Post by rey619 on Nov 24, 2011 15:57:38 GMT -5
PWI AWARDS 1980
TOP 20 WRESTLERS
1. Harley Race
The dominant NWF World Champion takes the coveted first place on this prestigious list. Race has been a dominant champ throughout the year, putting on classic main events against the likes of Baron van Raschke and Greg Valentine. Even though his name is linked to controversy after controversy, one thing remains the same: this man knows how to wrestle and sell out arenas.
2. Bob Backlund
Bob Backlund went into 1980 with the GCW World Title and two good friends in Jimmy Snuka and Arnold Skaaland. He lost all three during this year, before regaining it in one of the greatest matches of our generation. Win or lose, he had stellar performances on the way. Without a doubt one of our generation’s best mat wizards.
3. Jimmy Snuka
Jimmy Snuka may have turned his back on his friend Bob Backlund, but it did bring him the most precious prize in the business, the GCW World Title, a belt he won, of course, in a cage match. This wrestling pionéer has quieted those that claimed he would never win the big one.
4. Stan Hansen
Even though Stan Hansen lost the Intercontinental Title belt early this year, a belt he held for over 16 months, his career has only gone one way. Up. Great feuds with Jumbo Tsuruta, the Guerreros and Sgt. Slaughter has made Hansen into a valid main event star.
5. Greg Valentine
Has taken Harley Race to the limits in 1980 in some of the best matches NWF has ever seen. His alliance with Skandar Akbar and Destruction Inc. may be on the verge of collapse as well, and 1981 may be the year where Valentine becomes a fan favorite.
6. Dusty Rhodes
Even though singles belts evaded him this year as well, Dusty Rhodes is always in the midst of things, feuding with both Larry Zbyszko, Manny Fernandez and Ric Flair. While some weren’t as interesting as others (Manny Fernandez), Rhodes charisma makes him a natural focus point for blood feuds.
7. Tommy Rich
What initially was regarded as perhaps a weak US Champion, has become one of NWFs premiere players, turning heel so slowly and subtly, but still so obvious, in a brilliant manner. Rich has ducked challenges from Billy Graham, Thunderbolt Patterson and Tony Atlas in one of the most fascinating angles in wrestling in a long time.
8. Crusher Blackwell
The big enforcer of Skandar Akbar’s Destruction Inc. has used his size and strength to bully his way around NWF for a long time now. He was even scheduled for a title shot against Harley Race, which didn’ happen. Titles or no, Crusher is a dangerous force in NWF.
9. Jerry Lawler
Blinded by Destruction Inc. early this year, Lawler got his revenge on Crusher Blackwell eventually. Lawler has been somewhat of a sidekick to Andre the Giant and Harley Race this year, but looks to be branching out on his own now.
10. Paul Orndorrf
Was undefeated in NWF for a long time since coming from GCW. Billy Graham put a stop to that, but his undefeated streak propels him up on the list, to the final spot in the top 20 list.
11. Andre the Giant
This phenomenon awed NWF with his presence and larger-than-life being throughout the latter half of 1980, but even though he has been part of the main storyline, he hasn’t that many matches of a high caliber. Still, Andre belongs on this list.
12. Don Muraco
Muraco was, perhaps, screwed in the Intercontinental Title tournament earlier this year, but has since defeated the champion and won the belt.
13. Terry Funk
A good year for Terry Funk. Not only has he put Don Muraco, Austin Idol and Ric Flair in their places, he has also wrestled Jimmy Snuka for the World Title.
14. Baron von Raschke
Von Raschke started out as the top contender to Harley Race’s title, but since losing several matches to Race, he has fallen down the ladder rather quickly. Percy Pringle needs to reverse this before it’s too late.
15. Roddy Piper
Piper has had a busy year, winning the vacant Intercontinental title and defending it against the likes of Stan Hansen and Ric Flair.
16. Jumbo Tsuruta
After feuding extensively with Stan Hansen at the start of the year, things have cooled down a little for the former two times champion. Battled Antonio Inoki on the year-end show.
17. Ric Flair
Ric Flair has had a poorer year in 1980 than in 1979, feuding with ref Woehrle for the most part. His feud with Dusty Rhodes shows promise but Flair needs to do more than lost in 10 seconds to fulfill his dreams of becoming the GCW World Champion.
