All Japan Classics 123

 

Jumbo Tsuruta/Tenyru v. Rusher Kimura/Goro Tsurumi (11/27/85)

- Kimura & Tsurumi give Tneryu & Jumbo a fight for their money even making me think that a top rope backdrop driver by Goro would be the end of the match. Eventually Tenryu gets an enziguiri and powerbomb on Goro for the pin. Hell, I may have to revisit this match but I am on the fence as far as nominations go. This wasn't really high-end but it was a pleasant surprise.

 

Giant Baba & Dory Funk Jr. vs. Stan Hansen & Ted Dibiase (12/04/85)

- Hansen & Dibiase control Dory early on. When Baba gets in the ring, it is a different story and soon Ted is playing pretend-Texan in peril. Hansen ahs enough and just throws Dory out of the ring. I may have to rewind but it looked like Dory was running away from Hansen. This startegy worked becasue they get the advantage back and work over Dory once he gets back in the ring. Awkward moment as Ted jumps off the 2nd rope onto Dory. It looks likke he doesn't know what he wants to do or he is too far away so he just kicks him in the face and shoulder. It looked pretty stiff and awkward at the same time. He does it again later in the match so maybe it is his new 2nd rope move. I like the fact that Dory played FIP becasue I prefer to see him getting his ass kicked instead of being on offense. This also allows Baba to get the hot tag and bring the crowd into the match. The match ends in a double countout but Stan & Ted destroy Dory in the post-match until Baba clears them out with a chair. As Baba is checking on Dory, Stan comes back in and pounds Baba with the cowbell. Sweet. I would say that the match by itself is a borderline nomination but the fun post-match puts it over the top.

 

Stan Hansen/Ted Dibiase v. Nick Bockwinkle/Curt Hennig (12/07/85)

- This had some good stuff until Hansen threw the ref out of the ring for the DQ. Post-match, Hansen did put Hennig out with a sweet lariat. The over the top bump by Hennig was a little awkward but the lariat was nice.

 

Harley Race/Jesse Barr v. Dynamite Kid/Davey Boy Smith (12/12/85)

- Another fun match but this time, Barr is the Bulldogs' punching bag and the match becomes cometitive with Race in the ring. Nice spot as DK tries to slam Race out of the ring but they both tumble over the rope with DK hitting the floor. Race sees him on the concrete so he drops a headbutt from the apron. This eventually leads to the double counout but it was fun while it lasted.

Real World Tag League: Genichiro Tenryu & Jumbo Tsuruta vs. Rusher Kimura & Goro Tsurumi (11/27/85)

 

Rusher eats some great chops to start from both men just standing there. Goro would then come in to take the bulk of the offense from Tenryu & Jumbo before Rusher would launch Tenryu into the railing on the floor giving them the advantage. Jumbo & Tenryu would return the favor though by sending Goro to the floor where Tenryu wrapped a chair over his head but it seemed like it woke Goro up as he would come back with a backdrop suplex off the top rope. Rusher then followed up with a lariat and the fans were looking for the upset here but Jumbo would come in and soon had enough of this foolishness as Tenryu would eventually finish off Goro with a powerbomb. This was fun but not a nomination.

 

Already seen Baba/Dory vs. DiBiase/Hansen.

 

Real World Tag League: Ted DiBiase & Stan "The Lariat" Hansen vs. Nick Bockwinkel & Curt Hennig (12/7/85)

 

This was fun as Hennig bumped all over the place for Hansen and was good as the fiery babyface and it was fun watching Bock & DiBiase work against each other. The problem with this is that it was too short with a shitty Hansen throwing Joe Higuchi out of the ring finish. 5-10 more minutes and this would've been a nomination.

 

Real World Tag League: Jesse Barr & "Mr. Puroresu" Harley Race vs. The British Bulldogs (Dynamite Kid & Davey Boy Smith) (12/12/85)

 

This is like the last match as it had some really good action with both teams working hard and it's fun watching DK & Race work against each other. DK just tears Barr up with a lariat which is just part of the punishment he takes from the Dogs here especially DK. Harley smashing DK with the headbutt from the apron to the floor was awesome but it led to the shitty double countout finish. Like the last match another 5-10 minutes this would've been a nomination.