Best Wrestling Country?

[IrishCanadian25]

I ran this thread almost a year ago, and it got strong response. Rather than dig for it and bump it, I want to give the newer posters a shot at it by giving it a clean slate.

It's simple, really. 4 Countries - which is the greatest wrestling country in history?

United States of America

Notable Stars - Hulk Hogan, Dave Batista, Ultimate Warrior, Randy Savage, Shawn Michaels, Triple H

Wrestling in the United States is still largely a business, where technique takes a backseat to glamour, storylines, and entertainment. Large, muscular men utilizing power moves are largely characteristic of American Pro Wrestling.

Canada

Notable Stars - Bret Hart, Owen Hart, Chris Jericho, Lance Storm, Edge, Christian, Jacques Rougeau

Wrestling in Canada is still a highly respected hybrid of sport and entertainment. In contrast with American Wrestling, Canadian Wrestling features a greater emphasis on technique, and the body types of wrestlers tend to be less massive and more athletic.

Japan

Notable Stars - Antonio Inoki, Tatsumi Fujinami, Masahiro Chono, Kensuke Sasake, Tiger Mask, Taka Mitchinoku

Wrestling in Japan is revered as a sport and as an art. Japanese professional wrestlers are given an elite status in Japan. The focus of the match is less on entertainment and more on realism, and places a greater emphasis on submission wrestling.

Mexico

Notable Stars - Eddie Guerrero, Rey Mysterio, Tito Santana, Chavo Guerrero, Hector Garza, La Parka, Juventud Guerrera

Wrestling in Mexico, similar to Japan, is revered. Masks are used to depict an ancient "battle of the gods" and sticks very closely to the idea of good vs evil. High flying, high risk, "lucha libre" style chain wrestling is emphasized in direct contrast with American wrestling.

​

Which wrestling country is the best of all time, and why? You do have the option to vote "other," but make sure you explain WHY you went outside the 4 choices provided.

 

[Showtime]

Canada without question. We have the Hart family, wrestling's greatest family and they have trained many different wrestlers, like the British Bulldog and Neidhart. All the wrestlers mentioned, Bret, Owen, Jericho, Storm, Edge, Christian, Rougeau, and Benoit, and Santino! all terrific wrestlers, most good technical and submission wrestling styles.

And that my friend there answers the question. I think we are without question the better wrestlers, technique and skillwise. And many of the ones mentioned worked long years to get to the WWE, wrestling in Mexico and Japan and The States, being able to adapt well to the other countries styles is something many of them have proven we do well at, and Bret, Jericho, Benoit, and Edge worked many years in the WWE, paying their dues and worked hard and earned their ways to the WWE title. Americans pride theirselves more on their physique, and although they too do have very talented wrestlers and many of them earned their titles, but it should be noted that, along with wrestling skill and technique, alot that goes in being a wrestler is physique and charisma, something many American wrestlers displayed excel at, but does that necessarly manke them the best at wrestling, no, but they do have some of the best wrestlers. I have much respect for Mexican and Japanese wrestling as their wrestlers are among the most talented wrestlers ever at what they do. What holds them back a bit for me is their ability to adapt to other countires styles. Many have done that, like Mysterio and Guerreros, but we don't see huge amounts in WWE, which is a shame. Canadians are among the most talented wrestlers, everyone of the wrestlers mentioned have shown to be talented in-ring performers and many of them have proven to be adaptable at any other countries wrestling style. They shown strong charisma and proven to be terrific champions. And that is why Canada in my opinion is the Best Wrestling Country.

 

[Rusty]

In my opinion, the greatest wrestling company is the United States of America. WWE, ECW, WCW and TNA are all based in America. They are arguably the 4 top companies in Wrestling history. The biggest superstars in wrestling history include: Hulk Hogan, Ultimate Warrior, Stone Cold and John Cena. Those 4 helped shaped wrestling to what it is today, and Stone Cold along with John Cena still appear on WWE television today. Wrestling is bigger in the United States than any other country worldwide.

The best wrestlers have come from America and Canada. Sure, there has been some good superstars from countries such as England, Mexico and Japan. But the most famous and memorable are from the two main wrestling countries. America does focus on the muscular body physique while Canadian wrestlers have usually smaller athletic bodies, with maybe a little more talent inside the wrestling ring. I don't watch any other promotion except for the WWE and TNA, so I really can't judge on the Japanese and Mexican wrestling promotions. But I do know that they are nowhere as big as the two American companies.

While one could make a fair argument that Canada produces the most talented wrestlers, but America is still by far the biggest and the best wrestling country in the world. The WWE is the biggest wrestling company which is American of course, and it is shown on television in over 20 different countries. No Canadian, Mexican or Japanese wrestling promotion has even got near that amount. So America is and has always been the best wrestling country in the world. Canada is second. I don't even consider Mexico and Japan as a major wrestling country despite them having numerous wrestling promotions that are unknown to many, including myself.

