When Wrestling Turns Real: John Tenta (Earthquake) vs Koji Kitao

[@WrestlingColin]

I've started a Patreon: www.patreon.com/WrestlingColin

[@SubwayJack919]

What is the name of the song at the start of this video? It's the one playing during the intro? It's got no lyrics and impossible to find because of that.

[@lawrence142002]

Quake was such a goodhearted guy. Before he died, he used to spend time on the Wrestlecrap forums just answering fan questions. He was always unfailingly polite to everyone throughout every thread.

[@Dorelaxen]

I interacted with him on there and through e-mail the last year or so before he died. Really great guy. We always lose the good ones early. The bastards hang around for a hundred years.

[@TheDranny]

​@@DorelaxenI emailed him back and forth during that time. Cracking guy.

[@aluminumsalmongames6277]

I was lucky enough to be around the site when he was active. Quake was SUCH a good dude. Just a really down to Earth guy.

[@Gottiline_Ace]

That's your average Canadian. I've lived and worked with a few, and they were stereotypically nice and humble.

[@Sturmgeist702]

Tenta's son used to post a bunch online and update us on various history about his dad. It was great to read. He was one of my favorites when I was a kid.

[@ZEUSDAZ]

Apparently it was Hogan who was supposed to face Koji but John (Earthquake) told Hogan "No Terry, I'll go out there, he's an arsehole and he's planning to try to hurt someone so I'll take your place as I have real Sumo skills", that was reported by several wrestlers.

[@graciegjj]

😮

[@ashleytyms8168]

If that's the case, the right guy got the shot. Koji was clearly undeserving of such an opportunity

[@CollinKillian]

John was far more than just a sumo wrestler. He was a accomplished amateur wrestler as well, with a Canadian junior super heavyweight championship win, and then a full scholarship to compete in amateur wrestling signing with the D1 Louisiana State Tigers. Dude could rumble for real and likely had far more capabilities than just a sumo wrestler, especially if he needed to grapple for real in a scenario that required it.

[@davequinn3484]

Yep lol😊

[@dannydavis7187]

​@@CollinKillianyou can see it with the takedown from the body lock. He floats over and picks the ankle and flattens him.

[@TheGreatDevlin]

Earthquake is the kinda wrestler where the more you learn more about him, the more you smile. Something rare with wrestlers. I haven't heard a cross word about the guy as a person.

[@taffysaur]

I’m happy that I got to see him wrestle in real life at Madison Square Garden in my lifetime! Unfortunately it was as Golga of the Oddities, but still… 😅

[@TheGreatDevlin]

@@taffysaur No way, man! See legends while you can, regardless of the gimmick lol. I'm driving almost 4 hours to see possibly see Sting for maybe the only time in my life.

[@graciegjj]

He could be a nice man all he wants but he should have had the skills to kick this dude's ass when it got real.... I mean I know he had skills but this was embarrassing like he didn't even try.

[@TheGreatDevlin]

@@graciegjj Or he didn't wanna add to the Kitao's embarrassing of the company by getting just as unprofessional. I see where you're coming from tho.

[@graciegjj]

@@TheGreatDevlin yeah true also I remembered this video wrong I thought it was another video where a pro wrestling match turned in to a real fight and the dude ended up getting stomped on the ground and I think that was earthquake also but maybe it was somebody else.

[@magmatt813]

As a kid, I only knew Earthquake as a scary monster who destroyed Hulko Hogan. As the years have passed, I’ve learned to appreciate what a gift he was.

[@WaldoBagelTopper]

Right? lol I remember as a kid, I hated him so bad because I was frightened of him. For me, it was that time he squashed hogan, and when he "killed" Damian when he feuded with Jake! haha!! To come to find out that he was actually a really down to earth guy and well traveled in terms of his training. Seems like he was a nice guy.

[@DeadKoby]

He indeed played the character well... he was one scary dude to the youth watching wrestling.

[@jugaloking69dope58]

the oversea's matches are the best so different then na style! japan is all about respect

[@TeeKoon]

Japanese fans have a genuine respect and probably unique in the world! Japanese wrestling is stiffer and more credible, unlike today WWE pushing athletic actors with a script!@@jugaloking69dope58

[@joshuagumpert8910]

Hell yeah. But if he wanted to he could destroy Hulk Hogan 😂 we subconsciously knew it as kids

[@bwalmsley5087]

Living in the same area as John, i heard lots of stories about how nice he was. He even worked as security at a roller rink. I once saw him in a pet store carrying a fish aquarium that was about the size of a bath tub complete with bags of gravel and other supplies in it like it was nothing. RIP Big John

[@CollinKillian]

That's some scary strength..

