Stan Hansen appeared on Japanese TV program

Stan Hansen is one of the most successful foreign wrestler in Japan. He appeared for the first time on the ring of Japan in 1975, by making full use of deadly Western lariat, and took the championship belt from both Baba and Inoki. He was retired because of knee injury in 2000, and  many Japanese fans are considering Hansen was the best wrestler.

The other day, Stan Hansen and his wife appeared on Japanese TV program. It was a shocking contents for wrestling fans. Currently, that Hansen's unemployed. Working nurse of Mrs. and has gained a salary, Hansen is in charge of the housework. Though he had been given a huge salary from Inoki and Baba, he is in for the treatment of knee, ran out of all of the property.

When I saw this program, I was not able to understand what circumstances Hansen was in. He was a superstar of professional wrestling world, and is it a truth that he lose all his money so easily ? Perhaps, in the United States medical costs are very expensive. Athletes of Japan, never talk we heard that with the enormous money for treatment.

Since Baba died, professional wrestling world of Japan also has changed significantly. Successors of Baba, Tsuruta and Misawa are already deceased, too. Star wrestlers in All Japan Pro Wrestling, Bruiser Brody, Terry Gordy, Steve Williams, and Gary Albright are not in this world. Stan Hansen, though he is struggling economically, that showed us a healthy appearance, was only salvation for me.

ANTONIO INOKI vs. STRONG KOBAYASHI

Antonio Inoki vs. Strong Kobayashi

NEW JAPAN
Mar 19, 1974 Kuramae Kokugikan (Tokyo)



In those days, Japanese top wrestlers didn't fight with Japanese. For example, Antonio Inoki was a baby face, and he fought against heel foreign wrestlers. That was a very strange but a firm rule in Japan. The last fight of Japanese wrestlers was a famous duel of Rikidozan and Kimura in 1954.

So that when Strong Kobayashi challenged Antonio Inoki, wrestling fans were very surprised and pleased. Mass media named it 'The duel on Ganryu-Jima'. In the 17th century, the greatest sword-master Musashi Miyamoto defeated his rival Kojiro Sasaki on a small island Ganryu-Jima. Many people thought it was like an ancient duel.


Strong Kobayashi had been a body builder, and he belonged to Kokusai (International) Pro-Wrestling. He was a good powerful wrestler, and he fought in Europe and AWA. Kobayashi became an ace of Kokusai, but he quarreled with the managing staff, and at last he withdrew from the company. He challenged Baba and Inoki, and Inoki accepted it. Because Inoki had been saying "I will fight with anyone".

In this match, Kobayashi attacked Inkoki harshly with Backbreaker, but Inoki counterattacked with Reverse Suplex. Iniko used his special move German Suplex Hold, and took a fall from Kobayashi. Some people say this was the best fight of Inoki.


After this match, Strong Kobayashi joined in New Japan and fought as a partner of Sakaguchi. But stars of New Japan were Inoki and Sakaguchi, and Kobayashi was only 'The Third Man'. He retired in 1981 on account of an injury of the waist. You might have been watched his big body, because he turned to a TV personality and appeared in a funny show 'Takeshi Castle'.

BEAUTY PAIR COMPLETED A BOOM OF WOMEN'S PRO-WRESTLING

Hi, everyone.


Mach Fumiake was the first star in the history of women's wrestling in Japan. Then, in the next year of Mach's retirement the first and the biggest boom of women's pro-wrestling came true. Beauty Pair, a tag team of young girls suddenly made it.

Beauty Pair is a very memorable name for us, former PURORESU boys. Jacky Sato and Maki Ueda formed a tag team in 1976, and they instantly got a tag championship. They released a record and sang a song on the ring. Their song went up in a hit parade !! Many little girls went crazy for their fights and songs, and some girls truly became wrestlers and created a new boom in the 80's.


Jacky Sato was a very talented girl. Her moves were speedy and sharp like a boy's. Maki Ueda was a pretty and womanly girl. They say Beauty Pair was not good friends with each other. But certainly they are the best tag team. And a heel tag team, Black Pair supported them.

In 1976, Jacky defeated Maki in a single match, and Maki retired. It seems they became good friends afterwards. Jacky was active as a wrestler and a coach for a long time, and she died in 1999. I don't know about Maki's life, but it seems that she is managing a bar.

DID FRED BLASSIE KILL OLD MEN ?

Rikidozan created a pro-wrestling boom in the mid-50's, but many people criticized it as a low-grade show. And then, that matter happened. It was the most sensational scandal in the early days of Japanese pro-wrestling. When some old men were watching the TV program of pro-wrestling, they died of shock.

