[1979-08-27-WWF-MSG, NY] Bob Backlund vs Pat Patterson

[paul sosnowski]

This is actually the third consecutive match between the two at MSG. The first match on July 2nd, was not recorded. Then they had a rematch on July 30th. This will build to a 4th match on 9/24/79 in a steel cage. Bob Backlund is accompanied by Arnold Skaaland

Pat Patterson and his manager, the Grand Wizard storm off back to the dressing room before the ring introductions. Vince McMahon on commentary says "We may have for the first time ever here at Madison Square Garden, a forfeit". Patterson is the new Intercontinental Champion, but only the World Title is on the line in this match. Vince also tells us that both managers have been barred from ringside during the match.

Patterson jumps Arnold Skaaland before the bell, leading Backlund to charge after him with a flurry of punches. The bell rings as he whips Patterson into the corner and kicks him over the top rope. Backlund waits in the ring as Patterson tries to get up off the floor, finally Patterson pulls Backlund outside, but Backlund rams Pat's head into the apron and bodyslams him on the outside. The referee tries to keep Backlund back as Patterson slowly gets back in the ring and begs off in the corner, but Backlund moves past the ref and starts kicking Patterson in the gut. Backlund tries to whip him to the opposite corner, but gets reversed and hits the turnbuckles hard. Patterson charges at him with a knee, but Backlund moves out of the way. Patterson falls to the mat in pain, but Backlund sees the vulnerability and attacks the leg with a hamstring pull and a legdrop to Patterson's ankle. Then he does it again. Patterson tries to get to the ropes, but Backlund grabs him by the leg and hits another hamstring pull in the middle of the ring. Backlund twists the ankle around twice and attempts the figure four, Patterson rakes his eyes and escapes. Patterson comes after Bob in the corner, but Backlund goes to the outside and bashes Pat's knee twice on the ringpost. Patterson continues to beg and plead with the referee, but Backlund is relentless. He grabs the leg and jumps down with both legs onto Patterson's knee and ankle. Patterson kicks Backlund, shouler first into the corner and unleashes some big punches to the head. Backlund counters with punches to Patterson's injured thigh, Patterson escapes to the outside, but Backlund throws him back in. He stretches both of Pat's hamstrings and drops a big elbow to the face. Backlund works the right leg some more and finally hooks on the figure four leglock. Patterson quickly gets to the ropes and breaks the hold. Backlund tosses Patterson back towards the middle, Patterson rakes his eyes again and throws him to the floor. Patterson eventually undoes one of the turnbuckle pads, and throws Backlund to the floor again. Patterson unleashes punches to Backlund's head when he gets back in the ring and tries to whip Backlund into the exposed buckle, but Backlund reverses it. Patterson is busted open and the sight of blood sends Backlund into a frenzy of punches. Patterson tries to escape the ring and is in bad shape now, Backlund brings him back in and hits an atomic drop, but wait...Patterson accidentally kicks the referee, and the ref goes down. Patterson pulls out brass knuckles, but Backlund gets them away from him and they brawl to the outside. Patterson grabs a chair and slams it on Backlund's back and rolls back in the ring to win by countout at 14:29.

Backlund gets back in the ring and kicks and stomps Patterson in the corner. He still has on the brass knuckles and comes after him, but Patterson bails to the outside after being whipped into the corner.

Backlund was really aggressive in this match, a little too much legwork for my taste. Three and 3/4 ****