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.

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.

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. (^^;

THE FUNKS vs. THE BUTCHER, THE SHEIK

The Funks vs. Abdullah The Butcher, The Sheik
ALL JAPAN, The World Tag League '78
Dec 9 1978 Kuramae Kokugikan (Tokyo)

It was a grudge match for the Funk brothers. A year before, they fought against The Butcher and The Sheik in The Tag League '77 at the same hall, and the cruelest team stabbed Terry's arm with a fork terribly. That scene gave a shock to wrestling fans of Japan. And in this league series, Terry was injured by The Butcher's attack at the opening match, and Dory also got hurt by The Sheik's foul. But to tell the truth, these bloody pro-wrestling already had reached a limitation at that time. Though I was a believer of ALL JAPAN, I thought that they were doing a same performance every year.

At any rate, it was what is called 'Showa Puroresu'. Showa is the name of an era in Japan, it began in 1926 and ended in 1989, and now it's the symbol of old things. Of course I'm also perfectly a Showa man. This name contains Romanticism of pro-wrestling. The Sheik may have been a typical wrestler of this era. He fought against Baba as the first challenger of PWF championship in Nichidai-Koudou in 1973. Nichidai-Koudou was the former Sumo hall. And Kuramae Kokugikan was it, too. An old-timer The sheik strangely fitted in the traditional fashioned Sumo hall. But the persons concerned of Sumo got anger when wrestlers broke the institution. (^^;

The cruelest team's harsh attacks went too far. They stabbed Terry's ear many times with a nail. The Butcher bit in Terry's face, and Terry shed blood terribly. The Sheik attacked Dory, too. Dory's wound tore again, and his bloody face appeared on TV with a close-up. Boys and girls in the hall screamed. Dory lost his temper, and he knocked the referee Joe Higuchi with a gong (!!). He wrested a nail from The Sheik, and surprisingly, Dory stabbed The Sheik's back of the hand harshly over and over again. The another referee Kyohei Wada decided that Dory lost on a foul. It was very unusual that Dory behaved rudely like this.

As a result, The Sheik went back to his country because of his injury, and Killer Tor Kamata was nominated a new partner of The Butcher. Probably The Sheik was so busy that he couldn't fight in Japan any more, but Dory's punishment was too severe, and they say there may have been some troubles between Dory and The Sheik. And it was true that there was nothing to do any more about bloody pre-wrestling. In the next year, new stars of the new generation, Stan Hansen and Bruiser Brody appeared, and these old pro-wrestling gradually became a thing of a past.

TSURUTA, THE DESTROYER vs. ROBINSON, ANGUS

Jumbo Tsuruta, The Destroyer vs. Bill Robinson, Wild Angus
ALL JAPAN
Dec. 5 1978 Osaka Furitsu Taiiku Kaikan (Osaka)

At that time The World Tag League '78 was being held, and the world champion of AWA, Nick Bockwinkle would fight against the Funk brothers in the main event. Many famous wrestlers of NWA were fighting on the ring of ALL JAPAN, and Baba joined hands with AWA, too. So that Nick, Robinson, and Gagne appeared in ALL JAPAN. Probably Baba was in his glory. Of course, Jumbo's partner in the tag league was the big boss Giant Baba, but at that day he formed a team with The Destroyer, and they fought against a new team of Europeans.

Just now, I heard Red Bastien (Texas Red) died. He took part in The World Open Tag League '77 as the partner of The Destroyer. They quarreled with each other, but that might have been on a scenario. Bill Robinson had formed a team with Horst Hoffman, and they were at odds really. (^^; And Robinson nominated Wild Angus as a new partner. Angus had been fought on the ring of KOKUSAI PRO-WRESTLING, but I could not see him because KOKUSAI's fights were not on the air in my hometown. I didn't know him, but he seemed to be a famous strong wrestler who was active in Europe and USA.

Angus showed his power a little, but for spectators, the important thing was a fight between Tsuruta and Robinson. Tsuruta was the prince of ALL JAPAN, and he was keeping the UN belt and International Tag Championship. Robinson had got the PWF belt (though he was taken it by The Butcher), and he was an ace of foreign wrestlers who ranked with Dory. Tsuruta had not defeated Robinson once. In those days, Robinson's power might have declined, but it was the happiest days in Japan for him.

