YCAPS-Gatoh Move Japanese Pro-Wrestling Experience: For The Future

YCAPS-Gatoh Move Pro-Wrestling Experience: For the Future 

Saturday, 31 August 2024, 10:30 am (Tokyo In-Person)

Jeff Mazziotta will lead a YCAPS trip to visit the famous Korakuen Hall in Suidobashi, Tokyo to experience a Japanese Pro-Wrestling “プロレス” show. While many of us are familiar with the American promotion WWE, professional wrestling is popular all around the world and within the professional wrestling community, Japan is just as famous for its プロレス as it is for Sumo or Baseball and wrestlers and fans from around the world come to Japan every year to experience it. Even Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike recently got quite a bit of press attention as in the middle of her election campaign, she got involved in a DDT pro-wrestling match on an active Toden-Arawaka tramline. Clearly, プロレス is well entrenched in Japanese culture and society. 

For this experience, YCAPS has teamed with Japanese promotion Gatoh Move, which is based in Ichigaya just a few blocks away from Japan's Ministry of Defense, to offer a great opportunity to experience this unique aspect of Japanese culture. Thanks to this partnership, YCAPS can offer a limited number of free tickets to attend Gatoh Move’s “For the Future” show. This show will be Gatoh Move’s first event at the legendary Korakuen Hall in over 8 years and a major statement from the family friendly promotion.

*Information about Gatoh Move can be found below

To register, please email jeffmazziotta@ycaps.org The group size will be limited so please RSVP early.

The itinerary for the day is: 

• 10:30 – Meet up at JR Suidobashi Station 
• 10:45 - Doors Open at Korakuen Hall https://www.tokyo-dome.co.jp/en/hall/  
• 11:30 - 13:45 - Enjoy Gatoh Move’s “For the Future” show - Announced Match Lineup Here
• 13:45 – 14:45 –Photos with Wrestlers/chance to buy any merchandise
• 15:00 – 16:30 – Optional drinks/food at Taka To Koro Izakaya(YCAPS will cover 1st drink/person)

What to Expect: Gatoh Move shows are very family friendly and the usual experience not only includes hard-hitting matches, but also equal parts comedy, drama and even the occasional song and dance. They aim to create an environment that anyone can enjoy and even offer special priority for families with children when purchasing merchandise or other aspects of the show. It is an all-ages appropriate show. There are 6 matches currently announced for the event, however things can always change as the event day approaches. Concession stands with food and drinks as well as some vending machines will be available on site at Korakuen Hall for participants to purchase if they would like.

We will also have a chance to meet and talk with some of the performers up close after the show which is an opportunity not to be missed! The guide(Jeff) will provide relevant context and background for participants and help navigate the experience. After the show, there will be an optional opportunity to enjoy food and drinks at local restaurant “ Taka To Koro” which has a special connection to Japanese “Puro” culture (if the space is unavailable, we will select an alternative local restaurant)

The group size will be limited so please RSVP early.

RSVP required: Please confirm your spot via jeffmazziotta@ycaps.org. Space is limited.

Cost: YCAPS will provide admission tickets for the Gatoh Move “For The Future” event and the first drink for each participant at the Izakaya after the show. *Other food, beverages, & souvenirs will be the responsibility of individual participants.*

Host: Jeff Mazziotta, YCAPS Activities Coordinator  

Co-Sponsor: Gatoh Move

Gatoh Move is a promotion that is defined by it's core roster of women wrestlers but also features famous men and women wrestlers from around the world. It is run by legendary Japanese Wrestler Emi Sakura who over the last few years has become more and more popular in the United States as part of the AEW (All Elite Wrestling) promotion. Gatoh Move made a name for itself internationally during the Covid-19 pandemic as an example of how to thrive in a difficult environment for live sports by creating its "Chocolate Pro-Wrestling" Youtube series, offering completely free matches for anyone around the world to watch and enjoy during the pandemic. This series still continues to this day with thousands tuning in every week to enjoy the shows.