Giant Baba vs Fritz Von Erich
JAPAN PRO, International Championship Match
Dec. 3 1966 Nippon Budoukan (Tokyo)
In the 60's, since Rikidozan suddenly died, Giant Baba was the main prop of the wrestling world of Japan, and Baba fought against many great wrestlers as the strongest champion. Many impressive foreign wrestlers visited to Japan. The Destroyer showed us wonderful Figure Four Leg Lock. Terrible violent fighters, Bruiser and Risowski. Great champions, Sammartino, Kiniski, and Dory Funk Jr. Bobo Brazil was the only man who wrested International title from Baba. And another memorable wrestler is The Iron Claw, Fritz Von Erich.
Before the starting bell rang, Erich suddenly kicked Baba harshly. Erich's kick was very hard, and they say it was like a horse's. Baba was damaged by that, but his young power was splendid. Baba counterattacked skillfully, and he somehow took a fall with Karate Chop. But in the intermission, Erich kicked Baba terribly again.
At the second round, at last Erich used his special move Iron Claw. Baba twisted in agony, and he instantly gave up. Afterwards Baba told that Erich's Iron Claw was so hard that no one could escape from it. So that he surrendered at once, and he preserved his physical strength for the last round. That was a clever tactics.
Baba attacked Erich hard with kick and chop in the last round. Erich tried to use Iron Claw again, but Baba chopped Erich's forehead, and they fell from the ring. Baba struck his opponent on the hand with a chair. Erich got angry, and he took a chair, too. When Erich beat Baba harshly, the referee Shikina Oki declared Erich lost with a foul. Baba narrowly defended International Championship, but Erich was always superior in this match. I think Fritz Von Erich was one of the most terrible challenger for Baba.
