NOW STREAMING ALL 75 HOUR-LONG EPISODES OF "BUSHIDO: WAY OF THE WARRIOR"

In the early 1980's a group of wrestlers electrified the Japanese pro-wrestling scene. At the height of their popularity they quit pro-wrestling and joined a new promotion called the U.W.F. Their style was called "SHOOTING" (and old wrestling term for when you mean to really do someone in).

Combining elements of kickboxing, Sambo, jiu-jitsu, and catch-as-catch-can wrestling into a new exciting, dangerous and deadly promotion, they began moving professional wrestling away from the theatrics and back toward sport. The addition of kicks and hitting created more action than had ever been seen before.

Some of the members found the fighting too physically grueling and injury inducing. They retired from the ring or they went back to the pro-wrestling circuit. The remaining fighters regrouped and quickly rose to great popularity. At their peak they were able to sell out the 50,000+ seat Tokyo Dome in three hours (a feat the even UFC hasn't matched). People lined up the day before and slept in the streets to see them.

Former real wrestling greats and fighters came to Japan and passed their style of wrestling to the eager, young fighters.

The UWFi shoot-style wrestling promotion gave many fans their first glimpse of martial art legends like:

...the promotion was lent help by legends Lou Thesz (acting commissioner of UWF),
Billy Robinson (head coach), and Danny Hodge (coach)!

The Rules:

A fight is won by knockout, submission, Doctor/referee order stop or points. The point system works as follows: Opponents start with a set number of points. In a singles match it is 15 and in a tag team match it is 21 points.

One point is deducted when a man grabs the rope to stop the action. One point is deducted for a good suplex (a take-down from behind throwing the opponent on his back and head, a dangerous, painful move). Three points are deducted on a colored scoreboard as the fight is in progress for a knockdown.

Some offensive tactics are prohibited: you cannot headbutt, punch to the head with a closed fist (to the body, however, is ok), scratch, bite, eye gouge or attack the groin. Pretty much everything else is allowed.

You can slap or use the heel of the hand to the head. Time limits are set to between 20 and 60 minutes, but fights rarely go to the limit. When a fighter has both hands and knees on the ground, an opponent may attack to anywhere but the head. If even one hand is raised, the head may be attacked.

When a submission hold is applied, the referee pays close attention as it is very dangerous. It is easy to break bones, snap tendons and joints with such tactics. The referee will break the action if an opponent submits and will award the fight to the winner.

If a fighter grabs the ropes, the referee stops the action and a point is deducted. That's why you see a fighter try to get his opponent in the middle of the ring so he can't escape. If the wrestlers naturally roll into the ropes, action is stopped and points are not deducted. A 10 count is given for a knockdown, as in boxing.

However, point wins were rare since the wrestlers, despite how far behind on points, could still win by simply submitting their opponent (in a tag match, the legal opponent) or knocking them out cold.

The commitment to brutal realism was instrumental in the UWFi becoming the smashing success that it did. In fact, Thesz and Takada offered legitimate challenges to other Japanese Pro Wrestling promotions (like New Japan Pro Wrestling) and Takada took on genuinely tough men such as Russian wrestler (and former IWGP Heavyweight Champion) Salman Hashimikov, and fought former WBC Heavyweight Champion Trevor Berbick (in one of the most bizarre shoots in modern history. It really has to be seen to be believed)

With countless hours of fight footage, you will be shocked, amazed and entertained.

UWFi ROSTER