WRITE THAT DOWN! A Professional Wrestling Podcast w/ Fumi Saito & Justin Knipper

"PRO WRESTLING MASTER" Keiji Muto: Part Two—The Great Muta's Great Legacy

Part Two of our series on all-things Keiji Muto is here. On today’s episode, we picked up from part one and covered: New Japan, the NWA title & WCW 1991–1996:
-The Fujinami vs. Flair NWA title changes in Japan & USA
-The Great Muta vs. Masahiro Chono for the NWA title, Jan. 4 1993
-Muta vs. Antonio Inoki during Inoki’s retirement tour, Wrestling Dontaku 1994
-Muta vs. Jushin Liger, 1996
-Keiji Muto and Hiroshi Hase vs. The Steiner Brothers, Jan. 4 1994
-Briefly on the UWFi feud, matches with Nobuhiko Takada, ’95–96
-nWo Japan & Team 2000, 1997–1999 -Work (and troubles) with WCW in 2000
-Muto’s return to Japan at Inoki BOM-BA-YE Dec. 31 2000, the debut of bald Muto, teamed with old rival Nobuhiko Takada against Don Frye & Ken Shamrock at special New Year’s event on NTV

"PRO WRESTLING MASTER" Keiji Muto: Part One—Three Musketeers of New Japan

This episode of Write That Down! is about all-things Keiji Muto. The 58-year-old legend captured Pro Wrestling NOAH’s GHC title at their Destination iPPV held in Tokyo Budokan in February '21. In part one, Fumi and Justin discussed:
 
-Pro Wrestling NOAH: Destination 2021: Muto wins GHC
-Muto's NJPW debut in ’84 vs Masahiro Chono
-His first excursions to USA and Puerto Rico + training with Hiro Matsuda in FL
-’87 and his return to NJPW
-’88–’89 The Great Muta is born: Muto in WCCW, NWA, & Gary Hart
-’90–’95 Muto/Muta rises to icon status in NJPW
 
In 2021, at 58 years old, Keiji Muto stepped onto the grand stage of Nippon Budokan, headlining PRO WRESTLING NOAH’s return to the storied venue after an eleven-year hiatus. It was a triumphant moment that marked his final title reign as he captured the GHC Heavyweight Championship, solidifying his legacy as one of Japan’s most enduring wrestling icons. Fumi Saito aptly noted, “People will be talking about the year 2021.” 
 
The big win, which came after his shock victory over Go Shiozaki, was more than just another title; it was the culmination of a career that spanned generations, promotions, and personas.
 
After his victory, Muto made it official: he signed a two-year contract with NOAH, and the announcement quickly drew Kaito Kiyomiya, a rising star, who challenged the legend in the ring. For fans, this wasn’t just a championship celebration; it was a moment that held the weight of history. NOAH’s Budokan show felt distinctly different from the spectacle of a New Japan Pro-Wrestling event, as Justin Knipper observed: “It felt more sporty, catering to a primarily Showa and Heisei audience.” The event featured legends from various eras—Kazushi Sakuraba, Kazuyuki Fujita, Kendo Kashin—and carried an almost reverent sense of Japanese wrestling’s rich past.
 
In Japanese wrestling, few have achieved what Muto has—a championship reign in each of Japan’s major promotions, a feat dubbed the “Grand Slam of Japanese Wrestling.” Muto had held the IWGP Heavyweight Championship in NJPW, AJPW’s Triple Crown in the 2000s, and finally NOAH’s GHC Heavyweight title. But to appreciate the significance of this journey, we must look back to where it all began, in Yamanashi Prefecture, where Keiji Muto was born on December 23, 1962.
 
Before he was a wrestler, Muto was a standout in judo. Taller and more solidly built than many of his peers, he placed third in national judo competitions, a background that later shaped his physicality and resilience in the wrestling ring. Muto initially pursued chiropractic studies, earning his license after three years of training. Yet his ambition was set on wrestling, and by age 21, he found himself at NJPW’s dojo, where he would face grueling physical demands alongside Masahiro Chono and Shinya Hashimoto. Together, the three rookies—who would come to be known as NJPW’s “Three Musketeers”—represented the future of a promotion that had recently lost two waves of talent, first to Japan Pro Wrestling and later to UWF, the country’s first shoot-style wrestling promotion.
 
