Back To The Territories #08 | Stan Hansen | All Japan

After legendary wrestler and promoter Rikidozan conceded operations of Japan’s wrestling landscape, two men were given the keys to that kingdom. Those men, Antonio Inoki and Shohei Baba, would work together both in the ring as a team and also running the promotion. That is until Inoki and Baba parted to form their own respective promotions.American “gaijin” made fortunes and often swore allegiance to one or the other promoter, touring Japan for either All Japan or New Japan. And tonight’s guest worked for both and became Japan’s most famous gaijin. Join Stan Hansen as he and host Jim Cornette trace the history of Japanese wrestling from Rikidozan up through Inoki and Baba’s split, and through Hansen’s amazing run in All Japan Pro Wrestling. Get ready to hit yet another territory and hop on the bus with Stan, Abby, Brody, DiBiase and head Back to the Territories!00:00 The Rise of Japanese Pro Wrestling01:40 Ricky Dozan's Legacy and Successors02:29 The Tragic Death of Ricky Dozan03:13 The Formation of All Japan and New Japan Pro Wrestling04:17 Introduction to Back to the Territories05:58 Stan Hansen's First Impressions of Japan08:51 Cultural Differences in Japanese Wrestling13:55 Stan Hansen's Career Highlights32:44 The Impact of the Lariat34:48 Touring Japan with New Japan Pro Wrestling38:49 Setting Up Outdoor Shows39:24 Wrestling in Small Towns39:55 Japanese TV and Wrestling41:36 Booking and Match Lineups43:58 The Role of Japanese Magazines47:38 Working with Andre the Giant54:21 Talent Raids and Switching Promotions01:08:51 The Impact of Hansen and Brody01:14:24 Unexpected Talent Shake-Ups01:15:45 The Funk Brothers' Impact in Japan01:17:53 Touring Japan: Length and Challenges01:21:22 Brody's Career Moves and Loyalty01:27:19 Iconic Matches and Rivalries01:30:34 Partnerships and Personalities in Japan01:41:06 AWA Title Controversy01:47:29 The Belt That Wasn't Meant to Be01:48:10 The Changing Landscape of Japanese Wrestling01:49:21 The Rise of New Talent in Japan01:49:37 Baba's Strategic Shift01:50:47 The Impact of Tenryu's Departure01:51:40 Jumbo Tsuruta's Illness and Its Effects01:51:56 The Legacy of Giant Baba01:59:59 The Hogan Match and Its Aftermath02:05:29 The Decline of All Japan Pro Wrestling02:12:00 Stan Hansen's Retirement and Reflections02:16:32 The Future of Japanese Wrestling02:23:34 Final Thoughts and Farewell