All Japan Classics 107

 

Dory Funk Jr vs. Stan Hanson (4/26/84)

- Really solid match that doesn’t have a defining moment in it. Hansen gets busted open and he wears the crimson mask. Dory had Hansen in the spinning toe hold until Bruiser Brody came in and interfered. I won’t nominate this for the All Japan set but I will include it on the Hansen comp.

 

Jumbo Tsuruta vs. Rick Martel (AWA Title, 5/13/84 in St. Paul, MN)

- AWA match. I am passing on all of these so KHawk can chime in.

 

Stan Hanson vs. Giant Baba (PWF Title, 7/31/84)

- Not as great as the 1982 duo but still pretty damn good. Baba stays mobile and there are some cool spots such as Hansen’s leg getting caught in the rope or Baba standing on Hansen’s arm and Stan desperately trying to get him off. I didn’t really care for the Baba armbar but did appreciate him getting some nice air on his clothesline. The Baba big boot block of the lariat made the crowd pop but Baba winning clean with a small package of all things made them explode! I think this has to move forward.

Dory Funk Jr. vs. Stan "The Lariat" Hansen (4/26/84)

 

This had some really good back and forth wrestling to start with the highlight being Hansen having Dory in a position for a piledriver but he went sideways for a headscissors takedown. Hansen then took control working over Dory but it wasn't long before Dory tried to lock on the spinning toehold with Hansen sending him through the ropes to the floor. Dory then kicked it up a notch and bashed Hansen's head on a table then posted him forcing juice from Hansen and this becomes a fight with Dory working the cut then getting caught in the tree of woe with Hansen kicking the hell out of him till he gets loose. Hansen's face is covered in blood and he works over Dory but again Dory gets the spinning toehold which would bring out Brody for the DQ. Hansen's blood made the match didn't make it enough for a nomination.

 

Next is Martel taking the title from Jumbo.

 

PWF Heavyweight Title: Stan "The Lariat" Hansen © vs. Giant Baba (7/31/84)

 

This is a brawl as soon as Baba shows up and Hansen attacks him in the streamers which is always a cool visual. Sumo Hall is nuts for Baba who goes to work on Hansen's lariat arm as usual with Hansen trying to work over Baba's left leg keeping him grounded. Baba would get a nearfall on a neckbreaker drop but Hansen would come back with a dropkick and a splash for a nearfall. Hansen would go for the lariat but Baba kicked him right in the arm and the crowd went nuts but Hansen hit him with a short-range lariat when he got up anyways for a nearfall. Hansen got Baba ready for a slam but Baba countered into an inside cradle to get the win and the building fucking went apeshit as Hansen started killing dudes then went after Joe Higuchi, Lord James Blears, threw Kawada into the crowd and chased fans all over the building. Onita wraps the belt around Baba as Hansen is at the top of the stands and this is awesome. Easy nomination.