Tiger Mask's brilliant finisher

Weekly Pro

18th September 1984 (Issue No.59)

The second-generation Tiger Mask made his debut at All Japan Pro Wrestling's Denen Coliseum event on August 26th, brilliantly demonstrating two new, ultra-C-class* finishers in quick succession.  

Tiger was cornered by La Fiera's fierce attack and counterattacked just after the eight-minute mark. He launched a diving attack, sending Fiera flying out of the ring. Then, he dashed across the ring, and leaped over the top rope. Flying into the night sky, Tiger's tall frame spun around in the air, then landed on Fiera's shoulders and back. It was a plancha con hilo, acrobatic move that few wrestlers, even in Mexico, are able to pull off. Fiera took a direct hit and barely made it back into the ring just before being knocked out.

Awaiting him was Tiger's spectacular finish.

Tiger then locked both of La Fiera's arms from behind, then came back and applied the Atomic Bomb Hold*. Giant Baba dubbed this "Tiger Suplex 81," an original move of the second Tiger Mask. Tiger's supple body formed a striking bridge on the mat, marking a spectacular debut.

Tiger's movements were awkward at the start, probably due to the pressure, but once he got going, his long limbs and impressive muscles moved rhythmically. While he still lacked the fineness of the original Tiger, the scale was larger, and there was a hint that he would grow into a Tiger Mask who could hold his own against heavyweights.

Notes

Ultra C Class: Gymnastic moves which are very difficult to do.

Atomic Bomb Hold: Rare use of the term by Weekly Pro, who didn't really use it for obvious reasons. The move is better known as a German Suplex.

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