(10/09/1981) All Japan Pro Wrestling

NWA Title Match: Ric Flair (champion) def. Jumbo Tsruta in 30:44 in a two-out-of-three falls match.

This match was during Flair’s first run as NWA champion. I liked this match, but they had a problem kicking into another gear consistently. They could build heat towards the end of each fall, but not at that level elsewhere in the match. The announcers repeatedly calling Flair “Natecha Boi” will likely be the highlight of my day. So dope. I love that Flair can get heat begging off in multiple countries. He’s like a caucasian Tajiri with his facial expressions. Tsruta did an excellent job playing the bloodied babyface with a bum leg. The crowd responded well, but I didn’t care for the fluke finish where Tsruta crotched himself on the top rope when missing a move on Flair. It was such a lame cop-out. They also got a little sloppy near the finish when Jumbo fell on his back, giving Flair a piledriver, clearly showing Flair nowhere near the mat, and STILL trying to sell it as a credible near fall while the crowd groaned. It felt like they were building to something that didn’t reach its full potential. They’ve definitely had better matches with each other. ***1/4