[@PhilMante]

Dude was a human tank. Why Kitao wanted to shoot with him is beyond me.

[@chase5298]

He clearly didn't, he was all posturing. Didn't once actually try anything.@@PhilMante

[@stevengelling5616]

The best thing I’ve heard about Tenta was he hated being a heel and getting boos. When you see videos of him being a face with a massive smile, it really makes you feel so happy for him in those moments.

[@phildicks4721]

Thats why one of my favorite Tenta promos was his face turn in WCW (the "I'm not a shark, I'm a man. I'm John Tenta!" Promo). Classic.

[@paulosicne8498]

Tenta would have destroyed Kitao if it descended to a full blown fight.

[@StandWatie1862]

He was an amateur wrestler. Of course he would

[@CollinKillian]

​@@StandWatie1862Agreed, looking at him you would think he couldn't go, but the dude was a beast. Not just amateur experience, but held a junior Canadian championship, and then signed with the D1 Louisiana State Tigers on a full ride scholarship for amateur wrestling. The only guy that comes to mind who could have beaten him legitimately during his prime, would have been Dr. Death Steve Williams, who was also a super heavyweight but held an NCAA title for Oklahoma University..

[@bbcraven6469]

Kitao actually fought in UFC 9 against a much smaller fighter named Mark Hall. Mark fucked him up. He broke his nose really bad with a good solid punch and Kitao quit.

[@DefLeppardVanHalen]

@@CollinKillian Gary Albright, who wrestled for the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, was another man who could beat Tenta as well.

[@Supperdude9]

@@bbcraven6469 LOL.

[@nosajdabeno]

I wish the Dark Side of the Ring folks had dissected this match as much as you did here. Kudos to you for this!

[@ferox965]

Tenta was a gentle giant, but according to all accounts, NOT someone to mess with.

[@guitarhausdoesntknowwhatac3285]

I'm given to understand that he was like... one of two guys that Haku was scared to mess with which given that guys reputation should make it beyond clear how legitimately badass he actually was.

[@orangesilver4568]

John Tenta was a accomplished freestyle wrestler on top of being a good sumo wrestler he also played football and rugby an was a bouncer. He was someone you did not want to mess with.

[@TeeKoon]

He was a genuine human being, never his success get over his head. Never used his size to becomes a bully as so many do! We all miss this great man, the kind of man that wrestling lack today! My sympathy and love to his family! I guess there is no shoot interview of him?

[@GeneralUile]

I fucking LOVE how Kitao looks at Tenta (who always looked like he was 40) and thinks he's easy pickings, only to immediately regret his decision but not being able to turn back. Earthquake rules.

[@HkFinn83]

I doubt he thought that about a 400lbs monster with legit wrestling skills

[@chrislovesyoubb]

That little ref trying to break up 800+ pounds of heated meat got me dying

[@WrestlingColin]

Give that man a raise.

[@TheBathrobeWizard]

That is by far the best description of a wrestling match between heavyweights I have ever heard.

[@snowvalkyrie]

At least the ref was not a coward like Kitao.

[@Jesusisafriendofmine]

Tenta is a true wrestling hero, RIP big man, been one of my favourites since I was a kid and everything I learn about his career confirms he was awesome.

[@darkviolet]

I feel so bad for hating him so intensly as a kid. When he squashed Damian I cried. And the more I learn about him I appreciate his talent and wonderful personality. Truly a gentle giant

[@dtop668]

Don't feel bad for hating him. I'm sure he would be happy to know he was playing his heel role to perfection.

[@antbojo]

Don't feel bad. You were supposed to hate him!

[@hemlo7494]

The Damien bag was filled with rolled up newspapers.

[@darkviolet]

@@hemlo7494 yeah, I know that now. But not when I was 10. It truly freaked me out 😅

[@phildicks4721]

But the Quakeburger segment on Prime Time Wrestling afterwards with Vince's, Lord Alfred's, and Heenan's reactions was funny. 😁

[@grumblingcat]

The Kitao KO was definitely the model for the knockout animation in the Yukes wrestling games from the 90s. eidt: yep - it was actually the AKI games. AKI MAN FOREVER!

