Posted December 19, 200915 yr comment_5446544 I assume this is the same match you watched on Classics Will, but I didn't come away with the same impression. If anything, they eschewed a traditional slow build to go for big moves and nearfalls throughout the match. Considering who was involved, it came off as something of a spotfest. The subplot that held it together for me was Tenryu seeking Baba's respect with stiffess only for the boss to put him back in his place every time. I loved the energy the old man showed in defending the hierarchy, which is the backbone of Japanese wrestling. And shit, they delivered a clean finish that paid off the main storyline. So it's a nomination for me. Ginnetty 1985 TV Disc 28
June 23, 201015 yr comment_5452296 I rewatched this on the TV version... Jumbo/Tenryu vs. Dory/Baba, 12/12/85 (TV 28) - Early on, interesting to see Baba moving so well. I am used to 1989 Baba who was not moving well at all. He’s bumping big, executing his moves. The biggest problem I have with this match and most of the tags I have been passing on is the fact that there isn’t any one thing that makes it stand out from the pack in a set loaded with killer tags. Nothing I saw in the Tenryu standing up to Baba story was interesting enough to make me remember it tomorrow. Dory is eating some nasty lariats but what will be the final reason someone would vote for this? It ends up being just a tag. No vote.
September 6, 201015 yr comment_5455375 Real World Tag League: Giant Baba & Dory Funk Jr. vs. Genichiro Tenryu & Jumbo Tsuruta (12/12/85) Jumbo against Baba at Budokan....it doesn't get much better than that. Like Childs I enjoyed the whole story of Tenryu trying to prove himself to Jumbo as a worthy tag partner by bringing the heat on Baba only for Baba to show him that he isn't quite in his league yet proving to Jumbo that he can still be a top level partner for him. Also I agree with Childs as they didn't go the normal boring route to start the long matches and they did quite a bit of stuff early to keep the match moving along. Then you get the Jumbo/Baba exchanges with Jumbo trying to prove himself to Baba that he is now the top dog in All-Japan and that was fun as they were trying their best to take the other out but barely failed at every attempt. Dory was the odd man out here but he was fine in his role. They started brawling on the floor and the fans were going nuts because they thought the double countout was coming but Dory & Jumbo crawled back in the ring just in time making the crowd go even more nuts. Then we get an awesome stretch run with a fantastic finish and I don't know what the fuck Will was thinking as this was great stuff. Definite nomination as everything just gelled right here.
