US Indies and Japan: Introduction

I have a confession to make:

I don't watch the WWE or TNA, but I'm a huge wrestling fan.

Now, you might be asking yourself "what does he watch then?" I primarily watch the US Indies and Japan and that is what this column will be about. I will not discuss WWE or TNA. I don't follow the products and I have no interest to follow those products. If I make a reference to any WWE or TNA wrestler, it will be in reference to their careers on the indies or I'll mention something if someone should appear or get signed. For example, I might talk about the three World Title matches between Samoa Joe and CM Punk (known as the Joe/Punk Trilogy) when talking about Ring of Honor or "I heard Milano Collection AT is making an appearance in TNA, here's some info about him and a list of some of his matches to check out." Something to that effect.

What will be discussed will be a wide range of topics from match reviews, show reviews, wrestler's bios, upcoming shows, various styles, guys you should be watching, special tournaments, etc.

A question that I get asked often is "How do you follow those companies?" Well, the same way you're reading this: the internet. Fansites, messages boards, official company websites and podcasts, news sites, official wrestler myspaces and blogs, and, last but not least, youtube. There are numerous matches and official podcasts/hype videos on youtube. My favorite being CHIKARA’s Podcast-A-Go-Go. Also, you can purchase DVDs of shows, some companies primarily make their money off of DVD sales.

I've mentioned two companies that you've probably never heard of before, so here's a bit of information about them (I'll go into greater detail in later columns, hopefully):

Ring of Honor is based in Pennsylvania and they emphasize workrate and not soap opera-ish storylines. ROH has put on some of the best matches in business today like the Joe vs. Punk matches or Bryan Danielson’s ROH World Title reign. They've held shows not only in the US, but also England, Japan, and, soon, Canada. JR mentioned in his blog that ROH is the best place to nurture young talent and with names like CM Punk, Samoa Joe, Homicide, Paul London, Brian 'Spanky' Kendrick, Colt Cabana, Matt Sydal (Evan Bourne), Christopher Daniels, AJ Styles, and Jimmy Rave coming from ROH and great feuds in ROH, it's easy to see why. Last year, ROH began airing PPVs and if you have the ability to watch these, do it. Names to search for: Bryan Danielson, Nigel McGuinness, Austin Aries, Roderick Strong, Jimmy Jacobs, Chris Hero, Claudio Castagnoli, Kevin Steen, El Generico, Jay and Mark Briscoe, Larry Sweeney, Davey Richards, Tyler Black, Erick Stevens, and Delirious.

CHIKARA Pro Wrestling is a company also based in Pennsylvania and they pride themselves on being family-friendly. Whereas ROH has more of a Japanese influence, CHIKARA has a bit more lucha influence with more masked wrestlers, such as The Colony (Fire Ant, Soldier Ant, and Worker Ant), The Order of the Neo-Solar Temple (Ultramantis Black, Crossbones, Hydra), Shane Storm, Create-A-Wrester (yes, they really do have a CAW), Hallowicked, Helios, Deilirious, and Los Ice Creams. CHIKARA also holds a big multi-man tournament every year. Through 2006, it was known as the Tag World Grand Prix. Now, it's The King of Trios with the 2008 tournament being the biggest in wrestling history. Their main title is the Campeonatos de Parajas (Tag Team Titles), where to challenge for the belts, you have to win three consecutive matches. They also have a singles title known as the Young Lions Cup. The YLC is a yearly tournament consisting of wrestlers under the age of 25 and after the tournament, the champion can defend the Cup like a belt for the year. Fun fact: Bob Saget (of Full House fame) was there commissioner, now it’s Dave Coulier (also of Full House fame). Names to search for: 'Lightning' Mike Quackenbush, The Colony, Larry Sweeney, Eddie Kingston, Chris Hero, Claudio Castagnoli, Shane Storm, Chuck Taylor, Mitch Ryder, Shayne Hawke, Gran Akuma, Icarus, Lince Dorado, Brodie Lee, Vin Gerard.

