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.