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DG's Puro Wrestling Academy

The WrestleCopia Network

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Class is in session at the Puro Wrestling Academy! Join host Dan Ginnetty, as he travels back in time and discusses the ins and outs of the history of Pro Wrestling in Japan. Dan has spent decades studying the world of Japanese Wrestling and now he offers up his historian-level knowledge for the English speaking fans out there who have been dying to learn more about the world of "Puroresu"!
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Looking for pro wrestling history? WWE, WCW, NWA, AEW, NXT, NJPW, Impact, ROH, AWA, ECW, and the pioneer era of pro wrestling. Karl Stern (DragonKingKarl) is a pro wrestling historian who has produced the DragonKingKarl Classic Wrestling Audio Show for over 10 years at Wrestling Observer. This is the free version of some of the pro wrestling podcasts we produce at When It Was Cool. The vast majority of it is available early to Patreon supporters and there are over 2300 shows available for su ...
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Mark Buckeldee, Kieran Lefort and their guests use data gathered from surveying fans on Twitter to discuss the matches every wrestling fan needs to see. The essentials of pro-wrestling, as nominated by you. @MustSeeMatches
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This Is Awesome is an informal research project with no methodology asking the question: What makes a great pro wrestling match and why? We watch the best wrestling matches of all time, suggested by you, and then we show it to a non-fan to see if it holds up!
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We look at the evolution of professional wrestling through some of its greatest matches! Every episode, we take a Match of the Year award winner from the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, Pro Wrestling Illustrated, The Theszies (RSPW Readers Poll), Box-y-Lucha, or Tokyo Sport annual poll.
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I have a packed show for you today discussing the final shows of Southeastern wrestling before it became Continental with Bob Armstrong, Lord Humongous, Ron Fuller, Boomer Lynch, and more. Some more from 1932 Madison Square Garden, a review of the great new book Six Pack and my thoughts on Tito Santana, and the last member of the final four of the …
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On the 386th edition of Wrestling With the Dawg Podcast at FlairFlop.com, Eric Allen and Joe Drilling of OnTheStick.com joins the Dirty Dawg Darsie to review the four-part Vice series entitled "Who Killed WCW?" The three cats discussed why WCW was popular back in the day, the Jerry Springer show, Hulk Hogan and his creative control, bad management …
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The Puro Wrestling Academy w/Dan Ginnetty returns with a special "summer school" session of the program, covering 1957 in Japan! We talk Hiro Matsuda's disdain for Rikidozan and his drive to "make it" in the business, Weekly TV begins, and NWA World Champion Lou Thesz comes to Japan to defend against Rikidozan. Plus, Bobo Brazil, Adrian Baillargeon…
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I am back with my 1000 Hours series which focuses on the history, origin, and evolution of pro wrestling in America. A listener has asked about Germany, France, and Europe in the pioneer era of wrestling. France, in particular, was hugely important in pro wrestling's popularity in the United States with Prof. Thiebaud Bauer bringing his French styl…
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I have a great show for you this week starting off with a fun entry into the Greatest Kayfabe Tournament - The GKT, where you the listener voted between Sting and Kurt Angle. Next up we go back to 1931 Madison Square Garden where Dick Shikat upset the order of things by shooting on people. The show rounds out with a look at December 1984 in Southea…
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It is a PACKED edition of the DragonKingKarl Classic Wrestling podcast today as I talk about the latest match in the GKT: Greatest Kayfabe Tournament where you, the listener, have voted on who would win in their primes between Antonio Inoki and Hiroshi Tanahashi. I then travel back to 1931 for more history from Madison Square Garden and Jim Londos,…
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I return with the 1000 Hours podcast series which focuses exclusively on the pioneer era of pro wrestling or the era before Frank Gotch. I am looking back today at 1875 and 1876 which was dominated by the American heavyweight champion Col. James H. McLaughlin, pro wrestling's first major star. McLaughlin won pro wrestling's first big championship t…
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On this episode of the DragonKingKarl Classic Wrestling Podcast I continue my Long Form History of Wrestling series with a look at June 1984. WWF has bought out the Georgia territory and it's first venture into national cable television didn't quite go as planned. There is both a new NWA and AWA World champion and now a new IWGP champion as well. P…
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This week on The Puro Wrestling Academy, Dan Ginnetty schools us on the entire year of 1956 in the world of Puroresu. Rikidozan & Kokichi Endo capture the NWA World Tag Team Titles from The Sharpe Brothers (Mike & Ben). Plans are made to bring in the soon to be (once again) NWA Champion Lou Thesz. Rikidozan travels to Southeast Asia to rekindle his…
