Puerto Rico Wrestling

[Smack2k]

Thanks for the update...

 

What's up with the 6-Man....if you dont stick your tongue out, you arent in it? Ha ha....

 

Sorry, had to!

 

Wish I could get this tonight.....how does Kenny Dykstra look on the Island? I think WWE Wasted their chance with him.

[El Boricua]

Kenny Dykstra wrestled down here a couple of years ago, but he's actually coming in for the first time since then for this show as a special challenger for the Universal title. I don't know if he's staying for a run or if he's only doing a weekend shot.

 

There's a 7 man X match for the Junior heavyweight title and there's a 3 way for the World tag titles.

 

And the top 3 matches are:

 

All or Nothing match, for control of the company and no one affiliated with WWC and the Carlito Caribbean Cool Company can interfere: Carlos Colon vs. Invader #1

 

First Time Ever: Savio Vega vs. Carlito

 

Retirement vs. Mask and Orlando Toledo's hair: Ray Gonzalez vs. El Super Fenix w/Orlando Toledo

 

Bronco came in a few weeks ago and Fidel Sierra's coming in for this show.

 

The rumor going around is that a certain Sports Shop operator might make an appearance.

 

They're also saying that these matches won't be shown on TV.

[Smack2k]

El Boricua,

 

What led to teh Big cage match (La Gran Guerra) as well as the rematch?

 

What was the beginning and build to this?

[sek69]

WWC posted pictures from the event showing they came pretty close to selling the place out, looks like the show did great business.

[El Boricua]

La Gran Guerra was the result of the long standing issues between El Ejercito de la Justicia and Chicky's Sports Club. I'll work up a summary of this and post it soon.

[Smack2k]

Nice!! Thanks..looking forward to it...watched the first one...havent watched the second yet...

[Smack2k]

Dont leave us El Boricua....come back!!!

[El Boricua]

Don't worry, I'm still around. I've had a busy month at work, but I had started working a bit on the write-up for La Gran Guerra. But, as I started working on it, I realized that I had to explain a couple of the feuds in order to really give the context. That meant going back a bit, one thing led to another, and right now I'm working on a bigger write up than I originally expected. I'll probably be posting it in parts because I'm actually going to be starting with some things that occurred in 1985 and working my way forward. So don't worry, I'm not planning on stopping the write-ups.

 

In the meantime, I'll leave you with some links.

 

First, here's Dory Funk Jr's. account of being at Aniversario 87 against the Road Warriors. Dylan mentioned Terry was wild at the start of the match, well...

 

http://www.dory-funk.com/heropic.html

 

Second is another video of Chicky Starr on the local DWTS knock-off. This time he's dancing the cha-cha-cha (or at least supposed to).

 

http://www.telemundopr.com/videos/Chicky-S...-136942668.html

 

He gave a good effort but two of the judges were not that impressed.

 

Finally, a promo video for 'El Nene de las Nenas' Ricky Santana. His nickname translates to 'The Boy of the Girls'. Basically, your ultimate blowjob babyface.

 

 

I lost it when Ricky started dancing.

[Smack2k]

YES!!! Thanks for the appetizers....

 

Glad to see your still around...I know how ya feel about work....but being in IT...I can be online watching matches while I work at night / weekends when needed!!

[Smack2k]

On YouTube, there are both La Gran Guerra's listed, but both start the EXACT same footage, making me think both are the second one...

 

Anywhere the first one is online?

[El Boricua]

Not that I'm aware of unfortunately.

[Smack2k]

Is it on tape?

[El Boricua]

I know the match was taped, there's a very short clip of Brody and Abdullah going at it from the first match that was used in the TV show intro for a while (I made mention of that clip during one of the earlier write-ups). I'm not sure if the match is available though.

[El Boricua]

I'm still preparing the write-up for La Gran Guerra (actually I'm going to start a couple of years prior to really give a sense of the history of the feuds going into the match). In the meantime, I'm going to share some of the pics that one of the WWC forum users has so kindly put online. I'll add translations for some of the magazine pics.

 

First is a picture of a young Carlos Colon.

 

http://s1323.photobucket.com/user/mesias19...sort=3&o=45

 

Next are the covers of some of the Capitol Sports Promotions wrestling mags from 1979.

