Match #10 Feb. 20, 1978, 'Superstar' Billy Graham vs. Bob Backland, WWWF Title

This is a very clipped match, with I would say only about two minutes of actual wrestling footage. The match shown consists of Backland having a bear hug on Graham and then Backland hitting an atomic drop to get the three count. Controversy would ensue however, as Graham would have his foot on the rope during the pinfall. The decision would stand and Backland would hold on to the WWWF Championship.

My Grade: N/A
Not enough footage once again.

Match #9 Apr. 30, 1977, Bruno Sammartino vs. 'Superstar' Billy Graham, WWWF Title

WWWF Champion Bruno Sammartino making his third appearance here as he takes on the very arrogant, 'Superstar' Billy Graham. These two go back and forth with each other with various tests of strength to see who can gain the advantage. The match doesn't get a clear advantage for someone until Graham gets busted open and Sammartino tries to capitalize on it. Unfortunately for him, he would not walk away the victor, as Graham rolls up Sammartino and uses the ropes to gain leverage to win the WWWF Championship. This would end the last title reign for Sammartino.

My Grade: C+
An okay match, but kind of short.

Match #8 Mar. 1, 1976, WWWF, Ric Flair vs. Pete Sanchez

Ric Flair's debut for the WWWF is our next match here. Not one of Flair's best matches here, as it was more of a showcase for him specifically. He does give Sanchez a lot of shine here by having him be in advantage for more of the match. A slow match through out, so nothing to write home about. Flair ends up winning with a simple vertical suplex. Odd thing about this match, or it may be just my DVD, is Vince McMahon's commentary just pops in five minutes into the match. Just a weird production thing to me at least.

My Grade: C
A less than stellar match from Flair, but nothing awful.

Match #7 Dec. 15, 1975, Bruno Sammartino vs. Ivan Koloff, WWWF Title, (Steel Cage)

We have our first Steel Cage match here on the list, coming courtesy of the WWWF. I always thought it weird that WWE and the then NWA always had differing rules on Steel Cage matches. WWE has always used the 'escape the cage or go through the door' aspect while the NWA used just pinfalls and submissions.

Anyways, back to the match, the WWWF Champion Bruno Sammartino is taking on former champ, Ivan Koloff. This match is just pure domination by Sammartino as he beats Koloff from pillar to post and into the steel cage as well. Koloff gets bloodied after repeatedly hitting the cage. Sammartino beats him down enough that Koloff is pretty much out on his feet to escape by going out the door of the cage. One noticeable thing here about this cage was how small it looked compared to today's cages. Also, how flimsy it was, but that probably helped with the give so the wrestlers weren't knocked out upon hitting it.

My Grade: B-
A real solid brawl here, though somewhat one sided.

Match #5 April 29, 1974, Bruno Sammartino vs. Killer Kowalski, WWWF Title

We go back to the WWWF to see that Bruno Sammartino is now holding the belt and in his way is Killer Kowalski. This match is joined in progress, though it's not as bad as the Kininski/Funk Jr. match. The pace of this match is awfully slow. It made it really hard to get into this match at all for me. Both men, for the most part, seemed to be going at half speed.

These two mostly brawl, with Kowalski having the advantage throughout most of the match that is shown. Sammartino does get cut open after repeated biting and punches from Kowalski. This does fire up Sammartino as he finally brings the fight back to the challenger, but for some reason the match is thrown out and declared a draw. No reason given as to why it was a draw, the time of the match was something like 24:35, so I am certain it wasn't a time limit draw. More than likely it was thrown out due to the referee not being able to gain control of the bout after Sammartino made his come back. Bruno does hang onto the WWWF Championship though.

My Grade: C
Slow pacing and weird ending.

Match #3 Feb. 8, 1971, Ivan Koloff vs. Pedro Morales, WWWF Title

Ivan Koloff is the reigning WWWF Champion heading up against the WWWF United States Champion, Pedro Morales. Jim Ross in on commentary for this match which helps provide interesting tid bits about the time period. For instance, most the of the New York State Athletic Commission is in attendance, MSG had a curfew for wrestling of 11 p.m., and the ring itself had four ring ropes, as apposed to the normal three.

The match itself has a slow pace to it. Koloff is the type of wrestler who tries to grind his opponent into submission, while Morales is the flashier of the two. The pace of the match just did not do it for me. I am pretty sure that if I was alive back in this period, I'd be more of a fan of the NWA title matches as they seemed to employ more of an exciting style of wrestling, but this could just have been a bad mesh of styles.

Match ends with almost like a german suplex out of the corner by Koloff, ending in a double pin but Morales gets his shoulder up in time to win the title. The crowd was really into this match so it could be the time difference clashing with my tastes here.

My Grade: C
The foundations of the match are solid, I just could not get into it that much.