The Puro Wrestling Academy

The WrestleCopia Network

5.0 (7)
WRESTLING
UPDATED WEEKLY

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"!

02/03/2025

PURO #14: (1963, Part 1) Gorillas, Haystacks, & Killers... OH MY!

The Puro Wrestling Academy returns for the Season Finale episode, as Professor Dan Ginnetty & Ray Russell cover the first 8 months of 1963 in Japan. Giant Baba returns from his 2 -Year North American excursion, the 5th Annual World League is upon us, Rikidozan married for a 4th time, even in losing Antonio Inoki continues to generate much-needed experience, "Mammoth" Suzuki demoted to a "Gorilla", Toyonobori comes out of hiding due to gambling debts (again), a young Umanosuke Ueda appears, rules of a Japanese Battle Royal, Buddy Rogers' entourage, both Killer X and Mr. ZERO unmasked. Plus, a loaded ensemble of foreign talent arrive including The Destroyer's debut in Japan, Haystacks Calhoun, Killer Kowalski, Gino Marella (Gorilla Monsoon), Pat O'Connor, Fred Atkins, Bob Ellis, Sandor Szabo, Hard Boiled Haggerty, Don Jardine, Bull Ortega, Tony Marino, & much more! While you await Season Two of the free-for-all podcast, please consider joining us for a separate VIDEO version of the Puroresu Academy currently covering 1970s All Japan with 30+ episodes already available. Located at the VIP Tier of https://www.patreon.com/wrestlecopia If you're enjoying WrestleCopia and interested in helping us continue to grow, please consider Subscribing to our Patreon to help us cover some of our costs! https://www.patreon.com/wrestlecopiaYOU CAN ALSO GIFT SOMEONE A PATREON MEMBERSHIP (OR ASK THEM TO GIFT YOU ONE) AT https://www.patreon.com/WrestleCopia/giftIncludes the $5 “All Access” Tier $9 "VIP Superfan" Tier, and "The ULLLTIMATE Tier", featuring our various VIDEO-CAST Series, Early Show Releases, our insanely detailed show notes (for the Grenade, Monday Warfare, Regional Rasslin, Puro Academy, & Retro Re-View), monthly DIGITAL DOWNLOADS for your viewing and reading pleasure, & more! HELP SUPPORT THE SELF-FUNDED WRESTLECOPIA BRAND, CONSIDER DONATING TO OUR PAYPALWRESTLECOPIA MERCHANDISE - https://www.teepublic.com/user/wrestlecopiaVisit the WrestleCopia Podcast Network https://wrestlecopia.comFollow WrestleCopia on “X” (Formerly Twitter) @RasslinGrenadeFollow & LIKE our FACEBOOK PAGE – https://www.facebook.com/RasslinGrenadeSubscribe to the WrestleCopia Youtube Channel at https://www.youtube.com/RasslinGrenade ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

1h 50m
11/24/2024

PURO #13: (1962) Vampire Blassie Wreaks Havoc, Baba's U.S. Excursion

The Puro Wrestling Academy returns, as Professor Dan Ginnetty & Ray Russell talk 1962 in Puroresu History. Just some of the topics include, "Vampire" Fred Blassie wreaking havoc in his feud with Rikidozan, hear how Blassie's bloody style left some fans DEAD (literally)! Plus. we discuss World Title Changes, Tag Title Changes, the 4th Annual World League, Thesz vs. Rikidozan, Kanji Inoki renamed "Antonio", Kintaro Oki Updates, Giant Baba's success in North America, many familiar foreign talent compete such as Dick Hutton, Mike Sharpe, Luther Lindsay, Ricky Waldo, Buddy Austin, Skull Murphy, Gorilla Marconi, big Moose Cholak, Bull Ortega, & so much more! Please Subscribe to our Patreon to help pay the bills, https://www.patreon.com/wrestlecopiaIncludes the $5 “All Access” Tier & $9 "VIP Superfan" Tier featuring our VIDEO CASTS, Patreon Watch-Along Series, our insanely detailed show notes (for the Grenade, Monday Warfare, Regional Rasslin, Puro Academy, & Retro Re-View), Early Show Releases, REMASTERED editions of the early Grenade episodes including NEW content! PLUS, monthly DIGITAL DOWNLOADS for your viewing and reading pleasure! Visit the WrestleCopia Podcast Network https://wrestlecopia.comFollow WrestleCopia on “X” (Formerly Twitter) @RasslinGrenadeFollow & LIKE our FACEBOOK PAGE – https://www.facebook.com/RasslinGrenadeSubscribe to the WrestleCopia Youtube Channel at https://www.youtube.com/RasslinGrenade ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