 

http://s1323.photobucket.com/user/mesias19...sort=3&o=43

http://s1323.photobucket.com/user/mesias19...sort=3&o=42

 

Here is a magazine cover from the Spring of 1982.

 

http://s1230.photobucket.com/user/boricua7...?sort=3&o=0

 

Harley Race vs. Carlitos Colon for the WWC World Title.

The Mercenaries, North American Tag Champs. Do these two beasts have their eyes on the World Tag Titles?

The Invader has a score to settle with Terry Funk.

Barrabas after a solid beating.

 

Here is a mag cover from late 83 or early 84.

 

http://s1323.photobucket.com/user/mesias19...?sort=3&o=3

 

Larry Sharpe building a legion

Carlos Colon, Universal champion. Biography of the Puerto Rican idol.

The Medics, Savinovich analyzes them.

Savinovich, controversial life.

 

A pic of King Tonga and Pedro Morales:

 

http://s1323.photobucket.com/user/mesias19...?sort=3&o=4

 

Here's a magazine cover from early 1987 featuring a bloody Invader and Chicky.

 

http://s1323.photobucket.com/user/mesias19...sort=3&o=12

 

The blurbs on the cover are as follows (from the top down):

The war continues! Invader 1 vs. Jason

Once again champs! Youngbloods vs. Starrs

Chicky faces them. Alone!

The score settling of Invader 1 vs. Chicky

Maximum betrayal TNT vs. Mighty Igor

The Gillette Cup with a $25,000 prize

 

And finally, the cover of the Jan, 1990 magazine.

 

http://s1323.photobucket.com/user/mesias19...sort=3&o=11

 

The blurbs on the cover are as follows (from the top down starting on the left):

Invader 1 breaks Gary Albright's hold

The Final Battle

Colon runs out off PR the Sadistic Steve Strong

Will Abdullah return to seek vengeance on the Sports Club?

Chicky Starr: "I have a lot of surprises for 1990 and many louses will disappear from wrestling."

Exclusive! El Exotico bare

TNT, Will he be the future idol of idols?

Ratings! International news! Ring side! Memories from the past!

Super reinforced the Royal Academy and the Sports Club with: Gary Albright, The Mercenaries, Leo Burke, Harkley Race, Angel of Death, Manny Fernandez, Ivan Koloff and Tully Blanchard.

Happy New Year 1990

 

And one of the articles from that issue:

 

http://s1323.photobucket.com/user/mesias19...sort=3&o=10

 

Special Coverage

Carlitos Colon vs. Steve Strong

For the held up Universal title. If Colon loses he must retire. If Steve Strong loses he can no longer wrestle in Puerto Rico.

Nov. 23, 1989

Ruben Rodriguez Coliseum in Bayamon - The acrobat of Puerto Rico defeated the "Sadistic" Steve Strong in this tough bout that the boricua dominated from the beginning. Carlitos effectively used the head lock and the figure four. He resisted the strong blows from the rudo. With the victory Colon captures the Universal title for the eighth time in his illustrious career.

The Final Battle. No disqualification, no time limit and there has to be a winner.

(1st page top left pic) Carlitos Colon's flag bearer as TNT.

(1st page bottom left pic) Colon showed to be in tremendous condition and withstood his opponent's strength. On this occasion he strikes Strong.

(1st page bottom right pic) The "Sadistic" kicks Carlitos hard... to no effect!

(2nd page top left pic) Carlitos gave a lot of punishment to "Sadistic" Steve Strong.

(2nd page top right pic) The very moment that the Puerto Rican idol is going to apply his powerful figure four.

(2nd page bottom left pic) Carlitos exerts pressure with his powerful submission hold. Steve holds on and does not give up.

(2nd page bottom right pic) The local darling continued with his punishment and surprisingly defeated the "Sadistic" Steve Strong. The loser will not be able to wrestle again in Puerto Rico.