In 1962, Rikidozan wrested WWA Championship from Fred Blassie in Los Angeles, and Blassie challenged Rikidozan in Tokyo. Fred bit the champion, and the close-up of Riki's bloody face was put on the air. Many Japanese people was deeply shocked, and some old men died. Some people say that the opponent was The Great Togo.


Well, It seems that WWA was a doubtful and a questionable organization. May be Rikidozan wanted to challenge Lou Thesz and wished to get NWA Championship, but he helplessly joined hands with WWA, because the pro-wrestling world of Japan was still too young. Rikidozan and his successor Toyonobori got the WWA belt, but they were often troubled with the mystery of Los Angeles.

Fred Blassie was called 'The Vampire' in Japan, but as a matter of fact, he was a gentleman and he liked Japan very much. Afterwards he married with Japanese woman. As a wrestler, he fought against Baba in 1972, and he moved to NEW JAPAN in 1974. And he was known by Japanese fans as a manager of Muhammad Ali, Stan Hansen, and Hulk Hogan.

DON LEO JONATHAN IN JAPAN

I am surprised that many wrestling fans often refer to my site for Don Leo Jonathan. I'm sorry but I have hardly written about Jonathan, because I have a little knowledge of him. Don Leo Jonathan went to Japan for the first time in 1958, and he challenged Rikidozan. Of course, in those days I was not born yet.

In the 60's, Jonathan fought against Giant Baba, but I was still a baby. And he joined in KOKUSAI (International) PRO-WRESTLING in the 70's. He fought with Andre in there, but the TV program of KOKUSAI was not put on the air in my hometown. In short, I didn't know him.

I saw Jonathan for the first time in 1975. Giant Baba invited many famous wrestlers, and he held a big wrestling event 'The World Open League'. Now I have four videos of Jonathan in that league. But I think his fights were not good. May be he was already old veteran, and he could not show hard moves.

Don Leo Jonathan vs. Anton Geesink

The former judo champion Geesink was scouted by Baba, and he joined in ALL JAPAN. But he was very bad at wrestling. I think he could not understand the rules of wrestling. Geesink is a bad guy for us, because he anger the big boss Baba and he introduced a colored jacket in judo world. That was the worst match for me.


Don Leo Jonathan vs. Abdullah The Butcher

The Butcher used Elbow Drop, and he took a fall from Jonathan easily. Jonathan did nothing !!
This was the real worst match.

Don Leo Jonathan vs. The Destroyer

The Destroyer tried Figure Four Leg Lock several times, but Jonathan refused it and did nothing !! This was also the worst match.


Don Leo Jonathan vs. Dory Funk Jr.

Dory was a good friend of Baba, and he did his best for this big event. But Jonathan could not move swiftly. They fell from the ring, and the referee declared a double count-out. That was certainly the worst match. (ha-ha)


These are all the videos of Jonathan I have. After all I saw his bad fights only, and I don't know his best days. His last fight in Japan was in 1978. I was surprised that his name appeared in a program of NEW JAPAN in 1982, but he didn't come to Japan.

GIANT BABA VS. JACK BRISCO

Giant Baba vs. Jack Brisco
ALL JAPAN, NWA World Championship Match
Dec. 2 1974 Kagoshima Kenritsu Taiikukan (Kagoshima)


This is one of the biggest matches in the history of Japanese pro-wrestling. Giant Baba established ALL JAPAN in 1972, and he invited many famous wrestlers from NWA. At that time ALL JAPAN was like a brunch shop of NWA. As his rival Antonio Inoki couldn't join hands with  big organizations in USA, Baba gained an advantages over Inoki in the business war. Now, Baba wished to get the most authoritative belt. He thought there would be a good chance, because Jack Brisco was comparatively good at defensive wrestling. Baba's power should have overwhelmed his opponent.

At the first round, Baba showed wonderful power and took a fall from Brisco with Russian Leg Sweep. But in the next round, Brisco used his special move, Figure Four Leg Lock, and Baba helplessly gave up. And the most important last round started. Baba attacked Brisco harshly with Drop Kick, but Brisco counterattacked Baba's leg and ran to the rope. Baba tried his secret move Running Neck Breaker Drop in an instant. Brisco was hard hit on his back of the head, and referee Joe Higuchi beat the ring three times !!

