[1975-10-11-Joint Promotions] Johnny Kwango vs Dave Freeman

This was my first exposure to both guys and they both impressed me. This match never really leaves first gear, but they have enough stuff to do on the mat that it’s still a rewarding way to pass the time. The round breaks do seem to come at inopportune moments, meaning they pause at times when the drama is starting to build and the momentum is broken as a result. Still, that’s par the course for even a lot of the very best European wrestling unfortunately. These guys have a lot of tricked out mat reversals at their disposal, and that stuff is cool as hell, but these two do basics so well that I’d be perfectly content watching them work in and out of wristlocks and headlocks all day. Freeman’s headlock, by the way, looks legitimately painful, as does the front facelock from Kwango in round three. I think there’s enough flash here to engage those who aren’t matwork freaks to the same degree I am, and for those who are like me, get ready to watch a fun display of mad skills. ***1/4