11-24-1965: Shohei “Giant” Baba defeated Dick The Bruiser to win the NWA International Heavyweight Title at the Prefectural Gymnasium in Osaka, Japan
Japanese professional wrestling was navigating a period of transition and renewal following the tragic death of its founding father, Rikidōzan, in 1963. Rikidōzan had not only popularized puroresu (Japanese pro wrestling) but had also held the prestigious NWA International Heavyweight Championship, a title recognized by the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA) through its affiliation with the Japan Pro Wrestling Alliance (JWA).
The title became vacant upon his passing, leaving a void in the sport’s hierarchy and creating an opportunity for emerging stars to ascend. Enter Shohei “Giant” Baba, a towering figure at 6’10” who had transitioned from a promising baseball career with the Yomiuri Giants to wrestling after an injury sidelined him. Trained under Rikidōzan himself, Baba had spent time honing his skills in the United States, where he gained popularity as both a heroic giant on the West Coast and a menacing heel in New York, challenging legends like Bruno Sammartino. On the other side of the ring stood Dick the Bruiser, whose real name was William Fritz Afflis Jr., a rugged American wrestler and former NFL player known for his brawling style and unyielding toughness. Bruiser had built a reputation as a multi-time champion in the U.S., including reigns with the AWA and WWA World Heavyweight Titles, and was no stranger to international tours. Their clash on November 24, 1965, in Osaka, Japan, for the vacant NWA International Heavyweight Title would mark a pivotal moment in puroresu history, symbolizing the passing of the torch to a new generation.
