Category: Pacific Rim Pro Wrestling Podcast
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Pacific Rim: First-ever Marigold card, WWE returning to Japan
On this week’s Pacific Rim, myself and Fumi Saito talk about attending the first-ever Marigold card held at Korakuen Hall. We talk about the atmosphere, the presentation, Bozilla, and Marigold’s plans for the future. Plus, we chat about this year’s Hana Kimura Memorial Show, WWE running Japan, why Fumi thinks NXT Japan is an inevitability,…
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Pacific Rim: Fumi’s trip to WrestleMania, more Rossy Ogawa & Marigold thoughts
Fumi Saito Yes, the Pacific Rim Pro Wrestling Podcast still exists. Longtime wrestling journalist Fumi Saito and I discuss his trip to Philadelphia last month to see Bull Nakano inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame. He talks about how it happened, his thoughts on the ceremony, and WrestleMania 40 itself. (You might recognize him…
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Pacific Rim: Stardom, Rossy Ogawa’s new promotion, more
Rossy Ogawa It’s the Pacific Rim Pro Wrestling Podcast. Fumi Saito and Jim Valley are back. Fumi sets the record straight about Stardom and the split with Rossy Ogawa. We talk about what happened, what brought it on, and what to expect going forward. Fumi also clarifies the situations with Kairi Sane and Giulia’s exits…
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Pacific Rim: Okada leaves NJPW, remembering Killer Khan
Fumi Saito/Jim Valley The Pacific Rim Pro Wrestling Podcast is back. I get Fumi Saito’s thoughts on Kazuchika Okada leaving New Japan Pro Wrestling and he offered his insight on the dynamics and relationships behind the scenes in the company and speculates on the future of “The Rainmaker.” Also, who can step up and fill…
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Pacific Rim: President Tanahashi, AJPW-NXT, Wrestle Kingdom week
Fumi Saito and I are back with another episode of the Pacific Rim Pro Wrestling Podcast. This week, we discuss New Japan Pro Wrestling’s new president Hiroshi Tanahashi, including what he’ll do, his goals, his college background, and the fact that he’s actually the fourth wrestler to carry the title of NJPW president. Plus, we…
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Pacific Rim: A look ahead at 2024 for Will Ospreay, Giulia, Okada & Stardom
We’re back with nearly 90 minutes of the Pacific Rim Pro Wrestling Podcast. Fumi Saito and I talk about what the future may hold for Will Ospreay, Giulia and Okada in 2024 including why WWE may or may not be the best fit for them. Fumi answers questions on Stardom’s new president and possible changes…
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Pacific Rim: Sukeban debut review, Chris Jericho returning to Japan
The Pacific Rim Pro Wrestling Podcast is back. Sukeban is the new Japanese women’s promotion that debuted in America last week using some of the best freelancers available but working in new costumes and gimmicks. Fumi Saito and I cover Sukeban in-depth including the roster, wrestler history, the characters, the matches, the presentation, the announcers,…
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Pacific Rim: Fumi remembers Terry Funk
With the passing of Terry Funk, we hurriedly put together this very special edition of the Pacific Rim Pro Wrestling Podcast. Terry Funk made over 100 trips to Japan and Fumi Saito was there for many of them. Fumi knew Terry, interviewed him many times over his career, and even visited the Double Cross Ranch.…
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Pacific Rim: Fumi Saito remembers Terry Funk
With the passing of Terry Funk, we hurriedly put together this very special edition of the Pacific Rim Pro Wrestling Podcast. Terry Funk made over 100 trips to Japan and Fumi Saito was there for many of them. Fumi knew Terry, interviewed him many times over his career, and even visited the Double Cross Ranch.…
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Pacific Rim: Fumi Saito’s thoughts on NJPW G1, Asuka’s Stardom comments
WWE The Pacific Rim Pro Wrestling Podcast is back. I get Fumi Saito’s thoughts on this year’s NJPW G1 Climax like the 32-man format, Naito as the winner, SANADA, Kiyomiya’s performance and who he thought stood out. So much of what we hear and read is from an English-speaking perspective so Fumi offers a perspective…
