Rikidozan

[9.0] "The reason Japanese wrestling is as popular/as good as it is today. A legend in his own regard, and a cornerstone of history. 60s matches are outdated, but it's fine, wrestling is made by legends"

[8.0] "His work is obviously incredibly dated but its worth mentioning that Rikidozan was a talented traditional wrestler in the black and white era of shooter style wrestling. But he is so much more than his in-ring work. Japan is the second biggest pro wrestling market in the world and has been since the 70s, and the only reason Japan has a domestic pro wrestling scene in the first place is Rikidozan and his superstar level of success (in one match attracting 70 million viewers), he was to Japan what Thesz and Sammartino were to the USA and what McManus and Pallo were to the UK but on an even larger scale. And Rikidozan founded Japan's first promotion (the JWA), where he trained Giant Baba and Antonio Inoki, and established the tradition of league tournaments which is reflected today in NJPW's G1, AJPW's Champion Carnival and NOAH's N1. I can't rate someone I don't find hugely entertaining above an 8 but I recognise that he was talented, over in the USA and a cultural icon in Japan with maybe the biggest legacy of any single wrestler in history. Rikidozan is the legend that the legends admired."

[10.0] "Rikidozan the father of puroresu. Born in North Korea when he's young he's a good ssireum wrestler (Korean wrestling style) later he left for Japan and become a rikishi (sumo wrestler) and he received racial discrimination but eventually become a really good rikishi close to a promotion to ozeki the higest rank in sumo wrestling if you except the yokozuna title (who was more like a status) before his retirement. Rikidozan made his professional wrestling debut at Ryogoku Memorial Hall on October 28, 1951 before left Japan to work in North America to learn a lot about pro wrestling. Back to Japan Rikidozan established himself as Japan's biggest wrestling star became immensely popular in Japan. Owner of the first pro wrestling promotion in Japan the JWA and trainer of the 2 most important wrestler after him for puroresu Giant Baba and Antonio Inoki, the G1 Climax and Champion Carnival was originally conceived by Rikidozan with the World League concept, All Asia Tag Team titles (this old belts in ajpw)? Rikidozan too. Yeah sometimes Rikidozan is selfish watch is run but like any other wrestler better in his time (Inoki, Baba, Misawa etc) with the popularity of 10 Okada i mean in October 6, 1957 his match vs Lou Thesz drew an 87.0 tv rating record! Unfortunally and despite his image of a national hero, he had a reputation for being a troublemaker and on December 8, 1963, Rikidozan was stabbed by Katsushi Murata a yakuza member of the Sumiyoshi-ikka after an altercation in a nightclub Rikidozan started to punch Murata until Murata stabbed Rikidozan once in the abdomen. Rikidozan have surgery who was successful and he returned home and began eating and drinking to much and one week later Rikidozan was back to hospital for a 2nd surgery due to an inflammation and died on December 15, 1963 (39 years old). Hopefully his 2 best students Baba and Inoki carry his legacy with the creation of NJPW and AJPW. Rikidozan is not just the father of puroresu he's the god of puroresu, he's Zeus the most important, most powerful, he's everything. Rest in peace Rikidozan and thx for everything thank you for puroresu."

[10.0] "The father of Japanese wrestling, he has a legacy that few in the history of the business can come close to match. A solid technical wrestler with high impact moves (for the era), he also trained Giant Baba and Antonio Inoki who would be the main men in charge of Puro? s Golden Era. Just a few lines is not enough to present how big of a deal this man was. Unfortunetly, his career was cut short as he was murdered by a Yakuza in 1963."

[10.0] "Maybe the most impactful and important wrestler in history, and on top of that a fantastic in-ring worker, especially for the time, his work is still very enjoyable to watch"

[10.0] "Rikidozan is a Legend that will live FOREVER. Period... The pioneer of Japanese wrestling that will always be remembered as one of the greatest to ever step inside a ring."

[10.0] "Rikidozan changed Japanese wrestling forever. He is also a pioneer for sumos in professional wrestling. He was popular in the WWA in Los Angeles. Great fighter in all styles. Too bad he was murdered."

[10.0] "The godfather of professional wrestling in Japan, Rikidozan's stardom went beyond the confines of wrestling, as he was a legitimate national hero. As with Lou Thesz, he's as nailed on a Hall of Famer as you can possibly get, and there is no credible reason to not give him a 10."

[10.0] "Think about wrestling in Japan with out this guy. He mentored two to the most notable non territory promoters of all time. Most importantly, if Japanese wrestling was not a thing we would have no Yoshihiko. I salute and thank you to Rikidozan. https://m. youtube. com/watch? v=RLyqDSXgYQI"

[10.0] "The FATHER of puroresu, Rikidozan was more than a wrestler: he was a myth, a founding figure, a symbol for Japan altogether. He almost single-handedly made the transition from shoot to worked in those 11 years of career."