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Japanese 1978 Amada Kings of the Square Ring Mini Cards

SumoMenkoManSumoMenkoMan Posts: 1,269 ✭✭✭
edited January 8, 2018 6:35PM in Trading Cards & Memorabilia Forum
Pro Wrestling, Kickboxing, MMA and Boxing collectors,

I picked up this interesting mini card set a little bit ago from Japan. It has 40 cards (39 different shown below) athletes from around the world. In 1978, Antonio Inoki organized a World Mixed Martial Arts Championship in Japan and then used the footage from the matches to make a movie called "Kings of the Square Ring". These cards are blazers and all pack fresh. They measure 5.1 cm wide x 6.5 cm high and are on thick paper stock like a normal mini card. It's interesting see some of the names in the set and probably the only card some of these guys have.

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Here is the latest checklist:


Allen Coage, "Buffalo Allen"
Antonio Inoki vs Andre the Giant - Andre in Arm Lock
Antonio Inoki vs Andre the Giant - Inoki Flying Kick
Antonio Inoki vs Andre the Giant - Inoki Above Andre
Antonio Inoki vs Andre the Giant - Inoki On Mat
Antonio Inoki vs Bob Backlund
Antonio Inoki vs Everett "The Monsterman" Eddy - Eddy Kicking
Antonio Inoki vs Everett "The Monsterman" Eddy - Inoki Blocking
Antonio Inoki vs Tiger Jeet
Antonio Ikoki - Arms Raised
Antonio Inoki - Belt
Benny Urquidez vs Minoru Ote
Benny Urquidez vs Prayout Sittiboonlert
Benny Urquidez vs Takeshi Naito
Benny Urquidez - Black Gloves Close Up
Benny Urquidez - Black Gloves Sparing
Benny Urquidez - Red Gloves Blocking
Benny Urquidez - Red Gloves Close Up
Benny Urquidez - Red Gloves Down
Benny Urquidez - Back Kick
Benny Urquidez - Jump Kick
Bob Backlund and Antonio Inoki
Fujiwara Toshio
Kunimitsu Okao vs Thai Opponent
Mitsuo Shima
New Japan Pro Wrestling Dojo - Inoki
New Japan Pro Wrestling Dojo - Rope Pull
Paul Takeshi Fuji
Paul Takeshi Fuji vs Minoru Ote
Seiji Sakaguchi vs The Lumberjack
Seiji Sakaguchi vs Umanosuke Ueda
Toshio Fujiwara vs Mongsawan Ruk Changmai - Changmai Kicking(Close Crop)
Toshio Fujiwara vs Mongsawan Ruk Changmai - Changmai Kicking(Far Crop)
Toshio Fujiwara vs Mongsawan Ruk Changmai - Fujiwara Punching
Willem Ruska
Willie Williams vs Bear
Willie Williams - Arms Raised
Willie Williams - Barbell Raised

Comments

  • llafoellafoe Posts: 7,220 ✭✭
    Very Nice! image
    WANTED: Cincinnati Reds TEAM Cards
  • wrestlingcardkingwrestlingcardking Posts: 4,555 ✭✭✭✭
    Those are cool, my friend has some of these as well. I need to get some scans of my Menko Lou Thesz and you can help me ID them???
    BUYING Frank Gotch T229 Kopec
    Looking to BUY n332 1889 SF Hess cards and high grade cards from 19th century especially. "Once you have wrestled everything else in life is easy" Dan Gable
  • Dpeck100Dpeck100 Posts: 10,912 ✭✭✭✭✭
    WOW check out that missile drop kick that Inoki is hitting Backlund with in the last card.

    Man that is insane.

  • eagles33eagles33 Posts: 2,682 ✭✭✭
    Cool cards. I have a couple of oversized cards that have the exact same images as the mini. Its interesting that I thought Ali was featured in the movie but he isn't on any of the cards.
    Scans of most of my Misc rookies can be found <a target=new class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="http://forums.collectors.com/m...y&keyword1=Non%20major">here
  • TheZodiacCollectionTheZodiacCollection Posts: 155
    Cool image
    -Aries
    The Zodiac Collection
    My PC: The Zodiac Collection
  • SumoMenkoManSumoMenkoMan Posts: 1,269 ✭✭✭
    Some interesting pics for sure. This set has menko and bromide sister sets that have a lot of the same photos. I like the Dojo photo photo of Inoki training.