Here's a brief description of some of the other companies I follow:

Pro Wrestling Guerrilla is based in Los Angeles, California and is saving the California wrestling scene. They started in 2003 and have been building ever since. They hold two tournaments every year the DDT4 tag tournament and the Battle of Los Angeles singles tournament. Their biggest name is most likely Super Dragon, innovator of the Psycho Driver. He literally was California wrestling from 2002-early 2004. Names to search for: Super Dragon, Joey Ryan, Scott Lost, Chris Bosh, Kevin Steen, El Generico, Human Torando, B-Boy, Davey Richards, Chris Hero, Scorpio Sky, Excalibur, Disco Machine, Top Gun Talwar, and the Young Bucks.

New Japan Pro-Wrestling is the oldest wrestling company in Japan. They were, and somewhat are, known for a style known as Strong-Style, which is to make the match look almost real. Their main title is the IWGP title which is current held by Keiji Mutoh. There is also the IWGP Junior Heavyweight title, the IWGP Tag Titles, and the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Titles. They hold four tournaments just about every year, the Best of the Super Juniors tournament, the G1 Climax, the New Japan Cup, and the G1 Climax Tag League. This is the company that has a working relationship with TNA. Names to search for: Shinya Hashimoto, Keiji Mutoh (Great Muta), Masahiro Chono, Yuji Nagata, Shinsuke Nakamura, Togi Makabe, Koji Kanemoto, Hiroyoshi Tenzan, Hiroshi Tanahashi, Jushin Thunder Liger, MINORU, Milano Collection AT, Giant Bernard (A-Train of the WWE), Hirooki Goto, and Manabu Nakanishi.

Pro Wrestling NOAH is the youngest of the big wrestling companies in Japan. It was formed when a significant portion of the All Japan roster left All Japan in 2000-2001. The wrestle in a modified King's Road style which, in short, means that the 'story' is primarily told in the ring, not a whole of promo work, long finishing sequences, and fighting spirit (think 'hulking up' without as much theatrics). Their main title is the GHC Heavyweight Title, currently held by Takeshi Morshima. They also have a tag title, a junior heavyweight title, a junior tag title, and an openweight title. Names to search for: Kenta Kobashi, Mistuharu Misawa, KENTA, Naomichi Marufuji, Jun Akiyama, Takeshi Morishima, Mohammed Yone, SUWA, Yoshihiro Takayama, Kotaro Suzuki, and Ricky Marvin.

All Japan Pro-Wrestling is quite different now from where it was in the 90's. As I mentioned before, when the majority of the roster left, the owner turned to New Japan's Keiji Mutoh to help and he did a little time after NOAH was formed. With Mutoh as the head of the company, AJPW now wrestles in a more 'American' style with clear faces and heels (the heels mainly being represented by the factions, Voodoo Murders and Tokyo Gurentai). Their main title is the Triple Crown, which is made of the PWF Heavyweight title, the NWA United National title, and the NWA International title, which is currently held by Suwama. Their tournaments are a Junior Heavyweight tournament, the World's Strongest Tag Team League, and the Champion’s Carnival. Names to search for: Toshiaki Kawada, Keiji Mutoh, Satoshi Kojima, Shuji Kondo, brother YASSHI, Minoru Suzuki, Taiyo Kea, Kaz Hayashi, TARU, Ryuji Hijikata, Joe Doering, Osamu Nishimura, Suwama, and NOSAWA Rongai.

Dragon Gate has the fastest wrestling on earth, bar none. It's a promotion built around factions. They have a singles title (Open the Dream Gate), a trios title (Open the Triangle Gate), a lighter weight title (Open the Brave Gate), a comedy title (Open the Owarai Gate), and, most recently, a tag title (Open the Twin Gate). The current ones are: Typhoon, Real Hazard, World-1, and Tozawa-juku. Past factions include: The Italian Connection, Blood Generation, Crazy MAX, DoFIXER, and M2K. Names to search for: CIMA, Shingo Takagi, Naruki Doi, Dragon Kid, Masato Yoshino (the fastest wrestler on Earth), K-Ness, Don Fujii, Genki Horiguchi, BxB Hulk, GAMMA, Super Shisa, Stalker Ichikawa.

There’s other, smaller companies I follow as well, but I've listed a lot of stuff and glossed over even more, so I'll end it here and let you search. If you have any questions, post them here and I'll answer them in later columns.
Views: 636

COMMENTS

Comment # 1

i was waiting for it my friend

Posted by Rodrigo "Crippler" Munoz on Saturday, July 19, 2008

Comment # 2

Dang! Rodrigo you suck! I said I was gonna be the first to comment. Second is also good :D hi buddy

Posted by The Rated R Superstar- Edge!!! on Saturday, July 19, 2008

Comment # 3

For All Japan Pro-Wrestling, for the love of god, how could you forget TAJIRI.

