WRITE THAT DOWN! A Professional Wrestling Podcast w/ Fumi Saito & Justin Knipper

On this week’s episode, Fumi & Justin talked about Tokyo’s mini-Madison Square Garden, the Mecca of puroresu, Korakuen Hall. Fumi shares his first experiences watching wrestling in the building before going over the history of the venue, what kinds of events have taken place in it over the years and its overall importance to both pro wrestling and boxing in Japan. (Airdate 10/27/22) 今週のエピ...

Mitsuharu Misawa. Toshiaki Kawada. Kenta Kobashi. Akira Taue. These were All Japan’s “Big Four” during of the 1990s, the four most influential players of the decade. English-speaking fans in 2021 have more and more often been referring to these four wrestlers as AJPW’s “Four Pillars of Heaven,” and recently, the term “four pillars” has turned into hip new short-hand for “top four wrestlers.” What’...

Fumi and Justin are back again to remember former NWF Heavyweight Champion, Johnny Powers, who passed at the end of last year. Powers was from the Northeast but ended up a bigger name in Japan because of his connection to the late Antonio Inoki. Learn where “the eagle belt” came from and more in this week’s special episode, “Remembering Johnny Powers.” (Airdate 1/12/23) 今週のフミ＆ジャスティンは...

On this week’s episode, Fumi & Justin talked about “Captain Redneck” Dick Murdoch. With strong ties to the Funk family early on, Murdoch, the man who popularized the Brainbuster and Calf-Branding, made a name for himself all throughout the US before establishing solid footing in Japan, the country that he’d actually spent the majority of his career in. From JWA to IWE and AJPW to his almost de...

On this week’s episode, Fumi & Justin focused on the one & only MASAHIRO CHONO. After debuting after dozens of wrestlers left NJPW for Japan Pro Wrestling and the first incarnation of UWF, Chono, alongside fellow Three Musketeers Keiji Muto & Shinya Hashimoto, rose to the zenith of his popularity during his time as active in-ring performer during the mid-90s. Chono forged a distinct ca...

On this week’s episode, Fumi & Justin talked about the “God of Pro Wrestling” Karl Gotch. They hit topics like Gotch at the 1948 London Olympics, his relationship with Antonio Inoki, his time in the WWWF, his time in Japan with JWA, IWE and later NJPW, and his overall influence on the world of Japanese pro wrestling and MMA. 今週のエピソードでは、フミとジャスティンが "プロレスの神様 "カール・...

Fumi and Justin are back again to talk about the distinct, impactful career of Jinsei Shinzaki, also known as Haksuhi. From his time as a stuntman to UWA Japan and later Michinoku Pro, they go over Hakushi’s early career before moving on to his time spent in WWF in 1994–1996, his famous match with Great Muta in 1996 at the Tokyo Dome, as well as his recent involvement in Great Muta’s final appeara...

On this week’s episode, Fumi & Justin talked about the very special, very talented Adrian Adonis and his time with NJPW as well as his work in territories over the years, like in Portland, Amarillo, AWA in MN with the East-West Connection, before his stint as “Adorable” Adrian in the WWF.   今週のエピソードでは、フミとジャスティンが、非常に特別で、非常に才能のあるエイドリアン・アドニスについて...

(This episode was originally released in September of 2021.) On this week’s episode of Write That Down!, Fumi Saito & Justin Knipper talked about the Three Musketeers of NJPW: Keiji Muto, Masahiro Chono, and Shinya Hashimoto. Each musketeer had their own distinct style and personality in the ring, and outside of the ring, each would end up leading very different career paths. They also talked...

Fumi Saito & Justin Knipper went over the storied career of “The Dragon” Tatsumi Fujinami, who celebrated his 50th year in pro wrestling at an anniversary show last week, where he took on Hiroshi Tanahashi in the main event—at the age of 68! (Airdate: 12/22/22)   フミ斎藤＆ジャスティン・ニッパーが、この収録の週に行われた記念興行でプロレス生活50周年を迎え、68歳にしてメインイベントで棚橋弘至と対...

Fumi Saito & Justin Knipper again focused on Rikidozan, the father of Japanese pro wrestling. Part two examines his final match against Lou Thesz in 1958, his matches with Fred Blassie and the Destroyer, and the circumstances surrounding his death 60 years ago. 

Fumi Saito & Justin Knipper focused on the father of Japanese pro wrestling, Rikidozan. This episode covers up until 1958 in his career and on his deep impact on Japanese pro wrestling and post-war society in general.