Career Chronicles Volume Two: The Top Twenty Moves of Jumbo Tsuruta

Well, at long last, here we are at the big one. A big thanks to my subscribers and viewers. This wouldn't be happening without you.


To cap it off, we continue the Career Chronicles series with a video highlighting one of my favorite wrestlers of all time, Jumbo Tsuruta. Jumbo began his wrestling days in college, where he won the All Japanese Championship in his weight division. He would go on to represent his country in the 1972 Olympics, and was spotted by Giant Baba. Jumbo signed with the newly formed All Japan Pro Wrestling promotion following the games, and that would be his home for the next twenty years. In 1973, a year later, Jumbo was facing the top competition, including NWA World Heavyweight Champion Dory Funk, Jr. Dory would bring Jumbo over to the United States, and while there, Jumbo amassed quite a following, even having his Suplexes shown in slow motion. Back in Japan, Jumbo had a series of matches with Jack Brisco for the NWA World Heavyweight Title. Jumbo would get his first taste of gold alongside Giant Baba, when they defeated the Funks for the NWA International Tag Team Titles. It was at this time that Jumbo's technical skills began rivaling the popularity of Giant Baba, and as time went on, Baba phased himself out, and allowed Jumbo to take the reigns. Throughout the rest of the '70s, Jumbo faced off against the likes of Harley Race, Ric Flair, and Mil Mascaras, often challenging for titles. At the turn of the decade, Jumbo had solidified himself as one of the best technical wrestlers in the world, and a multi time NWA United National Champion. He would once again face off against Harley and Flair, taking them to draws, usually(a trend in the 1980s). In 1984, Jumbo Tsuruta would face off against AWA World Heavyweight Champion Nick Bockwinkel. In front of his home crowd, Jumbo would defeat Bockwinkel to become the AWA World Heavyweight Champion. Jumbo would again travel to the Unites States to defend his belt, until being defeated by a young Rick Martel. Back in All Japan, Jumbo began showing off a mean streak, and for the next four years, Jumbo was the top native heel in All Japan. In 1988, while he was the NWA United National Champion, he defeated Stan Hansen for the PWF Heavyweight Title, and the NWA International Heavyweight Titles to form the AJPW Triple Crown Title. That title still stands today, and is one of the most prestigious titles in wrestling. Jumbo would lose the belt to Genichiro Tenryu, and would slowly turn his attention to the younger generation, who were looking to break down the barrier. While Jumbo held strong, he would be defeated by Mitsuharu Misawa in June of 1990. Three months later, Misawa would fall, as would Kenta Kobashi. 1991 was Jumbo's final year on the top. He would defeat Stan Hansen for the Triple Crown, and would defend it against the likes of Misawa, Kobashi, and Toshiaki Kawada, often pinning them with the Backdrop Suplex. 1992 started out strong, with Jumbo imposing his will on the younger generation. However, later in the year, he would be diagnosed with Hepatitis B, effectively ending his career. He would return to the ring in limited capacity, and in 1999, officially retired. A year later, after a kidney transplant, Jumbo experienced severe side effect symptoms, and after a hearty battle, the legend was gone. Jumbo's selflessness ushered in the era of Misawa, Kobashi, and the many others that dominated the main event picture during the 1990s in All Japan. Jumbo's style featured a little bit of everything, but the Suplexes he chose to utilize were the pinnacle of perfection. He was also fond of the Jumping Knee Strike, as well as the Lariat, and his Powerbombs. The Backdrop Suplex was his biggest asset, and it put down some of the best that wrestling had to offer, including Misawa, Kobashi, Kawada, Flair, and countless others.

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[ProfessorChaotix]

I've been watching your videos for quite some time and I must say you really know your wrestling. Keep up and good luck

[mrbighurt]

awesome!

[CMY187]

@Wurzelknecht I was surprised that this was the only Top Moves of Jumbo video I could find on youtube. Yes, dammit, Tsuruta was a freakin' god!! A total package among total packages! Selling, executing, bumping, charisma, he has them ALL, and with such abundance too. Said it before, but thanks so much for helping me find out about him.

[Wurzelknecht]

Bow down to Jumbo! He was a GOD! The 80s belonged to him and Flair. OH!

[MaxAcer0]

What! He died where I was livin' in! (Philippines)

[celestialrocker]

No wonder Tsuruta is thought to be the best wrestler of the 80's!! Now, a bit off topic, but after seeing here the sheerdrop powerbomb, wasn't that what Kenta Kobashi was trying to do with the Diamond Head?

[Fidodido6113]

Just asking your opinion, SD~

who's do you think is a better wrestler, technically??

Tatsumi Fujinami and Jumbo Tsuruta..

and IF they had a match...

who'd you like to see to win??

[LastRider2006]

I heard Jumbo described once as having the technical skill of Ric Flair, the popularity of Hogan, and the selflessness of Terry Funk. Sounds like the perfect wrestler, and gratz on the 1000

[MikeDelcanho]

good luck for the next 1000 videos!

[kfk3000]

1000 vids! You're doing a good job.

[DangerousKidNOAH]

Amazing video,SD,really,amazing video.

Jumbo is one of your most favorites wrestler,huh?

Well Jumbo was in my opinion one of the best wrestlers EVER!

He made Kawada,Kobashi and Misawa to main eventers.

And that is totally awesome.He also has an amazing ringpsychology

He is a wrestlingallrounder.

[mrcoolyea1]

happy 1000th