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.

MEMORIES OF BRUISER BRODY

the team of super monsters

I am tracing the Brody's career in USA, but I am often depressed to meet bad episodes. He seemed to have a complex personality and a severe pride. In Japan, he is regarded as one of the most successful wrestlers. When he came to Japan for the first time in 1979, he showed a hard fight against Giant Baba, and instantly he became the ace of foreign wrestlers of ALL JAPAN. Though his gimmick was 'King Kong', we forgot it at once, and we admired his powerful fight-style and wonderful Drop Kick. A gimmick is meaningless on the ring of Japan.

In the early 80's, as the top wrestler in Japan, Brody contended for International Championship with Dory and Tsuruta. Especially Tsuruta was the biggest rival of Brody. In 1983, Brody was taken the belt by Tsuruta, but I was deeply impressed with Brody's power and stamina. It must not be forgotten that his friend Stan Hansen moved to ALL JAPAN and they formed a tag team. They 'the team of super monsters' created a big boom in Japan.

Brody's last glory (1988)

Brody suddenly moved to NEW JAPAN in 1985, and this affair was reported in the TV news program. We expected him to fight hard against Antonio Inoki, but at that time Inoki was already an old-timer, and Brody was too proud to accept a loss, their fights were not good. Inoki lost to his pupils, Singh, Hansen, Hogan, and Vader, but he could not be defeated by Brody, because Brody was the rival of Baba and Tsuruta. After all, his movement to NEW JAPAN was a failure. After a lot of troubles, he returned to ALL JAPAN in 1987.

The second ALL JAPAN days of Brody was very short, but there was a splendid glory. He fought against his friend Hansen for the first time in a tag match, and that was the memorable scene for wrestling fans. He defeated his rival Tsuruta in March 1988, and he wrested the belt of International Championship after a long time. At the same time as it, he cried with joy, and he hugged the president Lord Blears and spectators in the hall.

DORY FUNK JR. vs. HORST HOFFMAN

Dory Funk Jr. vs. Horst Hoffman
ALL JAPAN, The World Open League
Dec. 15 1975 Miyagi Sports Center (Sendai)

In this league series many unbelievable cards came true, and this match was the representative fight of it. Dory was the top wrestler of NWA and the former world champion, and on one hand Hoffman was a famous wrestler in Europe and the able technician of AWA. There were some mysterious and random things in this series, but it was truly Baba's merits that they showed us these fights of dream one after another. You think about Inoki's hardship that he couldn't invite any famous wrestler in those days.

I saw Hoffman for the first time in this league. He had fought on the ring of KOKUSAI (INTERNATIONAL) PRO-WRESTLING, but KOKUSAI's matches were not on the air in my hometown. I think it is difficult to estimate his true ability. Though he was surely a technician, he might have not adapted himself to the fight-style of ALL JAPAN. As a German wrestler, the most impressive person was Roland Bock who defeated Inoki regardless of the fact that Bock hardly visited to Japan.

Dory took a fall with Clutch Hold

At the first half, there was a quiet movement like an amateur wrestling match. Dory locked Hoffman's neck persistently, and Hoffman tried to escape from it with all his might. When they stood, Dory used Double Arm Suplex and Russian Leg Sweep. Hoffman counterattacked by Side Suplex and Back Drop. Like the reputation, Hoffman's Suplex was exact and speedy. Dory attacked with Arm Bar, and turned to Clutch Hold. A wonderful finish.

That was a good fight that they showed their specialty to their hearts' content. After that Hoffman took part in ALL JAPAN, but he could not gave us a deep impression. I think the reason was that he could not make impressive stories. Dory and Terry were also technician like Hoffman, but they created the intense stories that they were hated by The Butcher, The Shiek, and Hansen. A display of emotion is a very important part of PURORESU in the same way of showing technique and strength.

POWER OF BACK DROP (2)

Inoki's Back Drop

There is a view that the origin of Back Drop was a judo trick 'Uranage' (throwing backward). If that is true, it is reasonable that Japanese wrestlers are good at this move. To tell in historical, of course the best specialist of Back Drop is Lou Thesz, and in Japan, the first person who come into my mind is Antonio Inoki. Inoki's special moves in his youth had been Cobra Twist, Octopus Hold, and Front Neck Chancery. Since he established NEW JAPAN, he often used Back Drop in big matches as the finishing move. Inoki got back NWF Championship from Singh with this move in 1975. And he defeated Willem Ruska, the former judo champion, by a succession of Back Drop in 1976.

