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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Pro wrestling podcast dedicated to wrestling history between 1870 and 1928 although we do occassionally range into the 1930s.
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Episode 62 - Taro Miyake/Rikidozan vs. Kimura
54:52
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In this episode, we look at Taro Miyake's challenge matches in England and review one of the few double-crosses after the formation of the National Wrestling Alliance.By kenzimmermanjr
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In this episode, we discuss the controversial 1887 match between Evan "Strangler" Lewis and English catch wrestler Tom Connors.By kenzimmermanjr
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In this episode, I discuss the development of the St. Louis wrestling promotion under Tom Packs and Sam Muchnick.By kenzimmermanjr
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Episode #08: (1957) NWA Champ Lou Thesz, Bobo Brazil, Hiro Matsuda, Weekly TV, More!
1:41:10
1:41:10
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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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In this episode, we discuss how Hubert and Charley Pesek affected the career of John "The Nebraska Tigerman" Pesek.By kenzimmermanjr
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In this episode, I discuss the federal government prosecuting a gambling ring in 1910. The case exposed how wrestlers worked matches to bilk fans betting on the matches.By kenzimmermanjr
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Episode #07: (1956) World Tag Title Change! Two New Tours! Riki Travels Abroad!
1:50:10
1:50:10
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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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In this episode, I talk about the upcoming podcast schedule and website revisions to kenzimmermanjr.com.By kenzimmermanjr
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Episode #06: (1955) Champions Crowned, Primo Carnera vs. Rikidozan, & King Kong Arrives!
1:51:27
1:51:27
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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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Episode 56 - Working Outside the US
1:22:07
1:22:07
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In this episode, we discuss wrestlers and jiu jitsu fighters working matches in Brazil. We also review WWE's King and Queen of the Ring.By kenzimmermanjr
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Episode #05: (1954/55) Rikidozan SHOOTS on Kimura, Mildred Burke Tour, Wrestling in a Pool!
1:50:58
1:50:58
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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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In this episode, I talk about the 1924 match between Jim Browning and Taro Miyake.By kenzimmermanjr
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Episode #04: (1954) JWA Tours, All Japan Launches, Kimura Jobs, Sharpes Dominate
1:45:24
1:45:24
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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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Technical difficulties led to this podcast being more of a compilation. We discuss an odd decision by the New York State Althletic Commission in 1921.By kenzimmermanjr
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Episode #03: (1953 - 1954) First Tour, First TV, The JWA Is Born!
1:39:18
1:39:18
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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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Episode #02: (1951 - 1952) Kimura Lock, Helio Gracie, More!
2:06:34
2:06:34
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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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Episode #01: The Beginnings Of Puroresu! (1880s - 1951)
1:44:41
1:44:41
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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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In this episode, I discuss the backstage video from AEW at Wembley, talk about pro wrestling before the modern promotion system, and review Wrestlemania XL Day 2.By kenzimmermanjr
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Episode ZERO!!! Setting the Stage w/Dan Ginnetty!