Otehr than that, I have no problems.

Posted by Gravedigger on Saturday, July 19, 2008

Comment # 4

Holy hell, THAT was good.

Serious, indy and Japanese wrestling is AWESOME. No banned moves, REAL wrestling, as far as wrestling can be real.

Looking forward for more of yours articles.

Posted by The Breaker on Saturday, July 19, 2008

Comment # 5

About Tajiri, ok seeing as he isn't in AJPW anymore, he should've been at least a notible mention. >.>

Posted by Gravedigger on Saturday, July 19, 2008

Comment # 6

This first article is a nice start. Keep them coming. It's good to see someone understands that there's some great wrestling outside of the TV stuff.

Posted by Elmer The Hick on Saturday, July 19, 2008

Comment # 7

I've always heard good comments on the Punk/Joe feud. I guess ROH must be proud of seeing these talents holding two out of the three world championships recognized by pwi

Posted by wolfmask on Saturday, July 19, 2008

Comment # 8

THIS TYPE OF WRESTLING IS THE BEST WRESTLING ON EARTH!!! clutch that was excellent and HA you made me go get a pen and write a list. plus generico kenta and scorpio sky get mentions so clutch stevens i love you dude. this made my day! now im off to go watch Yoshino. thanks you clutch

Posted by azuzu rules on Saturday, July 19, 2008

Comment # 9

BBOORRIINNGG!!!

Posted by yawn on Saturday, July 19, 2008

Comment # 10

the guy above me is stupid

Posted by Me on Saturday, July 19, 2008

Comment # 11

do you ever follow ovw?

Posted by nick hogan on Saturday, July 19, 2008

Comment # 12

Excellent column. Thanks for the suggestions. Many of the companies you've mentioned I've only read about. Now you've gone and made me motivated enough to actually look some of 'em up. For that, I thank you.

Posted by Major Liberty on Saturday, July 19, 2008

Comment # 13

That was awesome... time to do some cheering:

"KOBASHI! KOBASHI! MISAWA! MISAWA! KAWADA! KAWADA!"

Posted by Akira Kagami on Saturday, July 19, 2008

Comment # 14

Great to see some coverage of Japanese wrestling. Now if there only was somebody who wrote articles about classic matches from Japan of 70's, 80's and 90's. A sort of wrestling historian.

Posted by The Alistaja on Saturday, July 19, 2008

Comment # 15

I cannot get enough of The Olsen Twins and Brodie Lee.

I would also suggest to those who are into wrestling that is off the beaten path to check out your local indy promotions. I'm a booker behind the scenes / manager in front of the crowds for one of the local promotions here.

Much like following any sport, the "minors" are an excellent alternative. You'll see plenty of rising stars who pull out all the stops to prove they have what it takes to make it to the big leagues, and some 'former superstars'. You'll do it in a crowd of 100 - 200 fans, and likely for somewhere around $10 per ticket. It is amazing how much more enjoyable a show is in an intimate environment like this.

These wrestlers often perform at a financial loss. We have had the Olsens Twins and Brodie Lee come drive four hours round trip from Rochester, NY to our town in Ontario, Canada. At the end of the night, they got $50... between them!

I have worked with Colin Olsen (now Delaney), Chris Sabin and Brutus Beefcake. Just from my area, the indies have produced or been home to Edge, Christian, Lance Storm, the Motor City Machine Guns, Eric Young, Tyson Dux, Johnny Divine. Last year, Steve Corino set up shop in the area to finish his career.

Indies are also home to a tonne of great wrestlers who have made the choice to focus on things like family instead of being on the road 300 days a year. They do it because they love it, not to make a living. Look at Pepper Parks, for example.

In closing: SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL INDIES. It's great you if you buy DVDs from Japan or Pennsylvania... but your local promotions need you. Your local talent needs you.

Posted by O-nami Soto on Saturday, July 19, 2008

Comment # 16

WSX rox!!!

