[1980-02-23-AJPW] Jumbo Tsuruta vs Dick Murdoch (2/3 falls)

[Loss]

Talk about it here.

[Chess Knight]

I became a huge Murdoch fan around 2009/2010 because of the Mid-South and NJPW 80s sets (which lead me to getting the helmet comp), but I had barely watched him for years now so I forgot how good he actually was. He goes to some awesome lengths just to put any move over that he has to sell, and will similarly grimace his face while torqueing in his own holds. Great, great post-move seller too to give his opponent a potential target should they want it. Jumbo was mostly good selling armbars and stuff too but when he got them, on he looked kind of dead faced. I actually thought the second and third falls both ruled and were given the appropriate amount of time; sometimes 2/3 falls match benefit from the quick ends to really show how gruelling the first fall was. That second fall in particular very brief and to the point with Murdoch hoping he just had it in the bag and trying what he could to put Jumbo away, while Jumbo had to fight upward from taking a brainbuster which is rightfully treated as a devastating move. Third fall had Murdoch struggling to even capitalize on his own moves because of the neck, resulting in Jumbo hopping up and reigning knee strikes on him. Not a tremendously match but the build toward the peak was great and overall I really liked it a lot.

[SAMS]

1980-02-23
AJPW
Jumbo Tsuruta vs Dick Murdoch
NWA United National Title Best Two Out Of Three Falls Match
Card
★★

I liked their opening mat exchanges and the first five minutes or so had both men struggle while in holds. However as the first fall went along they lost their way a bit and the momentum stalled. The pinfall on Jumbo came out of nowhere, and not in the good way, but I will say that Murdoch’s Brainbuster and transition into the pin was a thing of beauty.
The beginning of the second fall was the highlight of the match. Murdoch was on top, carrying over his control from the end of the first, and he really looked like he was laying his stuff in really snug. When Jumbo made his comeback to level things again it kind of just happened, was very brief, and lacked anything of note. Basically a move or two and Dick was down for the count. 
Murdoch took the third match, and won the title, when a top rope knee drop from Jumbo caused an injury to himself and Murdoch was able to capitalise with a spinning toe hold that he leveraged into a pin which I thought looked really cool.
I wish more of the match had been like the second fall. Murdoch gave a good performance, but I’ve seen better. Jumbo didn’t give a good performance and I’ve definitely seen better from him.