The year was 1981. Bob Backlund was champ. Lou Albano was starring in music videos. Vince McMahon was plotting a takeover.
Some familiar names were around in ’81 – Martel, Valentine, Atlas, Slaughter. Pat Patterson was still wrestling. Hulk Hogan and Dusty Rhodes were around for a cameo or two.
On April 6th, 1981, the World Wrestling Federation ran Madison Square Garden. They drew 25,000 fans. Howard Finkel was ring announcing. Vince McMahon was on commentary.
These are my quick thoughts.
1. WWF Intercontinental Title: Pedro Morales [c] vs. Moondog Rex w/ Captain Lou Albano
Pedro from what I’ve seen is a pretty prototypical WWF good guy at the time – a little boring, a little predictable, but over as shit with amazing fire when it’s time for the comeback. Moondog Rex just looks and feels like a 1980s pro wrestler – a chubby guy who you believe really is crazy and sleazy enough to excel at whatever pro wrestling is. Rex works a few long armbars and the crowd keeps their cool unless Pedro gets a shot in, for in that case they go apeshit. The finish gets a HUGE pop. It’s not the most entertaining thing, but you’ve got to give it up for such a big ol’ pop. *3/4
2. Pat Patterson vs. Sgt. Slaughter w/ The Grand Wizard
This is just the best god damn match. This is a match made in 1980s heaven – you’ve got babyfaced Pat Patterson, SO fired up, just such a PROFESSIONAL WRESTLER ready to kick somebody’s ass and all the mannerisms and facial expressions to prove it. Sgt. Slaughter meanwhile is SO great at the stalling and the attacking from behind and taking INSANE bumps on everything which are so cool because the man is 6 foot 4. Slaughter takes THE BEST bumps into the turnbuckle ever, and it’s not just his famous over-the-top bump. The creative ways he finds to fuck around and get insane reactions off getting his head thrown into the top post are just astounding. At one point Slaughter teases a plancha, but drops to the apron and then to the floor and hits a stomp – because he’s a fucking dick. Ends in a double DQ cause these fellas just can’t stop fighting. The crowd is just sustained crazy during this whole thing; it’s an awesome awesome brawl between two MEN with a whole bunch of silly fun pro wrestling touches thrown in. ****
3. Steel Cage Match – WWF Heavyweight Title: Bob Backlund [c] w/ Arnold Skaaland vs. Stan Hansen
This is a fun match, not a lot happens but all of it feels legit for the 10 minutes it lasts – lots of strikes, cage being used as a weapon, and both guys look exhausted by the end. Backlund is kind of a geek here but Hansen takes some big cage bumps and the crowd is amped for the whole thing. There’s a Vince Sr. sighting as Backlund enters too. ***
4. Tony Garea & Rick Martel vs. “Pretty Boy” Larry Sharpe & Johnny Rodz
Tony Garea & Rick Martel vs. “Pretty Boy” Larry Sharpe & Johnny Rodz closes out the show, a suspect choice if I ever saw one. Rodz and Sharpe became more known for their training ability – Rodz had Tommy Dreamer, The Dudleys, and Big Cass, while Sharpe most famously broke in Bam Bam Bigelow. Garea & Martel brought the fire here while Sharpe is suitably sleazy and Rodz takes a funny bump or two. A couple beatdowns. Good guys win. Goodnight. *3/4
This is not the most exciting hour but it does have a classic Patterson/Slaughter match and one of the only things on the Network showing what Bob Backlund was like as the top guy, Hansen in the WWF, and Pedro Morales in general. Patterson/Slaughter is must-watch, the rest is vaguely worth watching. 5/10
