All Japan Classics 83

 

Jumbo Tsuruta vs. Hercules Hernandez (01/07/83)

- Jumbo puts this away quickly. On a sidenote, where was Herc at during this time? I don’t think he was with Watts yet and he was the Grappler that was unmasked in the Jimmy Valiant match. He looks really young here as well.

 

Jimmy Garvin vs. David Von Erich (Texas Title in Ft. Worth, TX on 06/17/83)

- I am so used to seeing Garvin rest when applying holds that I was shocked that he was actually working holds with David here. Early on, this was pretty good with both guys keeping the match moving and feeling out the other guy. Great sequence where David yanks Garviin off the ropes so he can drop an elbow on the leg but Garvin kicks him in the face with the other leg as he is dropping the elbow. Garvin’s offense didn’t last long but it was nice to see him focus on attacking David’s head. Every time he does go back on offense, he is going after the head whether it is a sleeper or dropping David throat first on the top rope. After David kicks out, Garvin goes for a 2nd pin attempt and Sunshine is there to hold David’s legs down for Garvin to get the pin. Call me crazy but this was better than any Jimmy Garvin match I have watched in Crockett. I don’t know how far it will go but this is a World Class nomination.

 

 

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.

 

Kabuki vs. Tommy Rich (03/02/83)

- There is 1989 Kabuki (who I like) and 1983 Kabuki (who I cannot stand). This is 1983 Kabuki and a no vote.

Jumbo Tsuruta vs. Hercules Hernandez (1/7/83)

 

Will, Herc was working for Central States at this time and he was like a 2 year pro. Herc was still green and this wasn't much of a match.

 

We've seen Garvin vs. David.

 

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.

 

The Great Kabuki vs. "Wildfire" Tommy Rich (3/2/83)

 

These two know each other well from Georgia a year earlier and if there was a match that Rich would bleed in while in Japan this should be it. Man does this start slow and nothing much happens until Kabuki sprays the red mist in Rich's eye for the DQ. No blood from Tommy here oh well.