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 !!