When Jack Brisco died in 2010, Japanese news media hardly reported it. May be many people forgot him. But for us (PURORESU boys in the 70's) Brisco was a strangely impressive wrestler. He sometimes visited to Japan as a world champion or a former champion, but he always lost in any important matches. He was wrested the NWA belt by Baba (afterwards he got back it). He fought against Jumbo Tsuruta as a challenger of United National Championship in 1976, and he lost to Jumbo. And in 1979, he moved to NEW JAPAN and challenged Antonio Inoki, but the result of it ...

Especially this video of NWA championship is often put on the air even now, and it is giving bad impression of Brisco to young Japanese fans. I think that is very pitiful thing for the former great champion.

PRO-WRESTLING OF JAPAN TOPICS, SUMMER 2013

ANTONIO INOKI RETURNED TO THE DIET

Antonio Inoki, the superstar of PURORESU, won the election in Jul. 2013, and he became a member of the House of councilors again.

Inoki had been elected in 1989, and he said "I want to try Octopus Hold on the Diet." Nobody understood what he said, but that statement drew laughter from Japanese people. Inoki worked for 6 years as a member of the House of councilors. In his term, he was troubled with many scandals.

And now, Inoki went back to the Diet after an interval of 18 years. Can he display his full talent this time ?


KEIJI MUTO WITHDREW FROM ALL JAPAN

Keiji Muto (The Great Muta) held a different opinion from the office, and he withdrew from ALL JAPAN in Jul. 2013.

ALL JAPAN was established by Giant Baba in 1972, but when Baba died and Mrs. Baba got a leadership in 1999, Mitsuharu Misawa (Tiger Mask 2) and many wrestlers withdrew from the organization. Before long ALL JAPAN turned in financial difficulties.

In 2002, Muto took up the president of ALL JAPAN. Wrestling fans were very surprised it, because Muto had been a pupil of Antonio Inoki and a top wrestler of NEW JAPAN. Muto did his best as the president and a wrestler, but he resigned from the president on account of some troubles in 2011.

Muto wished to get back the stocks of ALL JAPAN, but he failed it and left the company.


A BEST SELLER BOOK OF A GREAT JUDO MAN

A unique book of non-fiction is a best seller in Japan. Its title is 'Why didn't Masahiko Kimura kill Rikidozan ?', the author is Toshiya Masuda, published by Sinchousya.

Now, Masahiko Kimura's name is a legend. He was a judo champion in the 40's, and he was called the god of judo. After the World War 2, Kimura became a pro-wrestler and he formed a tag team with Rikidozan. But Kimura had to act a part of a defeated. Because he was dissatisfied it, he challenged Rikidozan in 1954.

Rikidozan defeated Kimura at that match and he established his post of the leader of wrestling world. But they say that was a very mysterious match. Some people says that was a fixed match, but Rikidozan broke his promise and he suddenly lynched Kimura.

The author Masuda is well disposed to Kimura. This is an another history of PURORESU.

TERRY FUNK SURELY RETIRED IN JAPAN

The Funks vs. Stan Hansen, Terry Gordy
ALL JAPAN
Aug. 31 1983 Kuramae Kokugikan (Tokyo)


I wonder why Terry Funk was a favorite with Japanese fans in the 80's. Truly, young boys and girls went crazy on him. May be they liked Terry's innocent fight style and his honesty. But I am surprised that Terry is known as a cruel heel in USA. In Japan, that is an unbelievable thing. For Japanese boys and girls, Terry was an absolute baby face and a great hero. And in 1980, when he declared to retire three years after, Japanese fans got up a panic.

In 1970, Terry visited to Japan with Dory for the first time. At that time the biggest organization in Japan was Japan Pro-wrestling. The Funks wrested International tag title from Baba and Inoki in 1971. And the next year, when Baba established All Japan, Terry took part in it with Dory. The Funks showed a terrible bloody pro-wrestling with The Butcher and The Sheik in The Open Tag League '77, and Terry's popularity reached a peak.

That was a memorial match of Terry's retirement. Of course Terry formed a tag team with his brother, and their opponents were powerful young stars, Hansen and Gordy. Hansen was a pupil of The Funks in his rookie days. Though Hansen had been active in New Japan, Dory and Terry hired him away to All Japan. Since then, a good guy Hansen acted the part of a heel, and he supported Terry's popularity in Japan.

And in this match, Terry showed wonderful Rolling Clutch Hold and took a fall from Gordy !! Terry cried and shouted for the spectators, "I'm very happy, good bye Japanese fans, sayonara !!" That was a memorable scene in the history of Japanese pro-wrestling. At this day Terry surely retired. As you know, Terry came back again and again. Even now he is fighting on rings of independent organizations. But I want to believe that memorable scene was not a phantom.

