WWF MSG 6/8/81

Magnificent Muraco vs. Rick Martel (6/8/81)

This is Muraco's debut in MSG. Some decent back and forth action to start highlighted by Martel throwing some great left handed punches and doing a cartwheel into a headlock takedown. Martel was really good here working the headlock and Muraco was strong at selling the pain. Muraco though would break free and worked over Martel's neck while teasing using his taped thumb as a weapon. Martel would hit a desperation dropkick to start his comeback but as he tried another headlock takedown he got crotched on the top rope by Muraco. Martel took a hard bump to the floor and was counted out. Fun little 10:00 match with a cheap finish.

SD Jones vs. Frank Savage (6/8/81)

This wasn't very good but Jones got a win.

"American Dream" Dusty Rhodes vs. Killer Khan (6/8/81)

Dusty's red robe and red hat is fantastic and the Garden is molten hot for him. Vince announcing Dusty matches at this time was a treat as well because Vince would start talking jive. Lots of hemming and hawwing early on from Khan who was channeling old school Memphis heels with Dusty working as Jackie Fargo and the fans were eating it up. Khan would work an armbar for a while as well as mixing in his chops but Dusty would come back hitting his signature spots. Khan would grab Dusty from the apron and started pounding him prompting a DQ finish which was again another shitty finish on this show. This was fun for what it was.

Andre the Giant comes out next as a surprise for the fans as he walks out his crutches where he would walk to ringside so Vince could interview him.

Tony Garea vs. Man Mountain Cannon (6/8/81)

Cannon would become King Kong Bundy and he is a rookie here jobbing to Garea who actually uses a powerslam on him. Andre was also on commentary through the match.

WWF Heavyweight Title: Bob Backlund © vs. "King Kong" Angelo Mosca (6/8/81)

Pat Patterson was the referee here so angle alert. Backlund is on fire to start here just taking the battle to Mosca giving him everything he has got. Mosca makes a comeback and uses his power offense on Backlund even keeping up with the pace that Backlund set at the start of the match. Mosca gets pissed at Patterson so he shoves him then Backlund catches him with a cross body block with Patterson giving a fast count as Mosca had his foot on the bottom rope which Patterson saw. Mosca was extremely pissed and then attacked Patterson after the match. This was a pretty good match before yet another crappy finish.

2 out of 3 falls for the WWF Tag Titles: The Moondogs (Rex & Spot) © vs. Tatsumi Fujinami & Yoshiaki Yatsu (6/8/81)

Fujinami looked really great to start the match before tagging in Yatsu who was green but you could see the potential. Moondogs were really good here at bumping and selling for the Japanese especially Yatsu who would become FIP in the 1st fall doing a decent job of selling for the Dogs but it went way too long I think and the fans weren't into it. Fujinami got the hot tag and ran fucking wild with the fans eating it up which was amazing to watch until Spot would use the tag rope to choke Fujinami prompting a DQ finish for the 1st fall. The 2nd fall started with the Dogs working over Fujinami who shows Yatsu how it's done to work FIP as he is very good at selling the punishment while having some fun hope spots. Fujinami would then hit a great dropkick out of nowhere on Spot to win the 2nd fall as the Garden goes crazy. The brawling would start after the fall before it finally broke up and while the Japanese won the match they didn't win the titles because of the 1st fall DQ. Howard Finkel then announcing Fujinami's engagement to Miss Kayori after the match was fantastic with Vince marking out over the announcement. This has to go on the set as an extra somehow.

WWF Intercontinental Heavyweight Title: Pedro Morales © vs. Sgt. Slaughter (6/8/81)

They knew their time was short so they went at it at a fast pace with Sarge taking shots from Pedro while stooging around grabbing something out of his tights to use on Pedro. Sarge would rough up Pedro for a bit before going up top where Pedro would slam him down. Pedro then comes back with some punches and this is a slugfest with Sarge being fun at selling his punch drunkness. Sarge then would grab Dick Kroll and punch him right in the face before falling on his face in a total comedy finish. The match was over but the fighting wasn't as Sarge then really hit Kroll and even put him in the Cobra Clutch until Morales chased him off. Fun end to a fun show.