All Japan Classics 60

 

Bruiser Brody vs. Giant Baba (4/27/81)

- Pretty good brawl made better with Brody bleeding all over the place. However, it doesn't last long and ends up in the crowd with Baba throwing Brody out the door.

 

Jimmy Snuka vs. Ricky Steamboat (6/3/81)

- This one starts off with Snuka abusing Ricky until Steamer can get under control with a headlock. Great sequence as they do their running the ropes criss cross, Steamer rdops as SNuka goes flying out of the ring. Steamboat tries to fling Snuka into the ring using the top rope but Snuka reverses it, Steamboat goes outside but skins the cat and then ends up getting Snuka into the ring. It looked pretty sweet. Later in the match, Snuka would turn it around as Steamboat goes flying out off the ring on a missed attack. I have to deduct some points later on when Snuka and Steamboat collide and do the most melodramatic tumble out of the ring I have ever seen. This match is also notable for Steamboat bleeding and getting himself DQed for viciously attacking Snuka in the corner. I think this is the Steamboat people wanted to see when he got his revenge against Randy Savage. this is also the match I remember liking from this duo. Nomination.

 

Bruiser Brody vs. Dory Funk Jr. (Int. Title, 10/9/81)

- This is the type of brawl that people should point to when they stick up for Brody. The only problem is that this was fun almost entirely due to dory Funk's willingness to play human punching bag. He bleeds, bumps and shows as much emotion as Dory Funk is capable of. Brody sells a little when Dory is ramming him into the ringposts but that is mainly an excuse to let him bleed. Pretty sweet ppost-match brawl as well with Brody and Dory taking out all of the natives who try to break up the fight. Buck Robley even joins in the fray. I'll throw this one in the discussion pile although I haven't seen a Brody singles match yet that would be considered a strong nomination.

Bruiser Brody vs. Giant Baba (4/27/81)

 

Brody very openly blades yet again here after Baba posts him on the floor and this is a pretty good brawl with Baba throwing some nice back handed Baba chops which really brings the blood out. They brawl some more in the ring before it spills to the floor where Brody chokes Baba with his chain and hits a big King Kong Kneedrop to get the pin on Baba which was a huge deal since Baba rarely jobbed. They brawled through the crowd after the match and Baba threw Brody through a door to get rid of him. Pretty fun brawling and even though Brody pinned Baba, this wasn't enough for a nomination.

 

"Superfly" Jimmy Snuka vs. Ricky Steamboat (6/3/81)

 

Okay Snuka coming out to Superfly by Curtis Mayfield is awesome. These two know each other really well from the Crockett days so this should be fun as Snuka was really great at this time of his career. Slow start here as Steamer loves working a headlock but it kicks up when Snuka splashes over the top rope to the floor bringing Steamboat out then he skins the cat and brings Snuka back in just so he can hit an atomic drop sending Snuka back to the floor. Snuka tries to get the upperhand on Steamer but he kept going back to the headlock to keep him at bay until a big double collision would send them both to the floor which was quite the acting job by both men. Snuka would then start headbutting Steamer forcing him to juice and he works it over viciously which is the Snuka I loved and wished we saw more of in WWF. Steamer recovers though and hit a huge diving body press off the top rope for a nearfall before Snuka misses one of his own allowing Steamer to fire it up and he goes nuts on Snuka as Joe Higuchi tries to break it up so Steamer chops him on the head and he calls for the bell. This really got wild towards the end and this should move forward.

 

NWA International Heavyweight Title: Dory Funk Jr. © vs. Bruiser Brody (10/9/81)

 

They start brawling as Lord James Blears reads off the proclamation and the war is on as they brawl through the crowd and come back with Dory juicing. Sumo Hall is hot for Dory here as Brody tries to put him away as quickly as he can with Dory taking and taking until he can't take no more and he starts throwing forearms to Brody sending him to the floor. Dory then posts and dropkicks Brody before posting him again and this time Brody is juicing with both men taking turns pounding on each other before a ref bump. Brody would then bring his chain into the ring but Dory takes it and starts pounding him with it then Joe Higuchi as he tried to break it up which brings in Buck Robley who takes a shot as well as the bell is called for. Dory starts pounding everyone in sight with the chain and it turns into a wild brawl with Brody hitting his King Kong Kneedrop off the top rope before Terry Funk shows up in a wild checkered sportscoat and cleans house. This was a great fun brawl with everyone being awesome here and this is a definite nomination.