Post by rey619 on Feb 26, 2012 8:08:17 GMT -5
PWI 1981
TOP 20 WRESTLERS
1. Dusty Rhodes (6)
The current GCW world champion steals this years PWI # 1 award. Dusty has been instrumental in bringing together the Texas Outlaws, and de-throned Bob Backlund back in June. While some of his matches have had controversial endings, he won decisively at the LA supershow.
2. Harley Race (1)
Harley Race may have lost, regained and then lost his NWF World Title to Jerry Lawler, but he still is one of the top mat magicians in the world, and is always at the center of controversy. His matches and feuds with both Jerry Lawler and Jack Brisco has been of a high standard, and he proved that at the LA supershow.
3. Greg Valentine (5)
His feud with Crusher Blackwell set the standard of Greg’s year, culminating in him defeating Lawler for the NWF World Title. Valentine combines lethal maneuvers with a twinkle in his eye and a seriousness that has brought him the coveted prize.
4. Billy Graham (18)
While the former NWF Champion has not been close to any championships or even won that many matches, he has probably been one of the most interesting characters of the year. His friendship with Paul Orndorrf, which was slow in the making, turned Billy’s former friends – Adrian Adonis and Jesse Ventura – against him, but Billy stood by Orndorff.
5. Bob Backlund (2)
Backlund remains one of the finest mat wrestlers in the world, and did have the GCW World Title for several months before losing it to Dusty. He did manage to choke out poor Bobby Duncum at the War Games event in December, but suffered decisive losses to Rhodes elsewhere, and is not generally considered the top contender anymore.
6. Ric Flair (17)
Somewhat out of nowhere, Ric Flair became a decent fellow and joined Backlund and Snuka in the fight against the Texas Outlaws. On top of that, he had a good match against Rhodes for the world title back at the year-end show. A big step up for Flair this year.
7. Jerry Lawler (9)
Even though neither of his two world title reigns have been extremely successful, you don’t forget the guy who turned on Harley Race. Besides, he is a two-time world champion. When Lawler discovered that Greg Valentine in fact had no loaded kneepad, his self-confidence stumbled and he dropped the belt on the final show of the year.
8. Jack Brisco (New)
Many thought his career to be effectively over when the East-West Connection sent his brother packing, but Jack has reinvented himself as a singles wrestler and has been involved in a high-profile feud with Harley Race.
9. Terry Funk (13)
The crazy Texan was forced into service with Freddie Blassie early on in 1981, but as his mind has deteriorated, Blassie has show more and more insecurity. Funk’s final act of 1981 was to piss of The Texas Outlaws by not helping Duncum and laughing as he was forced to tap out to Backlund.
10. Stan Hansen (4)
Hansen is IC champ again, but still drops six spots as he has obviously taken a secondary role in the Texas Outlaws. The path was clear to a real main event run for ”the lariat”, but he stumbled and is now back where he was in 1980.
11. Don Muraco (12)
Muraco held the IC title for nearly one year before losing it to Hansen. A solid worker who now must watch out for Tony Atlas, conceiveably an even stronger man than Muraco.
12. Paul Orndorrf (10)
While Orndorrf was part of one of the most interesting feuds in recent history, that was more due to Billy Graham than Orndorrf, and Orndorrf winning the US Title was not the main focus of Orndorrf’s year.
13. Jimmy Snuka (3)
Snuka hasn’t been around for that many matches and feuds, but Snuka returning to beg for forgiveness to the man he betrayed (Backlund) was a feelgood moment for all involved. While he may still have some begging left to do, Snuka stood by Backlund in the fight against the Texas Outlaws.
14. Tony Atlas (New)
Atlas defected from NWF to GCW during 1981, and immediately became a major player in GCW, turning out to be stronger than Dino Bravo, Ken Patera and even Don Muraco.
15. Roddy Piper (15)
While Roddy’s debut in NWF shook up some things and took Race’s mind off Jerry Lawler, Roddy has been more mouth and less action in his quest to get some payback on his former mentor.
