WWE.com
Ultimo Dragon is, sadly, a wrestler who doesn’t seem to get the kudos he deserves. History has been far kinder to WCW cruiserweights like Rey Mysterio, Chris Jericho and Eddie Guerrero, whilst Dragon is often left out of the picture (probably because he wasn’t a success in WWE like the other three).
But don’t let the lack of recognition fool you. When he was on, Dragon was as good as anybody else, be they cruiserweight or heavyweight. One of the first to truly blend the Japanese, Mexican and American styles, he was a hybrid wrestler of the highest calibre, a man who routinely had great matches and captured many championships in the process.
His WWE run seems to have eroded the memory of his superlative performances against the likes of Dean Malenko, Rey Mysterio, Psicosis and Eddie Guerrero, which is a shame. Ultimo was something...
Ultimo Dragon is, sadly, a wrestler who doesn’t seem to get the kudos he deserves. History has been far kinder to WCW cruiserweights like Rey Mysterio, Chris Jericho and Eddie Guerrero, whilst Dragon is often left out of the picture (probably because he wasn’t a success in WWE like the other three).
But don’t let the lack of recognition fool you. When he was on, Dragon was as good as anybody else, be they cruiserweight or heavyweight. One of the first to truly blend the Japanese, Mexican and American styles, he was a hybrid wrestler of the highest calibre, a man who routinely had great matches and captured many championships in the process.
His WWE run seems to have eroded the memory of his superlative performances against the likes of Dean Malenko, Rey Mysterio, Psicosis and Eddie Guerrero, which is a shame. Ultimo was something...
- 8/12/2015
- by Lewis Howse
- Obsessed with Film
Chris Jericho may be with WWE part-time, but some of us remember when he first made his debut in the company, and then realise just how long ago that was. Some of us even remember him in WCW, even as far back as the original Ecw and this is why WWE: The Road is Jericho: Epic Stories and Rare Matches from Y2J is fun to watch. The fact I only go back to Ecw though shows that this is how far back the release goes and its restriction to the WWE video library.
Instead of going for the normal documentary structure with added matches, WWE: The Road is Jericho: Epic Stories and Rare Matches from Y2J features Jericho talking about his memories of a match or an event in his career then leading into the match itself. Presenting himself out of character he talks about how he had...
Instead of going for the normal documentary structure with added matches, WWE: The Road is Jericho: Epic Stories and Rare Matches from Y2J features Jericho talking about his memories of a match or an event in his career then leading into the match itself. Presenting himself out of character he talks about how he had...
- 3/17/2015
- by Paul Metcalf
- Nerdly
When you think of the WWE, the first names that spring to mind are usually The Rock, John Cena, The Undertaker, Stone Cold Steve Austin, Cm Punk, Triple H, Hulk Hogan, Shawn Michaels and latterly Roman Reigns, but there’s one man who has quietly, despite his brash and outspoken manner, become one of the legendary cornerstones of the business today. That man is Chris Jericho, and The Road Is Jericho is a collection of his war stories and rare matches from throughout his career.
I make no bones about it, I’m a Jerichoholic. I've found his three autobiographies to be hugely entertaining, and definitely up there with Mick Foley’s in terms of quality wrestling tomes, so to hear some of the stories that he’s told in print come to life from the back seat of limousine that’s he being filmed in for this release is a treat,...
I make no bones about it, I’m a Jerichoholic. I've found his three autobiographies to be hugely entertaining, and definitely up there with Mick Foley’s in terms of quality wrestling tomes, so to hear some of the stories that he’s told in print come to life from the back seat of limousine that’s he being filmed in for this release is a treat,...
- 3/13/2015
- Shadowlocked
WWE.com
News has recently surfaced that 20-plus year wrestling veteran Rey Mysterio has been released from WWE, ending his 13-year run with the company. Maybe moreso than any other wrestler the company has ever employed, losing the Mexican living legend may be as important as if, say, WWE released The Undertaker.
