Pacific Rim Pro Wrestling Podcast

On a new Pacific Rim Pro Wrestling Podcast, Jim and Fumi recap the live experience from Wrestle Kingdom 20, Hiroshi Tanahashi's final match and what the future could hold for NJPW.

The storied career of Hiroshi Tanahashi comes to an end in mere weeks when he retires following his last match at Wrestle Kingdom 20 at Tokyo Dome. In this episode of the Pacific Rim Pro Wrestling Podcast, Fumi Saito and Jim Valley talk about the life, career and influence of the man Fumi calls one of the top two most influential wrestlers of this century, who he best compares with, his key moment...

Fumi Saito knew Hulk Hogan for 40 years, going back to the AWA when they both lived in Minnesota. Fumi talks about Hulk Hogan before WWE, Hogan's first tour in NJPW, how Stan Hansen and Andre the Giant mentored and helped Terry Bollea better define the image and wrestling style of Hulk Hogan, which match in Japan earned Hogan nearly $250,000 in today's money and Fumi's stories about his friend Ter...

Fumi Saito remembers Sabu, his friend of over 30 years. Fumi fills in a lot of Sabu's history going back to his uncle The "Original" Sheik Ed Farhat, Sabu's training and upbringing in the business, Sabu's real age (not the one widely reported), his three wrestling influences on which he based his in-ring style, an act of kindness Hana Kimura's mother never forgot and much more. Details and a side...

30 years ago, All Japan Women's Wrestling was on a roll. On March 26, 1995, 9,000 at the Yokohama Arena witnessed history at AJW Wrestling Queendom 1995 Victory as Manami Toyota defeated Aja Kong for the WWWA World Title. Also on the card, stars like Bull Nakano, Kyoko Inoue, Lioness Asuka, Toshiyo Yamada, Reggie Bennett and Mima Shimota. Fumi Saito talks about the significance of the show and AJW...

Fumi Saito talks about his friend, the late Osamu Nishimura, who started in New Japan's all-star class of 1991, wrestled all over the world in more places than you realize and had a unique deal with New Japan Pro Wrestling. Fumi went to Nishimura's wake and talks about all the legendary wrestlers who respected and were influenced by Nishimura. With 'Queen of the Ring' in theaters, Fumi and Jim Val...

The Pacific Rim Pro Wrestling Podcast. 26 years ago, December 5, 1998, The finals of the All Japan Pro Wrestling Real World Tag League Kenta Kobashi and Jun Akiyama faced off against Vader and Stan Hansen. Fumi Saito talks to Jim Valley about how this wasn't just one of the best matches of the 90s it symbolized a lot of changes happening around the end of one century and the beginning of another....

On the triumphant return of the Pacific Rim Pro Wrestling Podcast, Jim and Fumi talk about both the Dump Matsumoto and Mr. McMahon series on Netflix, and the latest on the Japanese wrestling scene.

Pacific Rim Pro Wrestling Podcast. Jim Valley talks to Fumi Saito about attending both this year's Hana Kimura Memorial Show and the first-ever Marigold card, both held at Korakuren Hall. Fumi talks about the atmosphere, the presentation, Bozilla and Marigold's plans for the future. Plus, WWE running Japan, why Fumi thinks NXT Japan is an inevitability, Pro Wrestling NOAH, Stardom-Bushiroad and mu...

Yes, the Pacific Rim Pro Wrestling Podcast still exists. Fumi Saito and Jim Valley are back. They discuss Fumi's trip to Philadelphia to see Bull Nakano inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame. He talks about how it happened, his thoughts on the ceremony and WrestleMania 40. From there we talk about Rossy Ogawa, Stardom and Rossy's new promotion Marigold. Plus, this year's Hana Kimura Memorial Show, Fu...

It's the Pacific Rim Pro Wrestling Podcast. Fumi Saito sets the record straight about Stardom and the split with Rossy Ogawa. We talk about what happened, what brought it on and what to expect going forward. Fumi also clarifies the situations with Kairi Sane and Giulia's exits from the company. Plus details on Rossy's new company, titles and vision going forward. After that, we talk about John Lau...

The Pacific Rim Pro Wrestling Podcast is back. Jim Valley gets Fumi Saito's thoughts on Kazuchika Okada leaving New Japan Pro Wrestling. Fumi offers insight on the dynamics and relationships behind the scenes in New Japan and speculates on the future of "The Rainmaker". After that, we remember Killer Khan, from his start in sumo, to how he got his name, breaking Andre the Giant's leg, his relatiio...

Fumi Saito and Jim Valley are back with another episode of The Pacific Rim Pro Wrestling Podcast. This week we discuss New Japan Pro Wrestling's new president Hiroshi Tanahashi, including what he'll do, his background and that he's actually the fourth wrestler to be president of NJPW. Plus, the success of All Japan and why Fumi is not concerned about AJPW's new partnership with WWE/NXT. We're comi...

