The famous (and famously terrible) Ali-Inoki fight happened in Tokyo, but it was broadcast via closed-circuit TV across the U.S. A lot of local wrestling promotions ran their own supercards in conjunction with it. The WWF ran a show at Shea Stadium, and had a boxer-vs-wrestler match on that card which was also included in the closed-circuit feed. That match, between Andre the Giant and Chuck Wepner, was also a dud, but at least it was a much shorter dud than the Ali-Inoki fight. Incidentally, Wepner was the inspiration for Sylvester Stallone’s original script for “Rocky,” but Stallone tried to cheat Wepner out of any money by denying a connection. They settled a lawsuit over the matter.
Anyway, this program was from Cobo Hall, in the Sheik’s territory. The two boxer vs. wrestler matches were on closed circuit, with the in-person undercard leading up to them. Of particular interest is the appearance of a young Randy Savage, using his government name, in a match against Swede Hanson.