Inoki's Back Drop drew a beautiful bridge, and in the sense of it, Inoki was a successor to Lou Thesz. Tatsumi Fujinami who is a pupil of Inoki used beautiful and speedy Back Drop. They were orthodox specialists, but Riki Chosyu, the rival of Fujinami, used very hard Back Drop which was different from Thesz's. Chosyu added a twist at landing. It may had been suggested by his senior Masa Saito's move. Saito was active in USA for a long time as a free-lancer.

Baba's Back Drop

Surprisingly, Giant Baba also often used Back Drop in the 70's. Because he could not draw a bridge, he took opponent's leg and fell down backward. It was a disaster for an opponent, for Baba was a very tall man. Baba defended the NWA belt from Race with that terrible move.

Naturally, that take-a-leg-style Back Drop was the favorite move of the Funk brothers. Because of it, that was used by many wrestlers of ALL JAPAN, and that became the orthodox style of Back Drop of ALL JAPAN. Especially the wrestlers of what is called the Funk family were showing it. Harley Race, Stan Hansen, Ted DiBiase, Dick Slater, Jumbo Tsuruta, to say nothing Dory and Terry. That Funk-style was comparatively easy without making a bridge, but it was not good-looking. In 1983, Baba invited Thesz to Japan, and Thesz taught Tsuruta his classical-style Back Drop.

ABDULLAH THE BUTCHER vs. DON LEO JONATHAN

The Butcher's Elbow Drop !!

Abdullah The Butcher vs. Don Leo Jonathan
ALL JAPAN, The World Open League
Dec. 15 1975 Miyagi Sports Center (Sendai)

I watched Don Leo Jonathan several times in the 70's, but his fights were always tedious. To tell extremely, He appeared to show his wonderful body, and he did nothing at all. It was truly 'a miser's gold buried in the ground'. He was teaching us this proverb. However, he is valued by wrestling fans as one of great wrestlers. I am often bewildered by the gap of value, but when someone says he was a good wrestler, he always adds "if he had a volition". After all, everybody is thinking same thing.

I heard that Jonathan came to Japan for the first time in 1958. At that time, probably he was a talented young wrestler, and may be he had a nice vividness. There were many legends of him that he lifted Andre with Back Breaker or he caught Baba's kick and threw him away with one hand. I also saw a part of his power, but he was bad at making stories. I wanted to see his burning emotion and his grudge match.

Look my body !! (You lost already !!)

This card may have become a grudge match, at least there was a possibility of it. As a wrestler Jonathan's rank was higher, but The Butcher was the most popular heel in Japan. The Butcher attacked Jonathan before the starting bell as usual, but today's Jonathan counterattacked harshly, and instantly The Butcher's forehead was bloodied. Jonathan beat many times with his fists, and The Butcher seemed to be damaged. I thought Jonathan was showing us his higher rank which was different from The Butcher.

Jonathan aimed to finish, his wonderful Drop Kick struck The Butcher. And he tried to use Sunset Flip. (a marvelous motor nerve !!) The Butcher avoided it easily. As Jonathan was exhausted, Abdullah used his special move, Flying Elbow Drop !! The referee Joe Higuch beat the ring three times. It was the end. I thought about Jonathan as usual "Do you have a desire to win ?"orz

POWER OF BACK DROP

Inoki defeated Ruska with Back Drop (1976)

I will mention Back Drop, but at the beginning, I don't know whether this name of move is right. I'm sorry, but I can't understand English at all, (^^; and I have to go ahead timidly. At any rate, I want to tell about the special trick of Lou Thesz 'Back Drop', at least we call it in that name in Japan. Someone taught me it is called 'Belly to Back', but I think that means German Suplex Hold. In Japan, Thesz's Back Drop and Karl Gotch's German Suplex are regarded as the two greatest special moves of pro-wrestling.

Because I am too young (in fact I'm not so young), I could not see the best days of Lou Thesz. However, I watched the wonderful veteran Thesz several times. When Antonio Inoki established NEW JAPAN, Thesz visited to Japan and formed a tag team with Gotch. They, what is called the team of gods, fought against Inoki and Sakaguchi in 1973. And as a single player, Thesz fought with Inoki in 1975. At that time Lou Thesz was over 50 years old, probably nearly 60, but these fights were very impressive for me, an elementary school student.

