The latest WWE and AEW News and Results
Fumi Saito and Sean “X-Pac” Waltman have known each other for nearly 30 years. In this special episode of the Pacific Rim Pro Wrestling Podcast, these two long-time friends reminisce about how they met, times in Japan, spending Christmas together in Minnesota, and key moments in Waltman’s career.
We talk about Sean’s first tour of Japan, his later run in New Japan Pro Wrestling, Global, WCW, WWE, the WWE Hall of Fame, coaching at NXT, and much more.
Fumi Saito was in Ryugoku for New Japan’s Best of the Super Juniors finals. After seeing Will Ospreay’s victory, he wonders if Ospreay has taken Kenny Omega’s place in the hearts and minds of New Japan fans.
Fumi also has thoughts on the crowd’s reaction to Jon Moxley. Before the show, Fumi did an interview with NJPW. He has an interesting story on a metric that Moxley is already moving. Plus, we talk about what’s next for Shingo Takagi, Juice Robinson, and Jay White. We preview Dominion and talk Chris Jericho as “The Painmaker” and what it may mean for a relationship between New Japan and AEW.
In addition, we discuss Ultimo Dragon’s return to Dragon Gate and his history with what is essentially the promotion he founded. Fumi also looks back at the life and legacy of Atsushi Aoki. And we answer an #AskFumi question about Kento Miyahara.
Editor’s Note: This is a free edition of the podcast. Please share!
On a packed edition of the Pacific Rim Pro Wrestling podcast, Fumi Saito and I talk about the late Owen Hart’s time in New Japan Pro Wrestling in the late 80s and early 90s, his friendship with Hiroshi Hase, winning the Junior Heavyweight title and some of his money-saving practices while on tour.
Hart tragically died twenty years ago this past Thursday.
Additionally, Fumi gives his analysis of a Japanese newspaper story about the size of the Japanese wrestling market, Nick Jackson makes some very pointed comments about NJPW, the politics that prevent a pro wrestling Hall of Fame in Japan, and which is Japan’s most prestigious wrestling venue: Nippon Budokan, Korakuen or Tokyo Dome.
For those new to the show, Fumi is Japan’s leading author, historian, and journalist. For years, we have looked at the top stories in Japan and across the world. Subscribers can listen to all of our recent shows in the archives. I also co-host the Portland Wrestlecast for the site, a podcast dedicated to the era of Portland, Oregon, wrestling.
Fumi Saito and I are back with a whole host of topics on this week’s episode of the Pacific Rim podcast.
Before he wrestled Bret Hart in WWE, Tom Magee worked in All Japan Pro Wrestling. Fumi gives his first-hand account of the impression Magee left on him, plus Magee’s matches against Wajima and Chosu.
In addition, Fumi was at Stardom in Korakuen Hall as Arisa Hoshiki beat Momo Watanabe for the Wonder of Stardom title, the Tokyo Cyber Squad won the Six-Woman belts, and Bea Priestley successfully defended her title.
We also talk about the announcement of AEW being on TNT this fall, its impact in Japan, and what the future may hold. Asuka & Kairi Sane are now the Kabuki Warriors, and Fumi offers his thoughts on the name. We also answer your #AskFumi questions on the career of Jinsei Shinzaki, young lions abroad, and much more.
This edition of Pacific Rim looks at the career and legacy of The Great Sasuke.
Fumi Saito and I look at not just his championships and biggest victories, but also his business model and strategy that was very unique for its time and is still used by some pro wrestling companies today. Great Sasuke was also a politician who, once elected, didn’t take off his mask.
We talk about the famous Jushin Liger and Brian Pillman matches from the early 90s in WCW. Where do those matches rank on the list of Liger’s greatest matches and did they have any resonance with fans in Japan? We start out talking about WWE and the lack of long-term storylines and relative boredom surrounding Raw and SmackDown right now. I also compare the recent WWE Superstar Shake-up to Stardom’s draft and discuss why Stardom feels fresher and WWE feels stale.
