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by Natsumi Kuroyama, December 13th, 1998 
Jumbo Kobayashi, before he took over the helm of SJPW, had enjoyed an illustrious career in puroresuring. Recently, Natsumi Kuroyama had the opportunity to speak with this influential man to learn more about his fascinating history and an inside view of the inner workings of one of Japan's most prestigious wrestling organizations. NK: How did you first become involved in the puroresuring industry? JK: I started wrestling in the mid-70's. I first signed to Mitsubishi Pro, but Old Japan signed me to a long term deal after my two year deal with them ended. Old Japan made me a superstar, and I held the All-Asian championship there on five occasions. My last title reign, which lasted through the acquisition of Old Japan by The Universal Wrestling Alliance [UWA] ended in controversy, after The Juggernaut ambushed me in the parking lot the day before, injuring me. I still defended my title, and he used my own move, which was the Giant Swing at the time, to defeat me. After that, I wrestled infrequently, as I felt ashamed by the loss. Last year, I ran Kobayashi Pro, the regional affiliate of SJPW, but that ended when the board of directors asked me to replace Yamashita as CEO NK: You have a long history with men like Tiger Kikuchi and Masashi Lanther. Could you tell us a bit about your relationship with those men? JK: I met both Kikuchi, and later Lanther, while in Old Japan. In the late 80's and early 90's, the three of us, along with Akira Ono, Mitsunori Takizawa, Sho Nakatoni and Takashi Fujimoto were the "superstars" of that promotion. Kikuchi and Ono were close friends of The Fire Ninja, and Lanther was his younger brother. Their careers were assured. My value was the fact that I'm almost seven feet tall, and I was very strong back then. That made me useful, since so few of our people get to be this big, and I wasn't hefty like a sumo wrestler.... Kikuchi and Lanther took me under their wing, and Kikuchi taught me more about actual wrestling holds than anyone else. In fact, after I lost the All-Asian title, I started using the Jumbo Sleeper, which he taught me NK: How did you first become involved with SJPW? JK: When SJPW wanted to start a regional affiliate, Tiger Kikuchi recommended me. Being the veteran, the board took his advice. It didn't go very well, but the crowds loved it, which enabled me to be in the right position after Yamashita was disgraced, and forced to resign NK: Has it been a personally rewarding experience for you? JK: Oh, yes. With the WWGP lawsuit behind us, SJPW has come back stronger than ever! Sure, some of our roster we couldn't get back, but those that we did, along with the incredible new talent, we're on a better footing. So many of our young stars, who have mostly made their fortunes overseas, have come home to compete in the one promotion they know stands for excellence and quality of competition! NK: What is the biggest obstacle that SJPW faces today? JK: Super Hyper Visual Fighting. Hadi Moditian has a grudge with SJPW, and it stems from him being a *very* bad businessman. When Pro Japan Wrestling went to an all cruiserweight promotion, he negotiated a deal with Yamashita for SJPW to accept then PJW heavyweight champion Sunjinski into SJPW, and to acknowledge his belt as a legitimate SJPW title. Yamashita put a clause into the contract allowing us to take control over PJW if he closed it, which he did. So now he has this hybrid promotion, SHVF, which he claims is better than SJPW, and wrestling in general. He steals men like Ed Dean from our roster, and we had to take him to court, and force Dean to fulfill his obligations to the promotion. Moditian also forgets that SHVF is nothing new or original, since our Koubousen Geijutsu division not only does what his promotion does, but ours is better, since it also incorporates aspects of "Garbage Wrestling", which is very popular with the younger fans. However, I can deal with Moditian and his dealings. Soon I will reveal something that will put him in his place... NK: Clint Fletcher has said some very complimentary things about you and SJPW. Can you tell us about your relationship with G-Pro and what it's like to be part of the "Big Two"? JK: Gunyro Pro is an excellent promotion, and some former SJPW superstars, like Shoji Suzuki/Jet Jaguar, and "Demon Boy" Ishrinku, have gone on to major success there. Sometime in 1999, G-Pro and SJPW have tentative plans to do a joint show. As for being part of the "Big Two", I have no problems with it. There is room for all the promotions that exist in Nippon, including SHVF. G-Pro is SJPW's "little brother", and all the wrestlers in the promotion feel the same way. Diversity is good for this sport. It works in America, so why not Nippon? NK: Rumor has it that a inter-federation supercard might be in the works. Would SJPW be interested in such an event? JK: As I mentioned before, We have tentative plans for one with G-Pro. SJPW was the first promotion to hold interfed events in Nippon, going all the way back to the first Battlecade in 1997, when matches from other federations were hosted on our show. SJPW has close ties to RINGST*RS, and had ties with NPA [now JIWWA]. We worked closely with PJW. So yes, we would be willing to be part of such an event. NK: Few understand the amount of blood, sweat and tears that goes into