In an era when heroes were larger than life and villains were brazen in their betrayal, few rivalries in the World Wrestling Federation (WWF) hit as deeply as the one between Tito Santana and Rick Martel.
What began as a story of friendship, unity, and championship gold dissolved into a personal feud that played out over arenas across North America, culminating in betrayal, bitterness, and eventually, redemption.
Their story wasn’t just about a tag team breakup—it was about how trust, when broken, can become one of the strongest foundations for a classic pro wrestling rivalry.
“Vince talked to me and he said ‘We’d like to team you up with Rick Martel, and we want to call you the Border Patrol.’
At the time, there was a lot of bad stuff happening to Hispanics trying to cross the border in Texas. Some of them died in the train boxes.
And I told Vince, I said ‘If you call us Border Patrol, you might turn us heel, because of what’s going on at the borders.’
He agreed, and he changed us from Border Patrol to Strike Force, which I think turned out to be a better choice.”
-Tito Santana on the emergence of the Strike Force name
THE FORMATION OF STRIKE FORCE
With Tito Santana and Rick Martel
The partnership between Tito Santana and Rick Martel began out of necessity but grew quickly into one of the WWF’s most dynamic babyface tag teams.
After Martel’s former partner Tom Zenk left the WWF in 1987, Martel found himself in need of a new ally. Santana, a former Intercontinental Champion and beloved fan favorite, was a natural fit. Their tag team was dubbed Strike Force, symbolizing speed, precision, and fighting spirit.
“We clicked right away. We had the same values. We believed in fighting clean and standing up for the fans.”
– Tito Santana (WWF Magazine, 1987):
Strike Force Wins Gold
On October 27, 1987, at a WWF Superstars taping in Syracuse, New York (aired November 7), Strike Force defeated The Hart Foundation (Bret Hart and Jim Neidhart) to win the WWF World Tag Team Championship.
The match had a hot crowd and textbook tag psychology. Santana applied the Figure-Four Leglock on Neidhart while Martel rolled up Bret for the pin. It marked Martel’s second WWF Tag Title reign and Santana’s first.
“We weren’t just partners, we were brothers. That night, we proved that speed and heart could overcome anyone.”
– Rick Martel
Losing The Titles and Tension Building
Strike Force’s reign lasted approximately five months, coming to an end at WrestleMania IV on March 27, 1988, at Trump Plaza in Atlantic City. They lost the titles to Demolition (Ax and Smash), managed by Mr. Fuji.
Master Fuji’s cane played a pivotal role—Demolition used it behind the referee’s back to knock out Martel. Strike Force never received a proper rematch.
Soon after, Rick Martel mysteriously disappeared from WWF programming. The on-screen explanation was that he was injured by Demolition and needed time off. The tag team never had an opportunity to regain the championships.
“He just vanished. I didn’t know if he was hurt or if something else was going on. But I didn’t stop believing in him.”
– Tito Santana:
The Betrayal: WrestleMania V
Martel returned months later, and by early 1989, Strike Force was reformed and scheduled to face The Brain Busters (Arn Anderson and Tully Blanchard) at WrestleMania V on April 2, 1989.
Fans were thrilled to see the reunion… but it would all fall apart
WrestleMania V – Strike Force vs. The Brain Busters
Early in the match, Santana accidentally hit Martel with a flying forearm, knocking him to the outside. After being helped up, Martel refused to tag back in. A few minutes later, in a shocking moment, Martel abandoned Santana mid-match and walked out of the arena.
“I’m sick of carrying dead weight! Tito Santana is the reason we lost the titles. I’m tired of being the nice guy!”
– Rick Martel (Post-WM V Interview):
The Brain Busters easily finished off a confused and heartbroken Santana. The betrayal was complete. Strike Force was dead.
“He turned his back on everything we stood for. That wasn’t just a loss—it was a knife in the back.”
– Tito Santana:
Becoming “The Model”
Martel’s transformation was swift. Within weeks, he debuted a new persona: Rick “The Model” Martel, a narcissistic heel obsessed with his appearance, arrogance, and superiority. Accompanied by his infamous “Arrogance” cologne atomizer, Martel now exuded the exact opposite of his former self.
