Ken Patera

 

The companies two top heels team up for the first time in Albany of all places against a pair of the WWWF's notorious "ethnic" babyfaces.

 

WWWF @ Baltimore, MD - Civic Center - January 7, 1978 (9,600)

Baron Mikel Scicluna defeated Frankie Williams at 6:22

Butcher Vachon defeated Jose Estrada at 6:09

Larry Sharpe defeated Ted Adams at 5:03

Larry Zbyzsko defeated Baron Mikel Scicluna (sub. for Stan Stasiak) at 4:56

Peter Maivia & Chief Jay Strongbow defeated WWWF Tag Team Champions Mr. Fuji & Prof. Toru Tanaka via disqualification; Gorilla Monsoon was special referee for the match

Bob Backlund defeated Ken Patera at 16:39

WWWF World Champion Superstar Billy Graham defeated Tony Garea at 17:42

 

This is definitely a strong number for Baltimore during the stretch. Backlund v. Patera would have been a big match at this point as Patera was still the number 2 heel to Graham and Backlund was well on his way to becoming Graham's eventual heir.

 

WWWF @ Philadelphia, PA - Arena - January 10, 1978

Championship Wrestling taping:

1/28/78:

Ken Patera defeated Mike Madera & Dennis Johnson in a handicap match at 2:44 by pinning both men after slamming Madera onto Johnson

Bob Backlund pinned Jose Estrada at 4:36 with an atomic drop

Chief Jay Strongbow & Peter Maivia vs. WWWF Tag Team Champions Mr. Fuji & Prof. Toru Tanaka (non-title match); the show went off the air with the match still in progress

 

Still being put over strong on tv.

 

WWWF @ Landover, MD - Capital Centre - January 14, 1978 (matinee)

Arnold Skaaland defeated Capt. Lou Albano

Mark Tendler defeated Frankie Williams

SD Jones defeated Baron Mikel Scicluna

Peter Maivia defeated Stan Stasiak

Chief Jay Strongbow defeated Ken Patera

Mr. Fuji & Prof. Toru Tanaka defeated Bob Backlund & SD Jones (sub. for Mil Mascaras)

Dusty Rhodes defeated WWWF World Champion Superstar Billy Graham when the match was stopped due to blood

 

Dusty and Graham have been feuding back and fourth in the Garden and in Florida. Here they take that at to another big WWWF town. Top four matches on this card are really loaded.

 

WWWF @ Boston, MA - Boston Garden - January 16, 1978 (10,400)

Butcher Vachon defeated Joe Turco at 6:48

Stan Stasiak defeated Frank Williams at 8:33

Tony Garea fought Prof. Toru Tanaka to a draw

SD Jones defeated Baron Mikel Scicluna at 14:10

Ken Patera defeated Pete Austin at 4:55

Spiros Arion defeated Larry Zbyszko at 4:18

Bob Backlund defeated Mr. Fuji at 6:35

Chief Jay Strongbow & Peter Maivia defeated Jack Evans & Larry Sharpe in a Best 2 out of 3 falls match, 2-0

Dusty Rhodes defeated WWWF World Champion Superstar Billy Graham at 14:45 when the match was stopped due to blood

 

Dusty and Graham draw the biggest Boston Garden crowd in some time with Patera buried in the middle of the show.

 

WWWF @ Waterville, ME - January 18, 1978

Dennis Johnson vs. Larry Sharpe

Pete Austin vs. Jack Evans

Tony Garea & Larry Zbyszko vs. Spiros Arion & the Golden Terror

Bob Backlund vs. Ken Patera

Dusty Rhodes vs. Mr. Fuji

 

WWWF @ White Plains, NY - Westchester County Civic Center - January 19, 1978 (2,700)

SD Jones fought Baron Mikel Scicluna to a draw

Ken Patera defeated Chief Jay Strongbow via count-out

Dusty Rhodes defeated Prof. Toru Tanaka via disqualification when Tanaka used the salt

Peter Maivia, Tony Garea & Larry Zbyszko defeated Mr. Fuji, Sprios Arion, & Stan Stasiak in a Best 3 out of 5 fall match, 3-1

 

Interesting to see Dusty on the b-show circuit. Patera was still working Backlund on a lot of these shows. He also worked a Maple Leaf date around this point v. Brunzell.

 

WWWF @ Springfield, MA - Civic Center - January 21, 1978

Stan Stasiak vs. Chief Jay Strongbow

Spiros Arion vs. Tony Garea

Bob Backlund vs. Prof. Toru Tanaka

Dusty Rhodes vs. Ken Patera

Also included 5 other matches

 

Would really kill for a figure on this as this is the first Dusty v. Patera match and in a building that was one of their better non-A show facilities. Actually top to bottom the card looks pretty strong by the standards of the era.

 

WWWF @ New York City, NY - Madison Square Garden - January 23, 1978

Dusty Rhodes defeated the Golden Terror

Carlos Colon defeated Jack Evans at 1:51

Butcher Vachon fought SD Jones to a 20-minute draw

Steve Kiern defeated Larry Sharpe at 4:58

Spiros Arion defeated Dominic DeNucci via count-out at 11:06

Ken Patera defeated Chief Jay Strongbow via count-out at 5:26

Bob Backlund, Peter Maivia, Tony Garea, & Larry Zbyszko defeated Prof. Toru Tanaka, Mr. Fuji, Stan Stasiak, & Baron Mikel Scicluna in an elimination match; Backlund defeated Fuji and Tanaka to win the bout

Tatsumi Fujinami defeated WWWF Jr. Heavyweight Champion Jose Estrada to win the title at 11:31

WWWF World Champion Superstar Billy Graham (w/ the Grand Wizard) defeated Mil Mascaras (w/ Bob Backlund) via disqualification at 13:19 when Backlund and the champion began brawling after Backlund twice prevented Graham from getting the pin with his feet on the ropes

 

Pretty crazy show looking back all these years with Colon, Dusty, Fujinami and Mascaras all on the same card.

 

The SuperBowl of Wrestling - Miami, FL - Orange Bowl - January 25, 1978

Keith Franks (sub. for Black Angus) pinned John Ruffin at 6:23 with a neckbreaker

Bobby Duncum pinned Don Serrano at 1:23 with a shoulder breaker

Chavo Guerrero pinned Tank Patton with a neckbreaker at 4:10

Joyce Grable won an 8-woman battle royal by last eliminating Leilani Kai, Terri Shane, and Wennona Little Heart with a double dropkick

Ivan Putski defeated Ox Baker via KO with a full nelson at 10:13

Rocky Johnson defeated Karl Kox via reverse decision; Kox originally won the bout with a brainbuster after hitting Johnson with a foreign object but Jack & Jerry Brisco came down and told the referee what happened

Jack & Jerry Brisco defeated Ivan Koloff & Mr. Saito when Jack pinned Koloff with a cradle after leaping over the top into the ring

Southern Champion Pedro Morales pinned Lars Anderson with a cradle

Steve Keirn & Mike Graham defeated US Tag Team Champions Jimmy & Johnny Valiant to win the titles at 15:37 when Johnny submitted to Keirn's sleeper

Dusty Rhodes defeated Ken Patera via count-out after Patera slammed Rhodes back into the ring but failed to meet the referee's 10-count himself

WWWF World Champion Superstar Billy Graham fought NWA World Champion Harley Race to a draw in a Best 2 out of 3 falls match; fall #1: Graham defeated Race via KO with a bearhug at 34:17; fall #2: Race pinned Graham at 15:38 with a suplex into the ring; fall #3: the time limit expired as Race had Graham covered for a 1-count after catching him in a sleeper; Gorilla Monsoon and Don Curtis served as alternating guest referees for the bout

 

This is a really big deal for Patera. Not only does he appear on the Super Bowl of wrestling show, he works second from the top underneath a title v. title match. And it's against Dusty in Florida. Aside from the Garden main events with Bruno this is probably his biggest single match at this point in his career.

 

78/02/05 Att: 11,000

AWA TITLE:

Nick Bockwinkel WSub Chief Jay Strongbow

Angelo Mosca WDQ Chief Peter Maivia

Ken Patera DCOR Dusty Rhodes

The Crusaders W Chris Tolos/Dan Johnston

Mil Mascaras WP Terry Yorkston

Stan Stasiak D Waldo Von Erich

Sweet Daddy Siki D The Wildman

Butcher Vachon D Duncan MacTavish (subs for Spiros Arion)

Lord Alfred Hayes WP Steve Bolus (Hayes subs for Super Destroyer)

 

I presume this is a strong attendance figure for Maple Leaf.

 

WWWF @ Providence, RI - Civic Center - February 4, 1978

The Golden Terror vs. Peter Maivia

Chief Jay Strongbow vs. Butcher Vachon

Tony Garea vs. Spiros Arion

Bob Backlund & Mil Mascaras vs. WWWF Tag Team Champions Prof. Toru Tanaka & Mr. Fuji

Dusty Rhodes vs. Ken Patera

Included 2 other bouts

 

Dusty v. Patera in another largish venue for the territory. Patera was working Backlund on all the spot shows leading up to this. Which means he's now working the 1 or 2 babyface in the territory every night.

 

WWWF @ South Orange, NJ - Seton Hall - February 9, 1978

Chief Jay Strongbow vs. Spiros Arion

Bob Backlund vs. Stan Stasiak

Peter Maivia vs. Ken Patera

Included 3 other bouts

 

This is the first non-Dusty or Backlund match Patera had in several weeks.

 

WWWF @ Harrisburg, PA - Zembo Mosque - February 10, 1978

Spiros Arion (sub. for Pete Reeves) defeated Ted Adams

Baron Mikel Scicluna fought Dominic DeNucci to a draw

Larry Sharpe & Jack Evans defeated Steve King & SD Jones (sub. for Gorilla Monsoon)

Peter Maivia defeated Stan Stasiak

Ivan Putski defeated Ken Patera via disqualification

 

WWWF @ Altoona, PA - February 11, 1978

Baron Mikel Scicluna defeated Ted Adams

Steve King defeated Pinky Larson via disqualification

Stan Stasiak defeated Joe Abbey

Johnny DeFazio & Peter Maivia defeated Larry Sharpe & Jack Evans

Ivan Putski defeated Ken Patera via count-out

 

Back to Putski for the moment. The second show was the same day as a show in Baltimore headlined by Backlund v. Graham who had just come back from a tour of Japan/LA defending the WWWF world title.

 

WWWF @ Philadelphia, PA - Spectrum - February 18, 1978 (19,500; sell out)

Televised on the PRISM Network - featured Vince McMahon & Dick Graham on commentary:

Ted Adams defeated Joe Turco

Davey O'Hannon defeated Steve King

Wee Willie Wilson & Hillbilly Pete defeated Little John & Billy the Kid

SD Jones defeated Nikolai Volkoff

Spiros Arion defeated Dominic DeNucci

WWWF World Champion Superstar Billy Graham defeated Bruno Sammartino (w/ Arnold Skaaland) in a steel cage match at 7:43 after the challenger gave Superstar a running kick, which sent the champion falling between the ropes and out the door

Peter Maivia defeated Baron Mikel Scicluna

WWWF Tag Team Champions Mr. Fuji & Prof. Toru Tanaka defeated Gorilla Monsoon & Chief Jay Strongbow in a Best 2 out of 3 falls match

 

Toronto, Ontario - Maple Leaf Gardens - February 19, 1978

Billy Red Lyons defeated Chris Tolos

Stan Stasiak defeated the Wolfman

Dewey Robertson defeated the Wildman via disqualification

AWA Tag Team Champions Greg Gagne & Jim Brunzell defeated Nick Bockwinkel & Bobby Heenan

British Champion Billy Robinson defeated Duncan Mctavish

WWWF World Champion Superstar Billy Graham defeated Eduard Carpentier

Angelo Mosca defeated Peter Maivia via referee's decision

Dusty Rhodes pinned Ken Patera with a crossbody

 

WWWF @ New York City, NY - Madison Square Garden - February 20, 1978 (22,092; sell out)

Televised on the MSG Network - the first MSG show to allow children under 14 to attend; children ages 8 to 14 were admitted with an adult

WWF Jr. Heavyweight Champion Tatsumi Fujinami pinned Ted Adams with a German suplex into a bridge (Best of the WWF Vol. 15)

Baron Mikel Scicluna fought SD Jones to a 20-minute draw

Little John & Lord Littlebrook defeated Wee Willie Wilson & Hillbilly Pete

Tony Garea & Larry Zbyszko defeated Butcher Vachon & Stan Stasiak

Spiros Arion defeated Chief Jay Strongbow via count-out

Mil Mascaras pinned Mr. Fuji

Dusty Rhodes pinned Prof. Toru Tanaka at 9:06

Ken Patera defeated Peter Maivia via count-out

Bob Backlund pinned WWWF World Champion Superstar Billy Graham to win the title at 15:51 with the atomic drop, even though the champion's foot was on the bottom rope during the pinfall; voted Pro Wrestling Illustrated's Match of the Year (History of the WWF Heavyweight Championship, The History of the WWE Heavyweight Championship)

 

This is quite the stretch. The WWWF draws over 40k on two shows, over a couple of days. The first night is Graham's last stand with Bruno in a Cage - then two days later the changing of the guard with Backlund. Meanwhile Patera misses the Spectrum show because he's doing back to back shots - one v. Dusty as the last match (but one of many main events on a loaded show) in Toronto and then directly underneath the Backlund title win.

 

WWWF @ Springfield, MA - February 25, 1978

Peter Maivia & Chief Jay Strongbow vs. Prof. Toru Tanaka & Mr. Fuji

Bob Backlund vs. Ken Patera

 

This is not listed as a title shot, but presumably would have been one for Backlund against the guy he'd been working regularly in the build to his title win.

 

WWWF @ Portland, ME - Expo Building - February 28, 1978

Butcher Vachon vs. Frank Williams

Larry Zbyszko vs. Baron Mikel Scicluna

Little John & Lord Littlebrook vs. Wee Willie Wilson & Hillbilly Pete

The Golden Terror vs. Tony Garea

Spiros Arion vs. Peter Miavia

WWWF World Champion Bob Backlund vs. Ken Patera

 

And this is definitely a title defense.

 

WWWF @ Boston, MA - Boston Garden - March 6, 1978

Butcher Vachon defeated Johnny Rodz

Hillbilly Pete & Wee Willie Wilson defeated Little John & Billy the Kid

Larry Zbyszko defeated Baron Mikel Scicluna via disqualification

Spiros Arion defeated Tony Garea via count-out

Dusty Rhodes defeated Superstar Billy Graham via disqualification

Mr. Fuji & Prof. Toru Tanaka defeated Gorilla Monsoon & SD Jones

WWWF World Champion Bob Backlund defeated Ken Patera via count-out

 

His first major building title shot v. Backlund. I would like to see a figure here but it is notable how often they are going to Patera as Backlund's opponent on so many of these early shows. Two days before Patera worked Miavia on a Baltimore show where Graham got a rematch and the High Chief was Patera's other primary opponent during the period.

 

WWWF @ Pittsburgh, PA - Civic Arena - March 10, 1978

Stan Stasiak fought Dominic DeNucci to a double count-out at 17:32

Baron Mikel Scicluna defeated Larry Zbyszko via count-out at 15:37

Spiros Arion pinned Tony Garea at 6:22

Hillbilly Pete & Wee Willie Wilson defeated Billy the Kid & Little John

Ken Patera defeated Ivan Putski at 14:52 when the bout was stopped after Patera repeatedly rammed Putski's head into the corner, opening a gash above Putski's right eye

Superstar Billy Graham fought Dusty Rhodes to a no contest at 13:29 when a number of wrestlers interfered after the referee was knocked down

 

Notable mainly because Patera is still being put over strong as a vicious heel. I also think it is interesting that they ran this without Backlund on a show the first time they hit the market after the title switch.

 

WWWF @ Steubenville, OH - March 1978

Stan Stasiak fought Tony Garea to a draw

Dominic DeNucci pinned Baron Mikel Scicluna at 11:00

Hillbilly Pete & Wee Willie Wilson defeated Billy the Kid & Little John in a Best 2 out of 3 falls match

Ken Patera pinned Larry Zbyszko at 13:10

Spiros Arion defeated Ivan Putski via count-out at 12:00

 

Patera has dropped down the card some and is occasionally wrestling Larry Z, Garea and even S.D. Jones but still is clearly positioned as a top level heel.

 

WWWF @ Spotswood - March 18, 1978

Johnny Rodz defeated Ted Adams

Baron Mikel Scicluna defeated Frankie Williams

SD Jones defeated Gypsy Rodriguez

Wilhelm Ruska fought Seiji Sakaguchi to a draw

Spiros Arion fought Peter Maivia to a double disqualification

Ken Patera defeated Mil Mascaras via count-out

 

This is a neat result as you have Mascaras coming in for a house show and Patera headlines with him. Sakaguchi and Arion working underneath adds to the novelty of it.

 

WWWF @ New Haven, CT - March 19, 1978

Seiji Sakaguchi fought Wilhelm Ruska to a draw

Baron Mikel Scicluna defeated Dennis Johnson

Johnny Rodz defeated Frankie Williams

Gypsy Rodriguez defeated Steve King

Spiros Arion defeated Larry Zbyszko

SD Jones defeated Mr. Fuji via disqualification

Mil Mascaras defeated Prof. Toru Tanaka

WWWF World Champion Bob Backlund defeated Ken Patera via count-out

 

Another title shot for Patera.

 

WWWF @ New York City, NY - Madison Square Garden - March 20, 1978

WWWF Jr. Heavyweight Champion Tatsumi Fujinami pinned Gypsy Rodriguez

Seigi Sakaguchi defeated Wilheim Ruska via disqualification in a judo match

Dick Slater pinned Baron Mikel Scicluna

Steve Keirn & Mike Graham defeated Butcher Vachon & Golden Terror via disqualification

Peter Miavia pinned Stan Stasiak

Spiros Arion defeated Larry Zbyszko

Dusty Rhodes, Mil Mascaras, & Andre the Giant defeated Mr. Fuji, Prof. Toru Tanaka, & Ken Patera in a Best 2 out of 3 falls match

Superstar Billy Graham defeated WWWF World Champion Bob Backlund at 18:31 when the match was stopped due to cuts over the champion's left eye

 

I'm guessing this was a sellout. The main event probably could have pulled that figure on it's own, but the accompanying six-man is really pretty incredible as you have the hated heel tag team with the most hated heel in the company against an All-Star team of faces. Seriously that babyface team is like an Apter Mag wet dream.

 

WWWF @ Stamford, CT - High School Gym - March 23, 1978

Baron Mikel Scicluna fought SD Jones to a draw

Dominic DeNucci defeated Johnny Rodz

Larry Zbyszko defeated the Golden Terror

Seiji Sakaguchi fought Wilhelm Ruska to a draw

Peter Maivia defeated Butcher Vachon

Spiros Arion defeated Chief Jay Strongbow

Andre the Giant defeated Ken Patera

 

Patera headlines a few spot shows with Andre here.

 

WWWF @ Philadelphia, PA - Spectrum - March 25, 1978

Televised on the PRISM Network - featured Vince McMahon & Dick Graham on commentary:

Joe Turco pinned Pete Reeves at 10:17 with a kick to the chest

Gypsy Rodriguez pinned Pete Austin with an elbow drop at 10:57

Dominic DeNucci defeated Davey O'Hannon via count-out

WWWF World Champion Bob Backlund fought Spiros Arion to a double disqualification at 17:49 after Arion's leg knocked referee Dick Whorle to the floor as Backlund lifted the challenger up for the atomic drop, with the two men then brawling until other wrestlers - including Chief Jay Strongbow, Peter Maivia, Stan Stasiak among them - came out to break up the fight; moments later, Whorle was taken backstage on a stretcher; Backlund and Arion then continued to fight until it was again broken up by the other wrestlers; prior to the match, Arnold Skaaland escorted Backlund to the ring (Backlund's Spectrum debut) (Legends of Wrestling: Hulk Hogan and Bob Backlund)

Bruno Sammartino fought Ken Patera to a double count-out at 16:24

Peter Maivia & Chief Jay Strongbow defeated Stan Stasiak & Baron Mikel Scicluna

All American Wrestling - 12/18/83: Gorilla Monsoon pinned the Golden Terror with a splash

Haystacks Calhoun pinned Nikolai Volkoff at 2:39 with a splash

 

This is the first Bruno appearance in a while and it is not coincidental that they bring him in v. Patera. Backlund works Arion and I imagine the thinking was Bruno in PA v. the hated Patera would help pick up any of the slack of the still relatively new champ v. an opponent who was not as "hot" as Patera at the time.

 

WWWF @ Landover, MD - Capital Centre - April 1, 1978 (matinee)

Stan Stasiak vs. Peter Maivia

Davey O'Hannon vs. SD Jones

Mark Tendler vs. Nikolai Volkoff

Chief Jay Strongbow vs. Ken Patera

Dusty Rhodes vs. Superstar Billy Graham

Also included a tag team match featuring Andre the Giant

 

Strange Capital Centre show with no-Backlund match.

 

4/2/78 Roanoke, VA

2 Hour Time Limit

Wahoo McDaniel & Paul Jones beat NWA Tag Team Champions Ric Flair & Greg Valentine COR

NWA TV Champion Johnny Weaver beat Baron Von Raschke via pin

Dick Murdoch beat Jerry Blackwell

Ken Patera beat Swede Hanson

Jim Nelson beat Danny Miller

Steve Muslin drew Jim Garvin

 

As far as I can tell this is Patera's first date with MACW during his third stint there.

 

WWWF @ Philadelphia, PA - Arena - April 4, 1978

Championship Wrestling taping:

Dusty Rhodes vs. Ken Patera

The Yukon Lumberjacks (w/ Capt. Lou Albano) defeated Peter Maivia & SD Jones at 5:53 when Pierre pinned Jones following a double backbreaker behind the referee's back

4/8/78:

4/15/78:

4/22/78

 

Dusty v. Patera on a free tv show. I've never seen this, but would like to.

 

WWWF @ Baltimore, MD - Civic Center - April 8, 1978

Nikolai Volkoff defeated Joe Turco

Dino Bravo defeated Johnny Rodz

Peter Maivia defeated Strong Kobayashi

Ken Patera defeated Gorilla Monsoon via count-out

WWWF World Champion Bob Backlund defeated Superstar Billy Graham via disqualification

Spiros Arion defeated SD Jones

Peter Maivia & Larry Zbyszko defeated Baron Mikel Scicluna & Stan Stasiak

 

Hardly a weak match for Patera and it's the de facto semi-main on the show, but it still feels like they are starting to lose a bit of direction with him just skimming the results.

 

4/9/78 Asheville, NC @ Civic Center (Afternoon Card)

Mid Atlantic Champion Wahoo McDaniel vs Greg Valentine

Paul Jones vs Ken Patera

Texas Death Match

Ric Flair vs Ricky Steamboat,

Ciclon Negro & Baron Von Raschke vs Swede Hanson & Danny Miller

 

Asheville was a pretty big venue for them IIRC. That's also a strong card.

 

Also on this date (according to Mid-Atlantic Gateway) Patera won the Mid-Atlantic Title at a night show in Charlotte from Wahoo. Can't find the whole card listing right this second but here is the relevant info From http://www.midatlanticgateway.com/almanac/...ory/1978_04.htm

 

It also only took two days into the month of April to produce a major title change. In the Greensboro Coliseum on April 2, 1978, Chief Wahoo McDaniel finally took the measure of Greg Valentine to again capture the Mid-Atlantic Heavyweight Championship. After many months of battling Valentine, Wahoo was unable to savor his title victory very long. After only a week, Wahoo was defeated by his former friend, Ken Patera. On April 9, 1978, Patera subdued McDaniel in the Charlotte Coliseum to win his first title belt while in Jim Crockett Promotions.

 

"During the remainder of the month of April, Patera had several successful Mid-Atlantic Title defenses against Wahoo and Paul Jones. At the end of the month, Patera squared off against the “Eighth Wonder of The World” Andre the Giant, in a battle of two of the strongest men in wrestling. On that April 30, 1978 card at the Charlotte Coliseum, Patera was disqualified for throwing Andre over the top rope…a feat in and of itself!

 

In another title change early in the month, Baron Von Raschke regained his NWA Television Title from his nemesis, Johnny Weaver. On April 3, 1978 in the Greenville Memorial Auditorium in Greenville, South Carolina, Raschke prevailed after hitting Weaver with a chair, and afterwards finished off Johnny by applying his famous claw hold. The match in Greenville was billed as a No Disqualification, sixty minute title match where Weaver could only win with his sleeper hold, and the Baron could only win via his claw hold. The Baron would successfully defend his NWA TV Title a number of times during the month of April, most frequently against Weaver.

 

On the same blockbuster April 9, 1978 Charlotte card where Ken Patera ended Wahoo McDaniel’s short Mid-Atlantic Heavyweight Title reign, the biggest title change of 1978 to date also occurred. Mr. Wrestling risked his United States Heavyweight Championship against the hair of “Nature Boy” Ric Flair. After a thrilling encounter, Ric pinned Mr. Wrestling to capture the U.S. Tile, and almost as importantly to him, preserved his full head of blond hair! After defeating Mr. Wrestling, Flair had several rugged battles with “Sensational” Dick Murdock in Raleigh, North Carolina on April 11, 1978 and Charlottesville, Virginia on April 15, 1978."

 

78/04/10

Andre the Giant WCOR Ken Patera

Chief Peter Maivia/Billy Robinson WDQ Angelo Mosca/Super Destroyer

Verne Gagne WP Zimba Khan

The Crusher WP Gary McLaughlin

Gorilla Monsoon WP Tarzan Tyler

Dewey Robertson W Kim Chang

Lord Alfred Hayes W Steve Bolus

Dominic Denucci W Terry Yorkston

Chris Tolos D The Wildman

 

Fuck why not add another big match from another territory to this crazy run. He wins a major title off Wahoo one day and the next main events in Toronto against Andre.

 

WWWF @ Albany, NY - Armory - April 14, 1978

Gene Crispo fought Mike Moraldo to a draw

Steve King defeated Dixie Pinero after 9 minutes

Luke Graham defeated Peter Maivia after 13 minutes

Dino Bravo & Dominic DeNucci defeated Johnny Rodz & Jose Estrada in a Best 2 out of 3 falls match

WWWF World Champion Bob Backlund pinned Ken Patera after 21 minutes

 

WWWF @ Pittsburgh, PA - Civic Arena - April 14, 1978

SD Jones fought Johnny DeFazio to a draw at 11:05 when the match was stopped due to an accidental low blow to DeFazio; Jones refused the victory

Billy Red Lyons pinned Frank Holtz at 9:25

Dewey Robertson pinned the Red Demon with a suplex at 7:17

WWWF Tag Team Champions Dino Bravo & Dominic DeNucci defeated Stan Stasiak & Baron Mikel Scicluna in a Best 2 out of 3 falls match, 2-1; fall #1 - Stasiak pinned DeNucci with the heart punch at 13:47; fall #2 - DeNucci defeated Stasiak via submission with an abdominal stretch at 4:10; fall #3 - Bravo pinned Scicluna at 7:35

Andre the Giant defeated Ken Patera via count-out at 10:40 when Patera left ringside after sustaining a boot to the face

Dusty Rhodes defeated Superstar Billy Graham via disqualification at 16:55 after Graham took guest referee Haystacks Calhoun's horseshoe and chain and used it to bloody Rhodes

 

If the date on this is right this is pretty incredible for Patera as he got a lengthy title match v. Backlund and a big match v. Andre on the same day. I find it strange that Backlund and Pitt don't seem to mix.

 

WWWF @ Johnstown, PA - War Memorial - April 15, 1978

Dino Bravo pinned Billy Red Lyons at 11:33

Dewey Robertson fought SD Jones; Robertson wrestled the match as a heel

Dusty Rhodes defeated Ken Patera via disqualification at 14:22 after dropping Rhodes crotch-first across the top rope

Superstar Billy Graham defeated Dominic DeNucci via count-out at 14:22

Andre the Giant defeated Stan Stasiak & Baron Mikel Scicluna in a handicap match at 10:06 by pinning Scicluna

 

And then a day later v. Dusty.

 

4/16/78 Winston-Salem, NC @ Memorial Coliseum

Mid Atlantic Tag Team Champions Paul Jones & Ricky Steamboat vs Ken Patera & Greg Valentine

Mr Wrestling Tim Woods vs Ciclon Negro

Scott Irwin vs Ted Oates

Bill White vs Don Kernodle

Charlie Fulton vs Jim Garvin

Jan Nelson vs Roberto Soto

 

He's just in, he's got a key singles title and he's challenging for the tag belts in main events. His big time heel run continues.

