May 1978

You could classify the matwork here as "NWA" style-in that holds are worked and worked over until there is a transition and that transition really determines the quality of the match. Sometimes it feels like a waste of time but sometimes it's worth sticking through it. It's worth sticking with it here. Before the match Andre gets annoyed by Inoki getting a bigger reaction than him and refuses to shake hands. He attacks Inoki's arm early on-no sitting in a hold for five minutes but repetead wristlocks and armlocks that really establish his dominance. Andre easily drags Inoki to the middle of the ring once Inoki reaches the ropes and does a cool hammerlock slam, both of wh…

OMG, I have never seen young Choshu before. He's only 27 years old and about 3 1/2 years into his career. Tony Garea has a huge afro, his hair is huge!!! Backlund and Garea are accompanied by Arnold Skaaland. Backlund has the WWF World title belt, he will defend it against Antonio Inoki in two days. This match is 2 out of 3 falls. All four men shake hands before the bell. Backlund and Choshu start off. Choshu grabs a side headlock, Backlund lifts him up into an atomic drop. He tags Fujinami, who comes off the ropes with a shoulder tackle and a dropkick. He tries to slam Backlund, but gets rolled up into a small package for the pin and the first fall in 3…