Tag: pacific rim

Image: NJPW

Pacific Rim is back.

On this episode, Fumi Saito and I talk about NJPW’s plans for the Tokyo Dome. 2022 is also their 50th anniversary so they are bringing back The Golden Series. Fumi discusses the history and whether we might see Antonio Inoki make an appearance in New Japan for the first time in many years.

There’s a big press conference scheduled for this weekend. Fumi talks about the reason why many people are speculating that NJPW could announce a collaboration with other Japanese wrestling companies. With more wrestling talent on the open market, who might be a good fit for Japan?

Hear all that and much more on the new Pacific Rim.

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Pacific Rim is back! Fumi Saito gives Jim Valley his firsthand account of NJPW Wrestle Grand Slam in Tokyo Dome, the matches, the results, crowd reaction, and what non-COVID related situation could affect the upcoming Wrestle Kingdom in Tokyo Dome event in 2022.

In addition, Fumi offers his thoughts on Shingo Takagi as NJPW World Heavyweight Champion, his background, and how long he thinks Shingo will last as champion. Plus, Jake Lee as new AJW Triple Crown Champion, Lance Archer as IWGP United States Heavyweight Champion, the return of Debbie Malenko, and more.

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On a very personal episode of the Pacific Rim Pro Wrestling Podcast, Fumi Saito talks to Jim Valley about his memories of Hana Kimura and his experiences following her tragic passing.

Fumi met Hana when she was a seven-year-old kid who went with her mom Kyoko Kimura to the matches. He tells a great story about how much Hana understood about wrestling match structure at a very young age.

Fumi also recently interviewed Hiroshi Tanahashi and learned about a key American wrestler whom Tana credits for a lot of his success. It’s a fascinating story.

With the New Japan Cup coming up, Fumi says to expect a new look for the empty arena matches and the plans for attendance at Osaka-Jo Hall. In addition, we discuss the success of Io Shirai and Asuka in WWE and answer your #AskFumi questions on AJPW’s Wada, IWE’s popularity, and much more. 

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Pacific Rim is back with Fumi Saito and Jim Valley. With little new wrestling taking place in Japan, Fumi talks about what some companies are doing to produce content, create new revenue streams, and find work for wrestlers.

Weekly Pro Wrestling’s 1995 Bridge of Dreams card featuring 13 promotions on one show was recently uploaded to YouTube. Fumi was working at Weekly Pro at the time. He talks about the reason for the show, the work that went into it, the challenges it faced, and the major political fallout afterwards. We’ve discussed this show before, but there are details and events that I don’t think we’ve covered in the past.

Fumi also gives his opinion on the possibility of another multi-company show in the future whenever Japan and pro wrestling emerges from the coronavirus pandemic. We planned on answering questions, but we will record again soon and do it then.

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On April 13, 1990, the WWF, New Japan, and All Japan Pro Wrestling came together at the Tokyo Dome for an interpromotional card called the Wrestling Summit. It featured Hulk Hogan vs. Stan Hansen, Genichiro Tenryu vs. Randy Savage, and Bret Hart vs. Tiger Mask (Mitsuharu Misawa) in a matchup of future legends.

My co-host Fumi Saito not only covered the show, but also knew a lot of people involved. He talks about what he knew at the time, what he didn’t know, and why. In addition to the card, he tells a fascinating story about attending the official party the night before the show. He talks about the interactions of superstars and promoters, and we also discuss fan reactions to seeing wrestlers like Ted DiBiase, Jimmy Snuka, and Rick Martel in their new WWE personas.

For questions on this show or to be answered on future shows, tweet us with the tag #AskFumi.

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From Seattle to Tokyo, this week the Pacific Rim Pro Wrestling Podcast updates you on how Fumi Saito and Kiki are coping with social distancing.

Believe it or not, he’s watching even more wrestling. Fumi has some interesting thoughts on the Fujita-Shiozaki match and its 30-minute staredown. Rather than see the empty venue as a negative, they looked at the situation, adapted, and used it to their advantage. As we’ve seen the past few weeks in both Japan and the United States, some wrestlers are able to change their presentations to fit the situation and some are not.