[@KirbyVanPelt]

*AKI Corporation And yes, It is exactly the same animation, I never knew that lol

[@grumblingcat]

@@KirbyVanPelt that's totally right!

[@eyeguydojima7131]

I think you mean the AKI games

[@florianklink2961]

Well noticed! Always interesting when someone discovers the origin for an animation.

[@greenkoopa]

I'm a Han Zo Mon guy myself

[@trelard]

John Tenta is one of pro wrestlings legends. I remember as a kid watching him as Earthquake hating him, and that was his job. As I learn more and more about his life, he comes across as the opposite of his gimmick. That shows his devotion to the industry and why he was successful. It's such a damned shame he's gone, he seems to have so much love from those who knew him. So many stories died with him. That's why shows/podcasts by people such as Dirty Dutch Mantell are so important, as they bring out stories from the history of pro wrestling that would otherwise never be told. Good or bad, history overall is a net positive.

[@MelancoliaI]

He always felt bad at how much kids were frightened of him back in the day; but he did brilliant work selling his heel gimmick. I legit thought he was sending his opponents to the hospital.

[@tomtalker2000]

Kitao would NOT have wanted to actually have a go against John. John would have killed him. Yes he was a gentle giant outside the ring and soft spoken. But get him legit angry and watch out...!!! There are plenty of wrestlers who have told backstage stories about him and his temper during various shoot interviews. So what Kitao did was completely unprofessional and he had a bad habit of not only doing this to John but other talent as well. The bottom line is he didn't belong in a wrestling ring against someone like Tenta and his star power and status. He's just damn lucky nothing escalated to far with John.

[@darkhorse1280]

Both Hulk and Bret have spoken about Tenta in past interviews as one of the all-time legit tough guys in the business.

[@christopherwall2121]

@@darkhorse1280 And if Hogan and Bret agree on something, you can be pretty dang certain it's true.

[@xSmilinBanditx]

@@christopherwall2121 That maybe the truest thing I read on the internet for a while! Kudos to you!

[@edw1n2]

Everything I’ve seen from you is incredibly well done. Great job man, outstanding editing and presentation

[@brianshaker1885]

I absolutely agree. You don't find many great great channels. Most are people trying to rip other people off with popular formats they can easily reproduce for likes. When I catch a gem like this, it's hard not to support. First time I watched, so he just got a new subscriber.

[@MahDryBread]

Jesus, I had seen the match but I never noticed that Kitao was going for his eyes

[@TrollAlert-xv6qg]

Me too

[@johnathanrush4666]

PLEASE do more longform stuff if your schedule allows it, your videos are always super informative. Thanks for putting this together 😀

[@WrestlingColin]

Appreciate that man. I’m dedicated to making more, got a couple scripts I’m working on at the moment and a few specific big ones I’m eyeing for later this year :)

[@gmorel1916]

Another great vid! Your channel is currently my favorite in the wrestling space. Such quality work and interesting stories 👍🏻

[@voodazz]

I loved the way the camera would shake whenever Tenta jumped up and down. Awesome!

[@toneranger]

Very well produced documentary, even non wrestling fans would enjoy this, great job 👍🏻

[@utsmoi]

Bro, love your delivery and your documentary style. Very cool. You’ll blow up as you stand out! I’d love to see a time line for Gary Albright, guy was a monster

[@johnafirth]

I loved Albright in the UWFI, deadlift German suplexing dudes. Was gutted when he died.

[@ChrisUcey]

This is such an incredible video, great job once again, you might be my favorite wrestling content creator right now

[@jessfrankel5212]

Tenta was a well-known sumo prospect here (Japan) and he had all the tools to rise fairly high in the sumo ranks. But, as he said, he didn't like the rigid structure of Japanese sumo...way too hierarchical, and it bothered him. As a pro wrestler, he was a monster. Outside the ring, he was supposedly one of the nicer guys in the sport. Kitao, OTOH, wasn't nice to anyone, thought he was better than everyone, and got what he deserved.

[@bigfrankfraser1391]

kitao was a retired yokozuna when he went into wrestling, meaning he was the top sumo in japan, but sumo was all he knew, shit at everything else

[@bigglilwayne7050]

I'd say that smashing Damian and eating the "Quakeburgers" was Earthquake's most memorable angle in WWF

[@chrischar9428]

Funny I think it's the hogan run

[@bigglilwayne7050]

@@chrischar9428 Were you too young or just a casual fairweather fan?

