Editor’s Note: Talos, a member of the National Wrestling Alliance, reached out to Slamwrestling.net recently and informed us he will be doing a tour for the All-Japan Pro Wrestling promotion. Per Talos’ request, certain names have been changed to protect their anonymity. Plus, who are we to argue with a seven-foot giant?
Here is another excerpt of his recent adventures in the Land of the Rising Sun.
By Talos – For Slam Wrestling
Day 28 – Back to your Roots
With a bit of downtime between shows, I decided to link up with some friends the other night—and before I knew it, I was invited to play basketball with them the following morning.
For those who don’t know, my life before wrestling was built entirely around basketball. I played Division I college ball and even went pro in several countries around the world. I officially hung up my sneakers after a run with the Harlem Globetrotters, where I played the lead villain for the Washington Generals. That gig, oddly enough, is what opened the door for me to transition into professional wrestling.
So, to say I was excited to hoop for the first time in Japan? That’s an understatement.
The only catch? It gets hot in Tokyo—and early. Since the courts were outdoors, the crew planned to meet around 7:00 AM to beat the heat. I was up by 5:00 AM. After a quick breakfast, a shower, and packing my gear, I made it to the train station by 5:45. My route took me through the iconic Shibuya Crossing and then on to Yoyogi Park.
Now, suppose you’ve never been to Yoyogi Park. In that case, you can expect this: a massive green oasis tucked right into the heart of Tokyo, with towering trees, open lawns, peaceful walking paths, food stands, and even a few carefully curated gardens. It’s a place where runners, young families, and people just looking to soak in the morning sun gather with coffee in hand and nowhere to be. It felt like Tokyo itself was still stretching and waking up.
I met my friend Dodo (yes, like the bird) at the courts around 7:10 AM. By then, the place was already alive. One court was running a full-on 5-on-5 game, while the other had folks casually shooting around and getting loose. Dodo and I started with some light shooting drills and warm-ups, shaking off the morning stiffness. Not long after, one of the players from the main game walked over and introduced himself.
Turns out, he was a Canadian who’s been living in Japan for the past 20 years. Like me, he used to play pro ball overseas before settling here. After chatting a bit, he invited us to join in. We jumped into a few 5-on-5 games, and man—it all came flooding back. The rhythm, the bounce of the ball echoing off the asphalt, the swish of the net, the bark of defensive calls—it lit up something in me I hadn’t felt in a long time.
We wrapped up with a game of “7s,” a quick-hitter that somehow feels even more competitive when you’re gassed from full-court runs. It reminded me just how much I still love this game, even though my world now revolves around pro wrestling. Basketball may have been my first chapter, but it still finds a way to sneak back in and remind me who I used to be.
After we said our goodbyes and got invited back later in the week (which we’re definitely doing), Dodo took me to a spot called “Mom’s Touch”—a Korean burger joint tucked away nearby. I always feel a little guilty eating burgers in Japan when I’m surrounded by top-tier sushi, ramen, and katsu, but I’ll admit it was solid.
Then came a surprise twist—Dodo had never had Starbucks before. Ever.
So, we made it our mission to change that. We tracked down a nearby location, which happened to be inside the lobby of a building strangely fused with a local bank. The scene was hilarious—suits trying to cut through a coffee-hungry crowd, just trying to get to an ATM. I had my usual Americano; Dodo got an iced latte. We sipped as we strolled back toward Shibuya Station.
We said our goodbyes and went our separate ways. I headed back to the dojo. The rest of the day was routine: a quick meal, some cardio, a nap, a lift session, and a movie to close out the night.
Still, even lying in bed, I couldn’t shake the adrenaline. There’s something about reconnecting with your first love—something that never fully lets you go, no matter how far you’ve come.
Related Links and Stories
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The True Tall Tales of Talos: Touchdown in Tokyo
The True Tall Tales of Talos: “When the Day Comes Looking for You”
The True Tall Tales of Talos: “A Day in the Fire”
The True Tall Tales of Talos: “The Hall of Thunder”
The True Tall Tales of Talos: “A First of Many”
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