If that statement seems bold to you, pause and consider that it may actually not be at all. WWE’s employed luchadores before. Dating back to getting scheduled dates from Mil Mascaras in the WWF to having Eddie Guerrero, Psicosis, Ultimo Dragon, Juventud Guerrera and Super Crazy in the company, lucha megastars have all had runs “up north.” However, how many of them ever became iconic performers and pop cultural names able to become World Heavyweight Champion?
Rey’s a once-in-a-lifetime performer. From his size to his charisma to the groundbreaking nature of his maneuvers and more, he...
News has recently surfaced that 20-plus year wrestling veteran Rey Mysterio has been released from WWE, ending his 13-year run with the company. Maybe moreso than any other wrestler the company has ever employed, losing the Mexican living legend may be as important as if, say, WWE released The Undertaker.
If that statement seems bold to you, pause and consider that it may actually not be at all. WWE’s employed luchadores before. Dating back to getting scheduled dates from Mil Mascaras in the WWF to having Eddie Guerrero, Psicosis, Ultimo Dragon, Juventud Guerrera and Super Crazy in the company, lucha megastars have all had runs “up north.” However, how many of them ever became iconic performers and pop cultural names able to become World Heavyweight Champion?
Rey’s a once-in-a-lifetime performer. From his size to his charisma to the groundbreaking nature of his maneuvers and more, he...
- 3/1/2015
- by Marcus K. Dowling
- Obsessed with Film
WWE.com
The WWE is a monolith, its resources un-matched by any other. As part of its operation WWE tours the globe, promoting and expanding its brand and reach in the process. Even at times when the wrestling business experiences a downturn in popularity in the United States WWE can still do big business on international live events and has steadily increased its international schedule in recent years.
One country the WWE frequently tours is also one known for its serious approach to the art of wrestling. The Land of the Rising Sun has a reputation for producing legitimately tough wrestlers who hit their opponents hard and have a deep respect for the tradition and history of professional wrestling. This mentality is ingrained in them during their training in the unforgiving Dojo system, where they are subject to almost inhuman endurance drills and in-ring punishment as they work their way...
The WWE is a monolith, its resources un-matched by any other. As part of its operation WWE tours the globe, promoting and expanding its brand and reach in the process. Even at times when the wrestling business experiences a downturn in popularity in the United States WWE can still do big business on international live events and has steadily increased its international schedule in recent years.
One country the WWE frequently tours is also one known for its serious approach to the art of wrestling. The Land of the Rising Sun has a reputation for producing legitimately tough wrestlers who hit their opponents hard and have a deep respect for the tradition and history of professional wrestling. This mentality is ingrained in them during their training in the unforgiving Dojo system, where they are subject to almost inhuman endurance drills and in-ring punishment as they work their way...
- 11/10/2014
- by Lewis Howse
- Obsessed with Film
WWE.com
No Brock Lesnar, Daniel Bryan, or Cm Punk on Raw this Monday in Chicago. But we did have a bunny wrestling. Was that a fair trade-off? Most would say no. Ever since SummerSlam, WWE has been in the mother of all creative ruts. Having to sit through three Randy Orton vs. John Cena encounters within two weeks isn’t something I’d wish on my worst enemy’s dog’s butt. Well, McMahon seems content with either giving us stuff we’ve seen a million times, or giving us stuff that only he enjoys. It’s hard to tell which one is worse.
This week we also said hello to Funaki again (always nice to see him but hopefully Itami can avoid the same horrible casting that Funaki suffered along with Ultimo Dragon, Tajiri and Kenzo Suzuki), WWE apologized to the country of Russia (and then proceeded to...
No Brock Lesnar, Daniel Bryan, or Cm Punk on Raw this Monday in Chicago. But we did have a bunny wrestling. Was that a fair trade-off? Most would say no. Ever since SummerSlam, WWE has been in the mother of all creative ruts. Having to sit through three Randy Orton vs. John Cena encounters within two weeks isn’t something I’d wish on my worst enemy’s dog’s butt. Well, McMahon seems content with either giving us stuff we’ve seen a million times, or giving us stuff that only he enjoys. It’s hard to tell which one is worse.
This week we also said hello to Funaki again (always nice to see him but hopefully Itami can avoid the same horrible casting that Funaki suffered along with Ultimo Dragon, Tajiri and Kenzo Suzuki), WWE apologized to the country of Russia (and then proceeded to...