[@chrischar9428]

@@bigglilwayne7050 let's compare....a main event with Hogan OR a mid card feud with a crackhead

[@jasonv2323]

@@chrischar9428his feud with Jake was probably more entertaining if you ask me!

[@BeeHatGuy]

​@@jasonv2323same

[@Amzingred]

Earthquake was such a memorable character. The work with camera angles and shots, his set up for finisher, the music, the man behind the character all did a splendid job. As I grew up and the internet started to become a place to find more about people, it was amazing to realize who John was and just how much of an athletic and nice man he was.

[@d19xx]

Fantastic job on this vid. I'm glad Kitao and Tenta ended the feud in a professional manner.

[@florianklink2961]

Colin, you're doing an awesome job telling those stories! It's always a pleasure to watch your videos 😀.

[@aaronwood8110]

This is literally one of the best videos I've ever seen on this subject. Thank you.

[@zakt5590]

Man, I adore this channel. It's soo good. It's the way you weave all the nuances and backstory together. I always think I know a lot about Puro, but then I watch one of your vids and learn more. Keep it up man. Great stuff.

[@DarthSmirnoff]

Listen, who amongst us hasn't beat the brakes off of our underlings and roughed up our bosses old lady over a sweet Dragon Quest save getting overwritten?

[@christopherwall2121]

Kitao also tried to sandbag Haku in 1994. Guess how that ended.

[@BlueFox284]

One of the most vicious dropkicks to the face I've ever seen someone take in the corner of the ring. After a nice flurry of hard chops. Haku straightened out Kitao real quick.

[@jamelwright3234]

We need the video

[@christopherwall2121]

@@jamelwright3234 It's on KZbin

[@kpopninja]

Out of all the fucking wrestlers to sandbag he chose fucking HAKU?!

[@christopherwall2121]

@@kpopninja Nobody ever said Koji Kitao was a very SMART man.

[@_LA_]

Goddamn this is a great video! Thank you for the work you put into your stuff. I always look forward to it!

[@lancelange9377]

John was such an amazing nice guy. He came with Fred (Typhoon) to wrestle at an independent league my best friend wrestled in. He shook my hand and was such a cool guy to talk to. Another big guy that was awesome that I met the same way was King Kong Bundy. We all ended up going for chicken wings together. He sat across from me and ate over 70 wings. Was a memorable time. He was a great guy too.

[@TheOnlyMJS]

It’s actually criminal you’re not at a half a million subscribers by now. Great content! One of the two wrestling KZbin channels i’m actually subscribed to.

[@WrestlingColin]

Hopefully one day we'll get there! Got lots more videos on the way.

[@AntiSocialMachine]

It’s because he makes actual quality videos going into details about specific interesting events. Not just “top 10 times a wrestler SHAT themselves”

[@poindextertunes]

The very first shot of the CRT tv against the wall is beautiful. well done sir. looking forward to more great cinematography

[@aidankerr2001]

my dad wrestled with John in highschool. lots of good stories, including one where he was new to the team, a parent bringing in cookies for the team. everyone grabbed on, and gave the bag to John. he thought the rest was for him and demolished the rest of the bag. needless to say, he apparently was just as big in highschool 😭😆

[@Fluoride_Jones]

That's a great story! I picture him saying, "Well, you handed me the rest of the bag. What was I supposed to do, just hold 'em all day?!" I sure he genuinely thought they were for him.

[@Jugglingtedchannel]

Thank you for these behind the scenes action of pro wrestling that we don't see often!

[@johnny5805]

There's some pro-wrestlers who have said on video that John Tenta was legitimately as tough as Haku, and that John feared no man. Things probably wouldn't have ended well for Kitao san.

[@fuckiopussigetti453]

Speaking of Haku, theres a video of him and Koji having a match and Koji starts lighting Haku up with chops in a corner, they exchange places and Haku gives him a huge receipt and dropkicks him for good measure

[@stevejamieson8468]

The big difference between John and Haku outside of size was John's amateur wrestling skills. The guy was on the same college wrestling team as olympic gold medalist Kevin Jackson.

[@palaceofwisdom9448]

As an American fan, the sole thing I remember Kitao for was teaming with Tenryu and beating Demolition at WM7 in a very underwhelming match. It seemed really random and odd.