 

4/21/78 Richmond, VA @ Coliseum

Blackjack Mulligan beat Masked Superstar dq

Mid Atlantic Champion Ken Patera beat Paul Jones

NWA TV Champion Baron Von Raschke beat Johnny Weaver

Mr Sato beat Frank Monte

Swede Hanson beat Bill Howard

Jay Youngblood beat Scott Irwin

Richard Blood & Ted Oates beat Mr X I & Mr X II

 

This may have been the first Patera title defense though I"m not positive of it. Is that a different Richard Blood teaming with Oates? Patera's schedule is really insane during this period, but when you're in demand, you're in demand.

 

WWWF @ Springfield, MA - Civic Center - April 22, 1978

Sylvano Sousa vs. John Tzinas

Pete Austin vs. Davey O'Hannon

SD Jones vs. Mark Tendler

Jose Estrada vs. Frankie Williams

Peter Maivia vs. Luke Graham

Haystacks Calhoun & Larry Zbyszko defeated Stan Stasiak & Johnny Rodz in a Best 2 out of 3 falls match, 2-1

Mil Mascaras defeated Ken Patera

 

4/23/78 Greensboro, NC @ Coliseum

Tournament for NWA Tag Team Title

First Round

Wahoo McDaniel & Andre The Giant beat Ric Flair & Greg Valentine forfeit

Ken Patera & Masked Superstar beat Tony Atlas & Bobo Brazil

Gene Anderson & Ole Anderson beat Jack Brisco & Jerry Brisco

Stan Hansen & Blackjack Mulligan beat Mr Wrestling Tim Woods & Johnny Weaver

Paul Jones & Ricky Steamboat beat Ciclon Negro & Baron Von Raschke

Second Round

Ken Patera & Masked Superstar drew Wahoo McDaniel & Andre The Giant but advanced due to winning a coin flip

Paul Jones & Ricky Steamboat beat Gene Anderson & Ole Anderson

Stan Hansen & Blackjack Mulligan bye

Semi Finals

Ken Patera & Masked Superstar beat Blackjack Mulligan & Stan Hansen dq

Paul Jones & Ricky Steamboat bye

Finals

Paul Jones & Ricky Steamboat beat Ken Patera & Masked Superstar for NWA tag team title

att: 9,732

 

WWWF @ New York City, NY - Madison Square Garden - April 24, 1978

Mil Mascaras defeated the Golden Terror

Peter Maivia defeated Butcher Vachon

WWWF Tag Team Champions Dino Bravo & Dominic DeNucci defeated Stan Stasiak & Johnny Rodz

Spiros Arion fought Dusty Rhodes to a draw

Strong Kobayashi defeated Steve King

Ken Patera defeated Larry Zbyszko

WWWF World Champion Bob Backlund defeated Superstar Billy Graham in a steel cage match by escaping the cage after the challenger's foot became entagled in the cage

 

Once again Patera misses a Spectrum show to headline in Springfield this time against Mascaras. The semi-main v. Larry Z probably didn't mean much at the Garden. Really crazy as he is just running through the whole babyface roster in a span of about ten days, rather than working any major or even minor programs. Oh. And in between he's in Crockett working four matches on a single show before losing in the finals of an NWA tag title tournament. Holy shit what a run.

 

WWWF @ Hamburg, PA - Fieldhouse - April 26, 1978

All Star Wrestling taping:

4/29/78:

Ken Patera defeated Frankie Williams via submission with the full nelson; Williams was injured as a result of the move

George Steele defeated Steve King via submission with the flying hammerlock at 3:35

5/6/78:

Mil Mascaras vs. the Golden Terror

 

More mean man Patera. This is effectively Patera's last date on the WWWF circuit during his first stint.

 

4/30/78 Asheville, NC @ Civic Center (Afternoon Show)

NWA Tag Team Champions Paul Jones & Ricky Steamboat vs Baron Von Raschke & Greg Valentine

Mid Atlantic Champion Ken Patera vs Wahoo McDaniel

Mr Wrestling Tim Woods vs Ciclon Negro

Gene Anderson vs Jerry Stubbs

Mr X II vs Jay Youngblood

 

Double main event on another afternoon show. Makes me wonder if they ran a night show somewhere I'm missing a result for.

 

5/2/78 Columbia, SC @ Township Auditorium

Mid Atlantic Champion Ken Patera beat Paul Jones

Masked Superstar beat Ricky Steamboat dq

Johnny Weaver & Mr Wrestling Tim Woods & Richard Blood beat Jan Nelson & Scott Irwin & Jerry Blackwell

Roberto Soto beat Charlie Fulton

Mr Sato beat Steve Muslin

 

Patera v. Jones was now a touring feud always in the A or B slot on the shows.

 

5/13/78 Winston-Salem, NC @ Memorial Coliseum

$10,000 bounty match

Greg Valentine vs Blackjack Mulligan

Mid Atlantic Champion Ken Patera vs Paul Jones

Jerry Blackwell & Jan Nelson vs Johnny Weaver & Jay Youngblood

Charlie Fulton vs Don Kernodle

Steve Muslin vs Mr Sato

Joe Furr vs Bryan St John

 

This is a pretty interesting show to me with Blackwell in an interesting tag, Valentine and Blackjack up top (Greg may be someone else I do a results rundown on eventually), Kernodle on the under card and of course Patera v. Jones.

 

5/14/78 Asheville, NC @ Civic Center (Afternoon Show)

NWA Tag Team Champions Paul Jones & Ricky Steamboat vs Ric Flair & Greg Valentine

Non Title Match

Mid Atlantic Champion Ken Patera vs Dick Murdoch

Mr Wrestling Tim Woods vs Jerry Blackwell

Jay Youngblood vs Bill White

Don Kernodle vs Frank Monte

 

I imagine that Murdoch v. Patera would have been awesome at that point.

 

5/16/78 Columbia, SC @ Township Auditorium

NWA Tag Team Champions Paul Jones & Ricky Steamboat beat Ken Patera & Baron Von Raschke

Tony Atlas beat Gene Anderson

Mr Wrestling Tim Woods beat Jan Nelson

Jacques Goulet beat Jerry Stubbs

Mr Saito beat Frank Monte

 

Tag titles were the default headliner on a lot of these shows. Baron and Patera strike me as an odd team.

 

WWWF @ New London - Ocean Beach Auditorium - May 20, 1978

Jose Gonzalez vs. Frank Williams

Don Serano vs. Johnny Rivera

Baron Mikel Scicluna & Frank Rodriguez vs. Tony Garea & Larry Zbyzsko

Joe Esposito vs. Frank Monroe

Ivan Putski vs. Ken Patera

 

WWWF @ New York City, NY - Madison Square Garden - May 22, 1978

The Yukon Lumberjacks defeated Larry Zbyszko & Haystacks Calhoun in a Best 2 out of 3 falls match

SD Jones pinned Strong Kobayashi

Luke Graham pinned Tank Patton

WWWF Tag Team Champions Dino Bravo & Dominic DeNucci defeated Mr. Fuji & Mr. Saito in a Best 2 out of 3 falls match, 2-0

Mil Mascaras pinned Stan Stasiak

Spiros Arion pinned Peter Miavia

Superstar Billy Graham fought Gorilla Monsoon to a double count-out

WWWF World Champion Bob Backlund pinned Ken Patera

 

He comes back v. Putski and immediately gets a title shot v. Backlund at MSG for the first time. I've never seen the match and don't know if it exists on tape. Would be interested to track it down and wonder what sort of business it did. This is Patera's fourth MSG title match in a little less than a year and a half.

 

5/28/78 Greensboro, NC @ Coliseum

NWA Tag Team Champions Paul Jones & Ricky Steamboat beat Ric Flair & Greg Valentine

Dick Murdoch beat Mid Atlantic Champion Ken Patera dq

Tony Atlas & Rufus R Jones ddq Baron Von Raschke & Ciclon Negro

Mr Wrestling Tim Woods beat Gene Anderson

Jacques Goulet beat Roberto Soto

Mr X I beat Mr Sato

Jerry Stubbs drew Skandor Akbar 15:00

att: 4,000

 

5/30/78 Raleigh, NC @ Dorton Arena

Mid Atlantic Champion Ken Patera beat Wahoo McDaniel

Paul Jones beat NWA TV Champion Baron Von Raschke but the win came after the 15 minute mark so Raschke retained his TV Title.

Gene Anderson & Jacques Goulet beat Richard Blood & Jay Youngblood

Jerry Stubbs beat Bill White

Don Kernodle beat Jerry Blackwell dq

 

Back in Carolina with a vengeance, though that Greensboro figure does not sound good at all. Still would have killed to see either one of those matches.

 

6/1/78 Anderson, SC @ Recreation Center

NWA Tag Team Champions Paul Jones & Ricky Steamboat beat Ciclon Negro & Ken Patera

Mr Wrestling Tim Woods beat Skandor Akbar

Ted Oates beat Frank Monte

Roberto Soto beat Steve Muslin

Danny Miller beat George Two Ton Harris (sub Bill Howard)

 

6/4/78 Savannah, GA @ Civic Center

US Champion Ric Flair vs Ricky Steamboat

Mid Atlantic Champion Ken Patera vs Paul Jones

Jay Youngblood & Mr Wrestling Tim Woods vs Ciclon Negro & Masked Superstar

Bill White vs Joe Furr

Johnny Weaver vs Gene Anderson

 

This is sort of the staple at this point. Patera is either teaming with a random heel partner for the tag belts on top v. Jones and Steamboat or working second from the top with the MACW title. MACW had a lot of talent at this point (Weaver and Anderson opening the show - even in 78 - sort of attest to this) so it's hard to call him *THE* top guys. But he was A top guy in a pretty stacked territory.

 

6/10/78 Spartanburg, SC @ Memorial Auditorium

Mid Atlantic Champion Ken Patera beat Wahoo McDaniel

Paul Jones beat Ciclon Negro

Jerry Blackwell & Skandor Akbar beat Swede Hanson & Roberto Soto

Joe Furr beat George Two Ton Harris

Bryan St John beat Charlie Fulton

 

6/18/78 Savannah, GA @ Civic Center

Mid Atlantic Champion Ken Patera beat Ricky Steamboat dq

Paul Jones beat Baron Von Raschke

Ted Oates & Swede Hanson beat Gene Anderson & Jerry Blackwell

Don Kernodle beat Frank Monte

Bill Howard drew Mr Sato

 

Wahoo gets a rematch. Steamboat gets a shot against Patera in what was probably a very good match.

 

Toronto, Ontario - Maple Leaf Gardens - June 25, 1978

Jim Brunzell defeated Chris Tolos via count-out

Tiger Jeet Singh defeated Kim Chang via submission with the Cobra Clutch

Super Destroyer & Lord Alfred Hayes defeated Billy Red Lyons & Dewey Robertson

Andre the Giant & Gorilla Monsoon fought Rey Stevens & Pat Patterson to a double disqualification

AWA World Champion Nick Bockwinkel defeated Rufus R. Jones at 21:03

WWWF World Champion Bob Backlund pinned Ken Patera at 19:58

 

Patera imported from MACW to Maple Leaf for a challenge against Backlund. Bock's imported challenger is comical by comparison. This really shows how much stock promoters put in Patera as a heel at this point.

 

WWWF @ New York City, NY - Madison Square Garden - June 26, 1978

Stan Stasiak defeated SD Jones

Chief Jay Strongbow defeated Baron Mikel Scicluna

Jack Brisco defeated Butcher Vachon

Mil Mascaras defeated Ken Patera

George Steele defeated Tony Garea

Andre the Giant & Ivan Putski defeated Luke & Superstar Billy Graham

The Yukon Lumberjacks defeated WWWF Tag Team Champions Dino Bravo & Dominic DeNucci to win the titles when Pierre pinned DeNucci following a double chop behind the referee's back (Tag Team Champions)

WWWF World Champion Bob Backlund defeated Spiros Arion

 

He's stays up North for a special attraction match v. Mil on the undercard at the Garden.

 

7/2/78 Savannah, GA @ Civic Center

Mid Atlantic Champion Ken Patera vs Andre The Giant

NWA Tag Team Champions Greg Valentine & Baron Von Raschke vs Paul Jones & Ricky Steamboat

Gene Anderson vs Roberto Soto

Scandor Akbar vs Abe Jacobs

Steve Muslin vs Bryan St John

 

7/4/78 Raleigh, NC @ Dorton Arena

Andre The Giant beat Mid Atlantic Champion Ken Patera dq

NWA Tag Team Champions Baron Von Raschke & Greg Valentine drew Ricky Steamboat & Paul Jones

Johnny Weaver dcor Gene Anderson

Swede Hanson beat Bill Howard

Bryan St John beat Bill White

 

7/8/78 Hampton, VA @ Hampton Roads Coliseum

Paul Jones & Ricky Steamboat beat NWA Tag Team Champions Greg Valentine & Baron Von Raschke dq

Mid Atlantic Champion Ken Patera beat Tony Atlas

Richard Blood & Jay Youngblood beat Jerry Blackwell & Jacques Goulet

Bryan St John beat George Two Ton Harris

Don Kernodle beat Frank Monte

 

Patera's big list of opponents continues and remains a who's who of sorts for 78. I imagine the Andre matches were sellouts - it just defies logic to believe they weren't given how big an impact Andre had on shows at the time. Atlas match was probably another way to get another big babyface in the mix with Patera.

 

7/9/78 Roanoke, VA @ Civic Center (Afternoon Show)

Blackjack Mulligan & Tony Atlas beat Ric Flair & Ken Patera

NWA TV Champion Paul Jones beat Baron Von Raschke

Ciclon Negro & Jacques Goulet beat Roberto Soto & Jay Youngblood

Richard Blood beat Jerry Blackwell dq

Frank Monte beat Mr Sato

 

The trainees up against a team on paper that is pretty fucking comical.

 

7/16/78 Asheville, NC @ Civic Center (Afternoon Show)

$10,000 Bounty Match

Mid Atlantic Champion Ken Patera vs Blackjack Mulligan

Lumberjack Match

NWA TV Champion Paul Jones vs Masked Superstar

Greg Valentine vs Dick Murdoch

Jay Youngblood & Tony Atlas vs Gene Anderson & Jerry Blackwell

Plus two singles matches

 

7/16/78 Greensboro, NC @ Coliseum

US Champion Ric Flair beat Ricky Steamboat

Texas Death Match

Blackjack Mulligan beat Masked Superstar

Ken Patera beat Paul Jones

Johnny Weaver & Mr Wrestling Tim Woods beat Jacques Goulet & Ciclon Negro

Skandor Akbar beat Klondike Bill

Jerry Stubbs beat Mr Sato

Richard Blood beat Bill White

Swede Hanson beat Charlie Fulton

 

I think this really illustrates Patera's strength in the company. Yes he's third from the top in Greensboro, but it's on a very strong show and still in a featured match. He headlines in Asheville (which again was one of their better towns) on a card that is actually about as stacked as the Greensboro night show was.

 

7/24/78 Fayetteville, NC @ Cumberland County Memorial Auditorium

Texas Death Match

Dick Murdoch beat Baron Von Raschke

Title vs Title

Mid Atlantic Champion Ken Patera beat NWA TV Champion Paul Jones but the win came after the 15 minute mark so Jones retained his TV Title

Richard Blood & Johnny Weaver beat Skandor Akbar & Jerry Blackwell

Swede Hanson beat Charlie Fulton

Joe Furr drew David Patterson

 

Neat title v. title match with Jones with Patera going over albeit with the post-fifteen minute qualifier that is rough equivalent of a screwjob finish.

 

7/28/78 Richmond, VA @ Coliseum

Texas Death Match

Blackjack Mulligan beat Masked Superstar COR

Tony Atlas beat Ken Patera by default

NWA TV Champion Paul Jones beat Baron Von Raschke

Mr Wrestling Tim Woods & Johnny Weaver beat Jerry Blackwell & Scandor Akbar

Women’s Champion Fabulous Moolah beat Kitty Adams

Mr X II beat Don Kernodle

 

7/30/78 Charlotte, NC @ Coliseum

US Champion Ric Flair ddq Blackjack Mulligan

Tony Atlas beat Mid Atlantic Champion Ken Patera dq

NWA TV Champion Paul Jones beat Greg Valentine

Gene Anderson & Jacques Goulet beat Ted Oates & Jerry Oates

Mr X I beat Jerry Stubbs

Skandor Akbar beat Roberto Soto

Abe Jacobs beat Steve Muslin

 

Patera v. Atlas has become a go to semi-main on A-shows and main on some of the B-shows. Interesting to me to see how many of the main events in this territory were headlined by some sort of gimmick match.

 

8/2/78 Rocky Mount, NC @ Municipal Stadium

Ricky Steamboat beat US Champion Ric Flair on a reverse decision dq

NWA TV Champion Paul Jones beat Baron Von Raschke

Tony Atlas beat Mid Atlantic Champion Ken Patera

Richard Blood & Roberto Soto beat Jacques Goulet & Mr X II

Charlie Fulton drew Bryan St John

Att: 3,500

 

This was probably an excellent paid figure for Rocky Mount which is not a big city even now and is mostly notable as being the last spot on 95 North if you are heading out of NC.

 

8/12/78 Hampton, VA @ Hampton Roads Coliseum

NWA Tag Team Champions Greg Valentine & Baron Von Raschke beat Paul Jones & Ricky Steamboat

Mid Atlantic Champion Ken Patera beat Tony Atlas

Johnny Weaver beat Skandor Akbar dq

Roberto Soto beat Mr X II

Swede Hanson beat Bill White

Abe Jacobs beat Joe Turco

Arm Wrestling

Ken Patera no contest Tony Atlas

 

8/13/78 Greensboro. NC @ Coliseum

US Champion Ric Flair beat Blackjack Mulligan

Tony Atlas beat Mid Atlantic Champion Ken Patera dq

NWA TV Champion Paul Jones beat Ciclon Negro

Ted Oates & Jerry Oates beat Jacques Goulet & Gene Anderson

Skip Young beat Mr. X II

Abe Jacobs beat Bill White

Doug Gilbert drew Don Kernodle (sub Jerry Stubbs)

att: 6,005

 

They are pushing the shit out of this Atlas feud around the horn. Both of these were two of the larger A-venues in the territory. Would like to see more figures from Hampton Roads. Greensboro figure really isn't anything special, but is signficantly up (1/3) from the last figure I saw.

 

8/20/78 Wilmington, NC @ Legion Stadium

Steel Cage Match

Blackjack Mulligan vs Masked Superstar

US Champion Ric Flair vs Paul Jones

Mid Atlantic Champion Ken Patera vs Mr Wrestling Tim Woods

 

These were probably just the only three matches advertised if I had to guess. Pretty strong lineup.

 

8/27/78 Asheville, NC @ Civic Center (Afternoon Show)

$10,000 Bounty Match

Blackjack Mulligan vs Baron Von Raschke

Mid Atlantic Champion Ken Patera vs Ricky Steamboat

NWA TV Champion Paul Jones vs Greg Valentine

Ciclon Negro & Jerry Blackwell vs Johnny Weaver & Jay Youngblood

Mr Wrestling Tim Woods vs Mr X I

Jerry Stubbs vs Mr X II

 

8/29/78 Raleigh, NC @ Dorton Arena

Paul Jones beat US Champion Ric Flair dq

Mid Atlantic Champion Ken Patera beat Tony Atlas

Skip Young & Jay Youngblood beat Gene Anderson & Ciclon Negro

Mr Wrestling Tim Woods beat Mr X II

Swede Hanson drew Charlie Fulton

Roberto Soto beat David Patterson

 

Still holding down the fort as Mid-Atlantic champ and as an A-level player.

 

9/4/78 Fayetteville, NC @ Cumberland County Memorial Auditorium

Title vs Title

NWA TV Champion Paul Jones beat Mid Atlantic Champion Ken Patera dq

Tony Atlas beat Masked Superstar

Ted Oates & Jerry Oates beat Steve Muslin & Jacques Goulet

Charlie Fulton beat Ed Fury

 

Another title v. title match with Jones, this one headlining.

 

9/17/78 Roanoke, VA @ Civic Center

Tony Atlas beat Ken Patera to win Mid Atlantic Title

Blackjack Mulligan & Paul Jones beat NWA Tag Team Champions Greg Valentine & Baron Von Raschke dq

Mr Wrestling Tim Woods beat Ciclon Negro

Ted Oates & Jerry Oates vs Rudy Kay & Scandor Akbar

David Patterson beat Joe Furr

 

After chasing him for the longest time and tv that heavily put over the feud, Atlas finally beats Patera for the MACW title headlining a decent sized venue in the process.

 

The month of October is a total dead end in terms of finding detailed results, but I did find this thanks to the excellent Mid-Atlantic Gateway website:

 

http://www.midatlanticgateway.com/almanac/...ory/1978_10.htm

 

"The Mid-Atlantic Heavyweight Championship was contested almost exclusively between bitter rivals Tony Atlas and Ken Patera during the month of October. And the month was cut exactly in half, with Atlas defending the Mid-Atlantic Championship for the first half of the month, and Patera defending the Title during the second half of the month.

 

The Title changed on October 15, 1978 in the Roanoke Civic Center, when Patera used sneaky tactics to take the belt away from Roanoke’s favorite son, Tony Atlas. Tony won the Title exactly four weeks before, in the same Roanoke Civic Center. A gloating Patera would mention on Mid-Atlantic Championship Wrestling TV more than once that Atlas “was the shortest lived Mid-Atlantic Heavyweight Champion in history!”

 

Prior to losing the Mid-Atlantic Title, Atlas successfully defended his belt against Patera in October five times, including a particularly dominating performance at the Township Auditorium in Columbia, South Carolina on October 10th. Patera returned the favor, successfully defending his Title five times against Atlas after winning the Title back. The most heated of Patera’s defenses was a rematch against Atlas in Roanoke on October 29th. In that wild bout, a berserk Atlas actually got disqualified, giving Patera a hard-fought win."

 

So the gist of it is that Atlas v. Patera carried on and in a featured program with Patera reclaiming the belt.

 

10/21/78 Greensboro, NC @ Coliseum

NWA Champion Harley Race beat Ricky Steamboat

Lights Out Match

Blackjack Mulligan beat US Champion Ric Flair

Mid Atlantic Champion Ken Patera beat Tony Atlas

Jay Youngblood & Skip Young beat Swede Hanson & Chris Tolos

Mr. X I beat Bryan St. John

Steve Muslin beat Ed Fury

Don Kernodle drew Rudy Kay

att:7,500

 

This is a good figure for Greensboro that year.

 

Toronto, Ontario - Maple Leaf Gardens - October 22, 1978

Abe Jacobs fought Jeff Poltz to a 20-minute draw

Tony Atlas & Jay Youngblood defeated Gene & Ole Anderson at 22:11

Dino Bravo defeated Ken Patera at 15:50

NWA U.S. Champion Ric Flair defeated Ricky Steamboat via disqualification

WWWF World Champion Bob Backlund pinned Ivan Koloff at 15:46 with a bodypress

 

Patera with another shot for Tunney, this time in a strong man showdown with Bravo.

 

11/4/78 Charlotte, NC @ Coliseum

Ricky Steamboat beat US Champion Ric Flair COR

Mid Atlantic Champion Ken Patera beat Paul Jones

John Studd beat Johnny Weaver

Paul Orndorff & Jimmy Snuka beat Gene Anderson & Jacques Goulet

Skip Young beat Mr X I

Rudy Kay & Swede Hanson beat Gary Young & Herb Gallant

Frank Monte beat Bryan St John

 

A rare non-Atlas title defense for Patera.

 

JCP @ Greensboro, NC - Coliseum - November 5, 1978 (3,847)

Don Kernodle defeated Charlie Fulton

Bryan St. John defeated Joe Furr

Abe Jacobs defeated Mr. X #2

Skip Young defeated Chris Tolos

Jimmy Snuka & Paul Orndorff defeated Sgt. Jacques Goulet & Rudy Kay

WWWF World Champion Bob Backlund defeated NWA Mid-Atlantic Heavyweight Champion Ken Patera via disqualification in a non-title match

Ricky Steamboat & Paul Jones defeated Mid-Atlantic Tag Team Champions - NWA US Champion Ric Flair & Big John Studd to win the titles when Steamboat pinned Flair with a suplex

 

Backlund v. Patera on a JCP - that does a really shit attendance figure in their big building. What the hell happened here??

 

Toronto, Ontario - Maple Leaf Gardens - November 19, 1978 (9000)

Dewey Robertson defeated Kim Chang at 4:16

Steve Bolos pinned Joe Marcus at 10:47

Johnny Weaver defeated Steve Muslim at 10:28 via submission with a sleeper

Jay Youngblood defeated Geoff Portz at 10:37

WWWF World Champion Bob Backlund & Dino Bravo defeated Ray Stevens & Pat Patterson via disqualification

Tony Atlas defeated Ken Patera at 24:44

NWA U.S. Champion Ric Flair pinned Ricky Steamboat at 37:24 even though Steamboat's foot was on the rope during the cover

 

Another loaded show up top for Maple Leaf. Patera v. Atlas would have meant something during this period. Cool to see Flair v. Steamboat headlining that far back.

 

11/26/78 Roanoke, VA @ Civic Center (Afternoon Show)

Lumberjack Match

Mid Atlantic Champion Ken Patera vs Tony Atlas

NWA TV Champion Paul Jones vs Greg Valentine

Andre The Giant vs John Studd

Jay Youngblood & Richard Blood vs Rudy Kay & Jacques Goulet

Don Kernodle vs Steve Muslin

Joe Furr vs David Patterson

 

They ran Charlotte and Roanoke which was two of their bigger venues that day. Greg, Andre and Studd worked both shows. Patera v. Atlas has been going on forever at this point, but was still evidently hot enough to trust to top the cards.

 

11/28/78 Columbia, SC @ Township Auditorium

Mid Atlantic Champion Ken Patera ddq Andre The Giant

Paul Orndorff beat Gene Anderson

Johnny Weaver & Skip Young beat Brute Bernard & Rudy Kay

Mr X I beat Abe Jacobs

Herb Gallant beat Frank Monte

 

Yet another Patera v. Andre match.

 

12/7/78 Norfolk, VA @ Scope Exhibition Hall

US Champion Ric Flair beat Ricky Steamboat

Mid Atlantic Champion Ken Patera ddq Jimmy Snuka

John Studd beat Blackjack Mulligan

Paul Orndorff beat Brute Bernard

Richard Blood & Jay Youngblood & Skip Young beat Rudy Kay & Steve Muslin & Chris Tolos

Herb Gallant & Abe Jacobs beat Mr X I & Mr X II

Steve Regal beat Frank Monte

 

12/8/78 Charleston, SC @ County Hall

Mid Atlantic Champion Ken Patera vs Ricky Steamboat

Jay Youngblood vs Brute Bernard

Richard Blood & Herb Gallant vs Steve Muslin & Jacques Goulet

Gary Young vs Charlie Fulton

Joe Furr vs Frank Monte

 

Man that Charleston show is insanely weak. Any figure that did would have been entirely on the back of the Patera v. Steamboat match. Patera v. Snuka running second from the top over Studd v. Mulligan on a triple main even show at Roanoke probably drew well.

 

12/10/78 Roanoke, VA @ Civic Center (Afternoon Show)

NWA Tag Team Champions Greg Valentine & Baron Von Raschke beat Blackjack Mulligan & Paul Jones dq

10 Rounds of Boxing

Tony Atlas beat Ken Patera

Jimmy Snuka & Paul Orndorff beat Brute Bernard & Chris Tolos

Don Kernodle beat Frank Monte

Gary Young beat David Patterson

Note: Jones turned on Mulligan in the main event.

 

They are now working a boxing gimmick off of this feud. Talk about milking things for all they are worth.

 

12/25/78 Charlotte, NC @ Coliseum

Cage Match

US Champion Ric Flair beat Blackjack Mulligan

NWA TV Champion Paul Jones beat Ricky Steamboat

Johnny Weaver beat Mid Atlantic Champion Ken Patera dq

Jay Youngblood & Skip Young beat Brute Bernard & Jacques Goulet

Mr X I beat Gary Young

Don Kernodle beat David Patterson

Frank Monte beat Joe Furr

Klondike Bill beat Charlie Fulton

Att: 11,303

 

Christmas day in Charlotte does really big business off of a stacked show. Interesting to see Weaver get the shot here against Patera.

 

12/27/78 Raleigh, NC @ Dorton Arena

Cage Match

US Champion Ric Flair beat Blackjack Mulligan

NWA TV Champion Paul Jones beat Ricky Steamboat

Jimmy Snuka beat Ken Patera

Skip Young & Jay Youngblood beat Jacques Goulet & Gene Anderson

Steve Regal beat Mr X I

Gary Young beat Joe Palardy

Att: 5,500

 

This is alleged to have been one of the biggest crowds ever in Raleigh up to that point. The Atlas feud looks like it has finally closed out in December and they are running Patera against a variety of guys.

 

12/31/78 Asheville, NC @ Civic Center (Afternoon Show)

US Champion Ricky Steamboat vs Ric Flair

Mid Atlantic Champion Ken Patera vs Paul Orndorff

Greg Valentine vs Jay Youngblood

Skip Young & Johnny Weaver vs Brute Bernard & Mr X I

David Patterson vs Steve Regal

Joe Palardy vs Don Kernodle

 

Will Orndorff become the new Atlas going forward?

