10 Times Wrestling GENUINELY Tried To Be Progressive
4. Collision In Korea
A wild experimental project between WCW and NJPW in April 1995, the Collision In Korea still somehow hasn't found its way on to the WWE Network despite making all kinds of (admittedly, bonkers) history.
Astronomical attendances at the May Day Stadium in Pyongyang, North Korea over two nights resulted in over 300,000 fans witnessing showcases from Japan's thriving women's wrestling scene, an IWGP Title battle between Shinya Hashimoto and Scott Norton, and a historic cross-Pacific clash between respective icons Ric Flair and Antonio Inoki.
Put together in an effort to present the country's autocracy as far less isolationist than it really was, professional wrestling was for a change a tool to bring together multiple crossed purposes rather than capitalistically enhance a divide. Then WCW president Eric Bischoff was only too chuffed to take advantage of such an opportunity to promote his brand, but the legitimate intimidation around the excursion was felt by staff and talent alike. Equally pleased was main eventer Inoki, keen as he was to use the event to propel himself back into Japanese politics.
The carefully constructed environment was in subversively idyllic for the grand farce of professional wrestling, with the show bizarrely serving as something of shackle-loosener for the mammoth crowd.