Mat Memories From Madison Square Garden

Jun 28 2024 34 ep. 125
Mat Memories From Madison Square Garden Podcast artwork

From August 30th, 1971 through the summer of 1977 Pro Wrestling Historian and Author John Arezzi attended EVERY show at the famed arena, Madison Square Garden, often called the Mecca of pro wrestling.

From his beginnings as a 14 year old wrestling fan, shooting photos and 8mm film footage at the matches, He then became the President of the Fred Blassie Fan Club. John eventually evolved to one of the very few credentialed photographers allowed backstage and given ringside press access.

On this podcast (which will be released 50 years to the day of each Madison Sq. Garden wrestling show he attended), Arezzi shares his Mat Memories of that event. From the matches, to the backstage atmosphere, John looks back in time in this truly unique show. The show is co-hosted by the former owner of RING OF HONOR - Cary Silkin, and John's longtime friend and radio producer Tim Puttre. The show is researched and written by another long time friend and associate, Ritchie Garcia.

Host: John Arezzi

Co-Hosts: Cary Silkin and Tim Puttre

Co-Producer, researcher and writer: Ritchie Garcia

Copyright 2024: Mat Memories from Madison Square Garden

JOIN THE PATREON PAGE FOR THIS PODCAST AND EXPERIENCE 50 YEARS OF HISTORY FROM THE ARCHIVES OF WRESTLING HISTORIAN AND CO-AUTHOR OF THE BEST SELLING BOOK MAT MEMORIES HERE:

https://www.patreon.com/JohnArezzi

Subscribe to the show's YouTube Channel Here:

https://www.youtube.com/c/ProWrestlingSpotlight

Follow John Arezzi Here:

https://twitter.com/johnarezzi https://instagram.com/johnarezzi

https://www.facebook.com/groups/prowrestlingspotlight

https://www.facebook.com/JohnArezzisMatMemories

Order a signed and numbered copy of John Arezzi's best selling memoir "MAT MEMORIES, My Wild Ride in Pro Wrestling, Country Music and with the Mets" here: https://py.pl/1SjMeX

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June 24th, 1974 Blassie, Bruno, Baba and more. With Evan Ginzburg and Cary Silkin

Jun 28 2024 77 mins  
On this special episode of Mat Memories from Madison Square Garden, Cary, Tim and I welcome wrestling historian - Evan Ginzburg. On June 24th, 1974 Evan attended his very first wrestling show, and we are happy to have him on this episode to talk about that night. And the card, which was a great one! WWWF @ New York City, NY – Madison Square Garden Monday Night June 24, 1974, 8:30

May 20th 1974 Bruno vs. Kowalski Rematch!

May 23 2024 71 mins  
Here is Episode 31 of Mat Memories from Madison Square Garden. A very special episode with a roundtable of former Ring of Honor owner Cary Silkin, Hall of Fame Writer/Photographer George Napolitano and John Arezzi discuss a wide variety of topics from back in the day! Moderated by Tim Puttre. WWWF @ New York City, NY – Madison Square Garden – Monday night May 20, 1974 Bell time

April 29th 1974 Killer Kowalski battles Bruno Sammartino in a classic bloody brawl at MSG!

May 02 2024 56 mins  
Here is Episode 30 of Mat Memories from Madison Square Garden - where we review the wild April 29th, 1974 card that featured the brawl between challenger Killer Kowalski taking on the living legend Bruno Sammartino. Co-hosts John Arezzi and Cary Silkin go into detail on the show which featured rare run ins by wrestlers to break up the battle between a bloody Sammartino and Kowalski

April 1st 1974 WWWF Madison Square Garden Show Vokloff vs Bruno!

Apr 07 2024 69 mins  
Here is Episode 29 of Mat Memories from Madison Square Garden - where we review the April 1st, 1974 house show from the mecca of all arenas. We welcome former owner of Ring of Honor - Cary Silkin as a co-host of the show beginning with this episode. Cary has a rich history - and attended most of the MSG shows in this era. He's a great storyteller and we are happy to have him with u

Bruno Sammartino vs. Nikolai Volkoff from March 4th - 1974

Mar 04 2024 47 mins  
Here is Epsisode 28 of Mat Memories From Madison Square Garden, reviewing the house show I attended at the Mecca of all arenas on March 4th, 1974. WWWF @ New York City, NY – Madison Square Garden – Monday Night March 4, 1974 bell time 8:30pm (22,091; sell out) The scheduled bout between Don Leo Jonathan and Ed Sullivan did not take place Donna Christianello & Women’s Champion

Bruno Sammartino takes on Don Leo Jonathan in his first WWWF Title Defense at MSG after winning back the title

Feb 10 2024 39 mins  
Tim Puttre and I review the first title defense for newly re-crowned champion, Bruno Sammartino at Madison Square Garden. WWWF @ New York City, NY – Madison Square Garden – Monday night January 14, 1974 bell time 8:30 sellout crowd (22,147) Butcher Brannigan defeated Mike Pappas at 11:15 Otto Von Heller defeated Tony Altimore at 9:55 Jose Gonzalez & Manuel Soto defeated Pancho

December 10th, 1973 Bruno Sammartino captures the WWWF title from Stan Stasiak

Jan 02 2024 86 mins  
Here is episode 26 of Mat Memories From Madison Square Garden. A very special episode that reviews the night Bruno Sammartino re-captured the WWWF Heavyweight Title to begin his 2nd reign as champion. Bruno beat Stan Stasiak before a delirious crowd at the sold out Garden. John Tolos also makes his first appearance ever at the "new" MSG. A historic show! Former owner of Ring of Hon

November 12th, 1973 Pedro Morales vs. Larry Hennig (Pedro's last title defense at MSG!) Andre the Giant

Nov 12 2023 61 mins  
Here is episode 25 of Mat Memories From Madison Square Garden, covering the MSG house show I attended on November 12th, 1973. Lots of stories from this night are shared by John Arezzi about his breakthrough in being able to finally sit in the front ringside seats at the Garden, and tales about that night, which would turn out to be Pedro Morales's last title defense of the WWWF tit

Mat Memories from Madison Square Garden - Episode 24 October 15th, 1973

Oct 15 2023 80 mins  
Here is Episode 24 of Mat Memories from Madison Square Garden. On this episode, Tim Puttre and I review the house show I attended at the mecca of all arenas on October 15th, 1973 WWWF @ New York City, NY – Madison Square Garden – October 15, 1973 (22,102) Vicki Williams & Joyce Grable defeated Women’s Tag Team Champions Toni Rose & Donna Christianello at 17:07 to win the titl

Mat Memories from Madison Square Garden - Big name who never wrestled at MSG with Cary Silken

Sep 21 2023 49 mins  
On this Bonus episode of Mat Memories from Madison Square Garden - Tim Puttre and I welcome Cary Silken, former owner of RING OF HONOR to talk about an interesting list of wrestlers who NEVER wrestled at Madison Garden. Lots of names that will surprise you. Host - John Arezzi Co-Host and Producer - Tim Puttre Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices