ABDULLAH THE BUTCHER WON THE TROPHY AGAIN

Abdullah The Butcher vs. Jumbo Tsuruta
ALL JAPAN, Champion Carnival '79 Final
Apr. 6 1979 Akita-Ken Taiikukan (Akita)

Jumbo Tsuruta went on the ring, and he waited his enemy with a stern expression. And then Abdullah The Butcher appeared in the hall. Abdullah's attitude was very arrogant as if he was saying that Tsuruta was a mere green hand. The referee Joe Higuchi searched The Butcher for a weapon carefully. Tsuruta was driven by youthful ardor, and he tried to attack his opponent before the starting bell. I liked his recklessness like that.

The Champion Carnival was the biggest event in ALL JAPAN. That was the seventh series, and Giant Baba had won the championship five times. But in 1976, Abdullah defeated Baba and won the trophy. In that year Baba fell to qualify, and his pupil Tsuruta advanced to the final. Everyone was thinking that Jumbo Tsuruta was a successor of Baba. So that Jumbo had to defeat The Butcher, and he had to win the championship at any cost.

The starting bell rang. Tsuruta attacked Abdullah very speedily. He used Brain Buster, and The Butcher fell from the ring. Jumbo followed his enemy. He showed Pile Driver on the floor. Giant Baba (TV commentator) said The Butcher was not damaged. That was right, and Abdullah knocked Jumbo's head against a table. Both of them were bloodied severely, and Joe Higuchi declared a draw on a double count-out.

The final match ran into an extra-round. Jumbo kicked The Butcher's forehead, and he went up to the top of a corner post. He tried Elbow Drop as a finishing move, but that was abdullah's skillful trap. As the same time of Jumbo's jump, The Butcher gave his opponent a karate thrust. Tsuruta was knocked out, and The Butcher took a fall finely. Abdullah was the cruelest heel but very tough and strong. He won the trophy twice, and that was certainly an inspiring deed.

BRUISER BRODY vs. JUMBO TSURUTA

Bruiser Brody vs. Jumbo Tsuruta
ALL JAPAN, International Championship Match
Aug. 31 1983 Kuramae Kokugikan (Tokyo)

International Championship is the heirloom of the wrestling world of Japan. Rikidozan, the father of wrestling in Japan wrested the belt from Lou Thesz, and since then it was the flagship title of JAPAN PRO-WRESTLING. Rikidozan suddenly died in 1963, and his pupil Giant Baba succeeded to the championship. Baba defeated many great wrestlers, Bruno Summartino, Gene Kiniski, Crusher Risowski, Bobo Brazil, etc. and defended the most important title, but in 1972, when Baba went away from JAPAN PRO, he relinquished the belt.

Baba established ALL JAPAN, and the bereaved family of Rikidozan sent back the belt to Baba. And then the championship tournament was held in 1981. Of course we thought that Baba would win the championship again, but surprisingly Baba lost to a young foreign wrestler, Bruiser Brody at the semi-final. And in the final match, Dory Funk Jr. defeated Brody, and Dory won the re-established International Championship.

After that Dory and Brody contended the title hard, probably because there was no Japanese strong wrestler. The big boss Giant Baba was already too old, and his successor Jumbo Tsuruta was too young to take the belt. As a result, Brody wrested the championship from Dory, and he defended the belt for two years. In fact, at that time Brody was the ace of ALL JAPAN, and he defeated Japanese challengers, Baba, Tsuruta, and Tenryu one after another.

Most of wrestling fans regarded that Brody was one of the strongest wrestlers in the history of wrestling in Japan. We thought nobody could defeat Brody and nobody could become new champion. Just then, Lou Thesz was invited by Baba as a referee of The World Tag League '82. Thesz admired Tsuruta's talent, and he taught his special move Back Drop to Tsuruta. To be continued.

(I'm sorry, now The Sumo Autumn Tournament is being held in Tokyo. Because I am crazy about Sumo, I can hardly watch wrestling videos !!)

ANTONIO INOKI vs. JOHNNY POWERS

Antonio Inoki vs. Johnny Powers
NEW JAPAN, NWF World Championship Match
Dec. 10 1973 Tokyo Taiikukan (Tokyo)

Antonio Inoki established NEW JAPAN PRO-WRESTLING in 1971. But he could not join hands with NWA, so that he could not invite famous foreign wrestlers. In the early days of NEW JAPAN, the ace of foreign wrestlers was Killer Karl Krupp, and the shortage of talented person was a major concern. Inoki wanted good foreign wrestlers and a champion belt. And he aimed at NWF. I think this fact shows Inoki's genius as a story teller. Though NWF was a local organization, it was recognizing the 'world' champion. Inoki invited Johnny Powers, in short, he got a famous wrestler and the world title match at a time.

Johnny Powers was one of my favorite wrestlers, but he had a bad reputation. Because he was a friend of notorious Pedro Martinez, and he was a miser. At that time NWF was in financial difficulties, and they say Powers sold the champion belt to Inoki. I don't know the truth of the matter, but it was sure that Powers was a good rival of Inoki. Powers was a tall and handsome guy, and his cruel fight-style was very cool. Inoki fought Powers in 1966 for the first time, their friendship (?) began since then. Inoki rather may have hated Powers because Johnny always wished to become a hero.

At the first round, Inoki used Cobra Twist and Powers surrendered. Afterwards Inoki fought many rivals, for example Singh, Hansen, Hogan, Vader, but I think Powers was the best victim of Inoki's Cobra Twist. And in the second round, Powers attacked Inoki's leg persistently. That was his fight-style. Or he had nothing any more. (^^; When Inoki failed Knee Drop from the top of a corner post, Johnny used his special move Powers Lock !! Inoki could not but give up. Though the last round started, Inoki could not move, and Powers attacked Inoki's leg again and again. Inoki avoided it skillfully, and he caught Powers with Octopus Hold !! As a result, Inoki became the 'world' champion at a bound.

After all, Powers sold all titles of NWF to Inoki and NEW JAPAN. NWF World Championship (Inoki), North American Tag (Inoki and Sakaguchi), North American Single (Sakaguchi). Probably NWF nearly failed at that time, but these were very foolish acts. It was natural that Powers had a bad reputation. Johnny fought in Japan until 1980, and his fights in his last days were pitiful. However, at any rate, Powers was the first famous foreign wrestler of NEW JAPAN, and he showed a memorable good fight with Inoki. In this meaning we have to admire him forever.

