Growing up with pro wrestling in the Territory Era in North America, there was something interesting that this blogger learned early on.
About two years after first watching wrestling on television, this blogger first came across a wrestling magazine known as The Wrestler. Remember everyone, back then, there was no internet!
It was a shock to find out that there were actually three promotions in North America and not one! I grew up in the National Wrestling Alliance territory and thinking it was the only one.
However, there were two other promotions in the American Wrestling Association (Midwest Region) and the World Wide Wrestling Federation (East Coast Region). It would be extremely rare if a wrestler from one region back in 1968 would wrestle in another one. The only exception I could remember early on was the WWWF's Bruno Sammartino doing a couple of shows against the NWA's Ray Stevens at the Daly City Cow Palace.
Things were very tight amongst the heads of the different groups back then. Definitely, it was big business and up until the 1970s, one promotion would not "invade" another's territory. The invasion began in 1969 when the American Wrestling Alliance invaded NWA territory with a show in the Los Angeles area (The Forum in Inglewood). NWA was the territory back then with shows at the Olympic Auditorium in downtown Los Angeles.
Jumping forward a half century, in Southeast Asia, there are a few pro wrestling promotions throughout the various countries. Unlike the days of The Territory Era in North America, pro wrestling in Southeast Asia is definitely a breath of fresh air! The heads of the various promotions are far more receptive in a wrestler from one country visiting another.
This blogger has been following a recent pro wrestling tour of Japan involving Jake De Leon (PUSO Wrestling - Philippines), Shivam (SETUP - Thailand) along with Dr. Gore (SPW), Monomoth (SETUP), Chris Brookes and Masa Takanashi (SETUP, DDT Pro Wrestling, ChocoPro). A couple of fans from abroad were able to attend the tour as well.
There were the Baka Gaijin and ChocoPro shows that were definitely memorable. Then there was the legendary show at Korakuen Hall where many Japanese pro wrestling shows have taken place. I believe the tour ends in Saitama before the wrestlers return to the respective countries.
Over the last few weeks, this blogger has been trying to keep up with several wrestlers. While I was in the Philippines, Filipino Pro Wrestling's, Chino Guinto took part in a Vietnam Pro Wrestling show at the VAIB Studio. Before this, Jake De Leon (PUSO Wrestling) and Mike Madrigal (Filipino Pro Wrestling) traveled to Malaysia for an APAC Wrestling show. The Eurasian Dragon and a couple of other wrestlers from Ring Of Rebirth Singapore wrestled in the show as well.
Earlier in the year, Dexcon Philippines promoted a couple of shows with Zack Sabre Jr. (NJPW), Chris Brookes and Masa Takanashi (SETUP, DDT, ChocoPro) appearing.
In about two weeks, September 14th, the Philippines own, Crystal, will be appearing at Middle Kingdom Wrestling's Championship Supercard show in Shanghai. She will be taking on Yuki Kamifuku for the SPW Queen Of Asia Championship.
The point this blogger is making is that the cross promotion of wrestling talent in Southeast Asia is a very healthy one for pro wrestling in the region. It spurs interest, grows the industry and helps the economy. Friendships are strengthened as well.
There is no question in this wrestling fan's mind that the Japan visit was a success! From what was posted in Social Media, all of the wrestlers had a great time and were receptive positively by the fans who attended. Definitely, there are exciting times ahead for sports entertainment in the region.