NWA vs AWA: The Only Unification Match Ever

1985-10-21 Tokyo, JPN – Ryogoku Kokugikan (Sumo Hall)
NWA & AWA Would Heavyweight Title Unification: Ric Flair [NWA] vs Rick Martel [AWA}

All Japan Pro-Wrestling had a primetime television slot at 8pm on every Saturday since the promotion opened in 1972-10 with the backup of Nippon TV (NTV).

However, it was moved to 5:30pm on Saturdays during NTV’s major program reorganization in 1979-04. The early evening slot was not available at many local affiliates since it was already occupied by other popular programs, and the wrestling program had to be cancelled or aired late at night. Many changes were to be made after losing some of the affiliates hurt the company financially.

In the early 1980s, Giant Baba was forced to step down as the top wrestler in the promotion, giving the spot to Jumbo Tsuruta, a younger, former Olympian. Several other events, including the return of Akihisa Takachiho from the U.S. as The Great Kabuki, the working agreement with Riki Choshu’s Japan Pro Wrestling, and the Japanese debut of the Road Warriors, helped the promotion to gain popularity.

It was finally announced in 1985-08 that the AJPW program would move to 7 pm on Saturdays. To boost the ratings, Giant Baba, who was elected the first vice president of the NWA at the annual meeting, finalized the title unification match between the world heavyweight champion of the NWA and the American Wrestling Association (AWA).

NWA champion Ric Flair faced AWA champion Rick Martel on 1985-10-21 at Ryogoku Kokugikan (Sumo Hall) in Tokyo. The match ended as a draw when both champions were counted out of the ring. Although the titles were not unified, as many fans expected anyway, it became historically significant. There had been the matches between WWWF/WWF champion and NWA champion or AWA champion, but this was the only world heavyweight championship match between NWA and AWA ever.

Interestingly, the champions had teamed up to face Dory Funk Jr. and Terry Funk on the day before the title match. They teamed twice more after their historic match, facing Tsuruta & Tenryu on 10-22 and Choshu & Yoshiaki Yatsu on 10-23. (Source: puroresu.com)