    Eagles----since the Ali/Inoki match was a few years earlier in 1976 this set's focus might have only been on the Martial Arts Championship. Or Ali didn't want his image on the cards or it wasn't part of the original fight contract. I'm only guessing.

    WrestlingCardKing----I should be able to help with the menko ID.
  • SumoMenkoManSumoMenkoMan Posts: 1,269 ✭✭✭
    WrestlingCardKing,

    Will you be able to add this set to your website? Thanks!
  • wrestlingcardkingwrestlingcardking Posts: 4,555 ✭✭✭✭
    I am sure we can do something to get them on the website......thanks for your help again!
    BUYING Frank Gotch T229 Kopec
    Looking to BUY n332 1889 SF Hess cards and high grade cards from 19th century especially. "Once you have wrestled everything else in life is easy" Dan Gable
  • hookemhookem Posts: 971 ✭✭
    Who is the dude fighting the bear! image
    Hook'em
  • SumoMenkoManSumoMenkoMan Posts: 1,269 ✭✭✭
    Badass Willie Williams.
  • wrestlingcardkingwrestlingcardking Posts: 4,555 ✭✭✭✭
    Do you know some bio information on Willie Williams, was he a prominent US wrestler?

    I picked up one of these Andre's that looks in great shape and is a menko card. It seems like it would be worth grading with BGS as I do not think that PSA will grade it. I also have a few of the Bob Backlund cards.
    BUYING Frank Gotch T229 Kopec
    Looking to BUY n332 1889 SF Hess cards and high grade cards from 19th century especially. "Once you have wrestled everything else in life is easy" Dan Gable
  • Dpeck100Dpeck100 Posts: 10,912 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Rob I heard last night that the WWE and Bob Backlund have come to terms and he is getting inducted into this years Hall of Fame.

    Bruno is heavily rummored to finally agreeing to be unducted too.

  • wrestlingcardkingwrestlingcardking Posts: 4,555 ✭✭✭✭
    That is great news, surprising to hear that things may work out with Bruno....
    BUYING Frank Gotch T229 Kopec
    Looking to BUY n332 1889 SF Hess cards and high grade cards from 19th century especially. "Once you have wrestled everything else in life is easy" Dan Gable
  • therebelastherebelas Posts: 167
    I've never seen Bad News Allen/Brown (Allen Coage) in his judo days. Very cool set.
  • SumoMenkoManSumoMenkoMan Posts: 1,269 ✭✭✭
    There are a lot of great names in this set and some rookies like Willie Williams and Paul Fuji. A nice and early MMA set for sure.
  • wrestlingcardkingwrestlingcardking Posts: 4,555 ✭✭✭✭
    Is the checlklist the same for the Menko? How do we best checklist the ones you have scans of here?
    BUYING Frank Gotch T229 Kopec
    Looking to BUY n332 1889 SF Hess cards and high grade cards from 19th century especially. "Once you have wrestled everything else in life is easy" Dan Gable
  • SumoMenkoManSumoMenkoMan Posts: 1,269 ✭✭✭
    It’s hard to say if the menko checklist is the same since I haven't see a large pool of these to make that determination. Some cards are in the menko set and not in the mini card set and vice versa. I haven't seen many of the bromides either. Since there are no numbers on the back of the cards it’s probably best to catalog them alphabetically. Here is what I came up with for this Mini Card set:

