GIANT BABA vs. HARLEY RACE

Giant Baba vs. Harley Race
ALL JAPAN, The World Open League
Dec. 9 1975 Kyuden Kinen Taiikukan (Fukuoka)

In those days the TV program of ALL JAPAN was on the air at eight on Saturday night. Because my mother and sister wanted to watch a comedy program, I had a hard time of watching pro-wrestling every week. Afterwards the wrestling program moved to at half past five, and wrestling fans got anger it, but that was rather a good fortune for me.

I feel that the fight of Baba and Race was the golden card of 'Saturday night days'. Baba had wrested NWA World Championship from Jack Brisco in the year before, and he had put the belt on his waist for the first time as a Japanese. Of course Race was also a former champion who stopped the Dory Funk Jr. days which had lasted for four years. Baba and Race contended for the NWA belt for a long time. In 1979 and 1980, Baba got the title and Race got back it, and we were excited very much, but to tell the truth, probably Baba only borrowed it and gave back it. orz

Baba's Drop Kick (32-mon Rocket Gun)  !!

In this match, they showed their tricks of specialty, and I feel again that was the golden card of a good days' pro-wrestling. Race used Knee Drop, Baba was exhausted, Race went up to the corner post, suddenly Baba woke up and tried to throw with Deadly Drive, Race shook his head and pleaded for his life. I saw these scenes many, many times. That passed through a foolishness, and now it is a dear memory. But it's a little foolish. (ha-ha)

Especially Baba's Drop Kick (32-mon Rocket Gun) was very wonderful. It is unbelievable that a very tall man (209 cm) went through the air !! And Race was bloodied hard, that was also his performance as a professional. And then the referee Joe Higuchi declared a time-limit draw. That's a fine finish !!