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PODCAST

WRITE THAT DOWN! A Professional Wrestling Podcast w/ Fumi Saito & Justin Knipper

Learn the REAL history of pro wrestling inside Japan and out with legendary writer and broadcast personality Fumi Saito and Pro Wrestling NOAH’s Justin Knipper!

sports wrestling

All Episodes

85:49

The Life & Times of Hiro Matsuda

WRITE THAT DOWN! A Professional Wrestling Podcast w/... ·

2025/10/19

This episode is a special deep-dive into the life and influence of Hiro Matsuda, the wrestler, trainer, and promoter who bridged Japanese and American pro wrestling.We trace his journey from early days in Peru and Mexico to Texas and Florida, his legendary matches and role as a shareholder in Championship Wrestling from Florida, and his work founding IWE in Japan. Highlights include his training of megastars (Hulk Hogan, Lex Luger, Ron Simmons, Scott Hall and others), his landmark rivalries like

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01:05:29

Tiger Jeet Singh & Abdullah the Butcher

WRITE THAT DOWN! A Professional Wrestling Podcast w/... ·

2025/08/31

This episode explores the careers and impact of Tiger Jeet Singh and Abdullah the Butcher in 1970s–80s Japan, their prime-time TV presence, and memorable rivalries with Antonio Inoki and Giant Baba.It also examines contrasting booking styles between New Japan and All Japan, how foreign stars shaped later generations and the rise of hardcore wrestling, plus the legacy these outsiders left on Japanese pro wrestling.

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01:44:15

Antonio Inoki (Part 5): THE FINAL

WRITE THAT DOWN! A Professional Wrestling Podcast w/... ·

2025/07/24

Join us for the conclusion of our deep dive into the legacy of Antonio Inoki, a man who was not only a legendary pro wrestler but also a politician, businessman, and cultural icon. In the final chapter of this series, we explore Inoki's impact inside and outside the wrestling ring, his forays into the world of mixed martial arts, and his ambitious business ventures across the globe. Discover how Inoki navigated the turbulent waters of professional wrestling, leaving an indelible mark on the

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01:28:01

Antonio Inoki (Part 4): International Wrestling Grand...

WRITE THAT DOWN! A Professional Wrestling Podcast w/... ·

2025/06/22

Join Justin Knipper and Fumi Saito in the fourth installment of their deep dive into the illustrious career of Antonio Inoki. This episode navigates the intricate events of the 1970s through the mid-1980s, shedding light on the business relationships Inoki forged with Vince McMahon Sr. and his rivalry with Bob Backlund. Delve into the layered interactions between New Japan Pro Wrestling and the WWF and uncover the undercurrents of Inoki’s matches that left their mark on wrestling history. Discover

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37:04

Hana Was Here, But She Left Early

WRITE THAT DOWN! A Professional Wrestling Podcast w/... ·

2025/05/23

This episode explores the profound impact of Hana Kimura, a rising star in Japanese women's wrestling, and the legacy she left behind. From her vibrant beginnings to her tragic end, it delves into the intimate details of her life, including the influences of her mother, Kyoko Kimura, a former wrestler. The narrative weaves through Hana's experiences both in and out of the ring, highlighting the challenges she faced in a world that often blurred the lines between reality and performance.The account

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01:28:58

Antonio Inoki (Part 3): BOM-BA-YE

WRITE THAT DOWN! A Professional Wrestling Podcast w/... ·

2025/05/23

Welcome to another thrilling episode of Write That Down, hosted by Justin Knipper and Japan's renowned pro wrestling expert, Fumi Saito. In this third part of our series, we explore the pivotal years of Antonio Inoki's career, spanning from the mid-70s to the early 80s. We delve into the intense rivalries and groundbreaking moments that elevated Inoki to international fame. Join us as we discuss the historic matches that defined an era, including Inoki's fierce bouts against Strong Kobayashi, his

