Posted February 21, 201312 yr comment_5536526 This match is from MSG and the guys get a little over 20 minutes. On paper that sounds like a recipe for disaster. I like Bob, but Snuka is a lot more miss than hit for me. I was shocked at how good this was. A little backstory going into the match was that Backlund has injured ribs. Pretty much Bob takes Snuka down and goes to work on his arm. Backlund is great at carrying the action. The arm work was done well and kept me engaged. In attempts to escape Snuka would go after the ribs. A fun spot in the bout Snuka misses a cross body spot and goes over the top rope. Another cool spot was Snuka going for the Super Fly Splash. Instead he does a front senton that misses but gets some incredible air under it. Eventually Snuka bloodys up Bob and wins by count out to set up the cage match stip. Some really smart and creative work that leads to a solid nomination.
June 5Jun 5 comment_6030790 Backlund knocks Lou Albano on his ass! Awesome. Backlund works over Snuka’s arm for a while. Snuka occasionally gets in some pot shots to Backlund’s ribs as a previous Superfly Splash attack has left Backlund’s midsection vulnerable. There’s a great break in the arm work early where they did a couple of criss cross spots. The first one is a cross body for a near fall & the second one sees Backlund scout Snuka who goes FLYING over the ropes & to the floor in an incredible bump. Amazing spot. Backlund returns to the arm, but over time Snuka’s rib attacks before more effective. They end up out on the floor & Snuka rams Backlund rib first into the guard rail. Snuka works over Backlund’s ribs now. Great selling from Backlund. Snuka goes up top to put Backlund away but Backlund moves & Snuka misses a flying top rope somersault to a huge pop. Great spot. Snuka recovers faster than Backlund & begins working a King of the Mountain section keeping Backlund on the floor. Snuka posts Backlund & now Bob is bleeding. Backlund can’t beat the count & Snuka gets the win. Backlund loses his cool in the post-match & fights Snuka off. This is great with excellent psychology & some really awesome big spots & hope spots. I don’t care for the count out finish where the heel should know they can’t win the Title. Great match, nonetheless. STRONG NOMINATION
June 18Jun 18 comment_6031391 BOB BACKLUND vs JIMMY SNUKA (06/05/1982; WWF MSG; New York, NY; 00:26:33) - Bob starts on the arm early so Snuka is forced to retreat. 2nd time in the ring, same result. 3rd time, Bob is ripping that arm out of the socket. The crowd erupts during a crisscross and Snuka flies out of the ring on a missed crossbody. Bob flips him back in and Snuka’s bumps are a great compliment to Bob’s exaggerated offense. Bob is dismantling the arm but they do need to start mixing it up, similar to the Adonis match. Bob follows Snuka outside and Jimmy rams him into the railing to turn the tide. Snuka sees Bob clutching the ribs so he hooks on a bear hug. Snuka continues working on the ribs. Snuka goes up for the splash but decides to do a senton and misses! That was wild. The crowd erupts! Bob does a JYD headbutt to send Snuka to the floor. They brawl on the floor and Snuka gets in the ring first. Snuka is king of the mountain. Snuka continues to batter Bob outside and he is a bloody mess. Snuka wins by count out and is happy with himself. Bob attacks Snuka after the match. Bob should have bled earlier but better late than never. This isn’t a slam dunk but was pretty damn great. I give it a STRONG NOMINATION and think it is much better than the cage match.
