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 19 – Birthday in the Land of the Rising Sun

June 17th in Japan, and this one’s a little different—today I turned 34. We’re in between shows at the moment, so I decided to keep things low-key until the weekend, when I might have time to celebrate properly.

I let myself sleep in for once, skipping cardio, weights, and even my Japanese lesson. Instead, I gave myself the day off—completely. I headed down the street to a local shopping center that spans two floors, with the entire ground level dedicated to a supermarket. Navigating Japanese grocery stores is always a little disorienting for me. I’m still not used to seeing so many unfamiliar vegetables, and the snack aisle reads like a fever dream—shrimp-flavored potato chips, taro yogurt, and drink flavors I can’t even begin to describe.

But today it wasn’t about exploring the strange—it was about treating myself. I picked up some of the best stuff Japan has to offer: A5-grade Wagyu beef. Along with that, I grabbed ingredients to make mashed potatoes and sautéed broccoli, plus a small bottle of champagne and a slice of fancy cake to round it all out.

Even the checkout process felt like part of the experience. First, you bring your cart to an attendant who scans everything; then, you walk over to a separate kiosk, similar to a sleek, vertical ATM, to handle the payment. After that, you bag your groceries yourself at a table nearby. Efficient, but definitely a few extra steps compared to back home.

By the time I stepped outside again, the weather had taken a turn; it’s officially hot. It feels like summer hit overnight. In the last 72 hours, the temperature jumped at least 20 degrees. I made the walk home with my bag of birthday treats and threw together a little appetizer: pan-fried dumplings and some crispy spring rolls. With that in hand, I headed upstairs, put on a movie, and made a few calls to friends and family back home. It felt good to hear their voices.

Around 7 p.m., Stan showed up at the dojo after a long day handling visa paperwork in Tokyo. That was my cue—it was time to cook.

If you’ve never made your own A5 Wagyu steak, let me tell you, it’s a whole different beast compared to anything you’ve ever thrown on a grill in the States. The marbling is unreal—it looks like someone painted fat into the meat by hand. It only takes about two minutes per side in the pan, and by the time it’s done, it’s sitting in a rich pool of its own buttery fat. It’s tender enough to cut with a fork and practically melts in your mouth.

I capped off the night with that bottle of champagne, a slice of cake, and a deep, satisfying exhale. It might not have been a wild party, but it was exactly the kind of birthday I wanted.

Here’s to 34, from the heart of Japan.

Day 20 — “The Hall of Thunder”

First day of 34, and what a way to kick it off.

Today wasn’t just another match on the road — it was my Tokyo debut. But more than that… it was my first time ever stepping inside Korakuen Hall. And if you know wrestling, you know that name carries serious weight.

For those unfamiliar, let me paint the picture. Korakuen Hall opened back in the 1960s, nestled right next to the Tokyo Dome. It holds just a little over 2,000 people, but don’t let that number fool you. This place has hosted Olympic boxing, world championship fights, and some of the most legendary wrestling matches in Japanese history. It’s a proving ground. A shrine. Japan’s version of Madison Square Garden;  only tighter, older, louder.

From the outside, you can tell the building’s been through some decades. It’s got character. Worn corners. Faded edges. But it’s taken care of — preserved, not forgotten.

We pulled into the underground parking around 2 PM, a bus full of wrestlers packed in with gear and nerves. The halls leading to the locker room were narrow, painted in aged tan, with that familiar scent of sweat, old concrete, and bleach. Clean, but lived in. Like the walls had soaked up decades of fight night energy.

And tonight?

We packed it. Full house. Standing room only. And honestly, I love that kind of crowd. Small venue, big sound. When the walls are close and the roof’s low, the energy doesn’t escape — it slams into you. You feel the roars. You breathe the tension. It’s like the entire building leans in for every move, every moment. It buzzes.

Talos rolls up to Korakeun Hall with his crew. Photo Credit: Talos

The bell rang at 6:30 PM sharp. First up — an eight-man tag. My crew and I squared off against a squad of junior heavyweights. Fast-paced, high-flying chaos. But the real moment of the night came after.

I stood in the center of that historic ring and made the challenge — July 17th, in this very building, Hokuto and I will fight for the All Japan World Tag Team Championships. One month from today. One shot at something real.

Oh — and yeah, I cut my first promo in Japanese too. Loud and proud in front of that Korakuen crowd:

「わたしは チャンピオンの なりたいです！！！」

(Watashi wa chanpion no naritai desu!)

“I want to become a champion!”

And believe me — I do.

Related Links and Stories

Daisy Kill and Talos making giant music in the NWA
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”

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