PURORESU AND PRO-WRESTLING

Antonio Inoki vs. Lou Thesz (1975)

In Japan pro-wrestling is called PURORESU, that is Japanese-style pronunciation of 'pro-wres'. PURORESU is different from pro-wrestling in USA, there is no gimmick, and there are few heel wrestlers. The wrestlers of PURORESU show their technique and strength like an amateur wrestling or a judo match, and they express their emotions within it. That might be influenced by the fight-style of Lou Thesz or Dory Funk Jr. Moreover, because Japan is not a multiracial nation, a racial gimmick is not understood. So that the unique style of PURORESU developed.

There was a typical pattern in the 60's and 70's. An unknown wrestler (what is called a mystery strong man) visits to Japan, and Japanese hero Baba or Inoki intercepts him. He may be a good wrestler or a fake, we don't know it until we see the real. But this pattern broke down when Hansen and Brody appeared. Since they fought with Baba, Inoki, and Tsuruta, we became to wish hard fights which are on a high level. For example, there is an innocent wrestler who is a local hero in USA, and his special trick is a simple Fist Drop. If he accidentally visits to Japan, he should be booed harshly.

Baba got NWA title from Brisco (1974)

The popular heel wrestlers in Japan were only two, Tiger Jeet Singh and Abdollah The Butcher. They pierced to act the cruelest heels like madmen, and they had technique and strength of wrestling, too. Singh defeated Inoki with terrible Brain Buster, and The Butcher won The Champion Carnival twice. But since in the 80's, they (especially The Butcher) seemed to aim at being lovable heels. But I don't know what is that. (^^;

It was the special feature of PURORESU that there were the authorities of big organizations in USA. Baba did his best to get the NWA belt, and he accomplished it three times. Inoki also wrested WWF Championship from Bob Backlund. But in the early 80's, NWA and other organizations in USA started to grow weak, Baba and Inoki began to made their own titles. I think that our good days of PURORESU ended at that time.