Posted April 5, 200817 yr comment_5430442 All Japan Classics 66 Giant Baba & Jumbo Tsuruta vs. Bruiser Brody & Jimmy Snuka (2/3 Falls) (PWF Tag, 10/06/81) - The First fall doesn’t last long as Snuka gives Jumbo a Superfly Splash and gets the pin about ten minutes in. In the 2nd fall, the gaigin try to exploit the Jumbo loss but Baba gets the tag and Brody continues selling for the only person in the company that matters, the boss. In a nice turn of events, Snuka goes up for another splash but is pushed off the top rope. This allows Jumbo to go up and hit a missile dropkick to take the 2nd fall. The 3rd fall ends with all of the wrestlers brawling outside and the match is thrown out. This had some fun moments but I never saw any real story develop as both teams just executed moves and we had two surprise endings and a non-finish in the third fall. No vote. Bruiser Brody & Jimmy Snuka vs. Dory and Terry Funk (12/13/81) - This is famous for the introduction of Stan Hansen to All Japan. Snuka’s over-sell on a mediocre double forearm shot was embarrassing. The match is built around Dory being punished and the heels cutting off the ring with headlocks but Terry distracts Brody so Dory can recover and make the tag. When Terry gets in, he is also getting controlled by Brody and Snuka but his selling is so much better than anyone else in the match. Man, Terry is making this match. If anyone else is in the ring, I would have already rejected this tag match. His selling, the punching contest with Brody, the dive from the top rope all brought elements to the match that would have been lacking without him. Then, of course there is the lariat that puts him out of commission and allows Snuka and Brody to double team Dory into oblivion. This gets a nomination in part because of its historical significance but also because of Terry’s great performance.
