February 1979

Antonio Inoki vs Tony Rocco - NJPW 2/2/79 Tony Rocco is a name I have heard associated with British wrestling but never seen. This is a weird addition to the New Japan World Catalog as it is pretty much a nothing match that’s about 8 minutes long. They work It like they are going Broadway, it is three holes and then a finish. The holds are well-done. Rocco takes Inoki down with a double wristlock and scissors the head. The amount of effort it took for Inoki to escape the hold was refreshing. Then Rocco got him a fisherman cradle but the ref refused to count. Inoki barred the arm. From there Inoki threw a couple DROPKICKs, Rocco atomic dropped him on the ropes into a …

WWF Martial Arts Champion Antonio Inoki vs Mr. X - NJPW 2/6/79 What a shitshow! In a quest to recapture the magic of Muhammad Ali has a bunch of terrible pro wrestler vs martial arts fights. This seems like a precursor to the Different Style Fights they use a Round system. Mr. X is a black man under a mask with a gi and boxing gloves. Mr. X is the shits. Terrible punches and is very uncoordinated. Inoki gives pretty much the whole first round to this chump more than he would give his peers lol. He does the sliding kicks like this guy is Ali or something lol. Eventually Inoki ends the farce with a straight right, Enziguiri and Octopus Stretch which of course gets fuck…

I was really excited to see this when it popped up. Both guys are legends in Texas. Dale Valentine would become Buddy Roberts. The 1st fall was really methodical. It felt like 6 or 7 minutes of the 9 minutes were working a standing surfboard. The 1st fall didn't do a lot for me. Valentine's strength is bumping and stooging so we really didn't get that here. The 2nd fall was short and sweet. All of Spoiler's punches and his stomps look great. 3rd fall was better, but still not good enough to save the bout. Final thoughts. I didn't think they told a tight enough story. I felt they had Spoiler sell way too much. Dale didn't do enough things on top to …

The ring announcer is a bit confused.. He says this match is for the World WBA Championship, then corrects himself and says "AWA Championship". He also seems to botch the ending of the match and can't get the finish straight. Nick Bockwinkel has been champion since November 8, 1975 and is accompanied by Bobby the Brain Heenan. Nick and Heenan seem to have a problem with the Gagne sleeper and are warning the referee to watch out for the choke. This match was filmed exclusively for Japanese TV and it is complete. Bockwinkel looks spry and much younger than his opponent. Nick is 44 and Verne is about 2 weeks shy of his 53rd birthday. Nick circles around …

Yes I know. This goes 45 minutes and we all can't stand that! But bear with me. I love me a good 7 minute Velocity match, but I also love me a 45 minute title match, when it's good, and this is good. I know we live in a fast paced age and people can't sit down and concentrate on a piece of entertainment for 40 minutes anymore. But for me, it's basically like watching an epic movie that's about two men fighting to death. That is the strange fascination of wrestling, forever and always. With the way this is filmed and the slightly weird sound mix, it kind of feels like a movie too. They are wrestling in this bright ring surrounded by folks in colorful 70s clothes, and above…

WWF Heavyweight Champion Bob Backlund vs Greg Valentine - WWF MSG 2/19/79 This is the last major match I have left to review in one of my all-time favorite series of matches. I have seen this before and remember loving it. This is the one hour draw. Instead of taking notes, I will review the match in 20 minute intervals. First twenty minutes: You would never know this match is going to a draw given the pace they cut in the first twenty minutes. No this is not Flair/Steamboat, but they don't telegraph it in the least and work as brisk as usual. Valentine is such a great opponent for Bob because he makes him earn everything. Bob's base hold of choice…

Continuation from the previous match! Even more great stumpy legged wrestling. Hamaguchi and Inoue have some of the most beautiful armdrags I've ever seen. References the previous match in wonderful ways. Then everything goes haywire! Animosity! Blood! Everyone's throwing punches! Big drama! HUGE Spike Piledriver! Beauitful finish! Yes, Ditch says the finish is bad, but I disagree. It was perfect. This match was fast paced and just flew by. How these guys never get dropped as among the best 70s workers is beyond me. Here you had a match with beautiful wrestling, cleverness, high end offense and bumps, hatred, blood and a hot finish. This whole thing pretty much ruled. I s…