16. Mr Saito (New)
Even though he was a part of a tag team with Mr. Fuji for several months, he’s on the singles lists as it’s there he’ll be found in the future. This big oriental guy has the potential to be NWF’s Jumbo Tsuruta.
17. Ricky Steamboat (New)
A great year for the young Hawaiian. Not only has he turned out to be a valiant knight, saving the Wild Samoans and tagging with Afa for a while, he has also pulled out some good wins (e.g. over Larry Zbyszko).
18. Tommy Rich (7)
While Tommy Rich is still one of the most unpopular fellows at wrestling arenas around the country, his year has been more losses than wins. His mind games are still top notch though.
19. Bill Eadie (New)
The former Masked Superstar has proven to be a capable fellow on his own, taking on Paul Jones and his cronies in the Army.
20. Randy Savage (New)
This young high-flying fellow has really come into his own this year, allying with Tommy Rich and feuded with the von Erich Brothers. We may expect even bigger things from Savage next year.
TOP 10 TAG TEAMS
1. Jumbo Tsuruta & Antonio Inoki (New)
While they did not have the longest tag team title reign this year, the two orientals dominated the GCW tag team ranks and would have held the titles for longer if it hadn’t been for the shenanigans of the Strongmen and the Outlaws. With Inoki going back to Japan however, Jumbo will try to dominate the singles ranks again.
2. The East-West Connection (8)
Adonis and Ventura finally won the straps that everyone felt should have been theirs two years ago. Add that to the fact that they were strongly involved in the most interesting storyline of the year, and the EW Connection had a strong year.
3. The High Flyers (2)
Even though they broke up in spectacular fashion, you do not discount the team who held the titles for almost one full year. Gagne and Brunzell will probably never team up together, but they’ll always have a second and third placing in the PWI to remember.
4. Canadian Air (6)
For one year, Canadian Air and The High Flyers feuded for the tag-team titles, their storied rivalry ending up in a tremendous cage match. This feud made the Canadian Air what they are today, a top-notch tag-team with a title reign under their belt.
5. The Can-Am Strongmen (10)
Defeating Jumbo and Inoki in the tournament finals to become new tag champs is a feat in itself, and Patera and Bravo held on to the belts for quite a while too. Allying themselves with Freddie Blassie might be their ticket to a new reign.
6. Bobby Duncum/Dick Murdoch (New)
The Texas Outlaws control all belts in GCW at the moment, Duncum and Slater being the ones who were able to best the strong duo of Jumbo and Inoki. With Hansen and Rhodes lurking nearby, this tandem may hold on the straps for quite some time.
7. Terrible Tandem (New)
Brought in specifically by Skandor Akbar’s nephew Jimmy Hart to take out the traitorous Crusher Blackwell. Reed and Brody may be tough and intimidating, and if successful against Crusher and his allies, a run for the tag-team titles may be in order.
8. The Fabulous Freebirds (New)
There are a lot of new tag teams on this year’s list, Gordy and Hayes being two of them. They bring something else to the table, a cocky attitude that may take them places.
9. The Von Erich Brothers (3)
Not the best of years for David and Kerry. After having one of the most memorable feuds last year, they have somewhat stagnated this year. Is coming out on the losing end in the feud with Rich and Savage.
10. The Upstarts (New)
Much the same as The Freebirds, except for the cocky attitude. There might just be space for one young and hungry tag team in GCW, so Rick and Terry need to put the Freebirds behind them.
TOP 5 MATCHES
1. Ric Flair vs Dusty Rhodes (c) – no contest, Hartford, Ct
One month earlier, the reformed Ric Flair had won a battle royal and was ready to face his old rival Dusty Rhodes for the GCW World Title. 30 minutes of brilliant wrestling was not enough to separate these two, and when the Texas Outlaws, Backlund, Snuka and more intervened, the match was thrown out.
2. Dusty Rhodes defeats Bob Backlund, Toronto, Canada
Dusty steals another top spot in this year’s PWI. Backlund’s second re-match for the title. He couldn’t have foreseen that Stan Hansen had joined the Texas Outlaws though.