They say Thesz's Back Drop made a beautiful bridge, and I think so, too. And I remember that Thesz often used another Back Drop which was very low and speedy. That speedy Back Drop was not striking comparatively, but I thought it was more powerful, and Thesz may have aimed at knock out with that trick. Every time Thesz used the low and speedy Back Drop, I felt my spine go cold.

THEME TUNES OF WRESTLERS

Tsuruta vs. Mascaras (1977)

When wrestlers appear in the hall and go to the ring, now it is usual that there are a loud music and showy special effects which stir up spectator's excitement. But in old days these things were nothing at all, wrestlers appeared aimlessly, and we watched them with breathless interest. I rather liked that strange tension before a starting bell without any music.

I think that wrestlers' theme tunes at going to the ring began in Japan. I don't know when it started, but the first impressive match of it was the fight of Jumbo Tsuruta and Mil Mascaras in 1977, in Denen Colosseum, the dear open air stadium. At that time the theme of Mascaras 'Sky High' and Jumbo's theme 'Chinese Kung-fu' sounded in the stadium, and we were surprised at that fresh atmosphere.

After that, almost wrestlers became to have their own theme tunes, and music became an important part of wrestling. Inoki's theme 'The Fighter of Fire' (Ali The Greatest), Riki Chosyu's 'Power Hall', Hansen's 'Rising Sun' and so on, there were many impressive tunes. And my favorite was the theme of the Funk brothers 'Spinning Toe Hold', performed by Creation. Every time I hear this tune, I go back to my childhood.

About the theme music, Giant Baba was very unique. His theme was the theme of the TV program of ALL JAPAN, and that was also the theme of sports programs of Nihon TV. In short, Baba may have thought nothing about music, but somehow that theme tune became him very well. Hearing this music, I recollect Baba's hard fights with Hansen and my pleasing high-school days. Afterwards Baba changed his theme, but absolutely the former tune was better !!

GIANT BABA vs. ABDULLAH THE BUTCHER

Giant Baba vs. Abdullah The Butcher
ALL JAPAN, The World Open League
Dec. 13 1975 Fukui-shi Taiikukan (Fukui)

This match was the main event in Fukui. It was telecast on live TV, and when this fight started, the remaining time of the program was very short. I wondered if I could see the result of this important match. But the announcer Kuramochi told coolly that Terry Funk had wrested the NWA belt from Jack Brisco in USA, and Giant Baba had lost to Dory in the previous match.

This league series had some mysteries, and that was the biggest mystery. The fight between Baba and Dory was the golden card of ALL JAPAN. Why wasn't it on the air ? May be the ace and the president of the organization could not lose on the TV program, and the ace of foreign wrestlers also had to save his honor. At any rate, of course nobody (except for the spectators in the hall) didn't see that mysterious match that Dory defeated Baba, and nobody knows what had happened in that match.

When The Butcher entered, unexpectedly Baba began to attack before the starting bell. That was the tactics that The Butcher always showed. Today Baba may have wished to make a preemptive attack, or he may have had the special reason to hurry to win. (^^; Baba harshly kicked The Butcher's forehead many times. Presently Abdullah was bloodied terribly. The announcer told that the remaining time of the program was three minutes. The Butcher crossed his arms and defended himself from Baba's kicks. And he threw Baba for the outside of the ring.

The outside of the ring was the home world of The Butcher. He bit Baba's forehead and used Head Butt many times over. Though Baba was damaged, he knocked The Butcher's head against the iron post, and promptly he came back on the ring. At the same time, the referee Joe Higuchi declared that the winner was Baba on a count-out. And the TV program finished. (ha-ha) I enjoyed this match after a long time, and I admired that Baba and The Butcher were professionals and they expertly made a good match in a short time.

THE FASCINATION OF FUJINAMI

Fujinami's Dragon Sleeper Hold

Though I am a crazy fan of ALL JAPAN, it is not fair that I don't mention the wrestlers of NEW JAPAN. Today I introduce Tatsumi Fujinami who was a star wrestler of NEW JAPAN in the 80's. Fujinami was a pupil of Antonio Inoki. He fought with Canek in Mexico many times, and grew up to a unique technician. When he came back to Japan, he developed the new field of the wrestling world in Japan, that was the hard fights of Jr. heavy weight wrestlers.

