NWA International Heavyweight Title: Jumbo Tsuruta © vs. Bruiser Brody (3/27/88)

 

This starts slow with both men working holds until Jumbo hits a high knee then sending Brody to the floor where he would post him. Jumbo would then hit three big enzuigiris on Brody as he returned to the ring for a nearfall. Brody would send Jumbo to the floor though where he would slam him into the ringpost then went for a piledriver on the floor but Jumbo would counter with a backdrop. Jumbo would then hit another high knee while Brody was on the apron sending him back to the floor where he would hit his piledriver. Jumbo would hit more big moves on Brody until Brody hit a desperation cross body block for a nearfall but ended up eating yet another Jumbo piledriver in response. Jumbo then climbed up top to hit a big high knee followed by a sweet backdrop driver with Brody getting his foot on the rope to save himself. Jumbo then went for his Thesz Press but ended up eating a Hot Shot and Brody followed with the King Kong Kneedrop to get the big win on Jumbo. Budokan erupted as Brody was back on top in All-Japan with fans throwing confetti!!! in the ring chanting his name. Lord Blears would give Brody the belt as Jumbo was helped to the back and Brody was hugging everyone showing tons of emotion then he goes into the fans and hugs on them!!!!!!!! which was awesome since he terrorized them forever. The story of the match overshadowed the actual work in the match as you had Brody returning home just 5 months earlier and now getting back on top by defeating the #1 man in the company who threw out everything he could to beat Brody but Brody's will kept him alive giving him the chance to get the victory. I think personally this is an easy nomination.

Jumbo Tsuruta vs. Bruiser Brody (International Title) (3/27/88)

- I’ll be interested to see if anything has changed from 1982 to 1988. You can always tell when Brody is going long. They don’t go to the outside until at least 15 minutes after the match has started. The end was really hot with Brody getting the clean pin after the big knee and his title win but his no-selling can drive a man crazy. I have mixed feelings on this match. They did great at building the end but it was so slow until they decided to do the big stuff leading to the end. On the fence leaning toward no.

This was a real bore for the first 14 minutes, with a sluggish pace, a listless crowd and way too many headlocks. I liked Jumbo's run of offense at the end, but then Brody shook it off and hit the hotshot and knee drop for the win. Jesus. Jumbo fucking murdered him and then went down after two moves? Maybe I just can't get past my dislike for Brody, but I did not enjoy this at all. It would be a contender for last on my ballot if it makes the set.