BABA, TSURUTA vs. BOCKWINKLE, LANZA

Giant Baba, Jumbo Tsuruta vs. Nick Bockwinkle, Black Jack Lanza
ALL JAPAN, The World Tag League '78
Dec 9 1978 Kuramae Kokugikan (Tokyo)

This league series started in 1977 as The World Open Tag League, and The Funks won the championship of the first series. Baba and Tsuruta, the team of the master and the pupil, strongly wished to win the league in this year, but they drew with the cruelest team (The Butcher and The Sheik) on a count-out, so that it was very difficult for them to outstrip the Funk brothers. However, surprisingly The Funks lost to the cruelest team on a foul at the semi-final, and now conditions were favorable to Baba and Tsuruta.

Though the Funk brothers were fighting against the cruelest team bloodily as ever, the feature of this series was an appearance of Nick Bockwinkle, AWA world champion. Baba joined hands with NWA and AWA, and NEW JAPAN (Antonio Inoki) succeeded in cooperation with WWF. At that time pro-wrestling of Japan was running into the marvelous best days. Well, the hard fights between Jumbo and Nick began in this match. Tsuruta would wrest the AWA belt from Nick in 1984, but it may have been a Gagne's strategy to push into Japan.

In this match Lanza showed a good fight. He had a wonderful build which was a match for big wrestlers like Baba or Tsuruta, but he had few effective moves except for a good old Brain Claw. Lanza attacked Jumbo with it persistently, and when Tsuruta was outside of the ring, he caught Tsuruta's head and pulled him up to the apron. Or Jumbo may have gone up by himself. (^^; Just then Baba kicked Lanza, so that Lanza released his opponent, and Tsuruta used wonderful Rolling Clutch Hold over the rope !!

In those days I was thinking Tsuruta would become the NWA world champion before long. But if Tsuruta had done it, he couldn't have passed his master Baba. Tsuruta became the first AWA champion as a Japanese, in the same way Baba took the NWA belt for the first time as a Japanese. In this sense, probably Baba's tactics was right. In the early 80's, Baba mainly fought Race and Hansen, and Tsuruta contended for AWA belt with Nick. I think that was the best days of ALL JAPAN and we pro-wrestling boys.

ABDULLAH THE BUTCHER vs. BILL ROBINSON

Abdullah The Butcher vs. Bill Robinson
ALL JAPAN, PWF Championship Match
Oct. 18 1978 Tochigi-Ken Taiikukan (Tochigi)

As a rule, there is no clear baby face or heel on the ring of Japan. But until the 60's, a vague atmosphere was there, Japanese wrestlers were good guys and foreign wrestlers were bad. The first wrestler who stopped that tendency was Bill Robinson. He was a foreigner, but he was clearly a baby face. Some people admired him, and some people spoke ill of him because he often posed as a hero. Robinson challenged Antonio Inoki of NEW JAPAN in 1975, and then he took part in ALL JAPAN. He wrested PWF Championship (of course, the symbol of Giant Baba) from Killer Tor Kamata.

Abdullah The Butcher had challenged Baba many times persistently, and now his target turned to Robinson. The starting bell rang. It was uncanny that The Butcher didn't show a foul attack as usual. In the first round, Robinson attacked Abdullah steadily with punches and kicks, and he took a fall from The Butcher with One Hand Back Breaker. When the second round began, The Butcher couldn't stand up because of a pain of his back. Giant Baba (TV commentator) told The Butcher was pretending to be hurt.

Baba's opinion was right. Robinson thought it was the biggest opportunity to defeat his enemy, and he rushed hard, kicked The Butcher many times over again. The Butcher suddenly avoided the opponent skillfully, so that Robinson fell from the ring, and he hung in midair from the rope. The Butcher attacked Robinson's left knee harshly. And then Abdullah came on the ring, Robinson necessarily lost on a count-out.

Now it was The Butcher's one-side match. Though the starting bell of the third round rang, Robinson couldn't move on account of his injury. Abdullah used Head Butt, and he kicked and kicked. Robinson used One Hand Back Breaker recklessly, and he brought about his own ruin. Robinson insisted to fight more, but at last the referee Joe Higuchi stopped the match, and he decided that The Butcher was a winner. As a result, Abdullah took the PWF belt for the first time !! He laughed spitefully and made a show of the belt to Robinson. In a sense, that may have been the highlight of this match.

GIANT BABA vs. ABDULLAH THE BUTCHER

Giant Baba vs. Abdullah The Butcher
ALL JAPAN, Champion Carnival '76 Final
May 1 1976 Sapporo Nakajima Taiiku Center (Sapporo)

It was the final match of Champion Carnival, which was the annual big event of ALL JAPAN, and in this year Giant Baba fought against Abdullah The Butcher in Sapporo. Champion Carnival had been a tournament until a year before, and Baba had won the championship for three successive years. And in this year it was changed into a league series, so that we were very glad to watch many dreamy cards. Of course, I thought Baba would defeat Abdullah and win the trophy. But in this series, The Butcher didn't wish to lose on a foul as usual, and he was fighting rather steadily. It was uncanny a little.

When Baba turn his back before the starting bell, The Butcher attacked his opponent speedily. Abdullah used Head Butt many times, and instantly Baba shed blood from his forehead. The Butcher didn't stop his harsh attack. Now Baba became nearly groggy. The Butcher dropped his elbow on Baba's neck, and he aimed to take a fall. Baba narrowly escaped to the rope.

Abdullah held the trophy in his arms.

Baba began to counterattack with Karate Chop. The Butcher's wound of the forehead tore terribly. Baba threw the enemy to the rope and used Flying Body Attack !! But at the same time as it, The Butcher's body sent the referee Joe Higuchi flying. (^^; Baba held down the opponent over five seconds, but nobody took the count. Baba lost his temper and kicked Abdullah many times. As he knocked The Butcher's head against an iron post, the another referee Jerry Murdoch declared that Baba lost on a foul. As a result, Abdullah won the championship for the first time !! It was very, very impressive scene for me (an elementary school student) that The Butcher held the trophy in his arms and glared at spectators.

In those days The Butcher's cruelty and strength were reached a peak. And he got the PWF belt in 1978, and he won Champion Carnival again in 1979. Abdullah was one of the most successful foreign wrestlers in Japan. He had a wonderful fighting spirit and a marvelous stamina. When he came to Japan for the first time in 1970, he was a thin young wrestler who used a neat Karate attack. Though Abdullah had been unknown in Japan, he instantly won a popularity. In the 80's, when a young wrestler named TNT appeared and used Karate Kick, I recollected The Butcher's young days.

THE FUNKS vs. BOCKWINKLE, LANZA

The Funks vs. Nick Bockwinkle, Black Jack Lanza
ALL JAPAN, The World Tag League '78
Dec 5 1978 Osaka Furitsu Taiiku Kaikan (Osaka)

As I often say, since in the 70's in Japan, there were two major organizations, Giant Baba's ALL Japan and Antonio Inoki's NEW JAPAN. Inoki could not invite famous wrestlers from USA at all, in contrast to this, ALL JAPAN was like a branch shop of NWA, and Baba joined hands with AWA, too. So that the world champion of AWA, Nick Bockwinkle appeared in ALL JAPAN for the first time. Because I could watch unbelievable cards frequently, I went crazy about ALL JAPAN. And this was very marvelous card that Nick fought against former NWA champions.

