The first match on this list takes us back nearly fifty years! Reigning champion, Pat O'Connor takes on the brash, NWA US Heavyweight Champion Buddy Rogers. Lets take a side step and think back to 1961.
No current WWE champion was even born yet. Vince McMahon was only 15, Hulk Hogan was only 7, and Ric Flair was only 11. So three of the biggest names in wrestling had yet to even scratch the surface of the business yet.
Other things in '61, JFK had just started his presidency, Roger Marris hit his 61st home run setting the home run record at the time. West Side Story was released, as well as Fantastic Four #1 and Catch-22. The Vietnam War also begins.
Getting back to some pro wrestling, two out of three falls here for the NWA title. There is definitely a different style used here than you would see now. The wrestling is more slow and methodical, and body slams are big moves. Though one move, done by O'Connor was one I do not believe i have seen used since. A spinning grounded arm bar. For it's time it seemed rather dangerous, but Rogers didn't submit to it.
Very back and forth match with Rogers winning the first fall with a knee to the head. The second fall begins with Rogers maintaining the advantage before getting caught with a victory roll to give O'Connor the second fall. In the third fall you see Rogers start being more of the "Nature Boy" by strutting around the ring and acting more heelish. The finish was something you probably would not see in this day and age, unless it was an actual injury. O'Connor looked to finish off Rogers after he'd tried to pin him three times before. O'Connor goes for a big running dropkick but gets tangled up in the ropes, which Rogers capitalizes on and gets the pin fall. Rogers receives the belt and gives a small promo afterward.
If you own the 'History of the World Heavyweight Championship' DVD, definitely check this out to see how wrestling has evolved. If you don't own this, find a way to watch this match though.
My Grade: B
Different pacing and the slowness may make this match hard to get into, but it's actually a fun match and a good one for nostalgia.
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