18. Billy Graham
The first ever NWF champion has been busy with Tommy Rich and Paul Orndorrf, and was the first to defeat Orndorrf here in NWF. Still, he hasn’t had the year he had in 1979, and needs to come out on top in the feud with Orndorrf if he wants to be higher on the list in 1981.
19. Sgt. Slaughter
Slaughter returned to GCW in 1980 and went after Stan Hansen, losing that feud but picking up a win on the way. He’s now battling Roddy Piper.
20. Larry Zbyszko
Zbyszko always manages to piss off someone or another, and it always comes back to bite him in the ass. He hasn’t succeeded in much more than that this year, but he’s still a dangerous opponent and a great foil in a feud.
TOP 10 TAG TEAMS
1. Gorilla Monsoon/Pedro Morales
Although recent events have soured the once great relationship between Monsoon and Morales, it is no doubt that this team moved hearts all over the US with their title defenses for the first nine months in 1980. With Gorilla’s retirement threat looming over the pair, their matches had that little extra that made the atmosphere in the arena electric, be it the MSG or the Boston Garden.
2. High Flyers
While Gagne and Brunzell didn’t make much of themselves in GCW, they’ve really come into their own in NWF. Their cutting edge high flying spectacle made them fan favorites going into NWF, while their new attitude have made them champions. The go into the new year as champions, and have absolutely earned this number 2 spot.
3. The Von Erich Brothers
Injuries prevented the Von Erich Brothers from winning gold early on in NWF, as a team, but David von Erich and Bob Orton jr. were the inaugural champions. Orton’s jealousy of the brothers tight bond led him to cost them the titles. The blood feud between the Von Erich’s and the Dirty Cowboys are one of the most intense rivalries this year, a fight in which the brothers came out victorious.
4. The Dirty Cowboys
Has engaged and thrilled the crowds with their bloody battles with the Von Erich’s throughout the latter part of 1980. Slater and Orton jr. could easily have taken the 3rd place, but losing the feud pushes them down one spot.
5. Paul Jones/The Masked Superstar
Pundits predicted Paul Jones and The Masked Superstar to be the ones who sent Monsoon into retirement. It wasn’t to be, but this tandem has still managed to grab tag team gold at the end of the year.
6. Canadian Air
The High Flyers foil and arch-rivals. Poffo and Rougeau made the NWF World Tag Team champions their enemies when they entered the tag team scene, giving the fans the impression that there was a new high flying team on the block. While The High Flyers have shown that experience still counts, Canadian Air has reason to be proud of their year.
7. The Wild Samoans
Afa and Sika sent Gorilla Monsoon into retirement, but couldn’t hold on to the titles for long. A very unstable year for the Samoans is the reason why Albano’s wild men aren’t higher up on the list.
8. The East-West Connection
Aligning themselves with Billy Graham seemed like a good idea when NWF started up, but while the EW Connection main evented many of the shows in 1979, 1980 has been harder on them. They did however send Jerry Brisco packing.
9. The Brisco Brothers
Gerald and Jerry enjoyed a brief spell as World Tag Team Champions, but their feud with the East-West Connection ended in Jerry Brisco being forced to leave the promotion.
10. The Can-Am Strongmen
Patera and Bravo are two strong and dangerous men, but their teamwork haven’t caused any waves in the wrestling world. The first quarter of 1981 will be vital for them. Either they move up towards a tag title shot, or they may be on their way out of GCW.
TOP 5 MATCHES
1. Bob Backlund vs Jimmy Snuka (c) for the GCW World Title – 12/30/80
The atmosphere in Madison Square Garden was electric for this match, pitting the former friends against one another for the biggest prize in the wrestling business. The betrayal by Snuka and Skaaland meant that the stakes were even higher, and the return of Luke Graham was glorious. The match that was billed as the biggest match in wrestling history delivered.
2. The Von Erich Brothers (David and Kevin von Erich vs The Dirty Cowboys (Bob Orton jr. And Dick Slater) in a Streetfight – 12/26/80
The blood feud between these two teams have become one of legends, and they topped it all off in Detroit, where the four wrestlers almost killed each other in a bloody brawl.