Fujinami kept WWF International Jr. Championship, and fought with Chavo Guerrero, Dynamite Kid, and other strong enemies. His fight-style was like a 'small Inoki', but moreover, he used unique special tricks and holds. He transported Tope Suisida into Japan for the first time, that was the shocking Dragon Rocket. Because 'Tatsu' in his name means an oriental dragon, his tricks were named Dragon something.

Fujinami took a fall from Inoki with Dragon Suplex Hold

Fujinami's special hold which surprised us extremely was Dragon Suplex Hold. That is a very violent and an acrobatic trick that he throw back an opponent from Full Nelson. Using this special hold, he took a fall from the master Antonio Inoki in 1985. Afterwards Gary Albright often used it as Full Nelson Suplex, and that was very destructive, but I like Fijinami's speedy and elegant Suplex.

Since in the middle of 80's, Fujinami turned to a heavyweight wrestler, and showed good fights with Inoki, Hogan, Vader, and his rival Riki Chosyu. But because his weight was comparatively light, he was injured his waist by attacks of terrible big wrestlers. Though he was active for a long time as a veteran, I thought he lost his vividness of in his youth. It was very impressive that he wrested NWA Championship from Ric Flair, but at that time NWA was nearly ruined, it might be not recorded officially.

JUMBO TSURUTA vs. RUSHER KIMURA

Jumbo Tsuruta vs. Rusher Kimura
ALL JAPAN, The World Open League
Dec. 13 1975 Fukui-shi Taiikukan (Fukui)

Probably it was the most luxurious league series in the history of wrestling in Japan, and this card was also a fight of dream. Jumbo Tsuruta, the young star of ALL JAPAN challenged Rusher Kimura who was the ace of KOKUSAI (INTERNATIONAL) PRO-WRESTLING. Even now, I wonder why such a big 'all star games' could come true. And there were several mysteries in that league, for example some wrestlers went home instead of fighting. May be these were planned acts. (^^;

Well, Jumbo Tsuruta was the hope of the wrestling world, he had taken part in the Olympic games at Munich, and he learned pro-wrestling from Giant Baba and the Funk brothers. His specialties were various Suplex and Drop Kick from the top of the corner post, but they said he was not good at a rough fight. And unfortunately (?) Rusher Kimura was very good at a rough fight. For Kimura's nickname was the expert of a cage death match.

Jumbo used Side Suplex and his technique of wrestling, but Kimura had a terrible fighting spirit. His organization KOKUSAI was a small and weak party, and wrestling fans were making a fool of it. Because Tsuruta was the Prince of the popular party ALL JAPAN, Kimura's jealousy and hostility may have been intense. Kimura attacked Tsuruta with Cross Chop, Brain Buster, and he harshly chopped and chopped.

Tsuruta got anger and counterattacked by Back Drop. He tried Flying Body Attack, but both of them fell from the ring. They were very excited, and they gave blows and chops each other. The referee Joe Higuch could not be helped to declare a count-out draw. Though that was a good card of dream, I regret that their emotions broke down the fight thoroughly.

related post:
A PERFORMANCE OF RUSHER KIMURA

PURORESU AND PRO-WRESTLING

Antonio Inoki vs. Lou Thesz (1975)

In Japan pro-wrestling is called PURORESU, that is Japanese-style pronunciation of 'pro-wres'. PURORESU is different from pro-wrestling in USA, there is no gimmick, and there are few heel wrestlers. The wrestlers of PURORESU show their technique and strength like an amateur wrestling or a judo match, and they express their emotions within it. That might be influenced by the fight-style of Lou Thesz or Dory Funk Jr. Moreover, because Japan is not a multiracial nation, a racial gimmick is not understood. So that the unique style of PURORESU developed.

There was a typical pattern in the 60's and 70's. An unknown wrestler (what is called a mystery strong man) visits to Japan, and Japanese hero Baba or Inoki intercepts him. He may be a good wrestler or a fake, we don't know it until we see the real. But this pattern broke down when Hansen and Brody appeared. Since they fought with Baba, Inoki, and Tsuruta, we became to wish hard fights which are on a high level. For example, there is an innocent wrestler who is a local hero in USA, and his special trick is a simple Fist Drop. If he accidentally visits to Japan, he should be booed harshly.

