In a showcase bridging five decades of wrestling history and the dawn of a new era, 72-year-old Tatsumi Fujinami faced Olympic judo gold medalist Wolf Alpha in their first confrontation. The encounter took place during the main event of Fujinami’s 55th debut anniversary show, a tag match at Tokyo’s Korakuen Hall on June 6. The match, a centerpiece of Fujinami’s “Pro-Wrestling DRadition” event, pitted the veteran against the 30-year-old Alpha in a clash of styles that left both wrestlers with newfound respect.
Fujinami Takes Early Advantage
The match began with an immediate test of strength as Fujinami and Alpha locked up. The 72-year-old legend seized the early advantage, executing a powerful arm whip to take control. Alpha, however, quickly utilized his judo background on the mat, attempting to use grappling techniques to subdue his much older opponent. Fujinami countered with veteran savvy, escaping with a head scissors to demonstrate his resilience and technical mastery.
Alpha’s background as the Tokyo Olympics’ 100kg judo champion was evident. When the action returned to their feet, he demonstrated his balance and defensive prowess. After Fujinami targeted Alpha’s leg for his signature Dragon Screw submission, Alpha turned the tables by grabbing both of his opponent’s wrists and executing a perfectly timed “Tomoe Nage” throw, sending the veteran wrestler to the mat in a stunning reversal. The move, rooted in judo, caught Fujinami completely off guard.
Mutual Respect and the Aftermath of the Clash
Following the match, both wrestlers shared their candid reactions to the first meeting. Fujinami expressed a mix of surprise and admiration for his younger opponent. “I tried to go after Wolf Alpha, but I don’t know how it happened, the next thing I knew, I was thrown through the air,” Fujinami said. “After doing this for 55 years, you still get moments like this.”
Alpha, for his part, was equally impressed by the legend’s skill. He described his reaction to being thrown as a learning moment. “When he grabbed my leg, I thought the Tomoe Nage was the most logical counter,” Alpha explained. “It was a good harvest to be able to pull that off. I believe that when you fight with spirit, your technique will follow.”
The respect was mutual. Alpha noted that despite Fujinami’s age, he felt no openings in the veteran’s game. “I could sense he would counter any opening I gave him,” Alpha stated. “There wasn’t a single moment where he was vulnerable. That’s what connects to the ‘Fighting Spirit’ of New Japan.” He also reflected on the significance of facing a legend so early in his pro-wrestling career. “To be able to wrestle a New Japan legend like Mr. Fujinami within a year of my debut… it really reinforced that age doesn’t matter if you have the will to fight. I have so much to learn from him. I’m only 30, and there are 42 years between me and Mr. Fujinami. The road ahead is long.”
Fujinami’s Endorsement for the Future
The main event concluded when Fujinami applied his Dragon Sleeper hold on Alpha, which allowed his tag team partner, Zack Sabre Jr., to secure the victory by forcing Tatsuya Matsumoto to submit with a modified Manji Gatame.
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