Antonio Inoki vs. Jack Brisco (JWA - 8/5/1971)

Easy second here! The pinnacle of Catch grappling. It takes those flashy Fujiwara or Ishikawa mat based matches and adds a big fight feel struggle. Brisco is exquisite in this match. Everything is so sudden. Lock for my Top 100.

NWA United National Champion Antonio Inoki vs Jack Brisco - JWA 8/5/71

First Fall: The first fall was absolute, pure genius. I'm floored. This was the best possible catch grappling I could imagine. When I watch the Ishikawa or Fujiwara Do this stuff enjoy it was as a tricked out exhibition. This was mind blowing but the struggle was real. Everything was so sudden. So organic. So fucking pure. The tone was set right away Inoki grabs a quick single leg pickup and Brisco applies an amazing body scissors that leads to a pinning predicament. Inoki's waistlock rolls by holding the Indian Deathlock was nifty. Inoki's bridge was insane. Inoki got the advantage first with a deep chinlock. Brisco threw him off with a great arm drag and Inoki pounced right back. I loved Brisco's response to get chippy and threw some hands. This gives him the opening to go for the leg. Knee Crusher! Amazing leg work! Sublime! Great figure-4 attempt. Loved Inoki getting desperate for the Octopus Stretch. Brisco heels a little by not always breaking on the ropes. Good shit. Nice Butterfly Suplex! Loved loved loved the sudden Boston Crab and then Brisco's sell and BOOM Inoki dropkick to the mush. Brisco ends up caught in the ropes instead of his head like Foley or arms like Andre it is his waist! Never seen that! There's at least three things I've never seen before and this match is from 1971! I loved the finish! Inoki goes for his kill shot the Octopus Stretch and Brisco Bucks him off quickly and pins him to win the first fall. That fall was ***** fucking stars. I didn't know it was 2 out of 3 falls so I popped and popped again knowing I was getting more!

Second Fall: Classic short second fall that picks up right where these two badasses left off. Brisco looks poised to blow Inoki out. Inoki's morale is low and Brisco hits a big knee lift and controls the head. Inoki claws his way back he is looking for a butterfly Suplex but can't quite manage. He does apply his trademark short-arm scissors which is a great idea. He was getting his ass kicked and he needed a hold he could rely on that could cause damage to Brisco and let Inoki catch his breath. Genius move to quell the Brisco's momentum, Brisco's selling is top notch. We get the rolling short arm scissors, Brisco slapping his hand from going numb, the roll up with the tights ref pulls Brisco back down and Brisco in a fit of rage flails his legs at the ref. Genius! Brisco breaks it on the next roll up with knees. Great Irish Whips by Brisco...Sunset Flip...1...2...No! Brisco throws punches but Inoki gets behind textbook German with a bridge to take the second fall. An absolute clinic and Brisco is wrestling out of his mind!

Third Fall: The rout is on! Inoki beats Brisco pillar to post. Great dejected selling by Brisco. The Octopus Stretch puts him out of his misery.

The first fall is exquisite. It is the most amazing grappling I have ever seen. I actually liked the ending. It felt definitive, earned and realistic. Inoki made a comeback that was not too unrealistic. He injured the arm and hit a great German to go in with the momentum into 3rd. I liked the idea of the rout Inoki had all the momentum and hit cruised for the win. Easy ***** 'match and Top 100 match what keeps it from #1 is I would have liked a cooler turning point in the 2nd fall. If Brisco makes a big mistake that squandered his 1-0 lead or Inoki lands a big desperation shot, that would elevate this match to a #1 contender. Genius match. *****

What a great performance by Brisco in this match. Some nasty matwork, subtle heeling, and great selling. He gave so many nice touches from the way he tried to escape the sleeper hold in the early going and then the selling and smacking his hand during the short arm scissors. I enjoyed Brisco in Mid-Atlantic in the 1970s but this was another level.

The sell of the German suplex at the end of fall 2 was brilliant and served the story well. You knew Brisco was in trouble so it made sense that fall 3 wrapped up quickly.

I put this one off based on Brisco. But, damn he was great in this one. He was fired up. I specifically love this first fall because there’s a lot of jockeying for control with matwork, trying to grab an arm but it’s so refreshing because this type of thing in the last 30 years would’ve been overdone, and overcute. This was mean. There’s a chance this makes my list.

This was a good but not great match for me. I can appreciate the grappling exchanges that seem somewhat like early shoot style. I can appreciate the struggle. I just would have liked a little more action. The falls were done quite well and Inoki getting a decisive finish was cool.