3. Harley Race (c) vs Greg Valentine – for the NWF World Title – 12/6/80
Greg Valentine had several close calls to winning the NWF World Title, but this was the closest he got. For almost 45 minutes, these two tremendous athletes fought with tooth and nail for the world title.
4. Stan Hansen vs Jumbo Tsuruta – 5/7/80
Before changing his ways, Hansen was embroiled in a bitter feud against the former two-time world champion. Their matches were always brutal and brilliant at the same time, but this one stood out. Hansen picked up the win in this one with his Lariat.
5. Stan Hansen vs Sgt. Slaughter – Boot Camp Match – 8/9/80
When Sgt. Slaughter returned to GCW, he targeted the ”weak traitor” Stan Hansen. The attacks by the former drill sergeant culminated in this wild streetfight. Hansen won, again with a Lariat.
TOP 5 FEUDS
1. Bob Backlund vs Jimmy Snuka
This feud has been running throughout the year, starting with Snuka getting closer and closer to winning the belt as Backlund’s friend. Then betrayal, hatred and revenge festered in Jimmy, and he turned his back to his friend, aligning himself with Arnold Skaaland, who also felt slighted by the World Champion. Emotionally wrought, full of surprises (in a good way) and terrific matches.
2. The Dirty Cowboys vs The Von Erich Brothers
Jealousy also reared its ugly head in the case of the Von Erich Brothers and their friend, Bob Orton jr. After winning the World Tag Team Titles alongside David von Erich, Bob felt cast aside when Kevin returned from injury. He aligned himself with fellow cowboy Dick Slater, and formed the Dirty Cowboys. While their matches may not have had the same technical brilliance as the winners of this category, what they have lacked in that aspect, they took back in bloody brawls.
3. Gorilla Monsoon & Pedro Morales vs everyone else
Every tag-team guns for the tag team titles, but up until September, the tag team title matches in GCW held that little extra edge over them. If the champions lost, Gorilla Monsoon would retire. In the end, Lou Albano’s charges did the trick. But the journey there was fantastic.
4. Destruction Inc. & Greg Valentine vs Harley Race, Jerry Lawler & Andre the Giant
Skandor Akbar’s charges (including hired mercenary Greg Valentine) have made life difficult for NWF World Champion Harley Race and Jerry Lawler throughout 1980. It even went so far that Akbar almost blinded Lawler permanently with a cigar. With the help of the behemoth Andre the Giant, Lawler gained his revenge over Crusher Blackwell and Harley Race survived the title challenge of Valentine.
5. Stan Hansen vs Jumbo Tsuruta
The nationalistic and almost racial hatred Stan Hansen felt for Jumbo Tsuruta became one of the top feuds of 1980, and saw some of the greatest and stiffest matches this year. Hansen has changed, but that doesn’t change the awesomeness of this rivalry.
TOP 5 WRESTLERS TO WATCH OUT FOR IN 1981
1. Dusty Rhodes
Rhodes has stood on the cusp of main event status for several years now, being too caught up in various blood feuds to mount a proper challenge for the GCW World Title. His samaritan attitude causes him to be there for other wrestlers who need his help, but it does distract him for the main prize in the company. Rhodes should take that extra step in 1981.
2. Jerry Lawler
While he was tormented by Skandor Akbar and his cronies for most of the year, almost losing an eye in the process, Lawler came out on top in the end, and has now turned on NWF World Champ Harley Race. Win or lose, Lawler will emerge as one of the top dogs in NWF.
3. Tommy Rich
The current NWF US Champion may have started the year as an unlikely champion, but has slowly and in a brilliantly way become a skilled tactician, even besting Billy Graham on a few occasions.
4. Ric Flair
Even though 1980 has been somewhat disappointing for Flair, 1981 should be the year when he moves up the card for good. This man will most certainly become a bigger star than he already is, and he will show the world exactly this now.
5. The Fabulous Freebirds
Wrestlers are like rockstars, and in the case of Michael Hayes and Terry Gordy, it’s extra true. While their talents in the music business may not bring them any Grammy’s, their talents in the ring may very well bring them tag team gold, already in 1981.
