VIEW FROM THE RISING SUN
by Masanori Horie

Luchadors--Wrestling's Daredevils

Cactus Jack, Super Astro, Masanori, and Gran Apache
Three daredevils--Cactus Jack, Super Astro, and Gran Apache, with Masanori

Forty-three years have passed since "Lucha Libre" was introduced to Japan, when Raul Romero, from Durango, Mexico, wrestled for Masahiko Kimura's International Pro Wrestling from April 17 to May 16, 1956 (Romero originated a compound submission hold named "Romero Special," which the brothers Chavo, Mando, Hector, and Eddy Guerrero have often used). A large number of Luchadors (wrestlers) have come over the Pacific to Japan every year since then. Some of them have even lived in the dojo in Tokyo. They are very cheerful and live on like wild flowers in Japanese wrestling. The very close relationship between Japanese wrestling and Lucha Libre goes on.

Super Crazy and Masanori
Super Crazy and Masanori...Super Crazy lived in the Japanese dojo in 1995

The Lutterroth Family's EMLL / CMLL (Empresa Mexicana de Lucha Libre / Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre) is the oldest existing promotion in the world today, and they have sent their Luchadors to various Japanese offices for years. The late Giant Baba and Dory Funk Jr. had eight matches in the EMLL's rings from March 4 to March 16, 1981. Atsushi Onita (1982), Mitsuharu Misawa (1984), and Hayabusa (1994) wrestled for the EMLL, too. The late Francisco Flores' UWA (Universal Wrestling Association) had a strong relationship with the WWF and New Japan Pro Wrestling in the 1970s - 1980s. Antonio Inoki and New Japan wrestlers had often appeared on the UWA's big shows at Palacio de los Deportes and El Toreo. A lot of New Japan's young wrestlers were staying in Mexico in the 1980s. Benjamin Mora Jr. 's WWA (World Wrestling Association) in Tijuana helped Atsushi Onita's FMW, when Onita started in 1989. Onita and the FMW crew wrestled in Tijuana on May 15, 1991. Antonio Peņa's AAA (Asistencia Asesoria y Administracion) has sent their Super Estrellas (superstars) to various Japanese offices, and Peņa is always interested in American and Japanese wrestling.

Damian, Masanori, and Psicosis
Damian 666, Masanori, and Psicosis

Gaijin (foreign) wrestlers had always been "bad guys" in Japan, until Mil Mascaras introduced Lucha Libre's high-flying moves to us when he came to Japan for the first time for the old Japan Pro Wrestling (JWA) from February 19 to March 10, 1971. Mascaras will wrestle for the CMLL, which wrestling's mask and costume maker, named "CACAO," will promote in Japan from August 8 to August 15 this summer. It is amazing that Mascaras still keeps the IWA World belt, which he won in 1975, and the ALLL World belt, which he won in Guatemala in 1976. IWA was a group running in opposition to the WWWF in New York in those days. Since the advent of Mascaras, the late El Solitario, and Mascaras' brother Dos Caras, Japanese wrestling has been sped up. The image of "Japanese vs. gaijin" and "good guy vs. bad guy" category has totally changed.

Masanori and Rey Misterio Jr.
Masanori with Rey Misterio Jr.

