Tag: pacific rim

You saw the video of Minoru Suzuki ripping the mask off of Jushin Thunder Liger. On this episode of Pacific Rim, Fumi Saito tells the story of their history, their parallels in wrestling, and what their upcoming match means for both men. In addition, we run down this year’s Japan ballot for the Wrestling Observer Hall of Fame,…

On this episode of the Pacific Rim Pro Wrestling Podcast, Fumi Saito looks at Chris Jericho’s early career from 1991 to 1997 in Japan. We take you from his first two tours with the IWA to Tenryu’s WAR promotion to his debut for NJPW as Super Liger. Fumi met Chris in the early 90s. Hear Fumi talk about…

Fumi Saito went to two shows this week in Tokyo. The first was Jun Kasai’s Freedoms, a deathmatch-style show in Shinkiba which featured Joey Janela tagging with an invisible partner against Kikutaro and an invisible partner. Fumi also went to a standing-room-only Korakuen Hall for the second Takayamamania, a fundraiser for the legendary Yoshihiro Takayama who suffered…

AEW roster member and joshi star Riho announced this week that she has joined Stardom. There’s also a report from Dave Meltzer about WWE officials meeting with Stardom officials. With this news, Fumi Saito and I talk about the likelihood of possible working agreements between Stardom, AEW, and NJPW. In addition, we talk about AEW’s television deal, Jon…

Perro Aguayo Sr. made many tours of Japan and even won the WWF Light Heavyweight Championship there. On this episode of Pacific Rim, Fumi Saito and I talk about Aguayo’s history in Japan. After that, we segue into the long relationship between Japan and Mexico: from the many young wrestlers sent on excursions to those who left…

Fumi Saito and Jim Valley talk about Raw and compare Monday night’s AJ Styles to his time in New Japan. Fumi was at Sumo Hall for both nights of the WWE Tokyo tour. Hear his thoughts on Triple H, Shinsuke Nakamura, The Kabuki Warriors, the fans in attendance, and the wrestling they saw. Plus, an…

Fumi Saito and Sean “X-Pac” Waltman have known each other for nearly 30 years. In this special episode of the Pacific Rim Pro Wrestling Podcast, these two long-time friends reminisce about how they met, times in Japan, spending Christmas together in Minnesota, and key moments in Waltman’s career. We talk about Sean’s first tour of Japan, his later…

Fumi Saito was in Ryugoku for New Japan’s Best of the Super Juniors finals. After seeing Will Ospreay’s victory, he wonders if Ospreay has taken Kenny Omega’s place in the hearts and minds of New Japan fans. Fumi also has thoughts on the crowd’s reaction to Jon Moxley. Before the show, Fumi did an interview with…

Fumi Saito and I are back with a whole host of topics on this week’s episode of the Pacific Rim podcast. Before he wrestled Bret Hart in WWE, Tom Magee worked in All Japan Pro Wrestling. Fumi gives his first-hand account of the impression Magee left on him, plus Magee’s matches against Wajima and Chosu.…

This edition of Pacific Rim looks at the career and legacy of The Great Sasuke. Fumi Saito and I look at not just his championships and biggest victories, but also his business model and strategy that was very unique for its time and is still used by some pro wrestling companies today. Great Sasuke was also a politician…

In honor of the first-ever women’s main event at WrestleMania, it’s a women’s wrestling-centric episode of Pacific Rim. Fumi Saito and I talk about Asuka’s future. Will she team with Io Shirai & Kairi Sane on the main roster? Plus, the controversy between Bea Priestley and Manami Toyota over the use of the Japanese Ocean Cyclone Suplex. Fumi…