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On this week's show we have a ton of classic pro wrestling discussion on a variety of topics. The latest match in the GKT: Greatest Kayfabe Tournament and the voters are split on a match between Kenny Omega and Terry Funk- but we have a winner! More from 1931 New York wrestling and Madison Square Garden. Then the second half of the show takes a loo…
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Hour 49 of the 1000 Hours podcast series is a packed one. The 1000 Hours series is my detailed, heavily researched look at the pioneer era of pro wrestling, or pro wrestling before the time of Frank Gotch. On today's episode I am asked about Davy Crockett, whose obituary following his death at the Alamo claimed he was a wrestler. What is the realit…
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On this episode of my DragonKingKarl Classic Wrestling Podcast I take a look at the results of the latest match in the final eight of the GKT: Greatest Kayfabe Tournament pitting Brock Lesnar against Mitsuharu Misawa. These two would have had an incredible match in their primes and I discuss it along with your voting results. The bulk of the show i…
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On this episode I continue the history of pro wrestling at Madison Square Garden podcast series with a detour to Yankee Stadium in 1931 where Jim Londos teams up with the William Randolph Hearst empire to hopefully draw one of the largest crowds in history up to that date. Well, they tried anyway. Then I transition to more talk about the glory era …
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The Puro Wrestling Academy w/Dan Ginnetty Returns! This week we finish covering the year of 1955 as Rikidozan & Azumafuji return from the States as the JWA presents two more tours in Japan. Includes Primo Carnera, Jess Ortega, King Kong Czaya, Bob Orton Sr., Bud Curtis, Dara Singh, Tiger Joginder, the first Japanese Wrestling Champions are crowned,…
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Wrestling historian Karl Stern first covered the pioneer era wrestling special attraction Yousof Ismael- The Terrible Turk, on hour five of the 1000 Hours podcast series, but the Terrible Turk deserves a follow up as requested by one of our listeners. Now Karl tells you the latest information he has uncovered about the original Terrible Turk who ca…
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The early pioneer era has given us some very interesting people to learn about so far. Uzile Prickett, Col. McLaughlin, G.W. Flagg, and now let's meet Homer Lane. Homer Lane was one of the early American champions. A multi-time American champion as a matter of fact. He was also a straight up carny. Yes, even before 1870 pro wrestling had its worker…
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Wrestling historian Karl Stern returns with a detailed look at the month of May 1984 in pro wrestling history. It was one of the most significant months ever: Kerry Von Erich wins the NWA World title from Ric Flair in the largest show in Texas history, Ric Flair regains the title in Japan, Rick Martel becomes AWA World champion, Vince McMahon Sr di…
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Welcome back to The Puro Wrestling Academy w/Dan Ginnetty! This is a huge week in the history of Puroresu as we continue discussing 1954 and into 1955... This week we talk the infamous worked match turned SHOOT between Rikidozan vs. Masahiko Kimura, Mildred Burke and her ladies troupe, Wrestling in a Swimming Pool, Rikidozan slays the "3-Headed Sna…
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I have recently spent many hours digging through hundreds of pages of 1870 newspapers from Detroit, Chicago, Ontario, and beyond chronicling the real story of the biggest tournament in history of American pro wrestling in the pioneer era. The 1870 Detroit International tournament awarded an ornate championship belt to its winner Col. James H. McLau…
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Karl Stern returns to his roots on this edition of the DragonKingKarl Classic Wrestling Show by discussing 1980s Southeastern and Continental wrestling. What made it so great? What are some of the myths about it? What did Ron Fuller get wrong recently on his podcast? Plus, the Greatest Kayfabe Tournament continues with discussion of Kurt Angle and …
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This week, class is back in session with Dan Ginnetty as we look into 1954... We dive into TWO separate JWA Tours, Toshio Yamaguchi launches All Japan (Version 1), Kimura gets jobbed, The Sharpe Brothers reign supreme, Rikidozan thrives, Hans Schnabel & Lou Newman arrive as "Champions", more early TV wrestling results from Japan, matches taking pla…
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The latest in the 1000 Hours Podcast series looking back at the pioneer (pre-1900) era of pro wrestling takes a look at the pioneer era of wrestling in Australia. Believe it or not, there was pro wrestling in the 1800s in Australia and one of America's top stars died there. The incredible story of the death of Clarence Whistler has been often told …
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The Must See Matches All-Star Panel of Eamonn Bell, Sarah Parkin and Matty Edwards join Kieran and Mark for our final episode, the most nominated match on the list: the Bret Hart vs. Steve Austin No Holds Barred, Submission match from WrestleMania 13 on March 23, 1997. PLUS: our feelings on the project and show in general, (some of) your questions …