1h 55m
11/02/2024

PURO #12: (1961) Great Antonio Arrives, Bill Miller Unmasks, Inoki Ascends, More

It's time for another edition of the Puro Wrestling Academy, as Dan Ginnetty & Ray Russell talk the year of 1961 in Japan. We look at the Third World League Tournament, The Great Antonio’s rise (and fall), an epic Title vs. Mask showdown, Kintaro Oki’s breaking out, Antonio Inoki moving up the card, Giant Baba leaving for the U.S., Rikidozan attempts to promote boxing and forces his local talent to build him a new wrestling complex, there’s also multiple unmaskings including the Zebra Kid, Bill Miller,, Lord James Blears, & others! Plus, additional topics including The Ultimate Warrior, Candlepin Bowling, & more! How Rikidozan finds Inoki AND Baba in an unbelievable story. Then, it's the DEBUT of Antonio Inoki! The DEBUT of Shohei "Giant" Baba! The 2nd Annual World League Tournament. Toyonobori's Troubles. The Ricky Waldo story. Hombre Montana arrives in Japan, Yoshimura moves to Heavyweight, Yoshinosato moves up to Junior Champion, New Light Heavyweight Champion crowned, Midget Matches, King Curtis Iaukea, Tex McKenzie, & much more! Please Subscribe to our Patreon to help pay the bills, https://www.patreon.com/wrestlecopiaIncludes the $5 “All Access” Tier & $9 "VIP Superfan" Tier featuring our VIDEO CASTS, Patreon Watch-Along Series, our insanely detailed show notes (for the Grenade, Monday Warfare, Regional Rasslin, Puro Academy, & Retro Re-View), Early Show Releases, REMASTERED editions of the early Grenade episodes including NEW content! PLUS, monthly DIGITAL DOWNLOADS for your viewing and reading pleasure! Visit the WrestleCopia Podcast Network https://wrestlecopia.comFollow WrestleCopia on “X” (Formerly Twitter) @RasslinGrenadeFollow & LIKE our FACEBOOK PAGE – https://www.facebook.com/RasslinGrenadeSubscribe to the WrestleCopia Youtube Channel at https://www.youtube.com/RasslinGrenade ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

1h 46m
10/11/2024

PURO #11: (1960) INOKI & BABA DEBUT!

NEW Puro Wrestling Academy w/Dan Ginnetty & Ray Russell is here! We talk the huge year of 1960 in Japan as business is BOMING! How Rikidozan finds Inoki AND Baba in an unbelievable story. Then, it's the DEBUT of Antonio Inoki, and the DEBUT of Shohei "Giant" Baba in the ring! Plus, the 2nd Annual World League Tournament. Toyonobori's Troubles. The Ricky Waldo story. Hombre Montana arrives in Japan, Yoshimura moves to Heavyweight, Yoshinosato vacates the Light weight title as he becomes Junior Champion, New Light Heavyweight Champion crowned, Midget Matches, King Curtis Iaukea, Tex McKenzie, & much more! Please Subscribe to our Patreon to help pay the bills, https://www.patreon.com/wrestlecopiaIncludes the $5 “All Access” Tier & $9 "VIP Superfan" Tier featuring our VIDEO CASTS, Patreon Watch-Along Series, our insanely detailed show notes (for the Grenade, Monday Warfare, Regional Rasslin, Puro Academy, & Retro Re-View), Early Show Releases, REMASTERED editions of the early Grenade episodes including NEW content! PLUS, monthly DIGITAL DOWNLOADS for your viewing and reading pleasure! Visit the WrestleCopia Podcast Network https://wrestlecopia.comFollow WrestleCopia on “X” (Formerly Twitter) @RasslinGrenadeFollow & LIKE our FACEBOOK PAGE – https://www.facebook.com/RasslinGrenadeSubscribe to the WrestleCopia Youtube Channel at https://www.youtube.com/RasslinGrenade ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

