Wrestler appearances in other video games

I think the last one is based off of Los Villanos

At the moment, I am in the process of scanning the super-rare 188 page Fire Pro Wrestling Encyclopedia (1994) by Keibunsha. Like Keibunsha's other
Fire Pro retrospective 'Fire Pro Wrestling Retsuden' (1992), different parts of the guidebook feature actual photographs of real-life Wrestlers.



On page 45, the first Wrestler is none other than Big Van Vader, as he first appeared in Japan under his original mask.



The Fire Pro-Wrestling Encyclopedia also contains more Wrestler illustrations - which, I'm still scanning. These are some of the last illustrations
that were ever included in a Fire Pro guidebook. As the roster for subsequent games grew bigger and bigger, I'm sure the cost of hiring a
graphic artist became too expensive.

Could you imagine 160+ pages dedicated to just Wrestler illustrations in followup guides? Me neither.

WOW! ...and Brutus, Popeye's nemesis...

According to a 1993 interview with Goichi Suda and HUMAN's Public Relations officer Kazuyuki Kumagai, legendary Luchador
El Canek was originally considered to be included as a playable character for Super Fire Pro-Wrestling III Final Bout.

I gotta agree. Kobashi was the final pillar added to the roster; one that, despite being a tag team champion that same year, was
pretty much booked as an underdog up to that point; going on a strategically-placed losing streak beforehand.

Even at Canek's peak in Japan during the 1980's, Mil Mascaras' popularity still overshadowed him it seemed.

Thanks to our friend Kiano, who spotted Hulk Hogan in this Japanese gaming magazine issue promoting an
early look at Fire Pro-Wrestling 3 Legend Bout on the PC Engine from 1992:

All 93 pages of the Fire Pro Joshi All Star Dreamslam Fighting Book from 1994 have been scanned & uploaded for the first time ever.

The guide is crammed with tons of full-colour photos, Wrestler interviews, plus an extensive look at Wrestling moves invented by the Joshi's
from 1981 - 1994!









You can check out this guide cover-to-cover here:

criticalclub.com/thread/1973/fire-joshi-fighting-book-scans?page=1&scrollTo=60734

Famous Pro-Wrestlers in a cutesy, Parodius-style cute 'em up?




No, we're not talking about Abdullah the Butcher's appearance in obscure PC Engine shooter Hana Taaka Daka!
Today's Pro-Wrestling discovery is none other than:

GOD PANIC SHIJO SAIKYO NO GUNDAM




An original article for God Panic from a 1992 issue of Gekkan magazine.



Get too close to these Giant Baba/Antonio Inoki enemies, and they'll extend their boots to kick you. Much the same as Giant Baba's signature Big Boot (16mon Kick
as it's known in Japan).



In stage 5, the player encounters look-alikes of Stan Hansen, Giant Baba/Inoki & a pre-heel turn Hulk Hogan!



The names of the standard enemies appear in the credits as

'Fron Hansen' (Stan Hansen),

Hank Hogan (Hulk Hogan) &

Giantonio Inoba (Giant Baba & Antonio Inoki).





This giant Tiger-esque boss is a recurring character as well. He wears a 'W' championship belt and has a gold and purple variant.

Furthermore, the boss appears at the end of stage 5 along with the other Wrestlers. I believe this boss was based on Tiger Mask &
Tiger's alter-ego Super Tiger from the UWF.



There's even a tribute to Michael Jackson in the form of a moon-walking moon enemy!


Gekkan's game coverage and illustrations for the release of Fire Pro-Wrestling 2nd Bout on the PC Engine.
This article is from 1991:

The illustrations feature the Wrestlers Knack Masakatsu (Masakatsu Funaki), Blade Musha (Great Muta), Atomic Blaster (The Ultimate
Warrior & Star Bison (Stan Hansen).




Special thanks once again to Kiano for finding these scans.