Baba got NWA title from Brisco (1974)

The popular heel wrestlers in Japan were only two, Tiger Jeet Singh and Abdollah The Butcher. They pierced to act the cruelest heels like madmen, and they had technique and strength of wrestling, too. Singh defeated Inoki with terrible Brain Buster, and The Butcher won The Champion Carnival twice. But since in the 80's, they (especially The Butcher) seemed to aim at being lovable heels. But I don't know what is that. (^^;

It was the special feature of PURORESU that there were the authorities of big organizations in USA. Baba did his best to get the NWA belt, and he accomplished it three times. Inoki also wrested WWF Championship from Bob Backlund. But in the early 80's, NWA and other organizations in USA started to grow weak, Baba and Inoki began to made their own titles. I think that our good days of PURORESU ended at that time.

PAT O'CONNER vs. MIGHTY INOUE

Pat O'Conner vs. Mighty Inoue
ALL JAPAN, The World Open League
Dec. 13 1975 Fukui-shi Taiikukan (Fukui)

Because Giant Baba joined hands with NWA (afterwards with AWA, too), he invited many various foreign wrestlers. And we were very happy to see great wrestlers, but there was one problem, we could see only wrestlers who visited to Japan. In those days there was no internet, and we had little information of wrestling in USA. We often said "a mystery strong man" about an unknown wrestler. When we saw the real, we were often disappointed in him and said "It's a fake !!". Of course, that's also a pleasure of wrestling.

On the other hand, I was born too late. I couldn't see Lou Thesz and Gene Kiniski in their best days. They visited to Japan in the 70's, too, but they were already over 50 years old. And Pat O'Conner was also a wrestler of legend, a former world champion. Somehow Baba invited him several times, and I thought he was a very old man. May be Baba wished to show his technique to young wrestlers.

Inoue's Sunset Flip (Deadly Full Course) !!

The nickname of Pat O'Conner was the magician on the ring. And Mighty Inoue was also the Japanese magician. He belonged to KOKUSAI (International) PRO-WRESTLING. He showed good fights with Verne Gagne and Bill Robinson as one of the main wrestlers of the small party. Afterwards Inoue joined in ALL JAPAN, and he became International Jr. champion after Atsushi Ohnita went away. At that time Inoue was young yet, and this match was the fight between a young magician and a veteran.

O'Conner took Inoue's leg and his back like amateur wrestling, and young Inoue attacked by Flying Cross Chop and Sunset Flip. They used Side Suplex each other. When Inoue tried to use Double Arm Suplex, O'Conner fixed Inoue's arms, quickly turned to Reverse Fall !! Though Inoue fought good, O'Conner progressed the fight very skillfully. That was a quiet match, but it was a strangely impressive card in my childhood.

OHNITA AND DEATH MATCH

Atsushi Ohnita

In the 70's and 80's, there were two big organizations in the wrestling world of Japan, Giant Baba's ALL JAPAN and Antonio Inoki's NEW JAPAN. In other words, a wrestler who was fired by Baba or Inoki could not fight in Japan as a rule.

Atsushi Ohnita was a young wrestler of ALL JAPAN, and he was popular with wrestling fans as a vivid new star. He was often compared with Tiger Mask of NEW JAPAN, but Ohnita didn't use flying attacks, and he was comparatively rough and awkward. Ohnita got NWA International Jr. Championship from Chavo Guerrero, but when he fought with Hector Guerrero, he was injured his knee, and Baba advised him to retire.

Though Ohnita had not a penny (not an yen ?), he established his own organization FMW. There was Megumi Kudou, a popular woman wrestler, but most of the wrestlers were persons out of employment, to tell the truth FMW was a third-class party.

the barbed wire and electric bomb death match

After a while Ohnita found a way out of the difficulty, that was a death match. And then he thought of a new epoch-making style, the barbed wire and electric bomb death match !! (You don't think about it deeply.) Because of it, FMW suddenly became a popular party. As a result of the success of FMW, there were so many independent organizations in the 90's. That was a very strange scene.

And Ohnita repeated retiring and returning like Terry Funk (ha-ha), he was active as a wrestler and a TV personality, at last somehow he became a member of the Diet. I couldn't understand what had happened !!

THE DESTROYER vs. DON LEO JONATHAN

The Destroyer vs. Don Leo Jonathan
ALL JAPAN, The World Open League
Dec. 13 1975 Fukui-shi Taiikukan (Fukui)

At that time The Destroyer was already a historical person. He fought with Rikidozan who was the father of wrestling in Japan, he attacked harshly with Figure Four Leg Lock, and his mask was bloodied by Rikidozan's counterattack. And they also fought immediately before Rikidozan's death. It is almost a legend now that The Destroyer was a terrible monster.