THE FIRST STAR OF WOMEN'S WRESTLING WORLD

I think I have to refer to the history of women's pro-wrestling in Japan. In this country, women's pro-wrestling developed in the way of its own. This field was born immediately after World War 2. But many people regarded it as a low-grade show. Suddenly one girl appeared and started a revolution in the early 70's. Her name was Mach Fumiake. At that time I was an elementary school student (that's very old story), and Mach's wonderful fight style was very impressive for me.

Mach Fumiake

Mach Fumiake had wished to become a singer. She appeared on a famous TV program 'A Star Is Born', an audition of young singers, but she failed. At the same day, a little girl Momoe Yamaguchi passed in the audition. Afterwards Momoe became a super star singer in Japan. Mach could not become a singer, but as she was very tall, and she was good at judo and karate, All Japan Women's Pro-Wrestling scouted her. When Mach Fumiake defeated Jumbo Miyamoto and wrested a champion belt, she was only 16 years old !!

Mach's appearance gave the wrestling world many things. TV program of women's pro-wrestling was put on the air regularly since then. The management of All Japan Women's Pro turned for the better. And Mach established a style of star wrestlers. She released a record and sang a song on the ring. (Her dream came true !) Afterwards many star wrestlers followed in her footsteps, and in the 70's and 80's, many wrestling fans (little girls) wished to become a wrestler. I think Mach created a base of women's wrestling boom.

Mach Fumiake was active as a star wrestler only two years, and she suddenly turned to a TV personality. She appeared on a quiz show and some motion pictures. Now her name as a wrestler is a legend of the history of women's pro-wrestling. And a super star singer, Momoe Yamaguchi retired in 1981. In my mind, Mach and Momoe are two little girls even now !!

LIMITATION OF BLOODY PRO-WRESTLING

The Sheik stabbed Terry's arm with a fork !

I think that Pro-Wrestling in Japan had a basic pattern of a confrontation between good and bad. Japanese wrestlers were always baby face, and they fought against bad foreigners. Heel wrestlers were mainly Americans. They showed very cruel fouls, and Japanese hero, Baba or Inoki or others always defended their titles narrowly. That was a basic story of PURORESU.

The first bad Japanese might have been Umasosuke Ueda. He was a pupil of Rikidozan, in short he had been a friend of Baba and Inoki. But when Ueda took part in NEW JAPAN, he formed a tag team with Tiger Jeet Singh. Ueda and Singh repeated harsh fouls, and they savaged Seiji Sakaguchi and Strong Kobayashi (North American Tag Champion team) every week. It was very shocking scene that Japanese bloodied Japanese !

In ALL JAPAN, the cruelest heel team was Abdullah The Butcher and The Sheik. They often showed hard fights with The Funks, and the bloody match in The Open Tag League in 1977 is regarded as one of the best bouts in the history of Pro-Wrestling of Japan. But at the same time, it was true that these bloody Pro-Wrestling reached a limitation. We wrestling fans were certainly tired of cruel fights.

And it was natural that new stars appeared on the ring of Japan. Stan Hansen learned wrestling from Inoki, and he completed his special move Western Lariat. Bruiser Brody showed good fight with Baba, and we were surprised at his wonderful power. Hansen and Brody were not baby face nor heel. So to say, they were strong guys. I think when they appeared, the history of Pro-Wrestling in Japan changed intensely.

THE FEAR OF IRON CLAW

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.

CRUSHER ATTACKED BABA

Giant Baba vs. Crusher Risowski
JAPAN PRO, International Championship Match
Dec. 6 1967 Tokyo Taiikukan


They say this was one of the cruelest matches in the history of pro-wrestling of Japan. Rikidozan, the father of pro-wrestling in Japan suddenly died in 1963, and a new star Giant Baba became International Champion. Baba fought against many great wrestlers until he became independent in 1972, for example Bruno Sammartino, Bobo Brazil, Gene Kiniski, Dick The Bruiser, etc. But in a sense Crusher was the most terrible challenger for Baba. Crusher did not have beautiful moves. He only kicked, and punched his opponent. Nevertheless he gave us very deep impression. I think Crusher was a great and strange wrestler.

At the first round, Crusher suddenly kicked Baba's vital spot, and he took a fall easily. In the intermission, Crusher kicked and kicked Baba violently. That was a shocking scene. But more shocking situation came true at the next round. Baba knocked the enemy's head against an iron post, and Crusher was bloodied harshly. The close-up of him was very cruel, and instantly many mothers in Japan turned off TV sets. Baba won the second round with a wonderful Drop Kick. And at the last round, they struggled bloodily, and they drew on a count-out.

