Posted March 28, 200817 yr comment_5430127 Jumbo Tsuruta vs. Tommy Rich (UN Title, 02/25/83) - Phil’s favorite match-up. I am going to send this episode to Phil because I don’t think this match was bad at all. I am curious to see if this is the same match that Phil thought sucked because this was perfectly fine wrestling. The ending has Rich blocking the back suplex, throwing a punch, Jumbo dodges and hits the back suplex for the pin after about 15 minutes. I think I’ll throw it up as a low-level nomination for discussion sake because I don’t think this is the match that Phil watched when he criticized Jumbo. If it is, we’ll have to disagree. I don’t think it will make the final cut but it would make an early 80s NWA set or a Memphis set. (AJC 83)
April 9, 201015 yr comment_5449240 This was a solid match, definitely not something you'd use to make a case against Jumbo. Rich got things off to a hot start with a dropkick at the bell, and Jumbo quickly responded with an enzuigiri. Rich threw a lot of nice punches, and I liked that he kept blocking Jumbo's suplex attempts. That paid off at the end when he blocked the one suplex only for Jumbo to counter into another for the win. It wasn't entirely clear how Rich stood in relation to Jumbo. He didn't play pure fiery underdog, but he wasn't a guy who could go move for move with Jumbo either. So the match lacked a driving dynamic to make it special. It's definitely the sort of match that could drop off in the final cut, but I have no problem moving it forward for now.
August 29, 201015 yr comment_5455100 NWA United National Heavyweight Title: Jumbo Tsuruta © vs. "Wildfire" Tommy Rich (2/25/83) I like Rich starting this match with two dropkicks telling Jumbo he isn't fucking around with Jumbo following up with an enzuigiri letting him know the same. This turned into a solid wrestling match with both men looking good especially Rich since this was his first tour of Japan and first big match so he went out there to impress. Rich would get a nearfall with his Thesz Press and kept up the pressure until Jumbo hit a big diving body press off the top rope which he didn't break out too much for a nearfall. Rich to his credit kept fighting while taking Jumbo's big moves before trying another Thesz Press that ended up turning into a Hot Shot. Jumbo then goes for a backdrop suplex but Rich blocks it so Jumbo follows with a German to get the win. This was a very solid match with Rich hanging move for move with Jumbo and this moves forward easily.
