Episode 23 – Sumo Wrestling in the U.S.

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In this episode, I discuss professional wrestling matches conducted under Sumo Rules in the 1880s.

Update

While I hate UFC merging with WWE, you do have to salute Vince McMahon selling his company for more than it’s worth. Vince also managed to stay in charge of the company. Vince McMahon won the promotional wars of the 1980s and 1990s because he was a better businessman than his competitors.

Main Content

Before researching my latest book on Sorakichi Matsuda, I did not know professional wrestlers wrestled matches and falls according to Sumo rules. Matsuda did not know Greco-Roman wrestling or catch-as-catch-can wrestling, when he arrived in the United States in 1884.

Matsuda trained as a Sumo wrestler in his native Japan before coming to the United States to wrestle American professional wrestlers. Matsuda used Sumo rules to even his chances in mixed style matches with catch wrestlers.

Matsuda and his opponents wrestled Sumo rules falls and one actual Sumo match between 1884 and 1885.

Review

I ended the show by reviewing Georgia Championship Wrestling cards, the Last Battle of Atlanta and GCW at the Omni on December 4, 1983.

The next episode of the podcast will be the last for this season. I will release the episode on Monday, June 12, 2023.

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