NJPW’s legends stand in ring to celebrate 50 years

NJPW’s 50th Anniversary event got started on March 1 with a special ceremony celebrating past stars. Legendary ring announcer Kero tanaka took to the ring to announce a cavalcade of legends, who all took their place for a special commemorative photograph, as NJPW and CHAOS stars of today applauded from ringside. 

Messages then followed from original Tiger Mask Satoru Sayama, in absentia for health reasons, NJPW early founding father Seiji Sakaguchi and IWGP World Heavyweight Champion Kazuchika Okada. Sayama nodded to the founding members of NJPW and offered support for Antonio Inoki, Sakaguchi thanked the fans for making everything happen over the last 50 years, and Okada, admitting he was ‘more nervous than usual’ spoke to the weight and significance of the special evening.  

Backstage, many of the legends offered up their own comments and memories:

Seiji Sakaguchi (NJPW consultant, former president)

From wrestler to the Vice President, to the President, Chairman and now as a consultant, so much has happened over the last 49 years of my life, and 50 for the company. There’s been fun times and there’s been difficult times, but in the end, I’m so happy and grateful to all the staff and wrestlers that have stayed with us and helped us reach this 50 year landmark. We owe so much to TV Asahi and a long list of sponsors, so the business backing of our owners at Bushiroad and YUKE’S before them, and the wrestlers of course.

I’ve wrestled thousands of matches. Even coming here at age 30 before becoming President at 45, 46 I wrestled thousands. But I think what the fans still remember as well are the matches I had with (Antonio) Inoki. We had one in the World League, but I think we did it on TV a couple days before. Hiroshima, I think? A 30 minute draw (April 26 1974).

There was a lot of matches with foreign guys as well. Hogan, Hansen, he jacked my neck up well (laughs). Those foreign guys were strong then. So many matches. But here we are, 50 years. 50 years ago it was Inoki, and Kotetsu Yamamoto, Tatsumi Fujinami and Osamu Kido. A lot happened over the years since, but I’m so happy and so grateful to be a part of today.

Kengo Kimura (4x IWGP Tag Team Champion)

50 years really is a landmark. 50, 100, a really big turning point. 50 years is a long, long time, but NJPW really has done well to keep leading the way throughout. I think that’s something to be proud of, but I expect even bigger things in the future as well.

For me, matches that stand out… it would have to be against Tatsumi Fujinami. I always viewed him as my chief rival, so when we were finally able to wrestle against one another I was delighted. He shaped my world view, and even today meeting him face to face, I was reminded of him as my rival.

I’m so happy to see NJPW into the next step toward 60, 70 years, and today was a big inspiration to keep working hard just like everyone in NJPW.

Riki Choshu (3x IWGP Heavyweight Champion, 3x IWGP Tag Team Champion, G1 Climax 1996 winner)

Congratulations on 50 years, NJPW. So much has happened over the years, and that’s the magic of this business. There’s no end point in pro-wrestling. I can say that now I’m away from it. It keeps changing and evolving and you really feel the times change.

What sticks out? I’m sorry, but I don’t think I should answer. That’s for fans and reporters to think about. Being a retired wrestler, I do think it’s right to have a respectable distance from the business now. So I don’t want to talk about a favourite match or anything like that because there are wrestlers involved that are still in that ring. So I’d rather keep my distance and support them in silence.

The whole world, and NJPW included, has been through tough times with COVID. But even as times change, as long as I can see there’s a light on in the Dojo, I know someone’s there putting in the work. I was there just this morning and the young ones were there. Not talking to me, putting in work. That’s what matters.

Akira Maeda (2x IWGP Tag Team Champion)

50 years already… 1972, I would have been in sixth grade. I was in high school when Inoki be Ali happened. That’s the time we’re looking at. You know, the staff and bosses changed, but the NJPW name is still there. I know that they show the New Japan archives all over the world, and I’ve had messages from fans from overseas showing me these clips. It’s amazing to see Suzuki wrestle overseas, NJPW touring in America, really something. The only thing I do feel is the fact original, truly Japanese style of wrestling has died away, and that’s a shame.

Matches? The foreign boys, I remember Andre and Hansen blew me away. My matches, well Fujinami, and Andre again, heh.

You know, I think that question of what wrestling is has become harder and harder to answer. But it’s on those young kids to think on it, form their own ideas and then out that to practice. What is a violent match? What is a great match? You put your ideas out, the fans answer and you adapt in turn. That’s wrestling. It’ll go forever, and that’s fine. Plenty of room for trial and error, especially when you’re young.

Kuniaki Kobayashi 

I actually joined NJPW 50 years ago. It had just started up in March and I joined in October. And all these years later I still get fans talking to me about tearing Tiger Mask’s mask, ha! That still stays with me, definitely. Back then we had a 23% share on TV, you know. So we had reach. But I guess those kids watching 40 years ago are getting old now, huh? For them still to remember really makes me happy. I expect a lot of the guys like Tanahashi who are still going strong.

