Universal Lucha Libre
Encyclopedia
Universal Lucha Libre was a professional wrestling
promotion
in Japan from 1990 to 1995. The name Universal Lucha Libre is used to differentiate the promotion from the Japanese UWF
, which presented a very different style of professional wrestling.
The promotion was the first of its kind in Japan to be based around the Mexican style of professional wrestling, known as Lucha Libre
(free fighting). Although since 1956 some Mexican wrestlers had appeared in Japanese promotions, their style had had to mix with the American-originated standard, and not many of them could rise above mid-card level because of their size, which on average was less than American wrestlers.
The first Mexican luchador (wrestler) to become a star in Japan was Mil Máscaras
, who competed for the Japanese Wrestling Association and one of its successor groups, All Japan Pro Wrestling
. The first Japanese to win a Mexican-based title was Mashio Koma, who also competed in JWA; he won the NWA World Middleweight Championship
while on a tour of EMLL in 1970, and later co-founded AJPW with Giant Baba
. However, the first Japanese to fully and truly adopt the gymnastics-oriented Lucha Libre style actually came from rival New Japan Pro Wrestling
: Gran Hamada
, who had gone on excursion several times to Mexico due to his lack of size and won many titles there. In 1990, after passing through New Japan, the original Japanese UWF, and All-Japan, Hamada decided to form his own promotion, with the aid of his disciple Yoshihiro Asai, his former New Japan boss Hisashi Shinma
, and some Mexican wrestlers and Japanese rookies he had recruited.
Over the years, the roster of Universal's trainees would go on to become major stars in both the Japanese major promotions and the independents. Among Universal Lucha Libre alumni, they include:
Among the few foreigners of American
origin who competed for the promotion were Lightning Kid
and Jerry Lynn
.
In 1993, with Universal Lucha Libre on the decline, Sasuke, Taka and Yuga decided to form their own promotion, Michinoku Pro
. Jado and Gedo moved to hardcore independent promotions such as IWA Japan, while Último Dragón joined Genichiro Tenryu's WAR
. Hamada continued promoting shows until he himself joined Michinoku in 1995, which brought Universal Lucha Libre to an end.
Professional wrestling
Professional wrestling is a mode of spectacle, combining athletics and theatrical performance.Roland Barthes, "The World of Wrestling", Mythologies, 1957 It takes the form of events, held by touring companies, which mimic a title match combat sport...
promotion
Professional wrestling promotion
A professional wrestling promotion is a company or business that regularly performs shows involving professional wrestling. Promotion also describes a role which entails management, advertising and logistics of running a wrestling event...
in Japan from 1990 to 1995. The name Universal Lucha Libre is used to differentiate the promotion from the Japanese UWF
Universal Wrestling Federation (Japan)
The original Japanese-based Universal Wrestling Federation was a Japanese professional wrestling promotion from 1984 to 1986, formed by wrestlers who had left New Japan Pro Wrestling. It was a pioneer in the shoot-style of pro-wrestling, which emphasized realistic moves. It was revived as the...
, which presented a very different style of professional wrestling.
The promotion was the first of its kind in Japan to be based around the Mexican style of professional wrestling, known as Lucha Libre
Lucha libre
Lucha libre is a term used in Mexico, and other Spanish-speaking countries, for a form of professional wrestling that has developed within those countries...
(free fighting). Although since 1956 some Mexican wrestlers had appeared in Japanese promotions, their style had had to mix with the American-originated standard, and not many of them could rise above mid-card level because of their size, which on average was less than American wrestlers.
The first Mexican luchador (wrestler) to become a star in Japan was Mil Máscaras
Mil Máscaras
Aaron Rodríguez , best known as Mil Máscaras , is a semi-retired Mexican professional wrestler and actor, who has starred in several films with fellow luchadores...
, who competed for the Japanese Wrestling Association and one of its successor groups, All Japan Pro Wrestling
All Japan Pro Wrestling
is a Japanese professional wrestling promotion established in 1972. All Japan Pro Wrestling still remains one of the most popular puroresu promotions still in operation.-The Giant Baba Era :...
. The first Japanese to win a Mexican-based title was Mashio Koma, who also competed in JWA; he won the NWA World Middleweight Championship
NWA World Middleweight Championship
The NWA World Middleweight Championship is a currently inactive professional wrestling championship, promoted by the National Wrestling Alliance . For the majority of its existence it has been promoted by Mexican promotion Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre , where it was known as the Campeonato...
while on a tour of EMLL in 1970, and later co-founded AJPW with Giant Baba
Shohei Baba
was a professional wrestler and co-founder of All Japan Pro Wrestling. He was also known as Giant Baba. Baba, along with Antonio Inoki, became one of the most famous Japanese wrestlers of his era, with a popularity in Japan comparable to Hulk Hogan's in the United States of America...
. However, the first Japanese to fully and truly adopt the gymnastics-oriented Lucha Libre style actually came from rival New Japan Pro Wrestling
New Japan Pro Wrestling
is a major professional wrestling promotion in Japan, founded by Antonio Inoki in June 1972 and owned by Yuke's since 2005, when Inoki sold the promotion. Naoki Sugabayashi is the current President of the promotion and has held that position from 2007. Owing to its TV program aired on TV Asahi, it...
