WWF: All Star Wrestling
September 22, 1979
Hamburg, PA
Hamburg Fieldhouse

Your current WWF champions are as follows:
WWF Heavyweight Champion: Bob Backlund (2/20/1978)
WWF Intercontinental Champion: Pat Patterson (9/1/1979)
WWF World Tag Team Champions: Johnny & Jerry Valiant (3/24/1979)

Pop Culture #1s of the Time:
#1 Movie of the Week: Apocalypse Now starring Martin Sheen & Marlon Brando
#1 Song of the Week: My Sharona by The Knack
#1 TV Show of the 79-80 Season: 60 Minutes hosted by Mike Wallace

Follow along if you have the WWE Network!

The following wrestling exhibition requires discretionary viewer participation.

Your hosts are Vince McMahon and Bruno Sammartino. While going over the matches for this week with Bruno, Vince refers to Larry Zbyszko as Bruno’s “paisano”. Now Vince has mentioned in the past that Larry Zbyszko had been trained by Bruno, but this looks to be more like Vince’s subtle way of spreading some seedlings of the heel turn that is coming.

• The Great Hussein vs. Johnny Rodz

Freddie Blassie shows up in Hussein’s corner only when Hussein has trouble getting the advantage with Rodz. The tide turns for Hussein when Rodz gets distracted by Blassie. It’s weird seeing Rodz – a low to midcard heel for years – get cheered simply because people hate Hussein more. After he smashes Rodz’s face into the loaded boot up in the corner, Hussein delivers a Gutwrench Suplex for the win in 5:51.

• Larry Zbyszko vs. John Schmidt

It’s been six months since we last saw Larry Zbyszko when he and Tony Garea lost the WWWF tag titles. He spent time in New Japan and even worked for a brief period for Gene LeBell in Los Angeles. Vince mentions how Larry looks different since we last saw him and Bruno describes Zbyszko is looking to build leaner muscle to increase flexibility instead of being bulky, which is similar to the transition Bruno made when he entered into the 1970s. Zbyszko’s style was always sort of aggressive, but his aggression shown towards Schmidt goes unnoticed as he beats Schmidt with a suplex in 5:01.

After the break, we come back to see Vince McMahon ready to talk with Freddie Blassie and Nikolai Volkoff at ringside. Blassie calls Volkoff the best man he ever managed and Vince calls him out for saying that to every guy he manages. Blassie seems off his game today. Vince continues to stir the pot between these two until Blassie has enough and decides its time to take his investment elsewhere.

• Johnny & Jerry Valiant (w/Captain Lou Albano) vs. Dominic DeNucci & Pete Sanchez

Bruno thinks DeNucci and Sanchez have a real shot at beating Johnny and Jerry since Jimmy is nowhere to be seen. Sanchez controls them both with headlocks. While the Valiants continue to get beat, Captain Lou pitches a fit and says they aren’t listening to him. Albano and Johnny get into an argument down on the floor. You might think this could all be a psychological ploy to mess with DeNucci and Sanchez, but Bruno thinks the heat between the Valiants and Albano is for real. The Valiants get some heat on DeNucci while Sanchez keeps coming into the ring and making things worse for DeNucci. Vince mentions Frank Williams will be out of action for a while after sustaining a neck injury at the hands of Swede Hanson, which is more than likely a kayfabe injury. Sanchez finally gets the tag and Albano is still pissed that his Valiants aren’t listening to him. Nevertheless, Johnny and Jerry deliver a double clothesline to Sanchez for the win. (9:35) The argument between the Valiants and Albano continue on their way back to the dressing room. ½*

• Pat Patterson (w/The Grand Wizard) vs. Johnny Rivera

The IC champ Pat Patterson gets in the ring, talks smack to Rivera, and then turns his back to him. Completely insulted, Rivera dropkicks him through the ropes out to the floor for a nice bump. Patterson rakes the face and delivers a kitchen sink to take control. He chokes Rivera on the mat and slams him, but misses a splash off the ropes. Rivera can’t slam Patterson and clubs back at the man. When he doesn’t capitalize, Patterson slams him down and grabs a chinlock. Rivera fights up and lands a dropkick. He surprises Patterson with a sunset flip, but only gets two. This angers Patterson as he pitches Rivera OVER THE TOP ROPE to the floor. Back in, Patterson slams Rivera for the BOMBS AWAY knee drop for the win. (6:14) Is Pat Patterson not the best wrestler in the promotion? *½

Bruno and Vince recall the argument that occurred between Captain Lou and the Valiants earlier.

• Nikolai Volkoff (w/Freddie Blassie) vs. Dave Darrow

I feel like they give Volkoff a lot of time and attention, but never put him in a match anybody would want to see. Vince and Bruno discuss Volkoff’s power lifting skills. The GORILLA PRESS BACKBREAKER ends Darrow in 3:13.

And that’s going to do it for this week. Until next time, so long for now.