1 00:00:48,417 --> 00:00:52,377 Yoshihiko! Yoshihiko! 2 00:02:22,728 --> 00:02:25,035 Those within the wrestling community would say that 3 00:02:25,078 --> 00:02:28,038 while Mexico is the spiritual center of wrestling, 4 00:02:28,081 --> 00:02:30,562 Japan is the burning heart of it. 5 00:02:30,606 --> 00:02:32,390 This is said because in the last few decades, 6 00:02:32,434 --> 00:02:34,740 Japan has consistently produced wrestling that has 7 00:02:34,784 --> 00:02:37,439 not only pushed the physical bounds and creativity, 8 00:02:37,482 --> 00:02:40,529 but the actual definition of what pro wrestling is and 9 00:02:40,572 --> 00:02:42,705 where it should happen. 10 00:02:42,748 --> 00:02:44,402 So we're going to the outer fringe of this 11 00:02:44,446 --> 00:02:46,274 ever-expanding universe to see 12 00:02:46,317 --> 00:02:50,060 Dramatic Dream Team Wrestling, or DDT. 13 00:02:50,103 --> 00:02:52,062 For years they've been creating events that have 14 00:02:52,105 --> 00:02:54,325 enthralled Japanese audiences and perplexed 15 00:02:54,369 --> 00:02:56,936 foreign ones peering in from the internet. 16 00:02:56,980 --> 00:03:00,897 So prepare yourselves for a journey into the mind of DDT. 17 00:03:00,940 --> 00:03:03,943 First stop, DDT Beer Garden, a weeklong event 18 00:03:03,987 --> 00:03:06,381 where the wrestlers act as servers, wrestlers, 19 00:03:06,424 --> 00:03:10,298 and consumers to the delight of their loyal fans. 20 00:03:15,825 --> 00:03:17,392 Kanpai! 21 00:03:18,828 --> 00:03:20,612 Kanpai! 22 00:03:24,225 --> 00:03:27,184 Oh! 23 00:03:43,287 --> 00:03:47,422 So the man in the far corner in the black trunks is Takagi. 24 00:03:47,465 --> 00:03:51,208 He's the owner of DDT and the founder of it. 25 00:03:51,252 --> 00:03:53,950 Whoa! 26 00:03:53,993 --> 00:03:57,127 Some 20 years ago, he saw that there was 27 00:03:57,170 --> 00:04:00,696 a hole in Japanese pro wrestling for a, for a real 28 00:04:00,739 --> 00:04:04,961 creatively free canvas on which these guys could paint, 29 00:04:05,004 --> 00:04:09,095 so he started Dramatic Dream Team Wrestling, and... 30 00:04:09,139 --> 00:04:11,097 Oh! 31 00:04:11,141 --> 00:04:12,664 As you can see... 32 00:04:12,708 --> 00:04:15,754 it's a very unique place to this day. 33 00:04:30,856 --> 00:04:33,598 You should drink beer. 34 00:04:33,642 --> 00:04:35,948 We gotta drink some beers, apparently. 35 00:08:32,837 --> 00:08:36,058 ♪ Tokyo... ♪ 36 00:08:36,101 --> 00:08:37,494 I want to see you go. 37 00:08:37,538 --> 00:08:44,109 ♪ I want to see you go. I got to make you go. ♪ 38 00:08:44,153 --> 00:08:47,548 ♪ I want to see you go. I want to make you go. ♪ 39 00:08:47,591 --> 00:08:49,114 ♪ I want to see you go. 40 00:08:49,158 --> 00:08:51,639 Go, here we... go! 41 00:08:51,682 --> 00:09:00,082 ♪ Go! Go! Go! 42 00:11:30,275 --> 00:11:32,713 A lot of the branding of DDT is geared towards women, 43 00:11:32,756 --> 00:11:35,628 often utilizing a genre of media specific to Japan 44 00:11:35,672 --> 00:11:37,935 called Yaoi, or boys' love, 45 00:11:37,979 --> 00:11:40,242 as it's known in English. 46 00:11:40,285 --> 00:11:42,766 Yaoi is essentially male homoerotic imagery or 47 00:11:42,810 --> 00:11:46,161 stories created predominantly for female consumption. 48 00:11:46,204 --> 00:11:49,077 It's existed in Japan since the 1970s and 49 00:11:49,120 --> 00:11:50,905 is normally Anime or Manga. 