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Titans of Wrestling #51: WWF October to December 1981


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http://placetobenation.com/titans-of-wrestling-51-wwf-october-to-december-1981/

 

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Johnny takes over hosting duties and joins Parv, Pete and Kelly as the Titans FINALLY wrap up on a very long 1981.

 

On the docket tonight:

 

10-17 GAREA/MARTEL vs FUJI/SAITO TAG TITLE WWF TV

10-19 FUJI/SAITO vs MARTEL/GAREA TAG TITLE MADISON SQUARE GARDEN

10-19 DON MURACO vs PEDRO MORALES IC TITLE MADISON SQUARE GARDEN

10-19 BOB BACKLUND vs GREG VALENTINE WWF TITLE MADISON SQUARE GARDEN

11-14 ANDRE THE GIANT vs KILLER KHAN STRETCHER MATCH PHILADELPHIA SPECTRUM

11-23 DON MURACO vs PEDRO MORALES IC TITLE MADISON SQUARE GARDEN

11-23 BOB BACKLUND vs GREG VALENTINE WWF TITLE MADISON SQUARE GARDEN

11-23 DUSTY RHODES vs KING KONG MOSCA MADISON SQUARE GARDEN

12-12 ADRIAN ADONIS vs JEFF CRANEY WWF TV

 

On this show:

 

- Discussion of the rise and fall of the abdominal stretch

- Is Greg Valentine the greatest opponent of Bob Backlund?

- Pedro Morales: the miracle worker of finishing stretches?

- Don Muraco: lazy beach bum or just misunderstood?

- PLUS, mini-bios for Adrian Adonis and Mr. Saito, and Who should be the host of Titans, Parv or Johnny?

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No comments, for shame! This one of the best Titans episodes ever! Everything was gelling. Johnny did an excellent job as host. Really facilitated damn well. Pete knocked it out of the park on Backlund/Valentine. I think his work on the first match is his best bit ever. Perfect blend of passion and critical thinking. Kelly killed it with Mr. Snooze. Muraco is terribly boring. Parv brought the funny with the encyclopedia quips. Really tight, wicked bitchin.

Got to say I think Parv should remain as host. #Parvmaniac. I think it worked this one time because Johnny had not watched the footage. When Johnny watches the footage, you got have Johnny kicking it on the panel, plus part of Titans' charm is Parv and his crazy theories!

 

Loved this one.

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Parv, if you want to talk peak Greg Valentine sexiness, did he ever look better than with a World's Heavyweight Championship Belt around his waist.

 

Bob Backlund vs Greg Valentine - MSG 11/23/81 WWF Heavyweight Championship, No Holds Barred

 

This is the rematch from last month's disputed finish show where The Hammer walked out the Champion, but did not win the match. Thus the championship is held up and there must be a winner! Backlund is red-hot to start and beats Valentine's ass from pillar to post. The Hammer was great here at selling, begging off and bumping for Backlund making him look like Superman. Valentine goes for broke rushing into the corner with double knees and jams them in the turnbuckles. Backlund gives a taste of his Hammer's medicine to the Hammer working over the leg. I will say the one thing that did bring it down for me was Backlund's kicks to the leg were not the best. I recognize this is not Shoot-Style Japan, but Backlund has those killer headbutts, punches and forearms it makes his kicks look extra weak. Valentine is selling this for all its worth and when Backlund does use his fist to work the leg or an actual hold it is better for it. Valentine tries to dig himself out of this hole with desperation lunges, but it seems too deep at first with Backlund headbutting and punching his way back into control. On a figure-4 attempt, Valentine is able to punch Bob in the head and pounce on his leg. Valentine takes Backlund to school. No disrespect to the champ, but this is how you do it. Backlund fights him off and throws some wicked European Uppercuts to Valentine's leg from ground. Holy shit, both their legs are just shot and I am loving the double leg psychology. Valentine just grabs Backlunds ankle and scoots out and wraps his knee around the post. There is no avoiding it this time, Backlund is taken into the Figure-4 twice and his mettle is tested, but GOSHDARNIT HE IS BOB BACKLUND AND HE NEVER GIVES UP. With every fiber of his being and muscles bulging, Bob turns Valentine into the ropes. Both men are just exhausted. Valentine is the first one to try a suplex for a victory, but he can't capitalize. Backlund hits a magnificient, textbook German with a beautiful bridge to win the match! MSG explodes and Backlund leads him in a proto-Yes chant. I agree with the Titans this feels like the climax of Bob Backlund's reign. I thought this was exactly on par with the original 1981 match. I thought the original one just felt a bit grittier. Valentine was more frustrated and Backlund scrappier, but this one had sweet feel-good finish. It is a total toss-up; both are all-time classics. ****1/2

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I'm up to episode 7 and absolutely love this show. You guys are great and this is going to be one of those podcasts where I listen to the episodes multiple times.

 

You guys have inspired me to go out and watch all these matches.

Thanks man. That's an incredible compliment.

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