[@Kaltagstar96]

I love how people give modern wrestlers shit for playing video games when Koji Kitao basically nuked his own sumo career over Dragon Quest; if he had much of a career at that point anyway considering how he got his Yokozuna rank? Also this was such a well edited video and I'm looking forward to seeing more long form content.

[@KeanuRhys01]

He is Ichiban Kasuga if he was evil

[@nebwachamp]

Yes... but Tenta and his sumo buddie could have beaten the current aew and wwe rosters to a pulp. Kenny Omega wrestles girls.

[@BuJammy]

Well said@@nebwachamp

[@johnathanrush4666]

​@@nebwachampliterally no one's talking about that but you, go outside and play

[@salsasaul101]

@@nebwachampthe heck is wrong with you

[@tomjones2348]

Superb presentation! Great research, writing, and narration. Minute 8. Oh, yea....Tenta is physically telling Koji, "You don't want to work?....well, I'm going to make you work".

[@christopherwall2121]

I heard "YOU WANNA SHOOT? OR DO YOU WANNA WRESTLE? THIS IS PRO WRESTLING!"

[@DeathRex88]

This guy is such a big part of my core memories of wrestling. I think the first match i can recall is one of his. Totally loved seeing him.

[@mikegreene1508]

Found your page and this video via Wrestling Bios' WWF WrestleMania VII video. Glad I did! Good stuff

[@wombatgirl997]

Huh, wrestle dream. That's where AEW got it from. Thank you for making this video. I learned a lot. Tenta seems like a dude i would have loved to meet up with and drink a few beers. EDIT: what a different time, imagine a wrestling crowd booing when someone throws a table into the ring.

[@WrestlingColin]

To be fair, the crowd was already primed to hate Kitao here. Tenta was a face for them (the reverse of his WWF character funny enough) and they disliked Kitao for his scandalous exits from sumo and NJPW. He's an easy guy to boo.

[@danielpark8003]

John Tenta is from Surrey, B.C. He came back to visit North Surrey Secondary in April 1991as a guest to meet John Granbois the wrestling coach back then in Canada.

[@kellysavalas5937]

I'm always pleased when I see videos about John Tenta.

[@melasnexperience]

Man, imagine what kind of a-hole someone had to be to piss off John Tenta, especially when he's in ring with you! By all reports, he was a big softie & a total professional.

[@naomigarciagomez7890]

Colin, I discovered your channel today and I have to say, it's an excellent channel with amazing videos! I hope you gain a lot of subscribers and views!

[@WrestlingColin]

Appreciate the kind words :)

[@timslee0618]

I still remember the "mma fight" in Pride FC 1 Koji Katao vs Nathan Jones. Apparently, it was a fixed fight which wouldn't surprise me

[@Rando1975]

Yeah, being a fan of MMA and pro wrestling, it certainly looks like a work.

[@stevejamieson8468]

PRIDE was the same company that did the infamous Coleman vs Takada worked fight.

[@brandensimmons653]

I feel like what if John Tenta stayed in AJPW would he be a future triple crown winner?

[@CookieMonster_665]

"THIS IS PROFESSIONAL WRESTLING"

[@lexofexcel886]

A nice look at the man who would be Golga. Rest in peace, Mr. Tenta.

[@rogerbartley2225]

great video, Can't believe that guy was an actual Yokozuna.

[@NinthSettler]

Barely. He was the only yokozuna in the history of sumo to never win a single tournament. For comparison, Terunofuji, current sumo's sole yokozuna, just won his tenth tournament, with no knees. The name Futahaguro should be scraped off the yokozuna list.

[@rogerbartley2225]

@@NinthSettler Yes, I'm far from a Sumo expert but I do know how rare an honour it is to have that title. I had believed there would be no Yokozuna rather than promote someone not worthy. Must have been a bad time for Sumo if that was the best of a generation.

[@badbrains28]

Love your videos and what you cover. Thank you!!!

[@Mdrobile]

Thanks for this, I used to love earthquake. Never even knew this story existed. Appreciate it!

[@fatcat3211]

Kitao learned his shoot wrestling from the Stooges dojo.

[@Flyzoola]

Holy shit Colin! I hadn't seen anything from you in YEARS since I haven't kept up with eSports, but its cool to see you also have a wrestling channel! Fuckin awesome and unexpected that this popped up in my reccs :D Got yourself a sub, bud! Cheers

[@WrestlingColin]

Welcome! I'm still involved in gaming media stuff in my professional life (behind the scenes) but this is my passion project :)

[@magazineretriever9036]

Koji Kitao got his nose broken in a UFC fight.