This match is now regarded as a legend by wrestling fans in Japan. And in the next year, Jan. 3  1968, Baba fought against Crusher again. But in the same day, another legend was born in Tokyo. Kokusai Pro-Wrestling, a rival organization of Japan Pro, held a big event in Nichidai-Koudou (former sumo hall). Kokusai invited Lou Thesz, and they tried to make a young champion for themselves. But Lou Thez refused this selfish story. The expected young star, Great Kusatsu was fainted by Thesz with Back Drop at the first round. So that Kokusai failed to get a big chance, and Japan Pro won the business war.

THE STRONGEST TAG TEAM CAME TRUE

Antonio Inoki, Seiji Sakaguchi vs. Lou Thesz, Karl Gotch
NEW JAPAN
Oct. 14 1973 Kuramae Kokugikan (Tokyo)

Antonio Inoki established NEW JAPAN in 1971, but he could not invite famous American wrestlers. Inoki fought against his master Karl Gotch several times, and it was the only big card in the early days of NEW JAPAN. Though his company was facing financial difficulties, wrestling fans supported his hard fights. And Lou Thesz, who was a referee of the master and pupil's match, came back and formed the strongest tag team with Gotch. On one hand, a former judo champion Seiji Sakaguchi joined in Inoki's party. So that the marvelous tag match came true.

The team of 'The Ironman' Thesz and 'God' Gotch was a great wall for the young Japanese team. In the first round, Sakaguchi attacked Thesz with Bear Hag, but Thesz showed beautiful Back Drop and took a fall from Sakaguchi. Afterwards Thesz told that he had been injured on his shoulder and so that he could not use a perfect Back Drop. But I think that was very terrible move, and I can not believe he was 56 years old.

In the second round, Thesz attacked Inoki with Back Drop again. Inoki twisted his body, and Thesz was damaged his back of head. Sakaguchi used his special move Atomic Drop !! And the Japanese team took a fall conversely. May be Inoki wanted to fight against his master Gotch, and Gotch thought same thing. In the last round, they showed hard fight and many wonderful moves. They tried to take a back each other, and when Inoki avoided skillfully, Gotch fell from the ring. As Gotch returned on the mat, Inoki used Drop Kick. Gotch tried German Suplex, but Inoki took this chance, and he defeated his master with Japanese Leg Roll Clutch Hold !!

Now, wrestling fans in Japan regard this match as one episode of a myth. Probably it was the only match that The Ironman and God formed a tag team. I think they didn't like tag match comparatively.

ABDULLAH THE BUTCHER WON THE TROPHY AGAIN

Abdullah The Butcher vs. Jumbo Tsuruta
ALL JAPAN, Champion Carnival '79 Final
Apr. 6 1979 Akita-Ken Taiikukan (Akita)

Jumbo Tsuruta went on the ring, and he waited his enemy with a stern expression. And then Abdullah The Butcher appeared in the hall. Abdullah's attitude was very arrogant as if he was saying that Tsuruta was a mere green hand. The referee Joe Higuchi searched The Butcher for a weapon carefully. Tsuruta was driven by youthful ardor, and he tried to attack his opponent before the starting bell. I liked his recklessness like that.

The Champion Carnival was the biggest event in ALL JAPAN. That was the seventh series, and Giant Baba had won the championship five times. But in 1976, Abdullah defeated Baba and won the trophy. In that year Baba fell to qualify, and his pupil Tsuruta advanced to the final. Everyone was thinking that Jumbo Tsuruta was a successor of Baba. So that Jumbo had to defeat The Butcher, and he had to win the championship at any cost.

The starting bell rang. Tsuruta attacked Abdullah very speedily. He used Brain Buster, and The Butcher fell from the ring. Jumbo followed his enemy. He showed Pile Driver on the floor. Giant Baba (TV commentator) said The Butcher was not damaged. That was right, and Abdullah knocked Jumbo's head against a table. Both of them were bloodied severely, and Joe Higuchi declared a draw on a double count-out.

The final match ran into an extra-round. Jumbo kicked The Butcher's forehead, and he went up to the top of a corner post. He tried Elbow Drop as a finishing move, but that was abdullah's skillful trap. As the same time of Jumbo's jump, The Butcher gave his opponent a karate thrust. Tsuruta was knocked out, and The Butcher took a fall finely. Abdullah was the cruelest heel but very tough and strong. He won the trophy twice, and that was certainly an inspiring deed.

