November 1, 1973 - Memorial Auditorium - Lowell, MA

The Cripplers (Nick Bockwinkel and Ray Stevens) defeated Dominic DeNucci and Tony Garea when Bockwinkel pinned DeNucci with the Piledriver in 0:14:27.
Rating: *** 1/4

The show tonight kicked off what should have been a World Tag Team Title match a couple months ago with The Cripplers taking on Dominic DeNucci & Tony Garea, but DeNucci & Garea were not given the title shot based on DeNucci's no-showing a title match a few months ago. They could get that title shot back if they could pull out a win over the reigning champions. DeNucci & Garea fought hard, but couldn't overcome the champs here in Lowell.

Carlos Colon made Spiros Arion submit to the Figure-Four Leglock in 0:10:52.
Spiros Arion suffered a neck injury. He will be out for approximately 2 months.
Rating: *** 1/4

Sometimes when it rains, it pours. Well it has been pouring on Spiros Arion for about a year now. Not only did Arion lose another match here, falling to Carlos Colon and his Figure-Four Leglock, but during the match, Arion injured his neck. It isn't a super serious injury, but he will need to take off the rest of 1973 in order to heel up his wounds. The Grand Wizard continues to be disappointed in Arion.

Ivan Koloff pinned Don Muraco with the Russian Sickle in 0:06:22.
Rating: ** 3/4
[Lou Albano interfered against Don Muraco.]

Another show, another dominant win for Ivan Koloff. Tonight's victim? Don Muraco. Lou Albano was able to make cooler heads prevail last month when Koloff said he wanted a World Title shot, but with every win, one has to wonder - how long will Koloff have to wait before he gets the title shot he feels he so richly deserves?

Interview:
Blackjack Lanza explains why he attacked Baron Von Raschke.

Blackjack Lanza and manager Bobby Heenan were out for an interview next, where Lanza explained why he attacked Baron Von Raschke in the Garden on October 3. Lanza said it was simple - Raschke stole his move. Lanza said he is the Master of the Blackjack Claw, saying that Raschke's Claw finisher was a cheap imitation. Lanza finished by saying that if Raschke knew what was good for him, he would stop using the Claw immediately before he got hurt even worse.

Jerry Lawler pinned Ernie Ladd after a small package in 0:04:40.
Rating: ***

Jerry Lawler's win-loss record isn't going to blow anyone away, but as a young competitor, he is learning every single time he wrestles a match. One man he has had an impeccable record against is Ernie Ladd, and that good fortune continued in the Memorial Auditorium thanks to a small package. Ernie Ladd is definitely suffering from a huge confidence problem, which is ironic given Ladd's reputation over the last decade or so. It would be funny if it wasn't so sad.

Mr. Fuji and Toru Tanaka defeated Mr. Wrestling I and Mr. Wrestling II when Fuji pinned I after a backslide in 0:10:21.
Rating: ** 3/4

Mr. Wrestling I & II have come into GCW a complete house of fire, but they learned the hard way tonight that there are some teams that will do anything to pick up a win. That team was Mr. Fuji & Professor Toru Tanaka, a team that has found a plethora of success using the most underhanded tactics in wrestling. That trend continued in Lowell as Fuji & Tanaka gave I & II their first loss in a GCW ring after Fuji caught Mr. Wrestling I with a backslide, propped his feet up on the ropes for extra leverage to get a tainted victory. GCW officials have reviewed this match, and have come to the following decision: on November 29 in Baltimore, these two teams will meet in a rematch, the winners earning a World Tag Team Title shot at the year end show at MSG on December 25, Christmas afternoon!

Jimmy Snuka pinned Baron Mikel Scicluna after a flying headbutt in 0:05:21.
Rating: ** 1/2

Captain Lou Albano was already not too pleased with Baron Mikel Scicluna, blaming him Baron Von Raschke still being around. Albano told Scicluna he better defeat Jimmy Snuka in this match or there would be hell to pay. Well, Scicluna did not win, falling to a picture perfect flying headbutt from the Superfly that would have put just about anybody down and out. After the match, Albano let loose on Scicluna, berating him and even going as far as slapping the royal from Malta right across the face! That didn't sit well with Scicluna, who pulled the roll of coins out of his trunks and knocked Albano out cold! It looks like Albano's managerial services will no longer be necessary.

