Episode 158: Pro Wrestlers and Beckoning Cats (Maneki-neko)
24 September, 2026
The new series: 【Pro Wrestlers and 〇〇】. The theme for this 4th edition is "Beckoning Cats" (Maneki-neko). Now, now, President... Surely this has absolutely zero connection to pro wrestling, right? To those of you who wanted to throw that jab at me:
Fufufu ♪ In truth, there is a deep, inseparable commonality between the "pose of a beckoning cat" and a "pro wrestler."
Speaking of beckoning cats, did you know that the meaning changes depending on which paw they hold up? Yeah, I also learned that for the very first time (laughs).
Generally, a cat raising its right paw is said to invite "financial fortune (money)," while a cat raising its left paw invites "people (customers)."
When I heard this story, it hit me like a bolt of lightning. Isn't this literally the "ideal form" of a pro wrestler, as well as an event promotion?! (A leap of logic)
Inside the ring, a pro wrestler forcefully thrusts their right arm straight up into the air, or spreads both arms wide to whip the audience into a frenzy. I myself, during my active ring days, thrust up my right arm as if there were no tomorrow, shouting "I love you--!!"
At that exact moment when a wrestler raises their arm, while taking a pose, we were simply pulling in the cheers of the venue's fans and "beckoning" the feverish excitement (A brand new theory).
And for the me of today who has become an executive, this "Beckoning Cat Theory" turns into an even more realistic business strategy. In order to maintain the organization and deliver even more magnificent events, both the "financial fortune (business success & sales)" invited by the right paw and the "people (packed capacity crowds)" invited by the left paw are absolutely indispensable.
In particular, the power of the left paw that invites customers—meaning the "drawing power to get people to buy tickets and step foot into the venue"—is the foundation of everything.
Creating a packed, sold-out crowd is precisely what summons the ultimate good fortune.
Looking back at the history of New Japan Pro-Wrestling, there was a senior wrestler named Black Cat-san (nicknamed Kuroneko / Black Cat), who once taught us Lucha Libre techniques.
When I was a Young Lion, the gentle look in Neko-san's eyes as he pushed my back saying, "You should become a Heavyweight!"—to me, he was truly my lucky beckoning cat.
What if, in a sense, every wrestler stepping into the ring is a "beckoning cat"?
With their honed bodies and soul-filled mic performances, they beckon excitement into the venue, allowing the fans to take home energy for tomorrow.
Today as well, NJPW's ring is waiting for you all, equipped with the absolute highest level of "good fortune." At the venue, together with us... Right arm (financial fortune)? Left arm (people)? Let's thrust that arm high into the air!
...Wait? Does that mean shouting "Banzai!" (hurrah with both arms up) is the ultimate strongest pose after all?!