Questions about the Yakuza's involvement in Puro.

[Guest Hayabusa Moleman]

I've read the stuff about them in Dynamite Kid's book and I have heard a few references here and there, but I was wondering if anyone knows the whole story?  When did the Yakuza first get involved in wrestling and for what purpose?  Are they just big fans or do they ask for protection money or possibly using wrestling as a cover to launder money?  Are or were they involved with any leagues besides NJPW?  Also, if I remember correctly, I think they may have been involved in Rikidozan's death, any stories on this?

[Guest J*ingus]

I don't have answers to most of your questions, but here's something interesting.  I know a wrestler who worked a couple of tours for W*ING in the early 90's.  He told me that there would be nights when the office told him that, if he was out in the crowd, "if a fan takes a stand against you, LET HIM," because the Yaks were in the audience that night.

[Guest Vyce]

I couldn't give you an answer as to the Yaks involvement in puro, but I believe it's supposed to have be a thing that's been going on for decades.  I believe that Rikidozan was supposedly killed by the Yaks, right?  And that was AGES ago.

[Guest J*ingus]

I think that he was killed by A Yak, but not THE Yaks, it was just some gangster he got into an argument with or something like that.  It happened inside the night club that Riki owned.  The guy stabbed him, but Rikidozan thought he was fine, so he didn't go to the hospital and stayed to entertain his guests, which ended up costing his life due to internal bleeding.  

 

As for other Yakuza connections, they're there, but who knows exactly who.  Tiger Jeet Singh is a probable, and I've heard gang-connected rumors about Inoki as well, but they were just rumors and nothing more.