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Post by Shadow Master on Dec 27, 2020 22:06:11 GMT
Next up is the third fictional promotion from Konami's '96 Max Voltage:
BOM (FMW) The roster seems to be inspired by Japanese Deathmatch promotions like FMW, IWA and BJW as well as Michinoku Pro Wrestling.  Bando Nagato (clearly Atsushi Onita) Bacchus Iwai (still not sure on this one) Mister Festival (I think it's Great Sasuke - acrobatic ninja with various flips and kicks) Yagyu Kengoro (The Gladiator Mike Awesome - Has a Powerbomb and mullet) Mister Kraken (Gran Naniwa?) Terror Temjin (Killer Khan - has a similar name and a mongolian chop) Wolf The Tomahawk (still not sure on this one - I think he predates Wolf Hawkfield's Wrestling debut) Abra Kadabra (Tiger Jeet Singh - even has his typical fire attack) Mega King (Probably Big Titan or Road Warrior Animal - have yet to tab his moves out)
Death Bloodman (he reminds me of Big Japan Pro Wrestling's masked Wrestler "Tornado Juice"
could also be Jason The Terrible)
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Post by Shadow Master on Dec 28, 2020 3:30:40 GMT
HAL Wrestling / Pro Wrestling (Gameboy)
HAL Wrestling (known simply as プロレス [Pro-Wrestling] in Japan) is another early Wrestling game released by HUMAN Entertainment.
Unlike HUMAN's timing-based grapple system from the Fire Pro Wrestling series, HAL Wrestling plays and feels more like the spiritual successor to Pro-Wrestling on the Nintendo Entertainment system.
While HAL Wrestling certainly hasn't aged well over the years, it did serve as the first example of a portable Fire Pro-esque game.
 The roster is: Ryu Masaki (Akira Maeda), Kim Riki (Riki Choshu), Yamada Kensuke (Antonio Inoki), King Samson (Stan Hansen), Death Monster (Bruiser Brody), Joker (Road Warrior Animal & Hawk), Super Cyber (Jushin Liger), Big Crusher (Big Van Vader),  Just like Pro-Wrestling on the NES/Famicom, if you defeat all opponents, you will face the hidden boss character Mister Hu (named after HUMAN Entertainment) instead of Great Puma this time around. I'd like to think Mr. Hu was somewhat inspired by Starman.
Speaking of Fire Pro spin-offs:
Jesse The Body Ventura Wrestling Superstars / Thunder Pro-Wrestling Retsuden (Sega Megadrive & Genesis)
The year was 1991 and HUMAN were hard at work at their first Fire Pro title to be released on a Sega console. That game would be Thunder Pro-Wrestling Retsuden.  According to canadianbulldogsworld.com - in the West, Dreamworks snapped up the rights to Retsuden and approached none other than Jesse "The Body" Ventura to be the posterboy for the game. Ventura agreed and Thunder Retsuden became "Jesse The Body Ventura Wrestling Superstars" (Vince must have *loved* the use of "Superstars"). Just one small problem: Vince didn't approve of the endorsement; "The Body approached Vince McMahon and told McMahon that a company proposed the idea to base an entire pro wrestling game around him and he
was going to do it. Apparently Vince wasn't pleased and said, "If you do it; you're finished". Ventura said he responded by saying "Okay, I'm finished." and
promptly left the company.
Once the deal between Ventura and DreamWorks was set, work began to reskin the game and have it feature The Body in all his glory. DreamWorks announced
the game at Winter CES 1991 and began to take out ads in various gaming magazines to promote it. After taking the game with them to Summer CES 1991 and
showing off a few screenshots of it; it was never to be seen or mentioned again."
Let's take a look at the roster to which I'll be providing their Wrestling Superstars and Thunder Retusden aliases:
Sumo Warrior / Mr. Yokozuna (Genichiro Tenryu),
Rockin' / Great Hanagata (Antonio Inoki),
Death Hand / Masked Hell (Jushin Liger),
Storm / Storm Daisuke (Kensuke Sasaki), Blade / Senor King (Jumbo Tsuruta),
Bone Breaker / Buster Ryukiba (Akira Maeda),
Marchin / Masked Typhoon (Super Strong Machine),
Black Jack Jones / Victory Junkie (Stan Hansen) Bomber / Hideaki Zhang (Bam Bam Bigelow), Stan The Man / Ralph Panther (Hulk Hogan) <--a reference to Giant Panther from Pro-Wrestling. Flame / Star Bomber (Big Van Vader)  The only Wrestler not available in Ventura's version is Emperor Ken (Riki Choshu) - which I think HUMAN used to make Ventura's sprite. Also pictured is Emperor Ken's sprite from the Retsuden version.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 28, 2020 6:10:36 GMT
I played through the Jesse Ventura version recently. It's fun but kinda easy.
It's also funny to look at those sprites because I'm sure that (or at least that era of Fire Pro) is where MDickie got the sprites he used as the basis for his early 2D games.