NJPW’s dojo was almost empty when Muto arrived, with major names like Riki Choshu, Animal Hamaguchi, and Akira Maeda gone. Still, training was harsh; at one point, Muto tried to persuade his fellow trainees to quit with him. Yet, resilience won out, and Muto debuted on October 5, 1984, facing Chono. Soon, Muto was gaining recognition alongside his peers, though fans didn’t immediately warm to him. By NJPW standards, he was relatively inexperienced for his early opportunities in major programs with stars like Antonio Inoki and Tatsumi Fujinami.
 
In 1985, Muto embarked on the classic Japanese wrestling “excursion,” a rite of passage that saw him spend time in the U.S. southern territories as “Ninja” and in Puerto Rico as “Super Black Ninja,” mentored by veterans like Hiro Matsuda and Kendo Nagasaki. He then traveled to Dallas for World Class Championship Wrestling before making his way to Jim Crockett’s NWA. There, Muto took on a new identity as “The Great Muta,” a mysterious figure crafted by American promoters as the “son” of The Great Kabuki, who was known for his mist-spraying theatrics. Managed by Gary Hart, The Great Muta was an instant hit, dazzling fans with his precision and flair. His style combined the power and crispness of American wrestling with the finesse and fluidity of Japan, and his image—a product of American ingenuity with Japanese spirit—drew countless fans.
 
By the time Muto returned to NJPW in 1989, he was a transformed wrestler. He moved with unmatched athleticism and confidence, showcasing new moves like his Flashing Elbow and Moonsault, which set a new standard for Japanese high-flying maneuvers. The Great Muta persona didn’t initially resonate with Japanese fans, who were accustomed to Muto’s original, purer style, but over time, he would balance his two identities, wrestling as both Muta and Muto—a duality that enhanced his appeal and kept audiences intrigued.
 
Throughout the 1990s, Muto continued to evolve. His match against UWFi’s Nobuhiko Takada at the Tokyo Dome in 1995 showcased his innovative approach, debuting his Dragon Screw Legwhip-to-Figure Four Leglock combination. The move was strategic—a counter to Takada’s stiff kicks and a masterful blend of wrestling techniques that demonstrated Muto’s thoughtful ring psychology. As Muto described to Saito, he approached wrestling as “a chef who tries to mix simple, perfect ingredients to create the perfect meal—or match.”
 
Physical limitations, especially chronic knee injuries from years of judo and wrestling, forced Muto to adapt. His low, calculated Basement Dropkick reduced strain on his knees, while his Shining Wizard—a dynamic running knee strike—became an iconic finishing move that defined his later years. With his American-inspired style and creativity, Muto set himself apart from contemporaries like Shinya Hashimoto, whose hard-hitting, traditional Japanese style served as a stark contrast.
 
Back in the United States, the Great Muta persona remained legendary. Wrestlers like Hulk Hogan requested NJPW tapes to study Muta’s work, captivated by his unique style. However, Muto’s true versatility shone in Japan, where he embodied both the flamboyant villainy of The Great Muta and the noble, dynamic spirit of Keiji Muto. While Japanese fans didn’t embrace Muta as fully as Americans had, the character’s lasting popularity meant Muto would continue to weave between these two identities, keeping audiences worldwide in awe of his adaptability.
 
In his decades-long career, Muto pushed boundaries, defied expectations, and inspired countless wrestlers with his dedication and craft. As one of Japanese wrestling’s most iconic figures, he stands as a bridge between eras, blending old-school athleticism with a flair for showmanship that has captivated fans around the world. And as he made his final run as champion in 2021, it was a reminder that Keiji Muto—through every reinvention and comeback—remained, at his core, a true wrestling legend.

