WRITE THAT DOWN! A Professional Wrestling Podcast w/ Fumi Saito & Justin Knipper

Part Two of our series on all-things Keiji Muto is here. On today’s episode, we picked up from part one and covered: New Japan, the NWA title & WCW 1991–1996:

-The Fujinami vs. Flair NWA title changes in Japan & USA

-The Great Muta vs. Masahiro Chono for the NWA title, Jan. 4 1993

-Muta vs. Antonio Inoki during Inoki’s retirement tour, Wrestling Dontaku 1994

-Muta vs. Jushin Liger, 1996

-Keiji Muto and Hiroshi Hase vs. The Steiner Brothers, Jan. 4 1994

-Briefly on the UWFi feud, matches with Nobuhiko Takada, ’95–96

-nWo Japan & Team 2000, 1997–1999 -Work (and troubles) with WCW in 2000

-Muto’s return to Japan at Inoki BOM-BA-YE Dec. 31 2000, the debut of bald Muto, teamed with old rival Nobuhiko Takada against Don Frye & Ken Shamrock at special New Year’s event on NTV

This episode of Write That Down! is about all-things Keiji Muto. The 58-year-old legend captured Pro Wrestling NOAH’s GHC title at their Destination iPPV held in Tokyo Budokan in February '21. In part one, Fumi and Justin discussed:

-Pro Wrestling NOAH: Destination 2021: Muto wins GHC

-Muto's NJPW debut in ’84 vs Masahiro Chono

-His first excursions to USA and Puerto Rico + training with Hiro Matsuda in FL

-’87 and his return to NJPW

-’88–’89 The Great Muta is born: Muto in WCCW, NWA, & Gary Hart

-’90–’95 Muto/Muta rises to icon status in NJPW

In 2021, at 58 years old, Keiji Muto stepped onto the grand stage of Nippon Budokan, headlining PRO WRESTLING NOAH’s return to the storied venue after an eleven-year hiatus. It was a triumphant moment that marked his final title reign as he captured the GHC Heavyweight Championship, solidifying his legacy as one of Japan’s most enduring wrestling icons. Fumi Saito aptly noted, “People will be talking about the year 2021.” 

The big win, which came after his shock victory over Go Shiozaki, was more than just another title; it was the culmination of a career that spanned generations, promotions, and personas.

After his victory, Muto made it official: he signed a two-year contract with NOAH, and the announcement quickly drew Kaito Kiyomiya, a rising star, who challenged the legend in the ring. For fans, this wasn’t just a championship celebration; it was a moment that held the weight of history. NOAH’s Budokan show felt distinctly different from the spectacle of a New Japan Pro-Wrestling event, as Justin Knipper observed: “It felt more sporty, catering to a primarily Showa and Heisei audience.” The event featured legends from various eras—Kazushi Sakuraba, Kazuyuki Fujita, Kendo Kashin—and carried an almost reverent sense of Japanese wrestling’s rich past.

In Japanese wrestling, few have achieved what Muto has—a championship reign in each of Japan’s major promotions, a feat dubbed the “Grand Slam of Japanese Wrestling.” Muto had held the IWGP Heavyweight Championship in NJPW, AJPW’s Triple Crown in the 2000s, and finally NOAH’s GHC Heavyweight title. But to appreciate the significance of this journey, we must look back to where it all began, in Yamanashi Prefecture, where Keiji Muto was born on December 23, 1962.

Before he was a wrestler, Muto was a standout in judo. Taller and more solidly built than many of his peers, he placed third in national judo competitions, a background that later shaped his physicality and resilience in the wrestling ring. Muto initially pursued chiropractic studies, earning his license after three years of training. Yet his ambition was set on wrestling, and by age 21, he found himself at NJPW’s dojo, where he would face grueling physical demands alongside Masahiro Chono and Shinya Hashimoto. Together, the three rookies—who would come to be known as NJPW’s “Three Musketeers”—represented the future of a promotion that had recently lost two waves of talent, first to Japan Pro Wrestling and later to UWF, the country’s first shoot-style wrestling promotion.

NJPW’s dojo was almost empty when Muto arrived, with major names like Riki Choshu, Animal Hamaguchi, and Akira Maeda gone. Still, training was harsh; at one point, Muto tried to persuade his fellow trainees to quit with him. Yet, resilience won out, and Muto debuted on October 5, 1984, facing Chono. Soon, Muto was gaining recognition alongside his peers, though fans didn’t immediately warm to him. By NJPW standards, he was relatively inexperienced for his early opportunities in major programs with stars like Antonio Inoki and Tatsumi Fujinami.

