Pedro Morales vs. Sgt. Slaughter: Intercontinental Championship Match - February 16, 1981Pedro Morales defeats Sgt. Slaughter via disqualification at Madison Square Garden on February 16, 1981.02/01/2012 - 19:21
WWE’s rare WWE Title collection revealed!In celebration of the WWE Championship’s 60th anniversary, WWE archivist Ben Brown shows off classic versions of sports-entertainment’s richest prize.04/27/2023 - 10:18
Every WWE Champion, ever (2023 update)Look back at the 54 WWE Superstars — from Buddy Rogers and Bruno Sammartino to Big E and Roman Reigns — to hold the prestigious WWE Championship in its 60-year history.04/20/2023 - 12:00
Every WWE Champion in historyMeet the 53 Superstars who have held the illustrious WWE Championship during its 58-year history, from Buddy Rogers to Bobby Lashley.04/23/2021 - 14:15
The Intercontinental Championship: By The NumbersGo inside the incredible 40-year history of the Intercontinental Championship and see the stats that make it one of sports-entertainment’s most sought-after prizes.09/03/2019 - 13:15
Pedro Morales vs. George Steele: WWE Championship Match - June 30, 1973Pedro Morales successfully defends his WWE Title against George "The Animal" Steele at Madison Square Garden on June 30, 1973.02/01/2012 - 12:32
Meet every Superstar to hold the WWE ChampionshipTake a walk through WWE history and see all 50 Superstars who captured the WWE Championship, including John Cena, The Rock, "Stone Cold" Steve Austin and more!06/16/2017 - 17:49
WWE and NBC Universo honor Pedro Morales during Hispanic Heritage MonthWWE and NBC Universo present a special look at the career and impact of WWE Hall of Famer Pedro Morales in celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month.09/26/2016 - 23:01
1,000-day WWE Champions: 5 Things, July 15, 2015Only five WWE Superstars have held the WWE World Heavyweight Championship for more than 1,000 days. Find out who had the longest cumulative reign in this special championship edition of WWE 5 Things.07/14/2015 - 17:39
Pedro Morales vs. Ivan Koloff - WWE Championship Match: Madison Square Garden, February 8, 1971Pedro Morales attempts to end the WWE Championship reign of Ivan Koloff.08/19/2014 - 00:23
Pedro Morales: 1995 WWE Hall of Fame InducteePedro Morales, inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 1995, earned the respect of his peers and his fans by balancing his integrity with his tactical prowess and championship pedigree.02/10/2012 - 16:27
"Rowdy" Roddy Piper vs. The Iron Sheik: Saturday Night's Main Event - October 4, 1986Roddy Piper endures against The Iron Sheik at The Coliseum in Richfield, Oh. on October 4, 1986 despite being injured, as the injury provides Piper with crutches that clutches an edge over The Sheik.02/06/2012 - 16:21
Buddy Rogers' Corner featuring Pedro Morales: All Star Wrestling, November 17, 1982Pedro Morales appears on Buddy Rogers' Corner at the Field House in Hamburg, Pa. on November 17, 1982 in a segment where Morales declares he "can't stand Don Muraco."02/03/2012 - 10:11
Pedro Morales vs. Don Muraco: Intercontinental Championship Match - December 28, 1982Pedro Morales withstands the dirty tricks of Don Muraco at Madison Square Garden on December 28, 1982 as Muraco strikes below the belt to gain an edge over the defending Intercontinental Champion.02/02/2012 - 21:48
Pedro Morales vs. Buddy Rose: Intercontinental Championship Match - November 22, 1982Pedro Morales exchanges blows with Buddy Rose at Madison Square Garden on November 22, 1982 as Morales fights to remain Intercontinental Champion.02/02/2012 - 21:00
Pedro Morales vs. Greg Valentine: WWE Championship Wrestling, January 2, 1982Greg Valentine throws Pedro Morales from the ring on January 2, 1982 and executes an "unbelievable" suplex on the concrete floor on Morales.02/02/2012 - 11:05
Pedro Morales vs. Sgt. Slaughter: Intercontinental Championship Match - February 16, 1981Pedro Morales defeats Sgt. Slaughter via disqualification at Madison Square Garden on February 16, 1981.02/01/2012 - 19:21
WWE’s rare WWE Title collection revealed!In celebration of the WWE Championship’s 60th anniversary, WWE archivist Ben Brown shows off classic versions of sports-entertainment’s richest prize.04/27/2023 - 10:18
WWE Champion; Intercontinental Champion; World Tag Team Champion; first "Triple Crown" winner in WWE history; 1995 WWE Hall of Fame Inductee
Pedro Morales: Bio
The island of Puerto Rico has produced numerous sports-entertainment Superstars over the years, but none have ever been — and perhaps will never be — as successful as Pedro Morales. From becoming the first-ever WWE "Triple Crown" Champion to his induction into the Hall of Fame, Morales' near 30-year career is one full of history.
