Pro-wrestling in Japan: Finesse, bizarreness and spectacle

Japanese wrestlers compete during “Wrestling for Peace Festival” in northwest Pakistan’s Peshawar on Dec. 5, 2012. Japanese wrestling legend Antonio Inoki and his team members arrived in Peshawar on Tuesday for “Wrestling for Peace Festival”. (Photo : Xinhua)

If there is one word synonymous with pro-wrestling, it is: WWE (World Wrestling Entertainment) (even though it leans more toward the term “sports entertainment” these days), the American promotion, which has given the world icons such as Hulk Hogan, Steve Austin and The Rock. However, wrestling is not only WWE, even though WWE is the top dog in the business. Other promotions like Ring of Honor (ROH), Lucha Underground and Total Nonstop Action (TNA) Wrestling are popular in their own regard.

What I find interesting is that while there is a considerable fan following of wrestling in the Western side of the world, the majority of people in Asia remain uninterested. But that does not mean a fan base does not exist. In fact, even though wrestling is not popular in most Asian countries, it is hugely popular in Japan and India. What differs, in terms of wrestling, is the focus and etiquette. You can always argue that each wrestling style such as Lucha libre, Greco-Roman or freestyle differs with traditions, rules and etiquette, but popular wrestling promotions like WWE, ROH and many in Japan usually incorporate a number of styles. Wrestlers trains for years in different styles, starting from basic wrestling moves to mastering the art. In Lucha libre, which is a form of wrestling popular in Mexico, the focus is on rapid-fire fighting sequences and aerial moves that require flexibility and thus, most, but not all, wrestlers are smaller and lighter in weight, rendering them to be able to use high-flying moves. The tradition of masks in Lucha libre should not be forgotten, as it is an important part of each luchadore’s identity.

Focus on quality of wrestling
Contrastingly, wrestling in the U.S. is different. They use more power moves and strikes to exhaust the opponent. In the U.S., apart from the focus on wrestling styles, a lot emphasis is put on telling a story, as in WWE, where they promote the term “sports entertainment” instead of pro-wrestling. In Japan, you can find a large variety of wrestlers, which include luchadores, American independent wrestlers, emerging wrestlers from different parts of the world, wrestlers trained in jiu-jitsu, Muay Thai, judo and a number of martial art forms. And what is important is that there is less focus on theatrics and drama, but more emphasis on the wrestling aspect. The less gimmicky, non-fictitious presentation highlights the quality of wrestling.

So, while we can say WWE owns the yard, other wrestling promotions are also quite popular. In fact, the second largest wrestling promotion in the world is New Japan Pro Wrestling, which is based in Japan.

While many people believe wrestling is not a sport and call it “fake,” professional wrestlers go through intense training and practice and some are believed to be legitimately tough. This rings true more for wrestlers in Japan who are well trained in a number of martial arts and wrestling techniques. A lot of wrestlers from different parts of the world go to Japan to refine their craft and gain popularity. Some world renowned and most popular wrestlers like Hulk Hogan and Ric Flair have wrestled in Japan. Wrestling promotions from the U.S. and Japan used to, and still have, collaborations involving wrestlers crossing over, usually as part of a storyline or a big match between top stars of both countries like Hulk Hogan vs. Antonio Inoki (founder of New Japan Pro Wrestling) in 1983. Some of the best technical wrestlers in history, such as Eddie Guerrero, Dean Malenko and many others have wrestled extensively in Japan to master their craft and make a name for themselves, which eventually led them to be successful in the U.S.

If American wrestlers going to Japan to gain experience and master their craft is not enough to legitimize Japan’s value in the pro-wrestling industry, there are Japanese wrestlers who have become internationally acclaimed stars only based on their work in Japan and have proven their mettle inside the ring for decades. Antonio Inoki, the Giant Baba, the Great Muta (former owner of another Japanese promotion, All Japan Pro Wrestling), and many others are considered stars that revolutionized Japanese wrestling. Interestingly, many have crossed over to the U.S. to gain more fans. One Japanese cruiserweight that stands out in terms of popularity and longevity in American wrestling is Yoshihiro Tajiri. Utilizing strong kicks, incredible moves using ring ropes and green mist, he sometimes outwrestled larger opponents and became a three time Cruiserweight champion, a one time WWE and World Tag Team champion each, a one time US champion and a one time WWF Light Heavyweight champion in WWE. He also won various other championships in other promotions, mainly in Japan and Mexico. Currently, Japanese wrestler Kenta wrestles for WWE (as Hideo Itami in WWE NXT).

Apart from the cross overs, what is interesting about Japanese wrestling promotions is the weirdly ridiculous ideas they come up with for the shows. If you have ever seen WWE, you can understand how strange their gimmicks and match ideas can be sometimes, from the Gravy Bowl match (women fighting in a puddle of what seems to be gravy) to an Evening Gown match (men fighting while wearing wigs and evening gowns) and from a midget bull or a bunny to a worm-eating face-painted clock smashing monster wrestling.

But, Japanese promotions take it to a whole other level of “bizarre.” Ever heard of a wrestler who is actually a blow-up love doll and surprisingly, somehow hits wrestling moves to living human wrestlers? Well, Dramatic Dream Team promotion in Japan frequently comes up with ridiculously bizarre characters. Did you know Yoshihiko was killed thrice, but still survives, at times dressing up as the Undertaker or the Great Muta or even Hulk Hogan? And that she has a sister, another doll, Akihiro?

If that isn’t strange enough, let me introduce Mitsuteru – an invisible wrestler. Yes, an invisible wrestler! His opponents and referees behave as if they can see him and sell his moves. Guess how he was defeated for a title? He was shot with a ray gun and infrared visor, awarding his opponent a KO victory.

On a similar note, ever seen a hardcore match? No holds barred, anything goes. You can use anything in your surroundings as a weapon to defeat your opponent. This is nothing. Go watch a “Scorpion and Cactus Desert Death match” or a fight with a tank full of live piranhas in the ring. That’s right. Talk about a contest between wrestling promotions to “out-crazy” each other!

Mecca for wrestlers
But apart from the “crazy” factor, Japan also boasts of delivering more 5-star wrestling matches than any other country and consistently winning promotion of the year in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter awards by professional wrestling journalist Dave Meltzer.

What more can Japan offer? Well, the best thing: Ribera Steak House, a pro-wrestling, boxing and mixed martial arts theme steakhouse in Tokyo, which is like the Mecca for wrestlers all around the world. Discovered by American wrestlers Bruiser Brody and Stan Hansen during their travels to Japan in the ‘70s, Ribera has become a pilgrimage site for wrestlers. If you are a wrestler and visit Japan, you must go to Ribera. What is more amazing is that wrestlers who visit there are gifted a special Ribera jacket. It is the perfect souvenir and memory for wrestlers and has become a valuable gift from the owners of the steakhouse (who are big wrestling fans). Throughout the years, wrestlers like Road Warrior Animal, CM Punk and John Cena have proudly worn the famous combination of Ribera jacket and Zubaz pants (even to the ring). A Ribera jacket indicates that you are a wrestler and have been to Japan, which legitimizes you as a wrestler and means that you have made it.

Essentially, what sums up Japanese wrestling is the absolute focus on wrestling, at times bizarre gimmicky promotional tactics, but mostly less drama and a different attitude, where the crowds’ silence during a match is considered respectful rather than the assumption that they are bored. Japanese wrestling demonstrates a different yet exciting atmosphere – a true long running tradition and dedication to the craft of wrestling and entertainment by the performers, promoters and agents as well as the return of appreciation and respect by the audience.