The Destroyer fought with Giant Baba when Baba established ALL JAPAN. I thought he was not a cruel beast, but a rather comical veteran. He lost out to Baba, and he joined in ALL JAPAN as a helper of Japanese wrestlers. And then he appeared in a TV comedy program, and he attacked  the announcer Tokumitsu with Figure Four Leg Lock. The Destroyer got new fans, but we were disappointed in him a little.

His opponent at that night was Don Leo Jonathan. Every time I see Jonathan, I think his body was very wonderful but his fight was tedious. I always wonder why he didn't have a passion for wrestling, and why he didn't wish to be a great wrestler. And in this match he was still a bad mixer, he continued to attack The Destroyer by Head Lock, and he didn't permit his opponent to use Figure Four Leg Lock.

The Destroyer got anger a little, he turned to the offensive, and he attacked by Monkey Flip and Leg Split. But because Jonathan was a speedy and big man, these attacks were hardly effective, and Jonathan counterattacked with Drop Kick. That was a very good kick meaninglessly. (^^; And Jonathan lifted The Destroyer, trying Airplane Spin !! They fell from the ring, and the referee Jerry Murdoch declared at once a draw on count-out. I wish Jonathan had a sense of being caught in Figure Four Leg Lock.

WHICH TIGER DO YOU LIKE ?

Tiger Mask the first (Satoru Sayama)

Do you know there were two Tiger Mask in the wrestling world of Japan ? In fact there were more other tigers, but I need to refer the two Tiger Mask, the first and the second. Well, Tiger Mask was a famous Manga character in the 60's, and when the new Anime was created in the 80's, a young wrestler who was a pupil of Inoki, Satoru Sayama put on a mask of tiger. At first we made a fool of that plan, but when Tiger Mask appeared, we were surprised at his unbelievable movements.

Tiger Mask the first fought with Dynamite Kid, Kuniaki Kobayashi, and other Jr. heavy weight wrestlers, and he instantly made a big boom in Japan. Tiger kept WWF International Jr. Championship, and he wrested NWA World Jr. title from Les Thornton. But after that Thornton  was still fighting title matches as a champion in USA. (Why ?) However, Tiger Mask suddenly retired in 1983. They say there was a coup d'etat in NEW JAPAN and Tiger lost his passion for wrestling.

Tiger Mask the second (Mitsuharu Misawa)

In 1984, NEW JAPAN traded the mask of tiger to ALL JAPAN. A young wrestler Mitsuharu Misawa put on the mask, and Tiger Mask the second was born. The second was bigger than the first, and he could not jump like Sayama, but he used powerful Suplex and Elbow Butt as a heavy weight wrestler. It was very difficult that Tiger the second kept his tension getting much attention of fans of the first, but I think he was doing his best fights.

Tiger Mask the second challenged Kurt Henning, AWA World Champion, and he defeated Kurt on a count-out. (The title didn't move.) And he got PWF Tag Championship with Jumbo Tsuruta. He was active as a middle-level wrestler for six years, but in 1990 many wrestlers withdrew from the organization. ALL JAPAN had to make a new star, and Tiger Mask the second took off his mask on the ring. That was a shocking scene. And then, Mitsuharu Misawa fought against Jumbo Tsuruta many times, and Afterwards Misawa became the main prop of ALL JAPAN.

GIANT BABA vs. HARLEY RACE

Giant Baba vs. Harley Race
ALL JAPAN, The World Open League
Dec. 9 1975 Kyuden Kinen Taiikukan (Fukuoka)

In those days the TV program of ALL JAPAN was on the air at eight on Saturday night. Because my mother and sister wanted to watch a comedy program, I had a hard time of watching pro-wrestling every week. Afterwards the wrestling program moved to at half past five, and wrestling fans got anger it, but that was rather a good fortune for me.

I feel that the fight of Baba and Race was the golden card of 'Saturday night days'. Baba had wrested NWA World Championship from Jack Brisco in the year before, and he had put the belt on his waist for the first time as a Japanese. Of course Race was also a former champion who stopped the Dory Funk Jr. days which had lasted for four years. Baba and Race contended for the NWA belt for a long time. In 1979 and 1980, Baba got the title and Race got back it, and we were excited very much, but to tell the truth, probably Baba only borrowed it and gave back it. orz

Baba's Drop Kick (32-mon Rocket Gun)  !!