[El Boricua]

The next pics are from a July 1978 magazine. This issue is notable because it is the one following Michel Martel's untimely passing. From Wikipedia:

 

"On the night of June 30, 1978, Martel was wrestling at a WWC event in Ponce, Puerto Rico appearing on the undercard in a 6-man tag team match Pierre Martin and Jack Lafarb facing Carlos Colon and "The Invaders" (Invader I and Invader II). Although showing no signs during the match, he complained of suffering discomfort during the match to his tag team partner while backstage preparing to leave for the night. Although Martin had offered to take him to a hospital, Martel claimed he felt better and instead wanted to go back to San Juan, Puerto Rico.

 

Within minutes of leaving the arena, however, Martel began suffering some sort of heart attack and asked Martin to pull over to the side of the road. Martel attempted to vomit, but was apparently unable to and his lips began turning blue. Although Martin drove Martel to a nearby hospital only five minutes away, Martel was pronounced dead on arrival and attempts to resuscitate him failed.

 

Rick Martel, then 21 years old, would eventually be flown in to Puerto Rico to identify his brother and eventually charged with bringing his body back to Quebec. His death was not only announced by Bob Leonard in Stampede Wrestling but also the World Wrestling Council where promoter Carlos Colon and Jose Gonzalez would use Martel's death to promote a long running feud between The Invaders and Pierre Martin and Rick Martel with the promotion claiming that Martel's attack had been caused by Gonzales using the then banned "heart punch" during their last match."

 

For those wondering what the big deal about Invader 1's taped fist is, this is where it started.

 

http://s1323.photobucket.com/user/mesias19...sort=3&o=27

 

Pierre Martel wants to kill Invader.

Did Invader kill Mivhel Martel?

A rudo wrestling star passes away.

 

 

http://s1323.photobucket.com/user/mesias19...sort=3&o=26

 

This is the table of contents for the issue. There's a picture of Invader 1. At the bottom there's a picture of Gorilla Monsoon and Bruno Sammartino wrestling. The top picture is Bruno being aided by other wrestlers. The first item in the table of content says Michel Martel passes away. The next few items are match recaps. Then there is a photo album and the last item is the ratings.

 

 

http://s1323.photobucket.com/user/mesias19...sort=3&o=25

 

These are last two pages of the four page recap of Pierre Martel vs. Invader 1.

 

First page:

1 - Time and time again Pierre Martel lays into Invader 1 without mercy. Three wrestlers come in to prevent the sure massacre.

2 - Here Jack Evans and Larry Sharpe try with all their might to hold back Pierre Martel who is paying no mind to any form of reason.

3 - The finally mange to pull him off, and the Invader cannot even stand from how hurt he is.

4 - Time and time again Pierre Martel would get loose with an incredible strength and attack Invader. Here he is biting him. The memory of his brother Michel's death gave him an inhuman strength.

 

Second page from top to bottom:

Finally they were able to get Pierre out of the ring, but he stubbornly wanted to go back, the only goal was to kill Invader 1 and avenge the death of his beloved brother.

Carlos Colon and Jose Rvera got Invader out of the ring in a hurry towards the locker room so they could apply first aid.

Here Invader was being taken to the hospital. His condition is delicate.

This hate that has been born in Pierre Martel will be to difficult to end until he eliminates his new enemy. His goal and obsession now is to kill this masked man, who with his punch some say killed Michel Martel.

 

 

http://s1323.photobucket.com/user/mesias19...sort=3&o=24

 

A pin-up of Invader 1.

 

 

http://s1323.photobucket.com/user/mesias19...sort=3&o=23

 

Pictures of The Alaskan and Angelo Poffo.

 

 

http://s1323.photobucket.com/user/mesias19...sort=3&o=22

 

Pictures of Gypsy Joe and the North American champ Bruno Sammartino.

 

 

http://s1323.photobucket.com/user/mesias19...sort=3&o=21

 

Finally, the rankings.

 

The feud between Invader 1 and Pierre Martel (and Daniel and Rick Martel) would last two years. It would end in a cage match on May 10, 1980. A month later, Pierre Martel would have a falling out with tag partner Mr. Fuji and would turn face. He would acknowledge that Invader 1 was not responsible for his brother's death and the two would team up to fight Mr. Fuji and Toru Tanaka (Invader had a feud with Mr. Fuji earlier in the year). Of note, the partnership between Invader 1 and Pierre Martel would lead to Invader 2 turning heal and feuding with Pierre and Invader 1.

