Abdullah the Butcher vs Shoehi Giant Baba Feb, 10, 1979 pt 2

[dohgamisero]

今こうして改めて観てみると、やはり馬場のファイトスタイルはど­っぷりアメプロですね。チョップも１６文もランニングネックも大­味ですがわかりやすくアメリカファンにも受けがいい。グレート東­郷の誘いを蹴らずにアメリカに永住していたら、大成功をおさめた­んじゃないでしょうか？

[elc1960]

This is listed as Japanese wrestling, but it's pretty obvious that it took place somewhere in the States because there isn't one Asian fan in attendance (at least as far as I can see). Baba very seldom traveled to the States to wrestle at this point in his life due to his involvement in his IWA promotion. VERY rare find, and a pretty good match to boot.

[mushikingryan]

@elc1960

The match took place in Chicago. All Japan (not IWA) would occasionally make trips to the states in this era. A few days later on this same tour Jumbo challenged Bockwinkel for the AWA title in Hawaii in a great match. This obviously changed when they broke away from the NWA in the late '80s.

[elc1960]

@mushikingryan Thanks for that info. I knew it had to be somewhere in the US due to the lack of Asian faces in the audience. I did not realize that Baba was still in All Japan at this time. Thanks again!

[jassimania]

good match