Professional Wrestling in Japan.

[Dore]

Ok, many years ago I was a pro wrestler here in the States. I only wrestled in the indy feds (several, in fact), but man, a wrestler over here gets NO respect at all, let me tell you. Even though I stand 6'5" and during my prime, I weighed 270lbs. of solid muscle, I'd literally get laughed at, especially when I brought up the topic of wrestling being a legitimate combat art (I also did a lot of amateur wrestling, both freestyle and Greco-Roman, and had a little Sambo training, too). I spent almost 3 years putting my body on the line (I specialized in hardcore/garbage wrestling, and wracked up a laundry list of injuries), giving my ALL every night no matter how small the crowd, yet still, no respect. Even to the loyal fans, we were little more than court jesters dancing for their amusement.

Why then is it that wrestlers in Japan (even foreign wrestlers) get tons of respect, and even though it's scripted (not fake, NEVER use that word), wrestling is not only a huge draw, but is respected in general. Is it because the Japanese people recognize the skills and talent of the performers, even though they know the outcome of the matches are pre-determined? Guys like Stan Hansen and Scott Norton have had far more success in Japan than here in the States. I just don't get it.

Another odd thing, and tell me if this is true. A guy I wrestled with spent a couple of years wrestling in Japan. He was really tall, close to 7 feet (but he was thin, only about 230lbs.), and he said that he'd literally get crowds of people following him around, and most of those following him didn't even know he was a wrestler, they just followed him because he was so big. He had a reputation as a bit of a kidder, but I've heard similar stories from others. Any truth in this, and if so, what's the reasoning behind it?

Thanks!

[Mayhem]

From what it seems (and I'm sure others will either refute or confirm this) from my understanding of Japanese culture over all these years and talking to people who've lived there, at times things are very much like the Borg. As in everyone is a homogenous unit acting as one. Anything which deviates from this expection or conformity (such as people who are obviously foreigners and/or tall and/or large) do get lots of eyes tracking them where they go. Be it in the street, on public transport, or just hanging with Japanese friends.

The writer of Gaijin Smash constantly notes this (though in his case it's exacerbated by the fact he's black) and it's something others have related to me also. Conversely people of Asian origin who have been born in the West have been known when visiting the country to get incredulous exclamations from Japanese people finding out that they (the foreigners) can't speak Japanese perfectly and not believing they could actually originate from outside Asia. Maybe some Japanese just don't think Asians live all around the world now?