[El Boricua]

The following mag is from early 1980 if I'm not mistaken.

 

http://s1323.photobucket.com/user/mesias19...sort=3&o=33

 

The cover features El Gran Apollo, Gorgeous George Jr. and a bloodied Mr. Fuji and Moose Morowski. It also says it features a poster of the Invaders.

 

 

http://s1323.photobucket.com/user/mesias19...sort=3&o=32

 

Recap of a tag title match between Carlos Colon & Eric Froelich and Terry & Dory Funk.

1 - A half crab applied to Terry's leg.

2 - Froelich has Terry in an abdominal strech, while Colon takes care of Dory Funk Jr.

1 - Here is the moment Hugo Savinovich makes his entrance into the ring.

2 - Captured is the moment he nails Froelich with his metal cane. This caused a disqualification for the Funks, retaining their title.

 

 

http://s1323.photobucket.com/user/mesias19...sort=3&o=31

 

Invader 2 vs. Nature Boy Roger Kirby Winner: Invader 2

1 - The Invader 2 says something to the referee about Kirby, probably a complaint about some cheating by Kirby.

2 - The Invader 2 applies the abdominal stretch to Kirby, the refree asks him if he gives up.

1 - Kirby tries to apply his dangerous scissor hold across the waist, but the masked man foils Roger's intent.

2 - Surprise! Roger flies through the air like a meteorite.

 

 

http://s1323.photobucket.com/user/mesias19...sort=3&o=30

 

Eric Forelich vs. Hugo Savinovich Winner: Froelich by disqualification

1 - Froelich gives tremendous blows to his hated enemy, the biggest cheat of all the managers of this century.

2 - Savinovich manages to answer back and connects some good blows on the German acrobat.

1 - He makes use of the ropes to cheat against his adversary.

2 - Here Sonoda and Ishikawa make their entrance and start attacking the German. The referre calls for the bell, it is a disqualification.

 

 

http://s1323.photobucket.com/user/mesias19...sort=3&o=29

 

Eric Froelich & Carlitos Colon

Senasational Acrobats

North American Tag Champs

[El Boricua]

Here are two mag covers from 1982.

 

http://s1323.photobucket.com/user/mesias19...sort=3&o=20

 

The issue on the left:

The Invader vs. Don Kent. A super savage fight filled with hate and grudges.

Moondog 1, Moondog 2 continue with the tag titles.

Steve Lawler, how cloes to the title but without possessing it.

The issue on the right:

Flair challenges Colon for the WWC World title. Information page 8.

Feud between Dory Funk Jr and Invader. Barrabas starts controversy.

Hercules Ayala returns.

 

 

http://s1323.photobucket.com/user/mesias19...sort=3&o=19

 

Pics of The Moondogs and their manager the Bounty Hunter (with less hair), Gino De la Serra and The Assasins.

There is also an article with some Ric Flair comments:

Ric Flair, NWA World champion, continues exclaiming his series of insults and actually dared to promise that if Carlitos Colon would dare to challenge him again for the World title, he would give a wrestling lesson to the Puerto Rican that he will never forget for the rest of his life.

After this Flair added: "He will not be left with any desire to challenge me again for the title I possess, which is mine."... and he continued... "he will be so embarrassed in front of his people, that he will have to hide so they do not laugh at him. Because he wil continue to hear, for the rest of his life, that ric Flair left him embarrassed after the lesson he gave him. And i have bnnever wrestkled with sthat wrestler so unknown, yes, unknown; here in the U.S his name has not been recognized. I don't know how the NWA allows and accepts a challenge against Ric Flair." (Flair gives a very familiar scream, personal and very him)... "uuuuuuu (whoooo), the most magnificent and attractive athlete on the planet. Everyone hates and envies me. They wish to be in my place and..."

 

 

http://s1323.photobucket.com/user/mesias19...sort=3&o=18

 

Jose Rivera vs. Gene Lewis Decision: Draw

1 - The new wrestler that has arrived to Puerto Rico, Gene Lewis, slams Jose Rivera's head against the hard turnbuckle.

2 - Lewis receives a left to the face, which uncontrols him.

Another left for Lewis, the fight ended in a draw.