50 00:11:50,948 --> 00:11:53,777 Looking at DDT, and especially Dieno, 51 00:11:53,821 --> 00:11:55,953 from a foreign perspective, it seems like they've been 52 00:11:55,997 --> 00:11:58,129 heavily influenced by Yaoi. 53 00:11:58,173 --> 00:12:00,218 The purest expression of this being DDT 54 00:12:00,262 --> 00:12:03,091 calendars and magazines. 55 00:12:03,134 --> 00:12:09,880 We're going with Dieno right now to record a livestream 56 00:12:09,924 --> 00:12:12,622 where he's gonna play some video games. 57 00:12:23,676 --> 00:12:27,376 - No. - Oh. 58 00:12:28,986 --> 00:12:30,858 - Oh! - Agh! 59 00:12:34,905 --> 00:12:36,777 How often do you go online and play games 60 00:12:36,820 --> 00:12:38,430 with people watching like this? 61 00:12:44,480 --> 00:12:46,743 Can I ask the audience, why is Dieno so awesome? 62 00:12:46,787 --> 00:12:48,397 Why do you like watching Dieno? 63 00:13:09,897 --> 00:13:12,421 Bottom, bottom, bottom. Cute. Gay. 64 00:13:12,464 --> 00:13:14,989 Ah... like, lots of butt stuff. 65 00:13:15,032 --> 00:13:16,817 Lot of butt stuff. 66 00:13:22,823 --> 00:13:24,302 Lips and butt. 67 00:13:26,652 --> 00:13:28,654 For at least the last 15 years, 68 00:13:28,698 --> 00:13:31,396 Dieno has purported to be a quote/unquote, 69 00:13:31,440 --> 00:13:33,659 "aggressively gay wrester," who, 70 00:13:33,703 --> 00:13:35,879 to be honest, uses some pretty offensive stereotypes 71 00:13:35,923 --> 00:13:37,794 to get over with the crowd. 72 00:13:37,838 --> 00:13:39,274 But the crowd eats it up... 73 00:13:39,317 --> 00:13:41,493 and no one seems to really have a handle on who 74 00:13:41,537 --> 00:13:45,019 Dieno is as a real person, making him at once a 75 00:13:45,062 --> 00:13:48,631 very enigmatic and provocative character. 76 00:13:48,674 --> 00:13:50,111 Ah! 77 00:13:50,154 --> 00:13:53,114 Japan is known for such a strong style of wrestling. 78 00:13:53,157 --> 00:13:55,594 What drew you to the style of wrestling that you do? 79 00:15:12,802 --> 00:15:14,369 A lot of the tactics you employ in the ring 80 00:15:14,412 --> 00:15:16,414 could be considered pretty offensive. 81 00:15:16,458 --> 00:15:18,895 How do you feel you represent the gay community 82 00:15:18,939 --> 00:15:21,071 with your wrestling? 83 00:15:39,916 --> 00:15:41,178 Agh! 84 00:15:58,587 --> 00:16:01,111 Agh! 85 00:16:01,155 --> 00:16:04,680 How much of Dieno the person is being represented 86 00:16:04,723 --> 00:16:06,029 by Dieno the character? 87 00:16:14,777 --> 00:16:17,475 He's real gay. 88 00:16:51,205 --> 00:16:52,641 Agh! 89 00:16:59,735 --> 00:17:02,129 Mr. Takagi-san is the controller of the company 90 00:17:02,172 --> 00:17:03,478 in a lot of ways. 91 00:17:03,521 --> 00:17:04,783 What kind of relationship do you have with him, 92 00:17:04,827 --> 00:17:07,221 creatively, and just kind of workwise? 93 00:19:34,933 --> 00:19:37,458 Mr. Takagi, given that international awareness of 94 00:19:37,501 --> 00:19:41,462 DDT is growing by the day, is it dangerous for you to 95 00:19:41,505 --> 00:19:44,334 be putting up the company at such a key time for it? 96 00:20:04,136 --> 00:20:05,877 Ah, Danshoku Dieno marriage. 97 00:20:05,921 --> 00:20:08,097 - Ah, peace in the world. - 98 00:20:12,232 --> 00:20:13,711 Danshoku Dieno marriage. 99 00:20:16,627 --> 00:20:22,372 - Peace! In the world. - 100 00:20:31,033 --> 00:20:33,470 - Konnichiwa. - Konnichiwa. 