ü      Just as a point of reference, the Race-Funk match drew 8,192 to the Kiel. (capacity approximately 9,000) Recently, the WWE has been drawing approximately 2,500 to large markets, such as Washington, DC. Hmmm? Maybe the old guard, such as Sam Muchnick knew something? 

January 1978 Issue (Including 1977 Year End Awards): 

ü      A feature article detailed a great Missouri State Title match between Dick Slater (still the reigning champion) and Rocky Johnson. The title match was set up after Slater and Johnson were on opposite sides of a televised Wrestling at the Chase match on November 13, 1977. Slater teamed with Bulldog Bob Brown and Johnson teamed with Pat O’Connor. The tag bout quickly turned into a “donnybrook” with Johnson and Slater battling outside the ring. The blow-off match at the Kiel was two-out-of-three falls with a 45-minute time limit. The exciting match ended at one fall apiece.

ü      Here are some of the 1977 Year End Awards from the “The Squared Circle” 

o       Wrestler of the Year: Superstar Billy Graham, on the strength of his winning the WWWF title from Bruno Sammartino in Baltimore. Harley Race was a close second in this category.

o       Tag Team of the Year: Jim Brunzell and Greg Gagne (the High Flyers). The article described their “several appearances in St. Louis.

o       Match of the Year: WWWF Title defense in St. Louis on May 27, 1977, where Superstar Billy Graham successfully defended his title against Bob Backlund.

o       Outstanding Wrestler (St. Louis): Harley Race, on the strength of the matches he had that year, including seven St. Louis title defenses against Superstar Billy Graham (2), Dory Funk, Jr (2), Big Cat Ernie Ladd, Jack Brisco, and Ivan Koloff.

o       Other Notables: Larry Matysik was the runner-up as “Best TV Commentator of the Year” and also “Best Ring Announcer of the Year”.

ü      The issue had a “Rolling Around the Mats” column by Larry Matysik discussing the awesome Andre the Giant and questioning if anyone would ever be able to stop Andre.

ü      The Fabulous Moolah made her second St. Louis appearance and defeated Vicki Williams in a hard-fough contest on October 28, 1977.

ü      Recent St. Louis main event results:

o       10/28/77 – Dick Slater defeated Jack Brisco to retain the Missouri State title in 18:12 with a front rolling cradle.

o       11/18/77 – Harley Race defeated Ivan Koloff to retain the NWA World Title. The match was tied at one fall apiece, but Koloff could not answer the bell for the third fall.

o       12/9/77 – Dick the Bruiser defeated Black Jack Lanza in two straight falls. In the co-feature, Dick Slater retained the Missouri Title against Rocky Johnson. 

These snippets of St. Louis ring action from 1977 tell the story of what a great time it was and what a great product it was. The names that worked St. Louis that year are a veritable “Who’s Who” of NWA greatness: Race, Funk, Brisco, Koloff, Dick the Bruiser, Rocky Johnson, Superstar Billy Graham, and the list goes on and on.

Thanks for stopping by the site and reading this month’s article. Questions, comments, and suggestions for future articles are always welcome in the St. Louis section of the message board. 

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