I had heard that Nick had been a dirty champ, but when I saw him in this match, he seemed to be a standard technician. In Japan, a heel champion was not understood by wrestling fans except for the cruelest men like The Butcher or Singh. Probably Nick knew it. Some people said that Nick had better have formed a team with Bill Robinson, but if he had done so, nobody could not have lost in the fight with The Funks. A role of a loser is very important for pro-wrestling. In that meaning, Black Jack Lanza was a reasonable partner for Nick. I think Lanza was not a bad wrestler, but his performance was only one, a good old days' Brain Claw.

Dory defeated Lanza with Spinning Toe Hold.

As a whole The Funks dominated the match, but Lanza attacked Terry with Brain Claw. So that Terry became nearly groggy. Though many wrestlers used Brain Claw, I wonder if it was really effective. Even now I often recollect Fritz Von Eric's terrible Iron Claw in the title match with Giant Baba, and I have a sense of disharmony with Eric's imitations. Well, Terry showed a good fight, and he attacked Nick and Lanza with Atomic Drop. And Dory used his special move, Spinning Toe Hold. Lanza could not but give up.

It was very epoch-making that Nick went on the ring of ALL JAPAN. Since that, he came to Japan every year and he contended for the championship with Jumbo Tsuruta many times. And the dramatic scene that Jumbo took the AWA belt came true, but it was in future, six years away. Of course, at that time nobody knew that thing. Or Baba might have planned it already. (^^;

THE FUNKS vs. THE BUTCHER, THE SHEIK

The Funks vs. Abdullah The Butcher, The Sheik
ALL JAPAN, The World Tag League '78
Dec 9 1978 Kuramae Kokugikan (Tokyo)

It was a grudge match for the Funk brothers. A year before, they fought against The Butcher and The Sheik in The Tag League '77 at the same hall, and the cruelest team stabbed Terry's arm with a fork terribly. That scene gave a shock to wrestling fans of Japan. And in this league series, Terry was injured by The Butcher's attack at the opening match, and Dory also got hurt by The Sheik's foul. But to tell the truth, these bloody pro-wrestling already had reached a limitation at that time. Though I was a believer of ALL JAPAN, I thought that they were doing a same performance every year.

At any rate, it was what is called 'Showa Puroresu'. Showa is the name of an era in Japan, it began in 1926 and ended in 1989, and now it's the symbol of old things. Of course I'm also perfectly a Showa man. This name contains Romanticism of pro-wrestling. The Sheik may have been a typical wrestler of this era. He fought against Baba as the first challenger of PWF championship in Nichidai-Koudou in 1973. Nichidai-Koudou was the former Sumo hall. And Kuramae Kokugikan was it, too. An old-timer The sheik strangely fitted in the traditional fashioned Sumo hall. But the persons concerned of Sumo got anger when wrestlers broke the institution. (^^;

The cruelest team's harsh attacks went too far. They stabbed Terry's ear many times with a nail. The Butcher bit in Terry's face, and Terry shed blood terribly. The Sheik attacked Dory, too. Dory's wound tore again, and his bloody face appeared on TV with a close-up. Boys and girls in the hall screamed. Dory lost his temper, and he knocked the referee Joe Higuchi with a gong (!!). He wrested a nail from The Sheik, and surprisingly, Dory stabbed The Sheik's back of the hand harshly over and over again. The another referee Kyohei Wada decided that Dory lost on a foul. It was very unusual that Dory behaved rudely like this.

As a result, The Sheik went back to his country because of his injury, and Killer Tor Kamata was nominated a new partner of The Butcher. Probably The Sheik was so busy that he couldn't fight in Japan any more, but Dory's punishment was too severe, and they say there may have been some troubles between Dory and The Sheik. And it was true that there was nothing to do any more about bloody pre-wrestling. In the next year, new stars of the new generation, Stan Hansen and Bruiser Brody appeared, and these old pro-wrestling gradually became a thing of a past.

TSURUTA, THE DESTROYER vs. ROBINSON, ANGUS

Jumbo Tsuruta, The Destroyer vs. Bill Robinson, Wild Angus
ALL JAPAN
Dec. 5 1978 Osaka Furitsu Taiiku Kaikan (Osaka)

At that time The World Tag League '78 was being held, and the world champion of AWA, Nick Bockwinkle would fight against the Funk brothers in the main event. Many famous wrestlers of NWA were fighting on the ring of ALL JAPAN, and Baba joined hands with AWA, too. So that Nick, Robinson, and Gagne appeared in ALL JAPAN. Probably Baba was in his glory. Of course, Jumbo's partner in the tag league was the big boss Giant Baba, but at that day he formed a team with The Destroyer, and they fought against a new team of Europeans.

Just now, I heard Red Bastien (Texas Red) died. He took part in The World Open Tag League '77 as the partner of The Destroyer. They quarreled with each other, but that might have been on a scenario. Bill Robinson had formed a team with Horst Hoffman, and they were at odds really. (^^; And Robinson nominated Wild Angus as a new partner. Angus had been fought on the ring of KOKUSAI PRO-WRESTLING, but I could not see him because KOKUSAI's fights were not on the air in my hometown. I didn't know him, but he seemed to be a famous strong wrestler who was active in Europe and USA.

Angus showed his power a little, but for spectators, the important thing was a fight between Tsuruta and Robinson. Tsuruta was the prince of ALL JAPAN, and he was keeping the UN belt and International Tag Championship. Robinson had got the PWF belt (though he was taken it by The Butcher), and he was an ace of foreign wrestlers who ranked with Dory. Tsuruta had not defeated Robinson once. In those days, Robinson's power might have declined, but it was the happiest days in Japan for him.

The Destroyer used Figure four Leg Lock to Robinson, and Robinson got hurt in his leg. He had been injured there in the title match with The Butcher. When The Destroyer tried to attack more, Robinson skillfully used Reverse Fall, and the referee Kyohei Wada beat the ring three times. Wild Angus showed some Elbow Smash and something else, but I didn't understand his strength at that time.

HARLEY RACE vs. ABDULLAH THE BUTCHER

Harley Race vs. Abdullah The Butcher
ALL JAPAN, NWA World Championship Match
Nov. 10 1979 Korakuen Hall (Tokyo)


For Harley Race, this circuit in Japan was a severe tour. He fought four title matches with Jumbo Tsuruta and Giant Baba. He was taken the NWA belt by Baba in Nagoya, and somehow he got back the title in Amagasaki. He would fight against The Butcher in Tokyo, and that would be the last match of this circuit. However, the NWA office declared that this fight with The Butcher also would be held as the championship match. Race had to face a difficult enemy before going back to his country.