101 00:20:33,514 --> 00:20:35,516 - Morning. Damian. - Ah, hi. 102 00:20:35,559 --> 00:20:37,039 Nice to meet you. 103 00:20:37,082 --> 00:20:38,736 It's surreal right now to be riding the train with you 104 00:20:38,780 --> 00:20:40,782 'cause the last time I saw you on a train, 105 00:20:40,825 --> 00:20:42,523 you were wrestling people. 106 00:21:02,282 --> 00:21:03,631 Ah! 107 00:21:03,674 --> 00:21:05,328 Oh! 108 00:21:46,021 --> 00:21:50,155 We're about to watch a street match, so... 109 00:21:50,199 --> 00:21:53,768 We're waiting for wrestling... 110 00:21:53,811 --> 00:21:55,465 Outside. 111 00:22:03,821 --> 00:22:05,432 Oh! 112 00:22:20,751 --> 00:22:23,972 The toilet plunge, versus toilet plunger 113 00:22:24,015 --> 00:22:25,930 death match at this point. 114 00:22:31,066 --> 00:22:33,808 Oh! 115 00:22:33,851 --> 00:22:35,418 And now it goes in the ring. 116 00:22:42,817 --> 00:22:44,645 Now a boxing match has broken out. 117 00:22:46,342 --> 00:22:47,604 Oh my! 118 00:23:09,496 --> 00:23:11,193 I don't know what the fuck I just watched. 119 00:23:11,236 --> 00:23:13,064 It was a match that started outside and 120 00:23:13,108 --> 00:23:15,937 ended in a sumo's bathtub. 121 00:23:17,634 --> 00:23:21,421 - Hello, yeah. - Alright. 122 00:23:21,464 --> 00:23:22,857 Let's go to heaven. 123 00:23:22,900 --> 00:23:27,557 This is Toudoukan pro wrestling shop. 124 00:23:27,601 --> 00:23:29,211 - And who's that? - Tiger Mask 125 00:23:29,254 --> 00:23:30,691 Boom. 126 00:23:36,914 --> 00:23:38,176 When you were a kid, 127 00:23:38,220 --> 00:23:39,482 did you buy a lot of wrestling tapes or DVDs? 128 00:23:39,526 --> 00:23:41,919 Yeah, yeah. Rental. Rent. 129 00:23:41,963 --> 00:23:43,443 - Rent them? - Yes. 130 00:23:43,486 --> 00:23:49,492 And, my first watching pro wrestling for the rent video. 131 00:23:49,536 --> 00:23:51,668 It is this video. 132 00:23:51,712 --> 00:23:52,930 - That's the one? - Yes. 133 00:23:52,974 --> 00:23:55,455 - This is what led you... - First video. 134 00:23:55,498 --> 00:23:57,326 - Anoki right there. - Anoki, entire match. 135 00:25:50,134 --> 00:25:52,093 So, did you buy these magazines when you were little? 136 00:25:52,136 --> 00:25:53,224 Yes. 137 00:25:53,268 --> 00:25:56,053 And now, you're in these magazines. 138 00:25:56,097 --> 00:25:57,098 Yes. 139 00:25:57,141 --> 00:25:59,274 And you're so young. It's awesome. 140 00:25:59,317 --> 00:26:02,364 So, first time magazine. 141 00:26:02,407 --> 00:26:05,846 - Front cover. - Look at this. 142 00:26:05,889 --> 00:26:08,500 - Me. - 143 00:26:30,871 --> 00:26:32,133 Few wrestlers on the planet are more 144 00:26:32,176 --> 00:26:34,396 critically acclaimed than Kota Ibushi. 145 00:26:34,439 --> 00:26:38,008 While publically his star has shone most brightly in Japan, 146 00:26:38,052 --> 00:26:40,184 his global influence on the current generation of 147 00:26:40,228 --> 00:26:43,231 up and coming wrestlers can't be overstated. 148 00:26:43,274 --> 00:26:46,756 His matches with Kenny Omega at DDT are the stuff of legend, 149 00:26:46,800 --> 00:26:49,629 helping to propel both wrestlers and the company 150 00:26:49,672 --> 00:26:51,195 to the vanguard of wrestling. 151 00:26:52,762 --> 00:26:55,286 Recently Kota has distanced himself from DDT, 152 00:26:55,330 --> 00:26:57,593 preferring to be a free agent with no contractual 153 00:26:57,637 --> 00:27:00,683 obligation to any one single company. 154 00:27:00,727 --> 00:27:02,685 To say that I'm excited to meet Kota Ibushi 155 00:27:02,729 --> 00:27:04,687 would be a gross understatement. 