NJPW Riot! THIS ALTERED JAPANESE WRESTLING FOREVER!

NJPW Riot! THIS ALTERED JAPANESE WRESTLING FOREVER!

In the annals of professional wrestling, few events resonate as loudly as the infamous riot at Sumo Hall in Tokyo on December 27, 1987. It was a night when the normally reserved Japanese wrestling audience erupted in unprecedented fury, and the catalyst for this chaos was the debut of an American wrestler named Big Van Vader. But to understand the magnitude of this moment, one must delve into the intricate backstory woven by Antonio Inoki, the mastermind behind New Japan Pro Wrestling (NJPW).

Antonio Inoki, a legendary figure in wrestling, sought to revive NJPW amidst declining TV Asahi ratings. His solution? Introducing a larger-than-life villain, a character rooted in myth and imbued with unstoppable power. Enter Big Van Vader, portrayed by the imposing Leon White, formerly known as Baby Bull in the American Wrestling Association (AWA).

Inoki’s vision for Vader was nothing short of cinematic. Drawing inspiration from samurai folklore, Vader's character was linked to Wada Yoshimura, a mythical warrior reputed for his extraordinary strength and a legendary battle that lasted 72 hours. Inoki commissioned artist Go Nagai, famed for creating Jushin Thunder Liger, to design Vader’s persona. The result was a dark samurai warrior, complete with a menacing metallic headpiece that exuded both ancient mystique and futuristic terror. This helmet, equipped with glowing eyes and dramatic steam effects, became an iconic part of Vader’s entrance.

Vader’s debut was orchestrated by Takeshi Kitano, a well-known Japanese comedian and actor, also recognized by American fans for his role on “MXC” (Most Extreme Elimination Challenge). Kitano, embroiled in an on-screen feud with Inoki, was portrayed as the man bringing in Vader to defeat Inoki, adding another layer of drama to the storyline.

The event at Sumo Hall was set to be monumental, with a main event featuring Inoki versus Riki Choshu, a highly anticipated bout that drew an eager crowd of 11,000 fans. However, the script took an unexpected turn. As the night unfolded, Kitano’s associate took to the microphone, challenging Inoki and sparking unrest among the audience. The scheduled main event was disrupted, and instead, Inoki declared he would face both Choshu and Vader.

The crowd’s dissatisfaction grew palpable when the anticipated match between Inoki and Choshu was cut short. In a six-minute clash, Inoki won by disqualification, leaving fans feeling shortchanged and betrayed. This tension set the stage for Vader’s dramatic entrance, led by Masa Saito. Towering at 6'2" and weighing 370 lbs, Vader’s presence was formidable. His swift victory over Inoki in under two minutes was a shock to the system, a moment that many claim was Inoki’s first loss in two years and only his second in a decade.

The immediate aftermath of the match saw Vader continue his assault on Inoki, attacking young wrestlers and further inciting the crowd. The arena erupted as fans set their seat cushions on fire and hurled them towards the ring. It took the police an hour to quell the chaos, marking one of the most violent fan reactions in wrestling history.

While Vader’s victory was meant to establish him as a dominant force, it also highlighted the precarious balance between scripted drama and fan expectations. Despite the spectacle, Vader struggled to connect with the NJPW audience initially. The riot led to significant repercussions: TV Asahi relegated NJPW to a less favorable time slot, reducing the promotion’s revenue and forcing wrestler salary cuts. Contrary to some reports of a long-term ban, NJPW’s suspension from Sumo Hall lasted around eight months, as clarified by wrestling journalist Dave Meltzer.

In hindsight, the riot at Sumo Hall was more than just a reaction to an unpopular match outcome; it was a moment of collective discontent, a rebellion against a narrative that denied fans their desired resolution. Inoki’s gamble to shake things up with Vader eventually paid off, but it came at the cost of a night that forever changed the landscape of Japanese wrestling.

For wrestling enthusiasts and those intrigued by the theatrical world of NJPW, the story of Vader’s debut is a testament to the power of storytelling in wrestling. It reminds us that the ring is not just a battleground for wrestlers but a stage where myth and reality collide, often with explosive results.

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