 

 

This is another really strong year for Patera. His run in the WWWF was impressive as he was working Dusty, Backlund, Bruno, Andre more often than not. In fact the Dusty match got farmed out to the Super Bowl show in Florida and to a huge show in Toronto. Backlund and Andre matches also made their way to Toronto and MACW as well. He ended up working Backlund almost non-stop leading to Backlund's title win and then got several key early title challenges, including one in the Garden after he had technically already left the circuit. In Mid-Atlantic he almost immediately won the Mid-Atlantic title which he held for almost the entire rest of the year. He had an early feud with Paul Jones who was one of the top faces, before transferring over to a feud with Tony Atlas that seemed to be driven into the ground but was a consistent main event on b-show's and semi-main on a-shows. You could argue that he wasn't the top heel in either the WWWF or MACW, though I think during his stint in the WWWF he has a pretty strong case for being the A-heel and Mid-Atlantic was so loaded they rotated guys in and out up top pretty regularly. Either way he was clearly one of the top tier heels in the business in 78.

[Dylan Waco]

Edited a bit more info into 78.

[Dylan Waco]

1979

 

 

1/2/79 Columbia, SC @ Township Auditorium

Mid Atlantic Champion Ken Patera beat Blackjack Mulligan via pin

NWA TV Champion Paul Jones beat Ricky Steamboat

Ted Oates & Jerry Oates beat Jacques Goulet & Gene Anderson dq

Skip Young beat Joe Palardy

Abe Jacobs beat Frank Monte

 

1/5/79 Charleston, SC @ County Hall

Mid Atlantic Champion Ken Patera vs Johnny Weaver

NWA TV Champion Paul Jones vs Ricky Steamboat

Ted Oates & Jerry Oates vs Brute Bernard & Swede Hanson

Jay Youngblood vs Steve Muslin

Steve Regal vs Charlie Fulton

 

At this point they look like they are still trying out new challengers to replace Atlas in a program with Patera. Patera and Atlas seemed to drag on looking back from thirty plus years, but reading summaries of the angles from tv it didn't really drag out - it worked. It was the hottest program of length that Patera would ever have in MACW and the search for a replacement opponent of note would never really pay off. Patera main eventing these secondary shows is something else that would be a fairly dominant theme throughout the year.

 

1/7/79 Charlotte, NC @ Coliseum

NWA Tag Team Champions Jimmy Snuka & Paul Orndorff beat Ric Flair & John Studd

US Champion Ricky Steamboat beat NWA TV Champion Paul Jones but Jones kept his TV Title because the match lasted longer than 15 minutes.

Mid Atlantic Champion Ken Patera beat Johnny Weaver

Jacques Goulet & Swede Hansen beat Ted Oates & Jerry Oates

Mr X I beat Richard Blood

Steve Regal beat Steve Muslin

 

1/13/79 Spartanburg, SC @ Memorial Auditorium

Dino Bravo & Tony Atlas beat Paul Jones & Ken Patera

Johnny Weaver beat Brute Bernard

Mr X I beat Herb Gallant

Steve Regal beat Charlie Fulton dq

Don Kernodle drew Len Denton 20:00

 

1/18/79 Anderson, SC @ Recreation Center

Paul Orndorff beat NWA TV Champion Paul Jones but the win came after the 15 minute mark so Jones retained his TV Title

Mid Atlantic Champion Ken Patera dcor Jimmy Snuka

Ted Oates & Jerry Oates vs Jacques Goulet & Kim Duk

Pedro Morales vs Steve Muslin

Len Denton vs Herb Gallant

 

The search continues. MACW was almost totally transitioned away from being the "tag team" territory by this point, but Patera - like many of the major players in the territory - would still get random tag main events on spot shows.

 

1/28/79 Charlotte, NC @ Coliseum (Afternoon Show)

US Champion Ricky Steamboat beat Ric Flair dq

Tony Atlas beat Mid Atlantic Champion Ken Patera dq

NWA TV Champion Paul Jones beat Paul Orndorff

Dino Bravo beat Greg Valentine

Gene Anderson & Kim Duk beat Steve Regal & Gary Young

Jay Youngblood & Skip Young beat Moose Morowski & Len Denton

The Cobra beat David Patterson

 

1/28/79 Greensboro, NC @ Coliseum

NWA Tag Team Champions Jimmy Snuka & Paul Orndorff beat Ric Flair & Greg Valentine

US Champion Ricky Steamboat dcor Paul Jones

Dino Bravo & Tony Atlas beat Ken Patera & John Studd

Terry Sawyer & Don Kernodle beat Joe Palardy & Frank Monte

Pedro Morales beat Jacques Goulet

Johnny Weaver beat Mr X I

Att: 5,186

 

Double duty for Patera on two A-Shows. In fact you could argue that the Charlotte show was the more stacked of the two shows as even though the under card was weaker, the top of the card was deeper. Steamboat/Flair plus Atlas/Patera might have been the absolute biggest "double main event" from regulars that territory could have run during this general period. The Greensboro show does an okay number, with Patera in a strong men v. strong men tag match. It's likely these two shows together did 10k-plus.

 

2/2/79 Charleston, SC @ County Hall

Mid Atlantic Tag Team Champions Ken Patera & John Studd vs Rufus R Jones & Dino Bravo

Brute Bernard & Gene Anderson vs The Cobra & Les Thornton

Gary Young vs David Patterson

Steve Regal vs Joe Furr

 

2/4/79 Asheville, NC @ Civic Center (Afternoon Show)

NWA Tag Team Champions Jimmy Snuka & Paul Orndorff beat Ken Patera & John Studd

NWA TV Champion Paul Jones beat Jay Youngblood

Pedro Morales & Skip Young beat Moose Morowski & Gene Anderson

The Cobra drew Brute Bernard

 

Patera/Studd is a bit of a regular tag team at this point and worked several matches v. NWA champs Ordnorff/Snuka during this period.

 

2/9/79 Richmond, VA @ Coliseum

US Champion Ricky Steamboat dcor Paul Jones

Dino Bravo beat Mid Atlantic Champion Ken Patera dq

Tony Atlas beat John Studd

Johnny Weaver & Pedro Morales & Skip Young beat Kim Duk & Jacques Goulet & Moose Morowski

Les Thornton drew Mr X I

Terry Sawyer beat Joe Palardy via pin

Don Kernodle & Steve Regal beat David Patterson & Steve Muslin

 

Bravo would be a regular opponent for Patera throughout the year. The attempt was to replicate Atlas v. Patera with a strong man v. strong man gimmick. I don't have tv from this period but was told by an MACW fan from the period I work with that Bravo was a poor substitute for Atlas as an opponent because "rednecks like me can't stand French Canadians."

 

2/15/79 Norfolk, VA @ Scope Exhibition Hall

Ric Flair beat US Champion Ricky Steamboat

Tony Atlas beat NWA TV Champion Paul Jones dq

Mid Atlantic Tag Team Champions Ken Patera & John Studd beat Skip Young & Jay Youngblood

Pedro Morales beat Swede Hanson

Kim Duk beat Don Kernodle

Charlie Fulton drew Terry Sawyer

Mr X I & Len Denton beat Steve Regal & Abe Jacobs

 

Patera and Studd won the MACW tag belts supposedly in late Jan of 79 though I can find no date for it. They would not defend them regularly and in many ways it seemed to just be a way to get a belt on Studd.

 

2/19/79 Fayetteville, NC @ Cumberland County Memorial Auditorium

Mid Atlantic Champion Ken Patera vs Dino Bravo

NWA TV Champion Paul Jones vs Paul Orndorff

Brute Bernard & Swede Hanson vs Les Thornton & Pedro Morales

Don Kernodle vs Steve Regal

David Patterson vs The Cobra

 

2/22/79 Fisherville, VA @ Augusta Expo

US Champion Ricky Steamboat vs Ric Flair

Jimmy Snuka vs Mid Atlantic Champion Ken Patera

Brute Bernard & Swede Hanson vs Pedro Morales & Nick DeCarlo

Gary Young vs Mr X I

Don Kernodle vs Frank Monte

 

Couple of spot shows in areas where they didn't run as often or at least we don't have as many dates.

 

3/4/79 Asheville, NC @ Civic Center (Afternoon Show)

Mid Atlantic Champion Ken Patera beat Wahoo McDaniel

Blackjack Mulligan beat John Studd

Jay Youngblood & Les Thornton beat Gene Anderson & Swede Hanson

Abe Jacobs & Terry Sawyer beat Frank Monte & Joe Palardy

Brute Bernard beat Herb Gallant

 

3/4/79 Greensboro, NC @ Coliseum

Mid Atlantic Champion Ken Patera dcor Wahoo McDaniel

Blackjack Mulligan beat John Studd

Ernie Ladd beat Rufus R Jones

Jimmy Snuka beat Baron Von Raschke

Pedro Morales & Skip Young & Nick Decarlo beat Gene Anderson & Kim Duk & Moose Morowski

Mr X I beat Gary Young

Steve Regal drew Dave Patterson

att: 7,129

 

This is impressive stuff for Patera as he did double duty in Asheville which was a very strong/reliable town and Greensboro via Wahoo. Neither show had a particularly strong under card, with Greensboro being unusually weak with no Flair, Steamboat, Valentine (who may have already been in NYC at this point), Dino, Atlas, Paul Jones or Orndorff. They still do a good number for Greensboro (well above the yearly average) anyhow and this was another single day where they probably topped 10k paid.

 

3/6/79 Columbia, SC @ Township Auditorium

US Champion Ricky Steamboat beat NWA TV Champion Paul Jones dq

Non Title Match

Mid Atlantic Champion Ken Patera beat Johnny Weaver via pin

Pedro Morales & Skip Young beat Gene Anderson & Jacques Goulet

Brute Bernard beat Steve Regal via pin

Abe Jacobs beat Joe Palardy via pin

 

3/9/79 Charleston, SC @ County Hall

Mid Atlantic Champion Ken Patera vs Dino Bravo

Jay Youngblood vs Baron Von Raschke

Swede Hanson & Brute Bernard vs Skip Young & Johnny Weaver

Steve Regal vs Charlie Fulton

Nick DeCarlo vs Tony Russo

 

Man these Charleston shows are depressingly weak by the standards of the rest of the territory. Patera is still seen as a reliable figure to hold it down on the non-A shows (County Hall capacity at the time was probably around 3k legally - Township is almost exactly the same).

 

3/17/79 Winston-Salem, NC @ Memorial Coliseum

Mid Atlantic Champion Ken Patera vs Tony Atlas

US Title vs TV Title, TV Title on the line only the first 15 minutes

US Champion Ricky Steamboat vs NWA TV Champion Paul Jones

Swede Hanson & Brute Bernard vs Skip Young & Pedro Morales

Herb Gallant vs Tony Russo

Nick DeCarlo vs Len Denton

The Cobra vs Charlie Fulton

 

Interesting that months after their feud was effectively blown off these two would still get top billing over a title v. title match with Steamboat and Jones.

 

79/03/25

US TITLE:

Ricky Steamboat WP Ric Flair 18:06

CANADIAN TITLE:

Dino Bravo LDQ Greg Valentine 14:18

AWA TITLE/WWWF TITLE:

Nick Bockwinkel DCOR Bob Backlund 39:10

NWA TAG TITLE:

Jimmy Snuka/Paul Orndorff W Ken Patera/Big John Studd 20:04

Moose Morowski WP Steve Bolus

Dewey Robertson WP Al Costello

John Yachetti WSub Terry Yorkston

 

Some of these Maple Leaf shows were stacked. Insane to think Steamer v. Flair and Bock v. Backlund was on the same show.

 

3/26/79 Greenville, SC @ Memorial Auditorium

US Champion Ricky Steamboat beat Paul Jones

Lumberjack Match

Mid Atlantic Champion Ken Patera beat Dino Bravo

Len Denton & Swede Hanson beat Don Kernodle & Gary Young

Terry Sawyer beat Charlie Fulton

Abe Jacobs beat Frank Monte

 

4/3/79 Raleigh, NC @ Dorton Arena

Mid Atlantic Champion Ken Patera beat Dino Bravo COR

Ricky Steamboat beat NWA TV Champion Paul Jones but the win came after the 15 minute mark so Jones retained his TV Title.

Jay Youngblood & Les Thornton beat Brute Bernard & Kim Duk

Mr X I beat Terry Sawyer

Nick DeCarlo beat Tony Russo

 

They've moved on to some gimmick matches with Patera v. Bravo do to Patera "saving his title" by getting DQ/counted out. Interesting to see the two top matches flip billing here. Tells you they were seen as a package deal main event.

 

4/8/79 Toronto, Ontario, Canada @ Maple Leaf Gardens

NWA Champion Harley Race drew Ricky Steamboat when the curfew time limit expired at 26:35

No dq match

Greg Valentine beat Dino Bravo in 21:13 to win Canadian Heavyweight Title

Mid Atlantic Champion Ken Patera beat Tony Atlas COR in 22:15

Billy Red Lyons & Johnny Weaver beat Moose Morowski & John Studd dq

Al Costello drew Johnny Yachetti

Brute Bernard beat Frank Marconi via pin in in 5:39

 

Patera v. Atlas goes up North.

 

4/9/79 Kitchener, Ontario, Canada @ Memorial Auditorium

Non Title Match

Ricky Steamboat vs Mid Atlantic Champion Ken Patera

Tony Atlas vs John Studd

Johnny Weaver & Tiger Jeet Singh vs Brute Bernard & Moose Morowski

Billy Red Lyons vs Al Costello

Dewey Robertson vs Chris Tolos

 

As does Patera v. Steamboat on a non-Maple Leaf Gardens show.

 

4/12/79 Norfolk, VA @ Scope Exhibition Hall

Dino Bravo beat Mid Atlantic Champion Ken Patera dq

Jimmy Snuka beat US Champion Ric Flair dq

Ricky Steamboat beat NWA TV Champion Paul Jones but the win came after the 15 minute mark so Jones retained his TV Title.

Johnny Weaver beat John Studd dq

Kim Duk & Moose Morowski beat Skip Young & Pedro Morales

Jacques Goulet beat Steve Regal

Brute Bernard beat Gary Young

 

They are really pushing Patera v. Bravo at this point as not only does it lap it's usual co-main event of Jones/Steamboat, it headlines over Flair v. Snuka.

 

4/13/79 Charleston, SC @ County Hall

Death Match

NWA TV Champion Paul Jones vs Ricky Steamboat

Non Title Match

Mid Atlantic Champion Ken Patera vs Paul Orndorff

Gene Anderson vs Jay Youngblood

Skip Young vs Kim Duk

Len Denton & Swede Hanson vs Gary Young & Nick DeCarlo

 

The best Charleston card in a while and it's still really just a two match show. Still those are two matches I would have wanted to see at the time.

 

4/15/79 Charlotte, NC @ Coliseum

Local benefit to raise money for a memorial to Martin Luther King Jr

Dino Bravo beat Baron Von Raschke (sub Ric Flair)

Mid Atlantic Champion Ken Patera dcor Jimmy Snuka

Ricky Steamboat beat NWA TV Champion Paul Jones COR in 14:00

Johnny Weaver & Tony Atlas beat Len Denton (sub Baron Von Raschke) & John Studd

Moose Morowski & Jacques Goulet beat Les Thornton & Don Kernodle

Mr X I beat Herb Gallant via pin

Terry Sawyer beat Tony Russo by referee’s decision

Note: Flair reportedly was sidelined by a torn shoulder muscle.

 

I love that Flair no shows an MLK Memorial benefit show in his home town. Dino v. Baron technically is at the top of the show as a result, but this is another show where the standard one two punch of Steamer/Jones - Patera title defense is the effective main event.

 

79/04/21 Toronto TV

MAPLE LEAF WRESTLING

HANDICAP MATCH:

Moorse Morowski W Big Mac/Joe Marcus

Ernie Ladd/Baron Von Raschke W Skip Young/Don Kernodle

John Studd/Ken Patera W Abe Jacobs/Herb Gallant

ARENA TAPE: Ric Flair W Ricky Steamboat for U.S. title

Dino Bravo/Johnny Weaver W The Challenger/John Forsythe

 

Patera/Studd work a tag match - for Toronto tv.

 

 

4/27/79 Richmond, VA @ Coliseum

Dino Bravo beat Mid Atlantic Champion Ken Patera dq

Ricky Steamboat beat NWA TV Champion Paul Jones but the win came after the 15 minute mark so Jones retained his title.

Jimmy Snuka beat Ernie Ladd

Kim Duk & Moose Morowski & Jacques Goulet beat Leo Burke & Pedro Morales & Les Thornton

Len Denton beat Abe Jacobs

Don Kernodle beat David Patterson

Steve Regal beat Mr X I

 

Another strong venue main eventing by Patera v. Bravo - maybe this did work as well as Patera v. Atlas?

 

4/29/79 Roanoke, VA @ Civic Center (Afternoon Show)

US Champion Ric Flair beat Ricky Steamboat

Dino Bravo beat Mid Atlantic Champion Ken Patera dq

Gene Anderson & Kim Duk beat Jay Youngblood & Skip Young

Nick DeCarlo beat Jacques Goulet

Pedro Morales beat Len Denton (sub Brute Bernard)

Charlie Fulton & Frank Monte beat Steve Regal & Terry Sawyer

 

It's a shame we don't have attendance figures for more of these shows.

 

5/10/79 Norfolk, VA @ Scope Exhibition Hall

US Champion Ric Flair beat Tony Atlas

Ernie Ladd beat Ricky Steamboat

Non Title Match

Dino Bravo beat Mid Atlantic Champion Ken Patera

Kim Duk & Gene Anderson beat Skip Young & Jay Youngblood

Leo Burke beat Brute Bernard dq

Steve Regal beat David Patterson

Mr X I drew Nick DeCarlo

 

5/20/79 Asheville, NC @ Civic Center (Afternoon Show)

US Champion Ric Flair vs Dusty Rhodes

Mid Atlantic Champion Ken Patera vs Dino Bravo

Gene Anderson & Mr X I vs Johnny Weaver & Jay Youngblood

Plus 3 single matches

 

5/27/79 Roanoke, VA @ Civic Center (Afternoon Show)

US Champion Ric Flair ddq NWA TV Champion Paul Jones

Tony Atlas beat Ernie Ladd dq

Mid Atlantic Champion Ken Patera vs Jimmy Snuka

Moose Morowski & John Studd vs Johnny Weaver & Leo Burke

Mike Hammer vs Jim Brunzell

Len Denton vs Abe Jacobs

 

Ladd and Dusty are in and Patera slips a hair down the card as a result on some shows but is still booked in a strong position and remains MACW champion.

 

6/3/79 Greensboro, NC @ Coliseum

Paul Jones & Baron Von Raschke beat Ric Flair & Dusty Rhodes when Jones beat Rhodes in 27:15

Jimmy Snuka beat Mid Atlantic Champion Ken Patera dq

Rufus R Jones & Jim Brunzell beat Kim Duk & Gene Anderson

Leo Burke beat Len Denton

Rudy Kay & Jacques Goulet beat Gary Young & Nick DeCarlo

Mr X I drew Don Kernodle

 

No figure for this Greensboro show. Dusty is in and you would think that might help. Snuka v. Patera is a solid semi-main.

 

6/12/79 Raleigh, NC @ Dorton Arena

No dq match

US Champion Ric Flair vs Paul Jones

Mid Atlantic Champion Ken Patera vs Dino Bravo

Jim Brunzell vs Baron Von Raschke

Len Denton & Rudy Kay vs Johnny Weaver & Jay Youngblood

Plus other matches

 

Still going with Bravo. Brunzell is in and getting a push to set up for his eventual run v. Patera.

 

6/17/79 Greensboro, NC @ Coliseum

Ricky Steamboat beat NWA Champion Harley Race on a 3rd fall dq

Special Referee: Buddy Rogers

Dusty Rhodes beat Ric Flair to win US Title but the decision was overturned because referee Rogers was ruled to not be acting impartial

Dino Bravo beat Mid Atlantic Champion Ken Patera dq

Jim Brunzell beat Moose Morowski

Lynn Denton & Rudy Kay beat Don Kernodle & Gary Young

Les Thornton & Leo Burke beat Kim Duk & Mr X I

Coco Samoa beat Tony Russo

att: 9,321

 

They really load this show up on the top end of the card and do a very strong number for the period in Greensboro.

 

6/24/79 Roanoke, VA @ Civic Center

NWA Tag Team Champions Paul Jones & Baron Von Raschke beat Tony Atlas & Jimmy Snuka

Mid Atlantic Champion Ken Patera beat Rufus R Jones via pin

Johnny Weaver beat Kim Duk

Pedro Morales beat Jacques Goulet

Coco Somoa & Don Kernodle beat Len Denton & Rudy Kay

 

Pretty random show on paper as none these feel like big feuds or matches that would have drawn on their own and Roanoke was a fairly large arena as I recall.

 

7/1/79 Asheville, NC @ Civic Center (Afternoon Show)

NWA Tag Team Champions Paul Jones & Baron Von Raschke vs Jimmy Snuka & Ricky Steamboat

Mid Atlantic Champion Ken Patera vs Andre The Giant

Cocoa Samoa & Jay Youngblood vs Gene Anderson & Rudy Kay

Plus 2 single matches

 

7/3/79 Raleigh, NC @ Dorton Arena

No dq Match

NWA Tag Title Champions Paul Jones & Baron Von Raschke vs Ric Flair & Jim Brunzell

NWA TV Champion Ricky Steamboat vs Ernie Ladd

Handicap Match

Andre The Giant vs John Studd & Ken Patera

Plus 10 more matches featuring Rufus R Jones, Dino Bravo, Jay Youngblood, Jimmy Snuka, Kim Duk, Gene Anderson, & others

 

That Raleigh show is totally stacked. Strange that he worked Andre in a singles one night and then ended up teaming with Studd to work Andre in a handicapped match on the bigger show.

 

7/8/79 Greensboro, NC

Ricky Steamboat beat NWA Champion Harley Race dq when Ernie Ladd interfered

Battle of the Nature Boys

US Champion Ric Flair beat Buddy Rogers

Dusty Rhodes dcor Ernie Ladd

Rufus R Jones & Jim Brunzell beat Ken Patera & John Studd

Johnny Weaver & Jay Youngblood beat Gene Anderson & Swede Hanson

Tony Garea beat Charlie Fulton

Les Thornton drew Mr X I

Gary Young beat Tony Russo

att: 6,517

 

Solid number, but Patera is pretty much an afterthought here even though he's more upper mid-card, than mid-card.

 

79/07/15

CANADIAN TITLE:

Dino Bravo DDQ Ken Patera

WWWF TITLE:

Bob Backlund WCOR Ric Flair 23:29

Ricky Steamboat WP Ernie Ladd :42

Jim Brunzell WP Greg Valentine

Paul Orndoff/Jay Youngblood W Gene Anderson/Swede Hansen

Tiger Jeet Singh W Brian Mackney

Dewey Robertson WSub John Forsythe

 

Patera v. Bravo - for the Canadian title! This one headlines Maple Leaf over Backlund v. Flair and Steamboat v. Ladd. Whether or not it was the top draw is highly debatable of course.

 

7/19/79 Columbia, SC @ Carolina Coliseum

US Champion Ric Flair beat Paul Jones dq

Mid Atlantic Champion Ken Patera beat Dino Bravo via pin

Jim Brunzell beat Baron Von Raschke

Jimmy Snuka & Tony Atlas beat Len Denton & Rudy Kay

Cocoa Samoa & Johnny Weaver beat Charlie Fulton & The Scorpion

Dewey Robertson beat Leo Burke

Frank Monte drew Les Thornton

 

This is just about the end of the road with Bravo as the top contender to the throne.

 

8/5/79 Roanoke, VA @ Civic Center (Afternoon Show)

Ric Flair & Ricky Steamboat beat NWA Tag Team Champions Paul Jones & Baron Von Raschke dq

Non Title Match

Jim Brunzell beat Mid Atlantic Champion Ken Patera

Johnny Weaver & Pedro Morales beat Rudy Kay & Moose Morowski

Tony Garea beat Jacques Goulet

Swede Hanson beat Nick DeCarlo

 

Brunzell has been getting a slow push in the mid-card and has supplanted Bravo as the top challenger to Patera. I'm guessing Patera was already on notice with MACW or would be sometimes shortly after this date.

 

8/12/79 Greensboro, NC @ Coliseum

Special Referee: George Scott

NWA Tag Team Champions Ric Flair & Blackjack Mulligan beat Paul Jones & Baron Von Raschke

Non Title Match, $1,000 to the winner

Jim Brunzell beat Mid Atlantic Champion Ken Patera

Johnny Weaver beat Ernie Ladd dq

John Studd beat Tony Garea

Coco Samoa & Don Kernodle beat Gene Anderson & Moose Morowski

Dewey Robertson beat Nick DeCarlo

Abe Jacobs beat Mr X I

Jacques Goulet beat Charlie Fulton

 

They went straight to the gimmicks with Brunzell v. Patera. The feud was in fast forward compared to the other big Patera programs from MACW. Still notable that even at this stage in his run there, he was pulling second from the top billing at Greensboro.

 

8/19/79 Toronto, Ontario, Canada @ Maple Leaf Gardens

WWWF Champion Bob Backlund (sub Dino Bravo) beat Ken Patera dq in 24:14

NWA TV Champion Ricky Steamboat beat Paul Jones

Andre The Giant beat John Studd via pin

Tiger Jeet Singh & Pedro Morales beat Jacques Goulet & Brute Bernard

Jay Youngblood beat Joe Marcus

Bob Marcus drew Billy Red Lyons

 

Patera and Backlund headline yet another major Arena together, this being there second time on top of Maple Leaf as I recall. This was also a sign of things to come for Ken.

 

79/08/20 - Oshawa, ON

Ricky Steamboat W John Studd ...

Andre the Giant Dble CO vs. Ken Patera

Jay Youngblood & Pedro Morales W Bob Marcus & Jacques Goulet ...

Billy Red Lyons W Brute Bernard ... John Yachetti W Joe Marcus

 

Another Toronto house show with Patera on it, this time v. Andre was often an opponent of his on random house shows over the years.

 

8/21/79 Raleigh, NC @ Dorton Arena

Blackjack Mulligan beat Paul Jones

Non Title Match

Jim Brunzell beat Mid Atlantic Champion Ken Patera to win $1,000

Women’s Champion Fabulous Moolah beat Wenona Little Heart

Gene Anderson & Dewey Robertson beat Don Kernodle & Coco Samoa

Jay Youngblood beat Rudy Kay

 

8/24/79 Richmond, VA @ Coliseum

Jim Brunzell beat Mid Atlantic Champion Ken Patera dq when Patera hit the referee

NWA TV Champion Ricky Steamboat beat Paul Jones

Rufus R Jones beat Jimmy Snuka via pin

Tony Garea & Jay Youngblood beat Swede Hansen & Dewey Robertson

Bob Marcus vs Rudy Kay

Don Kernodle vs Mr X I

 

8/30/79 Norfolk, VA @ Scope Exhibition Hall

Texas Tornado Match

Ric Flair & Blackjack Mulligan beat NWA Tag Team Champions Paul Jones & Baron Von Raschke dq

Non Title Match

Jim Brunzell beat Ken Patera to win $1,000

Dewey Robertson beat Brute Bernard

Mr Wrestling Tim Woods beat Jacques Goulet

Tony Garea beat Abe Jacobs

Bob Marcus beat Tony Russo

 

Brunzell feud continues to heat up and works around the horn in solid position on the cards even in the big towns.

 

9/7/79 Forest City, NC @ Cool Springs Gym

Mid Atlantic Champion Blackjack Mulligan vs Ken Patera

Johnny Weaver vs The Scorpion

Gene Anderson & Swede Hanson vs Bob Marcus & Abe Jacobs

Judy Martin vs Joyce Grable

Leroy Dargon vs Bob Brown

 

I'm guessing Blackjack won this belt one night and lost it back to Patera a couple of nights later OR this is a typo. Either way this is the last non-Brunzell MACW title match I have from Patera.

 

79/09/09

CANADIAN TITLE TOURNAMENT:

FIRST ROUND:

Mad Dog Vachon WP Jay Youngblood 11:06

Greg Valentine WP Pedro Morales 13:47

Jimmy Snuka WDQ Angelo Mosca

Ricky Steamboat WP Brute Bernard

Gene Kiniski WForfeit Lord Alfred Hayes

Dewey Robertson WDec Ken Patera 15:00

QUARTER FINALS:

Greg Valentine WP Mad Dog Vachon 2:28

Ricky Steamboat WP Jimmy Snuka 15:37

Dewey Robertson WP Gene Kiniski 13:31

SEMI-FINALS:

Greg Valentine WForfeit Ricky Steamboat (injured)

Dewey Robertson bye

FINAL:

Dewey Robertson W Greg Valentine 10:32

 

Robertson gets the huge push here. He won a "decision" in the first round in Patera, which I guess was decided by a ref or judges when they hit time limit?

