Who would Phil have had? All the muscle guys were dead, rats or in prison.
Would have been him, Jr and Tony Buck.
Merlino had the muscle and I really doubt he was stepping aside for anyone at that point in time
None of that matters because the Westside and the other families would not of let a family fold to non made members !!!! It's only because the Chin let it lay because he knew that Phil had him and Manna . Even back then the five families would not of let outsiders take a family because there was a sitting godfather.
But they did though...and Joey was made and was the real power behind the push
The Genovese had their own problems and would not interfere and Skinny knew it. Or if he knew it he didnt give a fuck. They tried to call him to NY and he said no thanks, come to Philly if you want to meet lol
Like him or not he has balls of steel!
