WWF MSG April-October 1980

WWF Intercontinental Heavyweight Title: Pat Patterson © vs. Ken Patera (4/21/80)

Patera's main offense consists of power moves so Patterson starts working over Patera's left arm furiously. Patera couldn't break free for shit as Patterson was like a bulldog working him over but he would send him over the top rope to the floor turning the tide. Patera then ran out and smashed Patterson into the railing then bodyslamed him on the floor giving him a chance to recover some. Patera then just batters Patterson before starting to work over his back with a backbreaker followed by strikes to the back. Patera would grab a bearhug but Patterson would break free and then tried for a full-nelson but Patterson got to the corner. Patterson makes a fiery comeback as the Garden goes wild and he starts working over Patera's left leg wrapping it around the ringpost numerous times before locking on the figure-four leglock. Patera was great at selling the pain here before getting to the ropes then Patterson gets up and starts punching him rapidly before being pulled off by Gilberto Roman. Patterson just kept going to the leg until Patera tried a running shoulderblock into the corner where he hit all post but when Patterson tried to pin him, Patera got his foot on the bottom rope. Patera would eventually throw Patterson into Gilberto Roman before coming off the top with a knee drop right on Patterson's neck then covered him for the win but Patterson got his foot on the bottom rope, problem was though Gilberto Roman never saw it and awarded Patera the title. This is a tremendous match and an easy nomination.

"Living Legend" Bruno Sammartino vs. Larry Zbyszko (4/21/80)

This is the 2nd match of their New York series as Zbyszko won the first one by DQ and this one is one fall to a finish. Larry comes out blazing to start attacking Bruno inside and outside the ring using some of his patended King of the Mountain spots as well being just a complete dick to Bruno. Larry's time would run out though and Bruno would finally make a comeback using stomps at first just kicking the shit out of Larry as the Garden goes nuts. Bruno then sent Larry to the floor where he would return the favor to Larry throwing him into the railing a couple of times. Bruno then just continues throwing Larry around like a ragdoll before playing King of the Mountain himself which pissed Larry off so much he left the ringside area for good. Bruno wins by countout and the finish stunk but it was tremendous for storytelling purposes and of course this match moves on as a nomination.

Ricky Steamboat & Jay Youngblood vs. Bulldog Brower & Tor Kamata (4/21/80)

This is the babyfaces' debut at MSG and you would've hoped for better challengers but alas this is what we got. The match was decent at best thanks to the babyfaces of course who looked amazing here and the Garden was really hot for them. It was mindboggling to see why they never got a long run here with the straps.

Larry Zbyszko vs. Tony Garea (9/22/80)

This is Larry's first NYC match since Shea Stadium and it was natural to be against Garea who had come back to feud with him. Garea hadn't worked MSG in 18 months and the fans were definitely into him. This is also a rare Kal Rudman appearance at MSG which was a treat. Larry is in full Larry stalling mode here hemming and hawwing around the ring then was fiddling with the turnbuckle while Garea was held back by the referee. Garea though would get Larry down and worked over his left arm but Larry would recover and sent Garea to the floor with Larry screwing around with the turnbuckle again as well as playing King of the Mountain. Garea would fight back though pounding Larry's head into a turnbuckle then came back in the ring for some brawling before going to an abdominal stretch. Larry would get to the ropes but Garea refused to break the hold and got DQed. This had lots of emotion and hatred but as a match it wasn't much and the finish stunk.

Pedro Morales vs. Afa (9/22/80)

This is Pedro's first match back in MSG since 1975 and it doesn't even go 4 minutes with Pedro coming out on top.

"Mr. USA" Tony Atlas vs. Sika (9/22/80)

This goes about 5 minutes and it isn't much of anything.

Dominic DeNucci vs. "Pretty Boy" Larry Sharpe (10/20/80)

Slow plodding match built around nerve holds and bad matwork.

WWF Heavyweight Title: Bob Backlund © vs. Sgt. Slaughter (10/20/80)

This is the first big show match of their feud and the fans hate Sarge. Sarge stooges early and often here for Backlund including hitting his patented running shoulderblock into the ring post with Backlund following up with an armbar. Backlund would get a couple of armdrags with Sarge pinballing for him before going back to the armbar and he basically was just standing there holding him for a while. The action would finally pick up seeing Sarge send Backlund to the floor with Sarge playing King of the Mountain then slamming Backlund on the floor but Backlund would ram him right into the ringpost. Backlund would suplex Sarge back in the ring for a nearfall then kept pounding on him forcing out the juice from his forehead. Backlund was ruthless working over the cut as the fans went nuts but Sarge would send Backlund shoulder first into the corner and then he would ram him head first into the ringpost. Sarge would hit an awkward Slaughter Cannon before grabbing the Cobra Clutch which saw Arnold Skaaland jump on the apron using a chair on Sarge to break up the hold. Backlund would then hit a piledriver on Sarge as the bell rang even covering him thinking the match was still going on. Ridiculous finish for a babyface champion. The 2nd half of this match was WAY better than the 1st half and while we have better from these guys I think this match should be on the set at least as a low-end nomination.