Father of the Japanese Pro-Wrestling World”
The Legendary
RIKIDOZAN
&
the
JAPAN PRO-WRESTLING ASSOCIATION
ULTIMATE
COLLECTION
(x264 @ 1500kbps / 2-pass encoding using HandBrake from original DVD .VOB sources)
*This pack contains 90 matches in 87 files with a total runtime of 23 hours 24 minutes 49 seconds.
also featuring other pioneers of Puroresu, such as: the Great Togo, Harold Sakata, Koukichi Endo, Toyonobori, Giant Baba, Antonio Inoki, Kintaro Ohki, Lou Thesz, The Sharpe Brothers (Ben & Mike), Han Schnabel, Lou Newman, Primo Carnera, King Kong Czaya, Dara Singh, Tiger Jokinder Singh, Bobo Brazil, Killer Kowalski, Haystacks Calhoun, Johnny Valentine, Bruno Sammartino, Gino Marella (Gorilla Monsoon) Dory Funk, Jr., Terry Funk, Jack Brisco, Mr. Wrestling (Gordon Nelson) and many others!
with 2 bonus matches from rival promotion IWE featuring Monster Roussimoff (Young Andre The Giant!)
The listing of championship names are uniform to avoid any confusion because during this time period, the NWA International Heavyweight Championship was simply billed as “International Championship” or even “World Championship” when Rikidozan held the title. The NWA United National Heavyweight Championship was billed simply as “United National Championship”.
The Japan Heavyweight Championship would later be known as the J-1 Heavyweight Championship during the late 1990s. The All-Asia Heavyweight and All-Asia Tag Championships were originally promoted simply as “Asia Single Championship” and “Asia Tag Championship”.
Lineup: (most pre-1965 bouts are highlights only, most pro-wrestling bouts are best 2 out of 3 falls except the World Big League matches, which are scheduled for 1 fall within 3 rounds of 8 minutes each).
-Nihon Sumo Kyokai (Japan Sumo Association)
1) 1946: Azumafuji vs Rikidozan (Sumo Wrestling) (clip)
2) June 1947: Rikidozan vs Chiyonoyama (Sumo Wrestling Tournament) (clip)
3) June 1947: Haguroyama vs Rikidozan (Sumo Wrestling Tournament Final) (clip)
-Hawaii Pro-Wrestling
4) February 1953: Rikidozan arrives in Hawaii for the first time, trains with Oki Shikina, match highlights.
5) December 6, 1953 – Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, Hawaii
-N.W.A. WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH:
“The Greatest Wrestler of the 20th Century” Lou Thesz (CHAMPION) VS Rikidozan
*Thesz is on a 936 match winning streak.
-Nihon Puroresu Kyokai (Japan Pro-Wrestling Association)
6) February 21, 1954 – Kuramae Kokugikan (Old Sumo Hall) – Tokyo, Japan
World Tag Championship Series – 1st Battle
-N.W.A. (San Francisco) WORLD TAG CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH:
SHARPE BROTHERS: Ben Sharpe & Mike Sharpe (CHAMPION TEAM) vs. Rikidozan & Masahiko Kimura
7) February 27, 1954
World Tag Championship Series – 2nd Battle (clip)
-N.W.A. (San Francisco) WORLD TAG CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH:
SHARPE BROTHERS: Ben Sharpe & Mike Sharpe (CHAMPION TEAM) vs. Rikidozan & Masahiko Kimura
8) March 6, 1954
World Tag Championship Series – 3rd Battle (clip)
-N.W.A. (San Francisco) WORLD TAG CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH:
SHARPE BROTHERS: Ben Sharpe & Mike Sharpe (CHAMPION TEAM) vs. Rikidozan & Masahiko Kimura
-Hans Schnabel & Lou Newman arrive in Japan, Rikidozan greets them at the airport.
9) August 6, 1954
Rikidozan & Koukichi Endo vs. NWA (San Francisco) Pacific Coast Tag Champion Team: Hans Schnabel & Lou Newman (Non-title Match)
10) August 8, 1954 – Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium
-N.W.A. (San Francisco) PACIFIC COAST TAG CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH:
Hans Schnabel & Lou Newman (CHAMPION TEAM) vs. Rikidozan & Koukichi Endo
11) August 25, 1954 – Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium
-6MEN TAG MATCH: (Japan’s first time to hold a Six Man Tag Team Match!)
