The Top Ten Moves of Rikidozan

Turning back the clock way, way, way back for the next couple of vids. Right now, we're going back to a time when the world as a whole was still in chaos. After World War II, Japan was in need of a hero, and that hero would come in the form of a former Sumo wrestler in 1951. The man simply known as Rikidozan made his debut, and the rest is history. To put things simply, Rikidozan is the Godfather of Puroresu. This man saw potential in Pro Wrestling in Japan, and through hard work and persistence, Rikidozan succeeded in making Puroresu a force to be reckoned with in Japan. The first ever Puroresu promotion, the Japan Pro Wrestling Association, was founded in 1953, and carried on until the 1970s. In 1954, he was involved in his first major feud against a fellow Japanese competitor. Masahiko Kimura(the same man who defeated the legendary Helio Gracie in a Judo match) faced Rikidozan, who came out on top after brutally attacking Kimura with Kicks and Chops to the face(in an apparent double cross). The best of the best from all over the world, most notably the United States, would challenge Rikidozan, but all would inevitably fail. American legends such as The Destroyer, Freddie Blassie, and even the legendary Lou Thesz challenged the Japanese warrior, only to fall to his incredible submission skills, and his even deadlier Chops. Rikidozan had a shot at the NWA World Heavyweight Title, wrestling a sixty minute draw against Lou Thesz, a match that scored an 87.0 television rating. In 1958, Rikidozan acheived his greatest victory, toppling the first ever Undisputed World Heavyweight Champion Lou Thesz, and winning the NWA International Heavyweight Championship. This title would stay in Japan, for the most part, and is now one third of the prestigious Triple Crown Championship. Around this time, Rikidozan also began training students in the art of professional wrestling. Two of those students would be Giant Baba, and Antonio Inoki, who would go on to form All Japan Pro Wrestling and New Japan Pro Wrestling, respectively. In May of 1963, Rikidozan would once again face off against The Destroyer in a match that scored a monumentous 67.0 television rating, still the largest rating in Japanese television history. However, six and a half short months later, distaster would strike. While partying in one of his nightclubs, Rikidozan was attacked by a knife wielding assailant. Although injured, Rikidozan stripped the man of his knife, and threw him out of the club(literally). However, the wound would become severely infected(it's been said that the knife itself has been soaked in urine before the attack), and a week after being attacked, Rikidozan passed away. To say Rikidozan was a legendary wrestler is almost an understatement, as the man single handedly built the Puroresu empire. Rikidozan's style comprised of mainly submission holds, and various slams. His signature Chops put many opponents down, and his deadly finisher, the Windpipe Chop, put down even the best that stood in Rikidozan's path.

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[polarbear138]

Awesome vid. Keep these legend vids coming! Rikidozen is a legend for sure. I agree with the earlier posts that if possible, you should try making some old school lucha libre vids. I'd like to see vids on Mil Mascaras, Dos Caras, El Santo, Blue Demon and Perro Aguayo. You're the person for the job lol. Being a total mark for old school wrestling in general your vids are the best.

[TheSuicidalDragon]

My Lucha footage past and present is pretty much exhausted right now.

[jonnagilda]

Was that Antonio Rocca he applied the body scissors on?

[TheSuicidalDragon]

Thesz

[KingAndy1992]

Your knowledge of wrestling is clearly very limited. Comparing someone who wrestled in the 1950's, before most of today's wrestling moves had even been invented, to modern wrestlers is profoundly stupid. Rikidozan was a legit athlete. He didn't use "more interesting moves" because THEY HADN'T BEEN INVENTED YET.

[TheBrianJ]

I can totally understand why you'd think he has no wrestling ability...compared to wrestlers nowadays, you probably think Rikidozan was quite boring, especially with such a simple moveset.

But you gotta realize that wrestling evolves as time has gone on. moves that were once considered finishers (like that headlock he was doing) are now simple transition moves. Even something like the DDT, originally, a deadly finisher, is commonplace.

At the time, however, Rikidozan was the goddamn MAN.

[DeadIslandTrailers]

those chops look sick

[SuperDUDERIKI]

@mikey777799 Oh and its a smart thing to read the freaking description once in a while.

[SuperDUDERIKI]

@mikey777799 Yes,he was murdered by a yakuza assassin,with an urine-soaked knife,who (a rumor) was hired by Masahiko Kimura.

[mikey777799]

Was he murdered? Please fill me in.

[DangerousKidNOAH]

good god! His Headlock looks deadly! THATS how a Headlock should look like!

[Kokushi666]

Aha the father of PURO! good to see some real respect for him, he dies much before his time thanks to the damn yakuza but thankfully he created something that REAL wrestling fans could appreciate for years to come!

[tansu2]

@daredevilpre

Bruno came to Japan at the first time after Rikidozan's death. So he has never fought against Rikidozan in Japan.

[daredevilpre]

Is Rikidozan vs Bruno on here some place? I know they wrestled in Japan and Bruno was the heel (one of the few times) and I think he put Rikidozan over.

[aglewi41]

where the hell do you find these matches?

[deveryday1]

@jonnyboy5000 new jack can't out wrestle anybody legitimately. remember, i said they would shoot wrestle the other guy, not shoot on them.

also, don't forget regal, who made goldberg look like a mangina in wcw. and to your point, only a handful of japanese pros could make a guy look weak with their pure wrestling in a legit match. remember, my point isn't whether or not a guy can punch a guy hard, or put some stink on a headlock ala great sasuke