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[1977-06-27-WWWF-MSG, NY] Billy Graham vs Bruno Sammartino


Kronos

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18:39

 

Graham cuts one of his classic promos before the match.

 

Bruno looks great here with his 'fro and pornstache. He comes out guns blazing, and the crowd eats it up. He dominates for awhile, with Superstar doing a lot of cowardly heel schtick. Things slow down when they do an extended sequence of trading full nelsons. But even then it's not so bad because the crowd's excited about everything.

 

It's been awhile since I watched any Superstar. I forgot how limited he really was - friggin Goldberg had a bigger move-set. Full nelson, bear-hug, test of strength, a few bumps. Not much even by 1970's WWWF standards. But this match really makes me appreciate the skills of prime Bruno, as he carries Graham to something that is way more entertaining than it has any right to be. Flair himself couldn't have done better with this broomstick.

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  • 3 months later...

Superstar Billy Graham vs Bruno Sammartino

WWWF Championship - MSG

June 27, 1977

 

Graham now comes out looking like an overconfident champion with the Grand Wizard now along for the joyride. He cuts a great promo before the match and the crowd is amped to see Graham lose the title. This match is less interesting than the title change for the simple reason that Graham is in full chickenshit heel mode here and looks way less like Bruno's equal. It's a smart match to work for this hot MSG crowd since Bruno isn't going over and winning the belt back. This time around, they struggle over the same power moves with a full nelson in the mix. Graham begs off at every turn. Bruno looks sure to win before the ref gets a little too involved and eventually throws the match out. **3/4

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  • paul sosnowski changed the title to [1977-06-27-WWWF New York, MSG] Superstar Billy Graham vs Bruno Sammartino
  • GSR changed the title to [1977-06-27-WWWF-MSG, NY] Billy Graham vs Bruno Sammartino
  • 5 years later...

Disagree strongly with the people above I thought this match was very entertaining and a large part of that was thanks to Superstar & his antics.

WWWF Heavyweight Champion Superstar Billy Graham vs Bruno Sammartino - WWF MSG 6/27/77

Superstar is on his historic run the next the WWF would run a heel on top this long would be Yokozuna 16 years later. A very novel run. His first title defense in MSG was against Monsoon didn’t bother to seek that out, give me Bruno! Bruno! Bruno! We get an extra special treat of promo with Superstar as Vince interviews. He is ripping off Muhammad Ali but he sounds great and looks even better!

Is this Bruno vs Superstar by the numbers? Yes. Is this as fun as all get out? Hell Yeah! Not much has changed with respect to match structure even though the title has changed. It is hard to believe where the three big high spots are a Full Nelson, Surfboard and a Bearhug but it sure is. A lot of is thanks Superstar’s wildly entertaining stooging and feeding. I love Bruno but I wanted to see him hungrier and more ferocious. Superstar was serving up meatballs and Bruno was taking little bites. BIG DOG GOTTA EAT BRUNO! I loved the babyface shine! Inject that into my veins with Superstar pin balling all over the place. My bone I gotta pick is I would’ve liked to see more cheating to set up Superstar taking control.

Heres the match formula: Superstar locks in a hold -> Bruno breaks and converts that hold into his own -> Graham rope break. The three holds/highspots were Full Nelson, Surfboard and Bearhug. My issue is I would’ve liked to see this sequence start with an eye rake or a hair pull you know some cheating. We got one jab to the throat. The finish is after the Bearhug, Superstar  plays a little King of the Mountain, Bruno snatches the leg and overwhelms Superstar with punches to get back in. Bruno is undeniable to Superstar starts throwing the ref into Bruno, tackling the ref until the ref calls the match a No Contest as they are standing and banging. A Bruno bodyslams sends Superstar packing.

I am starting to think Superstar isn’t as bad as people said he is. Yes sucked in the 80s but this version is good craic. Given I have only ever enjoyed him against Bruno I think the jury is out until I see him against a variety of opponents but I am digging Superstar Graham ***1/2

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