Nick Bockwinkel vs Tito Santana (NWA Houston 11/20/1981)
May 29, 2020 8:11:38 GMT -5
Post by workedshoot on May 29, 2020 8:11:38 GMT -5
NWA's streaming service had more hidden gems besides Funk vs Race. This match is flawless and as good as it gets. Completely went under the radar due to the time and place. Make sure you're in the right mood and have a half hour to spare.
-The restholds have more realism and drama, as both men struggle to get out of them. I've seen boring restholds in classic matches, such as Backlund vs Race and tons of AJPW/NPJW masterpieces, but in this match they had all of my attention.
-The punches look real.
-The finishes for each fall are amazing, and they relied on the logic of each fall, i.e. psychology.
-Both men show their crowd control and build up that balloon until it finally explodes. Don't let the "feeling out process" in the early stages with the quiet crowd dissuade you- the heat builds and pops. Frankly, one of the best "storytelling" matches I have ever seen.
-Both men show their character work and motivations in the ring with their emotions and mannerisms.
-Truly an epic match that feels like a World Championship match.
Nick is one of the top tier Greatest Wrestlers Ever and probably needs another match in the Top 100 list besides the Hennig one (especially since that match occurred so late in Nick's career). Santana who was known for his 1980s "scientific wrestling" and being an amazing babyface and ethnic hero. It's a shame Tito doesn't rate that highly on project lists (no matches represented here and ranked #80 in the last GWE list). For as much attention that Steamboat and Morton get for selling and being babyfaces in peril, Tito is right there as well. So voting for this match would be a great way to tribute both Nick and Tito.
-The restholds have more realism and drama, as both men struggle to get out of them. I've seen boring restholds in classic matches, such as Backlund vs Race and tons of AJPW/NPJW masterpieces, but in this match they had all of my attention.
-The punches look real.
-The finishes for each fall are amazing, and they relied on the logic of each fall, i.e. psychology.
-Both men show their crowd control and build up that balloon until it finally explodes. Don't let the "feeling out process" in the early stages with the quiet crowd dissuade you- the heat builds and pops. Frankly, one of the best "storytelling" matches I have ever seen.
-Both men show their character work and motivations in the ring with their emotions and mannerisms.
-Truly an epic match that feels like a World Championship match.
Nick is one of the top tier Greatest Wrestlers Ever and probably needs another match in the Top 100 list besides the Hennig one (especially since that match occurred so late in Nick's career). Santana who was known for his 1980s "scientific wrestling" and being an amazing babyface and ethnic hero. It's a shame Tito doesn't rate that highly on project lists (no matches represented here and ranked #80 in the last GWE list). For as much attention that Steamboat and Morton get for selling and being babyfaces in peril, Tito is right there as well. So voting for this match would be a great way to tribute both Nick and Tito.
