週刊プロレス Weekly Pro Wrestling No.744 1996 Kimo UWF WCW Sting Giant Sasuke Lucha

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. 744 — 第42号 第35号 通巻1139号

Cover Date: July 30, 1996 (平成8年7月30日発行)

Price at Publication: 430円

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

Cover Story

The cover features a face-to-face candid portrait of Yasushi Yamazaki (安生洋二) and Kimo — a striking visual contrast between the lean Japanese shoot-style fighter in a Hawaiian shirt and the imposing tattooed Kimo in a white tee. The headline reads:

「水と油の化学反応」

"The Chemical Reaction of Water and Oil"

A side banner announces: 「安生VSキモ、9・11神宮で一騎打ち」 — "Yamazaki vs. Kimo, One-on-One at Jingu September 11!" A top banner adds: 「三沢＆秋山、世界タッグ会心のV2！」 — "Misawa & Akiyama — Brilliant V2 World Tag Defense!" This is a key shoot-style crossover document featuring Kimo, known to Western fans from his UFC appearances.

Inside Content

Kimo vs. Yamazaki — U-Inter Shoot-Style Feature

Opening color spread (p. 4): 「桜庭、突撃！」 — "Sakuraba, Charge!" Coverage of Kimo in U-Inter action, with extensive match photography showing Kimo's distinctive tribal tattoos prominently. Features Kazushi Sakuraba making a surprise appearance at the venue — an early document of Sakuraba in a competitive context. Commentary discusses Kimo's UFC background and crossover appeal to Japanese shoot-style fans. This page alone is significant for MMA/UFC history collectors — Kimo and early Sakuraba content in the same spread (p. 4).

All Japan — Kobashi & Akiyama Relationship Feature

Full-page color portrait: 「"熱血"が溶かした小橋と秋山の"緊張関係"」 — "The 'Hot Blood' That Melted the Tense Relationship Between Kobashi and Akiyama." Striking post-match handshake photo of Kenta Kobashi and Jun Akiyama — sweaty and emotional, reaching across to each other — a powerful image for All Japan collectors documenting the evolving dynamic between these two legends (p. visible).

WCW — New York Paramount Show Coverage

Full-color spread (p. 84) — photo credit: Cage Nakayama — headlined: 「WCWが3年ぶりのNYエリア進出 メインは超定番フレアー・サベージ」 — "WCW Returns to the NY Area for the First Time in 3 Years — Main Event is the Classic Flair vs. Savage!" Coverage of WCW's Paramount Theater New York show (attendance noted as 5,000), featuring The Giant (Big Show) vs. Sting as documented match photography with The Giant applying a Body Scissors. Multiple smaller photos showing Lex Luger, Ric Flair, and arena exterior. WCW World Championship Wrestling logo prominently displayed. Strong crossover appeal for Western WCW collectors (p. 84).

Great Sasuke — Mexico Color Feature

Full-color spread (p. 126): 「メヒココールがサスケコールへ 日本流ルチャが堂々、故郷に凱旋！」 — "The 'Mexico' Chant Becomes the 'Sasuke' Chant — Japanese-Style Lucha Returns Triumphantly to Its Homeland!" Documents Great Sasuke's tour of Mexico, with vivid arena photography showing Sasuke competing in a large Mexican venue with Pepsi and La Cerveza signage visible. Trophy/title presentation ceremony photos. Match result box listing Sasuke, Casas, El Satanico, Taka Michinoku, and others. Sasuke quoted discussing his connection to Mexican wrestling culture. Exceptional lucha libre / Japan crossover content (p. 126).

Condition

Good to Very Good. Cover shows moderate edge wear with light creasing at corners and minor scuffing at lower right — consistent with a stored 1996 weekly. Spine intact. Interior pages clean with strong color reproduction. No visible tears, writing, or missing pages noted from photos.