WRESTLING WORTH WATCHING: PRO WRESTLING NOAH

Last week, we took a look at Ring of Honor and how it presented something of a hybrid, by blending an old school wrestling philosophy with modern-day sports entertainment action. As in the case of ROH, if you’re someone who enjoys pro wrestling that puts aside over-the-top silliness, nonsensical characters and inane skits, then Pro Wrestling NOAH is the place you want to be. This Japanese organization, which came into existence in 2000, convinces even the most jaded viewer of its legitimacy by relentlessly offering the appearance of a genuine athletic competition. NOAH is the epitome of realism, and any effort required on the viewer’s part to suspend disbelief is minimal, if at all.

What may appear to be a Johnny-come-lately outfit actually has ties to a promotion with a long, storied history. In 1972, “Giant” Shohei Baba formed a company in his homeland, known as All Japan Pro Wrestling. Because he had a well-defined vision along with a philosophy of how to present professional wrestling credibly, All Japan quickly earned great respect for its hard-impact and no-nonsense attitude. It’s not an exaggeration to state that All Japan Wrestling, along with Antonio Inouki’s New Japan Wrestling, were regarded as the two top promotions in the country. They were similar in their respective presentations, although each had his own name for it. In All Japan, it was King’s Road Style, while in New Japan it was known as Strong Style. But no matter what it was called, the image was that of a genuine and true competition.

When Shohei Baba passed away in 1999, the proprietorship of All Japan was left to his wife, Motoko, while the planning of the company’s direction remained with top wrestler and booker, Mitsuharu Misawa. Before long, he became disenchanted with what he believed were poor business decisions, entertaining grave doubts about where the company was heading. His increasing unhappiness caused him to look at the possibility of starting his own promotion, and that’s precisely what he did in mid-2000.

Taking all but a very few members from the All Japan roster, Misawa announced the formation of Pro Wrestling NOAH. Nowhere else in the history of pro wrestling had such a mass evacuation occurred, and it left All Japan reeling in its wake. And, true to his word, the first pro Wrestling NOAH champion was crowned in April of 2001. It was Misawa himself who became the first titleholder, defeating long-time rival Yoshihiro Takayama after a grueling tournament. He held the GHC (Global Honored Crown) heavyweight title for three months before losing it to Jun Akiyama in a great bout at Tokyo’s Budokan Hall.

The name of the company itself is evocative of the mass departure from All Japan. According to Wikipedia, “The promotion's name alludes to the Biblical story of Noah, in which the people and animals in the ark survive the flood and make a new beginning in the world, a story which was seen as a parallel to the wrestlers’ departure from All Japan. NOAH's promotional symbol, an ark with a dove holding an olive branch, refers to this.”

Now, in 2007, Pro Wrestling NOAH is among the strongest and most respected wrestling organizations in the world. Featuring a stellar roster of Japanese and foreign talent, NOAH pays homage to its lineage by adhering to the philosophy of realism. On occasion, two combatants will wander outside of the ring and even resort to the use of a chair as a weapon, but it’s done sparingly and without prolonged exaggeration. Otherwise, it’s all about the testing of skill, strength, strategy and wrestling acumen.

Along with everything else, it’s fair to say the action is not limited to mat work alone. There are plenty of high flying maneuvers to be seen, especially among the junior heavyweights. But they, too, adhere to the NOAH demands of believability while simultaneously displaying death-defying aerial acrobatics. Consequently, the vast majority of bouts become increasingly exciting as they are built to powerful and well-executed climaxes.

We here in Canada are fortunate. Pro Wrestling NOAH can be seen every week on The Fight Network. Adding to the proceedings is The Fight Network’s own Mauro Ranallo, a man with a long history as an announcer in both pro wrestling and Mixed Martial Arts. His easy-to-follow fluid call of the matches is beyond reproach, and one can’t help admiring how comfortable and fluent he seems to be with Japanese terminology. His color man, Dan Lovranski, has been a favorite as host of the weekly radio program, Live Audio Wrestling, and he too knows his stuff. Together, they comprise a refreshingly solid and informative two-man team.