 

 

9/13/79 Norfolk, VA @ Scope Exhibition Hall

NWA Tag Team Champions Paul Jones & Baron Von Raschke beat Ric Flair & Blackjack Mulligan

Title vs Title

Mid Atlantic Champion Ken Patera beat NWA TV Champion Ricky Steamboat but the win came after the 15 minute mark so Steamboat retained his TV Title

SD Jones & Johnny Weaver beat Brute Bernard & Swede Hanson

Bob Marcus beat Tony Garea

Coco Samoa beat David Patterson

Charlie Fulton drew Abe Jacobs

 

The day after this Brunzell defeated Patera for the Mid-Atlantic title. I don't have a venue listed, but the info comes from Brunzell's Online World of Wrestling profile and matches the timeline so their is no reason to disbelieve it.

 

79/09/23

CANADIAN TITLE:

Dewey Robertson WSub Nick Bockwinkel 25:32

US TITLE:

Jimmy Snuka WP Ricky Steamboat

Andre the Giant WDQ Ken Patera

Pedro Morales/Jay Youngblood W Big John Studd/Swede Hansen

Billy Red Lyons WP Frank Marconi

Chris Tolos D Johnny Yachetti 15:00

 

Another Andre v. Patera match this one from Maple Leaf Gardens.

 

9/26/79 Raleigh, NC @ Dorton Arena

US Champion Jimmy Snuka vs Blackjack Mulligan

Mid Atlantic Champion Jim Brunzell vs Ken Patera

Ric Flair vs John Studd

MWA Tag Team Champions Paul Jones & Baron Von Raschke vs Johnny Weaver & Jay Youngblood

Also: Rufus R Jones, SD Jones, & Dewey Robertson

 

9/27/79 Norfolk, VA @ Scope Exhibition Hall

Ric Flair beat US Champion Jimmy Snuka dq

Mid Atlantic Champion Jim Brunzell beat Ken Patera

Johnny Weaver & Jay Youngblood beat Buddy Rogers & John Studd

SD Jones beat Brute Bernard

Tony Garea beat Gene Anderson

Abe Jacobs beat Tony Russo

Rick McGraw drew David Patterson

Don Kernodle & Bob Marcus beat Charlie Fulton & Frank Monte

 

 

10/7/79 Greensboro, NC @ Coliseum

US Champion Jimmy Snuka beat Ric Flair

Mid Atlantic Champion Jim Brunzell beat Ken Patera

Blackjack Mulligan beat Paul Jones

SD Jones beat Gene Anderson

Lone Eagle beat Tom Thumb

Don Kernodle & Rick McGraw beat The Scorpion & Mr X I

att: 3,358

 

These are all big market defenses for Brunzell. I'm sure it helped get him over with the locals in those markets. The Greensboro number is pretty darn bad.

 

WWF @ ? - October 1979

Championship Wrestling:

Larry Zbyszko defeated Johnny Rodz at 5:36

Bobby Duncum defeated Fred Marzino at 3:45

Swede Hansen defeated Dominic DeNucci via count-out at 6:49

Chief Jay Strongbow defeated Jose Estrada at 3:13

Greg Valentine defeated Mike Masters at 2:43

11/3/79:

Ted Dibiase fought Jimmy Valiant to a double count-out at 9:51

Bobby Duncum defeated Ron Lee at 1:12

The Wild Samoans defeated Billy Berger & Johnny Rivera at 4:39

Ken Patera defeated Mike Masters at 2:28

 

WWF @ Allentown, PA - Agricultural Hall - October 23, 1979

Championship Wrestling taping:

WWF World Champion Bob Backlund defeated Hussein Arab via count-out

10/27/79:

Jimmy Valiant fought Ted Dibiase to a double count-out

Tony Atlas defeated Billy Coleman

Bobby Duncum defeated Ron Lee

The Wild Samoans defeated Billy Berger & Johnny Rivera

Ken Patera defeated Mike Masters

11/3/79:

Swede Hanson defeated Johnny Rivera

WWF IC Champion Pat Patterson (w/ the Grand Wizard) defeated Mike Masters via submission with a Boston Crab at 4:36

Tony Atlas pinned Moose Monroe with a splash at the 55-second mark; after the bout, Bruno Sammartino conducted a ringside interview with Atlas

Hussein Arab (w/ Freddie Blassie) fought Dominic DeNucci to a double count-out at 9:56

Larry Zbyzsko pinned Billy Coleman with a suplex at 6:11

Bobby Duncum (w/ Capt. Lou Albano) pinned Bill Berger with a bulldog; Arnold Skaaland provided guest commentary for the match, subbing for Bruno Sammartino; after the bout, Skaaland and WWF World Champion Bob Backlund attempted to make the save but were also beaten down

11/10/79:

Ivan Putski & Tito Santana defeated JoJo Andrews & Jose Estrada

Ken Patera defeated Johnny Rivera

Tony Atlas defeated Johnny Rodz

Larry Zbyszko defeated Ron Lee

The Wild Samoans defeated Frank Williams & Dominic DeNucci

Bobby Duncum defeated Paul Figueroa

 

WWF @ Hamburg, PA - Fieldhouse - October 24, 1979

All Star Wrestling taping:

Tito Santana & Ivan Putski defeated Johnny & Jimmy Valiant

10/28/79:

Ken Patera defeated Ron Lee

Larry Zbyszko defeated JoJo Andrews

The Wild Samoans defeated Frank Williams & Johnny Rivera

Bobby Duncum defeated Fred Marzino

11/4/79:

Hussein Arab defeated Moose Monroe

Dominic DeNucci fought Jimmy Valiant to a double count-out

Swede Hanson defeated Ron Lee

Ted Dibiase defeated Billy Coleman

Bobby Duncum defeated Billy Berger

11/11/79:

Tito Santana & Ivan Putski defeated Billy Coleman & JoJo Andrews

Johnny Valiant fought Ted Dibiase to a double count-out

Larry Zbyszko defeated Johnny Rivera

The Wild Samoans defeated Fred Marzino & Billy Berger

Ken Patera defeated Frank Williams

 

Patera's first dates back with the WWWF. They are putting him over as an unstoppable monster right out of the gate on tv, but he's not working house shows at all.

 

10/26/79 Richmond, VA @ Coliseum

Lights Out Match

Paul Jones vs Blackjack Mulligan

Baron Von Raschke vs Ricky Steamboat

Jay Youngblood & SD Jones & Rufus R Jones vs John Studd & Ken Patera & Dewey Robertson

Leroy Dargon vs The Scorpion

David Patterson vs Billy Starr

Johnny Weaver & Tony Garea vs Brute Bernard & Mr X I

Tony Russo vs Abe Jacobs

 

Really strange match here as Patera seems to be just thrown into a random match. He was on the way out though so it's not like it would have mattered much one way or the other.

 

10/28/79 Columbia, SC @ Township Auditorium (Afternoon Card)

Ric Flair (sub Ricky Steamboat) & Jay Youngblood beat NWA Tag Team Champions Paul Jones & Baron Von Raschke

Rufus R Jones beat Ken Patera

Tony Garea & Johnny Weaver beat Gene Anderson & Mr X I

Leroy Dargon beat David Patterson

Luther Dargon beat Doug Somers

 

10/28/79 Greensboro, NC @ Coliseum

US Champion Jimmy Snuka beat Ric Flair

Mid Atlantic Champion Jim Brunzell (sub Ricky Steamboat) beat Paul Jones

Indian Strap match

Jay Youngblood beat Dewey Robertson

Johnny Weaver & Rufus R Jones & SD Jones beat John Studd & Ken Patera & Buddy Rogers

Gene Anderson beat Bob Marcus

Don Kernodle beat Frank Monte

Coco Samoa drew Doug Somers

 

Patera does double duty in the Carolinas for the last time. Neither match is of much note at all, though teaming with Rogers is a neat way for him to have gone out.

 

79/11/04

WWWF TITLE:

Bob Backlund DCOR Baron Von Raschke 8:31

(originally scheduled to be Backlund vs Pat Patterson)

US TITLE:

Jimmy Snuka WP Ric Flair 28:16

CANADIAN TITLE:

Dewey Robertson WSub Ken Patera 15:18

Johnny Weaver/Rufus R. Jones W Brute Bernard/Destroyer 15:21

Tiger Jeet Singh WP Brian Mackney 6:22

Billy Red Lyons WP Al Costello 13:36

 

Patera contends for the Canadian title in Toronto against the guy he went to a draw with in the tournament.

 

WWF @ Allentown, PA - Agricultural Hall - November 13, 1979

Championship Wrestling taping:

Tito Santana & Ivan Putski defeated Johnny & Jerry Valiant

11/17/79:

Ken Patera defeated Ben Ortiz

The Wild Samoans defeated Steve King & Frank Williams

Larry Zbyszko defeated Mike Masters

Tito Santana & Ivan Putski defeated Johnny Rodz & Jose Estrada

Bobby Duncum defeated Dominic DeNucci

Hulk Hogan (w/ Freddie Blassie) defeated Harry Valdez via submission at 2:51 with an overhead backbreaker; after the bout, Hogan briefly kept the hold applied; moments later, Vince McMahon conducted a ringside interview with Hogan & Blassie regarding how Hogan will do against the other WWF wrestlers (Hogan's WWF debut) (Hulk Hogan: The Unreleased Archives)

11/24/79:

Bulldog Brower & Swede Hanson defeated Dominic DeNucci & Johnny Rivera

Hulk Hogan defeated Paul Figueroa

Tony Atlas pinned Mike Masters at 2:51 with a suplex and splash

Hussein Arab (w/ Freddie Blassie) fought Ted Dibiase to a double count-out at 8:58 when both men began brawling on the floor

Ken Patera defeated Steve King

Larry Zbyszko defeated Pete Doherty

12/1/79:

Tito Santana & Ivan Putski defeated Pete Doherty & Moose Monroe

Hulk Hogan defeated Ben Ortiz

Tony Atlas pinned Jose Estrada at 4:17 following a gorilla press slam

The Wild Samoans defeated Steve King & Harry Valdez

Bobby Duncum (w/ Capt. Lou Albano) pinned Frank Williams with a bulldog at 3:27; after the bout, Vince McMahon conducted a ringside interview with Albano and the Grand Wizard where they announced Albano purchased the contract of WWF IC Champion Pat Patterson for $100,000; the Wizard said he did it purely for the money due to a cash flow problem and Albano said he didn't care whether Patterson had been consulted about the deal

Ken Patera (w/ the Grand Wizard) defeated Johnny Rivera via submission with the swinging full nelson at 3:30

 

WWF @ Hamburg, PA - Fieldhouse - November 14, 1979

All Star Wrestling taping:

Johnny Rodz fought Johnny Rivera to a draw

WWF World Champion Bob Backlund, WWF Tag Team Champions Tito Santana & Ivan Putski defeated Bulldog Brower, Bobby Duncum, & Swede Hanson

11/17/79:

Larry Zbyszko defeated Johnny Rodz

Bobby Duncum (w/ Capt. Lou Albano) defeated Ben Ortiz; after the bout, Vince McMahon interviewed Duncum & Albano at ringside

WWF Tag Team Champions Tito Santana & Ivan Putski defeated Jose Estrada & Pete Doherty at 8:01 when Putski pinned Estrada with the Polish Hammer; after the bout, Bruno Sammartino interviewed the champions at ringside

The Wild Samoans (w/ Capt. Lou Albano) defeated Dominic DeNucci & Johnny Rivera at 4:03 when Sika pinned Rivera with the Samoan Drop; the Samoans were introduced as the "Lou Albano's Wildmen" for the match

Ken Patera (w/ the Grand Wizard) defeated Frank Williams via submission with the swinging full nelson at 3:04

11/24/79:

Ted Dibiase vs. Swede Hanson

12/1/79:

Ken Patera defeated Ben Ortiz

WWF Tag Team Champions Tito Santana & Ivan Putski defeated Johnny Rodz & Moose Monroe

Dominic DeNucci defeated Pete Doherty

The Wild Samoans defeated Johnny Rivera & Steve King

 

WWF @ Allentown, PA - Agricultural Hall - December 4, 1979

12/8/79 - included Vince McMahon & Bruno Sammartino interviewing WWF IC Champion Pat Patterson at the show opening, where Patterson objected to working with Capt. Lou Albano and does not want to be associated with him at all, saying he doesn't like him, and that Albano was a slob and a bum:

WWF Tag Team Champion Tito Santana defeated Jerry Valiant via count-out at 8:23

Hulk Hogan defeated Charlie Brown at 3:25

WWF IC Champion Pat Patterson & the Wild Samoans (w/ Capt. Lou Albano) fought Larry Zbyszko, Dominic DeNucci, & WWF Tag Team Champion Ivan Putski to a no contest at 8:26 when the Samoans turned on Patterson and attacked him after Patterson had gone to hit Albano for stopping the Samoans from letting Patterson tag out of the match; Albano then hit Patterson in the head with a chair, busting him open as the Samoans held him up; Vince McMahon then attempted to interview Patterson, who screamed that he wanted Albano in the ring

Bobby Duncum defeated Manny Saica at 2:21

Ken Patera defeated Frankie Williams at 2:35

12/15/79:

The Wild Samoans defeated Fred Marzino & Angelo Gomez

Ken Patera defeated Babyface George

Dominic DeNucci defeated Mr. X

Bobby Duncum defeated Silvano Sousa

WWF Tag Team Champions Ivan Putski & Tito Santana defeated Pete Doherty & Davey O'Hannon

Hussein Arab defeated Don Patrick

12/22/79:

Ken Patera (w/ the Grand Wizard) defeated an unknown; after the bout, Bruno Sammartino interviewed Patera & Wizard at ringside

Hulk Hogan (w/ Freddie Blassie) defeated Jose Estrada via submission with the backbreaker at 5:12

Andre the Giant pinned Pete Doherty at 2:31 with a boot to the face and a sit-down splash

The Wild Samoans (w/ Capt. Lou Albano) defeated Don Patrick & Johnny Rivera at 7:53 when Afa pinned Patrick with the Samoan Drop

WWF IC Champion Pat Patterson pinned Johnny Rodz with a kneedrop off the top at 2:57; during the bout, Rodz reopened Patterson's cut on his forehead from two weeks earlier

12/29/79:

WWF IC Champion Pat Patterson pinned Jose Estrada with a kneedrop off the top at 3:19

Dark match after the taping: Andre the Giant vs. Jerry Valiant

 

Patera is being built and put over strong on tv but does not work any house shows at all for the McMahons during this period.

 

 

12/7/79 Houston

Ken Patera beat Mark Lewin 2/3 then Patera beat Lewin's manager Gary Hart

Dusty Rhodes beat Karl Von Krupp

Tiger Conway Jr & Sugar Bear Harris drew Gino Hernandez & Gran Markus

Jose Lothario beat Don Diamond

Les Thornton beat Nick Kozak

Ken Patera (sub Killer Tim Brooks) beat Steve Pardee

 

12/14/79 Houston

Winner to earn a shot at NWA Champion Harley Race in Houston on 12/28

American Champion Bruiser Brody beat Ken Patera 2/3

Gino Hernandez & Gran Marcus beat Jose Lothario & Tiger Conway Jr to win American Tag Team Title

The Spoiler beat Sugar Bear Harris dq

Mark Lewin drew Kevin Von Erich

Les Thatcher beat Killer Brooks dq

Nick Kozak beat Steve Pardee

Bull Ramos beat Don Diamond

 

12/21/79 Houston

Dusty Rhodes beat Mark Lewin 2/3 to win the brass knuckles title

Gino Hernandez beat Sugar Bear Harris

Ken Patera drew Jimmy Snuka

Bruiser Brody beat The Challenger

Tiger Conway Jr drew Killer Brooks

Bull Ramos drew Les Thornton

Junkyard Dog beat Don Diamond

 

Patera with a brief, but impressive mini-run in New York holding him over til his tour with the WWF starts. Two immediate main events and a match with Snuka was a very strong three week layover.

 

 

79 is a good year for Patera but on initial run down does not come across as strong as 77 or 78. He was a consistent main eventer on the Crockett b-shows and had more main events on the bigger shows than one might initially guess when you consider he was paired off with Dino Bravo for a big chunk of the year who is not a guy you usually think of when you think of MACW. The Wahoo figure in Greensboro was impressive considering how weak the rest of the card was and he remained no worse than a semi-main guy until the last few weeks before his departure to New York. He was the Mid-Atlantic champion for the great majority of the year, had some strong looking dates in Maple Leaf and was clearly one of the top level stars in the territory (albeit not any real competition to Flair at the very top the heap). Still he doesn't have anything as bold as the Bruno matches from 77 or the run of matches v. Dusty and Backlund from 78. The Bravo feud was a replay of the Atlas feud and while it seems to have done close to as well it doesn't come across as "fresh" when reviewing the results from a 30 year distance. Still a strong year from Patera and he was being groomed for a huge run in 1980 in the WWWF on tv at the end of 79.

[Dylan Waco]

1980

 

WWF @ Portland, ME - Civic Center - January 8, 1980 (1,264)

Hussein Arab defeated Johnny Rodz

Rene Goulet defeated Swede Hanson

The Wild Samoans defeated Mike Masters & Larry Zbyzsko

Ken Patera defeated Dominic DeNucci

Hulk Hogan defeated Tito Santana

Bobby Duncum defeated Ivan Putski via count-out

 

WWF @ Bangor, ME - January 9, 1980

Rene Goulet defeated Johnny Rodz via disqualification

Ken Patera defeated Mike Masters

Ivan Putski defeated Swede Hanson

Hulk Hogan defeated Johnny Rodz

Bobby Duncum defeated Dominic DeNucci

The Wild Samoans fought Larry Zbyzsko & Tito Santana to a double disqualification

 

 

Patera re-debuts in the middle of the pack of a surprisingly strong show for Portland, Maine. Even more surprising is the fact that this was actually a pretty weak figure for Portland which always seemed to pull just a hair under 2k. The next night he's even further down the card, but they are clearly just easing him in on the first couple of dates.

 

WWF @ Pittsburgh, PA – Civic Arena – January 11, 1980

Baron Mikel Scicluna defeated Johnny DeFazio

Larry Zbyszko defeated the Great Hussein

Hulk Hogan defeated Tito Santana

WWF IC Champion Pat Patterson defeated Capt. Lou Albano

The Wild Samoans defeated Dominic DeNucci & Gorilla Monsoon

Ken Patera defeated Ivan Putski

WWF World Champion Bob Backlund defeated Bobby Duncum

 

WWF @ Philadelphia, PA - Spectrum - January 12, 1980

Televised on the PRISM Network:

Davey O'Hannon defeated Jose Estrada at 15:10

Bulldog Brower defeated Mike Masters at 14:21

Rene Goulet defeated Johnny Rodz at 14:57

Larry Zbyszko defeated the Great Hossien via referee's decision after the 20-minute time limit expired

Gorilla Monsoon defeated Swede Hanson at 4:08

Hulk Hogan defeated Tito Santana at 6:10

WWF IC Champion Pat Patterson defeated Cpt. Lou Albano via count-out at 3:22

Ken Patera defeated Ivan Putski at 11:40

Bobby Duncum defeated WWF World Champion Bob Backlund (w/ Arnold Skaaland) at 16:09 when the match was stopped due to blood

 

The "easing in" is over as Patera works second from the top v. the very over Putski in two of the territories biggest markets. Having been put over strong on tv for a couple months leading into this, this would not have seemed like a stretch to anyone in the buildings.

 

WWF @ Landover, MD - Capital Centre - January 18, 1980

Portions of the Hulk Hogan vs. Gorilla Monsoon and Wild Samoans vs. Tito Santana & Dominic DeNucci matches aired during a local news segment on pro wrestling and whether or not it was real; Hogan and Monsoon were interviewed backstage for the segment; the news team attempted to interview the Wild Samoans but were told they couldn't speak English

Davey O'Hannon defeated Jose Luis Rivera

Rene Goulet defeated Baron Mikel Scicluna

Bulldog Brower defeated Joe Mascaro

The Wild Samoans defeated Tito Santana & Dominic DeNucci

Hulk Hogan pinned Gorilla Monsoon with the legdrop

Tony Atlas defeated Swede Hanson

WWF World Champion Bob Backlund defeated Ken Patera via count-out

 

And now Backlund gets his first headlining slot of this run opposite Backlund in a title match in one of the biggest buildings the company was running at the time.

 

WWF @ Stamford, CT - High School Gym - January 19, 1980

Bulldog Brower defeated Silvano Sousa

Hulk Hogan defeated Dave Darrow

Larry Zbyzsko defeated Hussein Arab

Rene Goulet defeated Baron Mikel Scicluna

WWF IC Champion Pat Patterson defeated Ken Patera via disqualification

 

Patera gets an I-C title shot on a spot show. The same day Backlund defends the title against Bobby Duncum on a spot show in Lowell, Mass.

 

WWF @ New York City, NY - Madison Square Garden - January 21, 1980 (20,000+)

Televised on the MSG Network - featured Vince McMahon on commentary

Davey O'Hannon defated Angelo Gomez at 10:21

Rene Goulet defeated Baron Mikel Scicluna at 4:59

Bobby Duncum defeated Mike Masters at 1:29

Kevin Von Erich pinned Johnny Rodz with a bodypress at 8:28 (Von Erich's MSG debut)

Larry Zbyszko defeated Hussein Arab via disqualification at 10:49 when Arab accidentally hit an elbow drop on referee Terry Terranova when Zbyzsko moved out of the way

Hulk Hogan pinned Dominic DeNucci at 7:34 with the legdrop after dropping DeNucci throat-first across the top rope

The Wild Samoans defeated WWF Tag Team Champions Ivan Putski & Tito Santana via count-out at 12:46 after Samoan #2 crotched Santana on the top rope, with Santana then falling out to the floor; after the bout, Santana was taken backstage on a stretcher (the Samoans' MSG debut)

WWF World Champion Bob Backlund fought Ken Patera to a draw at 25:52 when, after Patera threw Backlund into referee Jack Lotz, referee Terry Terranova called for the bell; after the bout, Lotz was taken backstage on a stretcher

WWF IC Champion Pat Patterson defeated Capt. Lou Albano via count-out at 6:11 after Patterson hit Albano with his own foreign object, causing Albano to bleed, with Albano then running backstage

Tony Atlas defeated Swede Hanson at 2:17 with a headbutt off the top

 

Backlund and Patera do 20k plus a the Garden which would have been at worst a near sellout. Much like with his first run, Patera debuted strong and was immediately main eventing against the champ at MSG. Also notable that this is not a particularly strong show top to bottom.

 

WWF @ Allentown, PA - Agricultural Hall - January 22, 1980

Championship Wrestling taping:

1/26/80:

Larry Zbyzsko pinned John Beauford with a suplex at 3:09; after the bout, Zbyzsko called for Vince McMahon to interview him at ringside so he could discuss Bruno Sammartino’s recent rejection to face him in the ring; moments later, Zbyzsko said if he couldn’t face Sammartino then he would not wrestle again, adding he couldn’t stand to remain in the shadows any longer; Sammartino appeared moments later and said while he did previously say he wouldn’t wrestle Zbyzsko he also didn’t want to be responsible for ending Zbyzsko’s career; he then said he would face Zbyzsko but his goal was not to beat Zbyzsko because his heart isn’t into it and he loved Zbyzsko as one of his brothers; Zbyzsko then said he couldn’t ask for anything more and the match was announced for the following week

2/2/80:

Ken Patera defeated Fred Marzino via submission with the swinging full nelson; after the match, Marzino was taken backstage on a stretcher

WWF IC Champion Pat Patterson pinned Jose Estrada with a sunset flip

Bruno Sammartino defeated Larry Zbyszko via disqualification at 9:34 when Zbyzsko threw the referee to the floor and hit Sammartino in the head with a wooden chair three times, busting him open (Best of the WWF Vol. 1)

Tony Atlas defeated Johnny Rodz; prior to the bout, two referees wiped Bruno Sammartino’s blood, caused from the previous match, from the mat

2/9/80

 

WWF @ Hamburg, PA - Fieldhouse - January 23, 1980

All Star Wrestling taping:

Hussein Arab defeated Steve King

Ken Patera defeated Mike Masters

Ivan Putski & Tito Santana defeated Johnny Rodz & Baron Mikel Scicluna

Larry Sharpe defeated Angelo Gomez

Ken Patera fought Ivan Putski to a double count-out

Tony Atlas defeated John Buford

The Wild Samoans defeated Angelo Gomez & Joe Mascaro

Baron Mikel Scicluna defeated Steve King

Dominic DeNucci defeated Johnny Rodz

Rene Goulet defeated Jose Estrada

Hulk Hogan defeated Charlie Brown

Hulk Hogan defeated Joe Mascaro

Tony Atlas defeated Jose Estrada

The Wild Samoans defeated Steve King & Dominic DeNucci

Bobby Dnucum defeated Charlie Brown

1/26/80:

2/2/80:

2/9/80

 

Patera still being put over very strong on tv. The Putski match was an awfully big match to be on tv at the time.

 

WWF @ Baltimore, MD - Civic Center - January 26, 1980

Baron Mikel Scicluna defeated Rene Goulet

Bulldog Brower defeated Johnny Rodz

Hussein Arab defeated Larry Zbyzsko

The Wild Samoans defeated Tito Santana & Gorilla Monsoon

Ken Patera defeated Ivan Putski

Hulk Hogan defeated Dominic DeNucci

WWF World Champion Bob Backlund defeated Bobby Duncum

 

Putski v. Patera is going around on some of the house shows, underneath Backlund.

 

WWF @ Scranton, PA - CYC - January 28, 1980

Rene Goulet defeated Jose Estrada

Bobby Duncum defeated Dominic DeNucci

The Wild Samoans defeated Tito Santana & Mike Masters

WWF IC Champion Pat Patterson defeated Capt. Lou Albano via count-out in a non-title match

Hussein Arab fought Larry Zbyszko to a draw

Ken Patera defeated Ivan Putski via count-out

 

And now they main event a spot show at one of the smaller venues the WWF ran at the time.

 

WWF @ Portland, ME - Civic Center - January 29, 1980 (2,178)

WWF IC Champion Pat Patterson defeated Capt. Lou Albano

Larry Zbyszko defeated Johnny Rodz

Rene Goulet defeated Hussein Arab

The Wild Samoans defeated Johnny Rivera & Dominic DeNucci

Tito Santana defeated Ken Patera

Ivan Putski defeated Bobby Duncum

 

Interesting to see Tito v. Patera in 1980. I imagine that would have been a very good match. This is also a very strong number for Portland which I have never seen over 2k before.

 

WWF @ South Orange, NJ - Walsh Gym - February 2, 1980

Bulldog Brower defeated Angelo Gomez

Davey O'Hannon defeated Mike Masters

Larry Sharpe defeated Baron Mikel Scicluna via count-out

The Wild Samoans defeated Dominic DeNucci & Rene Goulet (sub. for Gorilla Monsoon) via count-out

Ken Patera defeated Ivan Putski via count-out

 

WWF @ Pittsburgh, PA - Civic Center - February 8, 1980

Baron Mikel Scicluna defeated Jim Grabmire

Johnny Valiant fought Johnny DeFazio to a draw

Hulk Hogan defeated Dominic DeNucci

Cowboy Lang & Lone Eagle defeated Little Tokyo & Buiser Morgan

Ken Patera defeated Ivan Putski via disqualification

WWF World Champion Bob Backlund defeated Bobby Duncum

 

Patera v. Putski is now headlining a lot of the spot shows...or second from the top in some of the mid-level buildings.

 

WWF @ Philadelphia, PA - Spectrum - February 9, 1980

Baron Mikel Scicluna defeated Joe Maskara

Bulldog Brower defeated Angelo Gomez

Davey O'Hannon defeated Mike Masters

Hulk Hogan defeated Dominic DeNucci

Cowboy Lang & Lone Eagle defeated Bruiser Morgan & Little Tokyo

The Wild Samoans defeated Tito Santana & Gorilla Monsoon via count-out

WWF World Champion Bob Backlund defeated Bobby Duncum

 

WWF @ Boston, MA - Boston Garden - February 9, 1980

Jim Duggan defeated Fred Marzino

Jose Estrada defeated Joe Crugnale

Steve King defeated Pete Doherty via disqualification

Rene Goulet defeated Johnny Rodz

Ivan Putski defeated Swede Hanson

WWF IC Champion Pat Patterson defeated Capt. Lou Albano via count-out in a non-title match

Larry Zbyszko defeated Hussein Arab via count-out

Bruno Sammartino defeated Ken Patera via disqualification

 

This is really insane as they run split crews in two of their four marquee buildings on the same day. Even stranger is that Bruno headlines v. Patera not in PA but in Boston, with Backlund headlining against Duncum in Philly..that seems backwards to me.

