The four first-round matchups saw three upsets, at least according to the seedings. The top-12 seeded wrestlers had a bye to the second round.
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Winners’ Bracket First Round:
(16) Ivan Koloff vs. (17) Rick Rude: Rude took it to Koloff in a short match, getting in two attacks for every one of Koloff’s offensive moves. The Rude Awakening DDT ended it. Rude def. Koloff by pinfall at 8:00.
(13) Jimmy Garvin vs. (20) Dennis Condrey: Jim Cornette tried to get involved early to benefit Condrey, but Garvin shrugged it off and took control. Condrey was eventually busted open, finding him-self disoriented and disadvantaged. Garvin finished him off not long after with the Brain Buster. Garvin def. Condrey by pinfall at 17:00.
(15) Bobby Eaton vs. (18) Khrusher Khrushchev: Bobby Eaton looked to have this one in hand, until he didn’t. Khrushchev took advantage when the referee was briefly knocked out, hitting Eaton with the Russian Sickle. He hit him with a second one not long after, though Eaton kicked out. Then, Khrushchev locked in a Cobra Clutch, and Eaton had had enough. Khrushchev def. Eaton by submission at 32:00.
(14) Ole Anderson vs. (19) Robert Gibson: A thrilling match went back and forth as they went at it for more than an hour. Gibson negated Anderson’s advantage with a strong start. Anderson took back control. Gibson locked in a Figure Four, but Anderson eventually escaped. Anderson put Gibson to the brink of exhaustion, but Gibson repeatedly avoided Anderson’s attempt to put on his finisher. After the last attempt, Gibson responded with a Sunset Flip, and was able to keep Anderson’s shoulders on the mat for the three count. Gibson def. Anderson by pinfall at 61:00.
ROGER SPORTS & GAMES 