Gran Hamada, Satoru Sayama, Jushin "Thunder" Liger, Ultimo Dragon, and The Great Sasuke followed their dreams, and their dreams came true in Mexico. Hamada is a pioneer as a Japanese Super Estrella in Mexico. Of course, Sayama is the legendary original Tiger Mask. Liger is always a key person for the Junior Heavyweight scene. Ultimo Dragon is recognized as a great trainer at his Torymon Gym in Mexico now. Sasuke has just appeared on both New Japan (April 10) and All Japan (May 2) Tokyo Dome shows. They have fixed lightweight division, which Tatsumi Fujinami gave light and heat in 1978 in Japan. They have also introduced many Luchadors from Mexico to Japan ... Canek, Perro Aguayo, Lizmark Sr., Kato Kung Lee, Super Astro, Blackman, Brazo de Plata & Brazo de Oro, Los Villanos, Dr. Wagner (Sr. & Jr.), Negro Casas, El Hijo del Santo, the late Oro, Rey Misterio Jr., Psicosis, Juventud Guerrera, and many more. Japanese women's wrestling offices brought a lot of good Luchadoras (woman wrestlers), too ... Chabela Romero, who had a feud with an American, Vicki Williams, in Mexico in the 1980s; Monster Ripper (Rhonda Singh from Calgary, a.k.a. Bertha Faye in the WWF), Pantera Surena (La Galactica), Lola Gonzales, Lady Apache, Xochitl & Ayako Hamada (daughters of Gran Hamada), and the Moreno sisters (Rossy, Esther, Cintia, and Alda). Japanese woman wrestlers who got their seasoning in Mexico include Toshiyo Yamada & Kyoko Inoue (1991), Mima Shimoda & Mariko Yoshida (1992), Akira Hokuto & Etsuko Mita (1992) , Reina Jubuki (Akira Hokuto) (1994), Chaparrita Asari (1996), and Miss Mongol (1998).

Alda Moreno
Alda Moreno, one of the best female flyers in Lucha Libre, rides atop Masanori


Title changes relative to Lucha Libre in Japan for the past 5 years (1994 - 1998):

1/5/94 --- Osaka Gym (WAR)
UWA World Middle weight title match
Koji Ishinriki beat Ultimo Dragon (18:25)
Ishinriki became the 25th champion.

3/6/94 --- Hiratsuka, Kanagawa (FULL)
Super Middleweight title match
Shu El Guerrero beat Gran Hamada (16:31)
Guerrero became the 7th champion.

11/18/94 --- Hiroshima Prefectural Gym (New Japan)
UWA World Welterweight title match
Norio Honaga beat El Hijo del Santo (19:59)
Honaga became the 23rd champion.

11/18/94 --- Korakuen Hall (WAR)
NWA World Middleweight title match
Ultimo Dragon beat Lion Heart (Chris Jericho) (20:51)
Dragon became the 78th champion.

12/13/94 --- Osaka Gym (New Japan)
UWA World Welterweight title match
Shinjiro Otani beat Norio Honaga (13:11)
Otani became the 24th champion.

3/3/95 --- Takaishi, Osaka (Michinoku)
Super Welterweight title match
SATO (a.k.a. Dick Togo) beat Super Delfin (19:55)
SATO became the 3rd champion.

4/16/95 --- Hiroshima Sun Plaza (New Japan)
UWA World Junior Heavyweight title match
Koji Kanemoto beat Shinjiro Otani (18:05)
Kanemoto became the 25th champion.

5/14/95 --- Koriyama, Fukushima (Michinoku)
Super Welterweight title match
Super Delfin beat Triton (16:36)
Delfin became the 4th champion.

8/20/95 --- Kawasaki Baseball Stadium, Kanagawa (IWA)
WWA World Light Heavyweight title match
Takashi Okano (a.k.a. W*inger) beat Flying Kid Ichihara (17:01)
Okano became the new champion.

8/30/95 --- Korakuen Hall (Wrestle Dream Factory)
NWA World Junior Heavyweight title match
Masayoshi Motegi beat El Hijo del Santo (13:35)
Motegi became the 1st champion.

9/22/95 --- Aichi Prefectural Gym, Nagoya (New Japan)
UWA World Junior Heavyweight title match
Gran Hamada beat Koji Kanemoto (16:39)
Hamada became the 26th champion.

10/21/95 --- Ichinoseki, Iwate (Michinoku)
Super Welterweight title match
El Pantera (Mariachi in the WWF) beat Super Delfin (15:27)
Pantera became the 5th champion.