3. Canadian Air defeats The High Flyers
Cage matches are by their nature a violent and bloody affair, and when you put four people in it, it becomes even worse. This was the final match in a year-long feud which had seen everything. And now this. A tremendous 30-minute war.
4. War Games Match, New York, NY
This innovative match saw the light of day on Christmas Day in New York, as the Texas Outlaws and the Backlund alliance did battle in two rings and a huge cage. We hope this becomes a staple of GCW, as we want to see more of this blood shed!
5. The Can-Am Strongmen defeats Tsuruta and Inoki, Baltimore, MD
It was the final of the World Tag Team Title Tournament, and everyone and their grandmother was certain that the Japanese would take the strap. But it was not to be. The Strongmen came out on top in a brilliantly fought tactical victory, and the crowd hated them for it.
TOP 5 FEUDS/STORYLINES
1. Billy Graham/Paul Orndorrf vs The East-West Connection
The brilliantly slow transformation from the bully Billy Graham was known to be, into the mentor who brought out the best in Paul Orndorrf, culminating in his US Title win over Jack Brisco. Was Graham just playing with Orndorrf? Would Orndorrf turn on Billy and join the East West Connection? In the end, Graham and Orndorrf became good friends and allies, but NWF kept us in suspense throughout it all.
2. The Gagne Family Issue
Greg Gagne turning on his father, piledriving his head into the concrete floor came as a big shock on everyone. Family feuds never fails to interest, and the added controversy behind the scenes helps make this feud one of the most memorable ones of 1981.
3. The Texas Outlaws vs the Backlund Alliance
With Dusty Rhodes, Stan Hansen, Dick Murdoch and Bobby Duncum, one of the most powerful alliances in the history of wrestling has been made. They hold all of the titles currently, and looks very dominant going into 1982. Bob Backlund stood up to them, and was soon joined by Ric Flair and Jimmy Snuka. The War Games match between these two factions have already gone down in history. But the war is probably far from over.
4. Terry Funk goes mad
Ever since losing to Don Muraco, Terry Funk has been forced to work for Freddie Blassie. Funk turned this into his own advantage, showing more and more crazy sides of himself, causing Blassie to get genuinely scared for what Funk might do to his opponent. And after Blassie got Funk into the War Games match, a decision that would ultimately cost the Texas Outlaws the victory, Blassie might just be better off cutting this maniac loose.
5. Larry Zbyszko / Luke Graham
Luke Graham, the former GCW World Champion returned as the mentor and manager of young B. Brian Blair. He soon got caught up in a feud with ”the Cruncher” Larry Zbyszko, who kept defeating Blair. It ended up in a match between the two, and Graham’s full-time return to the ring. Graham will always be one of the greatest stars in wrestling.
TOP 5 WRESTLERS TO WATCH OUT FOR IN 1982
1. Paul Orndorrf
While both number 1 and 2 of last year’s list became world champions (Rhodes and Lawler), PWI admits they’re taking a chance of putting Orndorrf at number one. He has all the tools needed to break out even more than he has already, but it might be best to drop Billy Graham. We hope and think he takes a step forward, unlike his counterpart in GCW (Stan Hansen), who seems content staying where he are.
2. Roddy Piper
Jumping ship to NWF to go after Harley Race seemed a good idea to catapult Piper to main event status. However, the only thing it has accomplished so far is to keep Race out of the title picture (which in itself is not a bad thing, but it doesn’t help Piper that much). We think that Piper will, eventually, look really good in this feud and that he will wear gold at the end of the year.
3. Ricky Steamboat
He was awarded the Newcomer of the Year award in GCW, and we can see why. Already hugely popular with the crowd, this young wrestler has a cutting-edge style of wrestling we can see dominate the squared circles in USA for the next decades. Defeating Larry Zbyszko recently was huge, and if he comes out on top of that feud, he might think about going for Stan Hansen’s IC title.
