January 4, 1964 - Capitol Arena - Washington, DC

Cage Match:
Don Leo Jonathan defeated Mark Lewin when Mark Lewin passed out in the Spinning Full Nelson in 0:18:34.
Rating: *** 3/4

Don Leo Jonathan finally got his revenge on "Maniac" Mark Lewin in a brutal steel cage match. Both men ended up a bloody mess. Jonathan fought out of Lewin's Sleeperhold and eventually locked on the Spinning Full Nelson to win the match.

Argentina Apollo defeated Gene Kiniski by disqualification in 0:09:21.
Rating: * 3/4

Though Argentina Apollo would have his hand raised as the victory, he didn't leave looking like a winner. Gene Kiniski was still furious over losing the US Title and took it out on Apollo, choking him out and getting disqualified.

Johnny Valentine defeated Edouard Carpentier by disqualification in 0:08:45.
Rating: ** 1/4

Edouard Carpentier is livid, and rightfully so. During the match with Johnny Valentine, Valentine pulled out a pair of brass knuckles and took a swing at Carpentier. The former gymnast ducked, and took the knuckles from his opponent. Carpentier clocked Valentine, but the referee saw it and disqualified him for it.

Interview:
Bill Watts wants Bruno Sammartino to team with him.

Bill Watts brought out his friend Bruno Sammartino and asked him to team with him to go after the World Tag Team Titles. Bruno thanked him for the offer, but said his focus is on regaining the World Title.

Pedro Morales defeated Masked Man by disqualification in 0:08:16.
Rating: * 3/4
[Freddie Blassie interfered against Pedro Morales.]

Another disqualification as Pedro Morales defeated the Masked Man that has attacked him in recent months. Morales was doing well until FREDDIE BLASSIE jumped into the ring to beat down Morales. What exactly is Blassie's problem with Pedro Morales?

Ernie Ladd pinned Bobo Brazil with the Boot to the Face in 0:17:01.
Rating: * 1/2
(Ernie Ladd won the GCW United States Title.)

Bobo Brazil's reign as US champion is already over thanks to Abdullah Farouk. Farouk came out and distracted Brazil, allowing Ernie Ladd to hit the Boot to the Face and get the 3 count, becoming the new champion. Brazil's feud with Farouk and his men isn't over yet.

The Golden Grahams (Eddie Graham and Dr. Jerry Graham) defeated Crusher & Bruiser (The Crusher and Dick the Bruiser) when E. Graham pinned Bruiser with the Atomic Kneedrop in 0:20:28.
Rating: ** 1/4

In a minor upset, the Golden Grahams defeated Dick the Bruiser & The Crusher. The two teams will lock horns again next month at MSG.

Gorilla Monsoon pinned Antonino Rocca after a Gorilla Press in 0:21:38.
Antonino Rocca suffered an elbow injury. He will be out for approximately 1 month.
Rating: * 3/4

Antonino Rocca's desire to get even cost him this match against Gorilla Monsoon. Rocca and Monsoon beat each other from pillar to post, but Rocca foolishly went for the Argentina Backbreaker. He was unable to lift Monsoon and had it reversed. Monsoon followed with a Gorilla Press. Rocca landed awkwardly on his left elbow and suffered a minor injury that could put him out of action for a month. Rocca has said he is not finished with Monsoon, injury or not.

Lou Thesz defeated Bruno Sammartino when Bruno Sammartino passed out in the STF in 0:54:31.
Rating: *****
(Lou Thesz retained the GCW World Title.)
[Killer Kowalski interfered against Lou Thesz.]

This was Bruno Sammartino self-imposed last shot to regain the World Title from Lou Thesz, and unfortunately for him, he fell short. It was another classic marathon match that will be talked about for years to come. This match featured Bruno getting Thesz in the Sammartino Backbreaker for well over 5 minutes but the crafty veteran World champion refused to submit and got himself out of it. The World champion would get Bruno in the STF and made the former champion pass out to retain his title and prolong his career. Lou Thesz didn't get to celebrate for too long as KILLER KOWALSKI attacked the World champion and laid him out with a side suplex. Kowalski grabbed the mic and said the World Title would be coming to him and he would retire Thesz.

Card rating: ** 3/4

Match observations:

We return to Madison Square Garden for on February 1st for a huge night of GCW action!

The team of Dick the Bruiser & The Crusher will meet the Golden Grahams in a rematch!

Bobo Brazil will take on Gene Kiniski in a grudge match!

"Classy" Freddie Blassie will explain his relationship with the Masked Man and what his issues with Pedro Morales are.

And in the main event, Lou Thesz defends the World Title and his career against Killer Kowalski!

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