GENICHIRO TENRYU vs. RANDY SAVAGE

Genichiro Tenryu vs. Randy Savage

ALL JAPAN, NEW JAPAN, and WWF, The Wrestling Summit
Apr 13, 1990 Tokyo Dome (Tokyo)


In Japanese, we sometimes use an expression of 'water and oil', it means mismatched two persons. This match-making was exactly that. Savage was a symbol of an entertaining wrestling, by contrast, Tenryu who had been a sumo wrestler was the incarnation of the spirits of Japan. We could not expect what would happen.


In abuse of spectators, Savage and his manager Sherri Martel hatefully provoked Tenryu. Savage's tactics succeeded, Tenryu was roughed up harshly. Tenryu fell from the ring, and Sherri attacked him from behind. A guest commentator (and a famous TV announcer) Tokumitsu got angry with her, glared at each other. (It was very exciting scene.)

Though Tenryu counterattacked with Karate Chop, Savage's assault became speedier. Savage used Elbow Drop, and tried Knee Drop, but at that time Savage hit his own knee against the ring. Tenryu caught this chance, beat Savage with Power Bomb (Reverse Slam).


In conclusion, this match was an unexpected good fight. Tenryu and Savage, two contrasting wrestlers displayed their full talent. Though Savage hardly visited to Japan, because of this fight, he is valued by Japanese fan.

TSURUTA, HAKU vs. MARTEL, HENNING

Jumbo Tsuruta, King Haku vs. Ric Martel, Curt Henning

ALL JAPAN, NEW JAPAN, and WWF, The Wrestling Summit
Apr 13, 1990 Tokyo Dome (Tokyo)

In the early 90's, because Japan's economy was satisfactory, large-scale 'all star games' of pro-wrestling were often opened. This was one of them, in the new baseball stadium Tokyo Dome, named The Wrestling Summit !! (what's that ?)

About this tag match and this members, I think many things deeply. Jumbo and Curt were died. Martel was a very popular wrestler as a handsome boy, but he was fired. The most quiet man of the four, King Haku (Prince Tonga in Japan) is spending the happiest life, don't you think so ?

Tsuruta, Martel, and Henning had been ex-world champions of AWA. And Martel had wrested the title from Tsuruta. In this match Tsuruta defeated the former rival with Back Drop in the image of Lou Thesz. As a whole, the American team's relay play was very good. And Tsuruta who adjusted American wrestling was wonderful expert.

GIANT BABA vs. BRUISER BRODY (2)

Giant Baba vs. Bruiser Brody

ALL JAPAN, International Championship Tournament, semi final
Apr 27, 1981 Aichiken Taiikukan (Aichi prefecture)


Stan Hansen said Giant Baba had a mysterious power, surely Baba was an expert wrestler who fought at his own pace always. But at that time, may be Brody exceeded Baba in power and spirit. Though Baba had been injured on his right hand, he attacked harshly with chop and kick. But Brody didn't stop to go ahead, at last he took a fall from Baba for the first time with Knee Drop.


That was a surprising end.


INTERNATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP is the title of the ace of Japan.
After all, in this tournament Dory Funk Jr. won the victory, and got this re-established champion's belt.
Brody wrested the title from Dory, and he held it until new star Jumbo Tsuruta defeated him in 1983.


Through the two years, practically Brody was the ace of ALL JAPAN. Baba, Tsuruta, and Tenryu challenged him, but nobody could get the important title.

GIANT BABA vs. BRUISER BRODY

Giant Baba vs. Bruiser Brody

ALL JAPAN, International Championship Tournament, semi final
Apr 27, 1981 Aichiken Taiikukan (Aichi prefecture)

I often think about Bruiser Brody. May be he was a man who had a complex character. Brody became a superstar in the world of Japanese pro-wrestling, but I don't know what estimation he was given in USA.

When Brody visited to Japan for the first time in 1979, he was an unknown young wrestler. (Perhaps I had read about him as a new star of MSG.) His powerful fight-style was valued by Baba, and he speedily became an ace of foreigners in ALL JAPAN.

Brody challenged Baba's PWF title. At that time Baba took a fall from Brody, but Baba said "If I fight against him again, I'm not confident of victory." And Brody was active in The Champion's Carnival '81, he lost out to Baba again, but got a second place.

I think that International Championship was a very important title for Brody. I remember various dramatic scenes about this title and Brody.

To be continued.

HANSEN, GORDY vs. BRODY, SNUKA (3)

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

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

Hansen and Brody, the two superstars fought in Japan for the first time.

Korakuen was a small hall comparatively, but spectators were very exciting, and all wrestling fan in Japan were watching this match on ＴＶ breathlessly.

Perhaps Hansen and Brody were oversensitive.

Their attacks and defenses did not directly meet.

But the confrontation of them had tremendous impact, that was true.

The TV announcer Kuramochi said "Yet I cannot see which is stronger !"

The smallest sized of the four, Snuka was attacked hard, and this match ended in a draw on double ring-out.

Baba planned a single match between Hansen and Brody.

But in the next year Brody met a sudden death, this tag match was the first, and the last fight for the super monsters.