Big Kaiju Wrestling is The Most Insane Japanese Wrestling You’ll Ever See

By: Thom Fain

Monster Mayhem in Kanagawa: Big Kaiju Pro Wrestling Brings Tokusatsu Terror to the Ring

KANAGAWA, JAPAN – In a sweltering warehouse tucked away in an industrial park, the most bizarre spectacle in professional wrestling unfolds as giant monsters clash in a fusion of sport and cinematic homage that defies every convention of traditional puroresu. Big Kaiju Pro Wrestling, the brainchild of 62-year-old veteran Ichiro “Raijin” Yaguchi, transforms the sacred art of Japanese wrestling into a live-action tokusatsu spectacular that would make Godzilla himself take notice.

The performance art wrestling promotion, which traces its conceptual roots to the American “Kaiju Big Battel” movement that emerged in the mid-1990s, has evolved into something uniquely Japanese under Yaguchi’s vision. What began as a Western interpretation of Japanese monster movies has returned to its cultural source, now flourishing in the very country that gave birth to kaiju cinema through the legendary works of Ishirō Honda and Eiji Tsuburaya.

Sunday’s event in Kanagawa exemplified everything that makes Big Kaiju Wrestling a singular experience in the world of sports entertainment. The ring serves as a miniature cityscape where costumed behemoths wage war accompanied by theatrical sound effects, live harpists providing otherworldly musical accompaniment, and an energetic MC who narrates the destruction with the enthusiasm of a tokusatsu film announcer. The occasional deployment of exploding barbed wire weaponry adds genuine danger to the fantastical proceedings.

Yaguchi, a friend of hardcore wrestling legend Atsushi Onita and current performer for FMW-E, brings decades of wrestling experience to his kaiju project. His documented wrestling career dates back to 1994, when he faced New Japan Pro-Wrestling’s formidable booking team and former Junior Heavyweight champions Gedo and Jado in a WAR tag-team match. Yet it’s clear that among the monsters of his own creation, Yaguchi has found his true calling.

The roster of Big Kaiju Wrestling reads like a fever dream collaboration between Toho Studios and a wrestling promoter. Evil overlords interrupt matches via satellite transmission, multiple dinosaur wrestlers stomp through cardboard cityscapes, and amphibious creatures from dimensions unknown grapple with dancing Spirit Monks. A spear-wielding empress commands respect alongside vengeful Demi-humans who seek retribution against their kaiju tormentors.

For fans of Rampage, Godzilla, or Ultraman, Big Kaiju Wrestling offers familiar thrills in an intimate setting. The promotion’s family-friendly atmosphere attracts a devoted following of tokusatsu enthusiasts who appreciate the deep respect shown to Japanese monster movie traditions. While the fanbase remains microscopic compared to New Japan Pro-Wrestling’s mainstream appeal, those “in the know” understand they’re witnessing something irreplaceable.

The theatrical elements distinguish Big Kaiju Wrestling from conventional puroresu. Each character embodies specific kaiju archetypes while trying their best to maintain the athletic integrity that Japanese wrestling demands. The result is a performance art piece that honors both the technical aspects of professional wrestling and the imaginative storytelling of tokusatsu cinema.

As Japan’s wrestling landscape continues to evolve, Big Kaiju Pro Wrestling represents a fascinating cultural ouroboros – a Western interpretation of Japanese pop culture that has returned home transformed. In an era where professional wrestling increasingly blurs the lines between sport and entertainment, Yaguchi’s monster promotion stands as proof that the most innovative wrestling concepts often emerge from the most unexpected sources.

The warehouse in Kanagawa may not host the massive crowds of Tokyo Dome, but for those seeking wrestling’s most creative expression, Big Kaiju Pro Wrestling offers an experience that transcends traditional sports entertainment. In a world where monsters are real and danger can happen, even the most jaded wrestling fan might find themselves believing in the magic of kaiju once again.

All Photos copyright Monthly Puroresu, by Masahiro Kubota