This was one of those good matches that lacked a distinct identity. Basically, the two teams worked evenly, trading control sections and opting not to focus the punishment on any one guy. Jumbo and Tenryu staretd out working on Hansen's arm, but that didn't go anywhere. Then, Hansen and Brody keyed on Tenryu and I anticipated a longer in-peril section but nope, they ended up working just as much on Jumbo. I'm complaining, but the match ended up being pretty good anyway, with a great pace and a lot of high-impact offense, especially for heavyweights in 1983. In the end, Brody sent Jumbo over the rail with an atomic drop and that gave Hansen enough of an opening to take out Tenryu with a badass lariat. Pros for this included the star power, the end-of-year setting, the sustained action and the clean finish. Cons included the lack of a well-developed plot or signature individual performance. I'll call it a mid-level nomination.

 

Samurai Retro Classics #5 (Hansen Special)

This is a really tough one to comment on, as it had plenty of action and four big dudes who had no problem working stiff. But it also is completely formless and the middle feels like they’re all just filling time until the ending. No build whatsoever as there is a new guy getting worked over every couple minutes, nobody looking like an underdog, nobody even really selling damage. Tenryu works on Hansen, Hansen works on Tenryu, Brody works on Tenryu, Jumbo works on Brody, they just keep changing out with nobody getting the edge. It feels like it’s worked in one minute vacuum-sealed bursts. The beginning starts out hot and the end 2 minutes is killer as Hansen whiffs the lariat but Brody holds the ropes open so Tenryu flies out onto nothing, then the action spills to the floor, Brody deals with Jumbo, and back in the ring Hansen just obliterates Tenryu with the Western Lariat. He just killlllled him, and the match had a very refreshing clean pinfall finish. But there were just so many meandering moments in the middle that I can’t really give this a strong nomination at all. It is worth watching though, for sure.

 

(AJC Retro #5)

Stan Hansen/Bruiser Brody vs. Genichiro Tenryu/Jumbo Tsuruta, (RETRO 5) 12/12/83

- The story here is that whenever Tenryu is in the ring, he gets his ass kicked and when Jumbo is in, he may or may not get his ass kicked. Nice spot as Tenryu is pounding Brody in the corner so Stan makes the save by giving Tenryu a back suplex. I enjoyed the match but besides the story of the dominating gaigin, there wasn’t anything too memorable about the match. The end stretch was really hot though. However, unless Tenryu is getting pinned, you knew there was going to be a screwy finish so of course… Hansen lays Tenryu out with the lariat. I have mixed feelings with the match. Everyone worked really hard but there was nothing that I would remember about the match a few days from now. Low level nomination.

Real World Tag League - Finals: Bruiser Brody & Stan "The Lariat" Hansen vs. Genichiro Tenryu & Jumbo Tsuruta (12/12/83)

 

This is what you expect here as Tenryu gets his ass kicked most of the match and Jumbo comes in to get the offense for the team although not much selling from the gaijin. They work basic style no brawling with a fun stretch run as Jumbo comes in a house of fire trying to get pinfalls before tagging in Tenryu who does the same before this turns into a 4-way brawl with double backdrop suplexes by the natives but Tenryu would fall through the ropes to the floor when he tried a lariat then Jumbo would be tossed out with him. Hansen then pulled Tenryu back in the ring posing for the lariat then just destroying him with a lariat for the clean finish which is always a plus. This was a good solid match and I think it moves forward.