THE PULSE, Fall 2022

By: Mavs Gillis

As the autumn comes and passes, so does the direct leaf on the tree that connected Rikidozanʼs teaching to the modern era of pro wrestling enjoyed around the world – Antonio Inoki.

You can see the branches in full effect from that initial germination to a style of wrestling employed in North America that makes these talents so successful on both sides of the Pacific. Bryan Danielson, Rocky Romero, TJP – all stars that fought out of the initial 2001 NJPW LA Dojo, then known as the Inoki Dojo.

More and more though, those not trained directly under this system have so many of their influences from those initial two to break out from under Dozanʼs tutelage.

Now itʼs onto the next direct descendants, the next branches of the tree, those that are influencing the talent of today and tomorrow to pass along the traditions handed down through the dojo system. The chain continues from the spirits of Rikidozan, to Inoki, Baba, Kotetsu Yamamoto, and then into the hands of Muto, Chono, and now in practice by the generation of talent we see before us.

The descendants from that time, all of these names, theyʼre the flag bearers for the traditions and training from that era. The dojo style is forever entrenched in the sport. In normal circumstances our cover athlete would take top billing in my foreword, but preserving and holding on to the past seems to be the exact opposite of how this mega star has continued his career time and time, and time, and time again.

The amount of titles I put on to the late Inoki would only be surpassed by the amount of titles I could put on Chris Jerichoʼs 30+ year career. Pro-wrestlingʼs renaissance man walks us through his return to Japan and setting the seeds for what could come in the future, including a sweet old school Winnipeg Jets reference.

In all of this chatter of the evolution of current ROH champion Chris Jericho, we take a look at a style that stood the test of time: the importance of catch wrestling and its influence at the snake pit today. We talk about a tree of knowledge for a style, Karl Gotchʼs Catch Style branches are so intertwined with the Inoki Strong Style and Giant Babaʼs Kingʼs Road style that as we wrap the 50th anniversaries and their teachings, we put that style and its future on the pedestal it deserves.

Speaking of futures, we have a great look into the undercards of both STARDOM and Tokyo Joshi. Following the main events of these promotions gives you a great insight to the top stars, but before you know it you could find yourself as a Lady C supporter as she climbs the ranks with Queenʼs Quest in her fight towards her first championship.

First titles are an important step in any wrestler’s career, which is why Atsuki Aoyagiʼs name should be front of mind as a first time champion as the new All Japan Pro Wrestling Junior Heavyweight champion. The path of his development in just three years has been something to behold. Taking the title off Tiger Mask at AJPWʼs 50th anniversary show is a signal to the puroresu world that there are plenty of bright spots in the future ahead for Aoyagiʼs career. He was trained by Jun Akiyama, who was trained by Giant Baba, who was trained by Rikidozan.

It looks like another branch for the tree and traditions of puroresu is taking blossom and the spirit of those that have passed along will be carried forward into matches for years more to come.

This foreword first appeared in Monthly Puroresu Issue #10.