Dominican Republic Championship: Jack Veneno vs. Steve Lawler Winner: Veneno

Jack Veneno has Lawler under control while he applies pressure to the left arm.

 

 

http://s1323.photobucket.com/user/mesias19...sort=3&o=17

 

The first pic is a bout between Johnny Hefferman and Pierre Martel. The rest are from Don Kent vs. Invader 1:

Both combatants exchange blows and Hefferman with the worse end of it.

Grudge Match: Kangaroo Don Kent vs. Invader. Johnny Hefferman intervenes.

Al Costello gives detailed instructions to his protege Don Kent, but later had to abandon the area because of the suspension he has.

1 - The Invader is as ferocious as ever, here we see him with desire to leave Don Kent with one eye.

2 - Kent connects a right to the Invader's body.

 

 

http://s1323.photobucket.com/user/mesias19...sort=3&o=16

 

Page 1 is Colon vs. Abdullah:

1 - Outside of the ring they fight like two beasts. Here Carlitos bites Abdullah's cranium.

2 - Colon, with object in hand, hits the Butcher's head.

 

Page 2 is Invader vs. Moondog 2:

1 - The Invader kicks hard Moondog 2's abdomen.

2 - Moondog 2 discharges a potent elbow to Invader's head.

 

 

http://s1323.photobucket.com/user/mesias19...sort=3&o=15

 

Jack Brisco launches himself with all of his weight onto Moondog 1 to try to pin him.

WWC World title: Carlos Colon vs. Abdullah the Butcher Decision: Double disqualification

Abdullah carries Colon with a lot of ease in order to try to hurt him in the ropes.

1 - Abdullah drinks his own blood as Colon bites him rabidly.

2 - One and another punch land on the Butcher's cranium causing even more damage.

 

 

http://s1323.photobucket.com/user/mesias19...sort=3&o=14

 

Two more mag covers.

 

Bottom left:

Mil Mascaras returns. Free poster.

Charlie Cook hits Bobby Jaggers with his own foreign object.

Ric Flair

 

Bottom right:

WWc World title: Carlos Colon © vs. Abdullah the Butcher

NWA World Title: Ric Flair © vs. Invader 1

World Junior title: Dick Steinborn © vs. Les Thornton

Dory Funk Jr., PR Champion

Don Kent & Johnny hefferman, The Fabulous Kangaroos, North American Champs

Hangman Bobby Jaggers, (can't make out what it says)

And it looks like pictures of Velvet McIntyre and Mighty Igor.

[El Boricua]

Another historic issue, the January 1984 issue hyping the match that created the Universal title.

 

http://s1323.photobucket.com/user/mesias19...sort=3&o=41

 

World title unification

In a cage - No disqualification, there must be a winner

Caritos Colon vs. Ric Flair

War with no quarter between Pedro Morales and Bob Sweetan

Happy New Year 1984

 

 

http://s1323.photobucket.com/user/mesias19...sort=3&o=40

 

Pics of Sweet Daddy Siki, Judy Martin and The Moondogs with manager Barrabas.

 

 

http://s1323.photobucket.com/user/mesias19...sort=3&o=39

 

Table of contents for the issue.

 

 

http://s1323.photobucket.com/user/mesias19...sort=3&o=38

 

The WWC ratings for this issue.

 

 

http://s1323.photobucket.com/user/mesias19...sort=3&o=37

 

Hercues Ayala is one of the strongest wrestlers in this sport and he will soon demonstrate this with a feat of strength.

This feat will be shown very soon and it will put to the test this Puerto Rican's strength.

Rick Steamboat - A handsome gentleman of wrestling

Rick Steamboat, an imposing young man, an attractive gentleman in the world of professional wrestling. But don't let that youth fool you into thinking he is not an expert. Steamboat is practically a young legend in the United States. Agile, astute, daring and acrobatic. Captivates the fans and drive the rudos nuts.

 

 

http://s1323.photobucket.com/user/mesias19...sort=3&o=36

 

Cancha de Caguas, December 4, 1983. Carlitos Colon vs. Abdullah the Butcher Winner: Carlitos Colon

1 - Abdullah applies a hold to Carlitos. The blood flows from the wounds caused by the Butcher.

