PEDRO MORALES AS WWWF U.S. CHAMPION
Pedro Morales, the former WWWF champion has passed away at the age of 76 according to the NY DAILY NEWS. Morales career spanned close to three decades starting in 1959 and ending in 1987 when he retired. During his career he worked for the NWA (National Wrestling Alliance), AWA (American Wrestling Association) and the WWE known as the WWWF (World Wide Wrestling Federation) in the 1970's.
In the WWE, Pedro Morales achieved his greatest success and notoriety. Morales arrived in the federation in 1970, and in February 1971, he defeated Ivan Koloff to become the World Champion. Morales held the title for 1,027 days which is the fifth longest reign in WWE history according to Wrestling Inc. Morales would have matches with legends like Bruno Sammartino, Mr. Fuji, and Freddie Blassie. By 1975, Morales would leave WWE and go work for different federations including the NWA, and the AWA.
Morales would return to WWE in 1980 and win the tag-team titles with Bob Backlund. In December of 1980 he won the Intercontinental title from Ken Patera making him the first triple crown champion in the history of WWE. During his reign as WWE Intercontinental Champion he had feuds with Sgt. Slaughter, Stan Hansen, Greg Valentine, and Don Muraco. Muraco would defeat Morales in June of 1981 for the Intercontinental title.
In 1995, Pedro Morales was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame. Pedro Morales remains one of the most popular and toughest men to ever enter into a wrestling ring. Thank you Mr. Morales your contributions to wrestling will never be forgotten.
Class Dismissed,
THE PROFESSOR
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