週刊プロレス Weekly Pro Wrestling No.749 1996 Takada UWF Sasuke WWF Raw SummerSlam

Publication: 週刊プロレス (Weekly Pro Wrestling)

Publisher: ベースボール・マガジン社 (Baseball Magazine Sha)

Issue: No. 749 — 第47号 第49号 通巻1184号

Cover Date: August 27, 1996 (平成8年8月27日発行)

Price at Publication: 400円

Format: Standard weekly issue — "BEST WRESTLING 1996" badge visible on cover

Cover Story

The cover features a confident candid portrait of Nobuhiko Takada in a white polo shirt, arms crossed, looking directly into the camera. The main headline reads:

「最強ロードふたたび」

"The Strongest Road, Once Again"

A top banner announces: 「衝撃告白！工藤めぐみ、来春引退…」 — "Shocking Confession! Megumi Kudo to Retire Next Spring…" and a side note indicates a 「巻頭カラー・インタビュー 高田延彦」 — "Lead Color Interview: Nobuhiko Takada." A key shoot-style era document centered on Takada's return to dominance.

Inside Content

Nobuhiko Takada — Lead Color Interview

The anchor feature of this issue. Nobuhiko Takada speaks in an exclusive color interview about his path back to the top of shoot-style wrestling, framed by the headline "The Strongest Road, Once Again." The cover portrait is a high-quality candid photo, giving the issue a personal, magazine-style feel. Essential for UWF/RINGS/shoot-style collectors and Takada fans.

WWF — SummerSlam '96 Preview & Raw Is War Coverage

Full-color spread — photo credit: Cage Nakayama — headlined: 「夏の大一番『サマースラム'96』直前情報 新顔F・アサードとは、いったい何者？」 — "Pre-Event Report on Summer's Big Show 'SummerSlam '96' — Who Exactly is Newcomer F. Assad?" Features prominent color photography of Shawn Michaels (WWF Champion, in denim jacket with title belt) and "Sycho" Sid on the Raw Is War set, with multiple ringside match photos. References the WWF SummerSlam '96 card including Vader vs. Shawn Michaels main event. Mentions Owen Hart, Brian Pillman ("Flyin' Brian" — noted for his interview appearance), and the newcomer F. Assad (Farooq). Strong crossover appeal for Western WWF mid-1990s collectors — Shawn Michaels color photography is always a draw (p. 114).

Great Sasuke — Junior 8-Title Unification Feature

Full-color spread: 「サスケがジュニア8冠を統一！9・23横アリで大谷と防衛戦」 — "Sasuke Unifies 8 Junior Titles! Defends Against Otani at Yokohama Arena September 23!" Striking full-page color photo of Great Sasuke posing with all 8 championship belts simultaneously — a visually spectacular and historically significant image. Lists all 8 titles held including J-Crown, WWA, NWA, and others. References his upcoming defense against Shinya Otani and notes Sasuke's lineage from Dragon/Lucha-style junior wrestling. The J-Crown 8-belt unification was one of the most talked-about moments in mid-1990s junior heavyweight history (p. 96).

Battle Luga / Shoot-Style League Coverage

Color feature: 「旗揚げ戦での言葉はダテじゃなかった 小野、敗れるも精神面でカールを圧倒！」 — "His Words at the Inaugural Show Were No Bluff — Ono Falls But Mentally Dominates Carl!" Coverage of Takashi Ono in Battle Luga shoot-style league action against Carl (C. Greco), with league standings table showing results for Hida Tadayoshi, Tanaka, Ono Takeshi, A. Osaka, and C. Greco. Multi-photo match sequence with shoot-style ground work prominently featured (p. 24).

Condition

Good to Very Good. Cover shows moderate edge wear and light creasing, with a small amount of cover tanning consistent with a 1996 weekly stored in typical conditions. Spine intact. Interior pages appear clean with strong color reproduction. No visible tears, writing, or missing pages noted from photos.