In talking with Mauro, it quickly became clear of his dedication to what he views as one of the best wrestling companies in business today. “Frankly, I’m in awe at much of what I see in Pro Wrestling NOAH. When I’m given to shout, ‘Mama Mia!’ at some of the action, it’s not your typical wrestling hyperbole. It’s because what has just taken place is truly astounding from an athletic standpoint. I’ve seen the best there is in combat sports, and as far as I’m concerned, Pro Wrestling NOAH has reached the pinnacle when it comes to wrestling. The standard that Misawa and company have set would be very hard to top.”

Pro Wrestling NOAH is indeed an oasis in the professional wrestling landscape. A new episode can be seen every Wednesday night on The Fight Network, debuting at 8 p.m. EDT and repeated again at 3 a.m. Thursday. It is also televised several times over the next six days.

Richard Berger is a freelance writer and editor with an extensive background in professional wrestling. His career includes media production for Stampede Wrestling, ring announcing, regular columns for WOW Magazine and IGN.com, and special feature work for other publications. Between June, 2007 and June, 2008, he wrote a weekly column for The Fight Network and Live Audio Wrestling. To discuss Richard’s articles or just about anything else, contact him at: WriterGuy1A@hotmail.com.

The small sampling of his work found here was originally published at The Fight Network and Live Audio Wrestling. The majority will appear in a soon-to-be-released book along with new material. Stay tuned for information as it becomes available!

WRESTLING WORTH WATCHING: RING OF HONOR

This week, we'll be taking a look at TV wrestling as it currently stands. If you’re a wrestling fan who finds WWE programming to be, for the most part, silly, uninvolving and frequently insulting, there are several programs The Fight Network has to offer that will cause you to rejoice. In no particular order, they are Ring of Honor, Pro Wrestling NOAH and Superstars of Wrestling: Past, Present and Future. We’ll look at all three of them over the next few weeks.

In view of the fact that the very first Ring of Honor pay-per-view debuts on Viewer’s Choice Friday, July 20, it only makes sense to start with them. If you enjoy professional wrestling and watch it on The Fight Network, then chances are good you’ve long since discovered Ring of Honor for yourself. If you haven’t, please consider this to be a gentle but firm nudge in that direction. What you’ll find is a throwback to a time when the action in the ring told a compelling story that rivaled a great movie or, dare I say, literary work.

ROH is quite different from the stuff WWE churns out. The first thing you’re apt to notice is that the matches aren’t rushed. In ROH, it’s not about a couple of “superstars” hitting their signature moves and going home in 3 – 5 minute exhibitions that lack development or cohesion.

Unlike other sports entertainment programming found on Monday night television in Canada, ROH provides a genuine sense of excitement and creativity by building matches to satisfying conclusions that aren’t always predictable.

All of this conspires to invite the thinking wrestling fan to mentally and emotionally jump right in and partake in the proceedings. Yes, there’s actually a sound, rational reason for most everything that takes place, and it’s usually done very, very well. What a radical concept!

Ring of Honor places the accent where it belongs. Often, we’ll find mat wrestling displays that are fluid and beautiful in the same way figure skating can mirror ballet. Frankly, the only obvious difference is that ROH is a hell of a lot more butch!

With ROH, the application of holds and counterholds is their primary strength. That’s important, for that is where both the art and the skill of wrestling are to be found. When properly presented, such exchanges create a breathtaking spectacle to the viewer and, as a result, are captivating.

The knowledgeable ROH fans in attendance, rather than restricting themselves to cheering and booing based on preposterous story lines and angles, respond in the same way as do the educated Japanese wrestling fans. Their exuberant approval (and vociferous disapproval) is based on the aptitude, athleticism and timing on display. It is precisely those elements that earn the fan’s respect, regardless of whether or not the individuals involved are portraying themselves as babyfaces or heels.

Ah, but don’t be misled by that description alone. There’s far more to be seen in ROH. The hardcore fan will have no problem finding the excesses that are so prevalent in modern pro wrestling. Thanks to the triumph of ECW, which launched in the U.S. in 1993 and over time became a cult favorite by imitating Japan’s FMW furniture-smashing style, it’s now standard operating procedure in most promotions. For better or worse, ROH is anything but shy when it comes to using chairs, tables and other miscellaneous accessories on a semi-regular basis. The trick, and ROH generally succeeds, is to keep it within a reality-based context. (This is a subject we’ll place under the microscope in the near future).

