WWF on MSG Network
Season 5
In 1980, WWF’s Madison Square Garden shows followed a consistent supercard format built around three main attractions: WWF Heavyweight Championship defenses featuring Bob Backlund against top challengers like Ken Patera, Bobby Duncum, and Sgt. Slaughter; Intercontinental Championship bouts showcasing stars such as Pat Patterson, Ken Patera, and Pedro Morales; and high-profile special attraction matches, most notably Andre the Giant facing opponents like Hulk Hogan and Stan Hansen. The cards were rounded out with featured multi-man matches, including battle royals, six-man tags, and Best Two-Out-Of-Three Falls bouts, helping establish MSG as WWF’s premier monthly showcase
Where to Watch WWF on MSG Network • Season 5
7 Episodes
- January 21st - Tag Title Match: Ivan Putski and Tito Santana vs. the Wild SamoansE1
January 21st - Tag Title Match: Ivan Putski and Tito Santana vs. the Wild Samoans1980-01-21 – Madison Square Garden, New York, NY The first Madison Square Garden card of 1980 featured a major WWF Heavyweight Championship showdown between Bob Backlund and Ken Patera. The co-main event saw WWF Tag Team Champions Ivan Putski and Tito Santana defend against the Wild Samoans, while Pat Patterson put the Intercontinental Championship on the line against Captain Lou Albano. Also featured was a special attraction match between rising star Hulk Hogan and Dominic DeNucci, along with appearances by Larry Zbyszko, Kevin Von Erich, Bobby Duncum, and Tony Atlas. - March 24th - Andre vs. Stan HansenE2
March 24th - Andre vs. Stan HansenMarch 24, 1980 – Madison Square Garden, New York, NY Madison Square Garden hosts a star-studded card headlined by WWF Heavyweight Champion Bob Backlund defending against rugged challenger Bobby Duncum. Pat Patterson puts the Intercontinental Championship on the line against Tor Kamata, while Andre the Giant collides with Stan Hansen in a highly anticipated special attraction. Also featured are Pedro Morales, Larry Zbyszko, Tony Atlas, The Wild Samoans, Ivan Putski, and Tito Santana in a night packed with championship action and top rivalries. - April 21st - IC bout: Pat Patterson vs. Tor KamataE3
April 21st - IC bout: Pat Patterson vs. Tor KamataApril 21, 1980 – Madison Square Garden, New York, NY Madison Square Garden plays host to a loaded card headlined by WWF Heavyweight Champion Bob Backlund defending the title against Bobby Duncum. The co-feature pits Intercontinental Champion Pat Patterson against Tor Kamata, while Andre the Giant teams with Tito Santana to battle the Wild Samoans in a special tag team attraction. Also appearing are Tony Atlas, Larry Zbyszko, Pedro Morales, Dominic DeNucci, and Gorilla Monsoon in an evening featuring championship bouts and some of the WWF's biggest stars. - May 19th - Texas Death Match: Backlund vs. PateraE4
May 19th - Texas Death Match: Backlund vs. PateraMay 19, 1980 – Madison Square Garden, New York, NY A heated rivalry reaches new heights as WWF Heavyweight Champion Bob Backlund battles Ken Patera in a brutal Texas Death Match. A 16-man battle royal with prize money and championship implications serves as a major attraction, while Pat Patterson, Tony Atlas, and Ivan Putski face Peter Maivia and the Wild Samoans in a best two-out-of-three falls six-man tag team match. Also featured are Larry Zbyszko, Gorilla Monsoon, Bobby Duncum, Tor Kamata, Johnny Rodz, and Rick McGraw in a memorable night of action from Madison Square Garden. - September 22nd - Andre the Giant vs. Hulk HoganE5
September 22nd - Andre the Giant vs. Hulk HoganSeptember 22, 1980 – Madison Square Garden, New York, NY Madison Square Garden hosts one of the biggest cards of the year as Andre the Giant faces rising powerhouse Hulk Hogan in a special attraction with Gorilla Monsoon serving as special referee. In a rare champion-versus-champion encounter, WWF Heavyweight Champion Bob Backlund meets NWA World Heavyweight Champion Harley Race in a title vs. title showdown. Intercontinental Champion Ken Patera also defends his crown, while Larry Zbyszko, Tony Atlas, Pedro Morales, Pat Patterson, Rick Martel, and the Wild Samoans are featured in an action-packed evening from New York City. - October 20th - Backlund vs. Sgt. SlaughterE6
October 20th - Backlund vs. Sgt. SlaughterOctober 20, 1980 – Madison Square Garden, New York, NY Madison Square Garden presents a championship-filled card headlined by WWF Heavyweight Champion Bob Backlund defending against Sgt. Slaughter. Intercontinental Champion Ken Patera faces former world champion Pedro Morales in a featured title bout, while the Wild Samoans defend the WWF Tag Team Championship against the unlikely duo of Dusty Rhodes and Pat Patterson in a best two-out-of-three falls match. Also appearing are Larry Zbyszko, Rick Martel, Rick McGraw, Dominic DeNucci, Terry Taylor, and Johnny Rodz in a night showcasing many of the WWF's top stars. - December 29th - Backlund vs. Patera rematchE7
December 29th - Backlund vs. Patera rematchDecember 20, 1980 – Madison Square Garden, New York, NY Madison Square Garden closes out 1980 with a major championship-heavy card headlined by WWF Heavyweight Champion Bob Backlund defending against Ken Patera in a high-stakes rematch. The Intercontinental Championship is also defended as champion Pedro Morales takes on Larry Zbyszko, while the Wild Samoans put the WWF Tag Team Titles on the line against Tony Atlas and Ivan Putski in a featured best two-out-of-three falls encounter. The event also features Andre the Giant, Sgt. Slaughter, Pat Patterson, and other top stars in a strong year-end showcase of WWF action.