Peatzilla | MP
By: Lewis Carlan
2025 was a huge milestone year for Big Japan Pro-Wrestling superstar Abdullah Kobayashi as he celebrated his 30th year as a pro-wrestler. Kobayashi made his debut back on May 29th 1995 at the BJW Founding Series event in a match against Yuichi Taniguchi.
Kobayashi has spent his entire 30 year career with Big Japan Pro-Wrestling and has become an icon in the world of death matches. He has held the BJW Death Match Heavyweight Championship incredibly on six seperate occasions. Kobayashi currently holds the Yokohama Shopping Street Six Man Tag Team Championship with Kankuro Hoshino & Ryuji Ito.
Kobayashi’s popularity isn’t regulated to just Japan as he has competed all over the world including the USA, Australia and the UK.
The BJW legend was gracious enough to grant Monthly Puroresu an interview as we discussed his career over the past 30 years and what the future may hold for the 49 year old superstar.
Here is the Monthly Puroresu interview with the BJW legend Abdullah Kobayashi:
Monthly Puroresu:
You have been with Big Japan Pro-Wrestling since 1995, the year the promotion was founded. What led you to joining BJW back in 1995?
Abdullah Kobayashi:
In 1994, when I was a senior in high school, I learned from Weekly Pro Wrestling that BJW was being established and sent in my résumé. I wanted a job that would make me popular with girls.
Monthly Puroresu:
Why did you decide to remain with BJW for the last 30 years?
Abdullah Kobayashi:
A sense of responsibility.
Monthly Puroresu:
You had teamed with the legendary Abdullah the Butcher early in your career. How much of an influence has Abdullah the Butcher had on you and your career?
Abdullah Kobayashi:
I couldn’t speak English, so he couldn’t teach me detailed techniques. I learned by watching his fighting attitude, expressions, and intimidating presence.
Masahiro Kubota | MP
Monthly Puroresu:
Why did you decide to concentrate on being a deathmatch wrestler?
Abdullah Kobayashi:
Before I realized it, I was doing deathmatches. From my first year, I was put in main events. I couldn’t win at all, but I saw it as a chance and endured.
Monthly Puroresu:
Why do you feel there are many fans that are interested in watching deathmatches?
Abdullah Kobayashi:
Pro wrestling is extraordinary, but deathmatches let you experience something even more extraordinary than the extraordinary.
Monthly Puroresu:
How do you prepare yourself mentally going into a deathmatch knowing that it can get very brutal during the course of the match?
Abdullah Kobayashi:
I empty my mind. I don’t think about anything unnecessary.
Photo Credit; Phil Jones
Monthly Puroresu:
You are a six-time BJW Death Match Heavyweight Champion which is the most in history. Do you consider yourself the greatest BJW death match wrestler of all time and are you looking for a seventh reign.
Abdullah Kobayashi:
I’ve never thought of myself as strong. There are many wrestlers stronger than me. My career has been the result of figuring out how to cover my weaknesses and keep fighting. I always want to aim for the belt.
Monthly Puroresu:
What are your thoughts on the current BJW Death Match Heavyweight Champion Yusaku Ito-san?
Abdullah Kobayashi:
I want him to create a new era.
Monthly Puroresu:
You have competed overseas in the USA many times, what do you enjoy most about wrestling in the USA?
Abdullah Kobayashi:
Great Kojika, the founder of BJW, and Kendo Nagasaki, the ace at the time of its founding, were wrestlers who also worked in America. I enjoy being able to experience the same atmosphere those pioneers once felt.
Masahiro Kubota | MP
Monthly Puroresu:
In a recent post on X, you stated you like American style food. What is your favorite American style food and why do you enjoy it?
Abdullah Kobayashi:
I like pizza and hamburgers. I was moved the first time I ate Chicago pizza. I like that it’s bigger than the versions you get in Japan.
Monthly Puroresu:
You never held the BJW World Strong Heavyweight Championship. Is that a title you would like to win before your career ends?
Abdullah Kobayashi:
Deathmatch is sacred, but Strong is also sacred. If I challenge for it, I want to do it in the proper order. It’s not a belt you can just grab a mic and say “Let me challenge next!” and get a title match.
Masahiro Kubota | MP
Monthly Puroresu:
As you are close to 50 years old and have been wrestling for 30 years, how many more years do you think you will be an active wrestler? Have you thought about retiring from the ring at all?
Abdullah Kobayashi:
I’ll wrestle for life. If I can’t walk anymore, I’ll fight in a wheelchair.
Monthly Puroresu:
In your 30 years of competing, who is the one opponent that you would call your greatest rival and why?
Abdullah Kobayashi:
My rival is myself. The me of tomorrow is my rival.
Masahiro Kubota | MP
Monthly Puroresu:
If you could talk to 20-year-old Abdullah Kobayashi, what advice would you give to him?
Abdullah Kobayashi:
Learn English properly!
Monthly Puroresu:
When your career is done, how do you want the fans to remember you?
Abdullah Kobayashi:
A tiger dies and leaves its skin; a man dies and leaves his name. Even after I’m gone from this world, if people still remember my name, that would be the greatest thing.
Monthly Puroresu would like to extend our sincere gratitude to Big Japan Pro-Wrestling for facilitating this interview with Abdullah Kobayashi and providing the English text translation.
Date:
November 18, 2025
