More details have emerged in the rumored Japanese puroresu SuperShow in February, Wrestling All Star Battle, that was already reportedly a united show featuring New Japan Pro Wrestling (NJPW), All Japan Pro Wrestling (AJPW), and Pro Wrestling NOAH. It was confirmed today in an article in Tokyo Sports – the publication that is sponsoring the event – that not only was the event true, but there would be two more promotions joining the Wrestling All Star Battle along with the initially reported trio. Big Japan and Wrestle-1 were also revealed as taking part in the historic event, which will be held February 19, 2019 at the Sumo Hall in Tokyo, Japan.
Japan SuperShow Wrestling All Star Battle Adds Two More Partners in Baba Tribute
In today’s Tokyo Sports, they reported (translation courtesy The NOAH Source):
Giant Baba died on January 31st 1999, and next year (2019), will be twenty years after his death. Giant Baba’s wife, Mokoto (78), who passed away on April 14th, said that she would like to honor her husband by holding an event, no matter how small, in the 20th year of his passing. In other words, Mokoto’s “will” will be realized.
The opportunity arose at Mokoto’s “Farewell Party”, which was held in Tokyo on July 18th. At the meeting, Mr. Kunitoshi Ogata (31), who has inherited the rights to use the likeness of Baba, said at the gathering “We will be holding a meeting, and so we hope to get the support of everyone.” As more than fifty athletes and old boys representing the wrestling world were present, ideas flowed from each one, one after the other.
The executive committee, consisting of Seiji Sakaguchi (76, consultant of New Japan), Genichiro Tenryu (68, known as “Mr. Pro Wrestling”), and Jun Akiyama (president of All Japan, 49), met in August and decided to hold it at Sumo Hall.
The committee is expected to officially announce the event as early as this week.
Mr. Ogata said, “We are really grateful for your co-operation. We will officially announce it in the near future”.
All the major promotions have endorsed this plan.
New Japan president, Naoki Sugabayashi (54), said “because he was devoted to the development of the industry, I will co-operate with respect”.
The current IWGP Heavyweight Champion, Kenny Omega (35), has had no contact with Mr. Baba, but there are many wrestlers who have had a relationship, such as Hiroshi Tanahashi (41), the G1 champion who participated in the era of Mokoto’s presidency, and Satoshi Kojima (48), the former three crown heavyweight champion. More than anything, if when it comes to the event, the participation of the leaders of the industry, is indispensable.
President Jun Akiyama, of All Japan, who has inherited the continuation of Baba said, “Immediately after the event there is a big match (Yokohama on February 24th), but we must co-operate, and want wrestlers to participate, including myself”.
President Masayuki Uchida of Noah (56) also said, “Because the inheritance of Mr. Baba has been handed down to Noah, there is no problem”, and he gave the quick “Go” sign.
Naomichi Marufuji (39), said “I am Baba’s last pupil. I will come out for the company I left behind” (rough translation as it didn’t translate well)
Keiji Mutoh (55), the president of W-1, who was the president of All Japan from 2002 until 2011, has a special feeling and said “because Mokoto passed the torch to me, I have many memories. I have decided officially I will send my wrestlers”.
Participation of the old boy army (aka veterans) is also expected. Eiji Tosaka, President of Big Japan (47) said, “Our chairman, The Great Kojika (76) has pride in being an All-Japan Old Boy, although he has had an indiscreet way of saying that if he is alive in February next year, he will come without having to be asked”.
Taiyō Kea (42), who is living in Hawaii, and was the treasured child of the Baba’s, quickly put his name forward as, “I belong too” (rough translation).
Evil Ways, Atsushi Onita (60), who has not been silent, will return as a volunteer wrestler.
