This edition of ‘This day... ‘ offers a tribute to one of the greatest figures in professional wrestling – the Japanese legend and founder of the nation’s first wrestling promotion, Rikidozan.
The man who set up the Japan Wrestling Association and beat the great Lou Thesz to become the NWA International Heavyweight Champion, Rikidozan would win a tournament on this day 61 years ago to become the All Asia Heavyweight Champion.
His success would inspire future Japanese stars like Antonio Inoki to try their hand at pro-wrestling, eventually making Japan a hotbed for the wrestling business.
In addition to Rikidozan’s exploits. November 22 would see Ric Flair square off against Dusty Rhodes and the WWE presenting Survivor Series 2009.
#1 Rikidozan becomes the All Asia Heavyweight Champion – 22nd November 1955
Rikidozan was a Korean – Japanese wrestler who is considered as the Father of Japanese Professional Wrestling. A former Sumo wrestler, Rikodozan would transition to professional wrestling in 1950 and became the idol of the Japanese who had just been ravaged by World War II.
Rikidozan would beat one American wrestler after another in front of packed crowds in Japan, always working as a face in the country standing up to the Americans, but acting as a heel during his matches in the US. Rikidozan would start the JWA, Japan’s first wrestling promotion and trained future legends like Antonio Inoki and Giant Baba.
Three years before pinning Lou Thesz to become NWA International Heavyweight Champion to international acclaim, Rikidozan would become the inaugural All Asia Heavyweight Champion in JWA by defeating the Hungary-born King Kong in the final of a tournament.
Rikidozan would hold on to the title till 1963 when it was vacated owing to the death of the legend, after he was stabbed at a night club by a member of the dreaded Yakuza.
#2 Ric Flair vs Dusty Rhodes at Starrcade – 22nd November 1984
Ric Flair was the franchise player of the NWA and he would main event the promotion’s biggest event – Starrcade – on nine different occasions. The 1984 Starrcade would feature Flair putting his NWA World title on the line against longtime foe Dusty Rhodes, but the title wasn’t the only thing up for grabs.
The winner of the match was supposed to earn USD 1,000,000 and the event was billed as the Million Dollar Challenge. Boxing legend Joe Frazier would be the guest referee for the match. Flair would retain the title and win the purse after a cut on Rhodes’ forehead ended the match with Flair being declared the winner by knockout.
#3 Two triple threat matches headline Survivor Series – 22nd November 2009
Despite having three traditional Survivor Series elimination matches on the card, the 2009 Survivor Series would be headlined by two triple threat World title matches. The Undertaker would defend his World Heavyweight title in the first match against Chris Jericho and the Big Show, who were also the Unified WWE tag team champions.
Taker would retain the title in this rather forgettable match which would be best remembered for Jericho's 'I'm from Winnipeg, you idiot' remark at a spectator who asked him to 'go back to Toronto'.
The second match would see the WWE Champion John Cena defend his title against DX members Shawn Michaels and Triple H. A solid back and forth match would be most memorable for Michaels Superkicking an unsuspecting Triple H just seconds into the match. Cena would retain the title at the end of the match, though.
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