Bobby Duncum pinned Gorilla Monsoon after a flying bodypress in 0:06:07.
Rating: ** 3/4

While Lou Albano is having all kinds of trouble with his charges, one man who isn't is Bobby Heenan. The Heenan Family is firing on all cylinders, including the newest member of the Family, Bobby Duncum. Duncum had his hands full with veteran Gorilla Monsoon, no easy task for anybody. Duncum showed that not only can he wrestle a power game, but he can go to the air when necessary, taking Monsoon off-guard with a flying bodypress to get the 3 count.

The Texas Outlaws (Dusty Rhodes and Dick Murdoch) and Crusher & Bruiser (The Crusher and Dick the Bruiser) battled to a double countout in 0:13:09.
Rating: * 1/4

Dusty Rhodes & "Dirty" Dick Murdoch shocked everyone with the way they debuted, attacking Dick the Bruiser & The Crusher and completely wiping them out. The Texas Outlaws were looking to make an impact, and they sure did. Problem is though, now they've made Bruiser & Crusher angry, something that no one wants to do. Rhodes & Murdoch looked overwhelmed when the match actually started, the reality of what they have gotten themselves into all too clear. The Texas Outlaws have a lot of raw talent though and showed that despite their lack of experience, they sure do know how to fight, leading to a double countout with Bruiser & Crusher when the fight spilled to the floor and all the way to the locker room. Nothing was solved here, but that may change in Baltimore when Dick the Bruiser meets Dusty Rhodes and The Crusher meets Dick Murdoch in singles matches.

Interview:
Luke Graham wants a shot at his younger brother and the United States Title.

Before our main event, LUKE GRAHAM came out to speak to the fans in Lowell. Graham said that after taking some time off this year, he is as healthy as he has ever been, and he is ready to once again be the most dominant man in all of professional wrestling. Graham continued that no one could slow him down, and issued a challenge to his own brother, BILLY GRAHAM, and he wanted it to be for the United States Title! Instead of Superstar Billy, Luke was greeted by THE GRAND WIZARD, Billy's manager. The Grand Wizard told Luke that he can't just demand a title shot whenever he wanted, especially against the best wrestler in the world today. Luke smirked at this, mentioning that he taught Billy everything the Superstar knows, but added he didn't teach him everything Luke knows. Luke said he would prove to The Grand Wizard, Billy Graham, and everyone else he should get the next shot at the gold. The Grand Wizard said that was good, as in Baltimore, he'd have to get through ERNIE LADD before they would even consider giving Luke a title shot. Luke agreed to the match, and it will take place on November 29.

Pedro Morales pinned Johnny Valentine after a back suplex in 0:12:35.
Rating: ** 1/2
(Pedro Morales retained the GCW World Title.)

The mere fact that Johnny Valentine was even back in a wrestling ring was a small miracle, considering it was only 7 months ago that the man suffered a heart attack. It is downright ridiculous that the man was back and wrestling in the main event for the World Title against his old rival, Pedro Morales. Morales has taken credit for giving Valentine that heart attack, and even if that's true or not, Valentine is a man of pride and isn't going to let any man talk down to him. Valentine worked really hard to get himself back into shape, and against all odds, is back in GCW. Valentine did have some ring rust, that is true, but his immense hatred for Morales helped propel him to do things he may not have been able to do otherwise. However, Valentine still has a way to go before he is 100% healthy, and he fell to Morales and a big back suplex. Pedro Morales retains the World Heavyweight Title.

Before Morales got back to the locker room, the tough Valentine grabbed the microphone and declared he knew he could beat Morales, but he wants to hurt him as well. Valentine wants one more shot at Morales… in A STEEL CAGE MATCH! Morales looked nervous, but his manager Lou Albano not being with him thanks to being knocked unconscious earlier, Morales may have let his ego get the better of him as he agreed to the match!

Card rating: ** 1/2

Match observations:

The Civic Center in Baltimore is our next stop in 1973, our last show before the Madison Square Garden year end event! Mark your calendars, Baltimore area, for November 29!

WORLD TITLE CAGE MATCH - Pedro Morales (c) vs. Johnny Valentine
#1 CONTENDERS MATCH - Mr. Wrestling I/Mr. Wrestling II vs. Mr. Fuji/Toru Tanaka
Luke Graham vs. Ernie Ladd
Dick the Bruiser vs. Dusty Rhodes
The Crusher vs. Dick Murdoch
Baron Mikel Scicluna vs. Ivan Koloff
Don Muraco vs. Blackjack Lanza

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