Posted November 10, 201410 yr comment_5638993 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. "Mr. USA" Tony Atlas vs. "Living Legend" Larry Zbyszko (1/10/81) Larry jumps Atlas at the bell but that strategy didn't work and Atlas would take control easily with his power and strength advantage. Larry would then go to the floor where he would stall of course before getting part of a paper cup and used it on Atlas which was a funny weapon to use. Larry continues to take cheapshots before Atlas would make his comeback where he would just beat Larry down with punches causing Larry to fall out of the ring where he would get his feet hung up in the ropes and get counted out by Dick Woehrle then we get promos from both men afterwards. Fine for what it was. "Incredible" Hulk Hogan vs. Dominic DeNucci (2/14/81) Hogan is improving more and more at this time in his career and he dominates DeNucci before Dom makes a comeback throwing out all he had but would end up eating an Axe Bomber to end the match. WWF Intercontinental Heavyweight Title: Pedro Morales © vs. Stan "The Lariat" Hansen (2/14/81) Pedro got some shots in on Hansen early but Stan would take him down and worked over his left arm relentlessly for a quite a while. Pedro would try to make a comeback but Hansen just clubbed him right to the floor where he would then join him as he wanted to beat on him some more before going back to the ring. Pedro would finally get back on offense as he came back in the ring and the fans went nuts as he started taking it to Hansen but both men would end up pushing Dick Woerhle around got DQed. This had some fun parts but nothing really of substance until the last minute of the match where both men just started beating the hell out of each other. WWF World Heavyweight Title: Bob Backlund © vs. Sgt. Slaughter (2/14/81) Time for the rematch from the previous month and this is a war from the bell as both men just start teeing off on each other. Backlund would quickly gain control though and Sarge is back pinballing for him again which was fun but this time there is even more intensity from Backlund here than in the January match. Backlund even tried to use the Cobra Clutch but Sarge would dip to the floor where he would pull a metal object out of his tights to use when needed. Backlund would even try to outbump Sarge as well as he took a hard fall over the top rope to the floor allowing Sarge to get some offense in but Backlund was still pissed and came fighting back even going for the Cobra Clutch again. Backlund was like a bulldog here as Sarge would get a glimpse of gaining control and Bob would find some way to get free and work him over sending him to the floor numerous times which allowed Sarge to get some rest but every time he came back in the ring he would eat more punishment. Sarge now decides to just hang around on the floor stalling and Bob finally got sick of it so he jumped out there and they would brawl to a double countout. This had more fire and intensity than the first match but the first match was a better overall match although this was pretty good as well. This moves forward fairly easily. Next we get Kal Rudman with Hulk Hogan and this is a fun promo as they talk about Backlund and Rocky 3. Extra material. Texas Death Match for the WWF World Tag Titles: Tony Garea & Rick Martel © vs. The Moondogs (King & Rex) (2/14/81)This has Gorilla Monsoon as the referee and had some really hard hitting violence as the Dogs just pounded on the babyfaces here who were really fun at selling the punishment while dishing it out as well. Lots of stiff shots from punches, knees, elbows, and whatever body parts they could use to pound on the other. Monsoon stays out of the way until the end where Rex hits him with an axehandle from the top so Monsoon puts him out of the ring while King eats a double backdrop for the pin. Finish was flat for this match and it wasn't a true Texas Death match but this was just fun violence and feels like a fair nomination. Then we get promos from Bruno, Wizard, & Patera for the 12/27/80 show in Baltimore. Stan "The Lariat" Hansen vs. "Quick Draw" Rick McGraw (12/16/80) Always fun seeing Hansen in WWF too bad he didn't go back later in the 80's. McGraw shows some fight but Hansen is just too dominant. Next we get George Michael with his Capital Centre highlights on Channel 4 in DC...these were always fun. "King Kong" Angelo Mosca vs. Fred Marzino (6/9/81) Total squash. Killer Khan vs. Ricky Stallone (12/2/80) Domination. Then we get promos from Albano, Bruno, Wizard, & Patera for the 12/27/80 show in Baltimore.