TOP 20 WRESTLERS
1. Harley Race
The dominant NWF World Champion takes the coveted first place on this prestigious list. Race has been a dominant champ throughout the year, putting on classic main events against the likes of Baron van Raschke and Greg Valentine. Even though his name is linked to controversy after controversy, one thing remains the same: this man knows how to wrestle and sell out arenas.
2. Bob Backlund
Bob Backlund went into 1980 with the GCW World Title and two good friends in Jimmy Snuka and Arnold Skaaland. He lost all three during this year, before regaining it in one of the greatest matches of our generation. Win or lose, he had stellar performances on the way. Without a doubt one of our generation’s best mat wizards.
3. Jimmy Snuka
Jimmy Snuka may have turned his back on his friend Bob Backlund, but it did bring him the most precious prize in the business, the GCW World Title, a belt he won, of course, in a cage match. This wrestling pionéer has quieted those that claimed he would never win the big one.
4. Stan Hansen
Even though Stan Hansen lost the Intercontinental Title belt early this year, a belt he held for over 16 months, his career has only gone one way. Up. Great feuds with Jumbo Tsuruta, the Guerreros and Sgt. Slaughter has made Hansen into a valid main event star.
5. Greg Valentine
Has taken Harley Race to the limits in 1980 in some of the best matches NWF has ever seen. His alliance with Skandar Akbar and Destruction Inc. may be on the verge of collapse as well, and 1981 may be the year where Valentine becomes a fan favorite.
6. Dusty Rhodes
Even though singles belts evaded him this year as well, Dusty Rhodes is always in the midst of things, feuding with both Larry Zbyszko, Manny Fernandez and Ric Flair. While some weren’t as interesting as others (Manny Fernandez), Rhodes charisma makes him a natural focus point for blood feuds.
7. Tommy Rich
What initially was regarded as perhaps a weak US Champion, has become one of NWFs premiere players, turning heel so slowly and subtly, but still so obvious, in a brilliant manner. Rich has ducked challenges from Billy Graham, Thunderbolt Patterson and Tony Atlas in one of the most fascinating angles in wrestling in a long time.
8. Crusher Blackwell
The big enforcer of Skandar Akbar’s Destruction Inc. has used his size and strength to bully his way around NWF for a long time now. He was even scheduled for a title shot against Harley Race, which didn’ happen. Titles or no, Crusher is a dangerous force in NWF.
9. Jerry Lawler
Blinded by Destruction Inc. early this year, Lawler got his revenge on Crusher Blackwell eventually. Lawler has been somewhat of a sidekick to Andre the Giant and Harley Race this year, but looks to be branching out on his own now.
10. Paul Orndorrf
Was undefeated in NWF for a long time since coming from GCW. Billy Graham put a stop to that, but his undefeated streak propels him up on the list, to the final spot in the top 20 list.
11. Andre the Giant
This phenomenon awed NWF with his presence and larger-than-life being throughout the latter half of 1980, but even though he has been part of the main storyline, he hasn’t that many matches of a high caliber. Still, Andre belongs on this list.
12. Don Muraco
Muraco was, perhaps, screwed in the Intercontinental Title tournament earlier this year, but has since defeated the champion and won the belt.
13. Terry Funk
A good year for Terry Funk. Not only has he put Don Muraco, Austin Idol and Ric Flair in their places, he has also wrestled Jimmy Snuka for the World Title.
14. Baron von Raschke
Von Raschke started out as the top contender to Harley Race’s title, but since losing several matches to Race, he has fallen down the ladder rather quickly. Percy Pringle needs to reverse this before it’s too late.
15. Roddy Piper
Piper has had a busy year, winning the vacant Intercontinental title and defending it against the likes of Stan Hansen and Ric Flair.
16. Jumbo Tsuruta
After feuding extensively with Stan Hansen at the start of the year, things have cooled down a little for the former two times champion. Battled Antonio Inoki on the year-end show.
17. Ric Flair
Ric Flair has had a poorer year in 1980 than in 1979, feuding with ref Woehrle for the most part. His feud with Dusty Rhodes shows promise but Flair needs to do more than lost in 10 seconds to fulfill his dreams of becoming the GCW World Champion.