2 - An explosive elbow to the chest of Colon and it looks like Abdullah has the advantage.

1 - Colon recovers and it is now Abdullah that receives punishment to the head.

2 - It looks like a river of blood is flowing from Abdullah's cranium.

 

 

http://s1323.photobucket.com/user/mesias19...sort=3&o=35

 

1 - Sweetan is already a blood bath after the blows received from an enraged Pedro Morales.

2 - El Gran Apollo holds back Morales to stop the carnage of this feud.

 

 

http://s1323.photobucket.com/user/mesias19...sort=3&o=34

 

World Title Unification

 

This is the night of the match for the Universal title. It has been many the roadblocks that have interfered with the realization of the dream of Carlitos Colon of the unification of the World title of professional wrestling.

 

Due to technicalities and other times bad luck, Colon has not been able to be crowned the Universal champion.

 

The unification has been tried many times before with both titles being on the line. On one of those occasons, in front of a packed house, the one hour time limit expired, ending in a draw. On another occasion, Colon accidentally put his leg on the rope as he pinned Flair, winning the title. The happiness would last less than a week when the NWA would strip him of the NWA World title. What happened was admitted by Colon, who very honestly made it known on TV, admitting the fault he had committed but not with personal intent.

 

Ric Flair has escaped from Colon many times retaining his title and at the same time Colon retaining his. Up to today destiny has not allowed there to be a Universal champion, neither in Flair nor in Carlitos Colon.

 

Colon has held the WWC title on two occasions and Ric Flair the NWA title on three occasions. They are two athletes of world caliber, the best this sport produces. Both associations have agreed to have their respective champions face off in a special match.

 

Special because of the stipulated conditions of the match. After the string of failures, decisions from the past that have not allowed to determine a Universal champion, this has occurred. The match will be in a cage, no disqualification and there must be a winner.

 

Both athletes have what it takes to win and one cannot predict the winner. Both have defeated the best wrestlers in the world. And this cannot be put in doubt. May the best man win.

[El Boricua]

Last is an issue from August of 1984. For those that have enjoyed the Stan Hansen vs. Carlos Colon matches from 86-87, here's a reminder that they also feuded in 1984:

 

http://s1323.photobucket.com/user/mesias19...?sort=3&o=1

 

Carlitos Colon and Stan Hansen clash. Grudge match.

How far will Konga go?

Is Bruiser Brody crazy?

Hercules Ayala plans to eliminate Konga the Barbarian.

The Kelly Twins arrive.

 

 

http://s1323.photobucket.com/user/mesias19...?sort=3&o=2

 

Pics featuring Genral Barrabas and his army (Konga the Barbarian and the three Super Medicos), Judy Martin, Chief Wahoo McDaniel, Jay & Mark Youngblood and Hansen & Brody.

 

 

http://s1323.photobucket.com/user/mesias19...?sort=3&o=0

 

Finally, here are the WWC rankings.

 

If there are any questions about the pics let me know and I'll see if I can clear them up. I hope you guys enjoy them.

[Smack2k]

Well, my Saturday night is planned!!!

 

Thanks El Boriqua!!

[WingedEagle]

Boricua, what a fantastic job. Really appreciate the time and effort you spent laying all of this out. We should be so fortunate to have someone do that for other places!

[Smack2k]

These were all fantastic....thanks soo much...

 

VERY strange to see them using a real death in an angle, reading it through today's microscope....and the fact that the Martel's were heels??

 

Did the crowd like that Invader may have killed the heel? Just curious...

 

And....Invader......killed someone......uhhh, yeah......very strange to read.

 

A GREAT look at wrestling in Puerto Rico from a Puerto Rico point of view in teh mags....

[El Boricua]

I'm glad you enjoyed them.

 

I honestly don't know what the crowd reaction was to the death. The angle itself was that Pierre Martel accused Invader's taped fist heart punch of being the culprit for Michel's death It wasn't presented as anything concrete (at least as far as I know). The commission, not really sure of whether the taped fist had anything to do with it. erred on the safe side and banned Invader from using the taped fist. Of course, context is key, and I really don't know how Pierre went about his accusations or how the faces and commission presented the situation. But even if it was just the heel claiming it and everyone else saying that it had nothing to do with it (again, I'm not sure how it was presented), there is just enough doubt created in the mind's of everyone as to question whether the move had anything to do with the heart attack or not (heart punch + guy having heart attack 30 minutes later = ?????).

