DDT (professional wrestling) Puns

Welcome to Ichiban Puroresu! The possibly-semi-frequent series that will introduce you to the world of Japanese professional wrestling. I’m still playing around with the forma, let me know what you guys like or dislike. Last time I introduced BattlARTS - a super stiff - post-shoot style promotion that was all about the in ring action - no bullshit. This time let’s head in a totally different direction - and look at a promotion with lots of...something?

Let’s look at a promotion that you’ll probably learn to love - DDT !

It all began with a few words “..Austin 3:16 says I just whipped your ass!” And for this portion of the series that’s the bottom line...kind of. Sanshiro Takagi was hooked. He adored “The Texas Rattlesnake” and wanted to pay homage to his favorite wrestler. Takagi had gotten his start in 95’ in IWA Kakuto Shijuku. After a few years with the sleazy indy IWA-KS it was clear to Takagi he would never be a superstar like his idol Steve Austin. Obsessed with the WWF sports entertainment style Takagi was eager to bring something similar to Japan.

At the time pro-wrestling in Japan was pretty damn serious. AJPW and NJPW were promoting matches that were vicious - they blurred the lines of pro-wrestling and legitimate sport. Promotions such as Big Japan, FMW and the IWA were promoting hardcore death matches. These promotions did all have stories, but the story-telling was minimal in comparison to the style Takagi idolized. Takagi decided Japan deserved a taste of the over-the-top storytelling style that spoiled america - so he left the IWA and started DDT.

Over the past 18 years DDT has gained a huge cult following. The bizarre mixture of sports entertainment and whacky Japanese humour sets the promotion apart from others- it’s weird and strange, but fun. The promotion boasted a Stone Cold impersonator, a violent homosexual, the oiliest man on earth, a balloon like american, a canadian who believed he was in an anime, and numerous other character. It wa