- 10/5/2014
- by Andrew Soucek
- Obsessed with Film
japantimes.co.jp
Antonio Inoki is perhaps the most famous Japanese professional wrestler of all time. Inoki started his career in 1960, when he was only 17. He would later found New Japan Pro Wrestling in 1972 — arguably the most successful Japanese promotion there is. Furthermore, Inoki famously battled boxing legend Muhammad Ali in a lackluster contest in 1976 — a battle that would be a spiritual precursor to the sport of mixed martial arts.
On August 4th, 1995, Inoki — along with his New Japan Pro Wrestling promotion and a handful of World Championship Wrestling stars — held a historic event in Pyongyang, North Korea. The infamously sheltered and closed-off country played home to a historic two day wrestling spectacle that was later broadcast on American pay-per-view, courtesy of WCW.
Now, nearly two decades later, Inoki has returned to Pyongyang to deliver an equally historic sporting event. North Korea’s relations with Japan are notoriously poor, and...
Antonio Inoki is perhaps the most famous Japanese professional wrestler of all time. Inoki started his career in 1960, when he was only 17. He would later found New Japan Pro Wrestling in 1972 — arguably the most successful Japanese promotion there is. Furthermore, Inoki famously battled boxing legend Muhammad Ali in a lackluster contest in 1976 — a battle that would be a spiritual precursor to the sport of mixed martial arts.
On August 4th, 1995, Inoki — along with his New Japan Pro Wrestling promotion and a handful of World Championship Wrestling stars — held a historic event in Pyongyang, North Korea. The infamously sheltered and closed-off country played home to a historic two day wrestling spectacle that was later broadcast on American pay-per-view, courtesy of WCW.
Now, nearly two decades later, Inoki has returned to Pyongyang to deliver an equally historic sporting event. North Korea’s relations with Japan are notoriously poor, and...
- 8/31/2014
- by Douglas Scarpa
- Obsessed with Film
WWE.com
After months of speculation top Japanese star Kenta Kobayashi, aka Kenta, finally agreed to sign with World Wrestling Entertainment. On July 12th in front of a hot Osaka crowd the man some call ‘The Black Sun’ joined Hulk Hogan and ‘Mouth of the South’ Jimmy Hart in the centre of the ring to officially sign a long term deal that will see him join the ranks of America’s top wrestling promotion.
Ever since then speculation has been running high as to how the WWE will utilise him. If you’re new to this game then you may not understand the way Vince McMahon likes to work and how he couldn’t care less if someone is a huge star in another organisation. If he didn’t make you a star then you sure aren’t going to be presented like one – with only the occasional exception. There...
After months of speculation top Japanese star Kenta Kobayashi, aka Kenta, finally agreed to sign with World Wrestling Entertainment. On July 12th in front of a hot Osaka crowd the man some call ‘The Black Sun’ joined Hulk Hogan and ‘Mouth of the South’ Jimmy Hart in the centre of the ring to officially sign a long term deal that will see him join the ranks of America’s top wrestling promotion.
Ever since then speculation has been running high as to how the WWE will utilise him. If you’re new to this game then you may not understand the way Vince McMahon likes to work and how he couldn’t care less if someone is a huge star in another organisation. If he didn’t make you a star then you sure aren’t going to be presented like one – with only the occasional exception. There...
- 7/23/2014
- by Matt Aspin
- Obsessed with Film
Once per generation there comes a point wherein United States-based professional wrestling fans become aware of talents based in Japan whose in-ring gifts create a physical charisma that allows them the ability to succeed in America. With World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) apparently quite close to signing well-respected Pro Wrestling Noah star Kenta, this generation’s most dynamic Japanese superstar is about to finally reach American shores.
In the 1970s, it was The Great Kabuki, Antonio Inoki and Giant Baba who filled the role of Pacific Rim names of note, Japanese grapplers following in the tradition of the legendary Rikidozan who first brought the American spectacle of pro wrestling to the Land of the Rising Sun. The 80s and early 90s featured a plethora of talents like Masahiro Chono and Kensuke Sasaki having brief runs in Us-based promotions, though no Japanese (let’s extend that to all non-Americans) wrestler was more iconic than the Great Muta.