Rikidozan & Koukichi Endo & Oki Shikina vs. Hans Schnabel & Lou Newman & Olson
12) September 10, 1954 – Osaka Prefectural Gymnasium
-N.W.A. (San Francisco) PACIFIC COAST TAG CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH:
Hans Schnabel & Lou Newman (CHAMPION TEAM) vs. Rikidozan & Koukichi Endo
13) December 22, 1954 – Tokyo, Kuramae Kokugikan (Old Sumo Hall)
-THE 1st JAPAN HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION DECISION BATTLE:
Rikidozan (JPWA) vs. (IPWA) Masahiko Kimura (infamous double-cross match)
*JPWA = Japan Pro-Wrestling Association
*IPWA = International Pro-Wrestling Association
14) January 26, 1955 – Osaka Prefectural Gymnasium
-JAPAN HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH:
Rikidozan (CHAMPION) (JPWA) vs. (AJPWA) Toshio Yamaguchi
*AJPWA = All Japan Pro-Wrestling Association
15) July 15, 1955
Rikidozan & Azumafuji vs. Primo Carnera (former Pro-Boxing World Heavyweight Champion) & Hardy Kruskamp
*Azumafuji was the first Yokozuna (Grand Champion in Sumo Wrestling) to become a pro-wrestler.
16) July 28, 1955
Rikidozan & Azumafuji vs. Jess Ortega & Bud Curtis
17) September 7, 1955 – Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium
-1955 DAILY CUP SCRAMBLE BATTLE-FINAL BATTLE:
Rikidozan vs. Jess Ortega
*Daily Cup Scramble was a round-robin league tournament.
-King Kong (Czaya) arrives in Japan, greeted at airport by Rikidozan.
18) November 14, 1955
-ALL-ASIA TAG CHAMPION LEAGUE BATTLE:
Rikidozan & Harold Sakata vs. Dara Singh & Syed Saif Shah
19) November 15, 1955
-ALL-ASIA TAG CHAMPION LEAGUE BATTLE-GRAND FINAL:
Rikidozan & Harold Sakata vs. King Kong Czaya & Tiger Jokinder Singh
20) November 19, 1955
-ALL-ASIA HEAVYWEIGHT SINGLE CHAMPION LEAGUE BATTLE:
Rikidozan vs. Dara Singh
21) November 22, 1955
-ALL-ASIA HEAVYWEIGHT SINGLE CHAMPION LEAGUE-GRAND FINAL:
Rikidozan vs. King Kong Czaya
22) August 14, 1957 – Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium
Rikidozan vs. Bobo Brazil
23) August 15, 1957 – Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium
Rikidozan & Toyonobori (debut as team) vs. Bobo Brazil & Lord Athol Layton
-pre match video hype on the 1st NWA World Title Match held in Japan.
24) October 7, 1957 – Tokyo, Korakuen Stadium Special Ring (this building would later be demolished and replaced with the Tokyo Dome)
-N.W.A. WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH:
“The Greatest Wrestler of the 20th Century” Lou Thesz (CHAMPION) vs. Rikidozan
-REFEREE: “Bulldog” Danny Plechas
-Rikidozan tours American mainland, highlights of Rikidozan in San Francisco, visits Lou Thesz at his home in Arizona.
25) October 13, 1957 – Osaka Ogimachi Pool Special Ring
-N.W.A. WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH:
“The Greatest Wrestler of the 20th Century” Lou Thesz (CHAMPION) vs. Rikidozan
-REFEREE: “Bulldog” Danny Plechas
*THE 1st WORLD BIG LEAGUE BATTLE (This was the precursor to the modern Champion Carnival round-robin league tournament)
-participants:
Japan Team: Rikidozan, Toyonobori, Koukichi Endo
Forienger Team: Enrique Torres (All-Latin representative), Jess Ortega (Mexico representative), Mr. Atomic (Dutch representative), King Kong (Hungary representative), Tarlok Singh (India representative), Lord Blears (England representative), Danny Plechas (America representative)
Qualifying League: 8 min. 3 rounds 1 fall
June 15, 1959
Final Tournament (8 min. 3 rounds, 1 fall)
Semi-Final #1: Jess Ortega defeated Enrique Torres by judges decision after going to the time limit.
26) -THE 1st WORLD BIG LEAGUE BATTLE: SEMI-FINAL #2:
Rikidozan vs. Mr. Atomic (Clyde Steeves)
-Referee: “Bulldog” Danny Plechas
*This match has perhaps the earliest blade job caught on camera!
