Media Portrayal of Japanese Wrestling

[RMC420]

I've been in 3rd Year at Uni for a week and already have coursework to do. However I can put a wrestling spin on this one. For the Media Theory and Practice module, I have to write a 3,000 word essay and do a 15 minute presentation on a current media issue. Thankfully the topic is broad and I can do what I want.

What I want to study is the differences between the media portrayal of wrestling in the US and Japan. And I need your help.....

Can you please consider these questions or just write brief notes on the subject to help me?

How is wrestling covered in the media in Japan? In the newspapers? What TV stations is it on? (Are these good channels) Do people think its real? Is it held on a high level? What about kayfabe?

I would have hoped the people with a good knowledge of Japanese wrestling on this forum could answer these questions. Unfortunately if I don't get some opinions I'll have to do another project - which sucks as I want to do wrestling. Even small 1 sentence answers would be helpful as I know hardly anyting on the situation.

[Muiyan]

Well, as far as i know, puroresu is treated more seriously in Japan than anywhere else in the world. For example, big news DO make headlines on sports papers and such.

Hopefully others here can say more on this.

[ElGringo]

Your a brave guy doing a coursework piece on wrestling. As a student myself I'll be happy to help you. Where are you studying?

In Japan, the fact that the matches are predetermined has no bearing on how legitimate the sport is seen to be..There have been pre-determined judo and karate routines, kata, in Japan for hundreds of years; the athletes must show their technique and spirit to win approval, rather than just use superior strength or size for a physical win. It is the same with puroresu.

Puroresu is seen very much as a legitimate combat sport; it's covered not just in combat sports media alongside judo, boxing, MMA etc. but in sports newspapers alongside baseball, and even, on some occasions by mainstream media.

I don't believe that the Japanese fans actually think that puroresu is real; that's why they don't buy the PRIDE style matches in New Japan; what they do believe is that the wrestlers ARE fighting, fighting for the approval and acceptance of the fans, to defend their honour and to earn glory.

Puroresu is most definateley seen as a serious competition, heavily regulated, with DQs for low blows and run-ins (not in Toryumon though) and respect for the referee at all times.

New Japan and NOAH recieve much coverage on Nippon TV and TV-Asahi, two of Japan's two largest commercial free-to-air TV networks, and there's even a wrestling-only channel, Samurai! TV.

Hope that helps.

[Misawafan]

Just to update on ElGringo's post, I believe there are two wrestling/combat sport channels. As he said Samurai TV! And I belive Gaora(sp) as well. Hope that helps.

[ElGringo]

Nah, GAORA isn't a wrestling only channel. It's a sports channel that also shows basketball, American football, surfing, sailing, that kind of stuff.

[RMC420]

Can anoyone who replied in this post please post their real name so I can include your thoughts in my report.

Thanks

[Yoshimitsu]

My name is Alex Neve.

You could compare the big stars of both nations. Hulk Hogan in America is more of a novelty celebrity who is considerd cheesy and more of a children's amusement when non-wrestling fans talk of him. People like Hiroshi Hase, Giant Baba and Especially Antonio Inoki are treated as Japanese heroes. If you went into a US sports shop it's unlikely Hulk Hogan would be much of a feature, whereas in Japan Inoki is revered in a gold light. It is of big importance then that the Japanese product of wrestling is not one of an eccentric soap opera which is adored by fans but ridiculed by non-viewers. When Jesse Ventura became governor of minnesota alot of the attitude still is "If a wrestler can do it, anyone can!". Well I wouldn't be too surprised if Inoki gets knighted or however they would choose to honor him.