In 1985, Muto embarked on the classic Japanese wrestling “excursion,” a rite of passage that saw him spend time in the U.S. southern territories as “Ninja” and in Puerto Rico as “Super Black Ninja,” mentored by veterans like Hiro Matsuda and Kendo Nagasaki. He then traveled to Dallas for World Class Championship Wrestling before making his way to Jim Crockett’s NWA. There, Muto took on a new identity as “The Great Muta,” a mysterious figure crafted by American promoters as the “son” of The Great Kabuki, who was known for his mist-spraying theatrics. Managed by Gary Hart, The Great Muta was an instant hit, dazzling fans with his precision and flair. His style combined the power and crispness of American wrestling with the finesse and fluidity of Japan, and his image—a product of American ingenuity with Japanese spirit—drew countless fans.

By the time Muto returned to NJPW in 1989, he was a transformed wrestler. He moved with unmatched athleticism and confidence, showcasing new moves like his Flashing Elbow and Moonsault, which set a new standard for Japanese high-flying maneuvers. The Great Muta persona didn’t initially resonate with Japanese fans, who were accustomed to Muto’s original, purer style, but over time, he would balance his two identities, wrestling as both Muta and Muto—a duality that enhanced his appeal and kept audiences intrigued.

Throughout the 1990s, Muto continued to evolve. His match against UWFi’s Nobuhiko Takada at the Tokyo Dome in 1995 showcased his innovative approach, debuting his Dragon Screw Legwhip-to-Figure Four Leglock combination. The move was strategic—a counter to Takada’s stiff kicks and a masterful blend of wrestling techniques that demonstrated Muto’s thoughtful ring psychology. As Muto described to Saito, he approached wrestling as “a chef who tries to mix simple, perfect ingredients to create the perfect meal—or match.”

Physical limitations, especially chronic knee injuries from years of judo and wrestling, forced Muto to adapt. His low, calculated Basement Dropkick reduced strain on his knees, while his Shining Wizard—a dynamic running knee strike—became an iconic finishing move that defined his later years. With his American-inspired style and creativity, Muto set himself apart from contemporaries like Shinya Hashimoto, whose hard-hitting, traditional Japanese style served as a stark contrast.

Back in the United States, the Great Muta persona remained legendary. Wrestlers like Hulk Hogan requested NJPW tapes to study Muta’s work, captivated by his unique style. However, Muto’s true versatility shone in Japan, where he embodied both the flamboyant villainy of The Great Muta and the noble, dynamic spirit of Keiji Muto. While Japanese fans didn’t embrace Muta as fully as Americans had, the character’s lasting popularity meant Muto would continue to weave between these two identities, keeping audiences worldwide in awe of his adaptability.

In his decades-long career, Muto pushed boundaries, defied expectations, and inspired countless wrestlers with his dedication and craft. As one of Japanese wrestling’s most iconic figures, he stands as a bridge between eras, blending old-school athleticism with a flair for showmanship that has captivated fans around the world. And as he made his final run as champion in 2021, it was a reminder that Keiji Muto—through every reinvention and comeback—remained, at his core, a true wrestling legend.

Today, the two took a closer look at the origins of All Japan Pro Wrestling's Triple Crown, which has a somewhat complex history compared with other Japanese pro wrestling titles throughout history. Listen to Fumi & Justin talk about the history of how the International, PWF & UN championships came to be, and later on how they became joined together until today.

(Airdate: 4/13/23)

フミ＆ジャスティンは、本日は全日本プロレスの三冠王座の成り立ちについて、フミ＆ジャスティンが迫りました。インターナショナル選手権、PWF選手権、UN選手権がどのように誕生し、その後どのように統合されて今日に至ったのか、フミ＆ジャスティンのトークをお聞きください。

Fumi & Justin return to complete their Championship Origin series, wrapping it with a talk on the origin of NOAH's GHC Heavyweight title. From the ashes of All Japan came the Ark and the GHC Heavyweight Championship, and Fumi & Justin went over what led to the GHC title coming to fruition and how it relates to the AJPW Triple Crown championship.

(Airdate: 4/23/23)

フミ＆ジャスティンは、NOAHのGHCヘビー級王座の起源についてのトークで締めくくりました。全日本の灰の中から方舟とGHCヘビー級王座が誕生し、フミ＆ジャスティンはGHC王座がどのような経緯で誕生したのか、そしてそれがAJPW三冠王座とどのような関係があるのかを説明しました。

Sean Waltman joined Fumi & Justin for the latest edition the show. Waltman talks about the upcoming autobiography he’s working on, plus his memories of UWA Japan, early ’90s Minnesota times with Fumi, the Monday Night Wars, his relationship with HHH, his time in WWE & WCW and tons more!

