WWE Vintage Collection Report: 23rd May 2010
By Shaun Best-Rajah.com Reporter
Hosted by: Mean Gene Okerlund
Welcome aboard. This week, we take a trip way back to April 21st 1980 for a rare house show from the mecca of Sports Entertainment, Madison Square Garden. Both the World and Intercontinental titles are on the line and Vince McMahon is the sole announcer for the show. Let’s begin.
Greg Gagne vs Jose Estrada
Before the match, Okerlund talks up Greg’s father Verne being the owner and founder of the rival AWA, noting Greg being swayed by the lure of a WWE ring. Estrada sends Gagne to the floor, holds the ropes open and the two sportingly shake hands. Gagne does the same, but Estrada displays sour grapes, cheap shotting then putting the boots to Gagne. Estrada sends Gagne face first to the corner. Gagne ducks under an elbow to fire back with a forearm and some chops. Estrada tries to beg off, Gagne doesn’t buy it and delivers a slam. Estrada rakes the face, side headlocks and tackles Gagne to the mat. Gagne catches Estrada with a monkey flip then rallies with an armdrag and headscissors takedown. Estrada telegraphs a dropkick, misses a kneedrop, but shifts his weight across to counter a slam for a nearfall. Gagne reverses an irish whip, Estrada rebounds into a backbodydrop and Gagne finishes him off with two dropkicks. 1-2-3. Winner: GREG GAGNE. An on screen error lists the winner as Greg Gagnea.
Andre The Giant vs “Big Bad” Bob Duncum
Vince talks up Andre’s unbeaten streak as Duncum attacks before the bell. Duncum struggles to contain the Eighth Wonder of the World and can’t fix a solid headlock onto Andre’s massive head. Andre sends Duncum off the ropes into a big boot, before working him over with chops, headbutts, a nerve hold and head vice. Duncum takes Andre down with a high knee to the head. Duncum delivers battering rams in the corner then holds Andre in a front facelock. Duncum fails with slam attempts. Andre suplexes and drops a leg across the chest for the 1-2-3 to preserve his undefeated streak. Bad match. Winner: ANDRE THE GIANT.
Intercontinental Title
Pat Patterson vs Ken Patera w/The Grand Wizard.
It’s the inaugural Intercontinental titleholder against the former Olympic strongman. Wizard demands the referee checks Patterson for any foreign objects. Wizard gets full of himself, talking trash, but a simple Patterson flinch is enough to send Wizard leaping in fright into Patera’s arms. Wizard promptly takes his leave to the back. Patterson controls the opening minutes by working the arm with several armdrags, an armwringer and armbar.
After a commercial break, Patera kicks to break Patterson’s grip and tosses him to the concrete floor. Patera constantly favours his arm, as he stomps and slams Patterson on the floor. After choking Patterson in the corner, Patera delivers a couple of (soft) backbreakers. Patterson punches out of a bearhug, then gets to the ropes to avoid a full nelson. Patterson withstands a second bearhug and wristlock before kicking Patera away to thwart another full nelson attempt. Patterson backbodydrops then isolates Patera in the corner. After posting Patera’s leg a couple of times, Patterson locks on a figure four, but Patera makes it to the ropes.
Patera almost passes out from the pain of a second figure four, but makes it to the ropes once more. Patterson avoids a corner charge, Patera posts his shoulder, Patterson covers, but Patera gets a foot on the bottom rope. Patterson thinks he’s won. Patera sends Patterson into the referee, drops a knee across the back of Patterson’s neck from the second rope and covers. The groggy referee doesn’t see Patterson place a foot on the bottom rope and counts a new champion. Patterson tries to re-enact the finish to the referee, but his protests are in vain. Patera gets on the mic calling Patterson a “former has-been” before bailing to the back. This was a good match with solid ring psychology and a good controversial angle at the end to keep the feud going. Winner: KEN PATERA.
WWF Title
Bob Backlund vs Afa (Samoan Number 1)
Afa is referred throughout as “Samoan Number 1.” His Wild Samoan partner Sika was in action earlier on the card. Backlund has his way early on, sending Afa into the corner and working a wristlock for several minutes. Backlund stays on the arm, utilising a legdrop and armbar. Afa slams, but Backlund kicks him down and goes back to the wristlock. Afa maneuvers Backlund into the corner to turn the tide. Afa punishes Backlund with a throttling and nerve hold – the Samoan resthold of choice.
Backlund powers out of the nerve hold to deliver a piledriver. Neither can immediately capitalise. Backlund tries a charge, but gets dumped to the floor. Afa stops Backlund from re-entering. Backlund counters a slam from the apron by falling on top for a nearfall. Both tackle the other simultaneously. Backlund misses an elbow drop, allowing Afa to score with a Samoan drop. 1-2-kickout. Backlund counters a second Samoan drop with a reverse rollup off the ropes. Backlund bridges back as the referee counts 1-2-3. Backlund jumps around in delight as manager Arnold Skaaland passes him his belt. Winner: BOB BACKLUND.
Other results from the show:
Larry Sharpe defeated Mike Masters.
Ricky Steamboat & Jay Youngblood defeated Tor Kamata & Bulldog Brower.
Sika defeated Dominic DeNucci.
Hulk Hogan defeated Rene Goulet.
Bruno Sammartino defeated Larry Zbyszko via count-out.
This week’s show was a very straight laced wrestling show, light on the entertainment side, making it perfect for old-school purist fans.
Next week is the start of our annual lookback at some of the greatest matches and moments in Cruiserweight history. Okerlund promises Eddie Guerrero, Chris Jericho, Rey Mysterio and a few surprises along the way. See you next week. Shaun.
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