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Post by Shadow Master on Dec 28, 2020 6:54:22 GMT
I played through the Jesse Ventura version recently. It's fun but kinda easy. It's also funny to look at those sprites because I'm sure that (or at least that era of Fire Pro) is where MDickie got the sprites he used as the basis for his early 2D games. Hidden Palace also has the prototype for Super Fire Pro Wrestling 2 on the Super Famicom. I didn't notice any major differences between the proto and the final product. There's also the prototype for Final Bout / Easy Type; but it's just a gameplay demo. Still cool to see the unfinished sprites of Hawk and Keiji Mutoh. Another cool find is the unreleased UWC proto that has just been unearthed after 30 years of obscurity. |
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Post by Deleted on Dec 28, 2020 7:34:05 GMT
That UWC game is an interesting curiosity. I think that might be the only time a few of the wrestlers in it ever appeared in a game, at least under their actual names. I can't think of another one with Stan Lane and Bobby Eaton in it anyway, for example.
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Post by Shadow Master on Dec 28, 2020 11:14:37 GMT
Final Fight and Double Dragon aren't the only beat 'em ups with Pro-Wrestler references. Rival Turf / Rushing Beat (SNES & Super Famicom)
In the Super Famicom version, the first two palette swaps are Sho and Ryu. They even have a Hurricane Kick. In the SNES version, however. They are known as Dingo and Warrior. Put them together and .... The next palettes are Arnold (named after Arnold Schwarzenegger) and Gigante (after El Gigante - better known as Giant Gonzalez).
In the SNES version, these short-statured, side-shaved goons are known as Goro and Kato. Maybe it's a coincidence,
but the name pairing sounds close to Jado and Gedo.
In the Super Famicom version, the heavyset enemy Butch is named Butchy. Perhaps (yet another) reference to Abdullah The Butcher.  The boss of stage 1 (Genie) prepares for battle with some pull-ups.  Genie (known as "Singh" in the Super Famicom version) is Tiger Jeet Singh. Just like facing Sodom / Katana in Final Fight, you can also use Genie's sabre against him!  One of the last bosses (Ice Man on the SNES and Karn on the Famicom) looks strangely familiar. That's because this boss is based on The Destroyer  ...who just happened to learn kickboxing. Power Moves / Deadly Moves / Power Athlete (SNES, Super Famicom, Genesis)
This obscure 2D fighter from 1992 was one of the first "Street Fighter clones" released during the fighting game craze. While it's nowhere near the greatest fighter on the SNES console, the game did offer a RPG-like buildup system, multi-tiered stages, great backdrops and a memorable soundtrack. Compared to the other fighters from Power Moves (who are based off of Street Fighter characters), Warren was always an anomaly to me. 20+ years later, I've developed my own theory.  It's a stretch, but, with his crazed portrait, thick moustache, running attack and various dropkicks, Warren may be based on Stan Hansen. Warren's stage (Hawaii) was also Giant Baba's favourite vacation spot.
Street Fighter
From fightingstreet.com:
Ryu is based on famous Karate master Mas Oyama.  Mas Oyama brought Karate to the mainstream; training under ice cold waterfalls, isolating himself atop of mountains and even travelling around the world to take on different challengers. Sound familiar?  Ryu's American counterpart Ken Masters is based on Joe Lewis. Another famous fighter who was considered one of the greatest by his contemporaries.  Mike Bison (renamed Balrog outside of Japan) is based on "Iron" Mike Tyson. ![]() Zangief is based on a Russian Wrestler of the same name: Viktor Zangiev  Muay Thai fighter Adon is believed to be based on featherweight boxer Naseem Hamed. A cocky fighter known for his arrogance and hooked nose. |
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Post by Deleted on Dec 28, 2020 14:07:36 GMT
I could swear I remember recently seeing someone post a specific picture of Hulk Hogan that was traced for Warren's portrait but I can't seem to find it again right now.
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Post by Shadow Master on Dec 28, 2020 19:16:25 GMT
I could swear I remember recently seeing someone post a specific picture of Hulk Hogan that was traced for Warren's portrait but I can't seem to find it again right now.
Hogan was a possibility, too (I guess the haircut threw me off). The bandana would make since then.
Arm Wrestling (Arcade):
Along with a Sumo Wrestler that looks like Street Fighter's E. Honda, this 1985 arcade title by Nintendo also contains the mysterious Mask X; which is a reference to The Destroyer's alter-ego Doctor X. 
Beast Sapp (PS2)
In the early 2000's, Bob "The Beast" Sapp was HUGE in Japan. Appearing in high profile matches against the likes of Great Muta, Yoshihiro Takayama, Ernesto Hoost, and Mirko Cro-Cop ... lots of merchandise was made in Sapp's likeness. Which also included video games:  To my understanding, "Beast Sapp" is a 2004 PS2 port of a real-life Bob Sapp "pachislot" (pachinko slot machine) found in Japan. Besides pretend gambling, the player is also treated to 3D visuals of Bob Sapp in the ring and eating various foods on the couch.   |
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Post by Staubhold on Dec 28, 2020 21:28:20 GMT
Arm Wrestling (Arcade):
Along with a Sumo Wrestler that looks like Street Fighter's E. Honda, this 1985 arcade title by Nintendo also contains the mysterious Mask X; which is a reference to The Destroyer's alter-ego Doctor X. ...and Mister X is Bald Bull from Punch Out...   |
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Post by Shadow Master on Dec 31, 2020 3:10:24 GMT
Alright, fellow Wrestling video game historians.
