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.