tide finally began to turn in the fall of 1967 when Sammartino began feuding with Professor Toru Tanaka over the WWWF World Heavyweight Championship. A high point in the Samartino-Tanaka feud occurred at the Boston Garden on September 30, 1967, when Tanaka pinned the champion while using his feet on the ropes for leverage. Although seemingly winning the title, the decision was reversed after the WWWF "board of directors" reviewed footage of the match. These turn of events excited Boston's wrestling fans and rematches held on November 4 and December 9, 1967, were attended by 9,300 and 9,700 fans, respectively. Ford's efforts ensured the WWWF was in Boston to stay, beginning the turning point in the war with Big Time Wrestling, with the city becoming one on the most valuable markets in Vince McMahon's territory. The rivalry between Scarpa and Sammartino continued for another year or so but Scarpa was never able to regain his former status. The young champion from the WWWF was readily embraced by a new generation of fans and ultimately eclipsed Scarpa, middle-aged and in poor health, as the region's most popular "babyface" wrestler. On January 25, 1969, Frank Scarpa died from a heart attack at the age of 53, one day after wrestling his last match in North Attleboro. The death of its biggest star was a major blow to Big Time Wrestling. The company held only a few more events before it ultimately went on a long hiatus. It has been speculated that the departure of Bruno Sammartino in early-1971 was a factor in the WWWF rejoining the National Wrestling Alliance that same year. As Sammartino had been such a huge draw in Boston, Vince McMahon Sr. may have been concerned that Santos would make a bid to force the WWWF out of Boston. With the additional star power provided by the NWA, however, McMahon was able to maintain control over Boston while preventing Big Time Wrestling, which still enjoyed a significant cult following, from making a comeback in the city. Territorial reach Big Time Wrestling was based in Boston, holding bi-monthly shows at Boston Arena and Boston Garden, but also promoted shows throughout New England with its regular towns including Holyoke, North Attleboro, Revere, Springfield and Worcester, Massachusetts, Manchester, New Hampshire and Portland, Maine. Working with local promoters Santos ran summer tours in Eastern Canada, specifically in The Maritimes and Quebec. In October