AJPW 8/16 Machida Charity Event Honors Giant Baba, Jun Saito Emerges Victorious

By: Thom Fain

Tokyo— While Giant Baba’s life-size cutout stood sentinel at Machida Gym yesterday, the real tribute to All-Japan Pro Wrestling’s founder was written in the devotion of 855 fans who filled Sun Machida Asahi Gymnasium to support both charity and the unique heavyweight wrestling style that continues to define AJPW’s global identity.

The cardboard representation of the promotion’s towering founder served not as a reminder of decline, but as a measuring stick for how far the Royal Road philosophy has traveled. From Baba’s 1972 vision to today’s streaming audience across multiple time zones, AJPW has evolved its mission while maintaining its core: delivering authentic heavyweight wrestling to dedicated fans wherever they gather.

Triple Crown Champion Jun Saito’s methodical victory over Ryo Inoue exemplified this commitment to substance over spectacle. The champion’s unique journey – from American schools to sumo rings to wrestling’s elite level – embodies AJPW’s ability to forge new paths while honoring traditional Japanese fighting spirit. His dual championship reign as both Triple Crown and Tag Team titleholder isn’t organizational necessity; it’s testament to the depth of talent that AJPW cultivates for its discerning audience.

The main event’s six-man tag structure, with Kento Miyahara teaming alongside Ryuki Honda and Masashi Takeda, demonstrated AJPW’s commitment to collaborative wrestling storytelling. Honda’s decisive plane throw on Shotaro Ashino was the kind of authentic athletic moment that continues to draw AJPW’s global streaming audiences, along with fans young and old in Japan.

The day’s charity component revealed AJPW’s community integration, showing how the promotion serves multiple constituencies: international streaming fans, local Tokyo audiences, and charitable causes that benefit from wrestling’s platform. The political presence during intermission was recognition of wrestling’s continued cultural relevance in Japanese society.

The intimate Machida Gym setting highlighted AJPW’s strength: creating meaningful connections between wrestlers and audiences.

While mainstream entertainment chases viral moments, AJPW continues building lasting relationships with fans who appreciate technical excellence and storytelling depth. An array of gaikokujin talent also served Royal Road audiences as a reminder of the difference between entertainment and athletic performance.

From Senor Saito’s opening victory over Kikutaro to the main event’s team dynamics, today’s card showcased AJPW’s roster depth and commitment to developing talent across multiple generations. Hideki Suzuki and Fuminori Abe’s tag team victory, Davey Boy Smith Jr.’s continued prominence, and the rising talent displayed in multi-man competition all demonstrated how AJPW serves its audience with consistent quality and meaningful progression.

The upcoming 12th Royal Road Tournament, beginning August 24 at Korakuen Hall, represents continuity rather than repetition.

It’s sure to add a new chapter to wrestling history while honoring Baba’s foundational belief in competitive excellence. The early morning streaming times for American audiences are part of AJPW’s global commitment to bringing authentic Japanese heavyweight wrestling to international fans who seek alternatives to mainstream sports entertainment. Giant Baba’s cutout stood tall not as a monument to what was lost, but as a reminder of what endures. His vision of the Royal Road lives on in every technical sequence, every hard-fought victory, and every fan who chooses substance over spectacle.

Yesterday’s charity event proved that AJPW continues serving its community – both local Tokyo supporters and global streaming audiences – with the heavyweight wrestling excellence that has defined the promotion for over five decades.

The wrestlers performed with pride. The politicians spoke with respect. The fans left satisfied. Most importantly, 855 people experienced authentic professional wrestling in an era when authenticity has become increasingly rare… exactly what Giant Baba envisioned when he established the Royal Road that AJPW still travels today.

All photos copyright Monthly Puroresu, by Masahiro Kubota

Masahiro Kubota | MP