4. Tito Santana
Speaking of which, after defeating Stan Hansen in a non-title match in Providence recently, the recent singles wrestler Santana might also have a good year in 1982. Let’s face it, he needed to get rid of Fernandez sooner rather than later, and this year may be the year of the Matador.
5. Tony Atlas
It’s clear that GCW has faith in Tony Atlas. Not only did they lure him away from NWF with a lot of money, they put him in a high-profile program with Don Muraco and the Strongmen right away. Atlas might be the strongest wrestler in the world, but he can also back it up with his moves. While both Steamboat and Santana lack the strength to match Stan Hansen, Tony Atlas has no such shortcomings.
CONCLUSION
While it’s easy to live in the now and forget the past, PWI feels that this year has been even stronger than 1980. We’ve had some very memorable feuds, innovative matches and a big supershow that showcased various styles of wrestling. The War Games match is here to stay, and the cage matches throughout the years have not disappointed in the least.
While NWF and GCW are quite alike in many aspects, it’s quite clear that NWF prefers somewhat more ”over the top” storylines – with the Gagne family saga and the Crusher Blackwell Valentine Trophy that sticks out. GCW is still more old-school, with a lot of brutal matches, betrayals and revenge matches. That the two promotion’s try to stand a little more out from each other is not a bad thing. They should constantly try to challenge each other to put on the best shows and bring in the hottest crowds.
For our predictions last year, we must say that Rhodes and Lawler was spot on. Ric Flair has also been elevated to main event status. Rich has lost several steps in our opinions, even though he still is an interesting character. The Fabulous Freebirds might not have broken through just yet, but the tag team ranks in GCW is tougher than ever, and it is difficult to step up when you have to face teams like Jumbo/Inoki, The Texas Outlaws, the Can-Am Strongmen, etc.
Over in AWA, a man named Hulk Hogan is slowly getting an almost legendary status already. The question is, how long can Verne Gagne hold on to this man before he wants to ply his craft on a bigger stage? And who will open their coffers wide enough for Hogan to jump ship? PWI was close to having Hogan on the list for wrestler’s to watch out for in 1982, but ultimately decided against it. If, and when he turns up in the two major promotions is still something that is left to be seen.
TOP 20 WRESTLERS
1. Dusty Rhodes (6)
The current GCW world champion steals this years PWI # 1 award. Dusty has been instrumental in bringing together the Texas Outlaws, and de-throned Bob Backlund back in June. While some of his matches have had controversial endings, he won decisively at the LA supershow.
2. Harley Race (1)
Harley Race may have lost, regained and then lost his NWF World Title to Jerry Lawler, but he still is one of the top mat magicians in the world, and is always at the center of controversy. His matches and feuds with both Jerry Lawler and Jack Brisco has been of a high standard, and he proved that at the LA supershow.
3. Greg Valentine (5)
His feud with Crusher Blackwell set the standard of Greg’s year, culminating in him defeating Lawler for the NWF World Title. Valentine combines lethal maneuvers with a twinkle in his eye and a seriousness that has brought him the coveted prize.
4. Billy Graham (18)
While the former NWF Champion has not been close to any championships or even won that many matches, he has probably been one of the most interesting characters of the year. His friendship with Paul Orndorrf, which was slow in the making, turned Billy’s former friends – Adrian Adonis and Jesse Ventura – against him, but Billy stood by Orndorff.
5. Bob Backlund (2)
Backlund remains one of the finest mat wrestlers in the world, and did have the GCW World Title for several months before losing it to Dusty. He did manage to choke out poor Bobby Duncum at the War Games event in December, but suffered decisive losses to Rhodes elsewhere, and is not generally considered the top contender anymore.
6. Ric Flair (17)
Somewhat out of nowhere, Ric Flair became a decent fellow and joined Backlund and Snuka in the fight against the Texas Outlaws. On top of that, he had a good match against Rhodes for the world title back at the year-end show. A big step up for Flair this year.
7. Jerry Lawler (9)
Even though neither of his two world title reigns have been extremely successful, you don’t forget the guy who turned on Harley Race. Besides, he is a two-time world champion. When Lawler discovered that Greg Valentine in fact had no loaded kneepad, his self-confidence stumbled and he dropped the belt on the final show of the year.
