As the World Wrestling Federation (WWF) approached a new decade, its tag team division was experiencing a changing of the guard. In March 1979, the World Wide Wrestling Federation (WWWF) had been renamed the World Wrestling Federation as part of a marketing change. Just seven months later, on October 22, the reigning tag team champions, Jerry and Johnny Valiant, put their titles on the line against Ivan Putski and a young, relatively new face in the WWF, Tito Santana.
At just 26 years old, Santana was still making his name in professional wrestling. A proud Mexican American, he was beginning a journey that would eventually establish him as one of the industry's most respected stars. Teaming with the immensely popular Putski, Santana had an opportunity to make his mark on one of wrestling's biggest stages: Madison Square Garden.
The experienced Valiant Brothers stood in their way, but the challengers had their sights set on championship gold. This classic MSG Network broadcast captures a significant moment in WWF tag team history, as a new team emerged at the top of the division just weeks before the dawn of the 1980s.
