Match #4
Pat Patterson vs. Sgt. Slaughter
Alley Fight
WWF at MSG - May 4, 1981
This was the duplicate I mentioned yesterday. Turns out 2 people wanted me to see the first ever WON Match of the Year, and that's valid. I mean, how can it be a wrong choice? It was Match of the Year, according to at least someone. And this is sort of hardcore? I guess? I'm not expecting brutality as it is 1981, but there's got to be a lot of intensity here. From my research this all started when Patterson got screwed out of the Cobra Clutch challenge, leading to a bunch of matches that ended in DQs. Classic booking, there. The rules can't stop them fighting, so why not have a match without rules?
And since this is basically a proto-Street Fight, they both come out in street clothes, which I like. Pat Patterson comes out in a "I Heart NY" tee and a Yankees cap, at which point he might as well scream into the mic "I am the babyface, cheer me!". He's wearing sharp-toed boots too, as commentary points out. Slaughter's out with his manager at the time, The Grand Wizard. I always thought that name was uncomfortable. I know it's a Jewish man appropriating a name from the KKK, but still, it's a name from the KKK. Come to think of it, because of that discomfort a name like "The Grand Wizard" is instant heel heat. Makes sense.
Patterson's out like a house on fire, holy fuck. We're about 30 seconds in and Slaughter is struggling to stand. He can't even hit a punch in the corner, he whiffs it. Patterson delivers a whipping with his belt. Crowd ROARS for this. Then he starts choking the fuck out of Slaughter with it, fuck me. I notice I'm saying fuck a lot, this is just so visceral. Three minutes in and Slaughter pulls off his first successful move, an eye rake. Even then, when he's got the belt, he's taken such a beating that he falls over after the first strike he makes with it. He's able to gag Patterson with the belt though, and starts choking him with his own New York-themed shirt. Then Patterson recovers and uses momentum to toss Slaughter over the top rope using the shirt! I can see why 1981 audiences were so hyped for this.
Slaughter goes to the top rope for a flying nothing, and I legit worry he may have Sidded his ankle for a moment. Patterson himself manages to get a flying move in, for what's sold as a second rope stomp to the face but clearly isn't (first of all, that would be ridiculous, Slaughter wouldn't have a face today if that were true). Then he does it again because he just wants to hurt the guy! But he makes the silly decision to challenge Slaughter on the match, letting him take advantage again by chicanery. Commentary repeatedly mentions what boots the two have on. I almost mark out as Slaughter mulls over going for a top rope dive to the outside, but he changes his mind.
A catapult by Patterson busts Slaughter open! I assume he bladed just before that, but still. The guy's comically teetering as he walks
until Patterson pounds him (not in that way). Only a good old nut shot stops the assault. He then nails Patterson with the brass knuckles, but can't take advantage because the strength in his legs has ceased to exist. Patterson again manages to recover, do a good old punch-block, then continues to smash Slaughter's face in with the aid of the corners. And with the aid of his COWBOY BOOT, which he's using as a weapon now!
Slaughter's so fucked up that he's now trying to punch something that doesn't exist, facing in the wrong direction...
I love this Sarge. I wish I could see him do more of this and less of the... Saddam stuff. He's at full crimson mask now.
And just like that... the match ends. Turns out the Wizard's thrown in the towel, which feels really disappointing. He doesn't want to give Patterson the satisfaction of a pinfall victory, but neither does it give the fans the satisfaction of a decisive victory. They pop all the same, though, as Slaughter is still climbing in the ring and trying to not collapse. Wizard's pulling him out, and that may have just turned him a little bit babyface for me.
I'm honestly not sure how I feel about the finish. It's kind of a fuck finish, having the blowoff not be finished decisively. According to Cagematch they ran this one back at the Spectrum, maybe I'll try to find that one. Still, best of the 4 matches I've seen so far. Thank you to the 2 people who wanted me to see this.