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01:34:06

Antonio Inoki (Part 2) Happy Days

WRITE THAT DOWN! A Professional Wrestling Podcast w/... ·

2025/04/21

Embark on a captivating journey into the dynamic world of Antonio Inoki, one of wrestling's most iconic figures. In this episode, we delve into the fascinating era of Japanese wrestling that shaped the careers of legends like Inoki and Giant Baba. Discover the tumultuous events leading up to the formation of New Japan Pro Wrestling and All Japan Pro Wrestling, and the contrasting philosophies that defined these promotions.Explore the stories behind Inoki's legendary matches, including his

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01:06:11

Antonio Inoki (Part 1) The Early Years

WRITE THAT DOWN! A Professional Wrestling Podcast w/... ·

2025/04/01

Join us as we dive into the fascinating early years of Antonio Inoki, one of wrestling's most iconic figures. In this first installment of a five-part profile series, discover Inoki's journey from being the youngest of 11 children in Yokohama, Japan, to embarking on a life-changing move to Sao Paulo, Brazil. Experience the hardships and adventures that shaped his path, including the tragic loss of his grandfather en route and the pivotal moment of being discovered by Rikidozan. This episode covers

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01:30:35

Giant Baba (Part 4): The Business of Giants

WRITE THAT DOWN! A Professional Wrestling Podcast w/... ·

2025/03/19

In this final episode of the Legacy Showcase series, hosts Justin Knipper and Fumi Saito explore the life and legacy of Giant Baba, focusing on his role as a promoter for All Japan Pro Wrestling from the late 1980s through the 1990s. They delve into his promotional strategies, the use of sports media like Tokyo Sports, and his innovative booking style, which emphasized timing and recognizing talent like Genichiro Tenryu, Misawa, and Kobashi. The discussion also examines the evolution of the Triple

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01:20:46

Giant Baba (Part 3) Baba the Promoter

WRITE THAT DOWN! A Professional Wrestling Podcast w/... ·

2025/02/22

In this compelling episode, Justin and Fumi delve deep into the legendary journey of Giant Baba, marking part three of their comprehensive profile series. The discussion illuminates Baba's profound influence in wrestling, particularly through his relationship and eventual split with the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA). The conversation transitions through Baba's pivotal role in All Japan Pro Wrestling, highlighting his battles against contemporary rival Antonio Inoki and emphasizing the stark

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01:04:01

Giant Baba (Part 2): NWA Days

WRITE THAT DOWN! A Professional Wrestling Podcast w/... ·

2025/01/30

Welcome back to another episode of Write That Down with your host, Justin Knipper, alongside wrestling historian Fumi Saito. This week, we continue our deep dive into the legendary career of Giant Baba as we explore his monumental transition from a celebrated wrestler to a transformative promoter. This episode marks part two of our series on Giant Baba.We delve into the early days of All Japan Pro Wrestling, examining its founding in 1972, and how Baba's leadership established a vital connection

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01:22:40

Giant Baba (Part 1): The Rise of "Baba the Giant"

WRITE THAT DOWN! A Professional Wrestling Podcast w/... ·

2025/01/23

This episode marks the beginning of an intriguing journey into the world of professional wrestling as they kick off the "Profile Legacy" series, focusing on none other than Shohei Baba, famously known as "Giant Baba." Dive into the initial stages of Baba's life—from his childhood in Niigata and his early onset of acromegaly, to pivotal moments of his baseball career with the Yomiuri Giants.Explore the deep connections and relationships that shaped Baba's wrestling career, including his marriage

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48:54

Riki Choshu's Journey Beyond the Ring: A Deep Dive...

WRITE THAT DOWN! A Professional Wrestling Podcast w/... ·

2024/12/24

In this episode of "Write That Down," host Justin Knipper teams up with renowned Japanese wrestling historian and journalist Fumi Saito to explore the fascinating career of Riki Choshu post-New Japan. As they delve into Choshu's evolution from a legendary wrestler to a managerial and promotional figure, they discuss his ventures with World Japan Wrestling and his rise to fame as a Japanese celebrity.Join them as they navigate through Choshu's various projects and his impact on the wrestling

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01:04:41

Seiji Sakaguchi: An Unsung Hero of Japanese Pro...

