Giant Baba (Part 2): NWA Days

Welcome back to another episode of Write That Down with your host, Justin Knipper, alongside wrestling historian Fumi Saito. This week, we continue our deep dive into the legendary career of Giant Baba as we explore his monumental transition from a celebrated wrestler to a transformative promoter. This episode marks part two of our series on Giant Baba.

We delve into the early days of All Japan Pro Wrestling, examining its founding in 1972, and how Baba's leadership established a vital connection with the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA) in the United States. Discover why Japanese audiences revered the NWA as the pinnacle of professional wrestling at the time. In the upcoming episode, we'll further explore Baba's career in the early 1970s, including his strategic shift from in-ring star to behind-the-scenes influencer.

This week, we reminisce about Baba's iconic status during Japan’s post-war economic boom, his influence on Japanese television, and the cultural imprint he left that shaped modern wrestling. Tune in to uncover how Baba’s friendships with American legends like Bruno Sammartino further cemented his legacy. Join us next week as we examine the role of Motoko Baba and their lasting impact on Japanese wrestling.