 

[jtbsoon2b]

I voted for Japan.
Granted I haven't seen alot of Japanese wrestling, the stuff I have seen was terrific! It was some of the best wrestling I have seen in a long time. Maybe I favor Japanese wrestling because I love submission wrestling and they base alot of their style around submissions. Also their type of wrestling looks more realistic to me, more than the stuff in WWE and TNA (not so much ROH), as much as I love WWE and TNA sometimes it just looks to fake to me, sometimes.
Also haven't seen any Canadian wrestling, except for in WWE, but that doesn't count cuz WWE "limits" the movesets of their wrestlers. But some of my favorite wrestlers are Canadian, so..... (Benoit, Edge, Jericho, and the Hart family)

 

[Mighty NorCal]

USA. Thankyou.

What I find humorous, so far, is that everyone has seemed to forget we, aside from Steve Austin and Hulk Hogan, the two best EVER, we have Kurt Angle, who wa s legitametely...the best wrestler on the planet earth one year LOL. Aside from that we have the most dominant guy of the current era, triple H, and the most dominant guys of the NEXT era, in John cena and Randy Orton. I dont see how this is even close to arguable. you can say the other countries produce better "WRESTLERS WHO ACTUALLY WRESTLE" and you will be wrong, and look like a fool. Based upon the criteria that can actually be used, only Japan even comes close, and its still not THAT close. We have the guys who made wrestling what it is, and we have the guys who will make it the things it shall be. USA, and by miles.

 

[Y 2 Jake]

Based upon the criteria that can actually be used, only Japan even comes close, and its still not THAT close. We have the guys who made wrestling what it is, and we have the guys who will make it the things it shall be. USA, and by miles.

Wrestling is more important in Japan than it is American, Norcal. The style might not be your personal favourite, but this is an English speaking board after all. Go to a Japanese forum and they'll laugh at you for even saying the name of Triple H.

 

[Mighty NorCal]

Only becuase they dont like american style. I can flip that argument right around on you. Also add to the fact that they will laugh, becuase they will know who that is. On the other hand, if they stated the most dominant guy of their best pro league of this era, not only would I laugh, I would also ask "WHO???". Well, unless it was an american guy. Which it very well could be. Hulk Hogan (that being the american guy) along with countless others, went there, and drew huge numbers. how many japanese can say the same for over here??? Wrestling is alos bigger in mexico, and is also, yet another style that is worked. doesnt make it better, just makes it more popular to that base of people. As far as worldwide drawing and audience, all time, USA wins out.

 

[Y 2 Jake]

Only becuase they dont like american style.

I think it's more to do with them not being fans of the WWE styles. Which I guess you could officially call the American style as current other American promotions steal their styles from other countries.

I can flip that argument right around on you. Also add to the fact that they will laugh, becuase they will know who that is. On the other hand, if they stated the most dominant guy of their best pro league of this era, not only would I laugh, I would also ask "WHO???".

You would say ''Who???'' because you don't watch it. But I'm sure the Japanese don't give a shit about Edge, Undertaker or a few others. Each country has their stars.

Hulk Hogan (that being the american guy) along with countless others, went there, and drew huge numbers.

The Steiners drew more than Hogan. Proving that the names aren't quite as important.

how many japanese can say the same for over here???

You've got a point. But Japanese wrestlers have still played an important part in many a wrestling promotion over the years.

Wrestling is alos bigger in mexico, and is also, yet another style that is worked. doesnt make it better, just makes it more popular to that base of people.

I didn't say Japanese wrestling was better.

As far as worldwide drawing and audience, all time, USA wins out.

Maybe, maybe not. Wrestling is niche. In America & England there are more people not watching wrestling. But in Japane & Mexico almost everybody does.

 

[Bozzaholic]

Japan

Notable Stars - Antonio Inoki, Tatsumi Fujinami, Masahiro Chono, Kensuke Sasake, Tiger Mask, Taka Mitchinoku

Wrestling in Japan is revered as a sport and as an art. Japanese professional wrestlers are given an elite status in Japan. The focus of the match is less on entertainment and more on realism, and places a greater emphasis on submission wrestling.

I can't beilive that list of notible wrestler missed off possibly 3 of the greatest wrestlers of all tim in Kawada, Misawa and Tsuruta not to mention the joshi's

I vote for Japanese wrestling not because i'm a smark or i'm up myself just because its better. The matches are more exciting (I don't mean the technical marathon's I mean the 6 man tag spot fests. Another great thing about Japanese wrestling is the best of the US guys can come over and wrestle their particular style without lookings out of place.