In this match, they showed their tricks of specialty, and I feel again that was the golden card of a good days' pro-wrestling. Race used Knee Drop, Baba was exhausted, Race went up to the corner post, suddenly Baba woke up and tried to throw with Deadly Drive, Race shook his head and pleaded for his life. I saw these scenes many, many times. That passed through a foolishness, and now it is a dear memory. But it's a little foolish. (ha-ha)

Especially Baba's Drop Kick (32-mon Rocket Gun) was very wonderful. It is unbelievable that a very tall man (209 cm) went through the air !! And Race was bloodied hard, that was also his performance as a professional. And then the referee Joe Higuchi declared a time-limit draw. That's a fine finish !!

THE BEST YEAR OF WRESTLING IN JAPAN

Tiger Mask vs. Kuniaki Kobayashi

It is only my personal opinion, I think that the most exciting year of wrestling in Japan was the year of the Tiger Mask boom, in short, that was in 1982. I am a crazy fan of ALL JAPAN, but to my chagrin, NEW JAPAN was more popular than ALL JAPAN with wrestling fans. In those days I was a high-school student, and I was watching marvelous fights on TV with all my heart. The TV program of NEW JAPAN was on the air at eight on Friday night, and ALL JAPAN was at half past five on Saturday evening.

The popularity of NEW JAPAN reached the peak, because there was a Tiger Mask boom. Even a person who didn't know wrestling paid attention to Tiger's fights. A new star Tatsumi Fujinami kept WWF International Championship, and his rival Riki Choshu said to Fujinami "I don't want to play a part of a loser !" and challenged Fujinami. The ace of NEW JAPAN, Antonio Inoki established a new championship 'IWGP', Hulk Hogan, Andre The Giant, Adrian Adonis, and Dino Bravo took part in that league. And The Butcher moved to NEW JAPAN from ALL JAPAN.

On the other side, I was enjoying ALL JAPAN's fights, too. Though The Butcher went away, Stan Hansen suddenly joined in, fought against Baba very hard, and formed a terrible tag team with Brody. The popularity of the Funk brothers was in excellent, but Hansen said to them "You are fossils of Texas !!" Famous wrestlers came from USA one after another, a young star Jumbo Tsuruta challenged great champions, Race, Nick, and Flair. In that year, Tsuruta defeated Race for the first time with Flying Body Scissors Drop.

I liked young and a little unreliable Tsuruta. In the next year, He got International Championship from Brody. And in 1984, he defeated Nick and wrested the belt of AWA, at last he became one of the great wrestlers.

DORY FUNK JR. vs. BARON VON RASCHKE

Spinning Toe Hold and Brain Claw

Dory Funk Jr. vs. Baron Von Raschke
ALL JAPAN, The World Open League
Dec. 9 1975 Kyuden Kinen Taiikukan (Fukuoka)

Dory Funk Jr. was the most popular baby face wrestler with Japanese fans in the 70's. In 1969, he visited to Japan for the first time with his father and Terry, when he was the NWA world champion. Dory fought with Baba and Inoki, especially the world championship match with Inoki was called an epoch-making fight. Since Baba established ALL JAPAN, Dory fought as the top of baby face wrestlers, and he introduced many American wrestlers to Baba. It is sure that he has done distinguished services for the wrestling world of Japan.

Well, Baron Von Raschke may have been belonging to KOKUSAI (INTERNATIONAL) PRO-WRESTLING, but I had not seen him before, because KOKUSAI's fights were not on the air in my home town. After he took part in ALL JAPAN, I saw him several times, and I thought he was rather a technician unexpectedly. Probably he had been an amateur wrestler. His gimmick of the Nazis may have been in imitation of Fritz Von Erick, but he seemed to be a good man (ha-ha), and he didn't have a cruel atmosphere at all. orz

Dory used his special trick, Spinning Toe Hold, and Raschke counterattacked Dory with Brain Claw !! (Iron Claw for Brain, but somehow we call it Brain Claw) Don't say it nonsense, that's a good old days' pro-wrestling. And the finishing hold was Dory's Double Arm Suplex. Incidentally, Raschke's nickname in Japan is 'Tako Nyudou', means an octopus priest (what's that ?). Because his slippery head looks like a Japanese priest and it suggests a head of an octopus. That has no connection with the Nazis !!