1h 41m
09/25/2024

PURO #10: (1959) World League Tourney Debuts, Mr. Atomic Unmasked, More

It's time for another session of the Puro Wrestling Academy w/Dan Ginnetty & Ray Russell. This time out we look at the year of 1959 in Japanese Wrestling History. A ton of firsts as Rikidozan turns his misfortunes around... The first ever World League Tournament, the debut of "Mr. Atomic", the first ever unmasking in Japan, the first color TV broadcast of Japanese wrestling, the first ever TV Studio wrestling bout in Japan... and the first real blade job(?)! Plus, MR. ATOMIC DEBUTS, Yoshinosato & Kokichi Endo Return, Enrique Torres, King Kong Czaya, Lord James Blears, Mike Paidousis, Danny Plechas, Bull Ortega, and so much more!Please Subscribe to our Patreon to help pay the bills, https://www.patreon.com/wrestlecopiaIncludes the $5 “All Access” Tier & $9 "VIP Superfan" Tier featuring our VIDEO CASTS, Patreon Watch-Along Series, our insanely detailed show notes (for the Grenade, Monday Warfare, Regional Rasslin, Puro Academy, & Retro Re-View), Early Show Releases, REMASTERED editions of the early Grenade episodes including NEW content! PLUS, monthly DIGITAL DOWNLOADS for your viewing and reading pleasure! Visit the WrestleCopia Podcast Network https://wrestlecopia.comFollow WrestleCopia on “X” (Formerly Twitter) @RasslinGrenadeFollow & LIKE our FACEBOOK PAGE – https://www.facebook.com/RasslinGrenadeSubscribe to the WrestleCopia Youtube Channel at https://www.youtube.com/RasslinGrenade ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

1h 42m
09/11/2024

PURO #09: (1958) Shady Business, Rikidozan Dethrones Thesz, Azumafuji Retires!

"The Professor of Puroresu" Dan Ginnetty and Ray Russell back with the latest edition of the Puro Wrestling Academy! This week we cover the year of 1958 in the world of Japanese wrestling history (and even dive into early 1959). Many of the topics discussed on this episode include... The JWA going from TWO weekly TV programs to having their shows CANCELED, leading to the company essentially fading to black for SIX LONG MONTHS! We question the reasoning and rumors as to why Rikidozan competed in only one match in Japan over the course of the first 8 months of the year. Stories of misappropriation of funds, “Black Market” money to pay the Gaijin, local talent not being paid at all, & more titillating stories involving Rikidozan! With the JWA dormant for much of the Spring & Summer months, the local talent are left without work and many still waiting for back-pay, threatening to go on Strike! We look into Gimmick Matches being used for TV, Battle Royals and multi-man tag matches (including the first ever 8-Man Tag in Japan!). Rkidozan refutes to wrestle, but acts as a Special Referee for many contests early in the year, before making another trip to the United States where Riki will capture the International Title from LOU THESZ in Los Angeles! Foreign talent discussed on this episode include Don Leo Jonathan, “Handsome” Johnny Barend, Ski Hi Lee, Tiny Mills & “Big K” Stan Kowalski! Plus, it’s AZUMAFUJI to the rescue! Hear what Azumafuji does to pacify and help the JWA talent while Dozan is abroad. Then upon Riki’s return to Japan, Wrestling returns as well. NEW TOURS for the JWA in September 58 through January 59. Toyonobori returns after a year in Hawaii, and captures the Hawaii Tag Titles along with Rikidozan. It’s near the end of 1958 that Azumafuji announces his RETIREMENT FROM PRO WRESTLING after having been fed up with Rikidozan’s practices. Plus, we talk Rikidozan’s excursion to Brazil, did Don Leo Jonathan break kayfabe(?), exciting news for our listeners regarding our Patreon, & so much more! Please Subscribe to our Patreon to help pay the bills, https://www.patreon.com/wrestlecopiaIncludes the $5 “All Access” Tier & $9 "VIP Superfan" Tier featuring our VIDEO CASTS, Patreon Watch-Along Series, our insanely detailed show notes (for the Grenade, Monday Warfare, Regional Rasslin, Puro Academy, & Retro Re-View), Early Show Releases, REMASTERED editions of the early Grenade episodes including NEW content! PLUS, monthly DIGITAL DOWNLOADS for your viewing and reading pleasure! Visit the WrestleCopia Podcast Network https://wrestlecopia.comFollow WrestleCopia on “X” (Formerly Twitter) @RasslinGrenadeFollow & LIKE our FACEBOOK PAGE – https://www.facebook.com/RasslinGrenadeSubscribe to the WrestleCopia Youtube Channel at https://www.youtube.com/RasslinGrenade ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