30 years ago on April 24, 1989, the first-ever pro wrestling card was held at Tokyo Dome. On that historic card, we got the debut of Jushin “Thunder” Liger.
On this episode of Pacific Rim, Fumi Saito and I look back at that show and talk about Liger’s career. With the theme of Japan vs. USA vs. Russia, the sold-out crowd witnessed stars like Antonio Inoki, Bam Bam Bigelow, Shinya Hashimoto, Victor Zangiev and Salman Hashimikov. Fumi talks about the build up, the big matches and the reaction to the outcomes. In addition, we talk about Liger’s career, his longevity, and his influence.
Plus, we answer your #AskFumi questions on the Super J Cup, the downfall of All Japan Women, Ultimo Dragon, and Dragon Gate, and the best NJPW dojo classes of all time. We also cover this year’s Best of the Super Juniors, Kobashi at Starrcast, and more.
Fumi Saito and I are finally back home but only slightly rested from last weekend in New York City. But, that means we can finally deliver on our promised review of WrestleMania 35.
We talk about what it was like for us watching the matches from the press area and in the presence of young WWE talent (including some of their reactions to events and results), who we met and spoke with, where the show ranks in Mania history, and why I think WrestleMania 35 will be remembered as the night the new legends for a younger generation were crowned.
Plus, I talk about running into Billy Jack Haynes at the Newark Airport and the controversial Hannibal YouTube interview he did just a few hour earlier, Kushida’s debut in NXT, Buddy Rose in the WWE Hall of Fame Legacy Wing, Hikaru Shida signing with AEW, and much more.
On a new Pacific Rim, Fumi Saito and I offer up our first-person accounts and perspectives of Saturday’s ROH-NJPW G1 Supercard from Madison Square Garden.
We run down the results, give our thoughts on all of the matches, and talk about the booking and historical significance of the show. Where does ROH go from here? What about the future of the IWGP Heavyweight Championship? Does a loss hurt Will Ospreay? We talk about this and more including a brief history of wrestling at Madison Square Garden and how the Japanese media is covering this event.
It’s a special Sunday podcast after a long but fun and rewarding day in New York City.
Image: Stardom
Live (actually recorded) from New York, it’s the Pacific Rim Pro Wrestling Podcast!
From our hotel across the street from Madison Square Garden, Fumi Saito and I recap Friday’s Stardom American Dream 2019 iPPV and preview Saturday”s NJPW/ROH G-1 Supercard from Madison Square Garden.
While they have been to the U.S. before, Friday was the first major Stardom show in America and in New York City. From the opening match to an incredible Wonder of Stardom title defense by Momo Watanabe over Utami Hayashishita to an exciting elimination main event between STARS and Oedo Tai, fans got an authentic Japanese wrestling experience.
In addition, we offer our thoughts on what we expect will happen at Saturday’s show that features Jay White, Kazuchika Okada, Hiroshi Tanahashi, Zach Sabre Jr, a tag team championship match and a lot more.
In honor of the first-ever women’s main event at WrestleMania, it’s a women’s wrestling-centric episode of Pacific Rim.
Fumi Saito and I talk about Asuka’s future. Will she team with Io Shirai & Kairi Sane on the main roster? Plus, the controversy between Bea Priestley and Manami Toyota over the use of the Japanese Ocean Cyclone Suplex. Fumi discusses the forgotten tradition of wrestlers asking for a blessing before using a signature move in the ring.
We also cover the long history of women’s wrestling in Japan from the beginning around 1948 to The Beauty Pair, The Crush Girls, Bull Nakano, and Stardom. We preview American Dream 2019, Stardom’s iPPV on April 5 in NYC. Fumi and I are the commentary team for the show.
This is our last episode until WrestleMania weekend. Be sure to follow us on Twitter: @fumihikodayo and @jimvalley to keep up with everything we’ll be doing in New York.
Japanese fans in attendance thought they witnessed history as IWGP Champion Tatsumi Fujinami beat Ric Flair for the NWA World Heavyweight Championship, but a disputed finish and secret angle after the match tarnished the victory.