In the 1970s, it was The Great Kabuki, Antonio Inoki and Giant Baba who filled the role of Pacific Rim names of note, Japanese grapplers following in the tradition of the legendary Rikidozan who first brought the American spectacle of pro wrestling to the Land of the Rising Sun. The 80s and early 90s featured a plethora of talents like Masahiro Chono and Kensuke Sasaki having brief runs in Us-based promotions, though no Japanese (let’s extend that to all non-Americans) wrestler was more iconic than the Great Muta.
- 5/5/2014
- by Marcus K. Dowling
- Obsessed with Film
WWE.com
When the Attitude Era wound down in 2002, WWE began a process of “retraining” fans to watch and appreciate longer, more technical matches. The Russo era of 3-minute match after 3-minute match filled with outside weapons and screwjob finishes were phased out (even the Hardcore title was retired) as WWE began to focus on actual wrestling.
As part of that move, submission-style wrestling became more prevalent. Chris Benoit, Kurt Angle and others led the charge, but if you look at the WWE 2002 roster, many upper-card superstars either already had or incorporated a submission hold into their repertoire: Edge, Eddie Guerrero, Jericho, Regal, Lance Storm, Tazz and Ultimo Dragon.
Fast-forward to today’s WWE product and submission finishers continue to be fashionable, albeit a different crop of holds. The crossface and Boston and half-crabs are now used more as mid-match submissions. In their place are a variety of holds – some familiar,...
When the Attitude Era wound down in 2002, WWE began a process of “retraining” fans to watch and appreciate longer, more technical matches. The Russo era of 3-minute match after 3-minute match filled with outside weapons and screwjob finishes were phased out (even the Hardcore title was retired) as WWE began to focus on actual wrestling.
As part of that move, submission-style wrestling became more prevalent. Chris Benoit, Kurt Angle and others led the charge, but if you look at the WWE 2002 roster, many upper-card superstars either already had or incorporated a submission hold into their repertoire: Edge, Eddie Guerrero, Jericho, Regal, Lance Storm, Tazz and Ultimo Dragon.
Fast-forward to today’s WWE product and submission finishers continue to be fashionable, albeit a different crop of holds. The crossface and Boston and half-crabs are now used more as mid-match submissions. In their place are a variety of holds – some familiar,...
- 4/17/2014
- by Scott Carlson
- Obsessed with Film
Throw a stick in the air and you’ll probably hit someone who can name a famous wrestler.
Here in the UK, everyone of my parents’ generation will instinctively utter one (or all) of the following names; Big Daddy, Giant Haystacks or Kendo Nagasaki. Conversely, anyone of my age will likely say The Rock, Stone Cold Steve Austin or The Undertaker.
Throw two sticks in the air and you’ll probably hit at least one long time fan who can reel off the names of literally hundreds of wrestlers. Throw three sticks in the air and, well, you’ll probably be escorted off the premises for throwing sticks in the air (it’s best not to push your luck).
Pro wrestling has given us more colourful characters, more dramatic storylines and, in my opinion, more exciting action, pound for pound, than almost any so-called “legitimate” sport. In the same way...
Here in the UK, everyone of my parents’ generation will instinctively utter one (or all) of the following names; Big Daddy, Giant Haystacks or Kendo Nagasaki. Conversely, anyone of my age will likely say The Rock, Stone Cold Steve Austin or The Undertaker.
Throw two sticks in the air and you’ll probably hit at least one long time fan who can reel off the names of literally hundreds of wrestlers. Throw three sticks in the air and, well, you’ll probably be escorted off the premises for throwing sticks in the air (it’s best not to push your luck).
Pro wrestling has given us more colourful characters, more dramatic storylines and, in my opinion, more exciting action, pound for pound, than almost any so-called “legitimate” sport. In the same way...
- 9/27/2013
- by Chris Quicksilver
- Obsessed with Film
Containing elements of athletic competition, show business and performance magic, professional wrestling is a secretive world of handshakes, industry-jargon and solid, unflinching dedication to a craft that thrills the dedicated fan as much as it bewilders the casual onlooker.
