Tossing Salt Presents:
One on One (Part 2 of 5)
WWE RAW versus The WWF
July 27, 2022
DougMaynard.com

Recently, while looking through a box of old magazines, I came across an old edition of Sports Review Wrestling, covered dated Summer 1982. A very cool magazine with stories such as “Austin Idol Begs The Fans: ‘Force Ray Stevens To Retire’.”, Exclusive. Rocky III Preview: Hulk Hogan Tackles Hollywood!”, and the classic, “Is Apartment Wrestling Becoming Too Brutal?”. Yeah, lots of cool stuff.

Of course, I took a look at the Official Wrestling Ratings. And that got me to thinking, what if these legends and stars, the men who dominated the business forty years ago, were to be matched up against the stars of today. Who would win? What would the matches be like? And then I decided, let’s try to find out. Let’s do some fantasy booking and see what happens when the star of yesteryear takes on the stars of today and go, wait for it, one on one.

There will be five columns with five fantasy shows. I took the official ratings from the 1982 magazine for the NWA, AWA, WWF, Most Popular, and Most Hated, and then went to the Pro Wrestling Illustrated website and got the official ratings for the week ending July 22, 2022, for AEW, WWE RAW, WWE Smackdown, Impact Wrestling, and the NWA. Over the next five days, I’ll have five battles where the past fights the present, using these ratings, and will give my thoughts and predictions as to who would win. So stick around and let’s see where it goes. 

And here we go with the second of five, it’s WWE RAW of 2022 versus The World Wrestling Federation of 1982. Let’s do this.

Bob Backlund versus Roman Reigns

Before he was the crazy man putting everyone in a chicken wing, Backlund was the WWF Champion for nearly six years and beat everyone in his path. Roman, the Head of the Table, his legacy and history speaks for itself. This would be one kick-ass match in my opinion. A tough call and it would be oh so close, but I think in the end, Roman would be standing tall over Backlund and be telling Bob to “acknowledge me!”.

Winner: Roman Reigns

Jesse Ventura versus Bobby Lashley

Jesse might match Lashley strength for strength, but Lashley is a much better performer in that ring and is a much better wrestler as well. No doubts in my mind at all on this one. 

Winner: Bobby Lashley

Jimmy Snuka versus Seth Rollins

This one would be an amazing contrast in styles and characters, I would love to see it. But the winner, it’s not even a close call. Seth with the surprise rollup from out of nowhere for the pin.

Winner: Seth Rollins

Blackjack Mulligan versus AJ Styles

The classic big man versus the smaller, faster wrestler. AJ has all the advantages and would wear Mulligan down, and I know and get all of that. But I’m prejidiced here and these are my predictions. Mulligan was one of my first favorites and is a true legend in every way. I’ll never go against him. So AJ slips while going for the Phenomenal Forearm and Mulligan takes advantage and moves in with the claw for the win.

Winner: Blackjack Mulligan

Pedro Morales versus Theory

Pedro was such a tough dude and is a true legend in every sense of the word, but Theory is sneaky and has shown that he knows how to win, regardless of whatever he has to do. I have to go with Theory on this one.

Winner: Theory

Greg Valentine versus Riddle

I am so torn here because I like both men andhave such respect for what they can do. Greg pounds and methodically wears down his opponents while Theory is more of a striker. It could go either way so coin flip it is. Heads for Greg, and tails for Riddle. And heads it is.

Winner: Greg Valentine

Adrian Adonis versus Omos

If I recall correctly, this was the Adrian Adonis that was the tough guy in leather and not Adorable in any way, shape, or form. This Adonis was a legit tough guy and a fantastic performer who could go one on one and take on anybody. And Omos? He’s big, but let’s be honest. He has potential, but he’s not a good wrestler. Adonis got out of shape, but he was a wrestler’s wrestler and one of the best.

Winner: Adrian Adonis

Bob Orton Jr. versus Damian Priest

A good match to be sure. Orton wasn’t really charismatic, but he could go with anyone and have a great match. Priest hasn’t been used as well since coming to RAW, but he’s a damn good wrestler with a lot of potential. It would be close, but I’d give Priest the edge here.

Winner: Damian Priest

Tony Atlas versus Finn Balor

Tony has the muscles and strength, but Balor has the speed, the psychology, and the moves. Balor would take this one rather easily.

Winner: Finn Balor

Ivan Putski versus Ezekeil

Zeke is good, but I liked him better as Elias. He has the size advantage, but I don’t think that would be enough. Polish Power would take Big Zeke down.

Winner: Ivan Putski

Killer Khan versus Mustafa Ali

Ali is so good and would put up a great match and one hell of a fight but do you remember Killer Khan. That man was big and a monster. He’s the guy who (kayfabe) broke Andre the Giant’s ankle and put the Giant on the shelf. Managed by Freddie Blassie, Khan was a dominant killer in the WWF ring. Khan would get the win here.

Winner: Killer Khan

And there you go with the second series of match-ups, Part 2 of 5, with the Superstars of WWE RAW, 2022 defeating the WWF talent of 1982, six matches to five. Score another for the new kids, who now have won two series and are up 2-0. Will it continue? We’ll find out in Part 3, coming up later tonight, which will be WWE Smackdown (2022) versus The Most Popular Wrestlers (1982). Be sure to look for it.

And with that, I’m out of here. Thank you for reading. Comments, thoughts, or any questions are welcome and appreciated. Use the comment box, my e-mail of Doug28352@yahoo.com, or find me on Twitter at @Doug28352. Take care and stay safe. Watch out for foreign objects. I’ll see you at the matches.

Ubuntu!