A History of the Triple Crown Championship

Today, the two took a closer look at the origins of All Japan Pro Wrestling's Triple Crown, which has a somewhat complex history compared with other Japanese pro wrestling titles throughout history. Listen to Fumi & Justin talk about the history of how the International, PWF & UN championships came to be, and later on how they became joined together until today.
(Airdate: 4/13/23)
フミ＆ジャスティンは、本日は全日本プロレスの三冠王座の成り立ちについて、フミ＆ジャスティンが迫りました。インターナショナル選手権、PWF選手権、UN選手権がどのように誕生し、その後どのように統合されて今日に至ったのか、フミ＆ジャスティンのトークをお聞きください。

A History of the GHC Heavyweight Championship

Fumi & Justin return to complete their Championship Origin series, wrapping it with a talk on the origin of NOAH's GHC Heavyweight title. From the ashes of All Japan came the Ark and the GHC Heavyweight Championship, and Fumi & Justin went over what led to the GHC title coming to fruition and how it relates to the AJPW Triple Crown championship.
(Airdate: 4/23/23)
フミ＆ジャスティンは、NOAHのGHCヘビー級王座の起源についてのトークで締めくくりました。全日本の灰の中から方舟とGHCヘビー級王座が誕生し、フミ＆ジャスティンはGHC王座がどのような経緯で誕生したのか、そしてそれがAJPW三冠王座とどのような関係があるのかを説明しました。

X-Pac arrives! Fumi & Justin interview Sean Waltman

Sean Waltman joined Fumi & Justin for the latest edition the show. Waltman talks about the upcoming autobiography he’s working on, plus his memories of UWA Japan, early ’90s Minnesota times with Fumi, the Monday Night Wars, his relationship with HHH, his time in WWE & WCW and tons more!
(Airdate 2/9/23)

Madusa Micelli/Alundra Blayze sits in with Fumi & Justin!

From working in AJW Japan early on in her career to her legendary matches vs. Bull Nakano in the WWF to her current position as producer at NWA, Madusa joins Fumi Saito and Justin Knipper to talk a variety of topics ahead of Madusa’s upcoming book release this spring.
(Airdate 2/2/23)

Stan Hansen: Lariat (Part Two)

This is a special classic edition of Write That Down! With an original airdate of April 6, 2021, Fumi & Justin went over Stan Hansen’s storied career in this special archive edition of Write That Down! The two went over Hansen vs. Bruno Sammartino at Shea Stadium & MSG before diving into his early years as a pro wrestler in 1973, when Hansen debuted in El Paso, Texas, and then his first tour of Japan in 1975 for Giant Baba’s AJPW, and later his background and relationship with Jumbo Tsuruta and Brusier Brody, among others.In part two, Fumi & Justin discussed Hansen winning the Triple Crown in 1989 in an unification match vs. Jumbo Tsuruta, plus his classic 1990s run with AJPW and giving the proverbial rub to younger legends like Mitsuharu Misawa, Toshiaki Kawada and Kenta Kobashi until his retirement in 2001. Enjoy this mega cut of the original two part episode.
(Airdate 5/16/21)
ライト・ザット・ダウン」の特別クラシック版です！2021年4月6日のオリジナル放送で、フミとジャスティンがスタン・ハンセンの輝かしいキャリアを振り返る特別アーカイブ版「ライト・ザット・ダウン」！1973年にテキサス州エルパソでデビューしたハンセンのプロレスラーとしての初期、そして1975年にジャイアント馬場のAJPWで行われた初来日、さらにジャンボ鶴田やブルシエ・ブロディなどとの関係や経歴について掘り下げる前に、2人はシアスタジアムとMSGでのハンセン対ブルーノ・サンマルチノについて説明しました。パート2では、フミ＆ジャスティンが1989年にジャンボ鶴田との統一戦で三冠を達成したハンセンについて、さらに1990年代にAJPWで活躍し、2001年に引退するまで三沢光晴、川田利明、小橋建太といった若手レジェンドに格言のような "揉み手 "を与えていた彼について語ります。この2部構成のオリジナル・エピソードのメガ・カットをお楽しみください。

Stan Hansen: Lariat (Part One)