11/23/95 --- Todoroki Arena, Kawasaki, Kanagawa (New Japan)
UWA World Junior Light Heavyweight title match
Sabu beat Gran Hamada (11:59)
Sabu became the 22nd champion.

12/1/95 --- Niigata City Gym (New Japan)
UWA World Junior Light Heavyweight title match
El Samurai beat Sabu (14:06)
Samurai became the 23rd champion.

2/5/96 --- Chiba Park Gym (IWA)
WWA World Light Heavyweight title match
Hiroshi Itakura beat Takashi Okano (15:21)
Itakura became the new champion.

3/15/96 --- Takaishi, Osaka (Michinoku)
CMLL World Welterweight title match
Super Delfin beat El Pantera (14:01)
Delfin became the 7th champion.

3/27/96 --- Amagasaki, Hyogo (New Japan)
UWA World Junior Light Heavyweight title match
Koji Kanemoto beat El Samurai (23:15)
Kanemoto became the 24th champion.
***Title was held up by Kanemoto's injury.***

6/17/96 --- Nippon Budokan, Tokyo (New Japan)
UWA World Junior Light Heavyweight title match
Shinjiro Otani beat Kazushi Sakuraba (8:13)
Otani became the 25th champion.

6/22/96 --- Naruko, Miyagi (Michinoku)
CMLL World Welterweight title match
Mascara Magica beat Super Delfin (12:22)
Magica became the new champion.

7/19/96 --- Korakuen Hall (Big Japan)
CMLL World Light Heavyweight title match
Aquarius (Yoshihiro Tajiri in ECW) beat Dr. Wagner Jr. (12:28)
Aquarius became the new champion.
***The result was dropped from the official CMLL record.***

7/20/96 --- Ryogoku Kokugikan, Tokyo (WAR)
WWA World Welterweight title match
Rey Misterio Jr. beat Juventud Guerrera (8:36)
Misterio became the 13th champion.

7/27/96 --- Sakata, Yamagata (Michinoku)
WWA Middleweight title match
The Great Sasuke beat Piloto Suicida (15:04)
Sasuke became the new champion.

7/28/96 --- Teisen Hall, Sapporo, Hokkaido (Big Japan)
CMLL World Light Heavyweight title match
Dr. Wagner beat Aquarius (Yoshihiro Tajiri in ECW) (12:28)
Wagner became the new champion.
***The result was dropped from the official CMLL record.***

7/31/96 --- Odate, Akita (Michinoku)
Central America Middleweight title match
Gran Naniwa beat Kendo (16:03)
Naniwa became the new champion.

8/2/96 --- Ryogoku Kokugikan (Sumo Hall), Tokyo (New Japan --- "J-Crown")
(1) Ultimo Dragon (International Junior Heavyweight champion) beat Jushin "Thunder" Liger (British Commonwealth Junior Heavyweight champion) (2:38)
(2) The Great Sasuke (IWGP Junior Heavyweight champion) beat Masayoshi Motegi (NWA World Junior Heavyweight champion) (11:50)

8/3/96 --- Ryogoku Kokugikan (Sumo Hall), Tokyo (New Japan --- "J-Crown")
(1) El Samurai (WWF World Light Heavyweight champ) beat Gran Hamada (WWA World Junior Light Heavyweight champ) (12:38)
(2) Shinjiro Otani (UWA World Junior Light Heavyweight champ) beat Negro Casas (NWA World Welterweight champ) (11:34)

8/3/96 --- Koriyama, Fukushima (Michinoku)
Central America Middleweight title match
Shiryu (Kaz Hayashi in WCW) beat Gran Naniwa (17:14)
Shiryu became the new champion.

8/4/96 --- Ryogoku Kokugikan (Sumo Hall), Tokyo (New Japan --- "J-Crown")
(1) The Great Sasuke beat El Samurai (16:25)
(2) Ultimo Dragon beat Shinjiro Otani (12:38)

8/5/96 --- Ryogoku Kokugikan (Sumo Hall), Tokyo (New Japan --- "J-Crown")
8-Crown Unified title match
The Great Sasuke beat Ultimo Dragon to unify eight titles.