Posted by Not Available on Saturday, July 19, 2008

Comment # 17

Great column, but can we go with a larger font next time, my eyes are killing me after that.

Posted by Dorsiun on Saturday, July 19, 2008

Comment # 18

Masato Yoshino has recently been on TNA as part of team japan in the X cup and man he is FAST

Posted by Winged avenger on Saturday, July 19, 2008

Comment # 19

Agreed with Winged Avenger ive jsut watched 3 of his matches and boy did he impress me. Yea and how fast does he go when his bouncing of the ropes repeativly I also saw more of El Generico when I saw him versing Yoshino there both amazing wrestlers. Its just a shame its hard for us people in Australia to get these Indi wrestling DVDs

Posted by The Dominator on Sunday, July 20, 2008

Comment # 20

Yeah, speaking from the 'other side' as somebody who only really watches the heavily-promoted TV stuff (TNA & WWE), Masato Yoshino and Naruki Doi were involved in the 'World X Cup' that TNA does every now and then, and from having watched them your assessment of Dragon Gate as the fastest promotion bar none is very believable! I thought TNA's MCMG were fast but they were very noticeably even faster. If there was a local indie around where I live that I knew about, then I'd probably support it, and probably be more into that kind of thing. The trouble, for me, is that while lots of people who actually properly appreciate pro wrestling heavily dislike the more seperated story segment bits, I do like them and feel they should be part of a great whole. Pity you don't often get great storyline arcs and production values COMBINED with awesome wrestling. TNA is the closest to that I've found so far, but I must admit I haven't looked very far. But yeah, I've been put off of a lot of more 'indy' promotions before because they actively and often proudly shun the kind of fued-building that I personally think really can add to things. Of course there are countless examples of how NOT to do that kind of thing, from WWE and TNA. But the concept is sound even if the execution isn't always not horribly embarrassing. And when it really works, those are awesome moments. Each to their own, though. I can definately understand the appeal of pro wrestling without the drama segments. I just think, you don't HAVE to chop off your arms to save your legs, if you see what I mean? Horses for courses, I guess.

Posted by Jane Ross on Sunday, July 20, 2008

Comment # 21

For New Jersey fans, you'd be remiss if you didn't check out IronMan Tommy Cairo's FORCE ONE PRO WRESTLING. Both a training center/school and a promotion, current heavyweight champion is Dangerous Danny Doring, competitors have included; Ricky Reyes, Nicky Benz (Nick Berk), HotShot Mike Reed, Steve The Teacher, The Osirian Portal, High Impact, Judas Young, Billy Reil,
Rockin' Rebel, Repete Offenders, Roxie Cotton, White Lotus, etc.....just under 2 years strong, latest to help out @ the training center was the Superfly himself, Jimmy Snuka. other instructors are Diego DeMarco, Cairo, Lotus, previously BadBoy Danny Pagan, also guest help from; Patch, Johnny Candido, Balls Mahoney, and Equalizer. Students have ranged from Chikara King of Trios winner Lince Dorado, to their first "graduate" newcomer and multi-fed cruserweight champ Ryu Lee. Force One students and staff have regularly worked for MANY other federations including; Ring of Honor, Damn That's Wrestling, Devastation Wrestling Federation, Bodyslam Wrestling Organization, Funkdafied Wrestling Federation, National Wrestling Superstars, Delaware Championship Wrestling, Real Pro Wrestling Federation, BWO Southern State, BlackBall'd Wrestling, LWO, WCW, and have been seen on TNA and WWE programming including Impact, ECW, Raw, and Smackdown.

They are based in Atlantic County NJ, also run Ocean County, and

Posted by Fad McMarkin on Monday, July 21, 2008

Comment # 22

CHIKARA is great, if you want good wrestling go out and get King of Trios, all 3 nights, it was an awesome tournament. The Colony is awesome and El Generico is a great lucha, also seen in CHIKARA is Player Uno, best gimmick ever. From the World X Cup I got my first real exposure from Yoshino, and holy crap, he is amazing in the ring and there is no way anyone is faster than him. Milano Collection AT disappointed me in the X Cup, but I've see him work and he is one of the best submission specialist I've ever seen. It's great that someone finally mentioned the indies and Japan because that is where some of the best wrestling takes place.

Posted by Mask of Fury on Monday, July 21, 2008