8. Jack Brisco (New)
Many thought his career to be effectively over when the East-West Connection sent his brother packing, but Jack has reinvented himself as a singles wrestler and has been involved in a high-profile feud with Harley Race.
9. Terry Funk (13)
The crazy Texan was forced into service with Freddie Blassie early on in 1981, but as his mind has deteriorated, Blassie has show more and more insecurity. Funk’s final act of 1981 was to piss of The Texas Outlaws by not helping Duncum and laughing as he was forced to tap out to Backlund.
10. Stan Hansen (4)
Hansen is IC champ again, but still drops six spots as he has obviously taken a secondary role in the Texas Outlaws. The path was clear to a real main event run for ”the lariat”, but he stumbled and is now back where he was in 1980.
11. Don Muraco (12)
Muraco held the IC title for nearly one year before losing it to Hansen. A solid worker who now must watch out for Tony Atlas, conceiveably an even stronger man than Muraco.
12. Paul Orndorrf (10)
While Orndorrf was part of one of the most interesting feuds in recent history, that was more due to Billy Graham than Orndorrf, and Orndorrf winning the US Title was not the main focus of Orndorrf’s year.
13. Jimmy Snuka (3)
Snuka hasn’t been around for that many matches and feuds, but Snuka returning to beg for forgiveness to the man he betrayed (Backlund) was a feelgood moment for all involved. While he may still have some begging left to do, Snuka stood by Backlund in the fight against the Texas Outlaws.
14. Tony Atlas (New)
Atlas defected from NWF to GCW during 1981, and immediately became a major player in GCW, turning out to be stronger than Dino Bravo, Ken Patera and even Don Muraco.
15. Roddy Piper (15)
While Roddy’s debut in NWF shook up some things and took Race’s mind off Jerry Lawler, Roddy has been more mouth and less action in his quest to get some payback on his former mentor.
16. Mr Saito (New)
Even though he was a part of a tag team with Mr. Fuji for several months, he’s on the singles lists as it’s there he’ll be found in the future. This big oriental guy has the potential to be NWF’s Jumbo Tsuruta.
17. Ricky Steamboat (New)
A great year for the young Hawaiian. Not only has he turned out to be a valiant knight, saving the Wild Samoans and tagging with Afa for a while, he has also pulled out some good wins (e.g. over Larry Zbyszko).
18. Tommy Rich (7)
While Tommy Rich is still one of the most unpopular fellows at wrestling arenas around the country, his year has been more losses than wins. His mind games are still top notch though.
19. Bill Eadie (New)
The former Masked Superstar has proven to be a capable fellow on his own, taking on Paul Jones and his cronies in the Army.
20. Randy Savage (New)
This young high-flying fellow has really come into his own this year, allying with Tommy Rich and feuded with the von Erich Brothers. We may expect even bigger things from Savage next year.
TOP 10 TAG TEAMS
1. Jumbo Tsuruta & Antonio Inoki (New)
While they did not have the longest tag team title reign this year, the two orientals dominated the GCW tag team ranks and would have held the titles for longer if it hadn’t been for the shenanigans of the Strongmen and the Outlaws. With Inoki going back to Japan however, Jumbo will try to dominate the singles ranks again.
2. The East-West Connection (8)
Adonis and Ventura finally won the straps that everyone felt should have been theirs two years ago. Add that to the fact that they were strongly involved in the most interesting storyline of the year, and the EW Connection had a strong year.
3. The High Flyers (2)
Even though they broke up in spectacular fashion, you do not discount the team who held the titles for almost one full year. Gagne and Brunzell will probably never team up together, but they’ll always have a second and third placing in the PWI to remember.
4. Canadian Air (6)
For one year, Canadian Air and The High Flyers feuded for the tag-team titles, their storied rivalry ending up in a tremendous cage match. This feud made the Canadian Air what they are today, a top-notch tag-team with a title reign under their belt.