 

WWF @ Hamburg, PA - Fieldhouse - February 13, 1980

All Star Wrestling:

Larry Sharpe defeated Mike Masters

Tito Santana defeated Jo Jo Andrews

Tony Atlas defeated Jose Estrada

Baron Mikel Scicluna defeated Angelo Gomez

Rene Goulet defeated Jo Jo Andrews

WWF IC Champion Pat Patterson defeated Johnny Rodz

Larry Zbyzsko defeated Mike Masters

Ivan Putski & Tito Santana defeated Davey O'Hannon & Jo Jo Andrews

Hulk Hogan defeated Billy Berger

Ken Patera defeated Charlie Brown & Steve King in a handicap match

The Wild Samoans defeated Dominic DeNucci & John Beauford

2/16/80:

2/23/80:

3/1/80:

WWF IC Champion Pat Patterson defeated Jose Estrada at 6:32

Ivan Putski defeated Ron Lee at 5:22

Larry Sharpe defeated Steve King at 3:04

Rene Goulet defeated Johnny Rodz at 9:46

Tony Atlas defeated BB Coleman at 3:36

Larry Zbyszko defeated Billy Berger at 5:29

3/8/80:

The Wild Samoans defeated Mike Masters & Steve King at 5:35

Ken Patera defeated John Beauford at 5:28

Lone Eagle & Cowboy Lang defeated Little Tokyo & Dusty Morgan at 9:52

Ivan Putski & Tito Santana defeated Baron Mikel Scicluna & Jose Estrada at 7:06

Hulk Hogan defeated Manny Seacca at 3:58

 

Another tv date. Patera is still beating people with the full nelson, sometimes in handicapped matches.

 

WWF @ New York City, NY - Madison Square Garden - February 18, 1980

Austin Idol defeated Jose Estrada at 7:26

Tommy Rich defeated Johnny Rodz at 7:41

Hulk Hogan defeated Tito Santana via count-out at 10:48

Sika defeated Ivan Putski via count-out at 5:28

Bobby Duncum defeated Dominic DeNucci at 11:21

WWF World Champion Bob Backlund defeated Ken Patera via count-out at 15:37; Pat Patterson was the special referee for the bout

Afa defeated Rene Goulet at 9:18

Cowboy Lang & Lone Eagle defeated Little Tokyo & Dirty Morgan at 6:55

Tony Atlas defeated Hussein Arab at 12:18

 

Backlund v. Patera headlines the Garden again. Does John or anyone else around here have the attendance figure for this show? Aside from Patera v. Backlund this is really weak on paper.

 

WWF @ Waterville, ME - Armory - February 20, 1980

Little Tokyo & Dirty Morgan defeated Cowboy Lang & the Lone Eagle at 14:10

Hulk Hogan defeated Tito Santana at 13:20

Ken Patera defeated Johnny Rodz at 11:10

The Wild Samoans defeated Dominic DeNucci & Rene Goulet at 18:10

Ivan Putski defeated Bobby Duncum at 11:20

 

WWF @ North Bergen - February 21, 1980

Johnny Rodz defeated Angelo Gomez

Bulldog Brower defeated Mike Masters

Ivan Putski defeated Ken Patera via disqualification

The Wild Samoans defeated Tito Santana & Dominic DeNucci

Davey O'Hannon defeated Baron Mikel Scicluna via disqualification

 

WWF @ Glen Falls, NY - February 22, 1980

Jim Duggan defeated Hussein Arab via disqualification

Bobby Duncum defeated Rene Goulet

Ivan Putski fought Ken Patera to a draw

Lone Eagle & Cowboy Lang defeated Little Tokyo & Dirty Morgan

Rene Goulet defeated Jose Estrada

 

Now this is an odd little run. Just a bizarre series of line ups. Putski v. Patera is pretty clearly the main event in North Bergen, but I guess hometown boy Duggan may have main eventing against the Sheik on the Glenn Falls show. And that first show is just a really, really strange line up.

 

WWF @ Baltimore, MD - Civic Center - February 23, 1980

Larry Sharpe defeated Jose Estrada

Nikolai Volkoff (sub. for Davey O'Hannon) defeated Baron Mikel Scicluna

Bulldog Brower defeated Angelo Gomez

Rene Goulet defeated Hussein Arab via disqualification

Bruno Sammartino fought Ken Patera to a double disqualification

The Wild Samoans defeated WWF Tag Team Champions Ivan Putski & Tito Santana via count-out

 

WWF @ Springfield, MA - Civic Center - February 23, 1980

Tony Altimore defeated Pete Doherty

Larry Zbyszko defeated Mike Masters

Hulk Hogan defeated Dominic DeNucci

WWF World Champion Bob Backlund defeated Bobby Duncum via count-out; Pat Patterson was the guest referee for the bout

Johnny Rodz defeated Silvano Sousa

Cowboy Lang & Lone Eagle defeated Little Tokyo & Bruiser Morgan

 

This is pretty amazing. Backlund works the largish Springfield venue - while Patera and Bruno headline in Baltimore. I'm guessing it was not common for the champ to get the secondary show on a split date and you could argue that the tag match was really the main event on the Baltimore show I guess (though I think that's a stretch), but this strikes me as a pretty wild result. Not a knock on Backlund, so much as it is a testament to how highly regarded Patera was at the time.

 

WWF @ Parsippany, NJ - February 27, 1980

Larry Sharpe defeated Steve King

Baron Mikel Scicluna defeated Johnny Rodz

Rene Goulet defeated Jose Estrada

The Wild Samoans defeated Dominic DeNucci & Tito Santana

Ken Patera defeated Pat Patterson via count-out

 

WWF @ Brooklyn, New York - St. Mary's Auditorium - February 28, 1980

Davey O'Hannon defeated Joe Mascara

Jose Estrada defeated Gomez

Dominic DeNucci defeated Johnny Rodz

Joyce Grable & Vivian St. John defeated Winona Little Heart & Cindy Majors

WWF IC Champion Pat Patterson fought Ken Patera to a double disqualification

 

Couple of spot shows v. Patterson likely in very small venues.

 

WWF @ Albany, NY - February 29, 1980

Mike Masters defeated Frank Williams

Jim Duggan defeated Baron Mikel Scicluna

Ken Patera defeated Dominic DeNucci

Winona Little Heart & Cindy Majors defeated Vivian St. John & Joyce Grable

Hulk Hogan defeated Tito Santana

 

Patera has also worked Denucci on the occasional house show here and there.

 

WWF @ Philadelphia, PA - Spectrum - March 1, 1980

Johnny Rodz defeated Mike Masters at 6:44

Vivian St. John & Joyce Grable defeated Winnona Little Heart & Cindy Majors at 19:55

Ken Patera defeated Dominic DeNucci at 12:06

Larry Zbyszko defeated Bruno Sammartino via disqualification at 18:32 after Sammartino hit the referee

Gorilla Monsoon defeated Baron Mikel Scicluna at 8:31

Sika defeated Tito Santana at 14:05

WWF World Champion Bob Backlund defeated Afa at 19:18

Pat Patterson defeated Bulldog Brower at 4:06

 

This is the "weakest" Patera match on paper so far. Top to bottom this comes across as a remarkably weak card - with the obvious exception of Larry v. Bruno. One wonders if the show wasn't booked deliberately to keep that match from being upstaged.

 

WWF @ Landover, MD - Capital Center - March 8, 1980

Larry Zbyszko vs. Mike Masters

Davey O'Hannon vs. Gorilla Monsoon

Joe Mascara vs. Steve Klein

Tony Atlas defeated Bobby Duncum

WWF IC Champion Pat Patterson vs. Capt. Lou Albano

WWF World Champion Bob Backlund vs. Hulk Hogan

Also included a women's tag team match

 

WWF @ Boston, MA - Boston Garden - March 8, 1980

Pete Doherty defeated Angelo Gomez

Johnny Rodz defeated Fred Marzino

Jose Estrada fought Sylvano Sousa to a draw

Rene Goulet defeated Joe Crugnale

Dominic DeNucci defeated Bulldog Brower

The Wild Samoans defeated WWF Tag Team Champions Tito Santana & Ivan Putski via count-out

Bruno Sammartino defeated Ken Patera in a Texas Death Match

 

Another crazy result as they run split crews in two of their top four buildings again. Again Bruno is not in Philly which is headlined by the (very good) Backlund v. Hogan match. But the Garden return match with Patera is Texas Death and I would venture to guess the first match did really good business.

 

WWF @ Portland, ME - Civic Center - March 11, 1980 (1,881)

Johnny Rodz defeated Steve King

Bobby Duncum defeated Dominic DeNucci

Ken Patera defeated Rene Goulet

The Wild Samoans defeated Tito Santana & Mike Masters

Pat Patterson defeated Baron Mikel Scicluna

Hulk Hogan defeated WWF World Champion Bob Backlund via count-out

 

It's not terribly relevant, but Patera is buried in the under card, Backlund is working Hogan on top, and Portland is actually down a hair

 

WWF @ Pittsburgh, PA - Civic Arena - March 14, 1980

Steve King defeated Jim Grabmire

Johnny Valiant defeated Johnny DeFazio

WWF World Champion Bob Backlund fought Ken Patera to a double disqualification

Larry Zbyszko defeated Bruno Sammartino via disqualification

Andrews defeated Jose Estrada

The Wild Samoans defeated Rene Goulet & Dominic DeNucci

Pat Patterson defeated Baron Mikel Scicluna

 

This is effectively a double main event. In Pittsburgh it's probably more a "Bruno" show than anything else to be honest.

 

WWF @ Randloph - March 15, 1980

Davey O'Hannon defeated Angelo Gomez

Johnny Rodz defeated Frank Williams

Rene Goulet defeated Bulldog Brower via disqualification

Hulk Hogan defeated Tito Santana

Ken Patera defeated WWF IC Champion Pat Patterson via count-out

 

Patera worked Patterson around the horn on the spot show circuit during this run.

 

WWF @ New York City, NY - Madison Square Garden - March 24, 1980 (26,102 which included 4,000 in Felt Forum)

Televised on the MSG Network - featured Vince McMahon on commentary

Bulldog Brower pinned Frank Williams at 8:53 with an elbow drop following a running back elbow

Kerry Von Erich pinned Jose Estrada at 10:49 with a sunset flip out of the corner (Kerry's MSG debut)

Tor Kamata pinned Mike Masters at 5:46 with a jumping kick and a kneedrop

Larry Zbyszko defeated Bruno Sammartino (w/ Arnold Skaaland) via disqualification at 15:31 when Sammartino failed to release a choke; Sammartino was eventually pulled away by Skaaland and referee Dick Kroll while Zbyzsko escaped

Afa pinned Dominic DeNucci at 9:42 with a jumping headbutt

WWF World Champion Bob Backlund pinned Sika at 18:32 after throwing the challenger off the top as Sika attempted a diving headbutt

Andre the Giant & WWF IC Champion Pat Patterson defeated Bobby Duncum & Ken Patera at 11:04 when Andre pinned Duncum with a splash as Patterson had Duncum in the figure-4

Rene Goulet pinned Baron Mikel Scicluna with a sunset flip at 6:11

Hulk Hogan pinned WWF Tag Team Champion Tito Santana at 8:12 with a suplex and grabbing the tights for leverage; prior to the bout, Hogan was escorted to the ring by Freddie Blassie (Hulk Hogan: The Ultimate Anthology Wal-Mart exclusive 4th disc)

 

Huge number for a show with a lot of interesting stuff on paper, but let's be honest - this is Bruno v. Larry at the height of their feud drawing a huge number. No one was paying to see Bob v. Sika and while the Andre/Patterson v. Duncum/Patera tag match was star studded for the time that was not even close to top billing.

 

WWF @ Springfield, MA - Civic Center - March 29, 1980

Larry Sharpe defeated Mike Masters

Tor Kamata defeated Gomez

Rene Goulet defeated Baron Mikel Scicluna

Ken Patera defeated WWF World Champion Bob Backlund

Dominic DeNucci defeated Davey O'Hannon

Andre the Giant fought Hulk Hogan to a double disqualification

Johnny Rodz defeated Williams

WWF IC Champion Pat Patterson defeated Bobby Duncum via disqualification

 

WWF @ Baltimore, MD - Civic Center - March 29, 1980

Johnny Rodz defeated Angelo Gomez

Tor Kamata defeated Steve King

Davey O'Hannon defeated Paul Figueroa

Gorilla Monsoon defeated Fred Mascara

Ken Patera defeated WWF World Champion Bob Backlund when the match was stopped due to blood

Larry Zbyszko defeated Ivan Putski

Andre the Giant fought Hulk Hogan to a double count-out

 

The date on this is probably right which means they ran Patera v. Backlund as a double shot in to fairly large buildings. Andre v. Hogan was the semi-main on both shows. I imagine these would have done very solid business. Would not be surprised if these combined for 12-15k.

 

WWF @ Portland, ME - Civic Center - April 1, 1980 (2,153)

Baron Mikel Scicluna defeated Pete Doherty

Tor Kamata defeated Tony Altimore

Hulk Hogan defeated Rene Goulet via count-out

Andre the Giant & Tito Santana defeated the Wild Samoans

Ken Patera defeated WWF IC Champion Pat Patterson

 

Portland back over 2k with Patera in the main event. Just saying

 

WWF @ Baltimore, MD - Civic Center - April 5, 1980

Johnny Rodz defeated Angelo Gomez

Davey O'Hannon defeated Paul Figuero

Tor Kamata fought Steve King to a no contest

Larry Sharpe defeated Mike Masters

Gorilla Monsoon fought Joe Mascaro (sub. for Bulldog Brower) to a no contest

Andre the Giant fought Hulk Hogan to a draw

Ken Patera defeated WWF World Champion Bob Backlund

 

WWF @ Boston, MA - Boston Garden - April 5, 1980

Mike Duggan defeated Fred Marzino

Pete Doherty defeated Joe Crugnale

Rene Goulet defeated Baron Mikel Scicluna

Bobby Duncum defeated Dominic DeNucci

WWF Tag Team Champions Ivan Putski & Tito Santana defeated the Wild Samoans via disqualification when the challengers attacked guest referee Pat Patterson

Larry Zbyszko defeated Bruno Sammartino via disqualification

 

Bruno is still holding it down in Boston on split shows, this time with Baltimore as the "other." IIRC Baltimore would have been there fifth biggest building at the time after Landover, Boston, Philly and MSG. I'm guessing this was a really strong drawing day for the company.

 

St. Louis, MO - Kiel Auditorium - April 11, 1980

Pak Song & Ron McFarlane defeated Eddie Gilbert & Tom Andrews

Jerry Oates defeated Takachio

Rocky Johnson defeated Lord Alfed Hayes

Dick the Bruiser, Pat O'Connor, & George Wells defeated Bulldog Brown, Dick Murdoch, & Ed Wiskowski

WWF World Champion Bob Backlund fought Ken Patera to a draw

Missouri State Champion Kevin Von Erich defeated Bruiser Brody via disqualification

 

Backlund v. Patera invades it's fourth territory as they work a main/semi-main at the Keil in St. Louis.

 

WWF @ Landover, MD - Capital Centre - April 12, 1980 (matinee)

Rene Goulet vs. Jose Estrada

Prof. Toru Tanaka vs. Angelo Gomez

Johnny Rodz vs. Steve King

WWF IC Champion Pat Patterson vs. Baron Mikel Scicluna

Ken Patera vs. Dominic DeNucci

Tony Atlas vs. Bobby Duncum (Texas Death Match)

WWF Tag Team Champions Tito Santana & Ivan Putski vs. the Wild Samoans

Bruno Sammartino defeated Larry Zbyszko via count-out

 

WWF @ Philadelphia, PA - Spectrum - April 12, 1980 (19,568)

Televised on the PRISM Network - featured Dick Graham & Kal Rudman on commentary

Baron Mikel Scicluna defeated Tony Altimore at 6:42

Larry Sharpe defeated Jose Estrada at 8:37

Tor Kamata defeated Johnny Rodz at 5:01

Ken Patera pinned Rene Gouelt at 9:26 after reversing a cradle

Hulk Hogan defeated WWF World Champion Bob Backlund (w/ Arnold Skaaland) via count-out at 29:00 when Backlund shoved Hogan back inside the ring from the apron after the two fell out to the floor; at the beginning of the bout, Backlund offered his hand to Hogan to shake, which he did (Hulk Hogan: The Unreleased Archives)

Bruno Sammartino defeated Larry Zbyszko at 11:09 when referee Dick Woehrle deemed Zbyzsko unable to continue after Sammartino hit his opponent with a chair; after the bout, it was announced the night's curfew had been waived

Dominic DeNucci defeated Davey O'Hannon at 8:02 when the referee stopped the bout due to blood after O'Hannon sustained a slingshot into an exposed turnbuckle

The Wild Samoans defeated WWF Tag Team Champions Tito Santana & Ivan Putski to win the titles at 7:36 when Sika pinned Santana with the Samoan Drop after Santana missed a crossbody off the top (Tag Team Champions)

 

Huge number at the Spectrum with Patera working in an irrelevant mid-card match and a double main of Backlund v. Hogan (return match) and Bruno v. Larry which was really a fucking MASSIVE drawing card at this point.

 

WWF @ Providence, RI - Civic Center - April 19, 1980

Baron Mikel Scicluna vs. Mike Masters

Johnny Rodz vs. Jim Duggan

Larry Sharpe vs. Angelo Gomez

Bulldog Brower vs. Dominic DeNucci

Hulk Hogan defeated Gorilla Monsoon

The Wild Samoans vs. Ivan Putski & Andre the Giant

WWF World Champion Bob Backlund vs. Ken Patera

 

Providence was another large arena headlined by Backlund v. Patera. He had been working Patterson leading up to this.

 

WWF @ New York City, NY - Madison Square Garden - April 21, 1980 (20,000+)

Televised on the MSG Network - featured vince McMahon on commentary

Larry Sharpe defeated Mike Masters at 8:11

Greg Gagne defeated Jose Estrada at 8:53

Ricky Steamboat & Jay Youngblood defeated Tor Kamata & Bulldog Brower at 15:11

Sika defeated Dominic DeNucci at 9:27

Andre the Giant defeated Bobby Duncum at 13:11

Hulk Hogan defeated Rene Goulet at 3:14

Ken Patera defeated WWF IC Champion Pat Patterson to win the title at 20:48 with a knee drop off the middle turnbuckle to the champion's back; the referee, still groggy from a collision with Patterson moments prior, did not notice that the champion's foot was on the bottom rope during the cover (History of the Intercontinental Title, The Ken Patera Story)

Bruno Sammartino defeated Larry Zbyszko via count-out

WWF World Champion Bob Backlund defeated Afa at 16:34

 

Another strong number at the Garden, this time with Patera's title win being a huge deal on the show. The show was probably sold on Bruno v. Larry more than anything else, but Patterson v. Patera may have had second billing with Afa as a weak challenger. More to the point the I-C title meant something at the time and this was a big win for Patera.

 

WWF @ Portland, ME - Civic Center - April 22, 1980

Johnny Rodz vs. Tor Kamata

Bobby Duncum vs. Rene Goulet

Andre the Giant vs. Afa

Pat Patterson vs. WWF IC Champion Ken Patera

 

WWF @ Bangor, ME - Auditorium - April 23, 1980

Rene Goulet defeated Jose Estrada

Larry Shapre defeated Frankie Williams

Tor Kamata defeated Sylvano Sousa

Dominic DeNucci defeated Frank Savage

WWF IC Champion Ken Patera defeated Johnny Rodz

Andre the Giant & Pat Patterson defeated WWF Tag Team Champions the Wild Samoans

 

His first two defenses. Shame we don't have that Portland number to continue tracking his enormous impact on business there

 

St. Louis, MO - Kiel Auditorium - April 25, 1980

Takachio & Pak Song defeated Tommy Sharpe & Kerry Brown

Jerry Oates defeated Skandor Akbar

Ed Wiskowski fought George Wells to a draw

WWF World Champion Bob Backlund defeated Bulldog Brown

Dick the Bruiser & Pat O'Connor defeated Bruiser Brody & Dick Murdoch

Ken Patera defeated Kevin Von Erich to win the Missouri State title

NWA World Champion Harley Race defeated Ric Flair

 

Less than a week after winning the I-C title at MSG, Patera wins the Missouri Title in the second most famous wrestling venue in the United States. The Missouri Title was a breeding ground belt for future NWA champions and top prospects. Holding it and the I-C title at the same time was a huge deal.

 

WWF @ Springfield, MA - Civic Center - April 26, 1980

Pete Doherty defeated Fred Marzino

Jim Duggan defeated Frank Savage via disqualification

Tor Kamata defeated Sylvano Sousa

Bobby Duncum defeated Rene Goulet

Baron Mikel Scicluna defeated Pete Doherty

Andre the Giant & Ivan Putski defeated WWF Tag Team Champions the Wild Samoans via count-out

WWF IC Champion Ken Patera defeated WWF World Champion Bob Backlund via count-out

 

They headline Springfield, another largish venue for the territory.

 

WWF @ Altoona, PA - Jaffa Mosque - April 30, 1980

Afa defeated Johnny DeFazio

Larry Zbyszko defeated Dominic DeNucci

WWF IC Champion Ken Patera fought Ivan Putski to a draw

 

Lots of random title defenses in here for Patera against a variety of people, more often than not headlining. This is one example.

 

WWF @ Pittsburgh, PA - Civic Arena - May 2, 1980

Nick Busick pinned Jim Grabmire

Jo Jo Andrews pinned Tony Altimore

Baron Mikel Scicluna fought Johnny DeFazio to a draw

Dominic DeNucci defeated Johnny Valiant via disqualification

Pat Patterson defeated Ken Patera via disqualification

WWF World Champion Bob Backlund pinned Afa

Bruno Sammartino defeated Larry Zbyszko via count-out

 

Bruno v. Larry is the hottest program in the territory and in Pitt it will always get top billing. Patterson v. Patera is about as strong a "third from the top" billing you will ever see.

 

WWF @ Baltimore, MD - Civic Center - May 3, 1980

Johnny Rodz vs. Paul Figuroa

Davey O'Hannon vs. Steve King

Larry Sharpe vs. Angelo Gomez

Bulldog Brower vs. Mike Masters

Bobby Duncum vs. El Olympico

Gorilla Monsoon vs. Baron Mikel Scicluna

Larry Zbyszko vs. Ivan Putski

WWF World Champion Bob Backlund vs. Ken Patera

 

Another Baltimore main event for these two.

 

WWF @ Allentown, PA – Agricultural Hall - May 6, 1980

Championship Wrestling taping:

Rick McGraw defeated Jose Estrada (McGraw’s TV debut)

Tor Kamata defeated Frank Williams

Pedro Morales defeated Moose Monroe

NWA World Champion Harley Race defeated Frank Williams

Rick McGraw defeated Johnny Rodz

Larry Sharpe defeated Paul Morrett

NWA World Champion Harley Race defeated Steve King

Ken Patera defeated Dominic Denucci

WWF Tag Team Champions the Wild Samoans defeated Rene Goulet & Angelo Gomez

El Olympico defeated Mark Pole

Larry Sharpe drew Rick McGraw

Larry Zbyszko defeated El Olympico

NWA World Champion Harley Race defeated Angelo Gomez

Pedro Morales defeated Frank Savage

Tor Kamata defeated Ricky Stallone

5/10/80:

5/17/80:

5/24/80

 

Presumably this was Patera's first television defense of the I-C title.

 

WWF @ Boston, MA - Boston Garden - May 10, 1980

Pete Doherty defeated Fred Marzino

Moose Duggan defeated Steve King

Johnny Rodz defeated Angelo Gomez

Baron Mikel Scicluna defeated Frankie Williams

Tor Kamata defeated Rene Goulet

WWF Tag Team Champions the Wild Samoans defeated Pat Patterson & Gorilla Monsoon

Bruno Sammartino defeated Larry Zbyszko via count-out when Zbyszko refused to return to the ring

 

WWF @ Philadelphia, PA - Spectrum - May 10, 1980 (8,475)

Televised on the PRISM Network:

Davey O'Hannon defeated Manuel Soto at 13:22

Dominic DeNucci defeated Jose Estrada at 10:21

Rick McGraw pinned Mark Pole with a side Russian leg sweep at 4:32 (McGraw's Spectrum debut)

Bobby Duncum defeated Tony Atlas via count-out at 12:41

El Olympico pinned Joe Mascaro with a small package at 7:18; for whatever reason, Mascaro was introduced as Frank Savage and was referred to as such by the commentary team

WWF World Champion Bob Backlund (w/ Arnold Skaaland) defeated Hulk Hogan via count-out at 17:48; after the bout, the champion was interviewed by Dick Graham & Kal Rudman at ringside

Larry Sharpe pinned Mike Masters with a piledriver at 8:16

WWF IC Champion Ken Patera defeated Ivan Putski via count-out at 10:51

 

Split crews again with Bruno/Larry in Boston. No clue why Bruno was constantly working Boston on Philly nights this year, but it was a mistake here. Attendance dropped 11,000 from the last date I have from the Spectrum. That really isn't an abysmal figure for the Spectrum from this period, but it's clear what was the big draw there and it wasn't Hogan v. Backlund.

 

WWF @ Portland, ME – Civic Center - May 13, 1980 (1,786)

Rick McGraw defeated Johnny Rodz via disqualification

Bobby Duncum defeated Tony Altimore (sub. for Pete Doherty)

Larry Zbyszko defeated Rene Goulet

Pat Patterson defeated WWF IC Champion Ken Patera via disqualification in a lumberjack match

WWF World Champion Bob Backlund defeated Jose Estrada

 

Portland below 1800! What an odd title defense for Backlund

 

WWF @ Springfield, MA - Civic Center - May 14, 1980

Bruno Sammartino vs. Ken Patera

 

WWF @ Bangor, ME – May 14, 1980

Johnny Rodz bat Sylvano Sousa

Rick McGraw defeated Jose Estrada

Pat Patterson defeated Bobby Duncum via disqualification

Ken Patera defeated Rene Goulet

WWF World Champion Bob Backlund fought Larry Zbyzsko to a double disqualification

 

One of these would have had to be a matinee for this to be right. I imagine that Springfield show would have drawn well on the strength of that match.

 

St. Louis, MO - Kiel Auditorium - May 16, 1980

Tom Andrews & Mike Huber defeated Billy Howard & Guy Mitchell

Pat O'Connor defeated Bobby Jaggers

WWF World Champion Bob Backlund defeated Roger Kirby

Dick the Bruiser & Rocky Johnson defeated Lord Alfred Hayes & Takachio

Bruiser Brody fought Dick Murdoch to a no contest

Missouri State Champion Ken Patera defeated Kevin Von Erich

 

Patera headlines the Kiel defending his Missouri Title against Kerry. Brody v. Murdoch would have been as much of a draw if not more one would guess.

 

WWF @ New York City, NY - Madison Square Garden - May 19, 1980 (near capacity crowd)

Televised on the MSG Network - featured Vince McMahon on commentary

Rick McGraw defeated Jose Estrada at 10:38 (McGraw's MSG debut)

Larry Zbyszko won a 16-man $15,000 battle royal at 11:25 by last eliminating Dominic DeNucci and Bobby Duncum at the same time when, as DeNucci had Duncum in an airplane spin, Zbyzsko dropkicked them both to the floor; order of elimination: Frankie Williams by Baron Mikel Scicluna, Ivan Putski by Peter Maivia, Miavia by Putski via pulling him out from the outside, Scicluna by Tony Atlas, Atlas by the Wild Samoans, Johnny Rodz by DeNucci, Rene Goulet by Duncum, Samoan #2 by Samoan #1 following an accidental headbutt, Samoan #1 by Gorilla Monsoon, Tor Kamata by Pat Patterson, Monsoon by Zbyzsko & Duncum, Patterson by Zbyzsko & Duncum; due to pre-match stipulations, Zbyszko earned a world title shot for the next show at MSG

Larry Sharpe defeated Frankie Williams at 8:24

Larry Zbyszko pinned Dominic DeNucci at 7:08 following a kick to the face as DeNucci charged the corner

Tor Kamata pinned Johnny Rodz at 7:58 after a double karate chop to the throat

WWF World Champion Bob Backlund pinned WWF IC Champion Ken Patera in a Texas Death Match at 22:56 with a crossbody off the top; prior to the bout, the Grand Wizard escorted Patera to the ring and Arnold Skaaland escorted Backlund; named Wrestling Observer's Match of the Year

Gorilla Monsoon pinned Baron Mikel Scicluna at 3:11 with a chop and splash

Bobby Duncum defeated Rene Goulet at 5:42

Tony Atlas, Ivan Putski, & Pat Patterson defeated Peter Maivia & WWF Tag Team Champions the Wild Samoans in a Best 2 out of 3 falls match at 16:25; fall #1: Patterson pinned Miavia with a roll up at 8:26; fall #2: Miavia pinned Patterson after a double team from the Samoans at 4:31; fall #3: Atlas pinned Samoan #1 with a splash after the Samoans accidentally headbutted each other at 3:28; prior to the bout, Capt. Lou Albano escorted the Samoans ringside

 

Arguably Patera's most famous match. I really wish there was a number here, but "near capacity" is still a father in Patera's cap. Hell of a match that won the WON Match of The Year (though at the time that was a Dave fiat pick as I understand it). Would not be my top pick from 1980, but it is a legitimately great match.