The Destroyer used Figure four Leg Lock to Robinson, and Robinson got hurt in his leg. He had been injured there in the title match with The Butcher. When The Destroyer tried to attack more, Robinson skillfully used Reverse Fall, and the referee Kyohei Wada beat the ring three times. Wild Angus showed some Elbow Smash and something else, but I didn't understand his strength at that time.

HARLEY RACE vs. ABDULLAH THE BUTCHER

Harley Race vs. Abdullah The Butcher
ALL JAPAN, NWA World Championship Match
Nov. 10 1979 Korakuen Hall (Tokyo)


For Harley Race, this circuit in Japan was a severe tour. He fought four title matches with Jumbo Tsuruta and Giant Baba. He was taken the NWA belt by Baba in Nagoya, and somehow he got back the title in Amagasaki. He would fight against The Butcher in Tokyo, and that would be the last match of this circuit. However, the NWA office declared that this fight with The Butcher also would be held as the championship match. Race had to face a difficult enemy before going back to his country.

At that time, the popularity of The Butcher was reaching the peak. He was the cruelest heel in the history of wrestling of Japan, and he always showed bloody fights with Baba and the Funk brothers. But his ability as a wrestler was praised by wrestling fans. Abdullah won the Champion Carnival twice, and he wrested the PWF belt from Bill Robinson. The Sheik was only a cruel heel, but The Butcher was a strong heel. Probably the NWA office could not disregard his popularity in Japan.

When The Butcher went on the ring, a snowstorm of strips of paper fell, and Abdullah waved his hands to spectators. And he was standing calmly during the ceremony, and he received a bunch of flowers from a girl. I was surprised at that scene. He seemed to say that he was not a mere bad guy. As the fight started, The Butcher attacked Race with Nukite (Throat Thrust), and he used Flying Elbow Drop. Race counterattacked with Knee Drop, and he tried Diving Head Butt. But it was a failure, and his wound tore again. It was unexpectedly a clean fight, and I thought The Butcher might have aimed to get the NWA belt seriously.

Of course, it was impossible thing. Instantly they went out of the ring, and The Butcher thrashed Race harshly with a chair. It was usual that they fought at the outside of the ring. (Once, they had gone out of the hall, and fought on a street. And Baba scolded by the chief of police.) And then, the referee Joe Higuchi declared a double count-out. It was very short that they fought on the ring, but this match was strangely impressive for me. I think that Race, The Butcher, and Higuchi were professionals and they knew everything of experts' jobs.

ANTONIO INOKI vs. HULK HOGAN (2)

Antonio Inoki vs. Hulk Hogan
NEW JAPAN, IWGP Final
Jun. 2 1983 Kuramae Kokugikan (Tokyo)

It was sure that the condition of Antonio Inoki was very bad at that day. His big project IWGP became smaller than the original plan. His pupil Riki Chosyu declared to withdraw from NEW JAPAN. And Inoki continued to fight 28 matches being suffered from sickness and injury. Inoki lacked vividness in this match. He attacked Hogan with several moves, but he could not damaged Hogan effectively. Conversely speaking, Hogan had become a good technician, and now he was a terrible monster having a good power and a good skill.

When Hogan used the first Ax Bomber, Inoki shook his head several times. At that time Inoki was damaged on his head and neck. Inoki tried Airplane Spin recklessly. They dropped from the ring together, and Hogan attacked Inoki's back of the head with Ax Bomber. Inoki knocked his forehead on a iron post cruelly. Hogan was waiting on the ring. He used the third Ax Bomber to Inoki on the apron. Inioki was fainted, and Hogan won the championship of IWGP.

Inoki was carried into a hospital. This affair was reported on the TV news program, and all Japanese people were shocked at that news. Hogan may have been bewildered. Probably there was a scenario that Inoki would win the championship. It seemed that Inoki would escape the last Ax bomber and he would take a fall from Hogan with Reverse Fall or something like it. Even now, the result of this match is a mystery in the history of the wrestling of Japan. Some people say Inoki pretended to be fainted, and he escaped into a hospital from creditors.

