Few days ago there was a discussion about iconic phrases said during matches, answers were the likes of Shawn in Flair’s retirement, Hashimoto in the G1 against Choshu, Choshu January 1986, Bubba ray to Taz etc and IMO, this moment is worth the mention:
The last struggle of Moriyama.
#WrestleSky 🤼♂️
Hajime Moriyama vs Takeshi Ono (Fu-Ten 1/30/2011) 🤼
The return of Moriyama to the ring -after recovering from a broken jaw that kept him out for months- which happened to be his retirement! Takeshi Ono decided that night to give his opponent a proper send off, and by that I mean on a stretcher.
Since today would've been his 87th birthday, here's a thread of some of my favorite Giant Baba matches. #wrestlesky #AJPW @krisplettuce.bsky.social @tapemachines.bsky.social @theg4me.bsky.social @todaypwhistory.bsky.social @pwoloss.bsky.social @willmahoney.bsky.social
youtu.be/ToQng0RRFY8?...
A near decade of a journey filled with emotions, sweetness and bitterness, ended with one of the greatest angles in the history of wrestling, and as we wrap up 2024, I’ll be here for a long time repeating the roll call with Naito. 🥹❤️
De Ha Pon.
#WrestleSky #NJPW #njwk19
Words can't describe how much I love this fucking match lol.
#wrestlesky #prowrestling #UWF #puroresu
Music
🎯
Bob Backlund vs Takada (UWF 12/22/88) 🤼
The genius of Takada shines here as his adaptation to Bob’s limitations in this environment & success in bringing the best of both styles produced one of the most unique matches ever! Happy 36 year anniversary to this classic.
#UWF #WrestleSky #ProWrestling
When you watch early Yamamoto stuff and the way he was presented compared to how his career went after Tamura’s arrival then yeah, no wonder he tried to kill him in every match they had!
Hell people should be thankful he didn’t load the gun after this.
#WrestleSky 🤼
Akira Maeda vs Yoshihisa Yamamoto (RINGS 12/16/94)
Magical night for Yamamoto where his determination for greatness won the crowd to a point they booed their Ace! A night Maeda brought reality back to by reminding everyone that generation shifts doesn’t come easily.
#WrestleSky #RINGS
Of all Shinzaki's appearances throughout his career, tuxedo may be the most terrifying one.
#WrestleSky #SENJO
Sotir Gotchev vs Volk Han (RINGS 12/19/92) 🤼♂️
The coolest to ever do it.
#Wrestling #RINGS
Grom Zaza vs Volk Han (RINGS 5/16/92) 🤼♂️
Yeah, you definitely don’t want to try that against Volk Han.
#WrestleSky #RINGS
Definitely up there.
Can’t get smoother. 🤼
#AJPW
Bockwinkel holds a case as the greatest 50 year old wrestler ever.
Bill Robinson vs Nick Bockwinkel (AJPW 12/11/80) 🤼
Two masters of the game in their mid 40s going at it for 30 minute draw effortlessly to a point where they looked capable of going even longer. The power of exploiting every move/hold to the fullest a making the most out of it.
#WrestleSky #AJPW
She’s the GOAT.
Badass
On the same night, our beloved Russian wizard Volk Han made his historic Professional wrestling debut, who as well provided some glimpses of what the future of Dagestan Wrestling holds in store for the sport.
A night for the history books, Happy 33th Anniversary! 🤼
#WrestleSky #RINGS
It's his birthday but we get the presents! Beloved classics, underappreciated classics, forgotten classics, probably at least one and probably a bunch of new-to-you classics. Incredible list.
Dick Vrij vs Willie Peeters (RINGS 12/7/91) 🤼
While Vrij was an absolute monster, The way Peeters appreciated the fight with a courageous reckless style made the match for me and for that crowd who went nuts for him. Some glimpses of future MMA main stream figures.
RINGS MOTY.
#WrestleSky
Define ‘aura’ but it’s just a women’s wrestler 🤼♂️
Akira Hokuto vs Shinobu Kandori (AJW 12/6/93) 🤼♂️
Team AJW including LCO and “Aja FUCKING Kong!” Filling Sumo Hall with tears as they witness Hokuto pay for her actions and words during the DreamSlam massacre rematch.
Wish I could post the full clip uncut, All timer visual.
#AJW #WrestleSky
Jumbo Tsuruta & Yoshiaki Yatsu vs Genichiro Tenryu & Stan Hansen (AJPW 12/6/89) 🤼
A Tsuruta hot tag is always a blast, at least until Hansen ruins the fun.
#WrestleSky #AJPW
28 Years Today, Taue & Kawada vs Akiyama & Misawa (AJPW 12/6/96) 🤼
A masterpiece in tag team wrestling from the golden era of Kings Road. The Kawada’s Punishment butterfly effect and its direct ties to this match existence and reputation today is worth studying.
#AJPW #WrestleSky #GME
Andrei Kopylov vs Volk Han (RINGS 3/5/93) 🤼♂️
Rough night for Kopylov, he entered with a shoulder injury that Volk targeted, kept searching for solutions whether by taking a southpaw stand during striking or shifting focus to the mat but Volk’s hunger for revenge was too much.
These two are a blast.
35 Years Today 🤼♂️ , Genichiro Tenryu flew before the bell towards the 51-year old then Giant Baba, leaving us with a shocking scene that will be immortalized in memory!
A master class from Baba in working over body limitations, One of my all time favorite AJPW matches.
#WrestleSky #AJPW
Youtube, and I’ll suggest you move quick cuz Sky Perfect are doing a TV Asahi on these videos as of late
One of the most impressive things I’ve seen inside a wrestling ring in a while, Straight out of a video game. 🤼
#WrestleSky