(Airdate 2/9/23)

From working in AJW Japan early on in her career to her legendary matches vs. Bull Nakano in the WWF to her current position as producer at NWA, Madusa joins Fumi Saito and Justin Knipper to talk a variety of topics ahead of Madusa’s upcoming book release this spring.

(Airdate 2/2/23)

This is a special classic edition of Write That Down! With an original airdate of April 6, 2021, Fumi & Justin went over Stan Hansen’s storied career in this special archive edition of Write That Down! The two went over Hansen vs. Bruno Sammartino at Shea Stadium & MSG before diving into his early years as a pro wrestler in 1973, when Hansen debuted in El Paso, Texas, and then his first tour of Japan in 1975 for Giant Baba’s AJPW, and later his background and relationship with Jumbo Tsuruta and Brusier Brody, among others.

(Airdate 5/16/21)

ライト・ザット・ダウン」の特別クラシック版です！2021年4月6日のオリジナル放送で、フミとジャスティンがスタン・ハンセンの輝かしいキャリアを振り返る特別アーカイブ版「ライト・ザット・ダウン」！1973年にテキサス州エルパソでデビューしたハンセンのプロレスラーとしての初期、そして1975年にジャイアント馬場のAJPWで行われた初来日、さらにジャンボ鶴田やブルシエ・ブロディなどとの関係や経歴について掘り下げる前に、2人はシアスタジアムとMSGでのハンセン対ブルーノ・サンマルチノについて説明しました。

This is a special classic edition of Write That Down! With an original airdate of April 6, 2021, Fumi & Justin went over Stan Hansen’s storied career in this special archive edition of Write That Down! The two went over Hansen vs. Bruno Sammartino at Shea Stadium & MSG before diving into his early years as a pro wrestler in 1973, when Hansen debuted in El Paso, Texas, and then his first tour of Japan in 1975 for Giant Baba’s AJPW, and later his background and relationship with Jumbo Tsuruta and Brusier Brody, among others.

(Airdate: 4/6/21)

ライト・ザット・ダウン」の特別クラシック版です！2021年4月6日のオリジナル放送で、フミとジャスティンがスタン・ハンセンの輝かしいキャリアを振り返る特別アーカイブ版「ライト・ザット・ダウン」！1973年にテキサス州エルパソでデビューしたハンセンのプロレスラーとしての初期、そして1975年にジャイアント馬場のAJPWで行われた初来日、さらにジャンボ鶴田やブルシエ・ブロディなどとの関係や経歴について掘り下げる前に、2人はシアスタジアムとMSGでのハンセン対ブルーノ・サンマルチノについて説明しました。

On this week’s episode, Fumi & Justin talked about pro wrestling and its relationship to print media both in Japan and in the English-speaking West over the years.

(Airdate: 11/10/22)

今週のエピソードでは、フミとジャスティンが、長年にわたる日本と英語圏の欧米におけるプロレスと活字メディアとの関係について語りました。

Fumi and Justin began their profile series on “Mr. Puroresu” himself, Genichiro Tenryu. In Part One, they went over Tenryu starting sumo at 14, then transitioning to Giant Baba’s AJPW a decade later. They also detailed Tenryu’s early career in the US, teaming with Billy Robinson and Jumbo Tsuruta, Tenryu’s legendary rivalry with Riki Choshu and the importance of their 2/21/85 Osaka-Jo Hall match which Tenryu’s huge spike rise in popularity from this. They finished the show discussing his Tenryu’s UN Heavyweight title and the eventual formation of AJPW’s Triple Crown and his big-time singles matches vs. Jumbo and Stan Hansen before covering the rise and fall of SWS and later Tenryu’s WAR promotion. Additionally, at 16:00 into the show, Fumi and Justin spent about ten minutes talking about about Terry Funk’s recent health condition and how overblown it had gotten in the media.

(Airdate 7/21)

フミとジャスティンが "ミスター・プロレス "天龍源一郎のプロフィール・シリーズをスタート。パート1では、天龍が14歳で相撲を始め、10年後にジャイアント馬場のAJPWに移籍したことを紹介。また、天龍のアメリカでの初期のキャリア、ビリー・ロビンソンやジャンボ鶴田とのコンビ、天龍と長州力との伝説的なライバル関係、そして天龍の人気が急上昇した85年2月21日の大阪城ホールでの試合の重要性についても詳しく説明しました。天龍のUNヘビー級王座とAJPWのトリプル・クラウン結成、そしてジャンボやスタン・ハンセンとの大物シングル・マッチについて語った後、SWSと後の天龍のWARプロモーションの栄枯盛衰をカバー。さらに16:00からは、フミとジャスティンがテリー・ファンクの最近の健康状態について、そしてそれがいかにメディアで大げさに取り上げられたかについて10分ほど語りました。