Nick Bockwinkel vs Billy Robinson (AJPW - 12/11/1980)
Jul 22, 2018 21:21:37 GMT -5
Post by superstarsleeze on Jul 22, 2018 21:21:37 GMT -5
I used the search function and hope I didnt duplicate it. I am not sure I am going to vote for this, but I think it should be discussed as an all-time great technical classic.
Nick Bockwinkel vs Billy Robinson - AJPW 12/11/80
Verne Gagne is AWA World Champion at this time so no titles on the line that I know of. There is a clip. The beginning is some of the best 70s/80s American style matwork (I usually call this NWA Champion-style, but with both working for AWA that seemed wrong) you will ever see. To me American style matwork is your headlocks, wristlocks, armbars, short arm scissors, hammerlocks, chickenwings, toeholds, figure-4s, and crabs and these two just work it beautifully. We clip to Bock with a standing reverse top wristlock. He just has this evil, sadistic grin on his face that no one else can replicate. He is taking immense joy in wrenching Robinson's arm. The struggle is real for Robinson to buck Bock. First gets a headscissors (this is when the ankles are crossed), but when he tries to put Bock in motion, Bock converts an armdrag into a kneeling reverse top wristlock with him kneeling on Robinson's face, so now he is in a worse predicament. Robinson is able to get his leg over Bock's head and gets a double underhook, but Bock does a beautiful job blocking by grapevining the leg. Lock-up and Robinson grabs a tight and I mean DOUBLE TIGHT headlock. They work in out of that headlock, but Bock has lost control. Until one criss cross where he gets a marvelous drop toehold and rolls up right into a figure-4 of the left calf (this when one leg is straight and other is tucked behind the knee of the straight leg making a "4" with your leg). The commitment of the drop toehold was great because Robinson did not just go with it Bock got it tight and you really felt Robinson trip because of it. The match winds up once they get standing. Bock slaps Robinson hard. Robinson is incensed and goes to clobber Bockwinkel, but Bock ducks sending poor Billy crashing over the top rope out onto the floor.
Bock gives chase, which was unexpected, I thought we would get King of Mountain. Robinson ends up bodyslamming him on the floor. Should have sticked to the script, Nick. Robinson comes charging in again for a punch and Bock back drops him out. Robinson really wants to wipe that smirk off Bock's face. Bock waits for Robinson to come to him this time and bodyslams him into the ring. Bock's heat segment is pretty damn good. Piledrivers, whip into the buckles and just generally kicking ass. Bock throws some serious bows and this wakes Billy up who starts blocking and then roaring back. Neckbreaker, back suplex ROBINSON BACKBREAKER!!! Only getting two. Hits a second Robinson Backbreaker, but hurts his plant leg. Bock POUNCES on this! Robinson shakes him off. Bock scrambles from outside back into the ring. Applies Figure-4 tons of drama. Robinson makes the ropes. The time calls get closer together. Fire fight to end it and they call it off as a draw.
Pretty incredible match from the tight matwork to the hot finish run. Besides Lawler, I don't think there are two people that can get more out of so little in regards to highspots. You really see Bock in full display here. The opening matwork, then trying to incense his opponent and then pouncing on a weakness. Just great selling and pacing. Robinson is so great at offense, but I thought he sold really well for Bock with those two big bumps to the floor and then his knee. ****1/2
Nick Bockwinkel vs Billy Robinson - AJPW 12/11/80
Verne Gagne is AWA World Champion at this time so no titles on the line that I know of. There is a clip. The beginning is some of the best 70s/80s American style matwork (I usually call this NWA Champion-style, but with both working for AWA that seemed wrong) you will ever see. To me American style matwork is your headlocks, wristlocks, armbars, short arm scissors, hammerlocks, chickenwings, toeholds, figure-4s, and crabs and these two just work it beautifully. We clip to Bock with a standing reverse top wristlock. He just has this evil, sadistic grin on his face that no one else can replicate. He is taking immense joy in wrenching Robinson's arm. The struggle is real for Robinson to buck Bock. First gets a headscissors (this is when the ankles are crossed), but when he tries to put Bock in motion, Bock converts an armdrag into a kneeling reverse top wristlock with him kneeling on Robinson's face, so now he is in a worse predicament. Robinson is able to get his leg over Bock's head and gets a double underhook, but Bock does a beautiful job blocking by grapevining the leg. Lock-up and Robinson grabs a tight and I mean DOUBLE TIGHT headlock. They work in out of that headlock, but Bock has lost control. Until one criss cross where he gets a marvelous drop toehold and rolls up right into a figure-4 of the left calf (this when one leg is straight and other is tucked behind the knee of the straight leg making a "4" with your leg). The commitment of the drop toehold was great because Robinson did not just go with it Bock got it tight and you really felt Robinson trip because of it. The match winds up once they get standing. Bock slaps Robinson hard. Robinson is incensed and goes to clobber Bockwinkel, but Bock ducks sending poor Billy crashing over the top rope out onto the floor.
Bock gives chase, which was unexpected, I thought we would get King of Mountain. Robinson ends up bodyslamming him on the floor. Should have sticked to the script, Nick. Robinson comes charging in again for a punch and Bock back drops him out. Robinson really wants to wipe that smirk off Bock's face. Bock waits for Robinson to come to him this time and bodyslams him into the ring. Bock's heat segment is pretty damn good. Piledrivers, whip into the buckles and just generally kicking ass. Bock throws some serious bows and this wakes Billy up who starts blocking and then roaring back. Neckbreaker, back suplex ROBINSON BACKBREAKER!!! Only getting two. Hits a second Robinson Backbreaker, but hurts his plant leg. Bock POUNCES on this! Robinson shakes him off. Bock scrambles from outside back into the ring. Applies Figure-4 tons of drama. Robinson makes the ropes. The time calls get closer together. Fire fight to end it and they call it off as a draw.
Pretty incredible match from the tight matwork to the hot finish run. Besides Lawler, I don't think there are two people that can get more out of so little in regards to highspots. You really see Bock in full display here. The opening matwork, then trying to incense his opponent and then pouncing on a weakness. Just great selling and pacing. Robinson is so great at offense, but I thought he sold really well for Bock with those two big bumps to the floor and then his knee. ****1/2