18. Billy Graham
The first ever NWF champion has been busy with Tommy Rich and Paul Orndorrf, and was the first to defeat Orndorrf here in NWF. Still, he hasn’t had the year he had in 1979, and needs to come out on top in the feud with Orndorrf if he wants to be higher on the list in 1981.
19. Sgt. Slaughter
Slaughter returned to GCW in 1980 and went after Stan Hansen, losing that feud but picking up a win on the way. He’s now battling Roddy Piper.
20. Larry Zbyszko
Zbyszko always manages to piss off someone or another, and it always comes back to bite him in the ass. He hasn’t succeeded in much more than that this year, but he’s still a dangerous opponent and a great foil in a feud.
TOP 10 TAG TEAMS
1. Gorilla Monsoon/Pedro Morales
Although recent events have soured the once great relationship between Monsoon and Morales, it is no doubt that this team moved hearts all over the US with their title defenses for the first nine months in 1980. With Gorilla’s retirement threat looming over the pair, their matches had that little extra that made the atmosphere in the arena electric, be it the MSG or the Boston Garden.
2. High Flyers
While Gagne and Brunzell didn’t make much of themselves in GCW, they’ve really come into their own in NWF. Their cutting edge high flying spectacle made them fan favorites going into NWF, while their new attitude have made them champions. The go into the new year as champions, and have absolutely earned this number 2 spot.
3. The Von Erich Brothers
Injuries prevented the Von Erich Brothers from winning gold early on in NWF, as a team, but David von Erich and Bob Orton jr. were the inaugural champions. Orton’s jealousy of the brothers tight bond led him to cost them the titles. The blood feud between the Von Erich’s and the Dirty Cowboys are one of the most intense rivalries this year, a fight in which the brothers came out victorious.
4. The Dirty Cowboys
Has engaged and thrilled the crowds with their bloody battles with the Von Erich’s throughout the latter part of 1980. Slater and Orton jr. could easily have taken the 3rd place, but losing the feud pushes them down one spot.
5. Paul Jones/The Masked Superstar
Pundits predicted Paul Jones and The Masked Superstar to be the ones who sent Monsoon into retirement. It wasn’t to be, but this tandem has still managed to grab tag team gold at the end of the year.
6. Canadian Air
The High Flyers foil and arch-rivals. Poffo and Rougeau made the NWF World Tag Team champions their enemies when they entered the tag team scene, giving the fans the impression that there was a new high flying team on the block. While The High Flyers have shown that experience still counts, Canadian Air has reason to be proud of their year.
7. The Wild Samoans
Afa and Sika sent Gorilla Monsoon into retirement, but couldn’t hold on to the titles for long. A very unstable year for the Samoans is the reason why Albano’s wild men aren’t higher up on the list.
8. The East-West Connection
Aligning themselves with Billy Graham seemed like a good idea when NWF started up, but while the EW Connection main evented many of the shows in 1979, 1980 has been harder on them. They did however send Jerry Brisco packing.
9. The Brisco Brothers
Gerald and Jerry enjoyed a brief spell as World Tag Team Champions, but their feud with the East-West Connection ended in Jerry Brisco being forced to leave the promotion.
10. The Can-Am Strongmen
Patera and Bravo are two strong and dangerous men, but their teamwork haven’t caused any waves in the wrestling world. The first quarter of 1981 will be vital for them. Either they move up towards a tag title shot, or they may be on their way out of GCW.
TOP 5 MATCHES
1. Bob Backlund vs Jimmy Snuka (c) for the GCW World Title – 12/30/80
The atmosphere in Madison Square Garden was electric for this match, pitting the former friends against one another for the biggest prize in the wrestling business. The betrayal by Snuka and Skaaland meant that the stakes were even higher, and the return of Luke Graham was glorious. The match that was billed as the biggest match in wrestling history delivered.
2. The Von Erich Brothers (David and Kevin von Erich vs The Dirty Cowboys (Bob Orton jr. And Dick Slater) in a Streetfight – 12/26/80
The blood feud between these two teams have become one of legends, and they topped it all off in Detroit, where the four wrestlers almost killed each other in a bloody brawl.