In Ring of Honor, there are engaging characters to be found that don’t, as a rule, transcend believability by too great a margin. When someone with an obviously outrageous gimmick does appear, it’s usually for the purpose of mocking the absurdity inherent in the guise. The fans instantly recognize when something or someone is extraordinarily silly, and they will react by hooting and ridiculing it or him in a raucous but good-natured manner. This, of course, is precisely what ROH intended.

But that’s all window-dressing and the mileage varies. Where ROH truly shines is in their ability to tell the story of a match in a believable back-and-forth, give-and-take manner. Yes, it really is that simple. To depend upon juvenile antics and foolishness that adds nothing but an unnecessary distraction would be to mimic WWE.

Somebody’s girlfriend gets caught cheating on him. Perhaps a zombie-like figure has come back to life. Or take any one of a montage of moronic backstage skits that removes any chance for the willing suspension of disbelief. You may see that sort of thing on Monday night, but they’re not happening in ROH.

Instead, viewers are invited to settle in for matches that run, on the average, between 10 minutes and an hour. And when the bouts are over, if you’re one to appreciate encounters that have all the appearance of a genuine contest, you’re likely going to feel exhilarated at the tremendous display of athleticism. After having witnessed demonstrations of in-ring storytelling and wrestling performances designed for people that don’t enjoy being told that they’re idiots, you shouldn’t be too surprised to find yourself hooked on ROH for good.

One last aspect of Ring of Honor will likely impress you to a very large degree. Happily, there are many matches that don’t depend upon a “hate-filled issue” to give them purpose. While the action doesn’t become muted in those instances, nor does the use of heelish tactics disappear completely, it’s more about showing one’s ability to wrestle from start to finish. And when all is said and done, it’s not uncommon to see handshakes, accompanied by a show of respect with the raising of the victor’s hand by the vanquished.

By presenting wrestling in such a realistic fashion, the organization lends authenticity to the proceedings. Again, the ROH philosophy of what constitutes pro wrestling gives us permission to suspend our disbelief despite the worked atmosphere. While it may take a misstep every once in a while, ROH understands what it is selling and avoids insulting the viewer’s intelligence. Compared to things like RAW, it is refreshing and proof positive that wallowing in a preposterous WWE fantasy-land is unnecessary.

Ring of Honor is a company that knows how to sell its product with agility, wit and panache. Professional wrestling is at its best when it’s about who wins and who loses, and of how close one can come to acquiring the championship. To that end, ROH gets the job done by seamlessly blending entertainment with muscular expertise. And while showmanship is indeed a vital part of the mix, it is rarely, if ever, the point.

Programming note: A new episode of Ring of Honor wrestling debuts every Monday on The Fight Network at 9 p.m. EDT and repeats at 12 midnight. It is shown intermittently over the next six days, with the final airing Sunday night. Previous episodes of ROH can be seen during the week at various times.

Richard Berger is a freelance writer and editor with an extensive background in professional wrestling. His career includes media production for Stampede Wrestling, ring announcing, regular columns for WOW Magazine and IGN.com, and special feature work for other publications. Between June, 2007 and June, 2008, he wrote a weekly column for The Fight Network and Live Audio Wrestling. To discuss Richard’s articles or just about anything else, contact him at: WriterGuy1A@hotmail.com.

The small sampling of his work found here was originally published at The Fight Network and Live Audio Wrestling. The majority will appear in a soon-to-be-released book along with new material. Stay tuned for information as it becomes available!

WILL CONGRESS INVESTIGATE PRO WRESTLING?

Before jumping into my second column for The Fight Network, I’d like to extend a large thank you to the folks that responded to my debut effort.

As you might expect, putting together an article about Chris Benoit a few days after the tragic event had occurred was difficult and not at all where I was planning to start. Your positive feedback and comments regarding the piece were very much appreciated, and I encourage you to drop a line anytime the mood strikes. You’ll find my e-mail address at the conclusion of this column.