 

WWF @ Fall River, MA – May 24, 1980

Baron Mikel Scicluna defeated Pete Doherty

Johnny Rodz defeated Sylvano Sousa

Bobby Duncum defeated Dominic Denucci

Tor Kamata defeated Frank Savage

WWF IC Champion Ken Patera fought Ivan Putski to a double disqualification

Rick McGraw pinned Jose Estrada

 

Backlund was on a Japanese tour and Paterson wasn't around much so this became a de facto main event on a lot of the smaller shows for a bit.

 

WWF @ Hamburg, PA - Fieldhouse - May 28, 1980

All Star Wrestling taping:

Dark match after the taping: Tony Atlas vs. WWF IC Champion Ken Patera

 

Atlas v. Patera comes to the WWF!

 

WWF @ Landover, MD - Capital Center - May 31, 1980

Rick McGraw defeated Moose Monroe (sub. for Davey O'Hannon)

Baron Mikel Scicluna defeated Johnny Rodz

Jose Estrdada defeated Steve King (sub. for Larry Sharpe)

Tor Kamata defeated El Olympico

Afa defeated Rene Goulet

Dominic DeNucci defeated Bobby Duncum via count-out

Sika defeated Ivan Putski via count-out

Larry Zbyszko defeated Pat Patterson via count-out

Tony Atlas fought WWF IC Champion Ken Patera to a draw

 

This is a match begging for an attendance figure. With Backlund and Hogan in Japan and Bruno out they run one of their biggest venues with a double main event of Larry Z v. Patterson and a just coming in Atlas v. Patera in an I-C title match. This has "potential bomb" written all over it as the under card is weak too. Would be really interested to see what this pulled down.

 

WWF @ Portland, ME - Cumberland County Civic Center - June 3, 1980

Rick McGraw defeated Baron Mikel Scicluna via disqualification

Tor Kamata pinned Tony Altimore at 14:05

Larry Zbyszko pinned Dominic DeNucci at 13:10

WWF Tag Team Champions the Wild Samoans defeated Rene Goulet & Johnny Rodz at 17:50

WWF IC Champion Ken Patera defeated Ivan Putski via count-out when Putski applied a bearhug on Patera while standing on the ring apron

 

Putski v. Patera headlines Portland with Backlund still not back from Japan.

 

WWF @ Baltimore, MD - Civic Center - June 7, 1980

Jose Estrada vs. Paul Figueroa

Davey O'Hannon defeated Danny Pattiglio (sub. for Manuel Soto)

Larry Sharpe defeated Steve King

Baron Mikel Scicluna defeated Moose Monroe

Ernie Ladd fought El Olympico to a no contest

WWF Tag Team Champions the Wild Somoans defeated Pat Patterson & Dominic DeNucci

Bruno Sammartino defeated Larry Zbyszko via count-out

 

WWF @ Springfield, MA - Civic Center - June 7, 1980

Tony Altimore defeated Fred Marzino

Joe Cragle fought Pete Doherty to a draw

Rick McGraw defeated Sylvano Sousa

WWF World Champion Bob Backlund defeated Ken Patera in a steel cage match

Ivan Putski defeated Bobby Duncum

Frank Williams defeated Pete Doherty via count-out

Johnny Rodz defeated Angelo Gomez

Rene Goulet defeated Tor Kamata via disqualification

 

Bruno v. Larry still going strong and headlines Baltimore, the same day Backlund returns from his Japan/LA swing to defend the title in a Cage against Patera in Springfield. This is another situation where you could see the promotion pulling in a shit load of fans over the two shows.

 

WWF @ Hanover, PA - South Western High School - June 10, 1980

Moose Monroe defeated Ricky Stallone at 8:20

Frank Savage defeated Frankie Williams at 15:25

Jose Estrada defeated Paul Figueroa at 13:46

Sika & Capt. Lou Albano (sub. for Afa) defeated Rick McGraw (sub. for Rene Goulet) & El Olympico at 20:08

WWF World Champion Bob Backlund defeated WWF IC Champion Ken Patera via count-out at 20:40

 

I love that they went title v. title for this random little spot show.

 

WWF @ Pittsburgh, PA - Civic Arena - June 13, 1980

Davey O'Hannon defeated the Red Demon

Mike Mahalko defeated Bill Berger

Johnny Valiant defeated Nick Busick

Jim Grabmire defeated Tony Altimore

Sika defeated Dominic DeNucci via count-out

Ken Patera pinned Pat Patterson

Bruno Sammartino defeated Larry Zbyszko in a steel cage match by escaping out the door

 

St. Louis, MO - Kiel Auditorium - June 13, 1980

Tom Andrews & Kerry Brown defeated Skandor Akbar & Tommy Sharpe

Bobby Jaggers defeated Billy Howard

Takacho defeated George Wells

David Von Erich defeated Bulldog Brown

WWF World Champion Bob Backlund defeated Lord Alfred Hayes

Dick Murdoch & Karl Kox defeated Bruiser Brody & Pat O'Connor

NWA World Champion Harley Race defeated Rocky Johnson

 

WWF @ Boston, MA - Boston Garden - June 14, 1980

Rick McGraw defeated Jose Estrada

Johnny Rodz fought Baron Mikel Scicluna to a draw

Tor Kamata defeated Manuel Soto

Davey O'Hannon defeated Bobby Duncum via disqualification

Ivan Putski defeated Larry Sharpe

WWF Tag Team Champions the Wild Samoans defeated Dominic DeNucci & Rene Goulet

WWF IC Champion Ken Patera defeated Pat Patterson via count-out

Bruno Sammartino defeated Larry Zbyszko in a Texas Death Match

 

Backlund has just returned but turns around and wrestles the Kiel missing two big shows in his home territory. Curiously Missouri champion Patera does not make the Kiel date. Instead he works semi-mains underneath Bruno v. Larry which is still hot all over the territory. Boston was Bruno's town all year really.

 

WWF @ New York City, NY - Madison Square Garden - June 16, 1980 (20,000+)

Johnny Rodz defeated Steve King

Bobby Duncum defeated Rick McGraw

Hulk Hogan defeated Gorilla Monsoon

Larry Zbyszko defeated WWF World Champion Bob Backlund when the bout was stopped due to blood at 27:39

Ivan Putski (sub. for Dusty Rhodes) defeated Tor Kamata

WWF IC Champion Ken Patera defeated Pat Patterson

Rene Goulet defeated Larry Sharpe via disqualification

WWF Tag Team Champions the Wild Samoans defeated Dominic DeNucci & Ivan Putski

 

Another strong Garden figure. Larry Z gets his shot against Backlund. Patera v. Patterson continues be slotted as the "number 2" match on a lot of these major shows.

 

WWF @ Philadelphia, PA - Spectrum - June 21, 1980

Rick McGraw defeated Frank Savage

Larry Sharpe defeated Johnny Rodz

Rene Goulet defeated Tor Kamata via disqualification

Larry Zbyszko defeated Ivan Putski via count-out

WWF IC Champion Ken Patera defeated WWF World Champion Bob Backlund via disqualification

The Wild Samoans & Capt. Lou Albano defeated Gorilla Monsoon, Pat Patterson, & Dominic DeNucci

Tony Atlas defeated Bobby Duncum in a Texas Death Match

 

This is a pretty strong show, as Patera v. Backlund headlines the Spectrum with a Texas Death Match, heel Larry v. Putski and the six-man all as fairly strong support matches.

 

WWF @ Landover, MD - Capital Center - June 27, 1980

Bulldog Brower defeated Angelo Gomez

Johnny Rodz fought Steve King to a draw

WWF World Champion Bob Backlund defeated Afa

Sika defeated Frankie Williams

Rick McGraw defeated Bimbo Larson (sub. for Jose Estrada)

Hulk Hogan defeated Dominic DeNucci

Pat Patterson defeated Tor Kamata

Tony Atlas defeated WWF IC Champion Ken Patera via disqualification; Gorilla Monsoon was the special referee for the bout

 

Some of these Landover shows have been whacky on paper. Really wish we had figures for them. I know Backlund is on the show, but if this drew you have to chalk it up to Patera v. Atlas, as Backlund v. Afa doesn't seem like a ticket mover at all. I wonder if they sold the previous Atlas/Patera rivalry on tv at all.

 

WWF @ New Haven, CT – Coliseum – June 29, 1980

Rick McGraw vs. Jose Estrada

Tor Kamata defeated Frank Williams

El Olympico vs. Sika

Andre the Giant defeated WWF IC Champion Ken Patera via count-out

WWF World Champion Bob Backlund defeated Afa

 

Random Andre date here and it's working Patera. Patera was working Putski often on some of the smaller spot shows.

 

WWF @ Hamburg, PA - Fieldhouse - July 9, 1980

All Star Wrestling taping:

Pedro Morales defeated Ron Shaw

The Hangman defeated Steve King

WWF World Champion Bob Backlund fought Tor Kamata to a draw

Rick Martel defeated Frank Savage

WWF IC Champion Ken Patera defeated Frank Williams

Pat Patterson defeated Johnny Rodz

Larry Zbyzsko defeated Frank Williams

Angel Maravilla defeated Marc Pole

Tor Kamata fought Rick McGraw to a draw

Hulk Hogan defeated Fred Marzino

WWF IC Champion Ken Patera defeated Angelo Gomez

Pedro Morales defeated Baron Mikel Scicluna

Rick Martel defeated Ken Sharkey

Hulk Hogan defeated Lindsey Lyle & Steve King in a handicap match

The Hangman defeated Fred Marzino

Pat Patterson defeated Ron Shaw

Rick Martel defeated Johnny Rodz

Angel Maravilla defeated Ken Sharkey

Larry Zbyzsko fought Pedro Morales to a draw

7/12/80:

7/19/80:

7/26/80

 

Another batch of tv with Patera as I-C champ.

 

WWF @ Boston, MA - Boston Garden - July 12, 1980

Larry Sharpe defeated Dave Darrow

Michael Maravilla defeated Jose Estrada

Bulldog Brower defeated Joe Mascaro

Larry Zbyszko defeated Rene Goulet

The Wild Samoans defeated Pat Patterson & Ivan Putski

Hulk Hogan defeated Gorilla Monsoon

WWF World Champion Bob Backlund fought Ken Patera to a double disqualification

 

Patera and Bob headline the Garden on an interesting looking card. This had been "Bruno's" venue in many respects for most of this year but he was out selling the neck injury here if I'm not mistaken. Would be curious to see how this did relative to the Bruno shows.

 

WWF @ Portland, ME - Cumberland County Civic Center - July 15, 1980 (1,405)

Baron Mikel Scicluna pinned Steve King at 11:10

Angel Maravilla pinned Johnny Rodz at 14:55

Rick Martel defeated Jose Estrada via disqualification at 16:30

A Samoan & Tor Kamata (sub. for the other Samoan) defeated Pat Patterson & Rene Goulet at 18:50 when the Samoan pinned Goulet after a headbutt

Andre the Giant defeated WWF IC Champion Ken Patera via disqualification at 11:45

 

I joke about Portland, but this is kind of strange as attendance is pretty low by the standards of the town with Andre v. Patera up top.

 

WWF @ Pittsburgh, PA - Civic Arena - July 18, 1980

Tor Kamata pinned Rick McGraw

Johnny Valiant pinned Bill Berger

Pat Patterson, Gorilla Monsoon, & Andre the Giant defeated the Wild Samoans & Capt. Lou Albano in a Best 2 out of 3 falls match, 2-1; fall #1 - Samoans win with a pinfall over Patterson; fall #2 - Monsoon pinned Sika with a backdrop; fall #3 - Andre scored the pin in the final fall

Bobby Duncum pinned Johnny DeFazio

Hulk Hogan won a 16-man battle royal by last eliminating Bobby Duncum

Hulk Hogan pinned Rene Goulet

Ken Patera defeated WWF World Champion Bob Backlund via disqualification

 

Another big market main event for Patera and Backlund.

 

WWF @ Philadelphia, PA - Spectrum - July 26, 1980

Televised on the PRISM Network:

Tor Kamata fought Angel Maravilla to a draw

Sika defeated Rene Goulet

Larry Zbyszko defeated Ivan Putski via disqualification

WWF World Champion Bob Backlund defeated WWF IC Champion Ken Patera via disqualification; Gorilla Monsoon was the guest referee

Andre the Giant defeated Hulk Hogan via disqualification at 7:23

Pedro Morales defeated Afa

 

And then the Spectrum. May be worth noting that Patera only had one date with the WWF between these two shows which was an unusually light load for a champion of any kind during that period.

 

WWF @ Allentown, PA - Agricultural Hall - July 29, 1980

Championship Wrestling taping:

8/2/80:

Pedro Morales defeated BB Coleman

Sgt. Slaughter defeated Billy Berger

Harley Race defeated Paul Figeroua

The Hangman defeated Ron Lee

Rick Martel defeated Jose Estrada

8/9/80:

Pat Patterson defeated Baron Mikel Scicluna

WWF World Champion Bob Backlund defeated Johnny Rodz

Harley Race defeated Kid Sharkey

Larry Zbyszko defeated Billy Berger; after the bout, Zbyszko attacked Tony Garea

WWF Tag Team Champions the Wild Samoans defeated Rene Goulet & Rick McGraw when Sika pinned Goulet

8/16/80:

Sgt. Slaughter defeated Marc Polo

Harley Race defeated Rick McGraw

The Hangman defeated Rene Goulet

Tony Garea defeated Jose Estrada

Dark match after the taping: Pedro Morales fought WWF IC Champion Ken Patera to a double count-out

 

Thought this was worth noting both because of the dark match main event and the fact that Harley was brought in for tv here which I didn't know happened.

 

WWF @ Providence, RI - Civic Center - August 2, 1980

Kandi Malloy & Peggy Lee vs. the Fabulous Moolah & Beverly Slade

WWF Tag Team Champions the Wild Samoans vs. Pedro Morales & Ivan Putski

WWF IC Champion Ken Patera vs. Pat Patterson

WWF World Champion Bob Backlund vs. Larry Zbyzsko

 

Top three matches on this show were pretty stacked. Providence is one of those towns we never have any figures from but this seems like a show that would have done good business.

 

WWF @ Asbury Park, NJ - Convention Hall - August 7, 1980

Angel Marvilla vs. Johnny Rodz

The Hangman vs. Rick Stallone

Larry Sharpe vs. Rene Goulet

Tor Kamata vs. Frankie Williams

WWF IC Champion Ken Patera vs. Pedro Morales

Ivan Putski vs. Larry Zbyzsko

 

Morales is starting to become a bit of a regular opponent on some of the smaller shows.

 

St. Louis, MO - Kiel Auditorium - August 8, 1980

Kerry Brown defeated Billy Howard

Bulldog Brown defaeted Jesse Barr

WWF World Champion Bob Backlund defeated Buzz Tyler

Kevin Von Erich, Pat O'Connor, Rufus R. Jones, & Dick the Bruiser defeated Dick Murdoch, Karl Kox, Roger Kirby, & Takachio

David Von Erich defeated Baron Von Raschke

NWA World Champion Harley Race defeated Missouri & WWF IC Champion Ken Patera; Lou Thesz was the special referee for the bout

 

Big date for Patera here as he headlines in Kiel in a huge match. Backlund works a largely irrelevant under card match, while Ken works Harley for the NWA title with Thez as the guest ref. In the NWA at the time getting a title match in the Kiel was a big deal. Thesz as ref would add to it quite a bit. Patera coming in as a double champ probably added a bit of luster to the match.

 

WWF @ Flushing, NY - Shea Stadium - August 9, 1980 (36,295; 35,771 paid)

Vince McMahon was the guest ring announcer for the show, subbing for Howard Finkel

Angel Marvilla pinned Jose Estrada at 7:26 with a flying headbutt

Dominic DeNucci pinned Baron Mikel Scicluna at 5:56 with a roll up

MSG Network - 9/22/80: WWF Jr. Heavyweight Champion Tatsumi Fujinami pinned Chavo Guerrero at 10:28 with a reverse roll up into a bridge

MSG Network - 9/22/80: WWF Martial Arts Champion Antonio Inoki pinned Larry Sharpe at 8:52 with a kick to the back of the head; Inoki's NWF World Title was at stake in the match

WWF World Champion Bob Backlund & Pedro Morales defeated WWF Tag Team Champions the Wild Samoans (w/ Capt. Lou Albano) in a Best 2 out of 3 falls match, 2-0, to win the titles at 13:06; fall #1: Morales pinned Afa at 9:49 with a roll up off the ropes; fall #2: Backlund pinned Afa after Morales dropkicked the opponent, with Backlund then falling on top for the win; Albano was escorted backstage by the NYPD after interfering during the second fall and slamming Morales on the floor; Backlund & Morales were later stripped of the titles as the rules stated a wrestler could not hold two titles at the same time

MSG Network - 9/22/80: Pat Patterson defeated Tor Kamata via disqualification at 2:09 when Kamata threw salt into referee Dick Kroll's eyes after Patterson ducked the attempt; after the bout, Patterson fought off Kamata and hit a bodyslam before Kroll made a one count and then gave the match to Patterson on a disqualification (Villains of the Squared Circle)

MSG Network - 9/22/80: Women's Champion the Fabulous Moolah & Beverly Slade defeated Kandi Malloy & Peggy Lee at 6:03 when Moolah pinned Lee following a backdrop

Greg Gagne defeated Rick McGraw at 14:33

Tony Atlas defeated WWF IC Champion Ken Patera via count-out at 8:13 after Patera knocked the challenger back inside the ring as both men were fighting on the apron (Best of the WWF Vol. 7)

Ivan Putski pinned Johnny Rodz at 4:47 with the Polish Hammer

The Hangman pinned Rene Goulet at 8:28 after dropping Goulet throat-first across the top rope

Andre the Giant pinned Hulk Hogan (w/ Freddie Blassie) at 7:48 with a bodyslam and splash and a fast count from the referee; Hogan visibly kicked out at 2 but the referee didn't notice (Hulk Still Rules)

Bruno Sammartino defeated Larry Zbyszko in a steel cage match at 13:59 by escaping the cage through the door after twice throwing his opponent into the cage; prior to the bout, Sammartino was escorted to the ring by Arnold Skaaland; after the bout, Zbyzsko confronted Sammartino outside the ring, where Sammartino twice punched Zbyzsko before Zbyzsko reluctantly raised Bruno's hand in victory; voted Pro Wrestling Illustrated's Match of the Year (Best of the WWF Vol. 1, The Greatest Cage Matches of All Time)

 

Huge and famous show that did massive business on a pretty stacked card. Even though a lot of this had been rehashed, the Bruno v. Larry Z match was a huge deal, Hogan v. Andre in their first match of note was there, Pedro/Bob as a super team v. The Samoans would have been a big deal and Patera and Atlas was a feud that was proven drawing card in MACW. Add the special Fujinami and Inoki appearances and this still comes across as a "special" show years later. Patera was a contributor (and the match was pretty good) but not the key player obviously - that would be Bruno. Worth noting that Patera's Asbury to Kiel to Shea schedule was nutty and working the Kiel for the NWA title and then this super show the next day must have been a crazy experience.

 

WWF @ Pittsburgh, PA - Civic Arena - August 15, 1980

Dominic DeNucci & David Sammartino defeated Baron Mikel Scicluna & Bill Berger

Johnny Valiant fought Johnny DeFazio to a draw

The Hangman pinned Rene Goulet

Tony Atlas defeated Tor Kamata

Pedro Morales pinned Afa

Andre the Giant defeated Hulk Hogan via count-out

WWF World Champion Bob Backlund defeated WWF IC Champion Ken Patera via disqualification

 

WWF @ Landover, MD - Capital Centre - August 16, 1980

Johnny Rodz vs. Angel Maravilla

Moose Monroe vs. Frankie Williams

Steve King vs. Angelo Gomez

Pat Patterson vs. Larry Sharpe

The Fabulous Moolah & Beverly Slade vs. Kandi Maloy & Peggy Lee

WWF Tag Team Champions the Wild Samoans vs. Tony Atlas & Ivan Putski

Bruno Sammartino defeated Larry Zbyszko in a lumberjack match when referee Dick Woherle stopped the bout due to excessive bleeding; there were eight lumberjacks for the bout; after the bout, Zbyzsko hit the referee for stopping the match

 

WWF @ Boston, MA - Boston Garden - August 16, 1980

Jose Estrada defeated Frank Marzino at 10:04

Dave Darrow defeated Dan Serrano at 14:08

Pedro Morales defeated Tor Kamata at 8:10

Rick McGraw defeated Pete Doherty at 9:10

WWF IC Champion Ken Patera defeated WWF World Champion Bob Backlund via count-out at 24:40

Andre the Giant defeated Hulk Hogan at 15:30

The Hangman defeated Dominic DeNucci at 6:30

Rene Goulet defeated Baron Mikel Scicluna at 9:20

 

Patera and Backlund are still main eventing in the bigger markets which tells you this was a feud that was making coin. Notable that Bruno v. Larry was in Landover, while Bob and Patera were in the Boston Garden which had really felt like "Bruno's" venue due to all the times he had worked it on split show days that year.

 

WWF @ Philadelphia, PA - Spectrum - August 23, 1980

Televised on the PRISM Network - included Dick Graham & Kal Rudman on commentary:

Dominic DeNucci vs. the Hangman

Hulk Hogan defeated Rene Goulet

Andre the Giant & Pedro Morales defeated Capt. Lou Albano (sub. for Sika) & Afa at 9:22 when Morales pinned Afa after a boot to the face from Andre (Amazing Managers)

Pat Patterson pinned Tor Kamata in under a minute

Baron Mikel Scicluna defeated Johnny Rodz

WWF IC Champion Ken Patera defeated Gorilla Monsoon at 11:54; stipulations stated Monsoon would have to retire if he lost the match; he did so weeks later

Rick McGraw defeated Jose Estrada

Larry Zbyszko pinned Ivan Putski in a Texas Death Match by putting his feet on the ropes for leverage

 

Backlund was in Japan for this show. The previous tv had an angle to heat up Hogan v. Andre around the horn (in theory at least) but it may not have aired yet and they kept those guys separate on the show. Really a strange line up as there is nothing on the card that feels like a clear "main event," though I guess the Monsoon retirement stip opposite the hated Patera could have brought people in.

 

WWF @ Allentown, PA - Agricultural Hall - August 26, 1980

Baron Mikel Scicluna defeated Johnny Rodz

The Hangman defeated Dominic DeNucci

Hulk Hogan defeated Ivan Putski

Andre the Giant defeated Ken Patera

Gorilla Monsoon & Rene Goulet defeated Afa & Capt. Lou Albano (sub. for Sika)

Bruno Sammartino defeated Larry Zbyszko in a lumberjack match

Rick McGraw defeated Frank Savage

Pedro Morales defeated Tor Kamata

 

Bruno/Larry in Ag Hall seems almost insane to me. So does Andre v. Patera really but they headlined a lot of smaller venues opposite each other over the years.

 

WWF @ Baltimore, MD - Civic Center - August 30, 1980 (9,000)

Rick McGraw pinned Paul Figueroa

Pat Patterson (sub. for El Olympico) pinned Rick Stallone

The Hangman pinned Rene Goulet at 13:19

Ernie Ladd pinned Frank Savage (sub. for Ivan Putski) at 3:28

Tony Atlas defeated WWF IC Champion Ken Patera via count-out

WWF World Champion Bob Backlund pinned Larry Zbyszko at 19:28; Pat Patterson was advertised as the guest referee for the bout

 

WWF @ Springfield, MA - Civic Center - August 30, 1980

Dominic DeNucci defeated Silvano Sousa

Afa defeated Gomez

Pedro Morales defeated Tor Kamata

Baron Mikel Scicluna defeated Pete Doherty

Johnny Rodz defeated Frankie Williams

Dave Darrow defeated Ed Boulder

Steve King defeated Fred Marzino

Andre the Giant pinned Hulk Hogan at 14:00; Gorilla Monsoon was the guest referee for the bout

Andre the Giant won an 18-man $10,000 battle royal; other participants included: Hulk Hogan, Tor Kamata, Johnny Rodz, Moose Monroe, Baron Mikel Scicluna, Silvano Sousa, Ed Boulder (sub. for Fred Marzino), the Wild Samoans, Pedro Morales, Steve King, Angelo Gomez, Pete Doherty, Gorilla Monsoon, Dominic DeNucci, Dave Darrow, Frankie Williams, & Andre the Giant; the final four men in the bout included Andre, DeNucci, Kamata, and Afa

 

Another split crew date, with Andre v. Hogan debuted as a main in one of the bigger buildings. Finally have a Baltimore figure and it is a very good one as 9k would have been good business for that town at the time. Backlund v. Larry headlines with Patera v. Atlas second from the top.

 

WWF @ Boston, MA - Boston Garden - September 6, 1980

Angel Marvilla defeated Johnny Rodz

Baron Mikel Scicluna defeated Jose Estrada

Sika defeated Dominic DeNucci

Tony Garea defeated Wild Samoan Afa

Pedro Morales defeated Larry Zbyszko via count-out

Hulk Hogan defeated Pat Patterson

WWF World Champion Bob Backlund defeated WWF IC Champion Ken Patera in a lumberjack match

 

Patera v. Backlund is alive and well in BG where it has headlined several times now. The top three matches all feature star v. star, but only the top match seems like a real draw.

 

WWF @ Landover, MD - Capital Centre - September 13, 1980

Baron Mikel Scicluna vs. Dominic DeNucci

Johnny Rodz vs. Rick McGraw

Steve King vs. Angel Maravilla

Bulldog Brower vs. Don Serrano

Tony Garea, Rick Martel, & Pat Patterson vs. Capt. Lou Albano & the Wild Samoans

Andre the Giant pinned Hulk Hogan when Hogan failed a bodyslam attempt and Andre fell on top for the win

WWF World Champion Bob Backlund vs. WWF IC Champion Ken Patera

 

Patera and Backlund is STILL hot in the big buildings. They have been running this feud in big buildings basically all year - no way it wasn't doing going business around the horn. Andre v. Hogan would have been a very strong co-anchor.

 

WWF @ Sayerville, NJ - September 18, 1980

Tony Garea defeated Johnny Rodz

Baron Mikel Scicluna defeated Don Serrano

Rick McGraw defeated Tony Altimore

Dominic DeNucci fought the Hangman to a double disqualification

Hulk Hogan defeated Pat Patterson via count-out

WWF IC Champion Ken Patera fought Pedro Morales to a double disqualification

 

WWF @ Springfield, MA - Civic Center - September 20, 1980

Rene Goulet & Rick McGraw fought Johnny Rodz & Jose Estrada to a draw

Tony Garea defeated Baron Mikel Scicluna

Pedro Morales defeated Afa

WWF World Champion Bob Backlund pinned the Hangman

Hulk Hogan pinned Gorilla Monsoon at 4:22

Andre the Giant defeated WWF IC Champion Ken Patera

Rick Martel defeated Sika

 

Patera v. Morales was headlining a few spot shows in here. Andre v. Patera comes across like the clear main event of the Springfield show.

 

WWF @ New York City, NY - Madison Square Garden - September 22, 1980 (20,000+)

Televised on the MSG Network - featured Vince McMahon & Kal Rudman on commentary; included the Fujinami / Guerrero, Patterson / Kamata, Moolah & Shade / Lee & Malloy and Inoki / Sharpe matches from the Aug. 9 Shea Stadium show, with McMahon & Rudman doing live commentary from MSG as there was no original English commentary for the show; the matches were shown in the place of the Harley Race / Bob Backlund match and the introductions and crowd noise could be heard as the Shea bouts were shown:

NWA Jr. Heavyweight Champion Les Thornton pinned Jose Estrada at 7:02 with a backbreaker (Thornton's MSG debut)

Pat Patterson pinned Johnny Rodz at 8:04 with a sunset flip

The Hangman pinned Dominic DeNucci at 10:15 when the Hangman fell on top of DeNucci after holding onto the top rope while in the middle of an airplane spin; after the bout, DeNucci hung the Hangman over the top rope with his own noose (Hangman's MSG debut)

Larry Zbyszko defeated Tony Garea via disqualification at 12:15 when Garea failed to release an abdominal stretch after Zbyszko reached the ropes (Garea's MSG return after an 18-month absence)

Rick Martel pinned Rick McGraw at 6:47 with a backslide (Martel's MSG debut)

Pedro Morales pinned Afa at 3:34 by reversing a bodyslam into the ring and falling on top for the win; prior to the bout, Capt. Lou Albano escorted Afa to the ring

WWF IC Champion Ken Patera pinned Rene Goulet at 1:04 with a small package; prior to the bout, the Grand Wizard escorted Patera ringside

WWF World Champion Bob Backlund defeated NWA World Champion Harley Race via disqualification at 35:14 when Race pulled the referee into Backlund as the NWA title holder was caught in a sleeper; this bout was not televised with the rest of the show, rather four matches from the Aug. 9 Shea Stadium show aired in its place

Tony Atlas pinned Sika at 5:32 with an elbow drop

All American Wrestling - 9/11/83: Andre the Giant pinned Hulk Hogan at 12:18 when Hogan failed a slam attempt and guest referee Gorilla Monsoon made a fast count; prior to the match, Hogan was escorted ringside by Freddie Blassie; just before the finish, Hogan successfully slammed Andre; the match was not televised and the MSG broadcast went off the air immediately following the Atlas / Sika bout (Hulk Hogan: The Unreleased Archives)

 

Harley v. Backlund does bit business at the Garden. Patera has a comically short defense v. Goulet underneath. Hogan v. Andre is still alive as a semi-main event.

