DATELINE: DEC. 29, 1985 – BYRNE ARENA – EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ
During a joint AWA-NWA card under the Pro Wrestling USA banner, Rick Martel’s long title reign comes to an end at the hands of Stan ‘The Lariat’ Hansen.
Hansen had been in pursuit of the title in the weeks leading to the switch, injuring Martel’s back during their feud. In the fateful match, Martel got caught in a “Brazos Valley Backbreaker” (boston crab) by Hansen and was forced to submit.
Martel had held the title for almost 19 months (595 days) after defeating Jumbo Tsuruta on May 13, 1984.
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