THE FUNKS vs. TENRYU, HATA

THE FUNKS vs. GENICHIRO TENRYU, ROCKY HATA

ALL JAPAN, The World Open Tag Tournament
1977, KOURAKUEN HALL (TOKYO)


GIANT BABA had opened The World Open Tournament in 1975.
This event was its tag match version.
And it was the opener.

THE FUNKS, DORY and TERRY were the ex-world champions.

TENRYU had been a sumo wrestler. He is the great wrestler now, but in those days he was a green hand.
HATA was a tall, talented young man. He was expected very much. His name ROCKY was named for the movie.

In conclusion, THE FUNKS overwhelmed the Japanese team.
TERRY's spinning toe hold beat HATA.

Now, this match is interesting to me in two points.

One, TENRYU was weak and awkward.
I cannot help laughing at that sight. (Later, he defeated BABA and INOKI !!)

Two, ROCKY HATA's nice body.
He could not attain greatness, died young.