Super Dragon in Japan Part 2
By Paul T.

To be honest, the few days just after I wrote that last column, there were a few moments where I nearly gave up on the cracka. He went in under "semi-trainee" status, so he was treated like semi-gaijin semi-youngboy. I was worried because it fucking sucks to be a trainee for anything in Japan, not just wrestling. During tours he was carrying bags, equipment, doing cardio before the match, and riding the Japanese bus. Even went though some minor hazing not to mention severe homesickness, dealing with the food, and I imagine some heavier mental shit. Then came group training which I thought would be the end of SD in Japan.

I don't know what the fuck happened but I started to hear that although he was nearly barfing on some mountain in Japan due to the insane cardio workouts, that the effort was there. We're talking insane as in carrying another wrestler up that same mountain, literally. Don't get me wrong, he will probably admit he didn't become some amateur wrestler style monster "work outer" overnight but he was hanging. During this time, some unknown JPN trainee couldn't hang and bailed into the Kanagawa Prefecture night like he had a GAEA girls flashback.

Basically, all the shit SD was criticized by other wrestlers for not doing enough of until now (and they had every right to criticize), it all came raining down on him like a motherfucker in a near 2 month period. SD himself admits he didn't do so great in training but there were times I thought SD would be the one GAEA'ing. Pretty fucking cool to see him survive it. [Sidenote: Some of you will again think, "That ain't shit you fucking nip, why don't you just go suck his cock?" and rightfully so but cut me some slack on this…oh and fuck off.]

Beginning of new tour. I believe his matches in Japan have been the first time in a long time that SD had little to no control over his matches. As I said he has had to change his style somewhat but I look at it as a positive for SD. Wrestlers always say one of the most difficult things in wrestling is to get noticed and perform even if the style limits you. What better way to learn than to be put in among the best ever. Then I started to hear that he was adjusting and doing well in the rural areas. Even had matches against the likes of Keiji Mutoh and teamed with Kendo Kashin and Satoshi Kojima. Warehouse to Muto, Kojima, Kashin that's fucking ridiculous. Let me quote one jealous Juggalo Luchadore who said, "That fucker got to wrestle Mutoh-san? Fuck him!" hahahah.

So regardless of what happens in the future, it would be safe to say this was a good experience for SD. He met many people who can help him along in his continuing career and overcame some very difficult things and learned a hell of a lot.

Then I get the coolest news in the history of ever that I've been involved in wrestling. My home office for my real job needs me in Japan the same week as the Budokan show. Not only do I get to see SD wrestle at the biggest stage of his career, I also get to see Black Tigers of Osaka Pro do his thing. For those of you that haven't seen this guy, and you like solid technical wrestling, then get his tape. Smooth mat wrestler, solid basics, some innovative little cool moves, doesn't fuck up a lot. If someone books Tony Kozina vs Black Tigers, I'll even drive to shitty ass San Bernardino to see the fucking battle of mat mastery. [Sidenote: That's a hint to Socal promoters]. Adding to that, I get to see Ebessan vs Robo-K (formerly Kuishinbo) spots live. Would someone please run a weekday show here? Perhaps on a Monday Holiday? [Sidenote: That's another fucking hint.]

….continued to my Trip Report at a later date.

Paul T
gurentai_pt@hotmail.com