1h 35m
07/17/2024

PURO #08: (1957) NWA Champ Lou Thesz, Bobo Brazil, Hiro Matsuda, Weekly TV, More!

The Puro Wrestling Academy w/Dan Ginnetty & Ray Russell 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, the Junior Title changes hands, the mystery of "Black Jimmy" is solved, & so much more! Available everywhere your Podcast Streaming needs are met. Please Subscribe to our Patreon to help pay the bills, https://www.patreon.com/wrestlecopiaIncludes the $5 “All Access” Tier & $9 "Superfan DELUXE" Tier featuring our VIDEO CASTS, Patreon Watch-Along Series, our insanely detailed show notes (for the Grenade, Monday Warfare, Regional Rasslin, Puro Academy, & Retro Re-View), Early Show Releases, REMASTERED editions of the early Grenade episodes including NEW content! PLUS, monthly DIGITAL DOWNLOADS for your viewing and reading pleasure! Visit our Podcast Network https://wrestlecopia.comFollow us on "X" (Formerly Twitter) @RasslinGrenadeFollow & LIKE our FACEBOOK PAGE - https://www.facebook.com/RasslinGrenadeSubscribe to our Youtube Channel at https://www.youtube.com/RasslinGrenade ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

1h 41m
06/19/2024

PURO #07: (1956) World Tag Title Change! Two New Tours! Riki Travels Abroad!

This week on The Puro Wrestling Academy, Dan Ginnetty & Ray Russell school 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 rivalry with King Kong Czaya. The JWA presents two more full-length tours lasting more than 60 events! Plus, we catch up with Masahiko Kimura, Unified Champions are created, and we talk names like Tom Rice, Mike Mazurki, Surugaumi, Azumafuji, Yoshinosato, Toyonobori, and so much more! Available everywhere your Podcast Streaming needs are met. Please Subscribe to our Patreon to help pay the bills, https://www.patreon.com/wrestlecopiaIncludes the $5 “All Access” Tier & $9 "Superfan DELUXE" Tier featuring our VIDEO CASTS, Patreon Watch-Along Series, our insanely detailed show notes (for the Grenade, Monday Warfare, Regional Rasslin, Puro Academy, & Retro Re-View), Early Show Releases, REMASTERED editions of the early Grenade episodes including NEW content! PLUS, monthly DIGITAL DOWNLOADS for your viewing and reading pleasure! Visit our Podcast Network https://wrestlecopia.comFollow us on "X" (Formerly Twitter) @RasslinGrenadeFollow & LIKE our FACEBOOK PAGE - https://www.facebook.com/RasslinGrenadeSubscribe to our Youtube Channel at https://www.youtube.com/RasslinGrenade ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

1h 50m

5

out of 5

7 Ratings

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"!

Creator

The WrestleCopia Network
Years Active

2024 - 2025
Episodes

15
Rating

Clean
Copyright

WrestleCopia · © Copyright 2024 · All rights reserved
Show Website

The Puro Wrestling Academy