It isn’t a straight fight; that much ought to be obvious to anyone who’s ever been in an actual fight, but then again, it certainly isn’t the phoney baloney silliness that many people deride it as either. Pro wrestling is as hard (or harder) than any other sport on this Earth. It has no off-season and wrestlers routinely work while struggling with injuries that would send a bus driver or office worker into early retirement (no, I’m not exaggerating).
Because this insular world of performance art was so secretive for so many years (some would-be wrestlers even had their eyes gouged out by overzealous pros looking to...
It isn’t a straight fight; that much ought to be obvious to anyone who’s ever been in an actual fight, but then again, it certainly isn’t the phoney baloney silliness that many people deride it as either. Pro wrestling is as hard (or harder) than any other sport on this Earth. It has no off-season and wrestlers routinely work while struggling with injuries that would send a bus driver or office worker into early retirement (no, I’m not exaggerating).
Because this insular world of performance art was so secretive for so many years (some would-be wrestlers even had their eyes gouged out by overzealous pros looking to...
- 9/26/2013
- by Chris Quicksilver
- Obsessed with Film
While it’s not my first column here at the blog, I did want to take a moment to extend a welcome to all of you before I huck my wares. “For Whom the Blog Tolls” is my own little corner of the FM digital universe where I’ll be discussing the things I’m working on here at FM (magazines, conventions, interviews, office drama, events) as well as whatever it is that I’m having fun with and think you might want to know about as well (books, movies, comics, video games, fashion models). Not everything here will have to do with classic monsters, but the idea is that you get to understand what your EDitor is all about. Some posts might be long, in-depth reviews while others will be barely longer than a tweet, just catching you up on where we are with certain projects. So welcome. Enjoy.
- 8/27/2013
- by The ED-itor
- FamousMonsters of Filmland
The WCW was a promotion full of misused talent, the older stars kept the younger stars from blossoming into their full potential, However, there are many examples of WCW talent being misused in WWE, such as Dean Malenko, Ultimo Dragon, Scott Steiner and Perry Saturn, who were all misused in Vince McMahon’s company.
Yet despite this, there are a few examples of WCW talent reaching high levels of success in the WWE. So without further ado, I ask you to cast your eye over these WCW success stories.
5. Rey Mysterio
Rey Mysterio made his name in Mexico fighting the likes of Juventud Guerrera and Psicosis in fresh and innovative matches, emerging as the main draw of an influx of Mexican superstars coming over to the States to make a name and some money for themselves. He firstly appeared in Ecw first before making his debut in the WCW, taking...
Yet despite this, there are a few examples of WCW talent reaching high levels of success in the WWE. So without further ado, I ask you to cast your eye over these WCW success stories.
5. Rey Mysterio
Rey Mysterio made his name in Mexico fighting the likes of Juventud Guerrera and Psicosis in fresh and innovative matches, emerging as the main draw of an influx of Mexican superstars coming over to the States to make a name and some money for themselves. He firstly appeared in Ecw first before making his debut in the WCW, taking...
- 8/6/2013
- by Nathan Ritchie
- Obsessed with Film
One of the best things to come out of the Monday Night Wars was the cruiserweight division. The competition between the WWE and WCW forced each company to come up with new ways to retrain their viewership and gain new followers. WCW completely one-upped the WWE with its cruiserweight division. Even as the WWE tried to compete with its own Light Heavyweight Division, their roster paled in comparison to WCW’s. Whereas WCW at the time had Rey Mysterio Jr, Dean Malenko, Eddie Guerrero, Chris Jericho, and Ultimo Dragon tearing down the house on the undercard, the WWE had its poster boy for the division Taka Michinoku, who was just as exciting as his WCW counterparts, but they also had wrestlers like Brian Christopher, Scott Putski, and a handful of leftover luchadores they did very little with.
During the Invasion storyline the WWE made the Cruiserweight Title its go-to title...
During the Invasion storyline the WWE made the Cruiserweight Title its go-to title...
- 2/12/2013
- by James Martinez
- Obsessed with Film
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