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HISTORY: On March 31, 1971 at Itabushi Ward Gymnasium in Tokyo, Japan Andre The Giant (wrestling as Monster Rousimoff) met Jack Claybourne, Jr. in a featured match. Monster Rousimoff prevailed winning over Claybourne, Jr.
Offered here is an extremely rare, original, on site poster for this event.
FULL DESCRIPTION: This is an original, paper, on site poster which names and pictures the wrestlers. Bold, clear images. Bold color and print. No tack holes. Clean front and back. Minor edge wear. Very minor creasing. 20 1/2" x 30 1/2."
English Translation & Notes:
This poster is also an international pro wrestling poster.
At the top it says International Wrestling Enterprises in English.
The black text below is international. The red text says "Pro Wrestling".
Beneath the black international letters, ``The elite giants of each country collide in a blood-filled clash!!''
To the right of it is written ＇71 IWA World Series.
The 1971 IWA World Series was the third edition.
Let's introduce the wrestlers starting from the top right.
First of all, Bill Robinson! A very young photo. 1st 2nd World Series winner, introduced as the Great Britain representative.
From the left: Rusher Kimura, Great Kusatsu, Thunder Sugiyama, and three Japanese people.
On the left side is Germany representative Karl Gotch.
American representative Buster Matthews is right below Karl Gotch.
The masked wrestler on the right is Canada's representative, Dr. Death.
Next up is Southeast Asia representative Jack Clayborne.
Next up, British representative Sean Regan.
Next, French representative Andre has a red letter written on his chest that says he is the world's biggest giant wrestler, 2 meters 18 cm tall.
The February 1970 poster only said Rosimov, but in the 1971 World Series, he was introduced as Monster Rosimov.
As a side note, Monster Rosimov caught the attention of Verne Gagne during this international pro wrestling, and with Verne Gagne's introduction, he signed a contract with Vince McMahon's WWF and his name was replaced by Andre the Giant. WWF had a business partnership with Antonio Inoki in Japan, so Andre would be in the New Japan Pro Wrestling ring. At that time, he changed his hairstyle to curly hair and increased his height by 5 centimeters to appear at 2 meters and 23 centimeters.
His height in International Pro Wrestling is 85.826 inches, and his height in New Japan Pro Wrestling is 87.795 inches.
To Andre's right is Monaco's Magnar Clement.
The last person we will introduce is the representative from Trinidad and Tobaco.
Taro Kuroshio.
The first match of the IWA World Series begins！！with black letters under each country's flag.
Wednesday, March 30, ’71, battle begins at 6:00 p.m. Tokyo Itabashi Ward Gymnasium.
Below that, popular advance tickets are now on sale.
Group admission application reception phone number & Introduction of tickets and sales offices.
★Organizer: International Pro Wrestling, ★Sponsor: TOKYO BROADCASTING SYSTEM TELEVISION, INC.
On the right side is an introduction to various seats and prices.
