All Japan Motherload - Tenryu/Hara vs. Baba/Jumbo + Haiku

Giant Baba/Jumbo Tsuruta vs. Genichiro Tenryu/Ashura Hara - AJPW 11/30/81

ER: Sadly joined just a few minutes in, this is still a hot tag and we jump right in with Tenryu (decked in deep purple trunks) doing his sumo slaps to Jumbo who in turn keeps responding with some mean Jumbo elbows. I'm still not getting over Tenryu as bullied youngish man, so it's wild seeing Jumbo beat him up and then Baba boot him in the face. Jumbo here looks really great for pre-Chosyu invasion Jumbo, really looked riled up and mean. Hara was maybe my favorite AJPW 80s discovery and here he takes it right to both guys, leading to Jumbo locking on a cool abdominal stretch on the mat, grapevining the leg. Later on Tenryu pays him back with a sick octopus hold, really forcing Jumbo's neck down. Tenryu also hits one of the best versions of his top rope elbow I've seen, planting it 60% of the way across the ring. Later we also get an early peek at his enziguiri, as Hara kinda slingshots him into a front kick. I'm really loving these mid tourney RWTL matches that have been popping up.


Purple Tenryu
Hara badass Randy Marsh
Jumbo gets receipt