5. The Can-Am Strongmen (10)
Defeating Jumbo and Inoki in the tournament finals to become new tag champs is a feat in itself, and Patera and Bravo held on to the belts for quite a while too. Allying themselves with Freddie Blassie might be their ticket to a new reign.
6. Bobby Duncum/Dick Murdoch (New)
The Texas Outlaws control all belts in GCW at the moment, Duncum and Slater being the ones who were able to best the strong duo of Jumbo and Inoki. With Hansen and Rhodes lurking nearby, this tandem may hold on the straps for quite some time.
7. Terrible Tandem (New)
Brought in specifically by Skandor Akbar’s nephew Jimmy Hart to take out the traitorous Crusher Blackwell. Reed and Brody may be tough and intimidating, and if successful against Crusher and his allies, a run for the tag-team titles may be in order.
8. The Fabulous Freebirds (New)
There are a lot of new tag teams on this year’s list, Gordy and Hayes being two of them. They bring something else to the table, a cocky attitude that may take them places.
9. The Von Erich Brothers (3)
Not the best of years for David and Kerry. After having one of the most memorable feuds last year, they have somewhat stagnated this year. Is coming out on the losing end in the feud with Rich and Savage.
10. The Upstarts (New)
Much the same as The Freebirds, except for the cocky attitude. There might just be space for one young and hungry tag team in GCW, so Rick and Terry need to put the Freebirds behind them.
TOP 5 MATCHES
1. Ric Flair vs Dusty Rhodes (c) – no contest, Hartford, Ct
One month earlier, the reformed Ric Flair had won a battle royal and was ready to face his old rival Dusty Rhodes for the GCW World Title. 30 minutes of brilliant wrestling was not enough to separate these two, and when the Texas Outlaws, Backlund, Snuka and more intervened, the match was thrown out.
2. Dusty Rhodes defeats Bob Backlund, Toronto, Canada
Dusty steals another top spot in this year’s PWI. Backlund’s second re-match for the title. He couldn’t have foreseen that Stan Hansen had joined the Texas Outlaws though.
3. Canadian Air defeats The High Flyers
Cage matches are by their nature a violent and bloody affair, and when you put four people in it, it becomes even worse. This was the final match in a year-long feud which had seen everything. And now this. A tremendous 30-minute war.
4. War Games Match, New York, NY
This innovative match saw the light of day on Christmas Day in New York, as the Texas Outlaws and the Backlund alliance did battle in two rings and a huge cage. We hope this becomes a staple of GCW, as we want to see more of this blood shed!
5. The Can-Am Strongmen defeats Tsuruta and Inoki, Baltimore, MD
It was the final of the World Tag Team Title Tournament, and everyone and their grandmother was certain that the Japanese would take the strap. But it was not to be. The Strongmen came out on top in a brilliantly fought tactical victory, and the crowd hated them for it.
TOP 5 FEUDS/STORYLINES
1. Billy Graham/Paul Orndorrf vs The East-West Connection
The brilliantly slow transformation from the bully Billy Graham was known to be, into the mentor who brought out the best in Paul Orndorrf, culminating in his US Title win over Jack Brisco. Was Graham just playing with Orndorrf? Would Orndorrf turn on Billy and join the East West Connection? In the end, Graham and Orndorrf became good friends and allies, but NWF kept us in suspense throughout it all.
2. The Gagne Family Issue
Greg Gagne turning on his father, piledriving his head into the concrete floor came as a big shock on everyone. Family feuds never fails to interest, and the added controversy behind the scenes helps make this feud one of the most memorable ones of 1981.
3. The Texas Outlaws vs the Backlund Alliance
With Dusty Rhodes, Stan Hansen, Dick Murdoch and Bobby Duncum, one of the most powerful alliances in the history of wrestling has been made. They hold all of the titles currently, and looks very dominant going into 1982. Bob Backlund stood up to them, and was soon joined by Ric Flair and Jimmy Snuka. The War Games match between these two factions have already gone down in history. But the war is probably far from over.
