Barry Windham was a natural athlete and prodigy in the world of professional wrestling. Windham was born in the wrestling industry thanks to his father Blackjack Mulligan and has capitalized on his family heritage to it’s fullest and achieved numerous goals in his career. The second generation wrestler possessed amazing athleticism for a man of his size which made him a very lethal competitor. Many titles were under his possession wherever he went along with the membership of the prestigious and legendary group, Four Horsemen. Barry has competed all over the world and has represented many NWA territories and WWF on more than one occasion. This 90 minute compilation profiles some of Windham’s best matches from Land of the Rising Sun.
1. Barry Windham vs. Genichiro Tenryu – December 5, 1983
First off in the compilation is Windham facing a former sumo wrestler and one of the hardest hitting competitors out of Japan, Tenryu. This was highly enjoyable to watch with both applying scientific wrestling with one another. Good things happened in under 10 minutes.
Grade: B-
2. Barry Windham & Ron Fuller vs. Bruiser Brody & Stan Hansen – 1983
Next up is Windham teaming with the Tennessee Stud Ron Fuller against one of the most feared and dangerous combinations in Stan “The Lariat” Hansen and Bruiser Brody, With only taking a loot at the team of Brody and Hansen on paper you can imagine how this one went. Imagine a huge bar brawl with four men who wouldn’t die. I’m surprised that Brody and Hansen didn’t kick the living shit out of Windham and perhaps is attributed to two things, 1. They took him lightly as he’s Mulligan’s kid or 2. They trust in his abilities. Nevertheless, fun match.
Grade: C+
3. Barry Windham & Ron Fuller vs. Jumbo Tsuruta & Genichiro Tenryu
Once again Windham and Fuller team up to face this time the team of Tenryu & Tsuruta who are at their very prime during this time period which made things interesting from the start. This was a nice back and forth hard-hitting contest. Those flying knees by Tsuruta were sick.
Grade: B-
4. Barry Windham vs. The Great Kabuki
Up next is Windham vs. Kabuki, who has gained huge notoriety in the western hemisphere. It was very decent and enjoyable match that could have kicked it up a notch knowing the talent involved but I’m no one to complain.
Grade: C+
5. Barry Windham vs. Keiji Mutoh
Windham now the less ominous counterpart of the Great Muta in Mutoh. This match was joined in progress and ended a few minutes away but for what was seen it was very good.
Grade: DUD
6. Barry Windham & Arn Anderson vs. Masahiro Chono & Masa Saito – March 21, 1991
The Horsemen battle two of New Japan’s top performers in Chono & Saito. This took place during a pay-per-view called WCW /New Japan Supershow in Tokyo. It was OK for the most part but it was mad slow on the beginning but it took on towards the end. Not a bad match by any means but just average.
Grade: C
7. The New Blackjacks (Bradshaw & Windham) vs. Johnny Ace & Kenta Kobashi – November 15, 1997
While in the WWF for the second time, Windham was lost in the shuffle as the Stalker and never lived up to the hype; However, he was later paired with fellow Texan Justin Hawk Bradshaw who was also lost in the shuffle and they became the New Blackjacks as a tribute to his father Blackjack Mulligan and partner Blackjack Lanza. In a special invitation match they face Johnny Ace (PEOPLE POWER!!!! LOL) and the Great Kenta Kobashi. This was very intense with the Blackjacks letting loose from their strict WWF playbook along with Ace’s impressive brawling and Kobashi’s legendary tenacity. Great stuff!
Grade: B+
Final Thoughts:
We all know how Barry was in America and we always recognize him as the Fifth Horsemen. This DVD profiled his work in Japan which was quite impressive facing great names in the Land of the Rising Sun. The last match really takes the cake and I advise you all get this for that match specifically. It’s great seeing IVP Videos providing these rare matches from Japan that we can’t get anywhere else as we get great wrestling from our favorite stars.
Verdict: 7.25/10
You can get this DVD and many more at IVP VIDEOS. They also provide downloads as well.
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