Another great thing about Puro is that the women's wrestling is as good as the mens technically and the junior/lightweight wrestling is also amazing so for me there is no contest

Bozz

 

[jpfizzle]

I find this question impossible to answer and I am not even going to attempt it. Call me a fence sitter I really don't care but I am a fan of Wrestling, all kinds of wrestling. You can't put any of those four countrys ahead of one another because they have all done so much to make wrestling meaningful and special all over the world, even if the fandom comes mainly from there home soils. Mexico for example have a very different view on wrestling to the majority if not all of the people on this site. Wrestling is like a true religion to them, they believe the lucha masks have God-Like powers in them. There wrestling is steeped in ancient traditions and to take anything away from how important Mexican wrestling is is just crazy. Canada has a real edgy side to it's wrestling traditions- Wrestling as we know it, North American wrestling in particular would just not be the same without Canadas injection of talent. That's not to take away anything away from North American wrestling, with so many companies including the big dog, North America is perhaps the hub for wrestling is entertainment. As for Japan, it is quint-essential for any fan of North American wrestling to atleast tread the waters of Japanese wrestling. The series between Tiger Mask and The Dynamite Kid are perhaps the greatest series of matches ever, and that's just the surface.

In conclusion I will argue all four Countries are the best Wrestling Countries. Wrestling would not be complete without any of them.

 

[obsidiana]

I would have to say Mexico is the best. Although I have to admit lately things seem to be getting kind of WWE'ish in terms of storylines starting to take over the actual wrestling. But I think that is because of people like Konnan who have worked in the states and thought that was better for the business to do things that way. In promotions like CMLL they still value tradition over gimmicky type stuff.

But with the things they do (all the high flying stuff) the training they have to go through is probabaly harder than say here in the states. I have seen the Luchadores do things I didn't think a person could do and still be able to walk away no problem (that I could see). Heck even the women get in there and do some of the same things as the men unlike here in the states where they look like are going to break everytime they try to execute a move.

Masks and hair as well are more important than belts down there which I like a lot. It is more important to lose your hair or your mask than winning a belt. When people focus on winning a belt then it basically becomes a bitch fest because it gets annoying when the same damn people get a belt over and over (like here in the states with Triple H, Edge, John Cena, and the list goes on and on....) whereas with a mask when you lose it thats it. You can't go back to wearing a different mask, they aren't allowed to do so anymore. Losing your hair is also important, yes it can grow back but its so much more personal than a mask especially when they have to give their hair to they're opponent. They actually are taking something very personal from you.

I think thats why I like Lucha so much because of the traditions and the importance of things other than a belt. Plus with the high flying stuff they do that is also really cool.

Not to mention I think the Luchadores are waaaay hotter than the guys here in the states lol. But that is my own personal preference. I sure hope I answered the question lol.....

 

[Gelgarin]

Japan and I don't consider it close.

I always feel that, be it out of nationalistic pride or some other reason I can't put my finger on, Japanese wrestling gets unduly looked down on by western fans.

With the exception of... that prat who reviews TNA every week and would like to suck Disco's feet (not that there's anything wrong with that of course, some of my best friends like sucking feet), every single member of this forum seems to dislike it when the WWE (or other wrestling company) goes on a goofy kick and has grown men loose to lepricorns, holds a laxative on a pole match or has one character suddenly turn out to be another characters’ long lost brother who disappeared at sea twenty years ago.

When Japan offers up a product that has all of that goofy crap cut out, people claim it's not entertainment and brush it aside. There is a common misconception amongst the western audience that the Japanese product doesn't have the same kind of story telling that the US has. This is broadly speaking incorrect. We tend to see less evidence of feuds and promos, simply because none of us understand Japanese. Let me assure you that these elements are present, although they eclipse the in ring performances far less frequently.

With a few exceptions, we all have some degree of appreciation for in ring ability. People throw around terms like story-telling and psychology a lot, which I personally think is intelligent people trying to make wrestling sound more intelligent than it is, but for the most part every member of this forum has an appreciation for guys who can go, and dislikes seeing matches with guys who can’t. (If there’s an underground of Khali fans let them speak now of forever hold their peace).

When Japan offers a product that consists 100% of guys who can not old go, but can go better than a lot of the guys across whatever ocean separated the USA and Japan, people brush it aside and claim that there’s no story telling. I’ve never quite got a hold on how a person who doesn’t frequently watch Japanese wrestling and who doesn’t understand Japanese can realistically make a claim of weather or not there is in ring storytelling going on, but since my current conclusion as to why people think that there isn’t any is based upon the fact that other people say that there isn’t any, I’m just going to tell you all that there is, and leave it at that.

Psyche! OK, to add a little more information, the idea of story telling is still there in Japanese matches, and even goes so far as to iron out a lot of the continuity errors that are commonplace in American wrestling. For example, in Japan, it is possible for a match to end from a move other than a finisher. When somebody hits a particularly brutal looking lariat or brain buster and goes for a cover, it might actually lead to a fall. I’m sure somebody will find a reason to scoff at this, but ask yourself this. Does anybody here buy a superplex as a match ender any more? No match has ended with a superplex since Lesnar/Andre, and US wrestling still tries to get a pop from a near fall generated after one. It simply doesn’t work. The move, just like every other non-finisher, non-rollup, has become totally arbetery.

