The difference in conditioning between American and Japanese wrestling...

[crippler_85]

Has anyone ever noticied that with wrestlers in Japan as opposed to America *cough* WWE *cough*, that not alot of Japanese wrestlers are ripped and bulked up on steroids? Not saying that all American wrestlers are guilty and maybe even some Japanese are? I don't know? I was just curious as to what the training is like in the Japanese tradition of puroresu. I know these guys obiviously hit the gym and eat right. But to me it seems that the guys in Japan are more conditioned for longer matches, are able to take more punishment and so on. Whereas, to me at least, the average American wrestler seems to focus on size and body fat and so on, I guess really only on the basis that, that's the only way to get to the big one...the WWE. One last thing to note, is that I know that there are obiviously bigger and bulkier wrestlers in Japan, so I thought I would just get that out of the way incase anyone thought I thought that all Japanese wrestlers are small.

What are your thoughts?

[edgehead1984]

Well, that's because the style of wrestling is different, and the fact that puroresu matches are longer (average-wise) then the average WWE match, therefore stamina is a priority.

physique doesn't matter as much as in the WWE as well.

[Luds]

Just like edgehead said, priorities in puro are different from WWE.

WWE priorities: Mic skills, physique, look.
Japanese Promotions priorities: Ring Ability, potential, Stamina

That says it all...

[matt farmer]

Most of the difference is just perception. WWE has made the American public believe that "tough guys" look like bodybuilders. When in reality they are not. Japan has more realistic standards with their athletes. And emphasize that.

However please don't believe that Japanese wrestlers don't take steriods. There was a period I know of in the mid 90's were a larger percentage was indeed useing. And I even know one of the guys that were supplying them.

[Toan]

I think I remember reading somewhere that Kawada once asked Hansen for some steroids... is there anything truth to this?

[Uraken]

He asked Tom Zenk, if I am not mistaken. I read this in an article about Kawada that a guy posted the link of on these boards some time ago. You could try a search about Kawada or something to find it .

I just don't remember what it was.

EDIT: Taken from this post: Article on Kawada I wrote, need input\corrections\facts

"Former WCW star Tom Zenk insists that while in Japan, Kawada asked to purchase steroids from him, to bulk up his somewhat flabby physique."

[lone wolf]

The main differences are that in Japan you have to have more stamina,and the ability to take more punishement,and in America depending on what company,you have to have the body building physique,or be able to perform cool looking spots.

[Psikyo926]

Cool looking spots is indeed correct. Proof of this was one time my friends came over and we were watching a Stone Cold/ The Rock match. The guys were all excited about all the different moves that those two did in the ring. Later on, I popped in a NJPW tape and watched a couple of matches. They were "bored out of their mind". Alot of the serious WWE fans that I have come across do not like Puroresu, claiming that is "wanna-be wrestling". Quite sad that they dont see good wrestling when its right in front of them.