Classic Matches History Wrestlers Results Collectibles

Classic Matches

Hawaiian Tag Team Championship in Steel Cage

May 13, 1970

Photos by George Beppu. Courtesy of Dan Westbrook. Additional photo by B. Atkinson.

On May 13, 1970, after weeks of feuding, champions Pedro Morales and Hahn Lee put their Hawaiian Championship belts up for grabs against the team of Handsome Johnny Barend and King Ripper Collins in a steel cage. The whole ring was surrounded by the steel cage so nobody could seek refuge outside of the ring.

Other matches on the card included single matches that saw Sam Steamboat vs Les Roberts, Kinji Shibuya vs Rene Goulet, and Tank Morgan vs Friday Allman (last minute substitute for Killer Austin).

Tank Morgan vs Friday Allman

The opening match saw Tank Morgan take on Friday Allman, who stepped in when Killer Austin could not make it to Hawaii in time.

Tank Morgan defeated Friday Allman in this one fall match.


Tank Morgan plays with Friday Allman.

Kinji Shibuya vs Rene Goulet

The night's second match saw local boy Kinji Shibuya battle Canadian Rene Goulet.

Result: Kinji Shibuya defeated Rene Goulet.


Rene Goulet back flips Kinji Shibuya.

Sam Steamboat vs Les Roberts

The next match was between Sam Steamboat and Les Roberts.

Result: Sam Steamboat was victorious over big Les Roberts in two straight falls.


Steamboat about to attack Roberts in the corner.

Sam Steamboat applies the Abdominal Stretch on Les Roberts.
Dec 8, 1971

Pedro Morales and Hahn Lee vs Handsome Johnny Barend and King Ripper Collins

The night's main event was for the Hawaiian Tag Team Championship. Champions Pedro Morales and Hahn Lee put their belts up against the team of Handsome Johnny Barend and King Ripper Collins. This bloody match was fought in a steel cage.

Result: Pedro Morales and Hahn Lee defeated Handsome Johnny Barend and King Ripper Collins by way of a disqualification to retain their Hawaiian Tag Team Championship Belts. During the match, Barend and Collins knocked out referee Wally Tsutsumi. Referee Pete Peterson, the other referee that night, was then summoned to the ring. He ended up disqualifying both Barend and Collins thereby giving the match to Pedro Morales and Hahn Lee. Both Johnny Barend and Ripper Collins then go on a bloody rampage and try to beat up both Morales and Hahn Lee, the latter having his head busted open. Bottom line is Pedro Morales and Hahn Lee retained their Hawaiian Championship belts.


Pedro Morales and Hahn Lee show off their Hawaiian Championship belts in the caged ring.

Morales applies a headlock on Barend as Hahn Lee and Ripper Collins battle in the background.

Johnny Barend goes after a downed Morales.

Barend and Morales tussle on the mat as Collins looks on from behind.

Johnny Barend punishes a dazed Hahn Lee.

Morales, Lee, and Barend lay battered on the mat as Collins gripes with the referee.

Ripper Collins applies the Atomic Drop on Hahn Lee.

Collins tries to untangle Barend from the ropes.

Both Barend and Morales get trapped between the ropes and the steel cage.

Referee Wally Tsutsumi gets knocked out.

Alternate referee Pete Peterson comes in the ring to declare Morales and Lee the winners as Barend protests. First referee Wally Tsutsumi remains motionless on the mat.

Aids tend to referee Wally Tsutsumi.

Fans and assistants help a battered and bloody Hahn Lee leave the ring with Pedro Morales after successfully defending their Hawaiian Championship. Promoter Ed Francis follows them with the Championship belts. This photo was taken by B. Atkinson, who actually attended the match.
Dec 8, 1971
Classic Matches History Wrestlers Results Collectibles