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On December 22, 1954, Rikidozan fought his tag team
partner Masahiko Kimura to decide who was the Japanese
heavyweight champion, and this bout was promoted as pro wrestling
vs judo. Rikidozan defeated Kimura with
his overpowering karate chop, becoming the undisputed
champion of Japanese Heavyweight. At the same time, Rikidozan shocked
the whole audience in Japan by making it into a bloody match and
knocking out the judo legend.
In October 1957, Rikidozan took on the International
Wrestling Champ Lou Thesz for the JWA and NWA title.
Once again a captivated nation and a sold out arena
watched in awe as Rikidozan stood up to the menacing
blows from Thesz while driving Thesz back with his
signature Karate Chop. The match which ended in a
draw, proved to be the most watched wrestling event in
history and had Japanese flocking to stores to
purchase TVs. One year later, Rikidozan fought Thesz in LA,
defeating the Champ and bringing the belt to Japan.
Rikidozan continued promoting wrestling in Japan, bringing
dozens of world class American wrestlers to Japan to
take on Rikidozan and his entourage of Japanese
fighters. While on tour in Brazil in 1960, Rikidozan
discovered Antonio Inoki, and took him under his
wing, bringing him back for training in Japan. Inoki,
along with Rikidozans second apprentice, Giant Baba
imediately began their intense, strenuous traning
under Rikidozan. Rikidozan was deeply rooted in the
traditional methods of martial arts training, much
like what he experienced as a sumo apprentice. Rikidozan
continued this form of training within the JWA,
conducting grueling, backbreaking practice and
exercise. For Rikidozan, wrestling was not just a sport or
a form of entertainment. It was a frame of mind, an
art that involved years of training to develop. This
idealogy produced wrestlers that brought credibility to
the sport and provided Japanese with quality matches.
From 1960 to 1963 Rikidozans popularity continued to
flourish. During this time Rikidozan won the All Asian Tag
Team title four times and took the World Leaugue
tournament five times, dropping such greats as Lou
Thesz, Freddie Blasie and Killer Kowalski. Rikidozan
also created one of the greatest rivalries in pro
wrestling against the Destroyer, the first foreigner
to defeat Rikidozan on Japanese soil.
Rikidozan was also a spirited fighter outside of the
ring. He owned real estate, apartments, bars,
businesses and his own club, "Riki Palace." It is safe
to say that Rikidozan brought his wrestling mentaluty into
the business world, refusing to back down to any
challenge and any person.
Rikidozans final bout took place on December 7, 1963
against the Destroyer, Killer Buddy Austin and Ilio
Dipaolo
The following night, Rikidozan was stabbed in an
altercation in a club in downtown Tokyo. One week
later he passed away at the age of 39. A week later at
his funeral, thousands of mourners crowded the temple
to pay homage to the hero who had reconciled the
nation and restored confidence in the Japanese. It
was now up to two of his outstanding apprentices,
Antonio Inoki and Giant Baba to carry on the fighting
spirit which Rikidozan had rekindled and brought to
life in the wrestling ring.
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