(ALL JAPAN) Tiger Mask, who will build the 3T era of All Japan, will soar through the "10-match trial" of his heavyweight transition!

Weekly Pro

4th February 1986 (Issue no.129)

Tiger Mask, along with Jumbo Tsuruta and Genichiro Tenryu, is trying to build the "3T era" in All Japan Pro Wrestling. For him, who is poised to become the main star after moving up to the heavyweight division, this year is literally a make-or-break year. Therefore, this magazine proposes a "10-match challenge to test his skills in the heavyweight division" for Tiger, who aims to become the "strongest tiger."

 Last year, Tiger Mask achieved great success as a representative junior wrestler of All Japan, including winning the NWA Intercontinental Junior Heavyweight Championship. It is true that he steadily raised his own status at the same time.

 And this year, the Year of the Tiger, Tiger is aiming to make a big leap forward with his long-awaited move to the heavyweight division, with his weight being a respectable 108 kg. 

 Tiger Mask fans were hoping that the highly anticipated Masked Man showdown on January 2nd would see Tiger Mask deliver the final blow to Mascaras, hinting at a changing of the guard. However, contrary to expectations, the match proceeded at Mascaras's pace, and Tiger Mask was unable to show his true potential, resulting in an unsatisfactory outcome (both sides losing). Having been on an upward trajectory after his matches against Kobayashi and Kid, the match against Mascaras was a kind of slump for Tiger Mask. At the same time, Tiger must have felt the invisible wall that lay beneath him, the wall of a man who had once taken the world by storm. 

 Most of Tiger's matches this year have been tag team matches, and his opponents have mostly been junior heavyweights.

 While there may be policies on the front side, for Tiger, who must build the "3T era" in All Japan, this must be "unsatisfying."

 They need to use Tiger more often as a tag team partner and let him compete in the heavyweight division. This would naturally foster a sense of responsibility as a heavyweight. 

Fortunately, All Japan sees the arrival of big-name, powerful foreign wrestlers in every series. Fans are eagerly hoping to see more singles matches against Tiger, like the aforementioned match against Mascaras.

 Therefore, this magazine proposes a "Ten-Match Series for Tiger Mask's Heavyweight Transition." Limiting his opponents to foreign wrestlers would make for an interesting dream match—a ten-match series. Just like Tsuruta's "Ten-Match Series," this would be a fruitful experience for Tiger.

 This year is the year he'll climb out of the "valley of darkness"!

NOAH'S ARKIVE! WEEKLY PRO & BOOK ARCHIVE