The only argument that I can realistically accept as to why American wrestling can be viewed as superior is that it generates bigger stars. To which I traditionally respond with “Duh”.
American wrestling is broadcast is English and Spanish, languages collectively understood by something like 2,000,000,000 people across the world. WWE is promoted in North and South America, Europe, India, The Middle East (I think) and a significant portion of the rest of the world.
Contrary to this, Japanese wrestling is broadcast only in Japanese, giving it a potential audience of approximately 125,000,000 people. This, for those of you who don’t do maths, is one sixteenth of the number of people. And you express surprise that American stars are bigger than Japanese stars? I think the fact that Japanese wrestling manages to be afforded a level of international significance incredible enough. Compare it to… for example… British wrestling (and I assure my fellow Brits out there that we do have an indy scene round here).

Additionally, Japanese wrestling does what American wrestling has been unable to do. Become nationally significant. Even during the Attitude era it was a brave fan (aged 16 and up) who advertised his fandom of wrestling, and it certainly wasn’t something most people would bring up at a business dinner or when talking to strangers. I’ve reached a level of misanthropy that renders me unable of caring what other people think on any level, and even I don’t advertise my fandom simply because it frequently embarrasses myself. Call me an intellectual snob (I am one for the record, so don’t worry about me feelings) but I can seldom set through a weeks wrestling without a little voice in my head saying “Yee gods, are you really watching this”. Generally I tell the nagging part of my brain that I’m secretly a closet homosexual and that this is my release, at which point I make my left brain uncomfortable enough that… but this really isn’t the point.

The point it that the US and Japan took different routs with regards to the end of Kayfabe. The USA decided to turn pro wrestling into a soap opera, complete with puppets, lingerie contests and stories about who hit who with a car. Japan turned wrestling into athletics, with serious competition still prevalent with regards to who can put on the best match. Both took the view that the old values weren’t going to fly any more, and both became a kind of theatre. But if you’re unwilling to claim that Eastenders or [crappy low brow American TV show I’ve never heard of] is a superior product to… you know, I can’t think of anything we have over here comparable to Japanese wrestling, guess this arguments can go on hold. My point is, the Japanese product is better, and pretty much every argument made against it can be summarized as
“But it’s not WWE!”

I think that’s me done for now. Just for the record, I’m British. I grew up with US wrestling. I still watch US wrestling. And aside from the occasional match, I don’t watch, nor enjoy, New Japan or Dragon’s Gate, simple because I can’t get past the language barrier. I also, because somebody is bound to bring it up, don’t generally watch anything more indy than TNA.

End of post.

 

[Castleraegh]

When i read the title of the thread and voted, my interpretation was not on the wrestlers produced, but the actual status of wrestling in the country, the quality of the fans, etc. In which case, it is between Japan and Mexico.

I believe Mexico would edge Japan out based on the fans, because wrestling is arguably the most notable aspect of Mexican culture. How many people don't hear the word "Mexico" and don't get the image of a masked luchadore in their heads?

Japan though would win if the question was asking where the best place to wrestle was. Hulk Hogan loved wrestling in Japan, Kurt Angle loves wrestling in Japan, Chris Jericho loved wrestling in Japan, Dynamite Kid loved wrestling in Japan, name a name he'd have loved wrestling in Japan (of course, there are exceptions, Steve Austin and The Rock coming to mind).

I really cannot decide between the two. I went with Other in the end.

 

[Mustang Sally]

I think the best wrestlers come from the U.S.

When I first read the category, I thought we were being asked for the country that appreciated wrestling the most. For that, I pick England. When WWE runs shows from the U.K., the crowd reaction is incredible. If you scan the U.S. crowds during a match, there are far too many people that are looking away from the ring. And that doesn't even account for the few who are occupying themselves during matches by talking on their cellphones.

In England, they seem more into what's happening in the ring.

 

[agentmichaelscarn]

I gotta go with the US and its not really close in my eyes. Yes Japan may take their wrestling more seriously but overall their wrestlers arent as famous or as sought after worldwide as american wrestlers. Everybody around the globe that follows wrestling knows who the top American wrestlers are, you cant say the same about Japanese or Mexican wrestlers. Canada has produced alot of great wrestlers themselves but most of them were made famous because they wrestled in an American company and they didnt produce the quanity of wrestlers that the U.S. did so I cant go with them.

Now if we went with what country appreciates their wrestling the most or has the most passionate fans my answer maybe different but if were just talking about who produces most and the best professional wrestlers I gotta say the U.S.