British Lightweight Title match: Jim Breaks (c) vs Johnny Saint - Joint Promotions - 05/05/1973 (Aired: 03/05/1973 - FA Cup Match Day)
FA Cup Final match day. Leeds vs Sunderland. A big upset win by the second division team, Sunderland. And it makes sense for such a big day when they WOS were likely to have a big rating, they put this out there - two of their most exciting performers who could both showcase the technical application of the style while being personality driven and charismatic. Like truly, even if you’ve never watched classic British wrestling, this has all the bearings of the sort of work you’ll see in American wrestling storywise. It’s the package in which it’s told. But despite their hyper focus on storytelling, they still manage to tell a vivid, almost comical-like story at first and progress it until it becomes very serious and leads to the finish. A to B to C storytelling at its finest
The match starts with an intense lockup with Breaks hooking the arm and setting a sort of standing crossface. Breaks mostly leads the first round but Saint proves he’s quick and can grab a deep wrist lock at any time and when Saint begins to show that, Breaks stalls the momentum and gestures for the ref to check his nose, to the ire of the fans. And there it begins, the many breaks and strategic stalls by Breaks, who feigns injury, asks for breaks, etc. It’s really funny at first, but as it progresses you can’t help but get more frustrated. And eventually Saint begins targeting the nose on purpose which sends Breaks on the defensive. His complaints became both valid and erratic which drew crybaby taunts. Saint eventually breaks the nose and it’s a bad nose bleed too. Breaks sells it wonderfully - full of panic, desperation. It felt like the end and showed itself in the wrestling with Saint countering everything at this point and taking over. And as a last ditch effort, Breaks smashes Saint’s face down on the mat and throws him to the floor, which cuts him open. Further face smashes into the floor opens up the wound and the ref has no choice but to call a TKO. Saint was 1-0 up and on his way to win but Breaks, the opportunist, sought out an easy win and retained the British Lightweight championship. And some one the fans are pissed enough to throw a water bottle at Breaks. Now that’s heat. ****3/4
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