Jimmy Snuka vs Ricky Steamboat. Mid-Atlantic 1980

Mid-Atlantic Championship Wrestling. 1980

[@DixiePokerAce]

Snuka would eventually become one of the most popular performers in the business.

[@craighoward6243]

& Much loved

[@TonyRichards]

Even the great Bob Caudle succumbed to the wrestling announcer's crutch phrase of the 80's...."you could fill any arena in the world with this match!" Still great to see rare 1980 Mid-Atlantic television

[@edwardmcaninch769]

Tremendous chemistry between them, and they both combined wrestling and brawling perfectly.

[@destronia123]

They were both jobbers in WWF but Ricky less so, since he held a belt for a cup of coffee.

[@chrischar9428]

​@@destronia123SHUT UP

[@destronia123]

@@chrischar9428 Why? Can't you handle the truth?

[@chrischar9428]

@@destronia123 no because you're an idiot or troll. Your call

[@TonyRichards]

I'll bet Ole Anderson, the booker was pissed Steamboat kicked out of the piledriver, which nobody did in those days. It was even banned in some areas as such a devastating finishing move.

[@michaelhicks8410]

I believe the booker at this time was actually George Scott. This would've been in early 1980 as you can see behind Bob Caudle the bracket for the NWA Mid-Atlantic TV title tournament that was going on at the time, eventually won by Masked Superstar. Ole took over the booking in 1981-82.

[@TonyRichards]

@@michaelhicks8410 Well George should have been pissed off then. Thanks Michael

[@pulsarlights2825]

I think Ole was in Georgia at this time

[@keithgreer4951]

I liked both these guys the best when they were in the Mid Atlantic area and Crockett Promotions. Just my opinion

[@LarryGross-zl4bf]

Only time I've seen Snuka in wrestling boots.

[@pulsarlights2825]

Snuka wore shoes a lot in the years between 1978 and 1982

[@russclark5150]

I think Rick steamboat was the body type that Vince McMahon had in mind when he started hiring all the big guys. But Ricky looked so much better.

[@pulsarlights2825]

Superstar Billy Graham is the correct answer

[@garyrasberryjr.552]

Rick had competed in bodybuilding competitions during the late 70s (along with Tony Atlas and Jimmy Snuka). Hated when Vince made him go with the Dragon gimmick. His best work was in Mid-Atlantic circa 1978-1984.

[@cathydrumobich9045]

Steamboat in spectacular shape here. I always preferred him in his "trunks" days.

[@user-ym9pt7gk7j]

outstanding wrestling match 🎉

[@coronaweeks4577]

Why did snuka leave mid Atlantic? Seems like he could have done so much more…imagine him in first starrcade?

[@chrischar9428]

To headline wwf

[@sheldonhchambliss1385]

Best thing on you tube

[@sheldonhchambliss1385]

This is gold i remember this like my name

[@sheldonhchambliss1385]

My mom and step dad loved this match

[@mkl62]

Lord Alfred Hayes would come in and take David Crocket's spot. He was neutral to begin with, but soon began displaying heel tendencies by taking potshots at Johnny Weaver. He also made fun of Mike Fever calling him A Man of Hope as he and Don Kernodle were preparing to take on The Andersons. Hayes harped on how in a pre-match interview (non-televised except the very end), on how Fever "hoped" to make a good showing against this superior team. He felt that Kernodle had a future in wrestling, but would never get anywhere teaming with "this man of hope." This was a subtle hint at Kernodle eventually turning heel with Sgt. Slaughter.

[@JohnSmith-cb3xy]

What classic match

[@sheldonhchambliss1385]

This is gold

[@user-sh2dl8pc9e]

NO BODY CAN COMPARE TO SNUKA !!

[@sheldonhchambliss1385]

The best thing i seen in a long time on you tube

[@tonyarceneaux286]

A high number of chops in this match.

[@derrek_on_youtube]

Wow... I forgot about that "TV Wrestling Tournament".

[@GatorTorboro]

The ref looks like Henry Lee Lucas.

[@Farmboy1970]

Manager Gene Anderson soon returned in ring for a short while he managed Snuka & the iron sheik

[@user-sh2dl8pc9e]

Snuka the best

[@marshallb.3339]

This must have been after Snuka and Steven's cut off Youngbloods hair on TV when Steamboat was "out of town".

[@ruipimentel5229]

Back then, the skids were taken more serious

[@gconway9025]

Hot Piledriver 6:55

[@jdbankshot]

nope. good, but not hot. are you lost?

[@Davepool-hs7vr]

This was before Snuka killed his mistress

[@pulsarlights2825]

Snuka looks more juiced here than Steamboat

[@westarsatelliteservices2428]

What was it with managers and their unlit cigars?

[@tonyarceneaux286]

I am watching a recently found upload.

[@donovanfarr2962]

Who won?

[@rickstalentedtongue910]

The ole gimmick of not letting us see the end of the match. F you for that NWA.

[@pulsarlights2825]

You do know TV wrestling was just an infomercial to get people to buy tickets to the house shows, right? This was not the "NWA" it was JCP/Mid Atlantic wrestling that was just one part of the NWA

[@woodyhoggard7538]

Steamboat choking snuka.. what a cheater

[@jimmiehoward9198]

gene was a great wrestler, but the worst manager ever.

[@FredericBarclay-yg3vg]

" In the summer of '80: Iron Sheik, Mid-Atlantic Champion. Masked Superstar,TV Champion. Snuka and Stevens,Mid-Atlantic World Tag Champions. Greg Valentine, U.S. Champion. All at one time, under myself. The greatest manager out there,I don't interfere in NO matches!" Very underrated leader,the Jack Weston of wrestling. RIP Gene.

[@cathydrumobich9045]

Who won?

[@donarthiazi2443]

Superfly won with Gene's interference.