Bob Backlund vs Sgt. Slaughter (1/10/81 Philadelphia, PA)

A solid nomination. This a good wrestling match. The match was smartly worked out and they told a compelling story. These guys work well with one another.

WWF World Heavyweight Title: Bob Backlund © vs. Sgt. Slaughter (1/10/81)

 

This match was on the original WWF set and this rivalry produced some great matches. Backlund flusters Sarge early on by constantly putting him on the mat and this is where we get Sarge at his best as he bumps hard and sells just as hard. Sarge would finally slow Backlund down keeping him in a headlock while peppering him with punches which gave him the boost he needed. Backlund would fire off a big headbutt though that would allow him to follow with a piledriver for a nearfall. Both men are now groggy but Sarge seems to have a little more in the tank as he tries for the Cobra Clutch but Backlund kicks him off of him. Sarge would then climb up top but Backlund would press slam him off to stay alive and he would get some nearfalls including an O'Connor Roll which Sarge would use to push Bob to the floor with Sarge following up by slamming him on the railing. Sarge would then post Backlund as he got on the apron and then did it again this time bringing out the juice as fans throw popcorn at him which was funny. Backlund really tapped a gusher as the blood was spewing down his chest. Sarge then grabbed the ring bell and popped Backlund with it as well which angers Dick Graham & Kal Rudman highly. Sarge just beats the shit out of Backlund with punches as Backlund tries to enter the ring then bites him before Backlund finally returns to the ring. Backlund fires back with some desperation punches as Mario Savoldi checks the cut before Bob threw Sarge into the corner where he did his patented Sarge Bump to the floor which was wild for a man his size. Backlund then battered Sarge before backdropping him into the ring but he would get counted out in the process which pissed the fans off. Sarge then grabbed Backlund's belt and KOed both Bob and Mario Savoldi before Arnold Skaaland ran him off with a chair. This was a damn solid match and a fairly easy nomination.

BOB BACKLUND vs SGT. SLAUGHTER (01/10/1981; WWF Philadelphia Spectrum; 00:28:15) 4 ¼*
-    Sarge is the best. He tries a sneak attack but Bob moves and Sarge takes his own bump in the corner. The crowd is so loud, Sarge covers his ears and they get louder. Bob controls early and these guys are awesome so its never boring. Sarge switches it up and hooks in a headlock while mixing it up with bites, eye rakes and generally being a dick. The crowd is the third man making the atmosphere special. When the crowd generated enough energy, Sarge kills them (and Bob) with a well-placed punch to the face to drop Bob. He then just punches him repeatedly. When that strategy didn’t get a pin, he hits a backbreaker and starts attacking the back including some swank headbutts. Bob fighting back but hits a headbutt that creates a double knockout. Bob follows with a piledriver for a two count. Both guys re beat to hell. Both guys on their knees and Sarge punches Bob in the throat. HE goes for the cobra clutch and Bob escapes. Sarge in control for multiple 2 counts. On the top rope, Bob intercepts and hits the big slam. Out of nowhere, Bob hits a falling headbutt! Great camera angle. Bob came out of nowhere. Each guy getting near falls. Bob on the outside and Sarge DROPS BACKLUND’S BACK ON THE RAIL. It looked nasty! On the apron, Bob gets rammed into the ring post for his troubles. Now, Sarge bends down, grabs Bob’s head and rams him again. Bob is a bloody mess. And I mean a mess. Someone even threw a drink on him. It is Philly, after all. Sarge grabs the ringside bell and nails him again. Um… that should be a DQ. Sarge is punching him repeatedly. He bites the cut. Bob trying to fight back. Damn, Sarge is tagging his head but Bob reverses an Irish whip and Sarge goes flying in his super bump. Sarge gets the win by countout but this was a war. EASY NOMINATION.