The Professor of Puroresu, Dan Ginnetty, is back with the latest edition of the Puro Wrestling Academy! This week we cover the year of 1958 in the world of Japanese wrestling history (and even dive into early 1959). Many of the topics discussed on this episode include... The JWA going from TWO weekly TV programs to having their shows CANCELED, leading to the company essentially fading to black for SIX LONG MONTHS! We question the reasoning and rumors as to why Rikidozan competed in only one match in Japan over the course of the first 8 months of the year. Stories of misappropriation of funds, “Black Market” money to pay the Gaijin, local talent not being paid at all, & more titillating stories involving Rikidozan! With the JWA dormant for much of the Spring & Summer months, the local talent are left without work and many still waiting for back-pay, threatening to go on Strike!

We look into Gimmick Matches being used for TV, Battle Royals and multi-man tag matches (including the first ever 8-Man Tag in Japan!). Rkidozan refutes to wrestle, but acts as a Special Referee for many contests early in the year, before making another trip to the United States where Riki will capture the International Title from LOU THESZ in Los Angeles! Foreign talent discussed on this episode include Don Leo Jonathan, “Handsome” Johnny Barend, Ski Hi Lee, Tiny Mills & “Big K” Stan Kowalski! Plus, it’s AZUMAFUJI to the rescue! Hear what Azumafuji does to pacify and help the JWA talent while Dozan is abroad. Then upon Riki’s return to Japan, Wrestling returns as well. NEW TOURS for the JWA in September 58 through January 59. Toyonobori returns after a year in Hawaii, and captures the Hawaii Tag Titles along with Rikidozan. It’s near the end of 1958 that Azumafuji announces his RETIREMENT FROM PRO WRESTLING after having been fed up with Rikidozan’s practices. Plus, we talk Rikidozan’s excursion to Brazil, did Don Leo Jonathan break kayfabe(?), exciting news for our listeners regarding our Patreon, & so much more!

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The Puro Wrestling Academy w/Dan Ginnetty returns with a special "summer school" session of the program, covering 1957 in Japan! We talk Hiro Matsuda's disdain for Rikidozan and his drive to "make it" in the business, Weekly TV begins, and NWA World Champion Lou Thesz comes to Japan to defend against Rikidozan. Plus, Bobo Brazil, Adrian Baillargeon, the Junior Title changes hands, the mystery of "Black Jimmy" is solved, & so much more!

Available everywhere your Podcast Streaming needs are met.

Please Subscribe to our Patreon to help pay the bills, https://www.patreon.com/wrestlecopia
Includes the $5 “All Access” Tier & $9 "Superfan DELUXE" Tier featuring our VIDEO CASTS, Patreon Watch-Along Series, our insanely detailed show notes (for the Grenade, Monday Warfare, Regional Rasslin, Puro Academy, & Retro Re-View), Early Show Releases, REMASTERED editions of the early Grenade episodes including NEW content! PLUS, monthly DIGITAL DOWNLOADS for your viewing and reading pleasure!

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This week on The Puro Wrestling Academy, Dan Ginnetty schools us on the entire year of 1956 in the world of Puroresu. Rikidozan & Kokichi Endo capture the NWA World Tag Team Titles from The Sharpe Brothers (Mike & Ben). Plans are made to bring in the soon to be (once again) NWA Champion Lou Thesz. Rikidozan travels to Southeast Asia to rekindle his rivalry with King Kong Czaya. The JWA presents two more full-length tours lasting more than 60 events! Plus, we catch up with Masahiko Kimura, Unified Champions are created, and we talk names like Tom Rice, Mike Mazurki, Surugaumi, Azumafuji, Yoshinosato, Toyonobori, and so much more!

Available everywhere your Podcast Streaming needs are met.

Please Subscribe to our Patreon to help pay the bills, https://www.patreon.com/wrestlecopia
Includes the $5 “All Access” Tier & $9 "Superfan DELUXE" Tier featuring our VIDEO CASTS, Patreon Watch-Along Series, our insanely detailed show notes (for the Grenade, Monday Warfare, Regional Rasslin, Puro Academy, & Retro Re-View), Early Show Releases, REMASTERED editions of the early Grenade episodes including NEW content! PLUS, monthly DIGITAL DOWNLOADS for your viewing and reading pleasure!

Visit our Podcast Network https://wrestlecopia.com
Follow us on "X" (Formerly Twitter) @RasslinGrenade
Follow & LIKE our FACEBOOK PAGE - https://www.facebook.com/RasslinGrenade
Subscribe to our Youtube Channel at https://www.youtube.com/RasslinGrenade