This is a special classic edition of Write That Down! With an original airdate of April 6, 2021, Fumi & Justin went over Stan Hansen’s storied career in this special archive edition of Write That Down! The two went over Hansen vs. Bruno Sammartino at Shea Stadium & MSG before diving into his early years as a pro wrestler in 1973, when Hansen debuted in El Paso, Texas, and then his first tour of Japan in 1975 for Giant Baba’s AJPW, and later his background and relationship with Jumbo Tsuruta and Brusier Brody, among others.In part two, Fumi & Justin discussed Hansen winning the Triple Crown in 1989 in an unification match vs. Jumbo Tsuruta, plus his classic 1990s run with AJPW and giving the proverbial rub to younger legends like Mitsuharu Misawa, Toshiaki Kawada and Kenta Kobashi until his retirement in 2001. 
(Airdate: 4/6/21)
ライト・ザット・ダウン」の特別クラシック版です！2021年4月6日のオリジナル放送で、フミとジャスティンがスタン・ハンセンの輝かしいキャリアを振り返る特別アーカイブ版「ライト・ザット・ダウン」！1973年にテキサス州エルパソでデビューしたハンセンのプロレスラーとしての初期、そして1975年にジャイアント馬場のAJPWで行われた初来日、さらにジャンボ鶴田やブルシエ・ブロディなどとの関係や経歴について掘り下げる前に、2人はシアスタジアムとMSGでのハンセン対ブルーノ・サンマルチノについて説明しました。パート2では、フミ＆ジャスティンが1989年にジャンボ鶴田との統一戦で三冠を達成したハンセンについて、さらに1990年代にAJPWで活躍し、2001年に引退するまで三沢光晴、川田利明、小橋建太といった若手レジェンドに格言のような "揉み手 "を与えていた彼について語ります。この2部構成のオリジナル・エピソードのメガ・カットをお楽しみください。

Pro Wrestling & Print Media

On this week’s episode, Fumi & Justin talked about pro wrestling and its relationship to print media both in Japan and in the English-speaking West over the years.
(Airdate: 11/10/22)
今週のエピソードでは、フミとジャスティンが、長年にわたる日本と英語圏の欧米におけるプロレスと活字メディアとの関係について語りました。

Genichiro Tenryu (Parts One & Two)

Fumi and Justin began their profile series on “Mr. Puroresu” himself, Genichiro Tenryu. In Part One, they went over Tenryu starting sumo at 14, then transitioning to Giant Baba’s AJPW a decade later. They also detailed Tenryu’s early career in the US, teaming with Billy Robinson and Jumbo Tsuruta, Tenryu’s legendary rivalry with Riki Choshu and the importance of their 2/21/85 Osaka-Jo Hall match which Tenryu’s huge spike rise in popularity from this. They finished the show discussing his Tenryu’s UN Heavyweight title and the eventual formation of AJPW’s Triple Crown and his big-time singles matches vs. Jumbo and Stan Hansen before covering the rise and fall of SWS and later Tenryu’s WAR promotion. Additionally, at 16:00 into the show, Fumi and Justin spent about ten minutes talking about about Terry Funk’s recent health condition and how overblown it had gotten in the media.In Part 2, Fumi & Justin first talked about Tenryu’s involvement in the short-lived “straight and strong” SWS run by Megane Super executives and Tenryu taking after Baba and Inoki and becoming a wrestling promoter with WAR. They went over his return to AJPW in the late ’90s after the death of Giant Baba and his classics with Keiji Muto in All Japan, his work in the critically maligned HUSTLE and his retirement match in 2015 against NJPW’s Kazuchika Okada.
(Airdate 7/21)
フミとジャスティンが "ミスター・プロレス "天龍源一郎のプロフィール・シリーズをスタート。パート1では、天龍が14歳で相撲を始め、10年後にジャイアント馬場のAJPWに移籍したことを紹介。また、天龍のアメリカでの初期のキャリア、ビリー・ロビンソンやジャンボ鶴田とのコンビ、天龍と長州力との伝説的なライバル関係、そして天龍の人気が急上昇した85年2月21日の大阪城ホールでの試合の重要性についても詳しく説明しました。天龍のUNヘビー級王座とAJPWのトリプル・クラウン結成、そしてジャンボやスタン・ハンセンとの大物シングル・マッチについて語った後、SWSと後の天龍のWARプロモーションの栄枯盛衰をカバー。さらに16:00からは、フミとジャスティンがテリー・ファンクの最近の健康状態について、そしてそれがいかにメディアで大げさに取り上げられたかについて10分ほど語りました。パート2では、まずフミとジャスティンが、天龍がメガネスーパー幹部によって運営された短命に終わった "まっすぐで強い "SWSに参加したこと、そして天龍が馬場と猪木の後を継いでWARのプロレス・プロモーターになったことについて話しました。そしてジャイアント馬場亡き後、90年代後半にAJPWに復帰したこと、全日本で武藤敬司と古典的なコンビを組んだこと、酷評されたHUSTLEでの活躍、2015年にNJPWのオカダ・カズチカと引退試合を行ったこと。