Born on Culebra Island, just off the shore of the Puerto Rican mainland, Pedro Morales moved to Brooklyn, N.Y., as a child and began to foster dreams of becoming a sports-entertainer. That dream came true in 1959, as Morales — still only a teenager —made his debut in his new hometown of New York City.
In the ring, his style could be described as workmanlike — that is, until he lost his temper. Then, all bets were off, and his opponents were in trouble. A tremendously powerful puncher, Morales was also well-versed in the technical aspects of the game and utilized the Boston Crab better than anyone in the business. He prided himself on being in tremendous condition and often won his bouts by simply wearing out his opponents.
Morales soon headed out west, where he dominated the Los Angeles and San Francisco circuits in the 1960s en route to racking up numerous regional championships. In 1970, however, he headed back home to New York City and WWE, where he would finally burst into national prominence.
On Feb. 8, 1971 — less than a year after joining WWE — Morales avenged friend Bruno Sammartino and defeated Ivan Koloff in Madison Square Garden to win the WWE Championship. Already incredibly popular, Morales drew rabid crowds every time he returned to his hometown, which had a large and loyal Puerto Rican fan base. One of his most memorable matches came at Shea Stadium, as he and former WWE Champion Sammartino battled to a classic 75-minute draw.
Shortly after losing the gold in late-1973, Morales headed to the NWA, where he continued his successful ways. Pedro earned numerous regional NWA championships and also spent some time in his native Puerto Rico, where he held tag team gold with another Puerto Rican legend — Carlos Colon.
Morales returned to WWE in 1980 and made history once again at Shea Stadium. On Aug. 9 of that year, Morales & then-WWE Champion Bob Backlund defeated The Wild Samoans to win the World Tag Team Championship; unfortunately, because WWE Superstars were forbidden to hold multiple championships at the time, they had to relinquish the gold almost immediately.
No matter for Pedro, who went on to further singles stardom. Just four months later, he once again etched his name in the annals of sports-entertainment by defeating Ken Patera for the Intercontinental Championship. With the win, Morales became the first Superstar to accomplish the career "Triple Crown" by winning the WWE, Intercontinental and World Tag Team Championships. He would go on to become a two-time Intercontinental Champion, losing and regaining the title from Don Muraco during their intense 1981 rivalry.
After losing the gold a second time, Morales continued to be one of WWE's most popular Superstars, but would never again wear a championship. He nearly won the King of the Ring tournament in both 1985 and 1986 -- losing to Harley Race in the 1986 finals -- before finally hanging up his boots for good in 1987. Soon after retirement, however, Morales segued his popularity into a short career in the broadcast booth, where he became a Spanish-language commentator for WWE events.
In 1995, Morales was given his place among the all-time greats when he was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame. His induction was presented by fellow Puerto Rican Superstar Savio Vega.
Because Morales was a soft-spoken man who didn't do outrageous things, he is sometimes overlooked when the names of the all-time greats are mentioned. However, in addition to being one of the greatest to ever set foot in a ring, Morales was loved by the public and well-respected by his peers. His name was synonymous with making history, earning Pedro Morales his place in the pantheon of sports-entertainment elite.