Originally written for KayfabeMemories.com

After June 1984, the Gardens would only house the WWF shows, but the smaller venues around the city would continue to host mat action with a mix of local veterans and younger stars

March 14 1986. St Lawrence Market, Toronto Attendance 500
Tony Newberry beat Tank Martin
Silver Rose beat Sheena The Voodoo Queen
Farmer Pete beat Frenchy Lamont
Joey War Eagle (D'Manno) & Terry Essard beat The Superstar & Jet Starr
The Sheik beat Ricky Johnson in a bloody match
The Mosca's (Angelo Sr & Jr) beat Sweet Daddy Siki & Killer Karl Krupp

Pics from this show at St Lawrence Market 1986

At these shows word was getting around that Superfly Jimmy Snuka would be joining The Wildman's tour for the summer. It was not to be however, as the legendary high flyer ended up going to the AWA and appeared on Wrestlerock 86. Also note an early appearance of Terry Essard - The Sheik's nephew that was later to become Sabu.

The smaller venues would continue to offer an alternative to WWF with most of the local wrestlers appearing alongside stars from Quebec and the U.S. These shows would continue the tradition of lots of action and many bloodbaths between the grizzled veterans and the many newcomers to the scene.

We were also fortunate to get International Wrestling out of Quebec during a great run in that region. Some intense feuds and an exciting TV show made for essential viewing. We could tune in each week and see stars such as Rick Martel, Dino Bravo, The Long Riders, The Freebirds and young Samoan wrestler Alofa the Polynesian Prince (Solofa Fatu), who would later become Rikishi. The fed would also make some local appearances with shows in the Toronto area

The AWA would also make a local appearance down the road in Niagara Falls N.Y. in April 1986. Despite stars including Bruiser Brody, Nick Bockwinkel and The Road Warriors, the debut of Verne Gagne's promotion would only draw about 4,000 fans. This card was presented in co-operation with Keystone Promotions, with involvement from The Destroyer (Beyer, who appeared on a team with Sgt. Slaughter and Scott Hall in a 6 man tag). The fans would be disappointed by several no-shows including Jerry Blackwell (scheduled to take on Brody), Curt Hennig and The Midnight Rockers, leaving the impression that the Buffalo WWF shows were much better.

The NWA would also make occasional forays into the area including the Mosca-Mania shows in Hamilton promoted with Angelo Mosca. The February 1986 show drew well (12,000) and featured a Ric Flair/Dusty Rhodes NWA Title match, the area debut of The Road Warriors, and the return of Abdullah The Butcher.

It is remembered mainly because of the fans cheering for long time favorite Flair and booing (a then face) Rhodes. The "American Dream" would receive the jeers while his manager/valet Baby Doll (Roberts) would interfere on behalf of her charge. The event got lots of mainstream publicity mainly due to the involvement of local legend Mosca, including a great shot in the next day papers of Baby Doll choking Flair during the match.

The return show scheduled for 5 weeks later was cancelled amid rumors of low/non-payouts, and Mosca would try again later in the year (Kitchener), but the show suffered with numerous no-shows and only drew about 1,500 people.

The second "Mosca-Mania" card held in February 1987 also had it's share of no-shows and drew only 3,000 despite a Flair/Nikita Koloff Title match. Much like Frank Tunney had protected his territory in the past, the WWF fought off this incursion with a head to head show that drew about 15,000 fans to MLG to see a stacked card (including Randy Savage vs. Ricky Steamboat).

Thanks to Gary Will, clips & result from CCW Bulletin 1986

Quotable: "I think the people of Hamilton have answered the call for Mosca Mania, and from what I've heard they can't wait for the second one. Hamilton has a good future in wrestling. It's good clean fun, and the fans enjoy it. As far as I'm concerned, the National Wrestling Alliance is here to stay." Angelo Mosca Feb 3 1986

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