 

When Pierre turned face he would actually say that Invader wasn't really at fault for what happened. But the seeds of doubt of whether the taped fist heart punch had anything to do with Michel's passing still surround the move to this very day. That's why Invader's heart punch is considered a dangerous move by everyone, because that seed of doubt that makes everyone go 'Maybe it did' is there. It's also a reason why Invader being allowed to tape his fist shows that a feud has escalated and is presented by itself as a serious stipulation, due to the history surrounding the taped fist heart punch. Heck, at the beginning of the year when Invader challenged Carlito and he told Invader whatever match you want, Invader would say he wanted a match where his fist was taped. Carlito and the announcers lost their collective minds over the gravity of the stipulation.

 

I know it's a bit weird reading about the angle considering what happened in the summer of 88, but remember that this was ten years prior. Back then, it was real to the people and kayfabe was king. Even in the mid 80's you had some people believing Piper's dismantling of Rick McGraw may have caused his passing. Even more recent, the attack on Steamboat by the Nexus and his subsequent health scare. And the resulting feud actually involved the man's tag partner and real life brother, so I'm guessing that they didn't view it as strange or morbid. Still, wrestling is weird.

[El Boricua]

So I'm watching today's WWC show and they have started the hype for Aniversario 40. Last week they announced the first match which is Carlos Colon & Stacy Colon vs. Invader & La Tigresa (which I find hilarious that it's the first one announced). The only other notable thing from last week was Carlito had issued an open challenge for the event to any wrestler in the world. Less than ten minutes ago a video response to that challenge was played. The second match for Aniversario 40 is Carlito vs. Sting. That's quite the get for the event.

[El Boricua]

I was asked about what led to La Gran Guerra. This was the result of the issues between El Ejercito de la Justicia and Chicky Starr’s Sports Club coming to a head. To tell the story of this match, it would be best to go over the history and feuds between the wrestlers involved. Two feuds are of vital importance, but I'll start with a different rivalry first. This rivalry is the best known one and, while not one of the main feuds at the time of the match, the history between them always adds to any match when they are on opposite sides of the ring. I'm referring to the eternal rivals Carlos Colon and Abdullah the Butcher.

 

Carlos and Abdullah actually first encountered each other in Canada in the early 70's. The feud would really kick into gear when Abdullah made his first incursion into Puerto Rico in the latter half of 1978. All Abdullah had to do was attack Carlos and a feud was born. At the time, Carlos held the Puerto Rico title and this was the focus of their initial rivalry. Of course, the rivalry would develop and evolve over the next six years. Here are some of the highlights of those six years.

 

1978: Abdullah would debut in PR and attack Carlos to set up a feud. Abdullah would go on to win the PR title from Carlos on 11/18/78 and hold it for over eight months. Abdullah would not lose the title to Carlos, he woud lose it to Pampero Firpo on 7/31/79 (both men were heels).

 

1979: Faced each other on June 2nd. Would wrestle against each other on Nov. 7 and 24, leading up to a No DQ match on Dec. 15. On 12/15/79, Abdullah would defeat Carlos again for the PR title (Carlos had won it from Firpo on 9/22/79).

 

1980: The year starts off with a series of matches over the PR title. The title is held up on Jan. 5 when the match (a barbed wire match) is a no contest. Carlos wins the rematch (a streetfight) on Jan. 12. They would have matches against each other on Feb. 23 and Mar. 8 (this one supposedly a cage match). Would face off again later that year on Sept. 27. They wrestled at the year end show to determine who got a shot at the NWA World title at the first show of 1981. Carlos won that match.

 

1981: Carlos defeats Killer Karl Krupp for the held up North American title on May 9. Carlos now holds both the North American and Puerto Rico titles. Carlos and Abdullah face each other on June 13, which would lead to a match on Aug. 10 that saw Abdullah win the Puerto Rico and North American titles (I've also seen Aug.11 in Trinidad listed as the date of the NA title switch). This would culminate in a barbed wire match on Sept. 26, in a match where Carlos injured Abdullah's knee. Carlos regains the Puerto Rico title, but Abdullah remains the North American champion.

 

Here's a match from Trinidad from around that time period (likely Aug/Sept of 81).

 

Abdullah The Butcher v. Carlos Colon - 1981

 

 

Abdullah would would face Carlos in Novemeber in a stretcher match. During the match, he attacked Carlos viciously (hurting his right eye) which resulted in Jose Colon to come to his brother's aid. Abdullah would also attack Jose. This would cause Abdullah to be stripped of the North American title on Nov. 21 for attacking Carlos Colon's brother. This would lead to them wrestling again to close out the year, this time in a super libre match.

 

1982: Abdullah made a surprise attack on Carlos Colón when Colón was wrestling the Mongolian Stomper, injuring Carlos, This leads to Carlos wrestling Abdullah in a barbed wire loser leaves town match around June of 82, a match that Carlos wins. Thanks to a loophole found by Abdullah's manager Hugo Savinovich, Abdullah returns in July. However, he shows up billed as the WWC World champion. It is claimed later that he defeated Antonio Inoki for it on 6/20/82. Here is a TV match from when he made his return.

 

Abdullah The Butcher vs. Big Red (1982)

 

 

The video starts off with the card for that night's show:

 

World Title: Carlos Colon vs. Abdullah the Butcher ©

World Junior Title: Johnny Rivera (the future Invader 3) vs. Les Thornton ©

World Tag Titles in a 'super libre' match: Invader 1 & Pierre Martel © vs. The Moondogs

Gorilla Monsoon vs. Kareem Mohammed

Bunkhouse Match: Terry Funk & Dick Slater vs. The Fabulous Kangaroos (Don Kent & Johnny Heffernan)

North American Tag Titles: Tommy & Eddie Gilbert © vs. Los Medicos

 

Carlos would go on to defeat him for the World title on July 24. He would vacate the Puerto Rico title due to the World title victory (he had lost and regained the PR title from the Mongolian Stomper earlier in 82).

 

Abdullah would bounce back by winning the Caribbean title from Charlie Cook on Aug. 14. He would hold it for almost five years.

 

1983: Abdullah would attack one of Invader's brothers. Carlos, tired of Abdullah's abuses against other wrestlers, challenged Abdullah. Here is a video.

 

Carlos interrupts Abdullah's scheduled match vs. Keith Larson

 

 

Carlos jumps in the ring and is challenging Abdullah, saying that if he wants to fight anyone it will be him. Apparently Abdullah had attacked Invader's brother and Carlos was out to stop Abdullah from doing the same thing to Keith Larson. Hugo and Abdullah blow Carlos off and leave. Carlos says that if Abdullah comes out to fight, it will have to be with him. He's not leaving until Abdullah shows his face. He's willing to put the World title on the line. Carlos continues arguing with the ref that he wants to wrestle Abdullah right now. At around 3:15, some people in the crowd start chanting/singing "Abdullah tiene miedo, miedo, miedo" (Abdullah is afraid, afraid, afraid). Eventually Rickin Sanchez (the show host/producer) comes out and convinces Carlos to leave.

 

This would eventually lead to a match between Carlos and Abdullah in a cage where Hugo would be in a separate cage 15 feet above the ring.

 

Hugo interview and Abdullah The Butcher attacks Carlos Colón during Interview

 

 

Abdullah The Butcher attacks Carlos Colon

 

 

The two videos feature the same attack, with the second one being in better video quality. This is the lead up to the previously mentioned cage match. Hugo is complaining about having to be caged like some wild animal and promises that Abdullah will win. Later in the show, after Carlos had done his interview, Abdullah surprised attacked Carlos.

 

Of course, Carlos and Abdullah would bring their feud to the mainland and wrestled on the Starrcade 83 card. And as can be seen in the magazine phoos posted earlier, they would also face off in PR near year's end on Dec. 4.

 

Here's a final video of a clip of a match between them from either 83 or 84.

 

 

Going into 1984, it had been six years of a bloody rivalry between Carlos and Abdullah. However, events in 1984 would lead to an unexpected twist to this rivalry.