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The Puro Wrestling Academy & Dan Ginnetty are back to continue to tell the story of PURORESU! This week we finish up Rikidozan's first tour of the United States in early 1953, and talk the "3-headed snake" of Rikidozan, Masahiko Kimura, & Toshio Yamaguchi who all attempt to run their own promotions in 1953 Japan! From there, we discuss Rikidozan vs…
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Karl is back with a look at the new WWE Network Bray Wyatt documentary which dives into his career, characters, and family which include classic era wrestlers Mike Rotundo, Blackjack Mulligan, and Barry and Kendal Windham. This was a very good documentary that fills in a lot of gaps about the death of Wyatt. Also, in the show we conclude the Bruno …
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Pro wrestling historian and author Karl Stern (DragonKingKarl) returns with the 1000 Hours podcast series which looks at pre-1900 pro wrestling. On this episode, a listener has requested a look at the facts verses mythology about United States Presidents who have legitimately wrestled. We have already previously cover Abraham Lincoln in episode one…
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A bonus amuse bouche before our final, most-nominated match next week: Eamonn Bell returns with his concept for drafting the 104 into supercards, with the twist that once a match has been picked, all other matches with all participating wrestlers are eliminated. Listen now for all the twists, turns, intrigue, drama, discussion and lunacy! PLUS: nov…
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This week we pick up where we left off in 1951 and travel through the entire year of 1952. We introduce two new names to the fold in Toshio Yamaguchi & the legendary Masahiko Kimura. We discuss the first year in the wrestling business for Rikidozan and take a thorough look into his 1952 Record book. We do a deep dive into Rikidozan's opponents that…
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If there’s ever a match worth of lengthy discussion, it’s arguably Kazuchika Okada vs. Katsuyori Shibata from Sakura Genesis, April 4, 2017. Globetrotting Eamonn Bell returns to talk the build, action, story, fallout, legend and legacy. PLUS: brain swapping, Jimmy vs. Jey, Mania without Mania, engagement, Matt Tremont’s toilet, wild stats, the curs…
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The time has arrived, as we begin our journey through the history of Japanese Professional Wrestling (Puroresu)! Host Dan Ginnetty and I (Ray Russell) go all the way back to the beginnings in the early 1880s with Sumo's Sorakichi Matsuda and work our way forward to the very first full-fledged tour of Pro Wrestling in Japan, circa 1951. We discuss s…
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On this episode of the DragonKingKarl Classic Wrestling Show, host Karl Stern continues his look at wrestling history at Madison Square Garden in New York in the year 1931, he also continues his look back at Dave Meltzer's epic biography on the life and times of Bruno Sammartino from the pages of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, plus tons of news…
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Dave Ryan & Lee Malone from the excellent Days of Thunder return to discuss THE Crusierweight classic and a fair shot for the best match WCW ever put on as Rey Misterio Jr. vs. Eddie Guerrero go Mask vs. Title at Halloween Havoc on October 26, 1997. PLUS: Goldberg and Gillberg, DSF, throwing people under the bus, WCW stats, Raw vs. Nitro ratings, L…
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On this edition of the DragonKingKarl Classic Wrestling Show, historian Karl Stern takes a look at a great retro article from a 1972 wrestling magazine asking the question if Ed "Strangler" Lewis was the greatest wrestler of all time. Then we continue taking a look at Dave Meltzer's biography of Bruno Sammartino from the pages of the Wrestling Obse…
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Welcome to the launching pad of The Puro Wrestling Academy Podcast with the Professor of Puroresu himself, Dan Ginnetty! In this episode we set the stage for the things to come. We look into Dan's background in studying Japanese Wrestling history, and also his former TV show where Dan produced American commentary over legendary Japanese matches for…
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The pioneer era (pre-1900) of pro wrestling flourished in the Great Lakes area. While initially the northeast, especially New York and Vermont were the early hotspots, by 1970 Detroit, Chicago, Cleveland, and the entire Great Lakes region became very important in pro wrestling. The 1870 Detroit International tournament was a real ignition point for…
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Kieran & Mark enlist MOJ’s help one more time to cover the highest ranked tag match on the list: Mitsuharu Misawa & Kenta Kobashi vs. Toshiaki Kawada & Akira Taue from June 9, 1995.PLUS: potential unemployment, Nick Jackson, three Zacks, Bridge of Dreams, Japanese handhelds, THE YETI, cool T-shirts, DAN, Austin Powers, toy cars on the commentary de…