27) -THE 1st WORLD BIG LEAGUE BATTLE: GRAND FINAL:
Rikidozan (sub. for injured Mr. Atomic) vs. Jess Ortega
-Referee: “Bulldog” Danny Plechas
28) May 13, 1960 – Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium
-THE 2nd WORLD LEAGUE BATTLE: GRAND FINAL: (clip)
Rikidozan vs. Leo Nomellini
-Great Antonio pulls a full passenger bus in a test of strength.
29) June 2, 1961 – Kuramae Kokugikan (Old Sumo Hall) in Tokyo
-N.W.A. INTERNATIONAL HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH: (clip)
Rikidozan (CHAMPION) vs. Great Antonio
*from NTV G+ airing of Puroresu Classic #1
30) March 28, 1962 – Worldwide Wrestling Associates in Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, CA
-W.W.A. WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH:
Fred Blassie (CHAMPION) vs. Rikidozan
*contains 2 versions! The original stock footage in English and the NTV G+ version from Puroresu Classic #1 in Japanese!!
31) April 23, 1962 – Japan Pro-Wrestling Association in Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium
-W.W.A. WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH: (RETURN BOUT)
Rikidozan (CHAMPION) vs. Fred Blassie
-SPECIAL REFEREE: Arnold Skaaland
32) July 25, 1962 – Worldwide Wrestling Associates in Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, CA
-W.W.A. WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH: (3rd MATCH) (clip)
Rikidozan (CHAMPION) vs. Fred Blassie
================================================================
-THE 5th WORLD LEAGUE BATTLE (Tour highlights)
March 23, 1963 – Kuramae Kokugikan (Old Sumo Hall) in Tokyo
33) Killer Kowalski vs. Kintaro Ohki
34) Rikidozan & Great Togo & Giant Baba vs. Pat O’Connor & Killer X & Cowboy Bob Ellis
March 24, 1963- Kuramae Kokugikan (Old Sumo Hall) in Tokyo
35) -THE 5th WORLD LEAGUE BATTLE OFFICIAL GAME: Sandor Szabo vs. Koukichi Endo
36) Killer Kowalski vs. Giant Baba
37) Rikidozan (NWA International Heavyweight Champion) vs. Haystacks Calhoun (NON-TITLE MATCH)
March 27, 1963 – Kinzan City Gymnasium (Nagoya)
38) Great Togo vs. Sandor Szabo
39) Pat O’Connor vs. Michiaki Yoshimura
40) Rikidozan & Toyonobori & Giant Baba vs. Killer Kowalski & Killer X & Gino Marella (Gorilla Monsoon)
March 28, 1963 – Kinzan City Gymnasium (Nagoya)
41) Toyonobori vs. Gino Marella (Gorilla Monsoon)
42) Rikidozan & Giant Baba vs. Pat O’Connor & Killer Kowalski
April 11, 1963 – Nagasaki City International Gymnasium
43) Killer X vs. Kintaro Ohki
April 12, 1963 – Matsumoto City Municipal Gymnasium
44) -THE 5th WORLD LEAGUE BATTLE OFFICIAL GAME: Haystacks Calhoun vs. Fred Atkins
45) Pat O’Connor vs. Giant Baba
April 13, 1963 – Kagoshima City Gymnasium
46) -THE 5th WORLD LEAGUE BATTLE OFFICIAL GAME: Gino Marella (Gorilla Monsoon) vs. Cowboy Bob Ellis
April 15, 1963 – Naka Special Ring in Naka Town, Ibaraki
47) Mammoth Suzuki vs. Fred Atkins
April 17, 1963 – Naka Special Ring in Naka Town, Ibaraki
48) Michiaki Yoshimura vs Killer X
49) -N.W.A. INTERNATIONAL HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH:
Rikidozan (CHAMPION / V15 = 15th title defense) vs. Haystack Calhoun
April 23, 1963 – Osaka Prefectural Gymnasium
50) -THE 5th WORLD LEAGUE BATTLE OFFICIAL GAME: Gino Marella (Gorilla Monsoon) vs. Giant Baba
51) Rikidozan & Great Togo & Michiaki Yoshimura vs. Killer Kowalski & Haystack Calhoun & Killer X
April 24, 1963 – Osaka Prefectural Gymnasium
52) -N.W.A. INTERNATIONAL HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH:
Rikidozan (CHAMPION / V16 = 16th title defense) vs. Pat O’Connor
May 5, 1963 – Sapporo City Nakajima Sports Center
53) Toyonobori vs. Frank Townsend (Killer X)
54) Great Togo & Michiaki Yoshimura vs. Killer Kowalski & Gino Marella (Gorilla Monsoon)
May 6, 1963 – Sapporo City Nakajima Sports Center
55) -ALL-ASIA TAG CHAMPIONSHIP SCRAMBLE BATTLE: (for the vacant title)
Rikidozan & Toyonobori vs. Killer Kowalski & Fred Atkins
May 7, 1963 – Asahikawa Municipal Gymnasium
56) -THE 5th WORLD LEAGUE BATTLE OFFICIAL GAME: Haystack Calhoun vs. Frank Townsend
May 17, 1963 – Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium
57) Great Togo & Toyonobori vs. Frank Townsend & Fred Atkins
58) -THE 5th WORLD LEAGUE BATTLE GRAND FINAL:
Rikidozan (CHAMPION) (The 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th World League Battle Winner)
vs. Killer Kowalski (undefeated during the round-robin league)
================================================================
December 2, 1963 – Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium
59) -N.W.A. INTERNATIONAL (WORLD) HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH: (NTV G+ version from Puroresu Classic #1)
Rikidozan (CHAMPION / V18 = 18th title defense) vs. The Destroyer
*The NWA International Heavyweight Championship was announced as a World Championship for this match.