As I write this, it appears that the U.S. Congress may consider holding hearings as a direct result of the Benoit tragedy. Good on the U.S. Congress and all that. But I'm also old and cynical. Putting aside any praise for turning Congressional attention to an industry that has long needed investigating and regulating, it’s difficult to expect much to come of it. Sure, there'll be a few headlines here and there when somebody says something particularly "news-sexy" and provocative. Great! And then what?

Will Congress actually have the desire and, just as importantly, the testicles to look beyond the surface? Will the legislative branch find the courage to peel back the layers and dig to get at the deeply-established and far-ranging roots that comprise the very structure of the industry? How well will it be able to avoid indulging in self-serving political opportunism by limiting its focus to buzz words like “steroids”? Will Congress have the jam to inspect the entire culture of pro wrestling and sports in general? And finally, will it have the wherewithal to call upon knowledgeable people that are not beholden to the one man who has a stranglehold on the entire industry?

Like I said, I'm old and cynical. I also know better than to pre-judge something that hasn't yet occurred. Perhaps what you are reading right now will prove to be 100 percent wrong and some long-term good will result from the hearings, assuming they even take place. But until that comes to pass, color me skeptical.

Based on the storm clouds gathering on the horizon, there’s a very real potential for a "steroid witch hunt" that may ensnare a few middle-to-lower level employees and possibly a couple of names that are either on the downside of their careers or pretty much out of the business altogether. Meanwhile, the REAL problems could once again be swept under the carpet and life as it currently stands will carry on. Well, at least until the next tragedy takes place, when the outcry is ratcheted up once again and the whole dog-and-pony show is trotted out for an encore.

It’s hard not to recall how Major League Baseball was placed on the so-called "Congressional hot seat" back in early ’05. It was good theater, watching Rafael Palmiero wave a reproving finger at Congress while vociferously denying any manner of drug usage, only to expose himself five months later as a hypocrite and a liar. Same deal with Mark McGwire, who flat-out refused to cooperate with investigators when it came to discussing his possible indulgence in enhancement drugs. The members of Congress were so busy falling over themselves in fan-boy fashion that they happily accepted his and other player’s non-explanations without pressing further. And what was the upshot of the whole thing? What meaningful changes have since been enacted? Exactly.

The thing is, in wrestling, as in all forms of athletics, steroid abuse is a very real problem. But it’s only one part of the big picture. The question of how to fix a corrupt system is something that supersedes any one facet, be it in a worked or shoot sport. And if Congress, with all of the resources it has at hand, focuses on the drug aspect alone, then it'll have missed the point entirely.

We also can’t ignore the fact that steroid abuse is a high profile issue in the public consciousness, and 2008 is an election year in the U.S. Hmmmm ... what’s the sum total of 2 + 2?

To reiterate ... forget about any long-term affirmative consequences if the subject of steroid offenses becomes the primary fixation. Should Congress launch an investigation into professional wrestling with the goal being to catch and punish those that indulge in or supply drugs, and then refuses to take the probe any further, only one piece of the problem will have been exposed. The opportunity for real revisions and restructuring, to incorporate changes that would have a positive, profound and permanent impact will have been bypassed. Sadly and predictably, it'll all just fade away once the TV people find the next hot topic and rush away to position their cameras elsewhere.

Did I mention I'm old and cynical?

Whether you agree or disagree with what you’ve just read, don’t hesitate to voice your thoughts directly to me. I’m always interested in exchanging views with sports fans whenever they care to express themselves. I look forward to our next visit right back here at The Fight Network.

Richard Berger is a freelance writer and editor with an extensive background in professional wrestling. His career includes media production for Stampede Wrestling, ring announcing, regular columns for WOW Magazine and IGN.com, and special feature work for other publications. Between June, 2007 and June, 2008, he wrote a weekly column for The Fight Network and Live Audio Wrestling. To discuss Richard’s articles or just about anything else, contact him at: WriterGuy1A@hotmail.com.

The small sampling of his work found here was originally published at The Fight Network and Live Audio Wrestling. The majority will appear in a soon-to-be-released book along with new material. Stay tuned for information as it becomes available!