This day in puroresu history

[Hisaharu Tanabe]

I usually don't post "this day..." on the forum since we can always go to the top page of this site to view it, but I gotta mention this special day (September 30th):

1951 - The Zainichi Torii Osasis Shriner's Club of Tokyo promotes the card at Ryogoku Memorial Hall in Tokyo to entertain the U.S. servicemen. The card, sponsored by the Japanese Red Cross, features Bobby Bruns(U.S.), Andre Adoree (France), Ovira Asselin(Canada), Casey Parker(Berger? U.S.), Gino Vagnone(Italy), Harold Sakata(U.S.), and Dr. Len Hall(U.S.). Note: Rikidozan, Masahiko Kimura, and others would eventually start tarining with the Club to become the pro-wresters. Because of that, while this wasn't the first pro-wrestling card in Japan ever, it's safe to say this is the birth of puroresu we enjoy today.

1960 - Kanji Inoki and Shohei Baba have their debut matches. Baba defeats Yonetaro Tanaka, and Inoki is defeated by Kintaro Ohki.

1990 - Both Giant Baba and Antonio Inoki have the 30th anniversary cards. At Kourakuen Hall (All Japan), Baba teams with Abdullah the Butcher to wrestle against Andre the Giant and Stan Hansen. At Yokohama Arena (New Japan), Inoki teams with Tiger Jeet Singh to defeat Big Van Vader & Animal Hamaguchi. In attendance for Inoki's ceremony are Johnny Valentine, Nick Bockwinkel, Lou Thesz, Billy Robinson, Tiger Jeet Singh, Johnny Powers, Stan Hansen, Willem Ruska, Andre the Giant, and Hiro Matsuda. After attending the ceremony, Andre and Hansen rushed to the Kourakuen Hall to wrestle in the main event.

[Luds]

Wow! Quite a day in history!

[pigman]

Whoa I didn't know that! Thanks for the info Hisa!

[edgehead1984]

thanks for the info, Hisa