I don't understand what the truth was, but it is true that the result of this match was very shocking, and we enjoyed that great entertainment. In this meaning, Inoki showed his genius as a wonderful story teller. And I have to say that Inoki fulfilled his duty with his whole heart. But may be this performance was his limitation. In the next year, Inoki couldn't defeat Hogan, but he wrested the championship from Hogan on a strange decision. And spectators started a riot.

ANTONIO INOKI vs. HULK HOGAN

Antonio Inoki vs. Hulk Hogan
NEW JAPAN, IWGP Final
Jun. 2 1983 Kuramae Kokugikan (Tokyo)

Strange to say, it is true that Antonio Inoki's fanciful actions were moving the wrestling world of Japan. Inoki was banished from JAPAN PRO-WRESTLING in 1971, and he helplessly established NEW JAPAN. But after that JAPAN PRO failed, and NEW JAPAN became one of the major organizations in Japan. Because Inoki couldn't invite famous wrestlers, he called himself the martial arts champion, and he fought against Willem Ruska and Muhammad Ali. It was a base of the martial arts boom in the 90's. And UWF, the popular organization in the 80's was originally a dummy company which was established by Inoki.

Inoki practiced many absurd plans, and the biggest of them was IWGP league series. He declared to decide the real world champion, but of course wrestlers of NWA and AWA disregarded it, and after all it was not different from the annual league series. However, the famous wrestlers of WWF - Hulk Hogan, Andre The Giant, Adrian Adonis, Dino Bravo, Killer Kahn - participated in this league, and wrestling fans in Japan enjoyed it very much.

And in the closing day of the league, Inoki fought against Hogan at the final match. Everyone believed that Inoki would defeat Hogan and win the championship. Someone says that Sakaguchi, the vice-president of NEW JAPAN had made that scenario. But there were several problems. One, this league series became smaller than the original plan, and Inoki had to hold himself responsible for it. Two, the condition of Inoki was very bad because of many troubles. And three, Hulk Hogan had become the superstar of WWF, and Inoki could not defeat him easily.

I am often surprised to see the fights of Hogan in USA. That's a comic show. But in Japan, he was fighting with Japanese-style wrestling. In short, Hogan learned wrestling from Inoki, and he began to use many moves and holds very skillfully. Surprisingly, at that time Hogan was a wonderful technician who was a match for Inoki !! It was natural that a powerful wrestler who learned many skills became a monstrous strong man. (It might have been only in Japan.)

To be continued.

THE FUNKS vs. BRODY, SNUKA

Brody suddenly attacked his partner !!

The Funks vs. Bruiser Brody, Jimmy Snuka
ALL JAPAN, The Grand Champion Carnival '82
Apr. 22 1982 Tokyo Taiikukan (Tokyo)

We sometimes see a mysterious match. In such a much, the fight itself is mysterious, and also I wonder what part a real is and what a fiction is. This match, the fight between the Funks and the team of beasts was truly a case of it. Brody and Snuka had defeated the Funks in The World Tag League '81, and this match should have been the grudge match of it. TV announcer Kuramochi said so, too. But in the dressing room, there was a trouble among wrestlers.

This match progressed as usual, the team of beasts attacked the Funks with their power, and the Funks counterattacked with Spinning Toe Hold. When Snuka tried Flying Body Attack, Dory had a narrow escape, and Snuka's body struck Brody. Bruiser suddenly got anger, and he gave a blow to Snuka. And Brody's manager Buck Robley broke into the ring. The referee Joe Higuchi declared the team of beasts lost on a foul.

Brody punished Snuka !!

The fight didn't finish. In the dressing room, Brody and Robley punished Snuka harshly. They say Snuka secretly planned to move to WWF, but other wrestlers who belonged to NWA heard it, and Snuka was isolated. Snuka was understanding Brody's anger, but probably he didn't expect to be punished after the match by Brody. The gash of Snuka's face took 20 stitches, and he had to rest for several weeks.

But I understand Snuka's feeling. Though he won The World Tag League '81 with Brody, at that time as it, Stan Hansen appeared, and all wrestling fans paid attention to Hansen. And in this series, Hansen formally became new partner of Brody, and they formed the team of super monsters. It was natural that Snuka planned to jump to WWF for survival, but it was not correctly timed, for ALL JAPAN was at the headhunting war with NEW JAPAN.

DORY FUNK JR. vs. BRUISER BRODY

Dory Funk Jr. vs. Bruiser Brody
ALL JAPAN, International Championship Match
Oct. 9 1981 Kuramae Kokugikan (Tokyo)

Bruiser Brody came to Japan for the first time in 1979. When he challenged Giant Baba, I thought that a terrible new star appeared. And I was glad to see him. In those days NEW JAPAN was more popular than ALL JAPAN. The biggest problem of ALL JAPAN was a decline of Giant Baba. So that International Championship, which was the traditional title in Japan, was given to Dory instead of Baba, and Champion Carnival, the biggest league series was stopped. For ALL JAPAN, Brody was literally the Messiah.

Brody challenged Dory in Tokyo. Though Brody was a powerful monster, wrestling fans thought that Dory's good skill would overwhelm the young guy. But Brody attacked harshly, his kick and punch hit Dory, and Dory's forehead was terribly bloodied. When Dory downed on the ring, Brody tried his special move Jumping Knee Drop. Spectators screamed. Dory had a narrow escape, and his counterattack started.

Dory's Elbow Smash and Knuckle Punch beat Brody. Blood spouted from Brody's face. Now the tables were turned, and Dory used Brain Buster !! But somehow there was the referee Joe Higuchi. (Why?) Brody's body struck Higuchi, and the referee was fainted. (Because Higuchi was a former wrestler, it was a little strange...) Brody took out a chain, but Dory got it and reversely beat the opponent many times. Just then Joe Higuchi woke up, and he declared Dory was a loser on a foul. And Brody became International Champion !!

Wrestling fans called this result 'the miracle in Kuramae', but I think that Dory recognized Brody as the new ace of ALL JAPAN. In fact, Brody contended with Dory for the title several times, and he kept the belt for two years. Brody was the prop of ALL JAPAN until the new star Jumbo Tsuruta became a strong wrestler. In short, I have to say that Dory and Higuchi did a good job !!

GIANT BABA vs. HARLEY RACE (2)

Race's Pile Driver !!

Giant Baba vs.Harley Race
ALL JAPAN, NWA World Championship Match
Nov. 7 1979 Amagasaki-Shi

I like the NWA belt of those days. That appearance was good and cool, and it had a grave atmosphere of the top of the wrestling world. That belt is called The Race Model, and Race seems to be keeping it even now. Giant Baba wrested the belt from Race in Nagoya in October 1979. Baba became the NWA World Champion after an interval of five years. Race challenged Baba at the return match in Miyazaki, but Baba defeated Race again with Back Drop.

For Race, this title match in Amagasaki was the last chance to get back the NWA belt. He would fight with The Butcher in Tokyo, and he had to return to his country. And to Baba, this fight against Race was the crucial moment to prove himself. He had got the NWA belt from Jack Brisco in 1974, but he had lost to Brisco at his second title defense. It's my later thoughts that probably Baba borrowed the belt for a short time and he had to return it to American wrestlers. (^^;

Baba tried Flying Body Attack, but...

Race glared fiercely at Baba. He had to get back the title from Baba at any cost. Race's wife and son were sitting on the seats near the ring. Mrs. Race was close to tears. At the same time as the starting bell rang, Baba attacked furiously. Baba's chop and kick hit the breast of Race, and Race was out to breath. Race's physical condition was not good. Baba used Russian Leg Sweep, and Race counterattacked with Brain Buster. But Baba went round to take the back of Race, and used Back Drop. Because Baba was an unbelievably tall man, that move was like a falling downstairs.

Race somehow took his own pace, and attacked Baba with Head Butt. He tried his special move Diving Head Butt, but Baba escaped skillfully. Blood spouted from Race's wound. Race climbed to the top of a corner post. Baba threw him with Deadly Drive !! I thought that I might be watching the video tape of the previous match. Because Race seemed to be groggy, Baba went up to the top of a corner post, and he tried Flying Body Press !! But this attack was too powerful, and Race reversely took a fall from Baba. At last Race got back the important title. It was very impressive that Race had a wonderful toughness and guts. Baba and Race, the two professionals showed us an artistic fight.