I want you, the listeners of The Ladies Wrestling Grio podcast to continue to be fully immersed on the topic of the week.
It only makes sense to add visuals aids to my trips down memory lane. So why not throw as many Crush Gals nostalgia down your throat as possible. Enjoy!!
1. Hair vs Hair Matches
One of the Crush Gals most remembered matches were the hair vs hair matches that Chigusa Nagayo and Dump Matsumoto had.
The fans of The Crush Gals were so invested in these matches and certainly made it easier for Dump Matsumoto to give zero fucks about destroying Chigusa Nagayo. But Nagayo is a fighter and wouldn’t give up. Even if she had to go through a second grueling match with Matsumoto.
2. Crush Gals vs Jumping Bomb Angels
Crush Gals vs Jumping Bomb Angels matches were great to me, because both teams were so athletic, young, vibrant and really represented the 80s fast paced Joshi style of the time. Just like the Crush Gals, I believe that the Jumping Bomb Angels were very likable and relatable to the fans.
3. The Crush Gals in WWE
This cross promotion from WWE and AJW so cool to see and I believe that The Crush Gals showed that they could thrive on an international level. This also helped WWE to legitimize the new WWE women’s title.
4. Crush Gals vs Gokuaku Doumei aka Atrocious Alliance
The Gokuaku Doumei also known as the Atrocious Alliance, certainly helped to make The Crush Gals red hot as baby faces, because they were so damn evil. This faction that consisted of Dump Matsumoto, Bull Nakano, and Crane Yu were the scariest women walking around AJW. They hated everything that The Crush Gals stood for. When these two teams would face each other anything was used. Be it forks, kendo sticks, things on the commentary desk, teeth or shady referees. Gokuaku Doumei really knew how to bring the fire out of The Crush Gals and push them to hold nothing back against the biker gang. The roar of the crowd when the Crush Gals were able to get a win against Gokuaku Doumei was piercing. Truly some one of the best tag team feuds that I’ve seen in my life.
5. The Crush Gals Musical Performances
In 1984, the Crush Gals took advantage of their popularity and started to dive into music. It was a good gamble because the women found success in it. The women performed their songs in the ring and on Japanese TV. Get ready to feel like you’ve stepped into an pop 80’s time machine watching this!
6. Gokuaku Delivering terror everywhere they go
The hellish antics of Dump Matsumoto and her right hand women Bull Nakano is down right disgraceful. Then why do I love it so much? Oh right, I love a great heel! Anyone that loved The Crush Gals or who even looked like they enjoyed life was an enemy to The atrocious Alliance. Beating the fandom out of these teenage fans was not out of the question for Gokuaku Doumei.