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.