Editing Pedro Morales (section)

=== Return to WWF (1980 - 1983, 1985 - 1987)===
==== Triple Crown Champion (1980–1983) ====
[[File:Bob Backlund and Pedro Morales, 1980.png|thumb|Morales and [[Bob Backlund]] as [[WWF Tag Team Champions]] in 1980]]
On May 6, 1980, Morales returned to the renamed World Wrestling Federation, defeating Moose Monroe, Frank Savage, Mark Pole,  Brute Bernard and Ben Alexander during the course of the following weeks.<ref name="page34"/> He formed a tag team with Bob Backlund, which won its first two contests. Meanwhile, Morales continued on his successful run with victories over Ron Shaw, Mikel Scicluna, Tor Kamata, Afa, B.B. Coleman, Johnny Rodz and The Hangman.<ref name="page34"/> On August 9, 1980, he won the [[World Tag Team Championship (WWE, 1971–2010)|WWF Tag Team Championship]] along with Backlund by besting Afa and Sika, the [[Wild Samoans]], at the [[Showdown at Shea (1980)|Showdown at Shea 1980]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/worldtagteam/|title=World Tag Team title history|publisher=WWE.com|access-date=October 1, 2007}}</ref> However, they had to forfeit the championship belts the following day, due to a rule stating that no heavyweight champion could  hold a second title at the same time. During the following month, Afa and Kamata served as enhancement talent, while Morales also participated in a battle royale. Afterwards, he went on to defeat several adversaries, including [[Larry Zbyszko]], Scicluna, Afa, Rodz and The Hangman.<ref name="page35">{{cite book|title=Pedro Morales: 70 años del pionero Latinoamericano|author=Alexander Trujillo|publisher=El Diario Culebrense|language=es|chapter=Reportaje Especial|date=October 24, 2012|page=35}}</ref> A series with [[Ken Patera]] intensified after a loss, with Morales recovering to defeat him to win the [[WWE Intercontinental Championship|WWF Intercontinental Heavyweight Championship]] on December 8, 1980. With this win, he became the first man in history to win the [[Triple Crown (professional wrestling)|Triple Crown Championship]], which along his United States Championship reign also meant holding all of the promotion's titles during his era, a recognition that only he held for almost two decades.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/intercontinental/322372 |title=Morales' first Intercontinental reign |publisher=WWE |access-date=October 1, 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071020115058/http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/intercontinental/322372 |archive-date=October 20, 2007 }}</ref> Morales also feuded with [[Sgt. Slaughter]], defeating him by disqualification. During the early months of 1981, he continued defeating the likes of The Hangman, Ron Shaw, Jose Estrada and Zbyszko, but tied in contests against St. Slaughter and Stan Hansen.<ref name="page35"/> After defeating and drawing with St. Slaughter in another series, [[Killer Khan]] became Morales' most recurrent adversary, experiencing more success, while other names such as [[Greg Valentine]] and Hansen challenged him occasionally. This was followed by a short feud against [[The Moondogs (professional wrestling)|The Moondogs]], which ended with singles wins over both members of the team.<ref name="page35"/> On March 26, 1981, Morales faced [[Hulk Hogan]], dominating throughout the match and winning by count out. The feud with The Moondogs resumed afterwards, with mixed results in tag team competition but another win over Moondog Rex.<ref name="page35"/> Another figure who became a mainstay was Sgt. Slaughter, whom he often defeated by disqualification.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2019-02-14|title=Sgt. Slaugher Remembers Pedro Morales|url=https://www.mandatory.com/wrestlezone/news/1056437-sgt-slaugher-remembers-pedro-morales|access-date=2021-02-09|website=Wrestlezone}}</ref>