The Wild Rings (XBOX):
If Pachinko machines aren't your thing and you're looking for an alternative to King of Colloseum, fret not! This 2004 Japan-only XBOX title is filled to brim with recognizable faces all under different aliases.  Here's a few screens:  Prepare to yob to the Flying Crosschop.  The 8th wonder is putting the boot to this Anime spin-off.  Whether you're going for a knockout or a Karelin Lift, different styles can mix it up in the ring  The full list of The Wild Ring's fake names (and the Wrestlers they are based off of) can be found here: translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=ja&u=http://edit.michikusa.jp/twr-rename.htm&prev=search&pto=aue |
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Post by Shadow Master on Dec 31, 2020 8:07:01 GMT
The final batch of generic Wrestlers in Jikkyou Max Voltage (not counting the generic story mode create-a-character and final boss Max Mercury) is the "REAL'S" Promotion. The REAL'S promotion is based on Fighting Network RINGS. Again, I'm still tabbing out each character's moves, so, here's my thoughts on this batch of characters:  Yu Shiina - Akira Maeda - similar appearance and last name. Has Maeda's Capture Suplex and Wheel Kick. Koji Narumi - Kiyoshi Tamura Kenshiro Wada - Masakatsu Funaki - has koppu/abise kick and lots of submissions. Looks similar. Northern Munenori - Nikolai Vidalski - I'm pretty sure this is Gary Albright. Has a lot of belly to belly, close in colour and has similar facial hair. Judo Concord - I think this is Volk Han. Judo sounds close to Sambo, has blue tights, charismatic taunt, lots of submissions and caused my first critical in the game. Makoto Murakami - Strongly looks like RINGS fighter Mitsuya Nagai. One of Maeda's top stars during the era. Iron Yamagami -
Kaiser Erhard - I think this is Bas Rutten. Bald in game, has tons of powerful kicks (both striking and grappling versions).
Darryl Douglas - Could be Ken Shamrock. Similar appearance and lots of submissions.
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Post by Senator Phillips on Dec 31, 2020 18:55:20 GMT
This really has been a marvelous thread, love it.
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Post by LankyLefty17 on Jan 1, 2021 2:14:48 GMT
I second this. I remain excited every time I see this get updated.
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Post by Shadow Master on Jan 1, 2021 4:43:46 GMT
Thank you, Senator Phillips and LankyLefty17. Truth be told, I was approached by an author years ago who wanted to publish a book on this very subject (a complete list of Wrestler appearances in every video game released to date). Ultimately, we lost contact and I have no idea if the author's book ever made it to Amazon.
If you thought one Wrestler alias was enough for each character, wait until you see the names assigned to these Pokemon.
Pokemon
Since the Pokemon empire also includes video game adaptations, I'm adding these Wrestler references to our archive anyway.
 Starting with the first Wrestler-esque Pokemon: Machop (along with Machop's evolutions) Machoke and Machamp are based on Abdullah The Butcher. Abdullah's signature head scars now have a 3D effect atop the trio's heads. Also, Machoke's arm scars might be a reference to Abdullah's infamous fork attack against Terry Funk's arm in an infamous 1977 AJPW tag match (Butcher & Sheik vs The Funks).   Hitmonlee (left)'s Western name is a culmination of Hit-Monster-Lee - a reference to Bruce Lee. Hitmonlee's Japanese name is Sawamular; which is derived from Tadashi Sawamura, a famous kickboxer. Hitmonlee's Korean name is Sirasomon; the nickname of famed Korean street knight, Yi Sung-sun Likewise, Hitmonchan (Right)'s full name is a reference to Jackie Chan. Hitmonchan's Japanese name is Ebiwalar; which is based on champion boxer Hiroyuki Ebihara.
Hitmonchan's Korean name is Hongsoomon; which is based on Korean boxer Hong Soo-hwan
Interestingly, Hitmonchan's French name is Tygnon (Mike Tyson and "Gnon" - thump).
 This next batch of Pokemon should look familiar to Wrestling fans. That's because Litten, Torracat and it's final evolution: Incineroar are all based on Tiger Mask & Black Tiger Mask. Plus the championship belt made of fire around Incineroar's waist is just downright cool.  The fire fighting type Pokemon Emboar is said to be based on Bam Bam Bigelow. |
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Post by Deleted on Jan 1, 2021 7:59:32 GMT
Truth be told, I was approached by an author years ago who wanted to publish a book on this very subject (a complete list of Wrestler appearances in every video game released to date). Ultimately, we lost contact and I have no idea if the author's book ever made it to Amazon. Would this be Wrestling With Pixels? Also, let's not forget Hawlucha. I don't know if its design is based on a particular luchador, though. |
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