Posted February 23, 200817 yr comment_5428482 All Japan Classics 71 Dory Funk Jr. vs. Billy Robinson (Int'l Title, 03/07/82 in Charlotte, NC) - I remember watching this match about 5 years ago and really liking it. I still think this is one of the better Dory matches I have seen but I don’t know how it will do in final voting. Billy looked like he was near the end of his rope but did enough cool stuff to remind you he is Billy Robinson. We’ll put it through to the next round and see where it goes. Jumbo Tsuruta vs. Harley Race (UN title, 04/22/82) - Nothing really special early on. It reminded me of a Jumbo-Bock match which is disappointing considering Harley Race is in the ring. The match picks up as Race gives Jumbo a few headbutts, making him bleed in the process. At this point, the match picks up as both guys brawl, Race attacks Jumbo’s cut and Jumbo makes the fiery comeback. In the end, Jumbo and Race keep blasting each other with stiff shots, both ending up in a bloody mess. Race ends up getting DQed for shoving the ref (is that Lou Thesz?) but that doesn’t stop these two from going at each other. I’ll consider this a low-level nomination thanks to the exciting 2nd half of the match. Giant Baba vs. Stan Hansen (PWF Title, 04/22/82) - This one starts out fast as they don’t even wait for the flyers to clear out before going at each other. Hansen hits a big jumping knee but Baba gives a great Big Boot. With the exception of a quick Hansen chinlock, there were not any real wrestling moves or holds. It was just these guys hitting each other with punches, strikes, and kicks. It also helps that Hansen sells for Baba better than anyone. This ended in a DQ but it was a blast to watch. I think I may like it better than the 2/4 match which I already nominated.
February 23, 200817 yr comment_5428483 I am going to come out and say it. Harley Race isn't very good.
February 23, 200817 yr comment_5428486 I am going to come out and say it. Harley Race isn't very good. Wow that is a strong statement.
February 23, 200817 yr comment_5428488 He is basically the 70's Kurt Angle. Takes big bumps, has cool offense but no real idea how to put together a match. For example the match against Corpl. Kirchner on 24/7 this month. He is working fucking Corpl. Kirchner 4th from the top on a Boston Garden show, and he is wrestling his touring NWA champ match. 3 minutes in, he piledrives Kirchner on the floor which the Corp has to basically no-sell to get back into the ring by the ten count, meanwhile Kirchner is getting 2 counts off bodyslams. I have seen way too many Race matches where he does shit like that. He can have good matches with great wrestlers, but I always liked Angle v. Rey Mysterio too.
February 23, 200817 yr Author comment_5428501 I have seen too many great Race matches to agree with that.
August 25, 201015 yr comment_5454960 This starts with a Dory/Robinson match from JCP which we'll hit then. NWA United National Heavyweight Title: Jumbo Tsuruta © vs. "Mr. Puroresu" Harley Race (4/22/82) Lou Thesz is the referee here. This started out as moves for the sake of moves as they were throwing out stuff haphazardly especially Race and his piledrivers but it picked up very nicely when Race headbutted Jumbo until he juiced then posted him on the floor. Jumbo is bleeding good here then makes a good fiery comeback taking it to Harley posting him on the floor causing him to juice. Then both take turns into pounding each other hard with Thesz trying to get in the middle so Harley hits him a couple of times then calls the match as they tumble to the floor to continue their brawling. The 2nd half dominates the 1st half and makes this match a nomination to me. PWF Heavyweight Title: Giant Baba © vs. Stan "The Lariat" Hansen (4/22/82) The brawling starts as soon as Baba's name is announced and the streamers are flying and this is already awesome. The crowd is going nuts here as Baba hits Hansen with his big boot but Hansen comes firing back and that's the story of this match as it's nothing but both men just beating on each other with strikes. Hansen is awesome here selling for Baba like he is a monster considering how little he sold for anyone else. Baba climbing up top was always awesome and he missed his kneedrop allowing Hansen to nail him with a lariat but Baba would roll to the floor. Hansen then goes nuts throwing chairs and the ringbell causing Joe Higuchi to call for the bell for the DQ. Yeah this was great stuff and easily moves forward even with the crappy finish.
