HARLEY RACE vs. MIL MASCARAS

Harley Race vs. Mil Mascaras

ALL JAPAN, NWA world championship match
Sept 12, 1980 Ichinomiya Sangyou Taiikukan (Aichi)


Mil Mascaras was very popular with children in Japan. I see no reason why he became such a big star. He was smaller than Baba or Tsuruta, and his fight was always tedious. But my friend get angry every time I say so. He is a big fan of Mascaras.

Though Mascaras' theme was a hit song "Sky High", may be it was used in Japan only.

Harley Race had gotten back NWA title from Baba several days before. At that time he won the championship five times, and that was a great record next to Lou Thesz.

Well, Mascaras' attack was mainly Flying Cross Chop. And sometimes he used Body Press. It is the reason that I say his fight was tedious, but in this match his Plancha Suicida was wonderful. About Mascaras, the most unforgettable match was the fight against Tsuruta in1977, and this title match was nice fight, too.

(The result of this match was a draw on double ring-out.)

This is Race's Brain Buster !!
His nickname might be "Handsome Harley" or "The Beautiful Beast", but in Japan he was called "Mr. Pro-Wrestling". I liked his fight style of roughness and technique.