Jerry Johnson and Johnny Rodz served as jobbers during this run. After participating in a battle royale won by Angelo Mosca, the two entered a feud, from which Morales emerged victorious.<ref name="page37">{{cite book|title=Pedro Morales: 70 años del pionero Latinoamericano|author=Alexander Trujillo|publisher=El Diario Culebrense|language=es|chapter=Reportaje Especial|date=October 24, 2012|page=37}}</ref> During the month of June, he also scored consecutive wins over his former rivals Killer Khan and Sgt. Slaughter, ending their respective storylines. This led to a feud against Don Muraco, to whom Morales dropped the Intercontinental Heavyweight Championship on June 20, 1981.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/intercontinental/|title=Intercontinental Championship title history|publisher=WWE|access-date=October 1, 2007}}</ref> Two subsequent rematches ended in one win, three losses and a draw. Morales began wrestling and defeating other adversaries, including [[George Steele]], The Executioner  and Larry Sharpe, besides the usual low card talents that he had consistently bested previously. The feud with Muraco continued and he earned two wins and a draw, leading to a titular rematch between them.<ref name="page37"/> Morales entered the contest with wins over The Executioner and Greg Valentine, winning the Intercontinental Heavyweight Championship back on November 23, 1981, in a Texas Death match.<ref name="page37"/> With this win, Morales became the first man to hold the Intercontinental title twice, and he held it for fourteen months, the longest reign up until that point.<ref name=IC2>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/intercontinental/322384 |title=Morales' second Intercontinental reign |publisher=WWE |access-date=October 1, 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070903155702/http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/intercontinental/322384 |archive-date=September 3, 2007 }}</ref> He was successful in four rematches against Muraco, with Valentine systematically becoming his main adversary. In his first bout of 1982, Morales defeated Valentine by disqualification.<ref name="page37"/> He was able to dominate Hans Schroeder, Larry Dee and Killer Khan, but drew in another match against Valentine, who also went on to win their next encounter by disqualification. Their series continued with the equitable results of one win, one loss and a draw.<ref name="page38">{{cite book|title=Pedro Morales: 70 años del pionero Latinoamericano|author=Alexander Trujillo|publisher=El Diario Culebrense|language=es|chapter=Reportaje Especial|date=October 24, 2012|page=38}}</ref> To continue, Morales won two consecutive contests, including a Brass Knuckles Alley Fight, but got disqualified in the third. This was momentarily interrupted with a short program against Mr. Fuji, Mr. Saito and Lou Albano, which also featured wins over Rodz and Adrian Adonis.<ref name="page38"/> After being resumed, Morales won two more matches over Valentine, once again being disqualified in the third, before coming back to win in a Texas Death match. He then entered a winning streak, during which he defeated The Black Demon twice, Jesse Ventura by countout, Adonis thrice, Fuji and Valentine four times, two of these being Brass Knuckles Matches and other a Street Fight.<ref name="page38"/> This came to an end when Morales was disqualified against Jimmy Snuka. He wrestled Valentine three more times, winning in a Brass Knuckles match and by countout.<ref name="page38"/>

[[File:Billy Graham vs. Pedro Morales.jpeg|thumb|Morales (bottom) during a match against [[Superstar Billy Graham]] (top), circa 1983]]