156 00:27:04,731 --> 00:27:06,863 He's one of my all-time favourite wrestlers and a 157 00:27:06,907 --> 00:27:09,649 big reason why I've followed Japanese wrestling. 158 00:27:14,566 --> 00:27:18,527 Yeah! Yeah! 159 00:27:18,570 --> 00:27:19,571 Again. 160 00:27:19,615 --> 00:27:21,878 Agh! Agh! 161 00:27:27,231 --> 00:27:29,190 What is the type of wrestler that you think you are? 162 00:27:29,233 --> 00:27:30,670 How do you define yourself as a wrestler? 163 00:29:41,322 --> 00:29:44,281 I think the thing that always strikes me 164 00:29:44,325 --> 00:29:45,935 about wrestling is there's almost a, 165 00:29:45,979 --> 00:29:49,373 a deep-rooted conservativism to it that there's 166 00:29:49,417 --> 00:29:52,159 very similar end 167 00:29:52,202 --> 00:29:54,204 they want to get to the biggest company in America, 168 00:29:54,248 --> 00:29:56,424 or they want to get to the biggest company in Japan, 169 00:29:56,467 --> 00:29:58,295 or the biggest company in Mexico. 170 00:29:58,339 --> 00:29:59,949 I guess... 171 00:29:59,993 --> 00:30:01,995 having been at these biggest companies, 172 00:30:02,038 --> 00:30:03,605 what motivates you, still? 173 00:30:42,383 --> 00:30:45,690 I've always felt for something to become a true art form, 174 00:30:45,734 --> 00:30:47,649 the means of production have to be 175 00:30:47,692 --> 00:30:49,346 in the hands of the artist. 176 00:30:49,390 --> 00:30:51,261 Do you think we're at that point now in wrestling? 177 00:32:04,900 --> 00:32:06,467 Ryogoku Sumo Hall is one of 178 00:32:06,510 --> 00:32:08,860 the most famous arenas in the world. 179 00:32:08,904 --> 00:32:11,776 Traditionally the epicenter of Japanese sumo wrestling, 180 00:32:11,820 --> 00:32:15,693 this 11,098-capacity venue is now often used 181 00:32:15,737 --> 00:32:17,913 for professional wrestling as well. 182 00:32:17,957 --> 00:32:20,002 This mainstage is steeped in tradition, 183 00:32:20,046 --> 00:32:23,049 protocol, and order, but for one night a year... 184 00:32:23,092 --> 00:32:24,615 Peter Pan. 185 00:32:24,659 --> 00:32:26,226 It is on this night that Takagi's brain child 186 00:32:26,269 --> 00:32:30,012 comes to life and terrorizes these hallowed halls. 187 00:32:30,056 --> 00:32:31,666 It must be pretty exciting getting to watch 188 00:32:31,709 --> 00:32:33,581 dad wrestle tonight. 189 00:32:33,624 --> 00:32:35,844 There's a lot of stakes tonight riding on this match. 190 00:32:35,887 --> 00:32:37,933 Are you nervous at all about this? 191 00:32:48,465 --> 00:32:51,773 Part of what makes DDT so popular with its fan base 192 00:32:51,816 --> 00:32:54,819 is its long lasting and complex story lines. 193 00:32:54,863 --> 00:32:56,952 I'm meeting up with Hanae at Peter Pan to get a 194 00:32:56,996 --> 00:33:00,564 super fan's perspective on the in-ring action. 195 00:33:00,608 --> 00:33:01,783 Plus, I need someone to help me understand 196 00:33:01,826 --> 00:33:03,872 what the hell is going on. 197 00:33:09,834 --> 00:33:12,489 Today's match between Takagi and Dieno is billed as 198 00:33:12,533 --> 00:33:14,622 a timed weapons death match. 199 00:33:14,665 --> 00:33:16,928 Each wrestler has pre-selected a series of 200 00:33:16,972 --> 00:33:18,800 weapons specifically designed to inflict 201 00:33:18,843 --> 00:33:21,803 maximum damage to their opponent. 