Brad Rheingans vs. Jumbo Tsuruta

[5.0] "I liked it, but I didn't think this was three star level. It just felt average to me. I give it **1/2"

[7.0] "Athletically this is better than Tsuruta vs. Bockwinkel last month, but the ring psychology isn't there yet, mainly from Rheingans, to make this match feel as complete. The opening technical stuff and the end haymakers are really good though."

[7.0] "Two legit wrestlers have fun on the mat then they throw big suplexes to win the match - a good match !"

[6.0] "This is my first direct exposure to Rheingans, so I can't give you any insight on how this compares to any of his other work, but I thought this was a solid exhibition that was reminiscent of 70s Jumbo. The Greco-Roman background of both men shows through in the strength-based nature of their matwork, which was what reminded me so strongly of Jumbo's earlier work. Rheingans eventually messes up when he goes for a corner body splash and Jumbo evades it. He capitalizes with a jumping knee and a butterfly suplex for a couple nearfalls, but when he goes for the Thesz press Rheingans counters it into an inverted atomic drop! Rheingans then hits a gutwrench suplex and an atomic drop, but a running shoulderblock section ends with Jumbo getting an O'Connor roll on him. The finish kind of peters out, as Jumbo hits a weak-looking neckbreaker to win after Rheingans kicks out. Still a decent match, though. ***"