At that time, the popularity of The Butcher was reaching the peak. He was the cruelest heel in the history of wrestling of Japan, and he always showed bloody fights with Baba and the Funk brothers. But his ability as a wrestler was praised by wrestling fans. Abdullah won the Champion Carnival twice, and he wrested the PWF belt from Bill Robinson. The Sheik was only a cruel heel, but The Butcher was a strong heel. Probably the NWA office could not disregard his popularity in Japan.

When The Butcher went on the ring, a snowstorm of strips of paper fell, and Abdullah waved his hands to spectators. And he was standing calmly during the ceremony, and he received a bunch of flowers from a girl. I was surprised at that scene. He seemed to say that he was not a mere bad guy. As the fight started, The Butcher attacked Race with Nukite (Throat Thrust), and he used Flying Elbow Drop. Race counterattacked with Knee Drop, and he tried Diving Head Butt. But it was a failure, and his wound tore again. It was unexpectedly a clean fight, and I thought The Butcher might have aimed to get the NWA belt seriously.

Of course, it was impossible thing. Instantly they went out of the ring, and The Butcher thrashed Race harshly with a chair. It was usual that they fought at the outside of the ring. (Once, they had gone out of the hall, and fought on a street. And Baba scolded by the chief of police.) And then, the referee Joe Higuchi declared a double count-out. It was very short that they fought on the ring, but this match was strangely impressive for me. I think that Race, The Butcher, and Higuchi were professionals and they knew everything of experts' jobs.

ANTONIO INOKI vs. HULK HOGAN (2)

Antonio Inoki vs. Hulk Hogan
NEW JAPAN, IWGP Final
Jun. 2 1983 Kuramae Kokugikan (Tokyo)

It was sure that the condition of Antonio Inoki was very bad at that day. His big project IWGP became smaller than the original plan. His pupil Riki Chosyu declared to withdraw from NEW JAPAN. And Inoki continued to fight 28 matches being suffered from sickness and injury. Inoki lacked vividness in this match. He attacked Hogan with several moves, but he could not damaged Hogan effectively. Conversely speaking, Hogan had become a good technician, and now he was a terrible monster having a good power and a good skill.

When Hogan used the first Ax Bomber, Inoki shook his head several times. At that time Inoki was damaged on his head and neck. Inoki tried Airplane Spin recklessly. They dropped from the ring together, and Hogan attacked Inoki's back of the head with Ax Bomber. Inoki knocked his forehead on a iron post cruelly. Hogan was waiting on the ring. He used the third Ax Bomber to Inoki on the apron. Inioki was fainted, and Hogan won the championship of IWGP.

Inoki was carried into a hospital. This affair was reported on the TV news program, and all Japanese people were shocked at that news. Hogan may have been bewildered. Probably there was a scenario that Inoki would win the championship. It seemed that Inoki would escape the last Ax bomber and he would take a fall from Hogan with Reverse Fall or something like it. Even now, the result of this match is a mystery in the history of the wrestling of Japan. Some people say Inoki pretended to be fainted, and he escaped into a hospital from creditors.

I don't understand what the truth was, but it is true that the result of this match was very shocking, and we enjoyed that great entertainment. In this meaning, Inoki showed his genius as a wonderful story teller. And I have to say that Inoki fulfilled his duty with his whole heart. But may be this performance was his limitation. In the next year, Inoki couldn't defeat Hogan, but he wrested the championship from Hogan on a strange decision. And spectators started a riot.

ANTONIO INOKI vs. HULK HOGAN

Antonio Inoki vs. Hulk Hogan
NEW JAPAN, IWGP Final
Jun. 2 1983 Kuramae Kokugikan (Tokyo)

Strange to say, it is true that Antonio Inoki's fanciful actions were moving the wrestling world of Japan. Inoki was banished from JAPAN PRO-WRESTLING in 1971, and he helplessly established NEW JAPAN. But after that JAPAN PRO failed, and NEW JAPAN became one of the major organizations in Japan. Because Inoki couldn't invite famous wrestlers, he called himself the martial arts champion, and he fought against Willem Ruska and Muhammad Ali. It was a base of the martial arts boom in the 90's. And UWF, the popular organization in the 80's was originally a dummy company which was established by Inoki.

Inoki practiced many absurd plans, and the biggest of them was IWGP league series. He declared to decide the real world champion, but of course wrestlers of NWA and AWA disregarded it, and after all it was not different from the annual league series. However, the famous wrestlers of WWF - Hulk Hogan, Andre The Giant, Adrian Adonis, Dino Bravo, Killer Kahn - participated in this league, and wrestling fans in Japan enjoyed it very much.

And in the closing day of the league, Inoki fought against Hogan at the final match. Everyone believed that Inoki would defeat Hogan and win the championship. Someone says that Sakaguchi, the vice-president of NEW JAPAN had made that scenario. But there were several problems. One, this league series became smaller than the original plan, and Inoki had to hold himself responsible for it. Two, the condition of Inoki was very bad because of many troubles. And three, Hulk Hogan had become the superstar of WWF, and Inoki could not defeat him easily.

I am often surprised to see the fights of Hogan in USA. That's a comic show. But in Japan, he was fighting with Japanese-style wrestling. In short, Hogan learned wrestling from Inoki, and he began to use many moves and holds very skillfully. Surprisingly, at that time Hogan was a wonderful technician who was a match for Inoki !! It was natural that a powerful wrestler who learned many skills became a monstrous strong man. (It might have been only in Japan.)

To be continued.

THE FUNKS vs. BRODY, SNUKA

Brody suddenly attacked his partner !!

The Funks vs. Bruiser Brody, Jimmy Snuka
ALL JAPAN, The Grand Champion Carnival '82
Apr. 22 1982 Tokyo Taiikukan (Tokyo)

We sometimes see a mysterious match. In such a much, the fight itself is mysterious, and also I wonder what part a real is and what a fiction is. This match, the fight between the Funks and the team of beasts was truly a case of it. Brody and Snuka had defeated the Funks in The World Tag League '81, and this match should have been the grudge match of it. TV announcer Kuramochi said so, too. But in the dressing room, there was a trouble among wrestlers.

This match progressed as usual, the team of beasts attacked the Funks with their power, and the Funks counterattacked with Spinning Toe Hold. When Snuka tried Flying Body Attack, Dory had a narrow escape, and Snuka's body struck Brody. Bruiser suddenly got anger, and he gave a blow to Snuka. And Brody's manager Buck Robley broke into the ring. The referee Joe Higuchi declared the team of beasts lost on a foul.

Brody punished Snuka !!

The fight didn't finish. In the dressing room, Brody and Robley punished Snuka harshly. They say Snuka secretly planned to move to WWF, but other wrestlers who belonged to NWA heard it, and Snuka was isolated. Snuka was understanding Brody's anger, but probably he didn't expect to be punished after the match by Brody. The gash of Snuka's face took 20 stitches, and he had to rest for several weeks.

But I understand Snuka's feeling. Though he won The World Tag League '81 with Brody, at that time as it, Stan Hansen appeared, and all wrestling fans paid attention to Hansen. And in this series, Hansen formally became new partner of Brody, and they formed the team of super monsters. It was natural that Snuka planned to jump to WWF for survival, but it was not correctly timed, for ALL JAPAN was at the headhunting war with NEW JAPAN.

DORY FUNK JR. vs. BRUISER BRODY

Dory Funk Jr. vs. Bruiser Brody
ALL JAPAN, International Championship Match
Oct. 9 1981 Kuramae Kokugikan (Tokyo)

Bruiser Brody came to Japan for the first time in 1979. When he challenged Giant Baba, I thought that a terrible new star appeared. And I was glad to see him. In those days NEW JAPAN was more popular than ALL JAPAN. The biggest problem of ALL JAPAN was a decline of Giant Baba. So that International Championship, which was the traditional title in Japan, was given to Dory instead of Baba, and Champion Carnival, the biggest league series was stopped. For ALL JAPAN, Brody was literally the Messiah.

Brody challenged Dory in Tokyo. Though Brody was a powerful monster, wrestling fans thought that Dory's good skill would overwhelm the young guy. But Brody attacked harshly, his kick and punch hit Dory, and Dory's forehead was terribly bloodied. When Dory downed on the ring, Brody tried his special move Jumping Knee Drop. Spectators screamed. Dory had a narrow escape, and his counterattack started.

Dory's Elbow Smash and Knuckle Punch beat Brody. Blood spouted from Brody's face. Now the tables were turned, and Dory used Brain Buster !! But somehow there was the referee Joe Higuchi. (Why?) Brody's body struck Higuchi, and the referee was fainted. (Because Higuchi was a former wrestler, it was a little strange...) Brody took out a chain, but Dory got it and reversely beat the opponent many times. Just then Joe Higuchi woke up, and he declared Dory was a loser on a foul. And Brody became International Champion !!

Wrestling fans called this result 'the miracle in Kuramae', but I think that Dory recognized Brody as the new ace of ALL JAPAN. In fact, Brody contended with Dory for the title several times, and he kept the belt for two years. Brody was the prop of ALL JAPAN until the new star Jumbo Tsuruta became a strong wrestler. In short, I have to say that Dory and Higuchi did a good job !!

THE GREAT KABUKI, THE ORIENTAL MYSTERY

Probably the most famous Japanese wrestler in USA is 'The Oriental Mystery' The Great Kabuki. I want to introduce Kabuki's fights, but in fact I hardly saw his matches in his best days. I know his unpainted face and his fights in his youth. Kabuki's real name is Akihisa Takachiho. He was a middle-rank wrestler in ALL JAPAN. Because he became a wrestler after Rikidozan's death, he didn't learn wrestling from the father of the wrestling of Japan. In short, Takachiho belonged to a young generation. He was comparatively small and his fight-style was steady but quiet. There were big wrestlers in ALL JAPAN like Baba, Tsuruta, and Tenryu, and Takachiho could not become a star wrestler.

When Takachiho was active in USA in the early 80's, his manager Gary Hart thought out the gimmick of 'The Oriental Mystery'. The Great Kabuki became a big star in USA, and he returned in triumph to Japan in 1983. At last I could see Kabuki's fights of only a few matches. The most impressive match was the fight with Tiger Jeet Singh, which was named the special dreamy match. Kabuki was a heel in USA, but he had to play a role of a baby face in Japan. But his special trick The Asian Mist was clearly a foul. I remember that Japanese fans were bewildered a little.

One of Kabuki's special features was the nunchaku performance. Nunchaku is an weapon of Okinawa Karate, and it became very famous when Bruce Lee used it in his films. But 'Kabuki' is the traditional dramatic performance in Japan, and it's not relation to Okinawa Karate. And though his style was like a Ninja, he often showed a performance of samurai sword. I wondered what his gimmick was, but probably there isn't much meaning in saying these things.

At that time Kabuki fought only a few matches in Japan, but his popularity was very good, and they say other wrestlers in ALL JAPAN were jealous of him. Afterwards he formally returned to Japan and belonged to ALL JAPAN again, but the relationship between Baba and Kabuki seemed to be not good. Kabuki wasn't treated as a star, and his pay was rather low. And then he went away from ALL JAPAN, and he was active in several parties as a veteran. They say Kabuki is operating a restaurant in Tokyo and sometimes he coaches young wrestlers.

GIANT BABA vs. HARLEY RACE (2)

Race's Pile Driver !!

Giant Baba vs.Harley Race
ALL JAPAN, NWA World Championship Match
Nov. 7 1979 Amagasaki-Shi

I like the NWA belt of those days. That appearance was good and cool, and it had a grave atmosphere of the top of the wrestling world. That belt is called The Race Model, and Race seems to be keeping it even now. Giant Baba wrested the belt from Race in Nagoya in October 1979. Baba became the NWA World Champion after an interval of five years. Race challenged Baba at the return match in Miyazaki, but Baba defeated Race again with Back Drop.

For Race, this title match in Amagasaki was the last chance to get back the NWA belt. He would fight with The Butcher in Tokyo, and he had to return to his country. And to Baba, this fight against Race was the crucial moment to prove himself. He had got the NWA belt from Jack Brisco in 1974, but he had lost to Brisco at his second title defense. It's my later thoughts that probably Baba borrowed the belt for a short time and he had to return it to American wrestlers. (^^;

Baba tried Flying Body Attack, but...

Race glared fiercely at Baba. He had to get back the title from Baba at any cost. Race's wife and son were sitting on the seats near the ring. Mrs. Race was close to tears. At the same time as the starting bell rang, Baba attacked furiously. Baba's chop and kick hit the breast of Race, and Race was out to breath. Race's physical condition was not good. Baba used Russian Leg Sweep, and Race counterattacked with Brain Buster. But Baba went round to take the back of Race, and used Back Drop. Because Baba was an unbelievably tall man, that move was like a falling downstairs.

Race somehow took his own pace, and attacked Baba with Head Butt. He tried his special move Diving Head Butt, but Baba escaped skillfully. Blood spouted from Race's wound. Race climbed to the top of a corner post. Baba threw him with Deadly Drive !! I thought that I might be watching the video tape of the previous match. Because Race seemed to be groggy, Baba went up to the top of a corner post, and he tried Flying Body Press !! But this attack was too powerful, and Race reversely took a fall from Baba. At last Race got back the important title. It was very impressive that Race had a wonderful toughness and guts. Baba and Race, the two professionals showed us an artistic fight.