202 00:33:21,846 --> 00:33:24,066 If Dieno loses, he'll be forced to marry a 203 00:33:24,110 --> 00:33:26,286 life partner of Takagi's choosing. 204 00:33:26,329 --> 00:33:28,853 But if Takagi loses, Dieno gains 205 00:33:28,897 --> 00:33:31,639 creative control of the company. 206 00:33:47,133 --> 00:33:49,961 Yay! 207 00:34:01,930 --> 00:34:06,108 Dieno! Dieno! 208 00:34:16,684 --> 00:34:18,512 - Ah! - Oh! 209 00:34:42,753 --> 00:34:45,147 Agh! 210 00:35:11,608 --> 00:35:13,480 Ah! Ah! Ah! 211 00:35:32,107 --> 00:35:34,544 - Oh, no. - Wow! Oh my God. 212 00:35:34,588 --> 00:35:36,416 He's gonna smash it. 213 00:35:48,558 --> 00:35:51,909 They are gay. They are real gay. 214 00:35:55,652 --> 00:35:57,785 Now they're assaulting Takagi. 215 00:35:57,828 --> 00:35:59,395 One of the guy's doing a blow job, 216 00:35:59,439 --> 00:36:01,180 it looks like, to Takagi. 217 00:36:19,763 --> 00:36:22,157 - Now they're raping a man. - Yes. 218 00:36:36,345 --> 00:36:38,260 Oh my God, look at Takagi-san. 219 00:36:38,304 --> 00:36:41,829 - Wow! - He's stripping. 220 00:36:59,020 --> 00:37:01,370 - Who's that woman? - Dieno's mother. 221 00:37:01,414 --> 00:37:03,720 - Dieno's mom. - Mother. Dieno's mother. 222 00:37:35,839 --> 00:37:37,537 Oh! 223 00:37:54,771 --> 00:37:58,993 Takagi's wife. 224 00:37:59,036 --> 00:38:01,822 Whoa. 225 00:38:01,865 --> 00:38:04,433 I met her before this. I had no idea. 226 00:38:15,052 --> 00:38:18,012 Agh! 227 00:38:42,993 --> 00:38:45,387 - Oh... what's she gonna...? - Wow! 228 00:38:45,431 --> 00:38:46,388 Is she gonna do a moonsault? 229 00:38:46,432 --> 00:38:49,173 What's she doing? 230 00:38:51,088 --> 00:38:53,613 Oh! Shit! 231 00:39:02,230 --> 00:39:04,450 Takagi's wife did a fucking moonsault. 232 00:39:07,409 --> 00:39:10,456 And now Dieno runs DDT. 233 00:40:18,088 --> 00:40:21,265 I'm gonna miss Japan. I'm gonna miss it here. 234 00:40:25,356 --> 00:40:26,880 Huge weekend for ya. 235 00:40:33,147 --> 00:40:34,496 But this was not like every other year, 236 00:40:34,540 --> 00:40:37,412 because you walked away in control of the company. 237 00:40:47,030 --> 00:40:48,815 I think you're probably aware of this, 238 00:40:48,858 --> 00:40:51,687 that you're one of the most controversial characters 239 00:40:51,731 --> 00:40:54,255 in DDT for international audiences. 240 00:41:13,579 --> 00:41:15,798 There's this moment for DDT right now of 241 00:41:15,842 --> 00:41:18,192 international expansion, DDT Universe, 242 00:41:18,235 --> 00:41:19,846 of course, going worldwide. 243 00:41:19,889 --> 00:41:23,284 Is there any need to address this international audience 244 00:41:23,327 --> 00:41:25,373 or is more just kind of keeping what you're doing? 245 00:43:13,133 --> 00:43:15,222 It's a huge honour to get to do this. 246 00:43:15,265 --> 00:43:17,920 I was hoping I'd get to meet you before I left. 247 00:43:22,229 --> 00:43:23,578 Well, I don't know if you're aware of this, 248 00:43:23,622 --> 00:43:26,886 but you're a lot of people's first exposure to DDT 249 00:43:26,929 --> 00:43:30,193 internationally because you've become subject to 250 00:43:30,237 --> 00:43:32,848 more than one viral video at this point. 251 00:43:32,892 --> 00:43:35,546 Are you kind of aware of this, you know, 252 00:43:35,590 --> 00:43:38,288 ambassador for DDT role that you kind of play? 253 00:43:49,865 --> 00:43:52,128 And I guess the last thing I really wanted to know is, 254 00:43:52,172 --> 00:43:53,913 what's your workout regime?