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Post by rickyjackson on Jan 6, 2018 17:57:21 GMT -5
One of Bob's best title defences against arguably his best opponent. Title had been held up from the prior month and Valentine actually had physical possession of the belt in the meantime, so Bob comes to the ring pissed off as all hell. Great match with a molten hot MSG crowd
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Post by superstarsleeze on Jul 22, 2018 21:23:19 GMT -5
I second Kelly's nomination. All time great feel-good moment for us Backlund fans. So much validation right there! I am always beaming when I see it.
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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Post by Cap on Jun 27, 2019 7:59:58 GMT -5
Third
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Post by elliott on Sept 2, 2023 17:03:18 GMT -5
Terrific match. I'm not sure it's one of the 20 best Backlund matches which is a real tribute to how many awesome matches Backlund has been in.
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