During the summer of 1982, Morales feuded with Bob Orton, Jr., gaining the upper hand after being disqualified in the open bout.<ref name="page38"/> Estrada, Saito and Swede Hanson were also bested during this time. However, this streak was also ended in a count out loss to Snuka. In September, Morales won contests over Rocky Cole and Scicluna, but was counted out against Buddy Rose, which led to a draw in a rematch. He opened the following months with victories in matches featuring Bob Bradley,  Tony Russo and Swede Hanson, but was counted out in a challenge by [[Superstar Billy Graham]].<ref name="page39">{{cite book|title=Pedro Morales: 70 años del pionero Latinoamericano|author=Alexander Trujillo|publisher=El Diario Culebrense|language=es|chapter=Reportaje Especial|date=October 24, 2012|page=39}}</ref> Morales continued his feud with Buddy Rose, defeating him by disqualification. Two more matches against Graham ended in a draw and a disqualification loss. Afterwards, Morales was involved in a no contest and a double disqualification draw with Rose, going on to close with two consecutive wins.<ref name="page39"/> During the month of November, he divided honors with Graham, also scoring victories over Tony Russo and Fuji. On December 28, 1982, Morales wrestled Don Muraco to a double disqualification draw.<ref name="page39"/> On his first match of 1983, the result was repeated, this time in a match involving Graham. The following weeks brought wins over Sammy Sanders, Bob Bradley, Fuji and Rose, but also losses to Graham and Muraco, most of which were by countout or disqualification. After besting Graham in another bout, Morales dropped the Intercontinental Heavyweight Championship to Muraco on January 22, 1983.<ref name="page39"/> However, he countered by winning a rematch, also defeating Graham before losing a second rubber match.<ref name="page39"/> Afterwards, Morales gained wins over Swede Hanson, Bob Bradley, Victor Rivera,  Buddy Rose, Huertas Gonzalez and Fuji. He also emerged victorious from a feud with Graham, winning the majority of their encounters. Morales and Muraco went on to exchange results, but neither one was able to dominate cleanly, with most wins being consequence of count outs and disqualifications. Meanwhile, he bested Eddie Carson and participated in occasional multi-wrestler team matches.<ref name="page40">{{cite book|title=Pedro Morales: 70 años del pionero Latinoamericano|author=Alexander Trujillo|date=October 24, 2012|publisher=El Diario Culebrense|page=40|language=es|chapter=Reportaje Especial}}</ref>

==== Puerto Rican tours (1983–1984) ====
On April 23, 1983, Morales began a tour in his native Puerto Rico performing for Capitol Sports Promotions (CSP), now known as the [[World Wrestling Council]], challenging [[Ric Flair]] for the NWA World Heavyweight Championship in his first appearance.<ref name="page40"/>

After a brief interruption where he bested Swede Hanson in a WWF card held at New York, Morales returned to CSP joining [[Carlos Colón, Sr.]] to win the [[WWC World Tag Team Championship|CSP World Tag Team Championship]] over The Medics.<ref name="page40"/> On June 25, 1983, he defeated Buddy Landel to add the [[WWC North American Heavyweight Championship|CSP North American Heavyweight Championship]]. In a rare CSP card outside of Puerto Rican soil, Morales wrestled [[Hugo Savinovich]] in Trinidad.<ref name="page40"/> On September 10, 1983, The Medics recovered the titles from Morales and Colón. One week later, Morales faced Ric Flair in the first [[WWC Aniversario|Aniversario]] event, winning the contest by disqualification.<ref name="page40"/> On January 6, 1984, he dropped the North American Heavyweight Championship to Sweet Daddy Siki. After wrestling Cyclon Negro in Trinidad and defeating Buddy Rose in a WWF event, Morales won a rematch against Siki, recovering the title.<ref name="page40"/> He held the belt until September 15, 1984, dropping it to [[Randy Savage]] during the final stage of his CSP stay. Another notable opponent was [[J. J. Dillon]]. This run was highlighted by a feud against [[Bob Sweetan]], who injured Morales' neck with a piledriver during one of their encounters.<ref name="page40"/>

==== Various feuds and retirement (1985–1987) ====
During the months of March and April 1985, Morales participated in tag team matches for the WWF, including participation in a show held in [[Kuwait]]. Morales later went on to defeat Mr. X, [[Terry Gibbs (wrestler)|Terry Gibbs]] and Steve Lombardi during the following months. On May 24, 1985, he wrestled Strong Machine #1 to a draw in a NJPW show.<ref name="page41">{{cite book|title=Pedro Morales: 70 años del pionero Latinoamericano|author=Alexander Trujillo|publisher=El Diario Culebrense|language=es|chapter=Reportaje Especial|date=October 24, 2012|page=41}}</ref> Morales entered the [[King of the Ring (1985)|1985]] [[King of the Ring tournament]], besting Johnny V in the opening contest before receiving a bye during the quarterfinals. However, he was eliminated by Muraco in the semifinals.<ref>{{cite web|title=King of the Ring: July 8, 1985|work=Online World of Wrestling|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/wweppv/kingofthering85.html|access-date=October 3, 2007}}</ref> During this time-frame, [[Tito Santana]] became his occasional tag team partner. Individually, Morales went on to defeat Mr.X several times, Gibbs, Lombardi and Barry O twice, [[Rene Goulet]] four times and Tiger Chung Lee. He was also successful in two team matches along Santana.<ref name="page41"/> On September 12, 1985, Morales bested Muraco in New Jersey. The following night he claimed a win over Valentine. Morales defeated Bob Orton, Jr., Goulet and Barry O to conclude the month.<ref name="page41"/> October began with a winning streak which featured Les Thornton and Matt Borne along with enhancement talent, until this victory spree was halted by [[The Missing Link (wrestler)|The Missing Link]].<ref name="page41"/>