*This is Rikidozan’s final World title defense before his death.
January 1965
60) Toyonobori & Giant Baba & Michiaki Yoshimura vs. The Destroyer & Kurt Von Stroheim & Bill Dromo
*highlight segment from a news program covering the death of “Fireball Wrestler” Michiaki Yoshimura in 2003.
61) February 26, 1965 – Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium
-W.W.A. (Worldwide Wrestling Associates) WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH: (COMPLETE)
Toyonobori (CHAMPION) vs. The Destroyer
62) March 1965
Kintaro Ohki & Michiaki Yoshimura vs Buddy Austin & Hans Schmidt
*highlight segment from a news program covering the death of “Fireball Wrestler” Michiaki Yoshimura in 2003.
63) December 3, 1966 – Nippon Budokan in Tokyo (1st Pro-Wrestling event held in Budokan)
-N.W.A. INTERNATIONAL HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH: (COMPLETE)
Giant Baba (CHAMPION / V7 = 7th title defense) vs. Fritz Von Erich
-pre match interview with Bruno Sammartino
64) March 2, 1967 – Osaka Prefectural Gymnasium
-N.W.A. INTERNATIONAL HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH: (COMPLETE)
Giant Baba (CHAMPION) vs. WWWF World Heavyweight Champion: Bruno Sammartino
-post-match interview with Bruno Sammartino
65) March 7, 1967 – Kuramae Kokugikan (Old Sumo Hall) in Tokyo
-N.W.A. INTERNATIONAL HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH: (COMPLETE)
Giant Baba (CHAMPION) vs. WWWF World Heavyweight Champion: Bruno Sammartino
66) August 14, 1967 – Osaka Stadium Special Ring
-N.W.A. INTERNATIONAL HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH: (joined in progress)
Giant Baba (CHAMPION) vs. NWA World Heavyweight Champion: Gene Kiniski
December 6, 1967 – Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium
67) -SEMI FINAL: TAG MATCH: (COMPLETE)
Antonio Inoki & Michiaki Yoshimura vs. Baron Scicluna & Victor Rivera
68) -MAIN EVENT:
-N.W.A. INTERNATIONAL HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH:
Giant Baba (CHAMPION) vs. Crusher Lisowski
69) January 3, 1968 – Kuramae Kokugikan (Old Sumo Hall) in Tokyo
-N.W.A. INTERNATIONAL HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH: (RETURN BOUT) (digest)
Giant Baba (CHAMPION) vs. Crusher Lisowski
*Baba’s 785th Match!
69) February 28, 1968 – Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium
-N.W.A. INTERNATIONAL HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH: (digest)
Giant Baba (CHAMPION) vs. Dick The Bruiser
*Baba’s 811th Match!