[@jackflash8218]

HA! Yup. Tiny little Mark Hall, if I remember correctly. Busted that big bytch's nose. Koji went down like somebody sh0t him. 😆😂

[@JoaoRuivoIII]

Another interesting fact about that Wrestle Dream show that would be probably worth mentioning too was that this match wasn't even the _only_ worked match turned into a shoot of the night. The same happened between a representative from the other promotion SWS had a relationship with (PWFG) - Minoru Suzuki - and SWS's own Apollo Sugawara. Just like with Tenta vs Kitao, in this match we also had them just uncooperatively circling each other without doing anything, and finally Apollo just leaving the ring, throwing the match out, also grabbing the mic to trash talk his opponent (but without exposing the business). However, contrary to Tenta vs Kitao, where only the final moments of the match and the post-match shenanigans were cut from the commercial tape, this entire match was completely left out, as if it didn't even occur.

[@RetiredMegatron]

I would have loved to see him try that shit with Vader.

[@jeremynelson5311]

Or Haku

[@siobhannicolson5566]

@@jeremynelson5311he did try to sandbag haku!

[@jackcoleman1784]

It wasn't this guy but from what I remember another Japanese wrestler actually popped Vader's eye out in a match. You can actually see it happen in the footage and Vader just pops it back in. Supposedly it caused Vader permanent damage. I don't know if you can find the footahe on KZbin anymore but you used to be able to.

[@RetiredMegatron]

@@jackcoleman1784 that was Stan Hansen. Crazy match.

[@jackcoleman1784]

@@RetiredMegatron That might sound like I was making Vader out to be the loser of that encounter but I have to reiterate the dude just popped his eyeball back in like it was nothing. The rest of us would have straight gone into shock. By all accounts I've ever heard Vader was much more vulnerable emotionally than physically. He was very tough when it came to physicality.

[@reke9632]

I love your videos man, congratulations on a job well done

[@imoutotrash390]

In your community post i got the answer right. I was thinking back to the major shoot incidents that you havent done and this is about whats left. Also coincidentetally cultahllic did a golden age dox where they bring up the fight. Anyway the takada fight was funny

[@4FYTfa8EjYHNXjChe8xs7xmC5pNEtz]

These vids are fascinating. Thanks for describing the careers and lives of Japanese pro wrestlers, who you don't often hear much about in the West.

[@kakutogiroad1866]

Thanks for mentioning us. We have talked a lot about Kitao in the last few years. More than I ever would have imagined, but he was a fascinating character in early mma/puroresu history.

[@WrestlingColin]

Thanks for your work!

[@kakutogiroad1866]

@@WrestlingColin You probably read it already, but we devoted an entire column to the Kitao/Takada double cross, which has tons of information about that incident, as well as a lot of info about Kitao.Our Japanese translator really dug deep and pulled out a lot of info from various Japanese sources.

[@binko969]

Quan tsu or a “spear punch” is absolutely a legitimate strike in several martial arts, karate, tae kwon do, jeet sun do etc… and he threw a legit strike at Tenta’s face. Also tried to break his arm initially before that with an arm bar he couldn’t get locked when Tenta open handed him

[@bigfrankfraser1391]

makes sense he would use that strike, guy was a yokozuna after all

[@HenrikNewts]

The content you cover is fascinating and I’m hooked! Please keep videos coming on the reg. If you ever set up a patreon you have a subscriber! 💯

[@WrestlingColin]

Awesome, thank you for saying that. 'm hoping to launch a Patreon in the near future, it'll help a lot with my ability to focus on making more videos :)

[@shaquessejones9947]

You should do a video on hiroshi tanahashi becoming the ace of njpw. Also amazing video

[@ryanstewart4444]

If someone messed with my DragonQuest save file I'd go full Kitao too. Makes sense now.

[@KomradeKrusher]

There's something about a John Tenta video that never fails to make me misty eyed. We lost too many of those guys way before their time, but the ones that will forever hurt me personally are Curt, Rude, Savage and Tenta. Rude for the unfulfilled promise of a comeback during a time when he could've finally climbed the top of the ladder. Savage because he always was a kind of hero to me, with all his faults, warts 'n' all. He was "the one that got to walk away" as Dusty once said. He should've gotten to enjoy more of that. And finally, Curt and John because they both seemed like the nicest guys you could ever have wished to be around in such a business. Now, don't get me wrong, there were other tragedies, and I'm not trying to apply "worth" to any of those, Owen was heartbreaking. As was Eddie. As were many others. In the end, it is about our personal, subjective connections (and projections), and the four I named simply played a much more pivotal role during a much more impressionable age for me, and only me, personally. But it really seems like we lost so many of those who could've still provided us, if not the business (and of course their families) with so much more beyond the ring.

