July 17, 1965 - The Spectrum - Philadelphia, PA

Pedro Morales and Dominic DeNucci defeated Gorilla Monsoon and Killer Kowalski when Morales defeated Kowalski by countout in 0:09:16.
Rating: * 1/4

Dominic DeNucci proved to be a great tag team partner for Pedro Morales as the two were able to hold their own against Gorilla Monsoon & Killer Kowalski, taking the win by countout.

Danny Hodge defeated Ernie Ladd by disqualification in 0:05:56.
Rating: ** 1/4
[Jack Davis interfered against Danny Hodge.]

Ernie Ladd was looking to send a message to Edouard Carpentier that he wants the United States Title back, wrestling against a man he's had plenty of issues with in the past, Danny Hodge. It didn't take long for the message to be sent as Ladd put Hodge down with a piledriver. Instead of going for the pin, Ladd went outside and broke a wooden chair. He took a sharp piece of the chair and returned to the ring and jammed the shard right into Hodge's forehead! Referee Petey Santangelo called for the DQ, but he couldn't stop the attack as Jack Davis threw him out of the ring. Ladd busted Hodge open with the piece of chair before EDOUARD CARPENTIER ran in and chased him off. It looks like this feud is far from over.

Antonino Rocca and Argentina Apollo defeated The Golden Grahams (Dr. Jerry Graham and Luke Graham) when Rocca defeated L. Graham by disqualification in 0:10:02.
Rating: * 3/4

Dr. Jerry Graham & his brother Luke felt that Antonino Rocca & Argentina Apollo hurt their brother Eddie on purpose and looked to avenge their blood in this tag team match. They thought they might be on their way to doing so when Luke Graham put Rocca in a chokehold and refused to let go, getting themselves disqualified. But that wasn't what this was about for them - they were looking to injure either Rocca or Apollo. They didn't get that chance though as they had the tide turned on them as they were sent out of the ring by the former World Tag Team champions.

Baron Mikel Scicluna defeated Edouard Carpentier by countout in 0:09:24.
Rating: ** 1/4
(Edouard Carpentier retained the GCW United States Title.)

Ernie Ladd just doesn't know when to stop. Edouard Carpentier was defending the United States Title against Baron Mikel Scicluna when Jack Davis & Ladd began walking down to the ring. Carpentier was not happy about this and met Ladd in the aisle and the fight was on! Carpentier got himself counted out, but he didn't care as he was looking to get a piece of the Big Cat. Davis hit Carpentier with a low blow to slow him down, but before the two could double team him, a bandaged DANNY HODGE ran down and jumped Ladd, getting in a few good shots before officials broke this fight up. Next month on August 14th at MSG, Hodge & Ladd will meet one more time, the winner becoming the #1 contender for Carpentier's US Title. In addition because of his countout win, Scicluna will get another shot at the US gold.

Haystacks Calhoun pinned Mark Lewin after a senton in 0:02:46.
Rating: **

This match was a squash - literally. Haystacks Calhoun defeated Mark Lewin by crushing his ribs with a senton. If this man ever gets a title shot, he will be a tough man to stop.

Interview:
Ray Stevens wants championship gold.

Ray Stevens came out for an interview before our World Tag Team Title match. Stevens said that he is the hottest wrestler in the world today, and that he wants to be wearing championship gold. He said his sights are set on the tag team titles, and he will debut his tag team partner next month at MSG that will help him become a World Tag Team champion.

Bruno Sammartino and Spiros Arion defeated Bill Watts and Johnny Valentine when B. Sammartino made J. Valentine submit to the Sammartino Backbreaker in 0:34:43.
Rating: **** 1/4
(Bruno Sammartino and Spiros Arion won the GCW World Tag Team Titles.)

We have brand new World Tag Team champions! The hatred between Bruno Sammartino & Bill Watts is well documented, and it's going to be even worse now that Bruno & his partner Spiros Arion have defeated Watts & Johnny Valentine to capture the World Tag Team Titles. It was a great match but Bruno's Sammartino Backbreaker once again proved to be too much for an opponent as Valentine had to submit when he was locked in the hold. Congratulations to the new champions!

Gene Kiniski and The Sheik defeated Crusher & Bruiser (The Crusher and Dick the Bruiser) when Sheik pinned Crusher after a short lariat in 0:17:51.
Rating: * 3/4
[Abdullah Farouk interfered against The Crusher.]

Abdullah Farouk might be a scourge on society, but he is a smart man and knows how to help his charges get opportunities. Not only will Baron Mikel Scicluna have a chance to win the United States Title next month, but now thanks to their victory over Dick the Bruiser & The Crusher tonight, Gene Kiniski & The Sheik will be the first team to get a crack at Bruno Sammartino & Spiros Arion for the tag team titles.

Lou Thesz made Bobo Brazil submit to the STF in 0:17:48.
Rating: *** 1/2
(Lou Thesz retained the GCW World Title.)

You have to hand it to Lou Thesz - even though his career is on the line every time he wrestles, he has shown himself to be a fighting champion. Thesz offered Bobo Brazil a rematch for the World Title after their previous match was interrupted by Abdullah Farouk's men. The crowd was solidly behind both men and we got a great wrestling match out of it. In the end, Thesz fought through Brazil's barrage of headbutts to lock on the STF and get the victory. The two men shook hands after the match in a great sign of sportsmanship.

Card rating: ** 3/4

Match observations:

The card for the Madison Square Garden show looks to be a great one, with the following lineup announced so far:

WORLD TAG TEAM TITLES - Bruno Sammartino/Spiros Arion (c) vs. Gene Kiniski/The Sheik
UNITED STATES TITLE - Edouard Carpentier (c) vs. Baron Mikel Scicluna
#1 CONTENDER FOR THE US TITLE - Danny Hodge vs. Ernie Ladd
Antonino Rocca/Argentina Apollo vs. Gorilla Monsoon/Killer Kowalski
Pedro Morales/Dominic DeNucci vs. Ray Stevens/???

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