ABDULLAH THE BUTCHER vs. DON LEO JONATHAN

The Butcher's Elbow Drop !!

Abdullah The Butcher vs. Don Leo Jonathan
ALL JAPAN, The World Open League
Dec. 15 1975 Miyagi Sports Center (Sendai)

I watched Don Leo Jonathan several times in the 70's, but his fights were always tedious. To tell extremely, He appeared to show his wonderful body, and he did nothing at all. It was truly 'a miser's gold buried in the ground'. He was teaching us this proverb. However, he is valued by wrestling fans as one of great wrestlers. I am often bewildered by the gap of value, but when someone says he was a good wrestler, he always adds "if he had a volition". After all, everybody is thinking same thing.

I heard that Jonathan came to Japan for the first time in 1958. At that time, probably he was a talented young wrestler, and may be he had a nice vividness. There were many legends of him that he lifted Andre with Back Breaker or he caught Baba's kick and threw him away with one hand. I also saw a part of his power, but he was bad at making stories. I wanted to see his burning emotion and his grudge match.

Look my body !! (You lost already !!)

This card may have become a grudge match, at least there was a possibility of it. As a wrestler Jonathan's rank was higher, but The Butcher was the most popular heel in Japan. The Butcher attacked Jonathan before the starting bell as usual, but today's Jonathan counterattacked harshly, and instantly The Butcher's forehead was bloodied. Jonathan beat many times with his fists, and The Butcher seemed to be damaged. I thought Jonathan was showing us his higher rank which was different from The Butcher.

Jonathan aimed to finish, his wonderful Drop Kick struck The Butcher. And he tried to use Sunset Flip. (a marvelous motor nerve !!) The Butcher avoided it easily. As Jonathan was exhausted, Abdullah used his special move, Flying Elbow Drop !! The referee Joe Higuch beat the ring three times. It was the end. I thought about Jonathan as usual "Do you have a desire to win ?"orz