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Wrestling historian Karl Stern returns with another in-depth look at a month in pro wrestling history. Today he looks back at April 1984 and a lot was going on. The WWF was accelerating their national expansion by stealing the AWA's TV spot on the west coast, Jumbo Tsuruta is still the AWA World champion, and a new monster named Lord Humongous is c…
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It's Easter Sunday and by serendipity, Eric, the sponsor of this episode of 1000 Hours, asks for the research topic to be wrestling in the Bible. Well, one of the most famous stories in the Bible both for Christians and Jews is the story of Jacob wrestling with the angel, or a man, or God himself (the story is complicated). Of course, by the time w…
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It's brother versus brother, brother! Veteran wrestler RJ Singh joins Kieran and Mark to talk the build, action, details and legacy of Bret Hart vs. Owen Hart from WrestleMaina X on March 20, 1994.PLUS: a rolled up magazine to the eye, RJ’s fandom and journey into wrestling, the FWA, correcting a Cagematch error, watching wrestling matches via Twit…
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On this episode of the DragonKingKarl Classic Wrestling Show with Karl Stern we take a look at the next match in the GKT: Sting verses The Rock, we begin a massive biography on the life and times of Bruno Sammartino, and we start an article from an early 1970's wrestling magazine on Ed "Strangler" Lewis. A fun and history packed edition of the Drag…
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The sponsor of today's 1000 Hours podcast, the podcast all about the pioneer era of pro wrestling, has asked for research on wrestling in Russia before George Hackenschmidt. Interestingly, wrestling in Russia came relatively late in the pioneer era and George Hackenschmidt became its biggest star but there were others. Today we look at the early st…
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Do we have your attention now? Kieran and Mark are joined again by GRAPPL founder and co-host of BRETRO, Gareth Hodgson, to get into everything surrounding CM Punk vs. John Cena from Money in the Bank on July 17, 2011.PLUS: Taboo Tuesday: Text Message Edition, Nickelback, anonymous General Managers, Mason Ryan, dance contests, The Nexus, the highly…
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This week pro wrestling historian Karl Stern takes a look at more wrestling history from Madison Square Garden in New York with more on Jim Londos as the world champion, the remaining bracket for the Greatest Kayfabe Tournament (GKT) is discussed, a 1980's wrestling magazine article on The Road Warriors in Japan, and the life and death of Rex King …
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Strongmen and pro wrestling go hand in hand. Who can forget the muscled up 1980s? Yet, the more things change, the more they stay the same. In the pioneer era of wrestling, your proto-strongmen and bodybuilders were also featured alongside and inside professional wrestling. On this episode of 1000 Hours, the podcast all about the pioneer era of wre…
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The excellent (and disgustingly young) Squill returns as two broken down old men talk about two broken down old men having the fight of their lives: Mitsuharu Misawa vs. Kenta Kobashi from March 1, 2003.PLUS: youth, the All-Japan/NOAH split, injuries, Jake Lee, Takeshi Rikio, Count Binface, Vermin Supreme, SEM, Grand Sword by the pool, NOAH video g…
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Welcome to season 2, reboot, 2.0, whatever you want to call it. Pro wrestling historian Karl Stern has revamped his long running classic wrestling podcast. On this episode the next match in the Greatest Kayfabe Tournament (GKT) takes place: Antonio Inoki verses Steve Austin. The votes are in and we have a winner. Karl then takes a look back to the …
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You’ve got to be kidding us! Garrett Kidney returns to discuss the importance, build, action and legacy of THAT TNA three-way: Christopher Daniels vs. Samoa Joe vs. AJ Styles from Unbreakable on September 11, 2005.PLUS: Pratchett, bad reasons, Air Raid, bootleg VHS, Florida, Flo-Rida, autocorrect woes, Simon Diamond, Konnan being dogshit, Shark Boy…
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The 1000 Hours podcast series is hosted by wrestling historian Karl Stern and looks back at the pioneer era of pro wrestling. The more things change, the more they stay the same and on this episode we look back at just before the American Civil War see how wrestling, for a few year period, went from being a noble sport that men were look up to as p…
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Pro-Wrestling Torch columnist and podcaster Rich Fann returns to help us finish a rivalry at the beginning as we talk the first Kazuchika Okada vs. Kenny Omega singles match, from Wrestle Kingdom 11, on January 4, 2017.PLUS: car mould, sealing kids in tubes, Wrestle Kingdom on the treadmill, voting patterns, Ezio Ospreay, Low-Ki 47, HORIPRO, baseba…
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I mean, Barney Smith was probably dead under the best of circumstances. He went to the finals of American pro wrestling's first ever major championship tournament in 1870 but, as we have been researching for a long time now, there seemed to be no clear evidence he died at the hands of Col. James H. McLaughlin in that 1870 tournament. Now, however, …
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