Episode Details

The Attraction Archive – Episode 10: International Legends, Future Champions, and Wrestling's Smallest Giants

The Attraction Archive travels around the wrestling world this week, from legendary Japanese stars and future world champions to one of the most accomplished women ever trained by Sandy Barr and a fascinating collection of little person wrestling attractions whose careers spanned decades.

This episode begins with Kinji Shibuya, one of the territorial era's greatest villains. Although billed as Japanese throughout his career, fans may be surprised to learn he was actually born in Utah. Mike Rodgers explores Shibuya's remarkable career, his time as one of wrestling's biggest stars during the 1960s, and his memorable appearances in Portland alongside names like Haru Sasaki, Jesse Ventura, Bull Ramos, Jimmy Snuka, Don Leo Jonathan, and Dutch Savage.

Next comes one of the most unusual championship stories in Portland wrestling history. Tatsumi Fujinami, already an international superstar, wrestled only two matches in Portland—but somehow managed to win the Northwest Heavyweight Championship in one and lose it in the other, creating one of the shortest and most unique title reigns the territory ever witnessed.

The spotlight then turns to Velvet McIntyre, another graduate of Sandy Barr's wrestling school. Although she wrestled only twice in Portland, she went on to capture both the WWF Women's Championship and the WWF Women's Tag Team Championship, including a career-defining victory over The Fabulous Moolah.

The episode concludes with a look at several memorable little person attractions—Pee Wee Adams, Sonny Boy Hayes, and Little Brutus—whose careers stretched from Portland to some of wrestling's biggest stages, including Shea Stadium, while helping preserve one of wrestling's most unique traditions.

Hosted by Frank Culbertson and based on the historical research of Portland wrestling historian Mike Rodgers, author of The Encyclopedia of Portland Wrestlers.

New episodes of The Attraction Archive drop every Friday on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube.