HANSEN, GORDY vs. BRODY, SNUKA (2)

Stan Hansen, Terry Gordy vs. Bruiser Brody, Jimmy Snuka

ALL JAPAN, The World Tag League '87
Nov 22, 1987 Korakuen Hall (Tokyo)


The highlight of this match was a confrontation between Hansen and Brody, two big stars of ALL JAPAN, but I have to refer to their partners.

Terry Gordy visited to Japan at first as a member of The Free Birds. I remember that they were not popular with Japanese fan. Except by way of some exceptions, nearly always a typical heel doesn't catch on in Japan.

However, Gordy's fight-style and powerful tricks were valued by Baba. He became a main wrestler of ALL JAPAN, and fought against Tsuruta, Tenryu. His nickname in Japan was The Torpedo Man. May be it was a metaphor of his Lariat. (Between ourselves, this nickname suggests the suicide attack of Japanese soldiers.)

Jimmy Snuka won the tag league '81 with Brody, but at that time Hansen broke into the ring, Japanese fan paid attention to Hansen. In the next year Brody teamed up with Hansen, and they created a boom of the team of super monsters.

Snuka formed a new team with Harley Race. Though we expected his hard fights against Brody and Ricky Steamboat, Snuka was injured and Dick Slater was nominated for Race's new partner. Some people say that foreign wrestlers of ALL JAPAN punished Snuka because of the trouble in connection with his contract.

To be continued.

HANSEN, GORDY vs. BRODY, SNUKA

Stan Hansen, Terry Gordy vs. Bruiser Brody, Jimmy Snuka

ALL JAPAN, The World Tag League '87
Nov 22, 1987 Korakuen Hall (Tokyo)


In the history of Japanese wrestling, this must be the most memorable match. I think so keenly, and at least it is true that this was an important fight for us.

Brody had gotten International Championship from Dory Funk Jr. in 1981, in effect he had become the ace of ALL JAPAN's foreigner wrestlers.
Hansen had fought against Inoki harshly, but he suddenly moved to ALL JAPAN.
Brody and Hansen formed a tag team (the team of super monsters), and they conquered the wrestling world of Japan.

Temporally Brody joined NEW JAPAN in 1985, but it was a failure. He returned to ALL JAPAN, and teamed up with Snuka again. In fact, when they formed a team in the tag league '81, Hansen broke into the ring, and he gave a shock to Japanese fan.

At that time, TV commentator Yamada said "Hansen desuyo !!" (That's Hansen !!)
Because I like this dialogue "Hansen desuyo !!", I often say so everyday. (ha-ha)

To be continued.

HARLEY RACE vs. MIL MASCARAS

Harley Race vs. Mil Mascaras

ALL JAPAN, NWA world championship match
Sept 12, 1980 Ichinomiya Sangyou Taiikukan (Aichi)


Mil Mascaras was very popular with children in Japan. I see no reason why he became such a big star. He was smaller than Baba or Tsuruta, and his fight was always tedious. But my friend get angry every time I say so. He is a big fan of Mascaras.

Though Mascaras' theme was a hit song "Sky High", may be it was used in Japan only.

Harley Race had gotten back NWA title from Baba several days before. At that time he won the championship five times, and that was a great record next to Lou Thesz.

Well, Mascaras' attack was mainly Flying Cross Chop. And sometimes he used Body Press. It is the reason that I say his fight was tedious, but in this match his Plancha Suicida was wonderful. About Mascaras, the most unforgettable match was the fight against Tsuruta in1977, and this title match was nice fight, too.

(The result of this match was a draw on double ring-out.)

This is Race's Brain Buster !!
His nickname might be "Handsome Harley" or "The Beautiful Beast", but in Japan he was called "Mr. Pro-Wrestling". I liked his fight style of roughness and technique.

BABA, SAMMARTINO vs. SINGH, UEDA

Giant Baba, Bruno Sammartino vs. Tiger Jeet Singh, Umanosuke Ueda

ALL JAPAN
Oct 9, 1981 Kuramae Kokugikan (Tokyo)


This performance was opened as the tenth anniversary of the establishment of ALL JAPAN.
Giant Baba and Bruno Sammartino, two great wrestlers teamed up.
They were good friends since their rookie days. May be this was the first time that they formed a tag team.

Singh and Ueda, both of them were typical heels.
Though Singh had been belonging to NEW JAPAN, Baba took him over to ALL JAPAN.
At that time, the two parties conflicted harshly, it was called 'the war of headhunting'.
Singh and Hansen moved to ALL JAPAN, The Butcher and Bｒody were hired away by NEW JAPAN.

Well, the famous wrestlers met there, but frankly speaking this match was commonplace.
Bruno had been injured by Hansen in 1976, and he was a semi-retired wrestler. But we were satisfied with his Bear Hug !!