All Japan Classics 70

 

Bruiser Brody vs. Dory Funk Jr (Int'l Title, 04/21/82)

- After about ten minutes of ok work, this really picks up when they brawl out in the crowd and Dory gets busted open. The crowd was really hot and Brody gave more to Dory than I have seen him give to anyone not named Baba. Both guys end up covered in blood and it even had a clean ending as Dory goes for a backdrop suplex but Brody pushes off the top rope and rolls through and pins Dory. This might be my favorite singles Brody match so far.

 

Dory and Terry Funk vs. Bruiser Brody & Jimmy Snuka (04/22/82)

- I really love heel Jimmy Snuka. I just think he seemed so much more comfortable being an asshole than lovable savage. In the ring, there was some give and take with neither team really able to capitalize on double teams and advantages. Every once in awhile, the match would spill outside and you get some wild brawling action including a dueling chair fight between Terry and Brody. The most memorable thing about this match was the end where Snuka accidentally splashed Brody instead of Dory. The two of them go at it and Snuka is left a bloody mess thanks to Brody and Robley. I’ll give this a low-level nomination for discussion but I think the post-match is better than the match itself.

 

Stan Hansen vs. Giant Baba (06/01/82)

- Very similar to the 1st match between the two with Baba even stepping on Hansen’s lariat arm. The crowd isn’t as crazy but still give them a good reception. This one ends way too quickly though as Baba is counted out.

NWA International Heavyweight Title: Dory Funk Jr. © vs. Bruiser Brody (4/21/82)

 

They work basic stuff to start with the fans hot for Dory and Bill Apter taking pics at ringside which was great. Dory hits a big dropkick sending Brody to the floor and that's when this goes to another level as we are in Brody's element. Brody bashes Dory over the head with a chair making him juice which gets the fans hot for Dory and he would take some punishment but he would come firing back with forearms and Brody was actually selling for Dory here which was great. Dory then takes Brody to the floor and bashes his head on a table then posts him which brings out the juice and he starts teeing off before Brody hits Joe Higuchi by mistake and Dory gets an inside cradle for a nearfall. Dory then tries for a backdrop suplex but Brody springs off the ropes and Dory takes all the impact so Brody covers to win the title. This was the best Brody singles match I've seen as well in this run and this surely moves forward. Dory brings out the best in Brody which is interesting to say the least.

 

Dory & Terry Funk vs. Bruiser Brody & "Superfly" Jimmy Snuka (4/22/82)

 

Robley is out with Brody as usual. This is hit and miss for me as sometimes this feels like just a match but then there are moments like on the floor where it gets better but there is no consistency. I'm with Will on the Snuka love here as he was just awesome at this stage of his career and Brody/Terry are fun here against each other and the crowd is fine here but this just misses something. The best part is the end of course when the Brody/Snuka team falls apart after Snuka hits his splash on Brody by mistake. Snuka then gets the best of them at first but then gets beaten bloody afterwards. I agree with Childs here as I think this is best served as an extra not a nomination.

 

Stan "The Lariat" Hansen vs. Giant Baba (6/1/82)

 

This is the abridged version of their earlier match as it has some of the same psychology and some good crowd heat although not as much as Sumo Hall had. Hansen would win by countout after giving Baba a lariat on the apron and this was fun while it lasted.