Pro Wrestling Chronicle

Match # 18: Masa Fuchi, Atsushi Onita & Tojo Yamamoto vs. Roy Rogers, Rick & Robert Gibson (9/5/81)

After seeing Fuchi and Onita in a second match (this one), I’m ready to sing there praises. Rick is under-rated next to his more famous brother Robert, but we’ll get to that in a bit.

Robert starts this one starts out with Robert showing some strong arm drags and Fuchi doing some fine heel work. He complains of grabbing of the tights. He sells his frustration with the arm drags. He even steps out of the way when Robert gives himself for the cause with a running shoulder into a ring post. Looks great. Of course this is a studio match, so there isn’t a lot of long term selling. Just fast paced action.

I’m a big fan of Roberts drop kick here. Really good stuff that doesn’t kill his opponents. I also like the quickness with which the faces make tags and hold there opponents to isolate a blow by the man they tag in.

Rick Gibson is rough and tumble as they come. When old workers say, “this ain’t ballet perhaps they are tipping a hat to Rick Gibson. Not everything is smooth, but that’s kinda the point with him. Onita mostly does chops, but they are effective for as long as he’s in (which is kept short). Tojo looks like a webble wobble in there, but moves well for a short heavy set guy.

If you put masks on Fuchi and Onita, then gave them generic names, you’d never know they were foreign wrestlers. I love when the art of pro wrestling transcends language or social barriers. Heels work well when cheating or breaking up pins. The faces tag well. Great kung fu spot at the end. Time limit draw and a fun match. 3 ¼ and 6/10.

Match Discussion Here