Definitely the best Flair/Jumbo match I've seen and maybe a top-10 singles for both guys overall. The hour flew by, even though it was a slowish build by today's standards.

 

Both guys were masters of the mat segments that were integral to passing time in long matches of the '70s and early '80. Just watch carefully during the early moments of this match, when Jumbo worked the neck and Flair the arm. Neither guy ever lay still. The guy on top was always wrenching the hold or working toward a more painful move, and the guy on bottom was always working for a counter or actively selling discomfort.

 

I loved Jumbo's quick counter of an attempted arm drag into an abdominal stretch.

 

The ending sequence of the first fall carried a lot of drama, like the end of a full match rather than the end of a segment. And I loved Flair's demeanor heading into the second fall. Jumbo might have been the stronger guy, the better wrestler and the homecourt favorite. But by god, Flair showed he was not a man to be fucked with when he thought the title was really in jeopardy. I think one of the complaints about Flair in general is that the vicious version, the guy we saw against Ronnie Garvin and a few others, didn't come out enough. But he was in full evidence here. Ric is an underrated puncher. I especially liked the shots under Jumbo's armpit.

 

I don't want to spoil the ending for those that haven't seen it, but the entire finishing run, from Flair juicing to Jumbo's big rally to Flair's relentless application of the figure four, was tremendous. I loved the image of Jumbo, rising from the floor, covered in streamers, to surprise Flair with a missile dropkick from the top. I loved him going after Flair's cut like a pure predator. Both guys sold the fatigue and their will to fight through it beautifully. Both came out looking strong and courageous.

 

Great match.

Ric Flair vs. Jumbo Tsuruta 6/8/83 (G+ Classics 59)

- 1st fall, both guys are trying different holds, and working on different body parts trying to gain an advantage. Flair was working a sleeper early on. Jumbo works in an abdominal stretch, bearhug, camel clutch. Flair gains advantage with a pseudo – armlock where they work some cool pinning sequences. Jumbo has to regoup but Flair goes right back to the arm. Jumbo is able to escape and transition fform a leg hold to a Boston Crab. Good stuff so far. Really nice stretch run with Jumbo selling the arm and still attacking the back of Flair. Towards the end of the first fall, Jumbo chops Flair over the top rope. This puts Flair in the position of grabbing Jumbo’s leg and slamming it on the edge of the apron forcing Jumbo to regroup. Flair goes for the figure four but Jumbo gets a roll up. Flair goes for the leg again but gets hit with an enziguiri. The big knee and a backdrop driver give Jumbo the first fall. If that were the end of the match, it would have been a strong contender all by itself. We still have two falls to go.

- Jumbo smells blood and keeps pounding the neck, trying for another backdrop but Flair counters with a suplex to take control. Now Flair is working the neck of Jumbo Jumbo turns the tide by tramming Flair’s head into the ringpost and that also gives Flair an excuse to blade. Blood is always a plus. IN the ring they battle with Jumbo pounding on the cut. Flair does his corner flip and gets stuck upside down so Jumbo keeps kicking his bloody head. LOVE IT! Jumbo thinks he has Flair down and tries to put him out with the sleeper but the ropes save Flair. Jumbo goes big and tries something off the top rope but Flair counters and regroups. Shortly after, Flair goes to the tope and we get the Flair toss. Very logical how they worked it into this match. Another big hot ending with Jumbo going for the big knee, missing and going out. Flair now smells blood and goes for the leg setting up the figure four and Jumbo and Flair work the figure four before Jumbo makes it to the ropes. However after a couple of more attempts, Jumbo gets pinned after the figure four. The 2nd fall would have been a strong nomination all by itself. This match is pretty freaking great.

- Hmmm, I guess Jumbo can’t continue or the hour is up so Flair walks away with the belt. Oh well, whatever, SLAM DUNK NOMINATION that will be high on my list.

2 out of 3 falls for the NWA World Heavyweight Title: "Nature Boy" Ric Flair © vs. Jumbo Tsuruta (6/8/83)

 

One thing you notice about Flair in Japan is that he looks like he simply hated walking to the ring as the fans were grabbing all over him and he had this pissed off look on his face almost every time. You guys said it all here as this was simply a fantastic match and one of the best I've seen on this set. Grand slam nomination.