THE TRAGEDY IN STUTTGART

Antonio Inoki vs. Roland Bock (1978)

As you know (don't you know ?) Japan is the country in the Far East, but wrestling fans of Japan know the name of a city in Germany, Stuttgart. I hear that Stuttgart is a very beautiful city and many Japanese visit there for a sight-seeing. But its name is very hateful for us, because there was a tragedy in 1978. (Of course, it's a joke of wrestling fans. Don't think it serious.)

Antonio Inoki drew with the superstar of the boxing world, Muhammad Ali, and Inoki suddenly became a famous wrestler all over the world in 1977. Roland Bock, a wrestler and a promoter in West Germany, planned a circuit featuring Inoki, and he invited Inoki to Europe in 1978. Though Inoki's schedule was very tight, he showed good fights. But he burned out his energy, and at last he lost to Roland Bock in Stuttgart. When this match was on the air in Japan, we were shocked at Bock's cruel attacks.

To tell the truth, we have hardly seen Bock's fights. But even now, wrestling fans of Japan are thinking that Bock was stronger than Horst Hoffman on account of 'the tragedy in Stuttgart'. They say that Karl Gotch who was called the dangerous man said to Inoki "Don't fight with Bock, he is very dangerous !!" I often watch the video of this match, and I am always surprised at Bock's wonderful body and his terrible Suplex. Inoki was thrown by him many times like a doll. But it was a ten-rounds match and Bock won on a decision. If it had been a Japanese-style match, Inoki would have fought at his own pace perseveringly.

Roland Bock came to Japan in 1981 and 1982, and he defeated young wrestlers easily, but at that time he was already a semi-retired wrestler. It's very regrettable that I could not see a good fight with Inoki again. I heard he retired soon afterward because of a sickness and he went to a jail as a tax dodger.

GIANT BABA vs. HARLEY RACE (1)

Giant Baba vs. Harley Race
ALL JAPAN, NWA World Championship Match
Oct. 31 1979 Aichi-Ken Taiikukan (Nagoya)

Giant Baba fought against Harley Race many times on the ring of ALL JAPAN, and they contended for the NWA belt harshly. Especially, it was the most impressive fight that Baba challenged Race in Nagoya in 1979. I will introduce that very severe title match and the return match of it. Baba had taken the NWA belt from Jack Brisco in 1974, and he had become the NWA World Champion for the first time as a Japanese. Though it was a borrowed title, that was an inspiring deed. The top managers of NWA could not disregard the existence of Baba. (Afterwards Baba became the vice-president of NWA.)

On one hand, Harley Race got back the NWA belt from Dusty Rhodes and visited to Japan, but his physical condition was not good. Race narrowly defended his title from Jumbo Tsuruta in Matsumoto. But the next challenger was Giant Baba who was hard to deal with, and the new severe rules were created, that the title could move on a foul or a count-out. Race's family also visited to Japan, and Race wished to show them good fight. And Baba wanted to put the belt of the World Champion on his waist after an interval of five years.

At the same time as a starting bell rang, Baba's kick hit the breast of Race. Because a preemptive attack of Baba was very unusual, Race was unsettled. Baba continued to attack Race with Kawazu Otoshi (Russian Leg Sweep ) and Pile Driver. When the referee Joe Higuchi beat the ring two times, Race narrowly escaped from a fall. Spectators screamed. Race attacked Baba's stomach with Head Butt, and he used cruel Knee Drop on the forehead of Baba. Baba was bloodied, and he dropped from the ring. Race went after the opponent, but Baba knocked Race's face against an iron post. Blood spouted from his wound.

Race did his best bloodily, and tried to Diving Head Butt from the corner post. Baba threw him with Deadly Drive as usual. (^^; And Baba used his special move Running Neck Breaker Drop !! Joe Higuchi beat the ring three times, young wrestlers came into the ring, spectators cried out, and the whole hall was in an uproar. Baba got back the title after a long time. Surely it was a borrowed title, but it was true that Baba was the most difficult rival for Race. And they would do a harder fight in the return match.

ANTONIO INOKI'S TACTICS

Antonio Inoki vs. Bill Robinson (1975)

Giant Baba deployed human-wave tactics, in contrast to this, Antonio Inoki had nothing in his hands. Conversely speaking, creative power was the special weapon of Inoki. He needed foreign wrestlers and a champion belt. Both of them came true when he joined hands with a local organization NWF. Inoki wrested (or bought) NWF World Championship from Johnny Powers. But it was miserable that Powers was the only famous wrestler NEW JAPAN could invite in the early days of this party. Inoki created the personality of a madman for Tiger Jeet Singh. When Inoki and his wife (a famous actress) shopping in Tokyo, suddenly Singh attacked them !! And Inoki was scolded by the chief of police. (^^;

Inoki fought against Bill Robinson in December, 1975. That was the first big match of NEW JAPAN, and after that, famous wrestlers began to come up to the ring of NEW JAPAN. Brute Bernard, Hans Schmidt, Hollywood Blonds, Johnny Valentine, Andre The Giant, etc. And then somehow Inoki joined hands with WWF, and he invited Bob Backlund, Pedro Morales, and Stan Hansen. Inoki took the WWF belt from Backlund, and kept it in a short time. On one hand, Inoki started to fight unusual matches as the martial arts champion. He defeated Willem Ruska, the former judo champion, and he drew with Muhammad Ali.

Inoki was fainted by Hogan's Ax Bomber (1983)

Though Inoki had drawn many criticisms, his spirit of a challenger was very unique. He often said "Baba's wrestling is a fake, my fight is the real !!", but in fact, Inoki seemed to have a respect for Baba. Inoki might have been had an inferiority complex, because he was a son of a poor farmer, but Baba had been a pitcher of Tokyo Giants. Inoki got a lot of believers, many superstars appeared in NEW JAPAN like Stan Hansen, Hulk Hogan, and Tiger Mask, and the popularity of NEW JAPAN exceeded ALL JAPAN's in the early 80's.

And Inoki held the big tournament IWGP in 1983, and He fought against Hulk Hogan at the final match. Hogan attacked Inoki harshly, and Inoki was so tired that he could not stand up to the monster's moves. At last Inoki was fainted by the special move of Hogan 'Ax Bomber'. It was a shocking and a very cruel scene, but that was the peak of Inoki's genius of story making. Because of decline of his power, meaningless fights and unclear judgement increased, and finally spectators got anger and started a riot in 1984.

