A trip to Mexico can really change a person. Tetsuya Naito learnt how to be tranquilo. Akira Hokuto became a demon and young Yoshihiro Asai became a dragon. Asai was a New Japan trainee struggling to get anywhere due to his size. He relocated to Mexico, learnt the lucha libre style from Bruce Lee (or so the canon seems to […]
Apologies for the lack of a podcast, I’ve been a bit crook (it’s not the COVID) and unable to speak for an hour straight (though some may argue I lack the ability to do it well while healthy anyway…) but to make up for it, here’s a special extra edition of the Roadtrip Music series. Of course this is for […]
After Hogan and the NWO I had to break the scope back open again. Rina Yamashita is a name unknown to many, even amongst a lot of western joshi fans. Rina is (as of writing) one of the top freelancers in Japan and one of the most unique wrestlers in her field. She has competed in many smaller promotions with […]
Note: This article was written in 2017. 2006: Hiroshi Tanahashi vs Katsuyori ShibataToukon Shidou Chapter 1 (attendance: 31,000)http://njpwworld.com/p/s_series_00167_1_8 We took a look at Shinsuke Nakamura for the 2004 event and in 2006 we meet the other two ‘New Musketeers’. Hiroshi Tanahashi and Katsuyori Shibata. Both graduates of the NJPW Dojo (alongside Nakamura), New Japan planned to build the future around […]
Note: This article was written in 2017 2003: Yoshihiro Takayama vs Tsuyoshi Kohsaka – vacant NWF Heavyweight titleWrestling World 2003 (attendance: 30,000)http://njpwworld.com/p/s_series_00162_1_10 Who? Tsuyoshi Kohsaka is a mixed martial artist who as of this writing has a record of 29-19 which includes losses to Mark Hunt, Randy Couture, Bas Rutten and Frank Shamrock (among others). Brought in to NJPW as […]
Note: This article was written in 2017 2002: Jun Akiyama vs Yuji Nagata – GHC Heavyweight titleWrestling World 2002 (attendance: 52,000)http://njpwworld.com/p/s_series_00159_1_10 GHC Heavyweight title? Yes, New Japan continues the co-operative approach with Pro Wrestling NOAH guest Jun Akiyama defending the Global Honoured Crown against NJPW’s Yuji Nagata. Jun Akiyama came through All Japan’s system and debuted against Kenta Kobashi in […]
Note: This article was written in 2017 2001: Hiroyoshi Tenzan vs Toshiaki Kawada – IWGP Heavyweight title tournament (semi-final)Wrestling World 2001 (attendance: 52,000)http://njpwworld.com/p/s_series_00157_1_6 It’s 2001 and a lot has happened in the last twelve months. Since both promotions came into existence in 1972, New Japan Pro Wrestling’s main competitor had been All Japan Pro Wrestling. NJPW was formed by Antonio […]
Note: This article was written in 2017 2000: Keiji Mutoh vs Masahiro ChonoWrestling World 2000 (attendance: 53,500)http://njpwworld.com/p/s_series_00155_1_11 Two years ago in 1998, it was NWO Japan member Keiji Mutoh challenging Kensuke Sasaki for the IWGP Heavyweight title while the group’s leader Masahiro Chono cheered him on from ringside. It’s the start of the new millennium and the two are now […]
Note: This article was written in 2017 1997: Ultimo Dragon vs Jushin Thunder Liger – J-Crown titleWrestling World 1997 (attendance: 62,500 / 52,500)http://njpwworld.com/p/s_series_00148_1_9 You know that famous shot of Ultimo Dragon holding 10 belts at once? Well 8 of those are what makes up the J-Crown – a short-lived unification of weight class limited titles between 8 different promotions. A […]
1996: Keiji Mutoh © vs Nobuhiko Takada – IWGP Heavyweight titleWrestling World 1996 (attendance: 54,000) Back in August 1995, New Japan Pro Wrestling found itself in the midst of an invasion. The shoot style Union of Wrestling Forces International (UWFi), led by Nobuhiko Takada claimed that New Japan was fake and they were real. Note the use of the phrase […]