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45:35
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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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In this episode, I discuss the possible reasons for the falling out between Tex Rickard and Jack Curley. I also review the first night of Wrestlemania XL.By kenzimmermanjr
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In this episode, we discuss the threat that Marin Plestina posed to the wrestling trust between 1917 and 1921.By kenzimmermanjr
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In this episode, we discuss how World War I affected American professional wrestling. We also reveal who said, "Repetition is the key when dealing with goofs."By kenzimmermanjr
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In this solo episode, I look at John "The Nebraska Tiger Man" Pesek settling two promotional wars in the 1920s.By kenzimmermanjr
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In this episode, we discuss the origins of professional wrestling stories and legends around events through history.By kenzimmermanjr
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In this episode, we discuss the careers of Jim Londos and Primo Carnera leading into a review of their 1950 wrestling match.By kenzimmermanjr
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In this episode, we discuss William Muldoon vs. Clarence Whistler as we try to be more positive this week.By kenzimmermanjr
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In this episode, we discuss the Vince McMahon scandal, the dirty deeds of promoters in the past, and review the 2024 Royal Rumble. We end this long episode talking about wrestling on TV in St. Louis during the 1980s.By kenzimmermanjr
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In this episode, I discuss the first five years of Ed "Strangler" Lewis' career.By kenzimmermanjr
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In this episode, we discuss the boxer vs. wrestler bout between "Battling" Levinsky vs. Ray Steele.By kenzimmermanjr
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In this episode, we discuss how gambling schemes fed into professional wrestling's unsavory reputation.By kenzimmermanjr
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In this episode, we discuss a new discover about Ed "Strangler" Lewis, why Mort Henderson was picked to be the Masked Marvel, and a look at Jerry Lawler vs. "Dirty" Dutch Mantel.By kenzimmermanjr
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Episode 40 - Happy, Happy Christmas
1:04:28
1:04:28
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In this episode, we discuss a Christmas Night wrestling fiasco in 1911.By kenzimmermanjr
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In this episode, we discuss how and when Billy Sandow and Ed "Strangler" Lewis really met.By kenzimmermanjr
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Episode 39 - Zbyszko’s Double-Cross
1:17:05
1:17:05
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In this episode, we discuss the famous double-cross of "Big" Wayne Munn and the Gold Dust Trio by Stanislaus Zbyszko.By kenzimmermanjr
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Episode 38.5 - Joe Stecher in 1910s
1:21:09
1:21:09
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In this episode, we discuss news, the Wrestling Observer Hall of Fame, Joe Stecher in the 1910s, and review a match from Mid-Atlantic in 1983.By kenzimmermanjr
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In this episode, we discuss Stanislaus Zbyszko's last match of his first tour of America. We finish with his return to the United States in 1920.By kenzimmermanjr
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In this episode, we discuss Stanislaus Zbyszko's campaign for Frank Gotch's World Title.By kenzimmermanjr
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In this bonus episode, we discuss the documentary 350 Days about pro wrestling in the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s.By kenzimmermanjr
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In this episode, we look at a match from 1878. It was a challenge keeping my co-hosts focused this week.By kenzimmermanjr
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In this episode, we look at Ed "Strangler" Lewis' wrestling schedule in the first six months of 1913.By kenzimmermanjr
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In this episode, I discuss Ed "Strangler" Lewis taking revenge on Man Mountain Dean in St. Louis during December 1935.By kenzimmermanjr
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In this episode, we discuss Evan "Strangler" Lewis' wrestling schedule in 1886.By kenzimmermanjr
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In this episode, we discuss Dick Shikat double-crossing Danno O'Mahony in 1936. Plus we have a very special guest in studio.By kenzimmermanjr
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Episode 33 - Bonus Episode on Recent Deaths
1:22:54
1:22:54
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Yes, we are releasing an episode out of order. With three recent high profile deaths in pro wrestling, we wanted to release a bonus episode now to talk about them. We also inadvertantly insult a few people and have an interesting conversation about "cougars."By kenzimmermanjr
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In this episode, we discuss Jim Londos early career in St. Louis. We also review Jim Londos vs. Dick Shikat from 1930 plus a bonus review.By kenzimmermanjr
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In this episode, my cousin Dan and I review the April 28, 1986 edition of WWF's Prime Time Wrestling.By kenzimmermanjr
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In this episode, I discuss what I learned researching the career of Sorakichi Matsuda, the first Japanese professional wrestler in the Untied States.By kenzimmermanjr
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In this episode, I discuss the 1917 and 1920 World Title matches between Earl Caddock and Joe Stecher.By kenzimmermanjr
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Episode 25 - McLaughlin vs. Ross (Corrected)
34:48
34:48
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In this episode, we discuss an 1884 mixed styles match between J.H. McLaughlin and Duncan C. Ross.By kenzimmermanjr
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In this episode, I discuss the career of unknown World Champion Jim Browning.By kenzimmermanjr
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