4. Terry Funk goes mad
Ever since losing to Don Muraco, Terry Funk has been forced to work for Freddie Blassie. Funk turned this into his own advantage, showing more and more crazy sides of himself, causing Blassie to get genuinely scared for what Funk might do to his opponent. And after Blassie got Funk into the War Games match, a decision that would ultimately cost the Texas Outlaws the victory, Blassie might just be better off cutting this maniac loose.
5. Larry Zbyszko / Luke Graham
Luke Graham, the former GCW World Champion returned as the mentor and manager of young B. Brian Blair. He soon got caught up in a feud with ”the Cruncher” Larry Zbyszko, who kept defeating Blair. It ended up in a match between the two, and Graham’s full-time return to the ring. Graham will always be one of the greatest stars in wrestling.
TOP 5 WRESTLERS TO WATCH OUT FOR IN 1982
1. Paul Orndorrf
While both number 1 and 2 of last year’s list became world champions (Rhodes and Lawler), PWI admits they’re taking a chance of putting Orndorrf at number one. He has all the tools needed to break out even more than he has already, but it might be best to drop Billy Graham. We hope and think he takes a step forward, unlike his counterpart in GCW (Stan Hansen), who seems content staying where he are.
2. Roddy Piper
Jumping ship to NWF to go after Harley Race seemed a good idea to catapult Piper to main event status. However, the only thing it has accomplished so far is to keep Race out of the title picture (which in itself is not a bad thing, but it doesn’t help Piper that much). We think that Piper will, eventually, look really good in this feud and that he will wear gold at the end of the year.
3. Ricky Steamboat
He was awarded the Newcomer of the Year award in GCW, and we can see why. Already hugely popular with the crowd, this young wrestler has a cutting-edge style of wrestling we can see dominate the squared circles in USA for the next decades. Defeating Larry Zbyszko recently was huge, and if he comes out on top of that feud, he might think about going for Stan Hansen’s IC title.
4. Tito Santana
Speaking of which, after defeating Stan Hansen in a non-title match in Providence recently, the recent singles wrestler Santana might also have a good year in 1982. Let’s face it, he needed to get rid of Fernandez sooner rather than later, and this year may be the year of the Matador.
5. Tony Atlas
It’s clear that GCW has faith in Tony Atlas. Not only did they lure him away from NWF with a lot of money, they put him in a high-profile program with Don Muraco and the Strongmen right away. Atlas might be the strongest wrestler in the world, but he can also back it up with his moves. While both Steamboat and Santana lack the strength to match Stan Hansen, Tony Atlas has no such shortcomings.
CONCLUSION
While it’s easy to live in the now and forget the past, PWI feels that this year has been even stronger than 1980. We’ve had some very memorable feuds, innovative matches and a big supershow that showcased various styles of wrestling. The War Games match is here to stay, and the cage matches throughout the years have not disappointed in the least.
While NWF and GCW are quite alike in many aspects, it’s quite clear that NWF prefers somewhat more ”over the top” storylines – with the Gagne family saga and the Crusher Blackwell Valentine Trophy that sticks out. GCW is still more old-school, with a lot of brutal matches, betrayals and revenge matches. That the two promotion’s try to stand a little more out from each other is not a bad thing. They should constantly try to challenge each other to put on the best shows and bring in the hottest crowds.
For our predictions last year, we must say that Rhodes and Lawler was spot on. Ric Flair has also been elevated to main event status. Rich has lost several steps in our opinions, even though he still is an interesting character. The Fabulous Freebirds might not have broken through just yet, but the tag team ranks in GCW is tougher than ever, and it is difficult to step up when you have to face teams like Jumbo/Inoki, The Texas Outlaws, the Can-Am Strongmen, etc.
Over in AWA, a man named Hulk Hogan is slowly getting an almost legendary status already. The question is, how long can Verne Gagne hold on to this man before he wants to ply his craft on a bigger stage? And who will open their coffers wide enough for Hogan to jump ship? PWI was close to having Hogan on the list for wrestler’s to watch out for in 1982, but ultimately decided against it. If, and when he turns up in the two major promotions is still something that is left to be seen.