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.