The History of Korakuen Hall

On this week’s episode, Fumi & Justin talked about Tokyo’s mini-Madison Square Garden, the Mecca of puroresu, Korakuen Hall. Fumi shares his first experiences watching wrestling in the building before going over the history of the venue, what kinds of events have taken place in it over the years and its overall importance to both pro wrestling and boxing in Japan.
(Airdate 10/27/22)
今週のエピソードでは、フミとジャスティンが東京のミニマジソンスクエアガーデン、プロレスのメッカ、後楽園ホールについて語りました。フミはこのホールで初めてプロレスを観戦した経験を語り、その後、このホールの歴史、長年に渡ってどのようなイベントが行われてきたか、そして日本のプロレスとボクシングの両方にとって重要な場所であることを説明しました。

Misawa, Kawada, Kobashi & Taue: AJPW’s SHITENNO

Mitsuharu Misawa. Toshiaki Kawada. Kenta Kobashi. Akira Taue. These were All Japan’s “Big Four” during of the 1990s, the four most influential players of the decade. English-speaking fans in 2021 have more and more often been referring to these four wrestlers as AJPW’s “Four Pillars of Heaven,” and recently, the term “four pillars” has turned into hip new short-hand for “top four wrestlers.”What’s ironic about this is that “Four Pillars of Heaven” is actually a mistranslation of the word “shitennō” (四天王). In colloquial Japanese, they’re often referred to as the shitennō of AJPW. Shitennou is a common Japanese phrase to describe the top four people, places or things within a set context. In modern English, we often share our “Mt. Rushmores” of wrestlers, the top four of (fill in the blank); “shitennō” in Japanese works the same way.So, the phrase “Four Pillars of Heaven,” which is now an accepted addition to the pro wrestling lexicon, was actually born out of a mistranslation and misinterpretation of the the original kanji characters.Fumi Saito & Justin Knipper break this down in more detail while giving the overarching backstory behind Misawa, Kawada, Kobashi and Taue. They also discuss at length how important Stan Hansen was during this period, and how important his relationships with each AJPW shittenō were.
(Airdate 11/21)
三沢光晴 川田利明 小橋建太 田上明。これらは1990年代の全日本の「ビッグ4」であり、この10年間で最も影響力のあった4選手でした。2021年の英語圏のファンは、この4人をAJPWの "Four Pillars of Heaven "と呼ぶことが多くなり、最近では "Four Pillars "は "Top four wrestlers "の略語として使われるようになりました。皮肉なのは、"四天王 "が "四天王 "の誤訳だということ。口語ではAJPWの四天王。四天王とは、ある文脈の中で上位4人の人、場所、物事を表す一般的な日本語の表現です。現代英語では、レスラーの「Mt.つまり、プロレス用語として定着している「四天王」という言葉も、実は漢字の誤訳と誤読から生まれたものなのです。フミ斎藤＆ジャスティン・ニッパーが、三沢、川田、小橋、田上の裏話を交えつつ、その詳細を解説。また、この時期、スタン・ハンセンがいかに重要な存在であったか、AJPWの各選手との関係がいかに重要であったかをじっくりと論じています。

