A major Japanese women's professional wrestling promotion has put on a show in Taiwan for the first time. World Women's Pro-Wrestling Diana wowed fans from all over the country at an exhibition match outside the capital Taipei.
Category
ð
NewsTranscript
00:00In an industrial space in northern Taiwan, pro-wrestling legends make history.
00:12They half-fight, half-perform with passion and emotion, bringing the spectacle to a climax
00:18with a massive double-drop kick.
00:23This is the first time World Women Pro-Wrestling Diana, a famous Japanese promotion, has performed
00:29in Taiwan.
00:30Over the weekend, some of its youngest stars and mythic senior talent climbed into the
00:36ring.
00:37Among them was 63-year-old Jaguar Yokota, widely celebrated as one of the greatest female
00:43wrestlers of all time.
00:45In the early 1980s, she was considered among the best in the world regardless of gender.
00:51Her debut in Taiwan marks a historic moment for the local scene.
00:56Although the audience, mostly men and boys, were starstruck, Jaguar found them easily
01:01relatable.
01:27Having these Japanese professional wrestlers perform in Taiwan marks a significant milestone
01:32for the sport in the country, which has a small but committed following.
01:56In contrast to Taiwan, professional wrestling enjoys widespread popularity in the U.S. and
02:05Japan, where it has its own distinctive traditions and styles.
02:10Promotions in the U.S. focus on grand story arcs that unfold over years and often feature
02:16big entrances with pyrotechnics and dramatic stunts.
02:21But Japanese wrestling promotions like Diana usually emphasize a more respectful atmosphere
02:26between athletes and audiences, focus on technical skills, and often feature elements of slapstick
02:32comedy.
02:33Nonetheless, both styles have a strong emphasis on storytelling.
02:38And more often than not, it's these evolving plots that keep the hardcore fans or the marks
02:44coming back.
02:46It's just the characters, the storytelling, the bumps and the hits inside the ring.
02:55It's beautiful.
02:56It's an art that you just need to pay attention to, to understand.
03:03That is what pro wrestling is to me.
03:05It's an art form for those who love storytelling, combat sports, and well, everything that is
03:14about sports.
03:15Though the event is held outside the capital in an alley in Taoyuan, it has attracted many
03:20of its loyal fans.
03:21And for them, to see these bigger-than-life characters up close is a rare opportunity
03:25and definitely worth the trip.
03:28Many in the audience have been wrestling superfans for years.
03:30After watching the entire event today, it was quite an exciting match.
03:35I saw two legends come to Taiwan, Jin Sang-jin and Mei Zhou-hu, Teng Tien.
03:42I've seen them since I was in elementary school, middle school, and I've seen them on TV.
03:50It's an interesting art form.
03:52It's a bit like a movie or a drama.
03:56It has a sense of virtual reality.
03:58Although it looks like it's being experienced through acting, it's actually very real.
04:03It's an exchange of emotions and energy.
04:06Though the event only lasted for a few hours, it has certainly left a lasting impact on
04:11its fans.
04:12The electrifying atmosphere and skills on display resonated with the audience.
04:17For the people here, having a chance to see legends from wrestling's past, while making
04:22history in Taiwan, is a sure sign that the sport's future in the country is bright.
04:28Rain Wu, Alex Chen, Brun Thomas, and Sanni Chee for Taiwan Plus.