GIANT BABA vs. HORST HOFFMAN

Giant Baba vs. Horst Hoffman
ALL JAPAN, The World Open League
Dec 18 1975 Kawasaki-Shi Taiikukan (Kawasaki)

Because Dory Funk Jr. drew with Jumbo Tsuruta at the semi-final match, the situation was favorable to Giant Baba. If Baba defeated Hoffman at the main event, he would win the championship of this league. Of course, Baba was the superstar and the big boss of ALL JAPAN. Everyone knew that Baba would be the winner. It may have been unfortunate for Hoffman that he was nominated to the last opponent of Baba. Even now I think he was a good technician, but his atmosphere was very quiet, and he didn't fit ALL JAPAN's style. Surprisingly, Hoffman lost to a young rookie Jumbo Tsuruta in this league.

Once I traced Hoffman's career, but I couldn't get information about him after he retired from pro-wrestling. I remember that he formed a tag team with Bill Robinson in The World Tag League 1977, and I thought it was the good team of technicians of former Europe champions. But as a matter of fact, they say they were at odds with each other. And in that league I saw Hoffman for the last time. If Hoffman had belonged to NEW JAPAN, he would have showed good fights with Antonio Inoki.

To tell the truth, I remember little things about this match. Today I watched this fight after a long time (It was 37 years ago !!). Hoffman could not attack effectively very tall Baba, but he showed good Side Suplex. It was his only highlight scene. Baba calmly used Kawazu Otoshi (Russian Leg Sweep) and Neck Breaker Drop. The referee Joe Higuchi beat the ring three times, and Baba won the championship of this league series.

At that time, Baba was joining hands with NWA and AWA, and he took a pride in this luxurious league that many famous wrestlers gathered on the ring of ALL JAPAN. It seemed that Baba was in the lead perfectly. But a big match of NEW JAPAN also came true. Inoki fought against Bill Robinson in December 11, 1975. NEW JAPAN invited a superstar wrestler for the first time except for special guests, Thesz and Gotch. And then, the business war between Baba and Inoki gradually grew severe.

WHAT IS BRAIN BUSTER ?

Murdocｈ's Brain Buster

The best expert of Brain Buster was Killer Karl Kox, may be everyone admits this fact. His Brain Buster was a very cruel move that he lifted up his enemy and dropped down vertically. Kox often took a fall with this special move from Baba. The successor of Kox-style Brain Buster was Dick Murdoch. He fought on the ring of Japan for a long time, and they said he would be the NWA World Champion. But I thought he looked like not a champion, but a bad uncle. Their Brain Buster was so dangerous that it was forbidden to use in USA. And wrestlers began to use the new move which attacked an opponent's back. That's what is called Vertical Suplex.

However, in Japan we don't distinguish Vertical Suplex from Brain Buster. In short, we call these all moves 'Brain Buster'. (We sometimes call Kox-style 'Vertical Brain Buster.') Antonio Inoki often used Front Neck Chancery, it was like a Kox-style. Afterwards Inoki began to use ordinary Brain Buster, but somehow it wasn't powerful, and it was not good-looking. Baba and Sakaguchi also used this move in their youth, but then they stopped it. May be when a big wrestler uses it, a damage of his own is not small. In Japanese wrestlers, the expert of Brain Buster is Riki Chosyu. Chosyu lifts up his opponent, and he jumps (!!). A terrible crash sounds in the hall.

Race's Brain Buster

To tell again, I am mentioning Vertical Suplex, and ordinarily we call it 'Brain Buster' in Japan. When I think about this move, the first person who comes into my mind is Harley Race. His Brain Buster was very stable and strong. He often defeated Baba, Tsuruta and Dory with that special move in big matches. He prided himself on the power of his moves, and he often said to young wrestlers "Don't use Brain Buster and Diving Head Butt !!". They say Dynamite Kid, who were good at these moves, was in a difficult to fight. orz

DORY FUNK JR. vs. JUMBO TSURUTA

Dory's Spinning Toe Hold

Dory Funk Jr. vs. Jumbo Tsuruta
ALL JAPAN, The World Open League
Dec. 18 1975 Kawasaki-Shi Taiikukan (Kawasaki)

At last, it was the closing day of the league series. Baba and Dory had a possibility of winning the championship, Dory fought with young Jumbo Tsuruta, and Baba's opponent at the main event was Horst Hoffman. It was very strange that Baba didn't fight against Dory in the last match. I think Baba and Dory might have saved their faces each other. Baba had to win as the big boss of ALL JAPAN, and Dory was also the ace of the foreign wrestlers and the important person as a promoter. In fact, Dory had defeated Baba in a small hall without TV broadcast.

Dory decided that the ring of ALL JAPAN was his main battlefield after he lost the NWA belt. His fight-style influenced deeply on the wrestling world of Japan. A wrestler do his best to show his technique and strength, to use his all moves one after another. This style of 'an honor student' is the base of pro-wrestling in Japan since in the 70's. When Dory came to Japan for the first time in 1969, he defended the NWA title from Baba and Inoki. The experiences at that time might have created ALL JAPAN and NEW JAPAN. (Though it is my personal thought.)

Tsuruta's Front Suplex

Well, Dory fought with Jumbo Tsuruta at the semi-final. I thought this match would end on a count-out or a time-limit draw, because Baba had to get points and to win the championship at the main event. Tsuruta was a young star and the prince of ALL JAPAN, but he was a pupil of Dory in USA. Dory used Elbow Smash harshly, and attacked hard by Double Arm Suplex and Spinning Toe Hold. Dory was basically a technician, but he was also good at a rough fight. He had a splendid career that he had kept the NWA belt for over four years.

Tsuruta was like a child in comparison with Dory. I wanted him to get anger and to show violent fight, but he was a quiet and a courteous young man. Though Tsuruta also used Spinning Toe Hold and various Suplex, he only made his master a present in return. It was his biggest weakness that he was a bad actor and his performance was always unnatural. And then, the referee Joe Higuchi declared a time-limit draw. As a whole, that was a good semi-final match. Somehow Tsuruta could show his moves faultlessly, and that might have been Dory's parental love.

JUMBO TSURUTA AND BACK DROP

Tsuruta wrested the AWA belt from Nick !! (1984)

Everyone recognized that Jumbo Tsuruta would be the successor to throne of ALL JAPAN. But there was a something weakness within him (that was rather a fascination of him for me), most of wrestling fans grew impatient. Tsuruta's special moves were Suplex, Jumping Knee Attack, Flying Body Scissors Drop, and others. Giant Baba thought that Tsuruta needed to have a stronger move of specialty, and he invited Lou Thesz to Japan in the end of 1982. Thesz taught Tsuruta his Back Drop with a beautiful bridge. And after that, Tsuruta began to use Back Drop as the finishing move in his big matches.