Remembering Johnny Powers

Fumi and Justin are back again to remember former NWF Heavyweight Champion, Johnny Powers, who passed at the end of last year. Powers was from the Northeast but ended up a bigger name in Japan because of his connection to the late Antonio Inoki. Learn where “the eagle belt” came from and more in this week’s special episode, “Remembering Johnny Powers.”
(Airdate 1/12/23)
今週のフミ＆ジャスティンは、"キャプテン・レッドネック "ディック・マードックについて。早くからファンク・ファミリーとの強い絆を持ち、ブレーンバスターやカーフ・ブランディングを広めたマードックは、全米中にその名を轟かせ、その後キャリアの大半を過ごした日本で確固たる地位を築きました。JWAからIWE、AJPW、そしてNJPWでの約10年にわたるパフォーマー、ブッカーとしてのキャリアをフミ＆ジャスティンが振り返ります。

Dick Murdoch’s Storied Career

On this week’s episode, Fumi & Justin talked about “Captain Redneck” Dick Murdoch. With strong ties to the Funk family early on, Murdoch, the man who popularized the Brainbuster and Calf-Branding, made a name for himself all throughout the US before establishing solid footing in Japan, the country that he’d actually spent the majority of his career in. From JWA to IWE and AJPW to his almost decade-long run with NJPW, both as performer and booker, Fumi & Justin looked back at some of the highpoints in Murdoch’s storied career.
(Airdate: 10/22/22)
今週のフミ＆ジャスティンは、"キャプテン・レッドネック "ディック・マードックについて。早くからファンク・ファミリーとの強い絆を持ち、ブレーンバスターやカーフ・ブランディングを広めたマードックは、全米中にその名を轟かせ、その後キャリアの大半を過ごした日本で確固たる地位を築きました。JWAからIWE、AJPW、そしてNJPWでの約10年にわたるパフォーマー、ブッカーとしてのキャリアをフミ＆ジャスティンが振り返ります。

Masahiro Chono: ”Black Charisma”

On this week’s episode, Fumi & Justin focused on the one & only MASAHIRO CHONO. After debuting after dozens of wrestlers left NJPW for Japan Pro Wrestling and the first incarnation of UWF, Chono, alongside fellow Three Musketeers Keiji Muto & Shinya Hashimoto, rose to the zenith of his popularity during his time as active in-ring performer during the mid-90s. Chono forged a distinct career path over the years, traveling up and down Eastern coast of North America and throughout Germany & Austria early on, where he really began to grow into the iconic figure fans are familiar with today.
(Original airdate 11/17/22)
今週のフミ＆ジャスティンは、唯一無二の存在、蝶野正洋にフォーカス。数多くのレスラーがNJPWからジャパン・プロレス、そしてUWFに移籍した後にデビューした蝶野は、同じ三銃士の武藤敬司、橋本真也とともに、90年代半ばの現役時代に人気絶頂に。北米東部やドイツ、オーストリアを転戦し、現在のようなアイコン的存在に成長。

The Legacy of Karl Gotch

On this week’s episode, Fumi & Justin talked about the “God of Pro Wrestling” Karl Gotch. They hit topics like Gotch at the 1948 London Olympics, his relationship with Antonio Inoki, his time in the WWWF, his time in Japan with JWA, IWE and later NJPW, and his overall influence on the world of Japanese pro wrestling and MMA.
今週のエピソードでは、フミとジャスティンが "プロレスの神様 "カール・ゴッチについて語りました。1948年ロンドン五輪でのゴッチ、アントニオ猪木との関係、WWWF時代、日本でのJWA、IWE、そして後のNJPWでの活躍、そして日本のプロレス界とMMA界に与えた総合的な影響。

Jinsei Shinzaki: ”Hakushi”

Fumi and Justin are back again to talk about the distinct, impactful career of Jinsei Shinzaki, also known as Haksuhi. From his time as a stuntman to UWA Japan and later Michinoku Pro, they go over Hakushi’s early career before moving on to his time spent in WWF in 1994–1996, his famous match with Great Muta in 1996 at the Tokyo Dome, as well as his recent involvement in Great Muta’s final appearance at Yokohama Arena last weekend.
フミとジャスティンが再び登場し、白石として知られる新崎仁星の独特でインパクトのあるキャリアについて語ります。スタントマン時代からUWAジャパン、そしてみちのくプロでのキャリアを経て、1994年から1996年にかけてのWWF時代、1996年に東京ドームで行われたグレート・ムタとの有名な試合、そして先週末に横浜アリーナで行われたグレート・ムタの最後の試合への参加について。(Original airdate 1/26/23)