70) August 7, 1968 – Osaka Stadium Special Ring
-N.W.A. INTERNATIONAL HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH: (COMPLETE)
Giant Baba (CHAMPION) vs. WWWF World Heavyweight Champion: Bruno Sammartino
-“Kim Il” = (Il is pronounced as “ILL” ) translates into “Gold One” or “The Golden One”
71) April 5, 1969 – Kuramae Kokugikan (Old Sumo Hall) in Tokyo
All-Asia Heavyweight Single & Tag Champion: “Kim Il” Kintaro Ohki vs. Tom Andrews
72) March 5, 1969 – Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium
-N.W.A. INTERNATIONAL HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH: (COMPLETE)
Giant Baba (CHAMPION) vs. The Destroyer
73) April 16, 1969 – Osaka Prefectural Gymnasium
Giant Baba & “Kim Il” Kintaro Ohki vs. Bobo Brazil & Chris Markoff
74) May 16, 1969 – Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium
-THE 11th WORLD BIG LEAGUE BATTLE: GRAND FINAL #2: (COMPLETE)
Antonio Inoki vs. Chris Markoff
75) December 1, 1969 – Osaka Prefectural Gymnasium
-N.W.A. WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH: (complete)
Dory Funk, Jr. (CHAMPION) vs Antonio Inoki
*The first NWA World Heavyweight Title Match in Japan since 1957
76) August 2, 1970 – Fukuoka Sports Center
-N.W.A. WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH: (complete)
Dory Funk, Jr. (CHAMPION) vs. Antonio Inoki
77) December 3, 1970 – Osaka Prefectural Gymnasium
-N.W.A. INTERNATIONAL HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH: (COMPLETE)
Giant Baba (CHAMPION) (w/ Hiro Matsuda & Michiaki Yoshimura) vs. Gene Kiniski (w/ Johnny Valentine & Don Duffy)
May 19, 1971 – Osaka Prefectural Gymnasium
78) -THE 13th WORLD LEAGUE BATTLE: GRAND FINAL #1 (COMPLETE)
Antonio Inoki vs. The Destroyer
79) -THE 13th WORLD LEAGUE BATTLE: GRAND FINAL #2 (COMPLETE)
Giant Baba vs. Abdullah The Butcher
80) August 5, 1971 – Aichi Prefecture Gymnasium in Nagoya
-N.W.A. UNITED NATIONAL HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP: (COMPLETE)
Antonio Inoki (CHAMPION) vs. Jack Brisco
81) December 4, 1971 – Miyagi Prefecture Sports Center in Sendai
-N.W.A. UNITED NATIONAL HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP: (COMPLETE)
Antonio Inoki (CHAMPION) vs. Dick Murdoch
December 9, 1971 (STOCK FOOTAGE)
-The NWA United National Heavyweight Championship belt is officially vacated following Antonio Inoki’s departure from the JWA due to being fired for planning a takeover of the company.
82) -N.W.A. WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH: (complete)
Dory Funk, Jr. (CHAMPION) vs. Seiji Sakaguchi
83) May 2, 1972 – International Wrestling Enterprise (joined in progress)
-6MEN TAG MATCH:
Thunder Sugiyama, Rusher Kimura, Isamu Teranishi VS Monster Roussimoff, Ivan Vaiten, Tito Copa
*The 25-year old Monster Roussimoff is later known as Andre The Giant!
84) May 6, 1972 – International Wrestling Enterprise (complete)
-THE 4th I.W.A. (International Wrestling Association) WORLD SERIES: GRAND FINAL:
Monster Roussimoff (3rd IWA World Series Winner & defending champion) VS Strong Kobayashi
*The 25-year old Monster Roussimoff is later known as Andre The Giant!
85) May 19, 1972 – NWA Hollywood Wrestling in Olympic Auditorium from Los Angeles, CA
-N.W.A. INTERNATIONAL TAG CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH:
Dory Funk, Jr. & Terry Funk (CHAMPION TEAM) vs. “Big” Shohei (Giant) Baba & Seiji Sakaguchi
(STOCK FOOTAGE)
-from Korean documentary on Kim Il
86) May 1972 – Tokuyama City Gymnasium (Yamaguchi Prefecture)
NWA International Heavyweight Champion: Kim Il (Kintaro Ohki) vs. Bobby Duncum
-from Korean documentary on Kim Il
87) May 1972
Kim Il (Kintaro Ohki) & Michiaki Yoshimura vs. Johnny Valentine & King Crow (Dan Kroffat)
-from Korean documentary on Kim Il
88) May 1972 – Okayama Budokan
Giant Baba & Kim Il (Kintaro Ohki) vs. Bobo Brazil & Earl Maynard
*Kim Il autograph signing session with young schoolgirls
-from Korean documentary on Kim Il
89) May 31, 1972
-N.W.A. INTERNATIONAL HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH:
Kim Il (Kintaro Ohki) (CHAMPION) vs. Mr. Wrestling (Gordon Nelson)
90) September 7, 1972 (STOCK FOOTAGE)
-N.W.A. UNITED NATIONAL HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH: (RETURN BOUT, Sheik pinned Sakaguchi to win the title one night earlier)
The (Original) Sheik (CHAMPION) vs. Seiji Sakaguchi
TASO THE GREEK 