Posted June 30, 201015 yr comment_5452588 Martel started off trying to control Jumbo with holds, while Jumbo seemed intent on a quick knockout, using nothing but strikes and power moves. I liked how Martel turned more aggressive as the match went on. They worked a sweet sleeper sequence, with Jumbo trying to hip toss his way out only for Martel to roll through and maintain the hold. The crowd popped huge when Jumbo finally broke it with a big backdrop suplex. I loved how hard Martel fought to block a second suplex. Jumbo scored a bunch of nearfalls down the stretch, whipping the crowd into a total frenzy. I wasn't crazy about the finish;both guys tumbled out of the ring off an airplane spin and Martel held onto Jumbo for the countout. But overall, they looked really sharp and produced an excellent match. Easy nomination. G+ Classics 73
October 17, 201014 yr comment_5457311 Jumbo Tsuruta vs. Rick Martel, 7/31/84 (G+73) - Really nice pace early on. Even when Martel has the armbar on, he does little things like throwing in a Backlund wrench or turning it into a hammerlock. All good and I always mark out for work on a body part. Of course, Martel is really good at selling a part as well so Jumbo smells blood and attacks the back of Martel. Nice turn around as Martel later hooks Jumbo in the Canadian crab and damages his back only for Jumbo to lock in the Japanese crab and pay back is a bitch. The end run with Martel locking in the sleeper was actually pretty intense as most sleeper struggles are pretty pedestrian. Man, this felt like a war with both guys hitting huge moves down the stretch and this is a STRONG RECOMMENDATION.
November 3, 201014 yr comment_5457922 AWA World Heavyweight Title: Rick Martel © vs. Jumbo Tsuruta (7/31/84) Sumo Hall is blazing for this one as Jumbo wears his old school blue jacket and the crowd gives this a big match feel wanting Jumbo to get revenge on Martel for taking his title. Martel wanted to wrestle on the mat here but Jumbo was like a fucking shark smelling the blood in the water and was going for the power moves early and often but Martel would find a way to sneak out. Martel would get tired of this and started trading shots with Jumbo leading to a hot stretch run with the crowd going nuts as Martel locked on a sleeper and Jumbo fought his ass off to break free then the race to the finish which was great. This was tremendous and a solid nomination.