8/17/96 --- Noshiro, Akita (Michinoku)
WWA World Middleweight title match
El Pantera beat Naohiro Hoshikawa (15:47)
Pantera became the new champion.

8/18/96 --- Aomori City (Michinoku)
Super Welterweight title match
Super Delfin beat El Pantera (Mariachi in the WWF) (3:15)
Delfin became the new champion.

8/23/96 --- Gosen, Niigata (Michinoku)
WWA Middleweight title match
Super Boy (a.k.a. The Convict) beat Naohiro Hoshikawa (8:38)
Super Boy became the new champion.

9/23/96 --- Towada, Aomori (Michinoku)
UWA Middleweight title match
Tiger Mask #4 beat Men's Teioh (a.k.a. Terry Boy) (12:37)
Tiger became the 28th champion.

10/11/96 --- Osaka Gym (WAR)
8-Crown Unified title match
Ultimo Dragon beat The Great Sasuke (13:42)
Dragon became the new champion.

12/17/96 --- Kumamoto City (Michinoku)
Central America Middleweight title match
Kendo beat Shiryu (Kaz Hayashi in WCW) (14:21)
Kendo became the new champion.

2/6/97 --- Komazawa Olimpic Gym, Tokyo (EMLL)
CMLL World Women's title match
Mariko Yoshida beat Lady Apache (9:36)
Yoshida became the 6th champion.

3/19/97 --- Yonezawa, Yamagata (Michinoku)
UWA World Middle weight title match
Shoichi Funaki beat El Pantera (14:06)
Funaki became the 29th champion.

5/24/97 --- Nakamura, Nagoya, Aichi (Battlarts)
UWA World Middleweight title match
Minoru Tanaka beat Shoichi Funaki (16:05)
Tanaka became the 30th champion.

5/5/97 --- Nakayama, Yamagata (Michinoku)
Super Welterweight title match
Men's Teioh (a.k.a. Terry Boy) beat Super Delfin (15:36)
Teioh became the 9th champion.

7/6/97 --- Makomanai Ice Arena, Sapporo, Hokkaido (New Japan)
7-Crown Unified title match
El Samurai beat Jushin "Thunder" Liger (19:40)
Samurai became the new champion.

8/10/97 --- Nagoya Dome, Aichi (New Japan)
7-Crown Unified title match
Shinjiro Otani beat El Samurai (18:15)
Otani became the new champion.
***These titles, except the IWGP Junior Heavyweight title, were held up at the end of 1997.***

12/17/97 --- Korakuen Hall (EMLL)
Mexico Guerrero Welterweight title match
Shinobi beat Arkangel de la Muerte (13:32)
Shinobi became the new champion.

1/18/98 --- Nakajima Sports Center, Sapporo, Hokkaido (Michinoku)
Super Welterweight title match
Super Delfin beat Men's Teioh (a.k.a. Terry Boy) (21:04)
Delfin became the 10th champion.

6/14/98 --- Omori, Akita (Battlarts)
UWA World Middleweight title match
The Willow (Jeff Hardy) beat Ikuto Hidaka (11:25)
Willow became the 31st champion.

6/15/98 --- Hakata Star Lanes, Fukuoka (FULL)
UWA World Welterweight title match
Super Crazy beat Kid Guzuman
Crazy became the 12th champion.

7/30/98 --- Ninohe, Aomori (Michinoku)
UWA World Junior Light Heavyweight title match
Gran Hamada beat The Convict (a.k.a. Super Boy) (13:27)
Hamada became the 32nd champion.

Shocker and Masanori
Shocker and Masanori...Shocker is a new regular gaijin for New Japan Pro Wrestling


You may contact Masanori at masa_h@mail.goo.ne.jp

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