WRITE THAT DOWN! A Professional Wrestling Podcast w/... ·

2024/12/24

Join Justin Knipper and Fumi Saito on a journey through the storied career of Seiji Sakaguchi, one of the pivotal figures in Japanese professional wrestling. In this episode, they explore how Sakaguchi, much like a Gorilla Monsoon figure in the US, served as both a backstage leader and a key wrestler, steering the ship for New Japan Pro-Wrestling. Delve into Sakaguchi's early years, from his national judo successes to his decision to transition into the world of pro wrestling. Discover how his

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01:13:30

Unveiling A Legend: Riki Choshu's Journey (Part 1)

WRITE THAT DOWN! A Professional Wrestling Podcast w/... ·

2024/12/09

Dive into the fascinating world of Japanese professional wrestling as hosts Justin Knipper and Fumi Saito explore the storied career of Riki Choshu. Known as one of Japan's most influential wrestling figures, Choshu's journey from his early life as a young Korean-Japanese athlete to his rise as a wrestling icon in Japan is meticulously examined. This episode delves into Choshu's rookie years, his ventures abroad to Germany and Montreal, and the significant events that shaped his illustrious career

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01:02:48

Unpacking A Legacy: Riki Choshu's Journey (Part 2)

WRITE THAT DOWN! A Professional Wrestling Podcast w/... ·

2024/12/09

Join hosts Justin Knipper and Fumi Saito as they delve into the illustrious career of Riki Choshu in the second part of this insightful series on 'Write That Down'. This episode explores the pivotal moments in Choshu's wrestling journey from 1984, including his influential 'jump period' from New Japan to All Japan Pro Wrestling with his faction Ishingun.Listeners will hear about the iconic 60-minute draw between Choshu and Jumbo Tsuruta, Choshu's evolution into a creative genius during the late 80s

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01:03:21

The Evolution of Joshi Pro Wrestling: From the Peak...

WRITE THAT DOWN! A Professional Wrestling Podcast w/... ·

2024/11/06

Join hosts Justin Knipper and Fumi Saito on the final episode of their mini-series exploring the rich history of Joshi Pro Wrestling, or women's wrestling, in Japan. In this episode, they delve into the legendary 1993 Dream Slam match between Akira Hokuto and Shinobu Kandori, a pivotal event that marked the peak of the women's wrestling boom in Japan.Discover the intense rivalries between iconic groups like All Japan Women, LLPW, and JWP during the early 90s. The episode also covers the return of

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01:41:24

Vince McMahon in Japan

WRITE THAT DOWN! A Professional Wrestling Podcast w/... ·

2024/11/02

In this special episode of "Write That Down," hosts Justin Knipper and Fumi Saito delve into the intricate history of Vince McMahon and his family's enduring ties with the Japanese wrestling scene. This connection, which spans over five decades, highlights pivotal moments such as Giant Baba's iconic trip to Madison Square Garden and the collaborative efforts between Japanese wrestling promotions and the McMahon family.The episode offers an in-depth discussion on the early days of this relationship,

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01:21:28

From Beauty Pair to Bull Nakano: The Evolution of...

WRITE THAT DOWN! A Professional Wrestling Podcast w/... ·

2024/09/19

From Beauty Pair to Bull Nakano: The Evolution of Joshi Pro WrestlingDive into the rich history of Joshi Pro Wrestling in Japan with hosts Justin Knipper and Fumi Saito. In part two of this mini-series, we explore the evolution of women's wrestling from the 1980s through the 1990s. Discover the impact of legendary figures like Mimi Hagiwara, Jaguar Yokota, and the iconic Crush Gals. Learn about the rise of JWP and the pivotal role of Bull Nakano in transforming the wrestling landscape. We also

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01:08:19

The Untold History of Joshi Pro Wrestling: From...

WRITE THAT DOWN! A Professional Wrestling Podcast w/... ·

2024/09/19

Join us on an eye-opening journey as we delve into the rich and often overlooked history of Joshi Pro Wrestling in Japan. In this episode, hosts Justin Knipper and Fumi Saito explore the roots and evolution of women's professional wrestling, tracing its origins from the 1950s to the early 1970s. Discover how legends like Mildred Burke and Fabulous Moolah influenced the Japanese scene, and learn about the unique development of Joshi wrestling, separate from men's wrestling in Japan. We cover the rise

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