[@risboturbide9396]

Thank you for this great breakdown. RIP John Tenta

[@HeathenTrucker]

Even though John had a soft face, her was known as being one of the toughest guys in wrestling history. He wasn’t afraid of anyone

[@kevinfowler1218]

Well done. Great job on the video.

[@JamesMMcCann]

Great video. You've got yourself a new subscriber.

[@0tto9]

Thank you for this. Well done.

[@ajarraccoon7660]

You notice how kaito kept assaulting women? Seems like he couldn’t fight a dude more his size

[@jackflash8218]

Mark Hall. Old school UFC. Hilarious.

[@stangreen4134]

This is a fantastic video. Very well done.

[@AntiSocialMachine]

What a fantastic channel this is.

[@freakyzed8467]

Never mess with a mans wife, mom, or Dragon Quest save data!

[@jackcoleman1784]

I remember hearing John got tired of the stereotype that he was slow and stiff because he was big which couldn't have been the furthest from the truth. He was a serious athlete and wanted to be known for it and apparently that's why he started showing off how high he could jump in the ring as part of his pre match ritual.

[@Rando1975]

Not to mention he had a great dropkick!

[@ryfreedman]

Your work is fascinating!

[@koguma.newyork1]

Kitao actually fought in one of the early UFCs too, he got his nose broke by a much smaller opponent, tremendous fighter though.

[@Goochbag8]

You do such a good job in making these palatable. Give yourself a pat on the back, seriously dude.

[@WrestlingColin]

Thank you :)

[@TrollAlert-xv6qg]

@@WrestlingColinsubbed

[@lordtark6736]

What an amazing documentary 👏 You are talented.

[@WrestlingColin]

Thank you very much!

[@r.j.wheels6755]

Very interesting. Nice video, well done.

[@bortroad5740]

What a great production man That’s now

[@porkchopexpress1]

Great video! Subbed

[@WrestlingColin]

We really shook the pillars of heaven, didn't we Wang?

[@porkchopexpress1]

@@WrestlingColin the cheque is in the mail

[@masonmcconkey2891]

Excellent Video, love japanese wrestling stories

[@scenariomckinney]

Very well done video!! Kudos

[@Raydaruckuz]

15:00 wasn't expecting to see Takada in this. Used to love watching him in PrideFC. even though he lost most of his matches, he always showed a lot of heart facing the absolute killers of MMA at the time like "Ice cold" Volvchanchyan, Cro Cop, Rickson Gracie etc, so nice to see him dish out some karma with a beautiful high kick on kitao.

[@DarkPuIse]

11:23 I think what Tenta actually says in that moment is "Who do you think you are, a yokozuna? This is pro wrestling!" I'm not sure of much of the first half of that, but he definitely says "...yokozuna, this is pro wrestling."

[@vikingofvegas]

Even as a kid back in the day, i loved Quake. When the Disasters turned face for the short time they did, you could tell that Tenta was loving it. Such a top bloke and well missed.

[@Th3Kingism]

Didn't know Tenta spent some time in sumo, very interesting.

[@chrischar9428]

New eh

[@huntsworthdoom]

Man I love stories where a big and super tough but also very nice and cool guy just shows it to someone like Kitao

[@sampleoffers1978]

Having whole match be choreographed but then a real kick is done, just seems despicable if not agreed to.

[@TheCatabolicTrex]

This is Takada we are talking about, he's not above carny shit like that

[@sampleoffers1978]

@@TheCatabolicTrex...sad

[@mr.smithgnrsmith7808]

Met Earthquake at BWI airport in 92 I think…I was 9 and he couldn’t of been anymore awesome…I have a pic hanging from one of his arms as he lifted me in the air…absolute sweetheart

[@cyclonicleo]

Knowing Japan and some of the shady elements that were involved back in the day, it's a miracle Kitao didn't end up dead after the second Tenta match. The only thing that may have saved him was his former Yokozuna status. As for John Tenta, it's great to see him receiving the praise and recognition he rightly deserved.