Kazuo Yamazaki (3x IWGP Tag Team Champion)

I’m actually turning 60 this year. So it’s amazing to think that this company started when I was ten years old. I joined the company at 18 and then debuted about one year later, against Black Cat in Fukuoka Sports Center. I still remember that as well, but I think the one moment for me that stands out is the G1 Climax final in 1998, against Shinya Hashimoto. He dropped me straight down on top of my head; believe it or not, I still do remember that feeling! I know there’s a ton of great young guys that are coming up, and I’m looking forward to seeing what the future holds. 

Keiji Muto (4x IWGP Heavyweight Champion, 6x IWGP Tag team Champion, 1995 G1 Climax Winner)

There really is strength in persistence, I think. I felt it in Yokohama Arena (January 8) and even though I wasn’t in great shape that night, it still felt significant to me. As far as moments that stick out, it really has to be 1995 in the Tokyo Dome with (Nobuhiko) Takada. That definitely felt like it resonated with the most people. I hope NJPW keeps going into 60, 70 years, and even though I don’t know how much longer I’ll be doing this, I’d be happy to step in an NJPW ring one more time someday.

Masahito Kakihara (2003 Best of the Super Junior)

50 years is such a tremendous accomplishment, and I’m glad to be here to pass on my congratulations. In terms of my memories here, obviously it has to be winning the Best of the Super Jr. It was a real dream come true to come out on top of that prestigious tournament, and it really was emotional. I’m delighted to say I have my own little part of the tremendous 50 year history of this company. Good luck on the next 50, 100, 200 years!

Milano Collection A.T. (2007 Best of the Super Jr., announcer)

NJPW has been around for longer than I’ve been alive, and to be in this celebration even though I was only in New Japan active for around three years, I’m really grateful. For matches I remember, it has to be 2007 Best of the Super Jr. against Inoue in the final, winning on my first try. Then later that year, I got on my scales, and they were broken. But I took the digital readout to mean I was 8888kg and decided I was heavyweight, went in the G1. I had Yano in my first match, put him in the Paradise Lock outside and won by countout. I still see people trying the same trick today, so I think it resonated.

Congratulations New Japan! Now I’m calling things from ringside but if I can just give a taste of how great NJPW is then that makes it worthwhile.

Wataru Inoue (2008 Best of the Super Jr., former IWGP Junior Heavyweight, IWGP Jr. Tag, IWGP Tag Team Champion)

Thank you so much to all the wrestlers, all the staff and all the fans who have supported New Japan Pro-Wrestling. 50 years really is an amazing achievement. The energy of professional wrestling really changed my life, personally, and I think it will continue to change lives and bring positive energy to the masses into our 60th, 70th anniversaries and beyond, so keep looking out for us.

For me personally, the first time I won the IWGP Jr. Tag Team Championships, that was really a dream come true for me and an important moment, The moment I won, that reaction was something else. I hope that for a long time to come, many more will feel that same energy.  

Jyushin Thunder Liger (11x IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion, 6x IWGP Jr. heavyweight Tag Champion, 3x best of the Super Jr. winner)

It’s because of the 50 year history that NJPW has that we were able to bring all of these legends today, and tonight we really felt the historical weight, and the current strength of NJPW. For me, I will always go back to the matches I had with Naoki Sano. They really were battles of ‘just how do I deal with someone this strong, this tough. It absolutely shaped my wrestling life. I became who I was because of him for sure. 50 years is a long time, but I think we’ll go easily to 100, 150 and more, so we look forward to your support.

Tiger Hattori (legendary referee)

There are a lot of companies in japan, but NJPW, with the 50 year history it has, and with the great talent we have now, there’ll be 50 years more. This is a historic company, no doubt. For me as a referee, I’ll always remember Riki Choshu vs Tatsumi Fujinami. I didn’t really get to ref here while Inoki was active, so it would have to be Choshu and Fujinami. 

Congratulations. I’m proud and grateful of the long time I spent here, and I really think we’ll be going for at least another 50 years so I’m pulling for the new boys to pull Japan forward.

Norio Honaga (3x IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion)

I’m grateful I left even just a little mark on this tremendous 50 year history. I mean, I wrestled Liger in Ryogoku… right? and Kanemoto, Kanemoto was Ryogoku, I think. Those are matches I still remember. I hope NJPW keeps leading the way, while I try not to screw up as a ref.

Kero Tanaka (legendary ring annoucner)

A half century, such a long time that feels so short. I really did feel how significant this all was standing in the ring tonight, and it was a special event. It was a nice feeling of nostalgia for me, even though I feel a little frustrated, coming off COVID like I am, that I didn’t quite nail it 100%.

What I remember most, even though it was recent, was Liger’s last match. That was a big deal, in the Tokyo Dome. That wasn’t perfect in my book either, so I still beat myself up about it. I want to nail it to perfection, so I think Liger should unretire just for me. In the end though, 50 years is just a waypoint. I hope NJPW keeps going strong into 51, 52, 100 years. Thank you so much.