Almost 90 minutes of the Pacific Rim Pro Wrestling Podcast! Fumi Saito and Jim Valley talk about the futures of Will Ospreay, Giulia and Okada. Fumi answers questions on Stardom's new president and possible changes we could see in 2024. We also discuss All Japan Pro Wrestling and the three people driving the resurgence and change backstage. Plus, Wrestle Kingdom, Bruiser Brody, Abdullah, The Von E...

The Pacific Rim Pro Wrestlng Podcast is back. Sukeban, the new Japanese women's promotion debuted in America. Fumi Saito and Jim Valley cover Sukeban in-depth including the roster, wrestler's history, the characters, the matches, the presentation, the announcers, the ring announcer and The Commissioner Bull Nakano. Given Fumi's deep knowledge of the history of Japanese women's wrestling you may be...

With the passing of Terry Funk, we hurriedly put together this very special edition of the Pacific Rim Pro Wrestling Podcast. Terry Funk made over 100 trips to Japan and Fumi Saito was there for many of them. Fumi knew Terry and even visited the Double Cross Ranch. Fumi covers Terry from the beginning at West Texas State, as NWA Champion, booking foreign talent for Baba, his first retirement, come...

Pacific Rim Pro Wrestling Podcast is back. Jim Valley gets Fumi Saito's thoughts on the G1, the format, Naito as winner, Kiyomiya's performance and who he thought stood out. It's interesting to get a Japanese perspective and explanation. Fumi also explains what he thinks Asuka's posts about Stardom and the Japanese wrestling scene mean. Plus, Toshiyo Yamada, Koichi Yoshizawa and more. Check it out...

The Pacific Rim Pro Wrestling Podcast is back. This time Fumi Saito talks about his friend Adrian Adonis, how they met, Adrian's success in Japan and the last trip where Adonis was getting back into shape for a comeback before his tragic death. Plus, how the Pacific Rim Podcast helped Adrian's oldest daughter learn about her father. Also, Shinya Hashimoto, Kiyoko Kimura and the new Japanese wrestl...

The Pacific Rim Pro Wrestling Podcast is back. It's a show that's been years in the making, AEW President & CEO Tony Khan joins Fumi Saito and Jim Valley. With Forbidden Door coming up, it seemed like a good time to talk about Tony's puroresu fandom growing up in the 90s and early 2000s. How Tony discovered Japanese wrestling, tape trading, the early days of the internet, his favorite wrestlers, m...

Pacific Rim Pro Wrestling Podcast is back! Fumi Saito was at the Yokohama Arena in person to witness Stardom All-Star Grand Queendom, the biggest show in Stardom history. Fumi and Jim Valley run down the matches, the outcomes and some of the factors that lead to those outcomes. Was Rossy Ogawa happy with the show? Plus, what might the future hold for Stardom and Mercedes Mone. You might be surpris...

The Pacific Rim Pro Wrestling Podcast has an in-person review of Keiji Muto's Grand Final Pro Wrestling "Last Love" card from The Tokyo Dome. Fumi Saito was among the over 30,000 people on hand to witness a truly historic night of pro wrestling. Not just the winners and losers, but the themes of the night, the backstories and subtext that you may have missed or didn't know about. Fumi has covered...

Pacific Rim Pro Wrestling Podcast looks at the career of Keiji Muto. Fumi Saito and Jim Valley talk about Muto's entire career from his debut in 1984, American excursions, rise to stardom in New Japan, The Three Musketeers, All Japan, Wrestle 1, Hustle, NOAH and more. Fumi has known Muto since 1984, so this is insight you won't hear anywhere else, including what inspired a young Muto to become one...

Pacific Rim Pro Wrestling Podcast is back with Fumi Saito and Jim Valley. Fumi was at Yokohama Arena for the Great Muta Final BYE BYE. He's got his thoughts on Muta, Sting, Darby, Hakushi and the crowd that night. The Keiji Muto Grand Final Card has been announced. Tetsuya Naito will be Muto's final opponent. Naito is actually Muto's second choice. You won't believe who Muto talked with to be his...

The Pacific Rim Pro Wrestling Podcast is back. Fumi Saito and Jim Valley catch up on the year end of 2022, the beginning of 2023 and the year to come. Wrestle Kingdom 17, Mercedes Mon, Stardom, Kenny Omega, Will Ospreay, The Great Muta's last matches, what he has meant to Pro Wrestling NOAH and the mystery surrounding Mutoh's (not Muta's) last opponent. Plus, Fumi remembers Johnny Powers and his v...

Pacific Rim Pro Wrestling Podcast with Fumi Saito and Jim Valley. Everyone is talking about the potential for Sasha Banks to appear at Wrestle Kingdom, but how big of a star is she in Japan? Also, big plans for Keiji Muto's retirement, Wrestle Kingdom, Jake Lee, Naito & Ibushi in the Wrestling Observer Hall of Fame, your questions and more. A packed show with all kinds of history and informmation,...