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Pacific Rim: A unique perspective on the life of Adrian Adonis
The Pacific Rim Pro Wrestling Podcast is back with a look at the life of Adrian Adonis from a unique perspective: his friendship with co-host Fumi Saito. Website subscribers can listen by scrolling down. Fumi talks about how they met in the AWA, Adonis’ success in Japan and the last trip to Tokyo where Adonis…
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Pacific Rim: Tony Khan talks puroresu
The Pacific Rim Pro Wrestling Podcast is back. It’s a show that’s been years in the making, AEW president and CEO Tony Khan joins Fumi Saito and Jim Valley. With Forbidden Door coming up, it seemed like a good time to talk about Tony’s puroresu fandom growing up in the 90s and early 2000s. How…
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Pacific Rim: AEW’s Tony Khan talks his fandom of puroresu
The Pacific Rim Pro Wrestling Podcast is back with a show that has been years in the making as AEW head Tony Khan joins myself and journalist Fumi Saito. With AEW x NJPW Forbidden Door 2 coming up this weekend, it seemed like a good time to talk about Tony’s puroresu fandom growing up in…
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Pacific Rim: Stardom All Star Grand Queendom review
Jim & Fumi talk Mercedes Mone, Giulia and everything from Saturday. Stardom The Pacific Rim Pro Wrestling Podcast is back with a review of this past weekend’s Stardom All Star Grand Queendom which was an excellent show from top to bottom. Fumi Saito was at the Yokohama Arena in person to witness Stardom’s biggest show in…
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Pacific Rim: Explaining the symbolism from Keiji Muto’s Last Love final match
Fumi Saito gives his first-hand account from the Tokyo Dome. NJPW On this week’s Pacific Rim, we get an in-person review of Keiji Muto’s Grand Final Pro Wrestling Last Love card from the Tokyo Dome by our own Fumi Saito. He was among the 30,000+ people on hand to witness a truly historic night of…
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Pacific Rim: A deep dive into the career of Keiji Muto
Jim & Fumi discuss every aspect of the Japanese legend’s career. Cultural Gutter On this week’s Pacific Rim Pro Wrestling Podcast, Fumi Saito and I look at the career of Keiji Muto. We begin with his debut in 1984, American excursions, the creation of The Great Muta, his rise to stardom in NJPW, the Three Musketeers,…
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Pacific Rim: Keiji Muto’s other choices for his final opponent
Jim Valley & Fumi Saito reveal who Muto spoke with about his final match. The Pacific Rim Pro Wrestling podcast is back with myself and Fumi Saito. Fumi was live at Yokohama Arena for the Great Muta Final Bye-Bye event. This week, he shares his thoughts on Muta, Sting, Darby Allin, Hakushi and the crowd…
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Pacific Rim: Wrestle Kingdom, Great Muta Bye-Bye, remembering Johnny Powers
Jim Valley & Fumo Saito catch up on the last month of Japanese wrestling. The Pacific Rim Pro Wrestling Podcast is back as Fumi Saito and I catch up on the end of 2022, the beginning of 2023, and the year to come. On the topic board: Wrestle Kingdom 17, Mercedes Mone, Stardom, Kenny Omega,…
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Pacific Rim: Looking at Sasha Banks’ popularity and visibility in Japan
Jim Valley and Fumi Saito talk about how well-known the WWE star is in Japan. WWE The Pacific Rim Pro Wrestling Podcast with Fumi Saito and I is back and everyone is talking about the potential for Sasha Banks to appear at Wrestle Kingdom. But, how big of a star is she in Japan now…
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Pacific Rim: New Japan x Stardom Historic X-Over review
As promised, it’s a second Pacific Rim Pro Wrestling Podcast this week as Fumi Saito and I review Saturday’s New Japan Stardom Historic X-Over: a truly historic showcase of men and women from Japan’s two largest pro wrestling companies on the same card. Fumi runs down the card, the results and his thoughts on the…