3. Harley Race (c) vs Greg Valentine – for the NWF World Title – 12/6/80
Greg Valentine had several close calls to winning the NWF World Title, but this was the closest he got. For almost 45 minutes, these two tremendous athletes fought with tooth and nail for the world title.
4. Stan Hansen vs Jumbo Tsuruta – 5/7/80
Before changing his ways, Hansen was embroiled in a bitter feud against the former two-time world champion. Their matches were always brutal and brilliant at the same time, but this one stood out. Hansen picked up the win in this one with his Lariat.
5. Stan Hansen vs Sgt. Slaughter – Boot Camp Match – 8/9/80
When Sgt. Slaughter returned to GCW, he targeted the ”weak traitor” Stan Hansen. The attacks by the former drill sergeant culminated in this wild streetfight. Hansen won, again with a Lariat.
TOP 5 FEUDS
1. Bob Backlund vs Jimmy Snuka
This feud has been running throughout the year, starting with Snuka getting closer and closer to winning the belt as Backlund’s friend. Then betrayal, hatred and revenge festered in Jimmy, and he turned his back to his friend, aligning himself with Arnold Skaaland, who also felt slighted by the World Champion. Emotionally wrought, full of surprises (in a good way) and terrific matches.
2. The Dirty Cowboys vs The Von Erich Brothers
Jealousy also reared its ugly head in the case of the Von Erich Brothers and their friend, Bob Orton jr. After winning the World Tag Team Titles alongside David von Erich, Bob felt cast aside when Kevin returned from injury. He aligned himself with fellow cowboy Dick Slater, and formed the Dirty Cowboys. While their matches may not have had the same technical brilliance as the winners of this category, what they have lacked in that aspect, they took back in bloody brawls.
3. Gorilla Monsoon & Pedro Morales vs everyone else
Every tag-team guns for the tag team titles, but up until September, the tag team title matches in GCW held that little extra edge over them. If the champions lost, Gorilla Monsoon would retire. In the end, Lou Albano’s charges did the trick. But the journey there was fantastic.
4. Destruction Inc. & Greg Valentine vs Harley Race, Jerry Lawler & Andre the Giant
Skandor Akbar’s charges (including hired mercenary Greg Valentine) have made life difficult for NWF World Champion Harley Race and Jerry Lawler throughout 1980. It even went so far that Akbar almost blinded Lawler permanently with a cigar. With the help of the behemoth Andre the Giant, Lawler gained his revenge over Crusher Blackwell and Harley Race survived the title challenge of Valentine.
5. Stan Hansen vs Jumbo Tsuruta
The nationalistic and almost racial hatred Stan Hansen felt for Jumbo Tsuruta became one of the top feuds of 1980, and saw some of the greatest and stiffest matches this year. Hansen has changed, but that doesn’t change the awesomeness of this rivalry.
TOP 5 WRESTLERS TO WATCH OUT FOR IN 1981
1. Dusty Rhodes
Rhodes has stood on the cusp of main event status for several years now, being too caught up in various blood feuds to mount a proper challenge for the GCW World Title. His samaritan attitude causes him to be there for other wrestlers who need his help, but it does distract him for the main prize in the company. Rhodes should take that extra step in 1981.
2. Jerry Lawler
While he was tormented by Skandor Akbar and his cronies for most of the year, almost losing an eye in the process, Lawler came out on top in the end, and has now turned on NWF World Champ Harley Race. Win or lose, Lawler will emerge as one of the top dogs in NWF.
3. Tommy Rich
The current NWF US Champion may have started the year as an unlikely champion, but has slowly and in a brilliantly way become a skilled tactician, even besting Billy Graham on a few occasions.
4. Ric Flair
Even though 1980 has been somewhat disappointing for Flair, 1981 should be the year when he moves up the card for good. This man will most certainly become a bigger star than he already is, and he will show the world exactly this now.
5. The Fabulous Freebirds
Wrestlers are like rockstars, and in the case of Michael Hayes and Terry Gordy, it’s extra true. While their talents in the music business may not bring them any Grammy’s, their talents in the ring may very well bring them tag team gold, already in 1981.
