Baba's resignation and Japan Pro Wrestling (Weekly Pro Wrestling September 1972 ~ 9th Issue)

Weekly Pro Wrestling September 1972 (9th Issue)

 On July 29th, Giant Baba submitted his resignation as both an executive and a wrestler to Japan Pro Wrestling, and at the same time announced his independence, and that he would be appearing on NTV. Japan Pro Wrestling and NET TV, which broadcasts Japan Pro Wrestling, are in for a big shock, with the Japanese wrestling world being shaken to their foundations. This series of actions by Baba was completely sudden. The top brass of Japan Pro Wrestling were shocked, saying it was a complete surprise. After all, it happened unexpectedly on a travel day* when there were no matches during the Summer Big Series. Only Baba and Ichiro at Nippon Television know why it was done on then. 

 After submitting his statement, Baba held a press conference at 6pm that same day at the Akasaka Prince Hotel, where he emphasized his connection with Japan Pro and Nippon Television and Mitsubishi Electric (sponsors of Japan Pro Wrestling broadcasts), who had helped make him a star. He said that out of gratitude to them, he had left Japan Pro and appeared on the Nippon Television TV screen, where he expressed his determination to test his own strength based on his own view of professional wrestling. Many insiders see Baba's appearance on Nippon TV as Nippon TV's "retaliation" against NET TV. Last April, Japan Pro Wrestling had Baba appear on NET TV. Many insiders see Baba's appearance on Nippon TV as Nippon TV's "retaliation" against NET TV. Last April, Nippon TV, which felt that its monopoly on having Baba appear on NET TV had been snatched from it, applied to the Tokyo District Court for a provisional injunction to suspend Baba's appearances, and on May 12th it ended its 18-year long live broadcast of Japan Pro Wrestling. 

 And now there is Baba's statement on his appearance on Nippon TV. At Baba's press conference, the Nippon TV staff looked cheerful, while at the same time, at the Japan Pro Wrestling press conference that started at 7pm the same day, the NET TV staff were seen with dismayed and solemn expressions. The acquisition of Baba can be seen as a successful "comeback" for Nippon Television. Nippon Television is said to be preparing an hour-long live broadcast of professional wrestling every Saturday from 8:00 pm starting from the first week of October (October 7th). But as of August 1st, there has been no official announcement from them regarding the broadcast. 

 Baba has promised to participate in matches from July 30th until the Summer Big Series until Ishikawa City Okaido Central Square on August 18th. Everything will get into full swing after the end of this series, and there will probably be wrestlers from Japan Pro Wrestling who will work with Baba. Even so, Japan Pro Wrestling has exposed its shame to the public with Baba's resignation. Starting with Antonio Inoki's expulsion* at the end of last year, the turmoil has continued. Not only has there been criticism of the management's management skills*, but there is also a great deal of distrust among fans. "Baba-nuki"* will have a direct impact on the survival of Japan Pro and NET TV Broadcasts, there some local promoters saying they "cannot hold events under the current circumstances".

 What will become of Japan Pro, the legacy of Rikidozan, the creator of Japanese professional wrestling? Some say it should be "returned to its roots and restarted," but isn't it too late? Professional boxing's reliance on television has brought about a crisis, and Japanese professional wrestling's reliance on television has led to confusion and a serious crisis. Is he worthy of meeting Rikidozan in the afterlife? He needs to make up for the distrust he has caused among his fans as soon as possible. 

    

Notes

Moving Day: Term used to indicate a date between shows when the wrestlers are travelling from one venue to another. It is still used in Puro.     

Antonio Inoki's expulsion: Inoki tried to engineer a coup, which failed.

Management's management skills: The promotion collapsed amid being run by shady gangsters and alcoholic embezzlers.

Babanuki: Very clever play on words. "Babanuki" is the Japanese name for the "Old Maid" card game. The person who has the Baba (usually the joker) until the end loses