Morales made his following appearance in a WWF event held in [[San Juan, Puerto Rico]], where he defeated The Spoiler.<ref name="page41"/> The second half of the month brought wins in two matches along with Santana and singles success over opponents that he had previously wrestled. This pattern continued in November, when Morales and Santana  exchanged results against Valentine and [[Brutus Beefcake]]. Individually, he gained victories over several familiar performers including Lee, Barry O, Gibbs and The Spoiler, also winning a series against Alexi Smirnoff and losing a single time to Orton.<ref name="page43">{{cite book|title=Pedro Morales: 70 años del pionero Latinoamericano|author=Alexander Trujillo|publisher=El Diario Culebrense|language=es|chapter=Reportaje Especial|date=October 24, 2012|page=43}}</ref> Contests including Moondog Spot, Thorton and Lee ended in the same fashion, with Morales going on to win a rematch over Orton. On December 12, 1985, Goulet scored a rare win over him. In turn, Morales ended the year with wins over Matt Borne, The Spoiler, Smirnoff, Barry O and Mike Sharpe, in the process successfully teaming with Santana.<ref name="page43"/> He won his first two contests of 1986 Moondog Spot and Lee, before losing to [[Terry Funk]]. This was followed by a series of tag team matches along Santana and [[Dan Spivey|Danny Spivey]], which ended with a 2–1 balance. After besting two jobbers, Morales teamed with Steve Gatorwolf to defeat Valentine and Beefcake.<ref name="page43"/> After four more wins over his regular opponents, he lost to Orton. This pattern was repeated once more, but this time Morales earned a disqualification victory over Orton after winning the first four contests. Concurrently to this series, he was involved in a 3-on-3 match. On February 15, 1986, Morales defeated [[Bret Hart]] in Phoenix, Arizona.<ref name="page43"/> This was followed with wins over Goulet, Thorthon, Steve Lombardi and a successful feud against Orton. Morales made his only [[WrestleMania]] appearance in 1986 when he was a part of a 20-man invitational [[Battle royal (professional wrestling)|battle royal]] at [[WrestleMania 2]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wwf/mania.html#II|title=WWF WrestleMania Results (2)|access-date=September 21, 2007|publisher=prowrestlinghistory.com|quote=André the Giant won a "battle royal" which included both wrestlers and NFL players. The other wrestlers were: ... Pedro Morales, Jim Niedhart}}</ref> After two tag team victories along Santana, Morales defeated Hercules and Beefcake among others. This was followed by a prolonged series with both members of the Moondogs, from which he emerged victorious.<ref name="page43"/> On May 17, 1986, Morales defeated [[The Iron Sheik]] in a WWF return to California. His tag team with Santana remained successful, winning their contests throughout the summer. Meanwhile, Morales earned wins over Paul Christy, Roger Kirby, Lee, The Iron Sheik and Hercules, but began to lose more often against opponents such as [[Jake Roberts]], [[King Kong Bundy]] and Savage.<ref name="page44">{{cite book|title=Pedro Morales: 70 años del pionero Latinoamericano|author=Alexander Trujillo|publisher=El Diario Culebrense|language=es|chapter=Reportaje Especial|date=October 24, 2012|page=44}}</ref> Like the year before, he entered the King of the Ring tournament, advancing with a win over Rudy Diamond. Morales advanced further by besting Mike Rotundo in the quarterfinals and Nikolai Volkoff in the semifinals, but lost the final to [[Harley Race]].<ref>{{cite web|title=King of the Ring: July 14, 1986|work=Online World of Wrestling|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/wweppv/kingofthering86.html|access-date=October 3, 2007|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080905234059/http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/wweppv/kingofthering86.html|archive-date=September 5, 2008}}</ref> The following months brought mixed results, with wins over Muraco and [[Jim Neidhart]] but losses to Hercules and Adrian Adonis.<ref name="page44"/>

