GIANT BABA vs. VERNE GAGNE

Giant Baba vs. Verne Gagne
ALL JAPAN, PWF and AWA Double Championship Match
Jan. 18 1981 Korakuen Hall (Tokyo)

That was the memorial match of Baba's continuously appearance on 3000 fights. His opponent of the anniversary was the emperor of AWA, Verne Gagne. To our surprise, that was the first fight between them. Because Baba's party ALL JAPAN (PWF) was a subsidiary organization of NWA, Baba had not been able to invite this great wrestler. Ironically, KOKUSAI PRO-WRESTLING which had joined hands with AWA failed in that year, this big card came true.

Korakuen is comparatively a small hall, but here is the hometown of ALL JAPAN. It was a quiet and solemn day that all wrestling fans celebrated Baba's wonderful record. It became dark in the hall, the theme music of Star Wars sounded, and Verne Gagne appeared. And then in spectators' cheers, Giant Baba entered. His theme music was the theme of sports programs of Nihon TV. That was matched him well.

That was an old-fashioned wrestling like in the 60's. It is not a term of abuse. In short, good old days' pro-wrestling was surely in there. Gange took the first round by Sleeper Hold, Baba defeated Gange with 16-mon Kick at the second round, and in the last round they dropped from the ring, the referee Joe Higuchi declared a draw on double count-out. A very good finish !!