週刊プロレス Weekly Pro Wrestling No.801 1997 NJPW NWO Choshu Retirement FMW Sasuke

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. 801 — 第43号 第10号 通巻1196号

Cover Date: July 8, 1997 (平成9年7月8日発行)

Price at Publication: 460円

Format: Standard weekly issue — "BEST WRESTLING 1997" badge visible

Cover Story

The cover features a brooding close-up of a heavyset NJPW wrestler in a black leather jacket — identifiable in context as an nWo Japan-affiliated star — with the defiant headline:

「いまこそ見失うな、新日本の精神！」

"Now More Than Ever, Don't Lose the Spirit of New Japan!"

A top banner announces the major industry news: 「長州引退決定！8・31横浜アリーナでメモリアル興行」 — "Choshu Retirement Decided! Memorial Show at Yokohama Arena August 31!" — a landmark announcement for one of Japanese wrestling's most iconic careers.

Inside Content

Riki Choshu Retirement Interview Feature

Lead color interview feature (p. 4): 「最後に"彼"に言いたいのは感謝ですよね」 — "In the End, What I Want to Say to 'Him' is Thank You." Riki Choshu speaks in a candid portrait interview about his retirement decision, his feelings toward his career and colleagues, and his future schedule. His upcoming appearance dates are listed in a sidebar box. A historically significant document — Choshu's retirement was a major event in Japanese wrestling and this is the primary announcement issue (p. 4).

NJPW — nWo Japan Chaos Feature

Color spread (p. 8): Coverage of nWo Japan activity featuring Shinya Hashimoto, Keiji Mutoh, and the nWo roster in match action. Multiple color photos showing nWo branding, referee interference, and faction warfare. Commentary references the nWo's impact on NJPW's identity — tied directly to the cover headline about preserving "the spirit of New Japan." nWo Japan shirts and branding prominently visible (p. 8).

FMW — Shin FMW Inaugural Show Feature

Color spread (p. 38): 「真FMW旗揚げ戦第1試合 鬼に挑むはこの男 新山の上に後藤 新山の中にFMW」 — "Shin FMW Inaugural Show Match 1 — This Man Challenges the Demon — Above Niiyama is Goto, Inside Niiyama is FMW!" Documents the debut/reformation show of Shin FMW featuring Goto vs. Niiyama as the opening match, with cage structure visible and Hayabusa appearing ringside. Full match sequence photography at Kawasaki Stadium (p. 38).

Great Sasuke / W★ING — 八十八礼所 Feature

Color spread (p. 132): 「あの勝負が甦る！」 — "That Match is Revived!" Documents a rematch between Great Sasuke and 八十八 (Hachijuhachi) / W★ING veteran, with Sasuke executing a spectacular moonsault from the ropes in the main photo. Multiple inset photos showing Sasuke's aerial sequences and post-match scenes. References the original match and its significance to both wrestlers' careers (p. 132).

Condition

Visually Very Good. Cover shows light edge wear and minor corner creasing consistent with a 1997 weekly. Spine intact. Interior pages clean with strong color reproduction throughout. No visible tears, writing, or missing pages noted from photos.