The Ring Post: The End of an Era

Good morning!

Welcome to the latest edition of The Ring Post, your weekly roundup of pro wrestling results, news, and must-watch content from across the region and beyond. This edition is brought to you by Federated Wrestling Alliance – be sure to get your tickets to FWA Dominion VI in Havre de Grace, MD, on May 4 now! Click here for tickets.

This week, we feature Bruno Sammartino’s historic loss to "Superstar" Billy Graham 48 years ago this week in Baltimore, a pivotal moment in wrestling history. We also have full results from the weekend’s top events, including WDWA, 1CW, MCW, and more. Plus, the latest updates on AEW’s upcoming shows, the passing of wrestling legend Steve "Mongo" McMichael, and fallout from the Roast of WrestleMania.

Thank you for reading and supporting independent wrestling coverage. Click the links below to view match results, watch standout matches, and catch up on everything you may have missed.

This Weekend's Results

• WDWA presented Spring Spectacle in Inwood, WV, this past Saturday – see here for full results.

• 1CW Pro Wrestling presented Kingdom in Houston, DE, on Saturday – click here for more info.

• MCW Pro Wrestling held Spring Fever in Joppa, MD, this past Saturday – click the link for details.

• Labor Of Love held Tell Me A Story in Philadelphia, PA, on Friday – see the link for full results.

• House of Glory held Isolation in New York City, NY, on Friday – click here for details.

• SWO held Road To The Rumble in Seven Valleys, PA, on Saturday, April 12, 2025 – see here for more info.

The Latest News

• AEW Dynamite returns Wednesday to Norfolk, Virginia – see here for more info.

• AEW Collision takes place Saturday in Atlantic City, New Jersey – click here for more.

• Steve "Mongo" McMichael, former NFL player and WCW wrestler, passed away April 23 at age 67 – click here for more information.

• The Roast of WrestleMania closed out WrestleMania 41 weekend and drew backlash for its controversial jokes – see the link for more.

• Paul Heyman caused a stir during a live appearance on The Pat McAfee Show after WrestleMania 41 with controversial remarks – read more here.

• Lex Luger explained that he missed Night One of WrestleMania 41 due to exhaustion – full details here.

Must-Watch Videos

• Catch all the action in the latest episode of MATW TV.

• See who advanced in WDWA Frontline: Holy Grail Tournament Part 1.

• Find out what went down on Episode 12 of USW Justice.

• Relive Nick Aldis vs. Trevor Murdoch for the NWA Worlds Heavyweight Championship at NWA 73.

• Watch Megan Bayne battle Lena Kross in a standout House of Glory match.

---

Forty-eight years ago this week, Bruno Sammartino lost the WWWF World Heavyweight Championship to "Superstar" Billy Graham on April 30, 1977, at the Baltimore Civic Center in Baltimore, Maryland. This ended Sammartino’s second reign as champion, which began in December 1973 when he defeated Stan Stasiak.

The match was a hard, physical battle. Sammartino controlled much of the early action by using his strength, hitting slams, bearhugs, and heavy punches. Graham stayed alive by stalling, leaving the ring when needed, and using illegal tactics.

Near the end of the match, Graham landed a punch that knocked Sammartino off balance near the ropes. Graham quickly pinned him and used the ropes for extra leverage, something the referee did not see. Graham got the three-count and was declared the new WWWF World Heavyweight Champion.

You can watch video of the historic title change below.