Morales recovered by defeating Savage three times and Gibbs once, while drawing with Orton before losing a rematch to Race. He entered the Sam Muchnick Memorial Tournament, winning his matchup against Funk in the opening round before being eliminated by Beefcake in the quarterfinals.<ref name="page44"/> On September 20, 1986, Morales defeated [[Jake Roberts]]. His next two feuds featured him getting disqualified and defeated by Muraco, exchanging results with Hercules and dominating Moondog Rex.<ref name="page44"/> However, his next series against [[Kamala (wrestler)|Kamala]] saw him being counted out and pinned. A feud with Orton ended in similar fashion. Morales' team with Santana suffered the same fate, losing twice and participating in a double count out draw.<ref name="page44"/> Two rivalries involving Hercules and Steve Lombardi ended with mixed results. Afterwards, Morales won contests over The Red Demon, Lombardi and [[Max Taogaga|Sivi Afi]], while losing to Muraco and being counted out against Savage.<ref name="page44"/> The following month opened with victories over [[Sika Anoa'i|Sika]], Muraco and Lombardi, but also included loses to [[Dino Bravo]], [[Butch Reed]], Kamala and Hercules. In December, Morales bested [[Ferrin Barr, Jr.|Jimmy Jack Funk]], Volkoff, Frenchy Martin and Bravo, but also featured an unsuccessful rivalry with Race. He opened 1987 with a win over Bret Hart, before teaming with Santana twice with mixed results.<ref name="page45">{{cite book|title=Pedro Morales: 70 años del pionero Latinoamericano|author=Alexander Trujillo|publisher=El Diario Culebrense|language=es|chapter=Reportaje Especial|date=October 24, 2012|page=45}}</ref> At 44 years old, Morales was entering his final year as an active wrestler, now being moved back in the card. He lost a series of matches against Bravo, but, bested Muraco before entering a feud with Nick Kiniski  that featured several draws before he gained the upper hand in the final bout.<ref name="page45"/> Despite this, during this stage of his career Morales was unable to gain wins over the likes of King Kong Bundy and Bravo, unsuccessfully challenging the new Intercontinental Champion, [[The Honky Tonk Man]], on several dates.<ref name="page45"/> Some wrestlers that he had bested in the past, such as Butch Reed or Sika were also booked over him, along with strong adversaries such as Jake Roberts, Bravo, Orton and Paul Orndorff. His wins over this time-span were over Moondog Spot, Sika and Jimmy Jack Funk. On March 8, 1987, Morales teamed with Danny Spivey in the quarterfinals of a tournament for the World Tag Team Championship, but they were eliminated by Rick Martel and Tom Zenk.<ref name="page47">{{cite book|title=Pedro Morales: 70 años del pionero Latinoamericano|author=Alexander Trujillo|publisher=El Diario Culebrense|language=es|chapter=Reportaje Especial|date=October 24, 2012|page=47}}</ref> May was marked by several unsuccessful matches that formed part of a rivalry with [[Ron Bass (wrestler)|Ron Bass]], but finished with a win over Lombardi. Morales and Santana teamed twice more, but were unable to overtake the team of Haku and Tama, however, he subsequently joined Jim Brunzell, in emerging victorious over [[The Hart Foundation]] which in its original incarnation as cited here was made up of Bret Hart and [[Jim Neidhart]].<ref name="page47"/> During July, he bested Martin twice, also losing to [[One Man Gang]] and Orndorff.<ref name="page47"/> Morales made a final in-ring appearance as professional wrestler by participating in a battle royale held on November 16, 1987.<ref name="page47"/>