Tag: pacific rim podcast

Pacific Rim: Wrestle Kingdom 17, Great Muta Bye-Bye, remembering Johnny Powers

Posted on by Jim Valley

The Pacific Rim Pro Wrestling Podcast is back as Fumi Saito and I catch up on the end of 2022, the beginning of 2023, and the year to come.

On the topic board: Wrestle Kingdom 17, Mercedes Mone, Stardom, Kenny Omega, Will Ospreay, The Great Muta’s last matches, what he has meant to Pro Wrestling NOAH and the mystery surrounding Mutoh’s (not Muta’s) last opponent.

Plus, Fumi remembers the late Johnny Powers and his very important connection to Antonio Inoki and New Japan Pro Wrestling. 

It’s another packed show, so please check it out.

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Pacific Rim: Looking at Sasha Banks’ popularity and visibility in Japan

Posted on by Jim Valley

The Pacific Rim Pro Wrestling Podcast with Fumi Saito and I is back and everyone is talking about the potential for Sasha Banks to appear at Wrestle Kingdom.

But, how big of a star is she in Japan now as WWE isn’t on TV there and hasn’t toured there in years? How much visibility does she have in the country? We discuss.

Also, we talk big plans for Keiji Muto’s retirement, Jake Lee, Naito & Ibushi being elected to the Wrestling Observer Hall of Fame, Rossy Ogawa, your questions and more. 

A packed show with all kinds of history and information, so check it out.

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Pacific Rim: Fumi Saito remembers Antonio Inoki

Posted on by Jim Valley

Fumi Saito, the man who literally wrote the book on Antonio Inoki, gives his thoughts and memories of Inoki on this very special episode of Pacific Rim.

Fumi and I talk about Inoki’s history and legacy: his creativity, his greatest matches and opponents, his place in history, the story of his WWE title win, why his wrestling was seen as the “real wrestling” in the 70s and 80s, the time Fumi had dinner with Inoki, Stu Hart & Gene Kiniski in Vancouver, and would have the reconciliation with NJPW happened had Inoki lived longer? Did anyone actually know the real Kanji Inoki? 

We talk all that and much more on this very informative episode of Pacific Rim.

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Pacific Rim: The passing of Gene LeBell, a look at the IWGP Women’s Championship

Posted on by Jim Valley

The Pacific Rim Pro Wrestling Podcast is back. 

Fumi Saito talks about the late “Judo” Gene LeBell, a legend in combat sports, who also was the referee for the famous Ali/Inoki match in Japan. 

We go in-depth on the new IWGP Women’s Championship. Whose idea was it and who might be a good first champion? 

Fumi gives his thoughts on Ric Flair’s last match and Flair’s legacy in Japan. How does he compare to other NWA World Champions in Japan?

Plus, it’s tournament time in Japan: the G1, N1, King’s Road, the 5-Start GP and more. 

It’s another packed episode. Check it out below.

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Pacific Rim: Onita, FMW, strength of NJPW, your questions

Posted on by Jim Valley

The Pacific Rim Pro Wrestling podcast is back. Fumi Saito and Jim Valley talk about Fumi’s thoughts on The Dark Side of the Ring episode on Frontier Martial Arts Wrestling and Atsushi Onita, including stories and insight not featured in the documentary. Plus, Fumi dispels the myth that New Japan Pro Wrestling is dying or in trouble. Then we answer your questions on the culture of masked wrestlers in Japan, how would things be different had Misawa not left All Japan and created Pro Wrestling NOAH, should All Japan and NOAH do a super show, an update on Tokyo Dome construction, and much more.

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