    Allen Coage, "Buffalo Allen"
    Antonio Inoki vs Andre the Giant - Andre in Arm Lock
    Antonio Inoki vs Andre the Giant - Inoki Flying Kick
    Antonio Inoki vs Andre the Giant - Inoki Above Andre
    Antonio Inoki vs Andre the Giant - Inoki On Mat
    Antonio Inoki vs Bob Backlund
    Antonio Inoki vs Everett "The Monsterman" Eddy - Eddy Kicking
    Antonio Inoki vs Everett "The Monsterman" Eddy - Inoki Blocking
    Antonio Inoki vs Tiger Jeet
    Antonio Ikoki - Arms Raised
    Antonio Inoki - Belt
    Benny Urquidez vs Minoru Ote
    Benny Urquidez vs Prayout Sittiboonlert
    Benny Urquidez vs Takeshi Naito
    Benny Urquidez - Black Gloves Close Up
    Benny Urquidez - Black Gloves Sparing
    Benny Urquidez - Red Gloves Blocking
    Benny Urquidez - Red Gloves Close Up
    Benny Urquidez - Red Gloves Down
    Bob Backlund and Antonio Inoki
    Fujiwara Toshio
    Kunimitsu Okao vs Thai Opponent
    Mitsuo Shima
    New Japan Pro Wrestling Dojo - Inoki
    New Japan Pro Wrestling Dojo - Rope Pull
    Paul Takeshi Fuji
    Paul Takeshi Fuji vs Minoru Ote
    Seiji Sakaguchi vs The Lumberjack
    Seiji Sakaguchi vs Umanosuke Ueda
    Toshio Fujiwara vs Mongsawan Ruk Changmai - Changmai Kicking(Close Crop)
    Toshio Fujiwara vs Mongsawan Ruk Changmai - Changmai Kicking(Far Crop)
    Toshio Fujiwara vs Mongsawan Ruk Changmai - Fujiwara Punching
    Willem Ruska
    Willie Williams vs Bear
    Willie Williams - Arms Raised
  • wrestlingcardkingwrestlingcardking Posts: 4,555 ✭✭✭✭
    We will be putting this on the website, thanks.
    BUYING Frank Gotch T229 Kopec
    Looking to BUY n332 1889 SF Hess cards and high grade cards from 19th century especially. "Once you have wrestled everything else in life is easy" Dan Gable
  • SumoMenkoManSumoMenkoMan Posts: 1,269 ✭✭✭
    Thanks! I have a feeling there are up to a dozen more in this set as well, but they are hard to come by.
  • wrestlingcardkingwrestlingcardking Posts: 4,555 ✭✭✭✭
    good to know, thanks
    BUYING Frank Gotch T229 Kopec
    Looking to BUY n332 1889 SF Hess cards and high grade cards from 19th century especially. "Once you have wrestled everything else in life is easy" Dan Gable
  • SumoMenkoManSumoMenkoMan Posts: 1,269 ✭✭✭
    Nice "unopened" box of 50 packs and 3 albums of the Japanese 1978 Amada Kings of the Square Ring set that I was lucky enough to pick up. The winner card packs are still sealed in the plastic bag.

    image
  • Dpeck100Dpeck100 Posts: 10,912 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Wow that is a cool item!

    If you decide to put that for sale let me know.
  • eagles33eagles33 Posts: 2,682 ✭✭✭
    That's really cool. Who are the winner cards? This could be very helpful in getting these graded.
    Scans of most of my Misc rookies can be found <a target=new class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="http://forums.collectors.com/m...y&keyword1=Non%20major">here
  • SumoMenkoManSumoMenkoMan Posts: 1,269 ✭✭✭
    Eagles,

    I'm not sure who the winner cards are since they are still sealed. Amada sealed their packs with glue unlike Yamakatsu who used staples.
  • wrestlingcardkingwrestlingcardking Posts: 4,555 ✭✭✭✭
    Very nice!
    BUYING Frank Gotch T229 Kopec
    Looking to BUY n332 1889 SF Hess cards and high grade cards from 19th century especially. "Once you have wrestled everything else in life is easy" Dan Gable
  • SumoMenkoManSumoMenkoMan Posts: 1,269 ✭✭✭
    It's too bad there aren't any big rookie cards in this set. There are a few Andre cards and Inoki cards, but nothing huge. I'm also not sure if the set is solidified at the checklist below so there might still be hope yet.

    Allen Coage, "Buffalo Allen"
    Antonio Inoki vs Andre the Giant - Andre in Arm Lock
    Antonio Inoki vs Andre the Giant - Inoki Flying Kick
    Antonio Inoki vs Andre the Giant - Inoki Above Andre
    Antonio Inoki vs Andre the Giant - Inoki On Mat
    Antonio Inoki vs Bob Backlund
    Antonio Inoki vs Everett "The Monsterman" Eddy - Eddy Kicking
    Antonio Inoki vs Everett "The Monsterman" Eddy - