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Post by LWPD on Aug 10, 2011 5:58:59 GMT -5
Antonio Inoki vs Big Van Vader 12/27/87This was New Japan, marking the debut of Leon White in the Big Van Vader gimmick. The story is that earlier in the year, Baba and AJPW had the first look at the big man, but didn't see much in him. They traded his contract to NJPW, who was in need of a new foreign heel headliner. New Japan decided to take a gamble and go all in on a strong push right off the bat. In the context of this match, Antonio Inoki was worn down after having already beaten Riki Choshu in a challenge. Stunned in disbelief at what followed, the audience began to riot, resulting in NJPW being banned for a period from running shows at the Sumo Hall. This is a textbook example of the risks and sacrifice it takes for a promotion to build a new 'superstar'. To his credit, Vader came through, credibly executing the quick squash. Yet all would have been for naught without Inoki's willingness to risk his rep and play the role of an effective carpenter. Ultra protective of his image throughout the years, Inoki had refused to do all but a handful of pinfall losses, let alone clean jobs. Here he put business above ego, choosing to show weakness, selling his opponent's moves and laying down in defeat. He told a story that opened the doors to creating future box office with the very unknown wrestler he just put over. This moment solidified White's career as Vader, a gimmick he would use in promotions around the world for years to come. While in hindsight the gamble paid off big for all involved, there was never a guarantee, and the 'star is born in one night' angle remains a very rare sight in pro wrestling.
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Post by LWPD on Aug 11, 2011 5:16:19 GMT -5
Giant Baba/Jumbo Tsuruta vs Bob Backlund/Bob Roop 7/25/74This was from All Japan. Giant Baba is seen in his prime as he captains a team with a very green (under two years experience) Jumbo Tsuruta. In a similar sense, former Olympian Bob Roop anchors a team with a young Bob Backlund (also seen with less than two years experience). A lengthy 70's style tag match with some fun sequences between two upstarts who would later become legends. These types of matches are a real treat to watch. Not only does it showcase Baba and Roop during their respective primes, but it also offers a rare chance to watch Tsuruta and Backlund at very early stages of their careers. Whether it would have been AJPW or WWWF, I would have loved to have seen a full fledged Backlund vs Tsuruta program.
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Post by LWPD on Aug 12, 2011 5:56:35 GMT -5
Don Leo Jonathan vs The Destroyer 12/13/75This was from All Japan at the annual Open League invitational singles tournament. Don Leo Johnathan is seen at age 44, with 26 years of ring time behind him. Watch as master ring general The Destroyer plays to his opponent's strengths, finding a way to work in many of DLJ's trademark agile big man spots, along with a bit of comedy. The Destroyer's six year run in AJPW was pivotal, as he helped Baba bring the young promotion a sense of prestige during its formative years. Promoting periodic tours with veteran industry names like DLJ helped to make All Japan seem major league. While viewing, keep in mind that Jonathan is seen well past his physical prime.
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Post by LWPD on Aug 13, 2011 6:43:38 GMT -5
Antonio Inoki vs Billy Robinson 12/11/75This was from New Japan at a special card commemorating the 13th anniversary of Rikidozan's passing. The format was best 2 out of 3 falls, with NWF World Champion Antonio Inoki defending against the renowned Billy Robinson. A lengthy sport style classic. This was a rare match up as Billy would become a Baba/AJPW exclusive upon the completion of this tour. A historically significant viewing that was voted the Tokyo Sports Match of the Year.
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Post by LWPD on Aug 14, 2011 6:50:05 GMT -5
El Hijo Del Santo vs Negro Casas 7/18/87This was from Empressa Mexicana de Lucha Libre (EMLL) at the famed Olympic Auditorium in Los Angeles. The format was 2 out of 3 falls under Luchas de Apuestas rules. Watch as a long running rivalry comes to a blow off, as the beloved El Hijo Del Santo puts his mask (and his family's legacy) on the line against the hair (and pride) of despised rudo superstar Negro Casas. This match is long considered to be a lucha classic in hardcore fan circles. Both men were just coming into their own, as Santo is seen 5 years in, Casas had 8 years ring time. Arguably an early career match for two men who would go on to achieve legendary status. While Santo may be out of reach, Tom may have a decent shot of getting Casas to sign onto LOW.
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Post by LWPD on Aug 15, 2011 6:10:09 GMT -5
Dory Funk Jr. & Terry Funk vs Abdullah the Butcher & The Sheik 12/15/77This was from All Japan and marked the finals of the annual Real World Tag League. At the time, AJPW business was in decline and a shake up was needed to build momentum. The office decided to go for shock value. For its time, this was considered a very hardcore television angle. Sometimes a promotion has to go out on a creative limb and really roll the dice. Luckily for all involved, it wound up paying off, a credit to those who executed. Historically significant.
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Post by LWPD on Aug 16, 2011 5:59:44 GMT -5
Rikidozan vs Masahiko Kimura 12/22/54This was from Japan and represented the main event of a famous co-promotional card between the Japan Pro Wrestling Alliance (JWA) and the International Pro-Wrestling Force (IPWF). Rikidozan was the founder/owner/Champion of the JWA. Masahiko Kimura was a national sports hero in the art of Judo and had just recently founded the IPWF. At the time, economic and technological forces created a boom in the marketing of pro wrestling in Japan. In an effort to capitalize on television and cement brand recognition, Riki and Kimura agreed to stage a match with the understanding that it would end in a draw. Instead Riki 'double crosses' Kimura and goes on to 'win' the first ever Japanese version of the Heavyweight Championship. Riki never gave Kimura a rematch!
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Post by LWPD on Aug 17, 2011 5:36:34 GMT -5
Bruno Sammartino vs Giant Baba 8/7/68This was from the Japan Wrestling Association, with a 2 out of 3 falls format. Shohei 'Giant' Baba was a former baseball pitcher turned professional wrestler. Here he is seen at age 30, eight years into his career. A heel Bruno Sammartino is seen at age 33, with nine years under his belt. Watch as Baba busts out high speed acrobatics and lightning quick submissions. Bruno goes amateur style with go behinds, takedowns and extended matwork. The work seen in this match was not the trademark stuff fans would later come to expect of these two legends as they headlined in AJPW and WWWF. For better or worse, much of the surviving footage for Baba and Bruno captures them after their physical primes, using successful 'safe' formula matches that played to the audience while respecting their limits. It's a treat to look back and see the difference during their younger days.
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Post by LWPD on Aug 18, 2011 6:07:31 GMT -5
Ric Flair vs Harley Race 2/28/82This was from Georgia Championship Wrestling from a house show at The Omni an Atlanta, GA. This footage re-aired on Japanese television. NWA World Champion Ric Flair takes on legendary challenger Harley Race. A good viewing of both, with Flair seen working outside of the cookie cutter format he would adopt in later years. Watch how smoothly Race transitions into the Indian Deathlock...the best version I've ever seen!
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Post by LWPD on Aug 19, 2011 5:53:54 GMT -5
Karl Gotch vs Antonio Inoki 3/6/72This was from New Japan. Classic student vs teacher formula as the God of Wrestling takes on a man who would go on to lead the upstart New Japan promotion for decades to come. Karl was 48 years old at this stage, Inoki was 29. Two remarkable figures competing in the very first NJPW card.
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