Because Tsuruta had learned pro-wrestling from the Funk brothers, he had been using a Funk-style Back Drop. That was the style of taking an enemy's leg, and it was not good-looking. In Japan, the only wrestler who had used the Thesz-style Back Drop was Antonio Inoki. And Tsuruta passed Inoki, became the best expert of Back Drop. His weakness went away from him, and he defeated Brody to take the belt of International Championship in August 1983. And at last, Tsuruta wrested AWA World Championship from Nick in February 1984. The last fight with Brody in 1988, he used Back Drop as the finishing move.

Tsuruta became the International Champion. (1983)

Tsuruta often used Back Drop Hold. That was his special move that he threw an opponent and instantly took a fall like a German Suplex Hold. It was very impressive that he defended United National Championship from Tommy Rich with that move in 1983. And when he took the AWA belt, he defeated Nick by this special hold, too. I have never seen an expert of Back Drop Hold except for Tsuruta. In the 80's, when everyone was using Back Drop easily (?), Tsuruta recovered its authority as the special move of pro-wrestling. And in the 90's, Tsuruta was called the perfect champion. Though sometimes I felt lonesome that his weakness had gone away, it might have been my selfishness.

GIANT BABA vs. RUSHER KIMURA

Giant Baba vs. Rusher Kimura
ALL JAPAN, The World Open League
Dec. 17 1975 Chiba-Ken Taiikukan (Chiba)

This very luxurious league series went into the last stage. And there were some mysterious movements of the participants. Harley Race went home because of an injury by The Butcher's attack, and I understood it. Mr. Wrestling also returned to USA by reason of his bad condition. (what ?) Kintaro Ohki declined to fight because he was responsible for an injury of the ring announcer Momota, a son of Rikidozan. (what ?) Moreover, Dusty Rhodes fought only four matches and suddenly disappeared. He might have had a tight schedule.

At all events, the noteworthy match was held in Chiba. Of course, Giant Baba was the big boss of ALL JAPAN, and his opponent at that night was Rusher Kimura. Kimura was also the ace of KOKUSAI PRO-WRESTLING. As the top wrestler of the small organization, Kimura had to defeat  Baba, the popular party's champion. In this match the two strong wrestlers who belonged to the different companies fought, and in Japan it was very rare in those days.

However, this important match progressed to an unexpected direction. When the starting bell rang and they used some chops and kicks, Abdullah The Butcher broke into the ring. The Butcher gave a blow to Baba with his fist, and he knocked Kimura's forehead against the iron post. Kimura's face was bloodied cruelly. And instantly Abdullah went away. Baba and Kimura began to fight again, but Kimura was severely damaged. He was taken a fall easily by Baba's Kawazu Otoshi (Russian Leg Sweep).

But Mr. Yoshiwara, the president of KOKUSAI was not satisfied. He ran up to the ring in a hurry and protested against the referee Joe Higuchi. Yoshiwara got anger and pushed Higuchi, other wrestlers of KOKUSAI went into the ring, and a commotion arose. At that time I was an elementary school student, and I was excited at that scene very much, though I couldn't understand what had happened. It's my later thoughts, they might have racked their brains for saving honors of Baba and Kimura. In short The Butcher made a good job. Is that right ?

SAKAGUCHI, THE DEAR OLD WRESTLING

Seiji Sakaguchi

I seem to adhere to pro-wrestling of the 70's. There were still legends and gods of a myth. It may be a nostalgia, but since in the 80's, wrestlers emphasized what is called a reality, and wrestling of Japan lost a fantastic pleasure. And I often recollect the fights of Seiji Sakaguchi. He was Inoki's right-hand man and the vice-president of NEW JAPAN, and he was also one of the great wrestlers in the history of wrestling in Japan.

He had won the All Japan Judo Championship in 1965. He always showed a quiet and a steady wrestling as the best partner of Inoki. And always he was attacked harshly by Tiger Jeet Singh or Umanosuke Ueda. I remember his bloody face even now. Sakaguchi's special moves were Reverse Boston Crab, Atomic Drop, Neck Hanging Tree, Bear Hug, and others, in short he was a typical powerful fighter. Now most of wrestlers won't use these classical moves. (^^; And in the 80's, Fujinami became a new star of NEW JAPAN while Sakaguchi's fights gradually faded out from the TV program. That was the end of old and fantastic pro-wrestling.


In 1990, Sakaguchi and Inoki formed a tag team again after a long time, and they fought against young wrestlers. They old veterans were punched and kicked harshly, and their faces were swollen cruelly. At that time the TV announcer said "NEW JAPAN is the only company that young members are praised to give a punch and a kick to the president and the vice-president !!" That was right, and it's very funny.

GIANT BABA vs. JUMBO TSURUTA

What a wonderful Drop Kick !!

Giant Baba vs. Jumbo Tsuruta
ALL JAPAN, The World Open League
Dec. 15 1975 Miyagi Sports Center (Sendai)

As I often say, I'm a believer of ALL JAPAN, and especially a crazy fan of Jumbo Tsuruta. It was my pleasure that I observed his growth every week. Afterwards he became a great wrestler and he was called the perfect champion, but I rather liked his rookie days. Because he had been a member of the Olympic team, of course he was a technician. But there was a recklessness or a weakness in him, I feel his fascination with it. They said his performance was exaggerated, but he might have been practicing the teaching of Terry. (^^;

Well, in this league series, Tsuruta fought against his master, Giant Baba. A big card of Japanese wrestlers was unusual in ALL JAPAN. Only about it, NEW JAPAN was in the lead. Antonio Inoki positively fought with Japanese rivals, Strong Kobayashi or Seiji Sakaguchi, because of lack of foreign wrestlers. There were many famous wrestlers in ALL JAPAN, and there was no need to make a odd card. Because I am a fan of ALL JAPAN, I always admire Baba's stance. But fans of NEW JAPAN say that ALL JAPAN was conservative.

Dory was sitting on a seat near the ring. He seemed to glad to hear the news that Terry had taken the NWA belt. And Tsuruta was a pupil of him in USA. Tsuruta actively attacked Baba with Drop Kick. That jumping power was a charm of him in his youth. I have never seen such a wonderful Drop Kick. (Look at the upper picture) Tsuruta attacked Baba with Leg split and Spinning Toe Hold, but Baba's legs were very long, and these moves had hardly effect. Though Tsuruta tried to use Double Arm Suplex, it was indeed impossible.

Tsuruta was a very big person as a Japanese, but Baba was an unbelievably tall man. It was difficult for Tsuruta to use effective moves, and he gradually lost his stamina. He did his best to try Elbow Smash and Side Suplex. Baba had enough strength in reserve to receive these attacks. When Tsuruta was dead tired, Baba used Neck Breaker Drop, and the finishing move was Kawazu Otoshi (Russian Leg Sweep) !! Of course Tsuruta lost to Baba, but he showed his good fighting spirit, and Baba taught his pupil many important things in this match.