BRUISER BRODY vs. JUMBO TSURUTA

Bruiser Brody vs. Jumbo Tsuruta
ALL JAPAN, International Championship Match
Aug. 31 1983 Kuramae Kokugikan (Tokyo)

International Championship is the heirloom of the wrestling world of Japan. Rikidozan, the father of wrestling in Japan wrested the belt from Lou Thesz, and since then it was the flagship title of JAPAN PRO-WRESTLING. Rikidozan suddenly died in 1963, and his pupil Giant Baba succeeded to the championship. Baba defeated many great wrestlers, Bruno Summartino, Gene Kiniski, Crusher Risowski, Bobo Brazil, etc. and defended the most important title, but in 1972, when Baba went away from JAPAN PRO, he relinquished the belt.

Baba established ALL JAPAN, and the bereaved family of Rikidozan sent back the belt to Baba. And then the championship tournament was held in 1981. Of course we thought that Baba would win the championship again, but surprisingly Baba lost to a young foreign wrestler, Bruiser Brody at the semi-final. And in the final match, Dory Funk Jr. defeated Brody, and Dory won the re-established International Championship.

After that Dory and Brody contended the title hard, probably because there was no Japanese strong wrestler. The big boss Giant Baba was already too old, and his successor Jumbo Tsuruta was too young to take the belt. As a result, Brody wrested the championship from Dory, and he defended the belt for two years. In fact, at that time Brody was the ace of ALL JAPAN, and he defeated Japanese challengers, Baba, Tsuruta, and Tenryu one after another.

Most of wrestling fans regarded that Brody was one of the strongest wrestlers in the history of wrestling in Japan. We thought nobody could defeat Brody and nobody could become new champion. Just then, Lou Thesz was invited by Baba as a referee of The World Tag League '82. Thesz admired Tsuruta's talent, and he taught his special move Back Drop to Tsuruta. To be continued.

(I'm sorry, now The Sumo Autumn Tournament is being held in Tokyo. Because I am crazy about Sumo, I can hardly watch wrestling videos !!)

ANTONIO INOKI vs. JOHNNY POWERS

Antonio Inoki vs. Johnny Powers
NEW JAPAN, NWF World Championship Match
Dec. 10 1973 Tokyo Taiikukan (Tokyo)

Antonio Inoki established NEW JAPAN PRO-WRESTLING in 1971. But he could not join hands with NWA, so that he could not invite famous foreign wrestlers. In the early days of NEW JAPAN, the ace of foreign wrestlers was Killer Karl Krupp, and the shortage of talented person was a major concern. Inoki wanted good foreign wrestlers and a champion belt. And he aimed at NWF. I think this fact shows Inoki's genius as a story teller. Though NWF was a local organization, it was recognizing the 'world' champion. Inoki invited Johnny Powers, in short, he got a famous wrestler and the world title match at a time.

Johnny Powers was one of my favorite wrestlers, but he had a bad reputation. Because he was a friend of notorious Pedro Martinez, and he was a miser. At that time NWF was in financial difficulties, and they say Powers sold the champion belt to Inoki. I don't know the truth of the matter, but it was sure that Powers was a good rival of Inoki. Powers was a tall and handsome guy, and his cruel fight-style was very cool. Inoki fought Powers in 1966 for the first time, their friendship (?) began since then. Inoki rather may have hated Powers because Johnny always wished to become a hero.

At the first round, Inoki used Cobra Twist and Powers surrendered. Afterwards Inoki fought many rivals, for example Singh, Hansen, Hogan, Vader, but I think Powers was the best victim of Inoki's Cobra Twist. And in the second round, Powers attacked Inoki's leg persistently. That was his fight-style. Or he had nothing any more. (^^; When Inoki failed Knee Drop from the top of a corner post, Johnny used his special move Powers Lock !! Inoki could not but give up. Though the last round started, Inoki could not move, and Powers attacked Inoki's leg again and again. Inoki avoided it skillfully, and he caught Powers with Octopus Hold !! As a result, Inoki became the 'world' champion at a bound.

After all, Powers sold all titles of NWF to Inoki and NEW JAPAN. NWF World Championship (Inoki), North American Tag (Inoki and Sakaguchi), North American Single (Sakaguchi). Probably NWF nearly failed at that time, but these were very foolish acts. It was natural that Powers had a bad reputation. Johnny fought in Japan until 1980, and his fights in his last days were pitiful. However, at any rate, Powers was the first famous foreign wrestler of NEW JAPAN, and he showed a memorable good fight with Inoki. In this meaning we have to admire him forever.