On this episode of the Pacific Rim Pro Wrestling Podcast, Fumi Saito and Jim Valley go in-depth on “Starrcade at Tokyo Dome” which happened 28 years ago in 1991. Fumi talks about the controversial ending, the angle that was quietly filmed after the match to nullify the finish, and how the follow-up match at the first Superbrawl PPV was explained to fans in Japan.
How is the match remembered today? What does Fujinami say about the match and did any politics affect the outcome? We also talk about Sting vs. The Great Muta, the Scorpion Deathlock, El Gigante, Scott Norton, and more. It’s one of our longest episodes and, I think, one of our best.
On this episode of the Pacific Rim Pro Wrestling Podcast, Fumi Saito and I share our memories of Dick Beyer, The Intelligent Sensational Destroyer, who just passed away at the age of 88, and discuss his incredible legacy in Japan.
The Destroyer was Rikidozan’s last opponent. Two of Beyer’s matches drew some of the highest television ratings in history. In 1969, he had arguably the best match of Giant Baba’s career.
The Destroyer was such a mainstay that he moved his family to Japan. His kids went to school there and still speak and write fluent Japanese. Beyer also wrestled Inoki, Tsuruta, Mil Mascaras, and many others. But his popularity transcended professional wrestling. The Destroyer was a mainstream celebrity who appeared on comedy shows and in TV commercials.
In addition, Fumi talks a little about the recent retirement announcement of Jushin Thunder Liger, his legacy, and what to expect in the last months of Liger’s career.
Editor’s Note: This episode is free for all. No subscription needed!
In 1985, King Kong Bundy was going to be the top foreign heel in New Japan with a long program against Inoki, but then Bundy’s career path changed after he had his first match ever against Hulk Hogan while in Japan.
On the new Pacific Rim Pro Wrestling Podcast, yours truly and Fumi Saito talk about the Japanese career of Bundy and why he only had 70 matches for NJPW.
Plus, Stardom women’s wrestling is coming to iPPV during WrestleMania week. We talk about the stars, founder Rossy Ogawa, what makes it special, what role we’re going to be playing, and where you can find us in NYC that week.
Before the New Japan Cup starts, Fumi picks the talent he thinks will win and the star he thinks will break out by this summer. Plus, we discuss Scott Norton, Billy Robinson, Hayabusa, CIMA, NWO Japan, Hustle!, and more.
From Tokyo while driving in traffic, Fumi Saito and Jim Valley review the Giant Baba 20th Anniversary Memorial Show. Immediately after leaving Sumo Palace, Fumi and Jim give you their thoughts on the event, its historical significance, and the history and politics behind many of the choices made on the show.
Stars who appeared on the show included Hiroshi Tanahashi, Kento Miyahara, Mil Mascaras, Dos Caras, Jun Akiyama, Jinsei Shinzaki, Yuji Nigata, Onita, and more. In addition, Abdullah the Butcher held his official retirement ceremony as friends and foes from his career like the original Tiger Mask, The Great Muta, Stan Hansen, and Dory Funk Jr. paid their respects.
While not the best wrestling show, you’d be hard-pressed to find a card with more legendary talent.
I apologize from my mistakes while recording. I get some names confused. I’m very tired from a long day, plus I’m still a little jet lagged.
Former WWWF Champion Pedro Morales, who passed away yesterday, was very famous in Japan. He was even featured in a comic book (pictured). On this edition of the Pacific Rim Pro Wrestling Podcast, Fumi Saito shares stories of Morales, who was promoted as a friend of Giant Baba and then later as a rule-breaking enemy of Antonio Inoki.
We also talk about new IWGP Heavyweight Champion Jay White’s title victory, his growth as a performer, his career path, and what the future may hold.
In addition, we talk about the New Japan Cup, the G1 Supercard at MSG, Kota Ibushi’s new contract, reaction to Kenny Omega leaving Japan, Mayu Iwatani, women’s wrestling in Japan, and your #AskFumi questions about Ultimo Dragon and The Great Sasuke in NJPW and what the fanbases were like in the 70s, 80s, and 90s for All Japan and New Japan Pro Wrestling.