The Life & Times of Adrian Adonis

On this week’s episode, Fumi & Justin talked about the very special, very talented Adrian Adonis and his time with NJPW as well as his work in territories over the years, like in Portland, Amarillo, AWA in MN with the East-West Connection, before his stint as “Adorable” Adrian in the WWF.
 
今週のエピソードでは、フミとジャスティンが、非常に特別で、非常に才能のあるエイドリアン・アドニスについて、そして彼のNJPWでの活動、ポートランド、アマリロ、ミネソタ州AWAのイースト・ウェスト・コネクション、そしてWWFで "愛らしい "エイドリアンとして活動する前の、長年にわたるテリトリーでの活動について話しました。

The Three Musketeers (Muto, Chono & Hashimoto)

(This episode was originally released in September of 2021.)
On this week’s episode of Write That Down!, Fumi Saito & Justin Knipper talked about the Three Musketeers of NJPW: Keiji Muto, Masahiro Chono, and Shinya Hashimoto. Each musketeer had their own distinct style and personality in the ring, and outside of the ring, each would end up leading very different career paths. They also talked at length about all three NJPW superstars, though their discussion was centered on Chono and Hashimoto especially, as they covered Muto’s career in great detail during our four-part series earlier this in the year. Fumi explained how Chono picked up his storytelling wrestling from none other than “Bulldog” Bob Brown and recommends some of Chono’s best bouts. Saito & Knipper also spoke at length about Hashimoto’s program with Judo silver medalist Naoya Ogawa and how, with hindsight, we can now view Hashimoto as the inadvertent “first sacrifice” of Japan’s pro wrestling Dark Ages, plus lots more.
 
(このエピソードは2021年9月に配信されたものです)
今週の『Write That Down！』では、フミ斎藤＆ジャスティン・ニッパーがNJPWの三銃士、武藤敬司、蝶野正洋、橋本真也について語りました。それぞれの三銃士はリング上では独自のスタイルと個性を持ち、リングの外ではそれぞれが全く異なるキャリアを歩むことになります。彼らはまた、NJPWのスーパースター3人全員についてじっくりと話をしましたが、特に蝶野と橋本の話が中心でした。フミは、蝶野がいかにして "ブルドッグ "ボブ・ブラウンからストーリー性のあるプロレスを学んだかを説明し、蝶野のベストバウトをいくつか推薦。斎藤＆ニッパーは、橋本が柔道銀メダリストの小川直也と組んだプログラムについても詳しく語り、今にして思えば、橋本は日本プロレス暗黒時代の "最初の生贄 "であったと言える、などなど。

“The Dragon” Tatsumi Fujinami

Fumi Saito & Justin Knipper went over the storied career of “The Dragon” Tatsumi Fujinami, who celebrated his 50th year in pro wrestling at an anniversary show last week, where he took on Hiroshi Tanahashi in the main event—at the age of 68!
(Airdate: 12/22/22)
 
フミ斎藤＆ジャスティン・ニッパーが、この収録の週に行われた記念興行でプロレス生活50周年を迎え、68歳にしてメインイベントで棚橋弘至と対戦した "ザ・ドラゴン "藤波辰爾の輝かしいキャリアを振り返りました！

Rikidozan: Father of Puroresu (Part Two)

Fumi Saito & Justin Knipper again focused on Rikidozan, the father of Japanese pro wrestling. Part two examines his final match against Lou Thesz in 1958, his matches with Fred Blassie and the Destroyer, and the circumstances surrounding his death 60 years ago. 

Rikidozan: Father of Puroresu (Part One)

Fumi Saito & Justin Knipper focused on the father of Japanese pro wrestling, Rikidozan. This episode covers up until 1958 in his career and on his deep impact on Japanese pro wrestling and post-war society in general.