BABA, TSURUTA vs. BOCKWINKLE, LANZA

Giant Baba, Jumbo Tsuruta vs. Nick Bockwinkle, Black Jack Lanza
ALL JAPAN, The World Tag League '78
Dec 9 1978 Kuramae Kokugikan (Tokyo)

This league series started in 1977 as The World Open Tag League, and The Funks won the championship of the first series. Baba and Tsuruta, the team of the master and the pupil, strongly wished to win the league in this year, but they drew with the cruelest team (The Butcher and The Sheik) on a count-out, so that it was very difficult for them to outstrip the Funk brothers. However, surprisingly The Funks lost to the cruelest team on a foul at the semi-final, and now conditions were favorable to Baba and Tsuruta.

Though the Funk brothers were fighting against the cruelest team bloodily as ever, the feature of this series was an appearance of Nick Bockwinkle, AWA world champion. Baba joined hands with NWA and AWA, and NEW JAPAN (Antonio Inoki) succeeded in cooperation with WWF. At that time pro-wrestling of Japan was running into the marvelous best days. Well, the hard fights between Jumbo and Nick began in this match. Tsuruta would wrest the AWA belt from Nick in 1984, but it may have been a Gagne's strategy to push into Japan.

In this match Lanza showed a good fight. He had a wonderful build which was a match for big wrestlers like Baba or Tsuruta, but he had few effective moves except for a good old Brain Claw. Lanza attacked Jumbo with it persistently, and when Tsuruta was outside of the ring, he caught Tsuruta's head and pulled him up to the apron. Or Jumbo may have gone up by himself. (^^; Just then Baba kicked Lanza, so that Lanza released his opponent, and Tsuruta used wonderful Rolling Clutch Hold over the rope !!

In those days I was thinking Tsuruta would become the NWA world champion before long. But if Tsuruta had done it, he couldn't have passed his master Baba. Tsuruta became the first AWA champion as a Japanese, in the same way Baba took the NWA belt for the first time as a Japanese. In this sense, probably Baba's tactics was right. In the early 80's, Baba mainly fought Race and Hansen, and Tsuruta contended for AWA belt with Nick. I think that was the best days of ALL JAPAN and we pro-wrestling boys.

ABDULLAH THE BUTCHER vs. BILL ROBINSON

Abdullah The Butcher vs. Bill Robinson
ALL JAPAN, PWF Championship Match
Oct. 18 1978 Tochigi-Ken Taiikukan (Tochigi)

As a rule, there is no clear baby face or heel on the ring of Japan. But until the 60's, a vague atmosphere was there, Japanese wrestlers were good guys and foreign wrestlers were bad. The first wrestler who stopped that tendency was Bill Robinson. He was a foreigner, but he was clearly a baby face. Some people admired him, and some people spoke ill of him because he often posed as a hero. Robinson challenged Antonio Inoki of NEW JAPAN in 1975, and then he took part in ALL JAPAN. He wrested PWF Championship (of course, the symbol of Giant Baba) from Killer Tor Kamata.

Abdullah The Butcher had challenged Baba many times persistently, and now his target turned to Robinson. The starting bell rang. It was uncanny that The Butcher didn't show a foul attack as usual. In the first round, Robinson attacked Abdullah steadily with punches and kicks, and he took a fall from The Butcher with One Hand Back Breaker. When the second round began, The Butcher couldn't stand up because of a pain of his back. Giant Baba (TV commentator) told The Butcher was pretending to be hurt.

Baba's opinion was right. Robinson thought it was the biggest opportunity to defeat his enemy, and he rushed hard, kicked The Butcher many times over again. The Butcher suddenly avoided the opponent skillfully, so that Robinson fell from the ring, and he hung in midair from the rope. The Butcher attacked Robinson's left knee harshly. And then Abdullah came on the ring, Robinson necessarily lost on a count-out.

Now it was The Butcher's one-side match. Though the starting bell of the third round rang, Robinson couldn't move on account of his injury. Abdullah used Head Butt, and he kicked and kicked. Robinson used One Hand Back Breaker recklessly, and he brought about his own ruin. Robinson insisted to fight more, but at last the referee Joe Higuchi stopped the match, and he decided that The Butcher was a winner. As a result, Abdullah took the PWF belt for the first time !! He laughed spitefully and made a show of the belt to Robinson. In a sense, that may have been the highlight of this match.

