What is New Japan-ism?

[Hisaharu Tanabe]

According to a puroresu blog in Japanese, a recent edition of "Weekly Playboy" (not to be confused with the Japanese edition of the famous Playboy magazine which is monthly) had an interview with three legends: Riki Choshu, Tatsumi Fujinami, and the original Tiger Mask (Satoru Sayama).

One of the questions was "What is New Japan-ism?"

Choshu: It's easy. Not a big deal to me, but (New Japan-ism is) unfortunately Antonio Inoki.

Fujinami: Inoki-san all the way. New Japan-ism should be something that can provide a tense atmosphere.

Tiger: Inoki-ism, Kotetsu-ism, Gotch-ism. Combination of the three.

Choshu's answer shows that his frustration with the fact that his generation could not go beyond Inoki in terms of the fame and popularity.

To me, Sayama's answer was the most convincing.

[DefLeppardVanHalen]

I definitely agree on Tiger Mask's answer.

Antonio Inoki started NJPW.
Karl Gotch gave Inoki and the promotion their identity.
Kotetsu Yamamoto was responsible for all the current puroresu legends, as he was the main trainer of its dojo.