: Gran Hamada
Gran Hamada
, better known by his ring name , is Japanese professional wrestler, the first to adopt the high-flying Mexican lucha libre style. He has wrestled for New Japan Pro Wrestling, the Universal Wrestling Federation, Michinoku Pro, and All Japan Pro Wrestling, and was the founder of Universal Lucha Libre...
, who had gone on excursion several times to Mexico due to his lack of size and won many titles there. In 1990, after passing through New Japan, the original Japanese UWF, and All-Japan, Hamada decided to form his own promotion, with the aid of his disciple Yoshihiro Asai, his former New Japan boss Hisashi Shinma
Hisashi Shinma
Hisashi Shinma was a figurehead president of World Wrestling Entertainment, then known as the World Wrestling Federation and World Wide Wrestling Federation, from 1978 to 1984...
, and some Mexican wrestlers and Japanese rookies he had recruited.
Over the years, the roster of Universal's trainees would go on to become major stars in both the Japanese major promotions and the independents. Among Universal Lucha Libre alumni, they include:
- Yoshihiro Asai (later Último Dragón)
- Masa Michinoku (later The Great SasukeMasanori Murakawa, , is a Japanese professional wrestler who is best known by his stage name The Great Sasuke, as well as a former Iwate Prefectural Assembly legislator. He has wrestled in Japan and in the United States in various wrestling promotions...
) - Monkey Magic Wakita (later Super DelfinHiroto WakitaHiroto Wakita is a Japanese professional wrestler who currently runs Okinawa Pro Wrestling and is also working as a wrestler there. He is better known by his stage name Super Delfin.-New Japan Pro Wrestling:...
) - Punish (later Gedo)
- Crush (later Jado)
- Taka MichinokuTakao Yoshida, better known by his ring name TAKA Michinoku , is a professional wrestler who has wrestled all over the world as well he was a former Mixed Martial Artist...
- Shiryu (later Kaz HayashiKaz HayashiKazuhiro "Kaz" Hayashi is a Japanese professional wrestler. He is working for All Japan Pro Wrestling. He is also the head booker for the company's junior division.-Career:...
) - Mongolian Yuga (later Jinsei ShinzakiJinsei ShinzakiKensuke Shinzaki is a Japanese professional wrestler, better known by his stage names Jinsei Shinzaki and Hakushi...
) - Terry Boy (later Men's TeiohTakeo Otsuka, also known as Men's Teioh or Terry Boy, is a Japanese professional wrestler who is a longtime mainstay of Big Japan Pro Wrestling as well as a former competitor of Michinoku Pro Wrestling...
) - Sakigake Gantetsu (later Dick Togo)
Among the few foreigners of American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
origin who competed for the promotion were Lightning Kid
Sean Waltman
Sean Michael Waltman is an American professional wrestler currently signed with WWE in their developmental program. He wrestled there under the ring names 1–2–3 Kid and X-Pac off and on from 1993–2002, World Championship Wrestling under the ring name Syxx, and Total Nonstop Action Wrestling ...
and Jerry Lynn
Jerry Lynn
Jeremy "Jerry" Lynn is an American professional wrestler who is currently signed to Total Nonstop Action Wrestling ....
.
In 1993, with Universal Lucha Libre on the decline, Sasuke, Taka and Yuga decided to form their own promotion, Michinoku Pro
Michinoku Pro Wrestling
Michinoku Pro Wrestling is a Japanese professional wrestling promotion, founded by The Great Sasuke in 1993. Michinoku Pro was the first independent wrestling promotion in Japan to not base its operations in Tokyo, but rather in Morioka, Iwate...
. Jado and Gedo moved to hardcore independent promotions such as IWA Japan, while Último Dragón joined Genichiro Tenryu's WAR
WAR (wrestling promotion)
Wrestle and Romance, and later Wrestle Association R, was a professional wrestling promotion founded and run by Genichiro Tenryu as the successor to Super World of Sports, and which lasted from 1992 to 2000. The promotion had very few regular contracted workers, instead most of the workers were...
. Hamada continued promoting shows until he himself joined Michinoku in 1995, which brought Universal Lucha Libre to an end.
Championships
| Championship | Current champion(s) | Date won |
|---|---|---|
| UWF Super Middleweight Championship | Vacant | 1995 |
| UWF Super Welterweight Championship UWF Super Welterweight Championship The UWF Super Welterweight Championship was a title in the Japanese professional wrestling, created by Universal Pro/FULL, then later on defended in Michinoku Pro and Osaka Pro before becoming inactive.-Title history:-External links:*... |
Vacant | November 28, 1999 |
| UWA/UWF Intercontinental Tag Team Championship UWA/UWF Intercontinental Tag Team Championship The UWA/UWF Intercontinental Tag Team Championship was a tag team championship created from the working relationship between the Mexican Universal Wrestling Association and the Japanese Universal Lucha Libre from 1991 to 1993, when the title became inactive... |
Vacant | March 6, 2005 |