"Mr. Perfect" Curt HennigPhotos
WWE's forgotten Japanese super shows: photos
In the early '90s, WWE presented a series of major events in the Tokyo Dome in conjunction with some of Japan's biggest promotions. Check out rarely seen photos from these shows with Superstars like Ultimate Warrior and Hulk Hogan battling Japan's best!
In the early ’90s, WWE presented three massive events in Japan’s Tokyo Dome.
Wrestling Summit in 1990 and 1991’s WrestleFest and SuperWrestle saw WWE Superstars take on some of Japan’s best.
More than 64,000 fans came to the Tokyo Dome on March 30, 1991, to experience WrestleFest.
WrestleFest’s main event featured Hulk Hogan teaming with Japanese legend Genichiro Tenryu to battle Legion of Doom.
Randy Savage battled Japan’s George Takano in another major matchup.
There were also marquee WWE matches, including Ultimate Warrior battling Sgt. Slaughter.
WWE Superstars like Jimmy Snuka were able to experience the local culture during WWE’s Japanese tours.
Earthquake and Koji Kitao were involved in an infamous match in Japan.
The WrestleFest event was presented in conjunction with an upstart promotion called Super World of Sports.
Genichiro Tenryu, formerly of All Japan Pro Wrestling, was the company’s star.
SWS was bankrolled by a Japanese eyeglass manufacturer called Megane Super.
Although an upstart promotion, they were able to attract top Japanese stars and cultivate a relationship with WWE.
WrestleFest was a hugely successful venture for both WWE and SWS.
WWE's first major event at the Tokyo Dome occurred on April 13, 1990.
Dubbed the Wrestling Summit, the historic event featured a showdown between Bret Hart and Tiger Mask II.
After dropping the Tiger Mask II persona, the late Mitsuharu Misawa became one of Japan’s most respected performers.
Andre the Giant teamed with Japanese icon Giant Baba at the event to beat Demolition.
The Wrestling Summit was presented in conjunction with All Japan Pro Wrestling, one of Japan’s two big promotions.
Randy Savage lost to Genichiro Tenryu at the event.
Haku teamed with powerhouse Jumbo Tsuruta to battle Mr. Perfect & Rick Martel.
In the show’s main event, Hulk Hogan brawled with the dangerous Stan Hansen.
Hansen’s brutality made him one of the top American stars in Japan.
Ultimate Warrior defended his WWE Title against The Million Dollar Man at the Wrestling Summit.
WWE’s third big Tokyo Dome show, SuperWrestle, happened on Dec. 12, 1991.
The show was headlined by a match pitting Hulk Hogan against Genichiro Tenryu.
SuperWrestle was also co-promoted by SWS.
More than 40,000 fans turned out for the event.
Rick Martel competed for the vacant SWS Light Heavyweight Title at the show.
The Rockers came up short against brother George & Shunji Takano.