GIANT BABA vs. ABDULLAH THE BUTCHER

Giant Baba vs. Abdullah The Butcher
ALL JAPAN, Champion Carnival '76 Final
May 1 1976 Sapporo Nakajima Taiiku Center (Sapporo)

It was the final match of Champion Carnival, which was the annual big event of ALL JAPAN, and in this year Giant Baba fought against Abdullah The Butcher in Sapporo. Champion Carnival had been a tournament until a year before, and Baba had won the championship for three successive years. And in this year it was changed into a league series, so that we were very glad to watch many dreamy cards. Of course, I thought Baba would defeat Abdullah and win the trophy. But in this series, The Butcher didn't wish to lose on a foul as usual, and he was fighting rather steadily. It was uncanny a little.

When Baba turn his back before the starting bell, The Butcher attacked his opponent speedily. Abdullah used Head Butt many times, and instantly Baba shed blood from his forehead. The Butcher didn't stop his harsh attack. Now Baba became nearly groggy. The Butcher dropped his elbow on Baba's neck, and he aimed to take a fall. Baba narrowly escaped to the rope.

Abdullah held the trophy in his arms.

Baba began to counterattack with Karate Chop. The Butcher's wound of the forehead tore terribly. Baba threw the enemy to the rope and used Flying Body Attack !! But at the same time as it, The Butcher's body sent the referee Joe Higuchi flying. (^^; Baba held down the opponent over five seconds, but nobody took the count. Baba lost his temper and kicked Abdullah many times. As he knocked The Butcher's head against an iron post, the another referee Jerry Murdoch declared that Baba lost on a foul. As a result, Abdullah won the championship for the first time !! It was very, very impressive scene for me (an elementary school student) that The Butcher held the trophy in his arms and glared at spectators.

In those days The Butcher's cruelty and strength were reached a peak. And he got the PWF belt in 1978, and he won Champion Carnival again in 1979. Abdullah was one of the most successful foreign wrestlers in Japan. He had a wonderful fighting spirit and a marvelous stamina. When he came to Japan for the first time in 1970, he was a thin young wrestler who used a neat Karate attack. Though Abdullah had been unknown in Japan, he instantly won a popularity. In the 80's, when a young wrestler named TNT appeared and used Karate Kick, I recollected The Butcher's young days.

THE FUNKS vs. BOCKWINKLE, LANZA

The Funks vs. Nick Bockwinkle, Black Jack Lanza
ALL JAPAN, The World Tag League '78
Dec 5 1978 Osaka Furitsu Taiiku Kaikan (Osaka)

As I often say, since in the 70's in Japan, there were two major organizations, Giant Baba's ALL Japan and Antonio Inoki's NEW JAPAN. Inoki could not invite famous wrestlers from USA at all, in contrast to this, ALL JAPAN was like a branch shop of NWA, and Baba joined hands with AWA, too. So that the world champion of AWA, Nick Bockwinkle appeared in ALL JAPAN for the first time. Because I could watch unbelievable cards frequently, I went crazy about ALL JAPAN. And this was very marvelous card that Nick fought against former NWA champions.

I had heard that Nick had been a dirty champ, but when I saw him in this match, he seemed to be a standard technician. In Japan, a heel champion was not understood by wrestling fans except for the cruelest men like The Butcher or Singh. Probably Nick knew it. Some people said that Nick had better have formed a team with Bill Robinson, but if he had done so, nobody could not have lost in the fight with The Funks. A role of a loser is very important for pro-wrestling. In that meaning, Black Jack Lanza was a reasonable partner for Nick. I think Lanza was not a bad wrestler, but his performance was only one, a good old days' Brain Claw.

Dory defeated Lanza with Spinning Toe Hold.

As a whole The Funks dominated the match, but Lanza attacked Terry with Brain Claw. So that Terry became nearly groggy. Though many wrestlers used Brain Claw, I wonder if it was really effective. Even now I often recollect Fritz Von Eric's terrible Iron Claw in the title match with Giant Baba, and I have a sense of disharmony with Eric's imitations. Well, Terry showed a good fight, and he attacked Nick and Lanza with Atomic Drop. And Dory used his special move, Spinning Toe Hold. Lanza could not but give up.

It was very epoch-making that Nick went on the ring of ALL JAPAN. Since that, he came to Japan every year and he contended for the championship with Jumbo Tsuruta many times. And the dramatic scene that Jumbo took the AWA belt came true, but it was in future, six years away. Of course, at that time nobody knew that thing. Or Baba might have planned it already. (^^;