WRITE THAT DOWN! A Professional Wrestling Podcast w/ Fumi Saito & Justin Knipper

Apr 01 2025 55 ep. 71 mins 19
WRITE THAT DOWN! A Professional Wrestling Podcast w/ Fumi Saito & Justin Knipper artwork

Learn the REAL history of pro wrestling inside Japan and out with legendary writer and broadcast personality Fumi Saito and Pro Wrestling NOAH’s Justin Knipper!

  Sports  Society & Culture
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Antonio Inoki (Part 1) The Early Years

Apr 01 2025 66 mins  
Join us as we dive into the fascinating early years of Antonio Inoki, one of wrestling's most iconic figures. In this first installment of a five-part profile series, discover Inoki's journey from being the youngest of 11 children in Yokohama, Japan, to embarking on a life-changing move to Sao Paulo, Brazil. Experience the hardships and adventures that shaped his path, including th

Giant Baba (Part 4): The Business of Giants

Mar 19 2025 90 mins  
In this final episode of the Legacy Showcase series, hosts Justin Knipper and Fumi Saito explore the life and legacy of Giant Baba, focusing on his role as a promoter for All Japan Pro Wrestling from the late 1980s through the 1990s. They delve into his promotional strategies, the use of sports media like Tokyo Sports, and his innovative booking style, which emphasized timing and r

Giant Baba (Part 3) Baba the Promoter

Feb 22 2025 80 mins  
In this compelling episode, Justin and Fumi delve deep into the legendary journey of Giant Baba, marking part three of their comprehensive profile series. The discussion illuminates Baba's profound influence in wrestling, particularly through his relationship and eventual split with the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA). The conversation transitions through Baba's pivotal role in A

Giant Baba (Part 2): NWA Days

Jan 30 2025 64 mins  
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

Giant Baba (Part 1): The Rise of "Baba the Giant"

Jan 22 2025 82 mins  
This episode marks the beginning of an intriguing journey into the world of professional wrestling as they kick off the "Profile Legacy" series, focusing on none other than Shohei Baba, famously known as "Giant Baba." Dive into the initial stages of Baba's life—from his childhood in Niigata and his early onset of acromegaly, to pivotal moments of his baseball career with the Yomi

Riki Choshu's Journey Beyond the Ring: A Deep Dive (Part 3)

Dec 23 2024 48 mins  
In this episode of "Write That Down," host Justin Knipper teams up with renowned Japanese wrestling historian and journalist Fumi Saito to explore the fascinating career of Riki Choshu post-New Japan. As they delve into Choshu's evolution from a legendary wrestler to a managerial and promotional figure, they discuss his ventures with World Japan Wrestling and his rise to fame as a

Seiji Sakaguchi: An Unsung Hero of Japanese Pro Wrestling

Dec 23 2024 64 mins  
Join Justin Knipper and Fumi Saito on a journey through the storied career of Seiji Sakaguchi, one of the pivotal figures in Japanese professional wrestling. In this episode, they explore how Sakaguchi, much like a Gorilla Monsoon figure in the US, served as both a backstage leader and a key wrestler, steering the ship for New Japan Pro-Wrestling. Delve into Sakaguchi's early years

Unpacking A Legacy: Riki Choshu's Journey (Part 2)

Dec 09 2024 62 mins  
Join hosts Justin Knipper and Fumi Saito as they delve into the illustrious career of Riki Choshu in the second part of this insightful series on 'Write That Down'. This episode explores the pivotal moments in Choshu's wrestling journey from 1984, including his influential 'jump period' from New Japan to All Japan Pro Wrestling with his faction Ishingun. Listeners will hear about t

Unveiling A Legend: Riki Choshu's Journey (Part 1)

Dec 09 2024 73 mins  
Dive into the fascinating world of Japanese professional wrestling as hosts Justin Knipper and Fumi Saito explore the storied career of Riki Choshu. Known as one of Japan's most influential wrestling figures, Choshu's journey from his early life as a young Korean-Japanese athlete to his rise as a wrestling icon in Japan is meticulously examined. This episode delves into Choshu's ro

The Evolution of Joshi Pro Wrestling: From the Peak to the Modern Era (Part 3)

Nov 06 2024 63 mins  
Join hosts Justin Knipper and Fumi Saito on the final episode of their mini-series exploring the rich history of Joshi Pro Wrestling, or women's wrestling, in Japan. In this episode, they delve into the legendary 1993 Dream Slam match between Akira Hokuto and Shinobu Kandori, a pivotal event that marked the peak of the women's wrestling boom in Japan. Discover the intense rivalries