 

WWF @ Baltimore, MD - Civic Center - September 27, 1980 (10,200)

Tony Garea pinned Johnny Rodz at 11:08

Rick Martel pinned Jose Estrada at 1:28

Pedro Morales pinned Baron Mikel Scicluna at 6:04

Larry Zbyszko defeated Pat Patterson via count-out at 13:16

WWF Tag Team Champions the Wild Somoans defeated Domenic DeNucci & Rene Goulet at 8:38

Andre the Giant pinned Ernie Ladd at 7:44

WWF World Champion Bob Backlund pinned the Hangman at 17:28

 

No Patera on this show and it does very strong business on a card that was actually pretty damn weak on paper.

 

10/3/80 St Louis

NWA champion Harley Race beat David Von Erich

Dick Murdoch & Baron Von Raschke & King Kong Brody beat Pat O'Connor & Rufus R Jones & Dick the Bruiser

Missouri State champion Ken Patera drew Ted DiBiase

Fabulous Moolah and Sandy Partlow beat Kandi Maloy and Betty Torres

Kevin Von Erich beat Takachio

Bob Sweetan beat Spike Huber

Bulldog Bob Brown drew Mike George

 

Patera goes to St. Louis defend against Dibiase who is being groomed to be his replacement with the Missouri Title.

 

WWF @ Boston, MA - Boston Garden - October 4, 1980

Rick McGraw defeated Jose Estrada

Rene Goulet defeated Baron Mikel Scicluna

Dominic DeNucci defeated Johnny Rodz

Pat Patterson defeated Wild Samoan Sika

Rick Martel defeated Wild Samoan Afa

Pedro Morales defeated Ken Patera via disqualification

Larry Zbyszko defeated Tony Garea

Andre the Giant defeated Hulk Hogan

WWF World Champion Bob Backlund defeated the Hangman

 

It is starting to feel a bit like the heat is coming off of Patera. Backlund v. Hangman really doesn't seem like a big deal on paper, but it has headlined a few of the big buildings, with Andre/Hogan still hot and the possible "real draw" depending on perspective. Patera v. Morales is hardly a BAD match for Patera, but he appears to be slipping from the top of the heel mountain.

 

WWF @ Philadelphia, PA - Spectrum - October 11, 1980

Dominic DeNucci defeated Baron Mikel Scicluna

Tony Garea defeated Sika via count-out

Pedro Morales defeated Afa

Andre the Giant defeated WWF IC Champion Ken Patera via count-out

Larry Zbyszko defeated WWF World Champion Bob Backlund via count-out

Rick McGraw & Rick Martel defeated Jose Estrada & Johnny Rodz

Pat Patterson defeated Larry Sharpe

 

This is effectively a double main with Larry v. Bob and Andre v. Patera.

 

WWF @ Rochester, NY - War Memorial - October 18, 1980 (5,000)

The first wrestling card in Rochester in five years

Angelo Gomez fought Steve King to a 20-minute time-limit draw

Angel Maravilla defeated Johnny Rodz via count-out at 11:35

The Hangman pinned Rick McGraw at 12:50

Tony Garea defeated Larry Zbyszko via disqualification at 18:10 when Zbyszko failed to break a choke

Sgt. Slaughter pinned Dominic DeNucci at 10:19

Pedro Morales defeated WWF IC Champion Ken Patera via count-out at 12:10

 

This is a cool date to have as it is a spot show headlined by Patera v. Morales that does really good business (5k for a spot show would definitely be "very good" for this period) in a town that was obviously not part of the regular loop.

 

WWF @ New York City, NY - Madison Square Garden - October 20, 1980

Televised on the MSG Network - featured Vince McMahon on commentary:

Terry Taylor pinned Jose Estrada with an abdominal stretch into a roll up at 9:59

Rene Goulet pinned Johnny Rodz after Rodz hit the corner at 8:41

The Hangman defeated Rick McGraw via submission to a backbreaker at 7:19

Pedro Morales fought WWF IC Champion Ken Patera to a double disqualification at 16:19 after both men attacked the referee and used illegal holds; after the bout, the two men had to be held apart by a number of wrestlers including Pat Patterson, Dominic DeNucci, Rick Martel, and several others (History of the Intercontinental Title, History of the Intercontinental Championship)

Dominic DeNucci pinned Larry Sharpe with an inside cradle at 8:38

Sgt. Slaughter defeated WWF World Champion Bob Backlund via disqualification at 16:33 when Arnold Skaaland hit Slaughter in the head, following a confrontation on the floor, as Backlund was trapped in the Cobra Clutch

Rick Martel pinned Baron Mikel Scicluna with a sunset flip at 3:34

Tony Garea defeated Larry Zbyszko via disqualification at 4:58 after Zbyszko shoved the referee

Dusty Rhodes & Pat Patterson defeated WWF Tag Team Champions the Wild Samoans in a Best 2 out of 3 Falls match via referee's decision; fall #1: Rhodes pinned Sika with an elbow at 11:47; fall #2: the curfew expired

 

I remember thinking the Morales/Patera match/angle on this show was really well done and put over the feud as a huge deal so even though Patera isn't wrestling Backlund anymore, I think the evidence strongly supports the fact that he was still over as a major heel player. Never new Dusty/Pat v. Wild Samoans match existed.

 

WWF @ Hamburg, PA - Fieldhouse - October 22, 1980

All-Star Wrestling:

10/25/80:

Rick Martel & Tony Garea defeated Baron Mikel Scicluna & the Black demon at 7:56 when Martel pinned Demon with a sunset flip

Pedro Morales defeated Frank Savage via submission with the Boston Crab at 5:41

Stan Hansen pinned Ron Shaw with the lariat at 4:27; after the bout, Vince McMahon conducted a ringside interview with Hansen

The Moondogs (w/ Capt. Lou Albano) defeated Charlie Brown & Steve King at 7:08 when King pinned Brown with a splash

Killer Khan (w/ Capt. Lou Albano, sub. for Freddie Blassie) pinned Marc Pole at 2:54 with a kneedrop

11/1/80:

11/8/80:

Pedro Morales defeated Jose Estrada at 7:21

Ken Patera defeated Frankie Williams at 5:12

The Moondogs dfeated Ron Shaw & Rick McGraw at 5:13

Larry Sharpe fought Rene Goulet to a 10-minute draw

Larry Zbyszko defeated Angelo Gomez at 3:12

Dark match after the taping: WWF World Champion Bob Backlund vs. Ken Patera (non-title match)

 

First Backlund v. Patera match in a while and it's a non-title match thrown on the end of a tv taping.

 

WWF @ Landover, MD - Capital Centre - October 25, 1980 (matinee)

Rick McGraw defeated Jose Estrada

Afa defeated Tony Garea

Sgt. Slaughter defeated Pat Patterson via count-out

Sika defeated Rene Goulet

WWF World Champion Bob Backlund defeated WWF IC Champion Ken Patera via count-out

Rick Martel defeated Frank Savage

Tony Garea defeated Larry Sharpe

Tony Atlas defeated the Hangman

 

And then Patera gets ANOTHER shot against Backlund in ANOTHER big arena on a card that does not look terribly strong (Sarge v. Paterson is the only other match on paper that seems like it has any real value at all). You get the feeling that Patera - while not part of a real program with Backlund anymore - is seen as a sort of "fallback" plan because he's still really over as a heel and if someone else doesn't work out they can plug him in on a big show and get people to the gate.

 

WWF @ Lewiston, ME - Armory - October 28, 1980

Angel Maravilla vs. Fred Marzino

Dave Darrow vs. Jose Estrada

Pete Doherty vs. Baron Mikel Scicluna

Dominic DeNucci vs. the Hangman

Rene Goulet vs. Sgt. Slaughter

WWF World Champion Bob Backlund vs. WWF IC Champion Ken Patera

 

WWF @ Binghamton, NY - October 31, 1980

Angel Maravilla fought Don Serrano to a draw

Jose Estrada fought Angelo Gomez to a draw

Johnny Rodz defeated Steve King

Rick Martel defeated Baron Mikel Scicluna

The Hangman defeated Dominic DeNucci

WWF World Champion Bob Backlund defeated WWF IC Champion Ken Patera

 

And it looks like they worked this whole loop, even on the smaller shows.

 

WWF @ Springfield, MA - Civic Center - November 1, 1980 (9,000)

Pedro Morales fought WWF IC Champion Ken Patera to a draw

Larry Zbyszko defeated WWF World Champion Bob Backlund via disqualification

Sika defeated Dominic DeNucci

Johnny Rodz defeated Jose Estrada

Rene Goulet defeated Rick McGraw

Sgt. Slaughter defeated Pat Patterson

 

This is the biggest recorded number I've ever seen for Springfield. What do you attribute that to? I don't know. Larry was hot against Bruno, but I don't think he sustained that level of heat v. Backlund. Pedro v. Ken was a hot feud that had been put over in the Garden but I don't know how that would have been presented on tv leading up to this show. Sarge v. Patterson was in the early stages of heating up as well.

 

WWF @ Philadelphia, PA - Spectrum - November 8, 1980

Televised on the PRISM Network - featured Dick Graham & ? on commentary:

Rene Goulet fought Larry Sharpe to a draw

Rick McGraw defeated Jose Estrada

Johnny Rodz defeated Charlie Fulton

Sgt. Slaughter defeated Angel Maravilla

Pedro Morales defeated the Hangman

Bruno Sammartino defeated WWF IC Champion Ken Patera via disqualification at 14:57 when Patera hit Sammartino in the back with a steel chair and then threw it into Sammartino's face; after the contest, Patera locked Sammartino in the full nelson until Tony Garea, Rick Martel, & ? made the save; moments later, the wrestlers and officials tended to Sammartino and helped him out of the ring

WWF World Champion Bob Backlund defeated Larry Zbyszko via disqualfiication; Tony Atlas was the guest referee for the contest

Rick Martel & Tony Garea defeated WWF Tag Team Champions the Wild Samoans to win the titles at 14:29 when Martel scored the pin with a sunset flip as the illegal Samoan covered Garea at the same time, moments after Garea and the legal Samoan collided in the ring (Tag Team Champions)

 

WWF @ Boston, MA - Boston Garden - November 8, 1980

Angelo Gomez defeated Steve King

Ron Duggan defeated Sylvano Sousa

Frank Savage defeated Pete Doherty

Don Serrano defeated Fred Marzino

Rick Martel, Tony Garea, & Tony Atlas defeated Capt. Lou Albano & the Wild Samoans

Pedro Morales defeated Ken Patera via disqualification when Patera attacked special referee Pat Patterson

Sgt. Slaughter defeated WWF World Champion Bob Backlund via disqualification

 

If the dates on these are right Bob and Patera did double duty against different opponents. This could have been a potentially huge business day for the WWF as both shows had double main events that should have pulled down big attendance. Bruno v. Patera reads like a hot angle and you could easily argue was more of a draw on paper than Larry v. Bob though it's notable that Larry v. Bob has headlined some strong shows. Morales v. Patera with Patterson as ref would have been a big deal, probably right there with Sarge v. Backlund.

 

WWF @ Pittsburgh, PA - Civic Arena - November 14, 1980

David Sammartino defeated Johnny Valiant via referee's decison after the time limit had expired

Baron Mikel Scicluna pinned Johnny DeFazio

Dominic DeNucci pinned Larry Sharpe

Tony Garea defeated Larry Zbyszko via disqualification

Bruno Sammartino defeated Ken Patera via disqualification

WWF World Champion Bob Backlund defeated Sgt. Slaughter via count-out

 

WWF @ Baltimore, MD - Civic Center - November 15, 1980

Rick MGraw fought Johnny Rodz to a draw

Larry Sharpe defeated Rene Goulet

Jose Estrada defeated Angel Maravilla

Tony Atlas pinned the Hangman with a press slam

WWF Tag Team Champions Tony Garea & Rick Martel defeated the Wild Samoans after Garea dropkicked his partner onto Sika for the pin

WWF IC Champion Ken Patera defeated Pedro Morales via disqualification

WWF World Champion Bob Backlund fought Sgt. Slaughter to a double count-out

 

Another back-to-back big market sequence where you wish you had figures because you cold easily see this pulling huge money. Bruno v. Patera in Pittsburgh should have done big business with or without Sarge v. Backlund. Sarge v. Backlund probably would have done well on it's own in Baltimore, but the Morales feud was still hot as a semi-main.

 

St. Louis, MO - Kiel Auditorium - November 21, 1980

Roger Kirby & Mike George defeated Eddie Gilbert & Akio Sato

Bulldog Brown defeated Art Crews

Takachio & Buzz Tyler defeated Pat O'Connor & Rufus R. Jones

Dick Murdoch fought Bruiser Brody to a no contest

WWF World Champion Bob Backlund defeated Bob Sweetan

Dick the Bruiser defeated Ric Flair in a lumberjack match

Ted Dibiase defeated Missouri State & WWF IC Champion Ken Patera to win the Missouri title

 

Patera drops the Missouri title to the emerging star that is Dibiase, but this would hardly be his last main event and/or major match in the Kiel.

 

WWF @ Landover, MD - Capital Centre - November 22, 1980 (matinee)

Baron Mikel Scicluna fought Larry Sharpe (sub. for Frankie Williams) to a draw

Pedro Morales defeated Sgt. Slaughter via disqualification

WWF IC Champion Ken Patera defeated Rick McGraw

WWF World Champion Bob Backlund defeated Larry Zbyszko via disqualification

Rick McGraw defeated Rick Stallone

WWF Tag Team Champions Rick Martel & Tony Garea defeated the Wild Samoans in a Best 2 out of 3 falls match

 

Odd show on paper. Is it possible that Frankie Williams no showing, shook up a card this much?

 

WWF @ Springfield, MA - November 29, 1980

Manuel Soto defeated Jose Estrada via disqualification

Johnny Rodz defeated Angel Marivella

Bruno Sammartino defeated Larry Zbyszko via count-out

Pedro Morales defeated WWF IC Champion Ken Patera via TKO

The Moondogs defeated Rick Stallone & Rick McGraw

Rick Martel & Tony Garea defeated the Wild Samoans

Sgt. Slaughter defeated Dominic DeNucci

 

Morales v. Patera was one of the main events on the previous show that did a huge number for the town. Backlund isn't on the card, but Bruno v. Larry would have been a big draw as well.

 

12/5/80 St Louis

Ken Patera and Dick the Bruiser beat Harley Race in a handicap match

Missouri State champion Ted DiBiase beat Buzz Tyler

King Kong Brody & Pat O'Connor & Rufus R Jones beat Dick Murdoch & Bob Sweetan & Mike George

David Von Erich beat Takachio

Kevin Von Erich beat Kerry Brown

Bulldog Bob Brown beat Jesse Barr

Akio Sato beat Billy Starr

There was also a 16 man battle royal but the record book does not list the winner. Anybody know which wrestler won the battle royal?

 

Patera main events the Kiel again. If I remember correctly handicapped matches in St. Louis had "gauntlet" rules or some similar quirk. Either way this point of this was to set up Patera as a challenger to Race.

 

WWF @ New York City, NY - Madison Square Garden - December 8, 1980 (20,011)

This card was not televised; John Lennon was shot and killed in NYC this same night

Johnny Rodz defeated Sylvano Sousa at 10:49

The Moondogs defeated Rick McGraw & Angel Maravilla at 11:37

Larry Zbyszko defeated Dominic DeNucci via count-out at 12:42

WWF Tag Team Champions Rick Martel & Tony Garea defeated the Wild Samoans in a Best 2 out of 3 falls match at 26:27, 2 falls to 1

Ernie Ladd fought Tony Atlas to a double count-out at 5:24

Pedro Morales defeated WWF IC Champion Ken Patera to win the title at 18:51; Pat Patterson was the guest referee for the bout

Bruno Sammartino defeated Sgt. Slaughter via count-out at 18:38

 

Backlund misses an MSG show due to a Japanese commitment. There is no WWF champ on an MSG show which I don't recall happening before in any of the results I've skimmed through up to this point. Bruno v. Sarge would have been a nice supplement for Backlund, but given how hot Pedro v. Patera ended on the last show I think they should get credit for a very strong house all things considered. This also marks the end of Patera's I-C title reign. From double champ, to no champ in 3 weeks.

 

WWF @ Pittsburgh, PA - Civic Arena - December 12, 1980

Johnny DeFazio defeated the Red Demon

Johnny Valiant defeated Nick Busick

David Sammartino defeated Baron Mikel Scicluna

Dominic DeNucci defeated Larry Zbyszko via disqualification

Tony Garea & Rick Martel defeated the Wild Samoans

Tony Atlas defeated Ernie Ladd

Bruno Sammartino defeated Ken Patera when the match was stopped after Patera suffered a leg injury

 

WWF @ Boston, MA - Boston Garden - December 13, 1980

Don Serrano defeated Dave Darrow

Sylvano Sousa defeated Joe Crugnale

Ron Duggan defeated Pete Doherty

Rick Martel defeated Fred Marzino

Hulk Hogan defeated Rick McGraw

WWF IC Champion Pedro Morales defeated Wild Samoan Afa

Tony Atlas defeated Ernie Ladd

Ken Patera fought Pat Patterson to a double count-out

WWF World Champion Bob Backlund defeated Sgt. Slaughter via count-out

 

WWF @ Philadelphia, PA - Spectrum - December 13, 1980

Dominic DeNucci vs. Sgt. Slaughter

Tony Atlas vs. Larry Zbyszko

Tony Garea & Rick Martel vs. the Wild Samoans

WWF IC Champion Pedro Morales vs. Ernie Ladd

Bruno Sammartino defeated Ken Patera

 

This is a pretty massive run for Patera over a two day period as he headlines two key buildings v. Bruno in PA and works second from the top in Boston v. Patterson. It's not unfathomable that the 13th could have done 30k plus and almost certainly did 25k plus. Throw in Pitt and you have a really huge business weekend.

 

WWF @ Baltimore, MD - Civic Center - December 27, 1980

WWF Tag Team Champion Rick Martel pinned Larry Sharpe with a flying crossbody

WWF Tag Team Champion Tony Garea pinned Bulldog Brower

Killer Khan pinned Rick McGraw with a kneedrop

Steve King & Angelo Gomez defeated Johnny Rodz & Jose Estrada when King pinned Rodz with a sunset flip

Andre the Giant defeated Hulk Hogan via count-out when Hogan left ringside

Bruno Sammartino defeated Ken Patera via referee's decision after Patera suffered a leg injury

 

Back in Baltimore with Bruno v. Patera which is working off of their big "angle" with Patera demolishing Bruno with the full nelson. Andre v. Hogan no doubt had heat as well.

 

WWF @ New York City, NY - Madison Square Garden - December 29, 1980 (19,000)

Televised on the MSG and USA networks and in Japan - featured Vince McMahon on commentary:

Yoshiaki Yatsu pinned Jose Estrada at 8:47 with a belly to belly suplex

Seiji Sakaguchi fought Sika (w/ Afa) to a draw at 5:34 when both Afa, who switched places with Sika during the bout, and Antonio Inoki, who made the save for Sakaguchi, interfered

WWF Jr. Heavyweight Champion Tatsumi Fujinami pinned Don Diamond with a back suplex into a bridge at 10:28

Hulk Hogan pinned Dominic DeNucci at 4:38 with a powerslam

WWF World Champion Bob Backlund pinned Killer Khan at 12:23 with a back suplex into a bridge

WWF Tag Team Champions Tony Garea & Rick Martel defeated the Moondogs via disqualification at 13:16 when, as Garea had King in an abdominal stretch, Rex hit Garea in the back with one of the challengers' bones

NWF Champion & World Martial Arts Champion Antonio Inoki pinned Bobby Duncum at 12:47 with an enzuiguri; only the Martial Arts title was at stake but Inoki came to the ring wearing the NWF belt

The Fabulous Moolah & Joyce Grable defeated Candy Malloy & Peggy Lee when Moolah pinned Lee following a double clothesline at 5:09

WWF IC Champion Pedro Morales pinned the Hangman at 7:07 with a roll up after the Hangman hit the corner

Pat Patterson defeated Ken Patera via disqualification at 8:12 when Patera refused to break on the ropes

 

Backlund is back at MSG and while attendance is slightly down this is still the usual strong number. Patterson v. Patera would have had heat off of Patterson "helping"/"costing" Patera the I-C title in his previous match at the Garden. The NJPW invasion is in full effect on this show and as much as I like Khan (and he was put over strong on tv coming into this) I'm not sure he was the smartest MSG opponent for Backlund.

 

WWF @ White Plains, NY - Westchester County Center - December 30, 1980

Jose Estrada defeated Steve King

Johnny Rodz defeated Angelo Gomez

Tony Garea & SD Jones defeated Jim Duggan & Frank Savage

Andre the Giant defeated the Hangman

WWF World Champion Bob Backlund defeated Ken Patera

Andre the Giant defeated Hulk Hogan via disqualification

 

Things come full circle as on his last date of the year he works Backlund for the WWF World Title. This would essentially be his last date with the WWF during this run (I have a date for Feb. of 81 on a spot show but it almost seems like an error).

 

Make no mistake - this was the best single year of Patera's career. There are points during previous years where you could argue that he was the top heel in whatever promotion he was in, but this is the first time I think you can argue he was the top heel in the promotion from bell-to-bell. Yes, Larry had a hot run but it was opposite Bruno and the company didn't seem to trust him to carry spot shows or secondary venues the way they did Patera. Even when Backlund was gone from MSG, Patera v. Morales drew a very respectable MSG number. The same feud also was at least partially responsible for the biggest house I'd seen in Springfield up to that point. Morales v. Patera was a box office feud - and that was Patera's SECOND best feud that year by a wide margin. The Backlund feud produced great in ring matches (this was also Patera's best in ring year with the Backlund, Bruno, Pedro and Atlas matches ranging from great to good), spanned roughly eight months (on and off), headlined all the major market towns multiple times, et. Patera also won the Missouri and I-C titles - holding them at the same time - which during that era was a big deal. On top of being farmed out to Toronto, he was farmed out to St. Louis and became a top star their with multiple main events, including an NWA World title shot with Thesz as the guest referee. In the WWF pecking order he was behind Backlund and Bruno, but he was in a promotion that was booked around top babyfaces so that's hardly a knock. This was an HoF level year.

[Dylan Waco]

1981

 

1/2/81 St Louis

NWA champion Harley Race beat Ken Patera

King Kong Brody and Pat O'Connor beat John Studd and Pat Kelly (sub Dick Murdoch)

Missouri State champion Ted DiBiase beat Ox Baker

David Von Erich beat Bulldog Bob Brown

Rufus R Jones beat Mike Kelly (sub Tiny Anderson)

Sandy Partlow and Buzz Tyler beat Jean Antone and Kerry Brown

Bruce Reed beat Ben Deleon

 

Patera stars off the year with a huge main event in St. Louis for the NWA title. He's largely a man without a full time home for the first part of this year, but remains a big star in the Kiel.

 

1-9-81

1. The Enforcer d. Kengo Kimura

2. Ken Patera d. Riki Choshu

3. Antonio Inoki/Tatsumi Fujinami d. Samoan #1/#2

 

1-16-81

1. Strong Kobayashi/Seiji Sakaguchi d. Samoan #1/#2

2. Tatsumi Fujinami d. Tom Pritchard

3. Antonio Inoki/Riki Choshu d. Ken Patera/The Enforcer

 

1-30-81

1. Kengo Kimura vs. Samoan #2

2. Tatsumi Fujinami d. Samoan #1

3. Antonio Inoki/Seiji Sakaguchi/Riki Choshu d.

Bad News Allen/Ken Patera/Tiger Jeet Singh

 

2-6-81

1. Tatsumi Fujinami/Seiji Sakaguchi vs. Ken Patera/Bobby Duncum

2. Tiger Jeet Singh d. Antonio Inoki

 

2-13-81

1. Tiger Jeet Singh d. Antonio Inoki (taped 2-6)

2. Riki Choshu/Tatsumi Fujinami vs. Samoans #1/#2 (taped 2-4)

3. Antonio Inoki d. Ken Patera (taped 2-4)

 

Interesting results from his NJPW tour. I'm not sure if this was his first tour of Japan or not, but it's the first one I've seen results from. Assuming it is, at least three main events on that first tour is pretty impressive. I think the fact that he was spread out in tags and singles is interesting as well. I wonder what a match v. Choshu would have looked like in 81. I don't have venue listings and these are just tv dates, but they show that Patera was in the mix with the biggest names in the company.

 

2/20/81 St Louis

Missouri State champion Ted DiBiase beat Ken Patera dq

Dick the Bruiser no contest Ric Flair

King Kong Brody and Bruce Reed beat Baron Von Raschke and Johnny Valiant

Rufus R Jones beat Buzz Tyler dq

Pat and Mike Kelly drew Spike Huber and Terry Taylor

JJ Dillon beat Jerry Roberts

Art Crews beat Tiny Anderson

 

Another Kiel main event for Patera. Interesting that he dropped the strap to Dibiase, ended up getting positioned for an NWA title match v. Race, and then they go back to him v. Dibiase for a Missouri Title main event after the Japan tour. I can't find a single date for Patera anywhere from March. I have no clue if he took the month off or if he did a small stint in a random territory (seems unlikely, though I guess Central States would have been a possibility).

 

April 23, 1981 in Tokyo, Japan

Sumo Hall drawing ???

Shown May 1, 1981 on TV

Yoshiaki Fujiwara beat Akira Maeda.

Kantaro Hoshino & Haruka Eigen beat Osamu Kido & Black Cat.

Tiger Mask beat Dynamite Kid (9:29).

Kengo Kimura beat Biko Botowamungo.

Seiji Sakaguchi & Riki Choshu beat Ken Patera & Rick McGraw.

El Canek beat Tatsumi Fujinami via DQ.

Antonio Inoki pinned Stan Hansen (12:56) to win the held-up NWF Title.

 

Ken worked this entire tour which started on April 3rd, but this is the only date I could find on an initial search. Upper mid-card tag match, though probably not of much note realistically. Him teaming with Quick Draw amuses me.

 

May 17, 1981 (Sunday) – Atlanta, GA – Omni Coliseum [P] (Paul Jones (01) – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) >

Robert Gibson over Bryan St. John > Ricky Gibson over Gypsy Joe (02) > Roberto Soto over Bobby Eaton > Georgia Heavyweight Title

One-Night Tournament: Tommy Rich over Bill Irwin to advance; Ken Patera over Ray Candy to advance; Greg Valentine over Mr. Wrestling

#2 (01) to advance; Mike Sharpe over Jim Duggan to advance; Rich over Nikolai Volkoff to advance; Patera versus Dusty Rhodes ended

in a no contest for both to be eliminated; Valentine over Sharpe to advance; and Rich over Valentine to win the title > No Disqualification /

No Time Limit Match: Ted DiBiase & the Junkyard Dog over the Freebirds (01) (Terry Gordy & Buddy Roberts) / Notes: Joe substituted for

the French Angel (02) in the match against Gibson, and Soto substituted for Steve Olsonoski in the match against Eaton. It was reported

the purse for the tournament was $5,000. Michael Hayes was in the Freebirds’ corner during the match against DiBiase and the Dog.

 

Patera re-debuts in Georgia in the Georgia Title tourney going out in a blaze of glory with Dusty.

 

May 31, 1981 (Sunday) – Atlanta, GA – Omni Coliseum [P] (Paul Jones (01) – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Ricky

Gibson & Robert Gibson over Bobby Eaton & the French Angel (02) > Steve Olsonoski over Bryan St. John > Mike Sharpe over Ken Patera

by disqualification > Ted DiBiase over Nikolai Volkoff > World Tag Team Title Cage Match: Ole Anderson & Gene Anderson* over the

Freebirds (01) (Terry Gordy & Buddy Roberts) > Dog Collar Match: the Junkyard Dog over Michael Hayes > Bruiser Brody versus Abdullah

the Butcher ended in a no contest > NWA World Heavyweight Title Match: Tommy Rich over Harley Race* by disqualification > Lights Out

Match: Bruce Reed over Bruiser Brody by disqualification / Notes: Olsonoski substituted for Wahoo McDaniel in the match against St.