“I’m not just a model of fashion, I’m a model of excellence. Santana held me back. Now, I’m free to shine.”
– Rick Martel (WWF Superstars, May 1989):
This new identity set the stage for a feud that was as emotional as it was physical.
The Feud Intensifies
From spring through winter 1989, Santana and Martel clashed in a series of singles matches across WWF programming and house shows. From there the two had an ongoing feud but it was certain exchanges that had stood out between them.
First off took place on WWF Superstars on May 1989. Their first singles match after the split. Martel won via underhanded tactics, using the ropes for leverage.
The next would be at Saturday Night’s Main Event on July 29, 1989. It was a high-profile rematch with more intensity. Martel tried to spray Santana with the “Arrogance” atomizer but got caught. The match ended in a disqualification.
The next event happened during Fall of the same year on Prime Time Wrestling. Tito Santana scored a rare victory, rolling up Martel clean. It reignited fan interest and pushed the feud forward.
“He calls himself a model, but he’s just a coward hiding behind a spray can. I’ll never stop coming for him.”
– Tito Santana:
The bulk of their rivalry played out in WWF house shows between mid-1989 and early 1990. These matches were typically brief, lasting 10 to 15 minutes.
They were hard-hitting and emotionally charged. Fans were deeply invested, often chanting “Traitor!” at Martel, who leaned into the heat with smug arrogance.
The Feud’s Final Stages – Tito Santana and Rick Martel
The Santana–Martel program was slowly phased out by late 1990. Both men were steered toward different midcard feuds—Santana feuded with The Barbarian and teamed with The Texas Tornado, while Martel began a memorable program with Jake “The Snake” Roberts, blinding him with the “Arrogance” spray.
However, echoes of their animosity would resurface occasionally in battle royals, Survivor Series elimination matches, and tag team tournaments.
The feud did wonders for Martel, whose new persona as The Model certainly elevated him to a solid mid-card performer and a threat to the Intercontinental Championship.
In listening to their countering promos against one another, it was clear that one was tired of being with someone, and the other felt a sense of betrayal and what would ultimately become animosity, and wanting to put the person who ended their team leaving them in the dust.
“Strike Force? That was a mistake. I carried Santana. I made Strike Force!”
– Rick Martel:
“He used to be my brother. Now he’s just another pretty face I need to smash.”
– Tito Santana
In fact, it wasn’t just Santana and Martel sharing their thoughts; the late Bobby Heenan and Gorilla Monsoon, WWF commentators at the time, shared their opinions of Martel and Santana, holding back in no way.
“Martel was too good for Strike Force! You think models hang out with school teachers?”
– Bobby ‘The Brain’ Heenan
“I can’t believe this. Martel walked out on his own partner! That’s disgusting!
– Gorilla Monsoon.
Legacy of The Feud
– Tito Santana and Rick Martel
The Santana–Martel rivalry may not always make the “Top 10” lists, but its emotional core and realism made it unforgettable for fans who lived through it.
It’s the classic tale of betrayal: two men who once shared a goal, a belt, and a bond, only to become bitter enemies when ego got in the way.
Together, they captured the WWF World Tag Team Championship, holding the title for about five months. However, their rivalry saw the two face off forty-five times, both on screen and in house shows.
Although Martel did hold the reported advantage in wins with twenty-five between them in this feud, it wasn’t to say that Santana didn’t come out victorious, with fifteen wins, making the feud fairly competitive between the two.tt
The remaining five were listed as draws or no contests. In hearing the memories both Tito Santana and Rick Martel felt about the storyline after their careers had come to an end, it was clear.
Regardless of what animosity both characters had for one another during their feud, it was a story of how deep friendship and betrayal would ultimately usher in the re-invention of a new persona for one man.
“Rick was my friend. That’s what made it hurt. And that’s what made the feud real for the fans. They felt that pain.”
–Tito Santana (Legends of Wrestling panel, 2014)
“Turning on Tito wasn’t just a gimmick. It was a statement. The Model didn’t need anyone.”
–Rick Martel (WWE.com interview, 2015): “
Even decades later, the image of Rick Martel walking out on Tito Santana at WrestleMania V remains one of the most iconic tag team breakups in wrestling history.
