msg 9/21/81 don muraco vs bob backlund texas death match

New York City, NY – Madison Square Garden – September 21, 1981 (20,920) Televised on the MSG Network and USA Network – featured Vince McMahon on commentary: Yoshiaki Yatsu pinned Baron Mikel Scicluna at 9:37 with a sunset flip Mr. Saito and Mr. Fuji co-won a $10,000 20-man battle royal by last eliminating WWF Tag Team Champion Rick Martel at 18:24; order of elimination: Bulldog Brower, Ron Shaw, Curt Hennig, Baron Mikel Scicluna, Steve O, Jose Estrada, Yoshiaki Yatsu, Mil Mascaras, Pedro Morales, Angelo Mosca, Killer Khan, Johnny Rodz, Roberto Soto, Larry Sharpe, WWF Tag Team Champion Tony Garea, SD Jones, Dominic DeNucci, and Martel (Steve O’s MSG debut) Steve O pinned Ron Shaw at 6:52 after an axe handle off the top Mr. Fuji pinned Curt Hennig at 7:14 with a Samoan Drop; prior to the bout, Capt. Lou Albano escorted Fuji to the ring Killer Khan pinned Dominic DeNucci at 4:03 after avoiding a charge in the corner; prior to the bout, Freddie Blassie escorted Khan to the ring Mr. Saito pinned Roberto Soto at 6:54 with a kick to the chest; prior to the bout, Capt. Lou Albano escorted Saito to the ring WWF World Champion Bob Backlund pinned WWF IC Champion Don Muraco in a Texas Death Match at 31:35 after reversing a suplex attempt into a backdrop; Muraco’s foot was on the bottom rope during the cover but the referee failed to notice; prior to the bout, the Grand Wizard escorted Muraco to the ring Pedro Morales pinned Larry Sharpe at 6:28 with a backslide Mil Mascaras pinned Bulldog Brower at 2:41 with a crossbody and splash WWF Tag Team Champions Tony Garea & Rick Martel defeated Johnny Rodz & Jose Estrada at 12:15 when Martel pinned Estrada with a sunset flip