running a wrestling organization. Has the amount of hard work you've had to do been worth it? JK: Of course! The fans selling out arenas across the country prove that! We even had a very successful tour of the United States, and hope to do one again in 1999. With our close ties to Wild West Wrestling and All Atlantic Pro Wrestling, our sister promotions in the United States, we have made many new friends. There are always downsides. Replacing Yamashita was one. The WWGP lawsuit, and the Dean/SHVF lawsuit is another. This is a business first, and sports entertainment second. Still, we all work very hard to insure that our fans get the best for their yen! NK: How would you say SJPW compares to non-Japanese organizations like SCRA And EMWC? JK: That is a tough one. I know both promotions by reputation only. I've honestly not seen their programming. However, I do know that both promotions feature former stars of both the IIWF and NLWP, both of whom SJPW had minor ties too in the past. IIWF and SJPW co-hosted the "King of the Cruisers" together, and some of their stars had careers here. Are we their equals? Probably not. We don't try to be. Their appeal is more world-wide. Our version of the sport is for a more specific audience, much like Lucha Libre is. However, I would like to say that if the opportunity to work with either promotion ever presents itself, SJPW would gladly do so. Working together to give the fans great matches is most important to us, and any promotion we can work with on a friendly and equal footing is one we will not overlook! NK: I've asked this question of a number of people involved in the industry - Are you still the fan of puroresuring that you once were? JK: Of course. Today's competitor is more innovative. Look at men like Shinji Hamada. He is by far more skilled than his father was, and his father was one of the greatest submission wrestlers in the world! Tetsuo Matsumoto started as the brash and insolent Super Tengu, but now, he is truly his father's son. The Yakuza, reviled as criminals, are one of the best tag teams Nippon has ever produced. Tasogare no Prince, the new Welterweight champion, is a phenomenal athlete, as is Yuki Murakami, and all the members of Chiimu Tora and the Daimyo. Toshiaki Takada, our Koubousen Geijutsu champion, is a great athlete, regardless of his preference to wrestle in the garbage style. The sport has never been better, and I am more of a fan than I ever was! NK: Like most wrestling organizations, SJPW has not been immune to its roster being in a constant state of flux. What sorts of difficulties does this pose for you as the organizer? JK: It's been hard to book certain wrestlers against each other. Akira Hashimoto is my best example. This man is a world champion in more than one promotion, yet here he's floundered. I tried very hard to prepare him for a championship series, but difficulties with immigration officials have kept him stranded in the US. The loss of Black Sun Rising was a major blow to us. They were so full of potential, and we had to take two eliminated teams to battle to replace them in the tag team tournament. Still, we muddle through. Tetsuo Matsumoto's recent bout with Oleg Vladikoff was easily as good as if Hashimoto had faced Vladikoff. The fans loved it. NK: Of those currently signed to an SJPW contract, who would you point out as a particularly exceptional talent? JK: That is an unfair question to ask! Still, if I had to pick top talent, the most underrated man in SJPW is Steel Serpent. He refuses to leave the Koubousen Geijutsu, and compete in the normal Juuryou division. If he did, he'd be the champion easily. He's that good. His wars with Ishrinku were our highest drawing shows. When Ishrinku was here, he too was one of our top talents. Sure, he was raw, but the crowd fell in love with him because he was small, yet he would attack someone like Victor Creed without fear. Of course, Hamada and Matsumoto are our two "franchise" players. That goes without question. Jensei Tenru, the first one, looks to be Tengu's successor. Tasogare no Prince proved why he is the top welterweight at this moment. Yukio Murakami, for facing Prince though injured, and Jet Jaguar II, because he embodies all that Tiger Kikuchi stands for.... NK: Are there any rising stars you would recommend we keep an eye on? JK: Oleg Vladikoff. Possibly the most dangerous man to enter our sport. Xiamen is another one to watch out for. Jensei Tenru obviously. These three, along with Jet Jaguar II, are the future of SJPW... NK: Looking out at all the wrestlers out there, both Japanese and gaijin, who would you most love to sign to an SJPW contract? JK: If I had the chance, I wish I could re-sign Tiger Claw to SJPW. He came in, and he fought harder than most. Dan Kauffman, because he asked for no special treatment. Brody Thunder, because he's the best there is in the world. Taifun, Mandarin's ally, because he would be a major asset to the Koubousen Geijutsu division. Valtharius the Mad, simply because the fans wouldn't know what to make of him! NK: What does the future have in store for SJPW? JK: The future? The crowning of a new All-Asian Champion. Finishing the Marano tag tournament. Adding a new Koubousen Geijutsu title, and debuting Zettai no Sentou, the Koubousen Geijutsu show. And of course, the big surprise I have for Hadi Moditian! 
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