Fumi also goes into detail about the uncertainty of the Japanese wrestling business, different companies, the effect on wrestlers, and why it may be impossible to predict the future. He’s fairly certain the wrestling business won’t be the same.

We also talk about WrestleMania 36 in an empty arena and matches like The Undertaker vs. AJ Styles which are expected to be more like action movies than traditional wrestling matches. That discussion leads us into the history of another famous concept match, Antonio Inoki and Masa Saito’s Island Death Match from 1987. Fumi teaches us the history of the match and if the wrestlers broke kayfabe in order to speed up the filming of the two-hour match.

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On this week’s Pacific Rim, Fumi Saito and I bring you a free episode entirely dedicated to the life and career of Kazuo Sakurada, also known as Japanese wrestler Kendo Nagasaki.

Fumi grew up watching Sakurada and spent time with him years ago in Japan and Florida. While you may know just the basics about his life, his career is more historically important than you realize as he led a very interesting and inspiring life.

A former sumo wrestler who transitioned to the ranks of professional wrestling, Fumi compares him to the “B side” to the “A side” of Tenryu’s career. Unlike Tenryu, Sakurada wasn’t preordained for superstardom. Instead, he worked in territories throughout Canada, the United States, and Puerto Rico until he found his biggest fame as Kendo Nagasaki. He even mentored a young Keiji Muto in Florida and later founded Big Japan Pro Wrestling. 

Learn more about the life and times of Sakurada by clicking below.

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Happy New Year from Tokyo. Spend New Year’s Eve and his New Year’s Day birthday with Fumi Saito as he and Jim Valley start the night at Killer Khan’s restaurant and wrap up around 2 a.m. in Shinjuku.

Killer Khan is most famous in the United States for “breaking the ankle” of Andre the Giant, wrestling in Mid South, World Class, and a successful house show run with Hulk Hogan around 1987. Khan is a former sumo wrestler who also released singing albums in Japan.

Hear 2019 turn to 2020 as Fumi Saito turns a year older and gives wishes for pro wrestling, the New Year, and new decade ahead. We then walk to Hanazono Shrine for the traditional New Year’s prayer and purification. Experience what it’s like to spend New Year’s Eve in Tokyo in about 23 minutes and prepare for more shows from Tokyo in the coming days. 

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Wrestle Kingdom 14 is one month away. For the first time, New Japan Pro Wrestling’s biggest show is two nights of action. On this episode of Pacific Rim, Fumi Saito offers his advice for fans visiting Tokyo during Wrestling Week.

Fumi spotlights some cards, locations, stores, and restaurants to check out. Ideas include All Japan at Korakuen, Toudoukan pro wrestling store, the recently-relocated New Japan Store, Ribera Steakhouse, and the restaurants of Killer Khan and The Great Kabuki.

We also look at the main event of Wrestle Kingdom 14: Okada, Ibushi, Jay White or Naito. Who will hold both titles at the end of night two? 

With Stardom coming under the Bushiroad umbrella soon, Fumi gives his thoughts on what changes we could see and the challenges Stardom could face. After a confrontation at Wrestlecade, we also talk about the odds for a Nick Aldis vs. Great Muta NWA title match. 

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It’s a very special free edition of Pacific Rim with Fumi Saito’s longtime friend Chris Jericho.

They’ve known each other since Chris’ first tour of Japan for Frontier Martial Arts in 1991. Fumi and Jericho share stories of Chris’ early tours in Japan, what it was like, what’s different now, and what was challenging in days before instant communication.

In addition to sharing stories about Jericho’s career and his thoughts on the industry, Chris also talks about last week’s in-ring segment with MJF on AEW Dynamite, where it came from, the timing of it, and the priorities that are driving many of the things you are seeing on TV and PPV.

Fumi Saito is Japan’s leading author, historian, and journalist on pro wrestling. Each week on Pacific Rim, Fumi provides context and his perspective on Japanese pro wrestling news and history

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