John. Michael Hayes was in the Freebirds’ corner during the match against the Andersons. Gordy and Roberts were in Hayes’

corner during the match against the Dog.

 

Patera worked a feud of some sort v. Mike Sharpe. Or at least he worked him around the horn.

 

June 1, 1981 (Monday) – Augusta, GA – William Bell Auditorium (Charlie Harben – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) >

Bruce Reed over Bobby Eaton > Ricky Gibson over the French Angel (02) > Steve Olsonoski over Bobby Eaton > Bryan St. John and Jerry

Oates went to a draw > Ken Patera over Robert Gibson

 

On paper this looks like a totally random card. No fucking clue what Patera v. Gibson would have looked like in 1981. Hard to even conceptualize really.

 

June 6, 1981 (Saturday) – Chattanooga, TN – Chattanooga Memorial Auditorium (Paul Jones (01) – Promoter / Georgia

Championship Wrestling) > Paul Ellering versus Bobby Garrett > Roberto Soto versus the French Angel (02) > Bruce Reed versus Bryan

St. John > National Heavyweight Title Match: Steve Olsonoski* versus Jacques Goulet > Ken Patera versus Mike Sharpe

 

Patera and Sharpe main event.

 

6/12/81 St Louis

 

NWA champion Harley Race beat Ted DiBiase

Pat O'Connor won an 18 man battle royal

Dick the Bruiser and Dusty Rhodes beat Ric Flair and Ken Patera dq

Kerry Von Erich no contest Dick Murdoch

Bulldog Bob Brown and Rocky Johnson beat JJ Dillon and Buzz Tyler (sub Bobby Jaggers)

Jack Brisco beat Bobby Heenan

Rufus R Jones and Terry Gibbs beat Gene Lewis and Bob Sweetan

Spike Huber beat Jerry Lawler

 

Really interesting tag match there as the former training partners - and two of the biggest heels in the business work two of the biggest babyfaces in the business.

 

June 13, 1981 (Saturday) – Chattanooga, TN – Chattanooga Memorial Auditorium (Paul Jones (01) – Promoter / Georgia

Championship Wrestling) > Mike Sharpe & Bruce Reed versus Jim Duggan & the French Angel (02) > Terry Gordy over Ted Oates >

Bruce Reed and Jim Duggan went to a draw > Ken Patera over Steve Olsonoski > Dusty Rhodes versus Bruiser Brody ended in a no

contest / Notes: Duggan substituted for Mr. X (27) to team with the Angel in the match against Sharpe and Reed.

 

This is a pretty loaded show for Chattanooga. Patera v. Steve O would have been a borderline squash in the AWA a couple of years later, but was probably a semi-relevant match here. This is also a very young Gordy in his hometown. Also notable on a personal level as my dad swears up and down he went to this show with my mom who was 7 months pregnant with me at the time. Which would make this my first wrestling show in a roundabout way

 

June 15, 1981 (Monday) – Augusta, GA – William Bell Auditorium (Charlie Harben – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling)

> Ricky Gibson & Robert Gibson and Bryan St. John & the French Angel (02) went to a draw > Bruce Reed over Bryan St. John > Steve

Olsonoski over Jim Duggan > Ken Patera over Mike Sharpe > Dusty Rhodes over Terry Gordy by disqualification

 

June 17, 1981 (Wednesday) – Columbus, GA – Columbus Municipal Auditorium (Fred Ward – Promoter / Georgia Championship

Wrestling) > Ted Oates and the French Angel (02) went to a draw > Jimmy Snuka over Tommy Wright > Bruce Reed over Jim Duggan >

Ted DiBiase & Steve Olsonoski over Terry Gordy & Bryan St. John > No Disqualification Match: Ken Patera over Mike Sharpe

 

June 20, 1981 (Saturday) – Chattanooga, TN – Chattanooga Memorial Auditorium (Paul Jones (01) – Promoter / Georgia

Championship Wrestling) > Mike Jackson over Phil Strickland > Ricky Gibson & Robert Gibson over Jim Duggan & Buck Brannigan > Ted

Oates over Ted Allen > Tommy Rich versus Bruiser Brody ended in a no contest > Ken Patera over Mike Sharpe

 

Patera and Sharpe series heats up and headlines a couple of shows on the circuit. Dusty v. Gordy and Rich v. Brody sound interesting on paper.

 

June 21, 1981 (Sunday) – Atlanta, GA – Omni Coliseum [P] (Paul Jones (01) – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) >

Terry Gordy & Bryan St. John over Ricky Gibson & Robert Gibson > Mike Sharpe over Bruce Reed > Mike Graham over the French Angel

(02) > Jimmy Snuka over Terry Taylor > Ted DiBiase & Steve Olsonoski over Ole Anderson & Gene Anderson > Blackjack Mulligan versus

Bruiser Brody ended in a no contest > Georgia Heavyweight Title Match: Ken Patera over Tommy Rich* to win the title > NWA World

Heavyweight Title Match: Dusty Rhodes over Harley Race* to win the title

 

Huge Omni show with Patera winning the Georgia title over God of Georgia Tommy Rich AND Dusty winning the NWA title over Harley. Two major title switches on the same show. I imagine this did a huge gate.

 

June 24, 1981 (Wednesday) – Columbus, GA – Columbus Municipal Auditorium (Fred Ward – Promoter / Georgia Championship

Wrestling) > Steve Olsonoski & Mike Sharpe versus Bryan St. John & Jim Duggan went to a draw > Ted Oates over the French Angel (02)

> Jimmy Snuka over Bruce Reed > Terry Gordy versus Ted DiBiase ended in a double countout > Georgia Heavyweight Title Match:

Tommy Rich over Ken Patera* by disqualification

 

June 27, 1981 (Saturday) – Chattanooga, TN – Chattanooga Memorial Auditorium (Paul Jones (01) – Promoter / Georgia

Championship Wrestling) > Ted Oates and the French Angel (02) > Robert Gibson over Ken Timbs > Ted Oates & Jerry Oates over the

French Angel (02) & the Mighty Yankee (05) > National Heavyweight Title Match: Steve Olsonoski* over Bryan St. John > Georgia

Heavyweight Title Match: Ken Patera* over Tommy Rich by disqualification / Notes: The Angel substituted for Bobby Garrett in the match

against Ted Oates. Robert Gibson replaced Jerry Oates in the match against Timbs, as Jerry Oates teamed with Ted Oates to substitute

for Ricky Gibson and Robert Gibson in the match against the Angel and the Yankee.

 

Rich v. Patera is pretty much the main day-to-day feud in the territory at this point. Would love to see the tv from this period as I wonder how this feud was presented on tv.

 

July 5, 1981 (Sunday) – Atlanta, GA – Omni Coliseum [P] (Paul Jones (01) – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Bruno

Sammartino, Jr., over the French Angel (02) > Ricky Gibson & Robert Gibson over Jim Duggan & Bryan St. John > Steve Olsonoski and

King Kong Mosca went to a draw > Bruce Reed & George Welles over Terry Gordy & Greg Valentine > Jimmy Snuka over Jay Youngblood

> No Disqualification / No Countout Match: Bruiser Brody over Blackjack Mulligan > Georgia Heavyweight Title Match: Ken Patera* over

Tommy Rich > NWA World Heavyweight Title Match: Dusty Rhodes* over Ted DiBiase

 

In the Omni Ted gets a World title shot and Rich v. Patera is now a real blood feud. This is another show where I imagine they packed the Omni pretty tight.

 

July 6, 1981 (Monday) – Augusta, GA – William Bell Auditorium (Charlie Harben – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) >

Bruno Sammartino, Jr., over the French Angel (02) > Mike Sharpe over Gypsy Joe (02) > Georgia Heavyweight Title Match: Ken Patera*

over King Kong Mosca > National Tag Team Title Match: Terry Gordy & Jimmy Snuka over Ted DiBiase & Steve Olsonoski* to win the title

 

July 9, 1981 (Thursday) – Marietta, GA – Cobb County Civic Center (Paul Jones (01) – Promoter / Georgia Championship

Wrestling) > Mike Sharpe versus Bryan St. John > Bruce Reed versus Gypsy Joe (02) > Ricky Gibson & Robert Gibson versus Jim

Duggan & the French Angel (02) > Steve Olsonoski versus Terry Gordy > Georgia Heavyweight Title Match: Ken Patera* versus Mr.

Wrestling #2 (01)

 

These are cool quirky defenses for Patera. The 2 match could have been a pretty big deal although I don't think the CCCC is that big a venue. He actually worked Mosca a couple of times in GCW.

 

July 11, 1981 (Saturday) – Chattanooga, TN – Chattanooga Memorial Auditorium (Paul Jones (01) – Promoter / Georgia

Championship Wrestling) > Bruno Sammartino, Jr., over Gypsy Joe (02) at 12:00 > Women’s Match: Debbie Combs over Candy

Lane at 18:00 > Bruce Reed & George Welles over Jim Duggan & the French Angel (02) at 21:00 > Jimmy Snuka over Bruno

Sammartino, Jr., at 26:00 > Georgia Heavyweight Title Match (No Disqualification): Ken Patera* over Tommy Rich at 8:30 / Notes:

Sammartino, Jr., substituted for Ricky Gibson in the match against Snuka.

 

The Rich feud continues as he worked several matches with Rich in all the towns.

 

7/17/81 St Louis

Missouri State champion Ted DiBiase beat Baron Von Raschke

Ric Flair beat Pat O'Connor

Jack Brisco & Kery Von Erich & Dick the Bruiser beat Dick Murdoch & JJ Dillon & Ken Patera

Bob Sweetan beat Gene Lewis

Joyce Grable and Wendi Richter beat Suzette Ferreira and Jill Fontaine

Bulldog Bob Brown drew Buzz Tyler

 

This was the beginning of a run Patera would have opposite Jack Brisco - yet another major star Patera had a program with during his prime run.

 

July 19, 1981 (Sunday) – Atlanta, GA – Omni Coliseum [P] (Paul Jones (01) – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) > Ted

Oates and the French Angel (02) went to a draw > Mike Sharpe over Abe Jacobs > Bruno Sammartino, Jr., over Ken Timbs > Bruce Reed

& George Welles over Bryan St. John & Professor Sonoda > Steve Olsonoski over Jim Duggan > National Tag Team Title Match: Terry

Gordy & Jimmy Snuka* over Tommy Rich & Ted DiBiase > Texas Street Fight Match: Blackjack Mulligan over Bruiser Brody > NWA World

Heavyweight Title Match: Dusty Rhodes* over Ken Patera / Notes: Rich and DiBiase were initially declared the winners in the match

against Gordy and Snuka, but the decision was reversed when the legal referee overturned it. Michael Hayes replaced the referee when

he was knocked unconscious, but because he wasn’t the legal referee, the decision could not stand.

 

Another huge show at the Omni with three really big time matches on the top of the card. Dusty v. Patera has run many places over the years at this point and now we can add a major GCW show to that list.

 

July 25, 1981 (Saturday) – Chattanooga, TN – Chattanooga Memorial Auditorium (Paul Jones (01) – Promoter / Georgia

Championship Wrestling) > Mike Jackson versus Bobby Garrett > George Welles & Abe Jacobs versus Ken Timbs & Bryan St. John >

National Heavyweight Title Match: Terry Gordy over Steve Olsonoski* by disqualification > Georgia Heavyweight Title Match: Tommy Rich

over Ken Patera* by disqualification

 

Rich and Patera continues to be the default headliner around the loop.

 

July 27, 1981 (Monday) – Augusta, GA – William Bell Auditorium (Charlie Harben – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) >

the French Angel (02) over Ken Timbs > Bruno Sammartino, Jr., over Jim Duggan > Bruce Reed over Bryan St. John > Mike Sharpe over

Ted Oates > Tommy Rich & Steve Olsonoski & George Welles over Ken Patera & Terry Gordy & Jimmy Snuka

 

Pretty random six-man main event here.

 

July 29, 1981 (Wednesday) – Columbus, GA – Columbus Municipal Auditorium (Fred Ward – Promoter / Georgia Championship

Wrestling) > George Welles over Mike Sharpe > Ted Oates & Bruno Sammartino, Jr., and Jim Duggan & the French Angel (02) went to a

draw > Steve Olsonoski over Bryan St. John > Tommy Rich over Ken Patera by disqualification > Terry Gordy & Jimmy Snuka over Ted

DiBiase & Bruce Reed

 

Interesting that the tag match match hurdled over Rich v. Patera as the official main even of the show.

 

August 3, 1981 (Monday) – Augusta, GA – William Bell Auditorium (Charlie Harben – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling)

> Bruno Sammartino, Jr., and Steve Olsonoski went to a draw > Bruce Reed & George Welles over Mike Sharpe & Bryan St. John >

Michael Hayes over Jim Duggan > National Tag Team Title Match: Tommy Rich & Ted DiBiase over Terry Gordy & Jimmy Snuka* by

disqualification > NWA World Heavyweight Title Match: Dusty Rhodes* over Ken Patera by disqualification

 

Dusty and Patera have another title match this time in Augusta. This would be his last show in Georgia as far as I can tell.

 

8/7/81 St Louis

NWA champion Dusty Rhodes beat Ric Flair

Ken Patera no contest Jack Brisco

David Von Erich drew Rocky Johnson

Kerry Von Erich and Dick the Bruiser beat Dick Murdoch and Baron Von Raschke

Pat O'Connor beat Bobby Jaggers

Bobo Brazil beat Gene Lewis dq

Buzz Tyler and JJ Dillon beat Bob Sweetan and Ron Sexton

 

Patera v. Brisco match one, underneath the Dream v. Flair.

 

August 9, 1981 (Sunday) – Atlanta, GA – Omni Coliseum [P] (Paul Jones (01) – Promoter / Georgia Championship Wrestling) >

Blackjack Mulligan, Jr., over the French Angel (02) > Professor Sonoda over Abe Jacobs > Bryan St. John and Bruno Sammartino, Jr.,

went to a draw > John Studd & Mike Sharpe over Bruce Reed & George Welles > the Masked Superstar over Steve Olsonoski >

Lumberjack Match: Bruiser Brody over Blackjack Mulligan > Georgia Heavyweight Title Match: Tommy Rich over Ken Patera* by forfeit to

win the title > Georgia Heavyweight Title Match: Tommy Rich* over the Masked Superstar > National Tag Team Title Match: Terry Gordy &

Jimmy Snuka* over Ted DiBiase & Michael Hayes

 

One assumes this is just Patera walking out and/or splitting the territory. No clue what the dispute would have been. Maybe KrisZ knows. I know he won the Brass Knuckles title in Southwest at some point shortly after this but don't have the date. In fact I can't find any Southwest results from 81 outside of the Houston shows (if you want to count those). But I'm pretty sure that's where Patera was for most of Aug-Oct.

 

9/11/72 St Louis

Harley Race beat Kerry Von Erich

Jack Brisco beat Ken Patera (Texas Death Match)

Dick the Bruiser and David Von Erich beat Sgt Slaughter and Jerry Valiant

Rufus R Jones drew Baron Von Raschke

Billy Robinson no contest Pat O'Connor

Bob Sweetan beat Buzz Tyler

Gene Lewis and JJ Dillon beat Terry Gibbs and Bulldog Bob Brown

 

Patera is still in a feud with Brisco and it is a bit of a hot feud as they go to the gimmick match here. Again they are second from the top behind another NWA staple.

 

9/19/81 Houston

Junkyard Dog beat Dick Slater dq

Gino Hernandez & Tully Blanchard beat Mil Mascaras & Manny Fernandez

Bruiser Brody beat Ken Patera

Scott Casey & Tiger Conway Jr & Bobby Duncum beat Buck Robley & Tank Patton & Kelly Kiniski

Tiger Conway Jr beat Tom Prichard

Buck Robley beat Scott Casey

Tank Patton beat Bobby Duncum

 

This would be an interesting show to have footage of. JYD was in the middle of his peak run as a draw here, that tag looks interesting and Brody v. Patera would have been a big match in Texas.

 

10/2/81 St Louis

NWA champion Ric Flair drew Harley Race

Andre the Giant and Rocky Johnson beat Sgt Slaughter and Ken Patera dq

Jack Brisco beat Ted DiBiase to capture the Missouri Heavyweight title

Dick the Bruiser beat Baron Von Raschke

Kevin & David & Kerry Von Erich beat Greg Valentine & Johnny Valiant & JJ Dillon

Rufus R Jones beat Gene Lewis

Bulldog Bob Brown drew Dewey Robertson

 

Brisco wins the Missouri title from Dibiase who had won it from Patera. Meanwhile another NWA staple match is on top, with a really neat tag match on paper featuring Patera in the semi-main.

 

10/4/81 Houston

AWA Champion Nick Bockwinkel beat Junkyard Dog dq

Gino Hernandez dcor Dos Caras

Manny Fernandez beat Ken Patera to win the Brass Knuckles Title

Scott Casey beat Moon Mulligan

Tom Prichard beat Kelly Kiniski

Tully Blanchard beat Bobby Duncum

 

Bock v. JYD should have done really good business at this point. Manny beats Ken for the Brass Knuckles title which effectively ended his run in Texas that I am missing most results for.

 

10/23/81 St Louis

Ken Patera beat Jack Brisco to capture the Missouri State title

David Von Erich beat Sgt Slaughter

Kerry Von Erich and Dusty Rhodes beat Greg Valentine and Ox Baker

Billy Robinson drew Baron Von Raschke

Rocky Johnson beat JJ Dillon

Joyce Grable beat Kandi Maloy

Dewey Robertson and Bulldog Bob Brown beat Gene Lewis and Ron McFarlane

 

And Brisco - who had been feuding with Patera before winning the belt - proves to have been a bridge from Dibiase back to Patera with the Missouri Title. Interesting that they went that route, but it makes sense as a way to put Patera over hard and the title switch would have helped out on a show that didn't have a NWA title main event.

 

10/24/81 Omaha, NE @ City Auditorium

Ken Patera won a 15 man $25,000 battle royal

Andre the Giant beat Jerry Blackwell

Ken Patera beat Baron Von Raschke

Bobby Duncum beat Johnny Valiant (sub Evan Johnson)

Billy Robinson beat Jerry Brown

Ed Boulder beat Terry Gibbs

Laurent Soucie beat Ron Sexton

Also In Battle Royal: Kenny Jay, Sonny Myers, Joe Scarpello & Pat O'Connor, Not in Battle Royal: Johnny Valiant

 

Patera debuts back in the NWA and wins a battle royal on his first night in, then works beneath only Andre v. Blackwell in a singles match. That's a pretty impressive return night.

 

10/25/81 St. Paul, MN @ Civic Center

Andre the Giant won an 18 man battle royal

Bodyslam Challenge

Hulk Hogan beat Jerry Blackwell

Sheik Adnan beat Baron Von Raschke dq

Ken Patera & Bobby Duncum beat Billy Robinson & Rene Goulet

Tito Santana beat Bobby Heenan

Evan Johnson beat Eddie Boulder

 

Patera gets paired up with Duncum pretty quickly.

 

10/30/81 Madison, WI

Andre The Giant won the battle royal.

Jim Brunzell beat Jesse Ventura.

Ken Patera beat Greg Gagne.

Billy Robinson drew Tito Santana

Bobby Heenan beat Buck Zumhofe

Laurent Soucie beat Jacques Goulet

 

This may have been a testing ground for a High Flyers v. Patera and partner feud.

 

11/5/81 Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada @ Arena

Sheik Adnan beat AWA Champion Nick Bockwinkel dq

Handicap Match

Hulk Hogan & Andre the Giant beat Jerry Blackwell & Adrian Adonis & Jesse Ventura

Ken Patera beat Tito Santana

Billy Robinson beat Bobby Duncum dq

Jim Brunzell beat Rene Goulet

Laurent Soucie beat Ed Boulder

Att: 5,436

 

Patera v. Tito on paper sounds like a really good match from this era. Patera is sort of straddling the line between mid-card and upper mid-card.

 

11/6/81 St Louis

Harley Race beat Rocky Johnson

Kerry Von Erich beat Greg Valentine

Dick the Bruiser no contest Sgt Slaughter

David Von Erich and Rufus R Jones vs Bob Sweetan and Ken Patera

Pat O'Connor beat Ox Baker

Bulldog Bob Brown beat Gene Lewis

Dewey Robertson and Tommy Martin beat Ron McFarlane and Jerry Brown

 

This is probably the "worst" Patera in St. Louis match I've seen as he's buried in the mid-card clearly beneath the three matches above him.

 

11/8/81 St. Paul, MN @ Civic Center

Hulk Hogan & Andre The Giant beat Adrian Adonis & Jesse Ventura & Jerry Blackwell

Greg Gagne beat Bobby Duncum dq

Shiek Adnan beat Buck Zumhofe

Ken Patera no contest Billy Robinson

Tito Santana beat Rene Goulet

Laurent Soucie beat Ed Boulder

 

It's funny to see how much Patera was eased in during this AWA run, considering how quickly he was pushed into programs of substance during his initial run there in 73.

 

11/11/81 Omaha, NE @ City Auditorium

AWA Champion Nick Bockwinkel beat Baron Von Raschke dq

Hulk Hogan beat Jerry Blackwell

Ken Patera & Bobby Duncum beat Pat O'Connor & Billy Robinson

Laurent Soucie beat Ed Boulder

 

O'Conner was still pretty good in 81. This could have been an awesome match.

 

11/13/81 Denver, CO @ Auditorium Arena

Hulk Hogan & Andre The Giant beat Adrian Adonis & Jesse Ventura & Jerry Blackwell

Greg Gagne beat Pat Patterson

Tito Santana beat Sheik Adnan dq

Ken Patera beat Jim Brunzell

Bobby Duncum beat Johnny Valiant

 

Patera is starting to look like a guy Verne has no real plan for. That's sort of the feel he had for me watching most of the AWA footage up until the Sheiks run.

 

11/20/81 St Louis

NWA champion Ric Flair beat David Von Erich

Dusty Rhodes beat Sgt Slaughter

Missouri State champion Ken Patera beat Bulldog Bob Brown

Pat O'Connor and Rufus R Jones (sub Rocky Johnson) beat Crusher Blackwell and Bob Sweetan

Dewey Robertson beat Ron McFarlane

Billy Robinson drew Gene Lewis

Chan Chung and Jerry Brown beat Tommy Martin and Buzz Tyler

 

Patera third from the top defending against the awful Bob Brown. Really a pretty weak match for a champ of any type to have.

 

11/25/81 Chicago, IL @ International Amphitheatre

Retirement Match

Verne Gagne beat Adrian Adonis

AWA Tag Team Champions Greg Gagne & Jim Brunzell beat Ken Patera & Bobby Duncum

AWA Champion Nick Bockwinkel beat Billy Robinson

Bodyslam challenge

Hulk Hogan beat Jerry Blackwell

Pat Kelly & Mike Kelly beat Dick the Bruiser & Wilbur Snyder

Tito Santana beat Ed Boulder

 

This was probably a really strong show as you have four big time matches up top. Patera/Duncum v. High Flyers would have been an important match, though you could easily argue it was the third most relevant on the show after Verne's "retirement," the AWA title match and Hogan v. Blackwell.

 

11/26/81 St. Paul, MN

AWA Champion Nick Bockwinkel beat Sheik Adnan

Arm Wrestling

Hulk Hogan beat Jesse Ventura

Billy Robinson & Tito Santana & Jim Brunzell beat Ken Patera & Bobby Duncum & Jerry Blackwell

Adrian Adonis drew Buck Zumhofe

Evan Johnson beat Kenny Jay

Judy Martin beat Joyce Grable

 

Billy may have been a sub for Greg on this show. Interesting to see Blackwell teaming with his future partner here.

 

11/28/81 Milwaukee, WI

AWA Champion Nick Bockwinkel beat Tito Santana

Greg Gagne beat Sheik Adnan

Adrian Adonis & Jesse Ventura no contest Ken Patera & Bobby Duncum

Judy Martin beat Joyce Grable

Billy Robinson no contest Jim Brunzell

Jerry Blackwell beat Buck Zumhofe (sub Johnny Valiant)

Laurent Soucie beat Tom Stone (sub Ed Boulder)

 

Pretty crazy heel v. heel match here tag match that is a result you wouldn't really expect to find.

 

12/3/81 Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada @ Arena

AWA Tag Team Champions Greg Gagne & Jim Brunzell no contest Adrian Adonis & Jesse Ventura

Jerry Blackwell beat Billy Robinson

AWA Champion Nick Bockwinkel beat Sheik Adnan

Ken Patera beat Buck Zumhofe

Bobby Duncum drew Tito Santana

Judy Martin beat Joyce Grable

referee: Mad Dog Vachon

Att: 5,124

 

Patera v. Buck is a total throw away match on this show.

 

12/4/81 St Louis

Ric Flair won a 14 man battle royal

NWA champion Ric Flair beat Jack Brisco

Missouri State champion Ken Patera beat Jack Brisco (sub Kerry Von Erich)

David Von Erich beat Sgt Slaughter dq

Crusher Blackwell & Gene Lewis & Bob Sweetan beat Pat O'Connor & Tommy Martin & Bulldog Bob Brown

Dewey Robertson beat Chan Chung

Rufus R Jones beat Ron McFarlane

Bruce Reed drew Jerry Brown

 

Brisco does double duty in two different title matches and loses both. This was a big step up for Patera in St. Louis as the previous two shows he'd been used in pretty meaningless matches.

 

12/5/81 Omaha, NE @ City Auditorium

Bodyslam challenge

Hulk Hogan beat Jerry Blackwell

Ken Patera & Bobby Duncum beat Jesse Ventura & Jerry Blackwell (sub Adrian Adonis)

Judy Martin beat Joyce Grable

Sheik Adnan beat Billy Robinson dq

Tito Santana drew Laurent Soucie

 

Another one of these heel v. heel match ups. What an odd mini-program to run.

 

12/6/81 Green Bay, WI @ Brown County Veteran’s Memorial Arena

Handicap match

Hulk Hogan beat Bobby Duncum (sub Adrian Adonis) & Jesse Ventura

Ken Patera beat Greg Gagne via pin

Joyce Grable vs Judy Martin was canceled

Bobby Duncum beat Billy Robinson via pin

Bobby Heenan drew Laurent Soucie

 

12/12/81 Milwaukee, WI

AWA Tag Team Champions Greg Gagne & Jim Brunzell beat Adrian Adonis & Jesse Ventura

Hulk Hogan beat Jerry Blackwell

Ken Patera beat Billy Robinson

Bobby Duncum drew Tito Santana

Laurent Soucie beat Nacho Berrera

 

Patera still being used in pretty random matches. He's not an under card performer by any stretch but no one is going to confuse him as a top level heel either.

 

12/25/81 St. Paul, MN @ Civic Center

AWA Champion Nick Bockwinkel beat Billy Robinson

Ken Patera & Bobby Duncum beat Hulk Hogan & Tito Santana dq

Non Title

Jerry Blackwell & Sheik Adnan beat AWA Tag Team Champions Greg Gagne & Jim Brunzell

Buck Zumhofe beat Bobby Heenan

Rene Goulet beat Kenny Jay

Curt Hennig drew Evan Johnson

 

This is a pretty cool match up for Patera/Duncum team on a show where the top three matches all could have drawn some people and Buck v. Bobby was actually a fairly hot feud at the time.

 

12/26/81 Denver, CO @ Auditorium Arena

AWA Champion Nick Bockwinkel beat Tito Santana

Ken Patera & Bobby Duncum beat Billy Robinson & Baron Von Raschke

Hulk Hogan beat Shiek Adnan

Greg Gagne beat Bobby Heenan

Jim Brunzell beat Rene Goulet

 

12/30/81 Rockford, IL @ Boylan High School

Jerry Blackwell no contest Hulk Hogan

Ken Patera & Bobby Duncum beat Jim Brunzell & Baron Von Raschke

Rene Goulet drew Evan Johnson

Sheik Adnan beat Tom Stone

 

Patera/Duncum started to get a push as a top heel team. Perhaps they were looking ahead for future High Flyers opponents for the loop?

 

1981 was a real transition year for Patera. He went from being the biggest heel in the WWF to being a journeyman of sorts working NJPW tours, Southwest, St. Louis, Georgia and the AWA all in the same year. The Georgia run appears to have been a strong success with the Sharpe and Rich feuds looking hot and him getting multiple NWA title matches there. I assume he won PWI Heel of The Year off of the strength of the Rich feud (and maybe some overlap from the previous end of the year stuff v. Pedro and Bruno). He started out the year as a real star who worked stars only, but by the end of the year was slipping into mid-card status in the AWA, though the Duncum team was being positioned to have some legs. Over all 81 was a pretty major drop off, despite the fact that there are plenty positives you can point to.

[smkelly]

http://www.crazymax.org/index.php?showtopic=49608

[Dylan Waco]

I'm not a member.

[Tim Evans]

It's a Ken Pantera comp from 1980-85.

 

I really want to see Dos Caras vs Gino. Did that ever make tape?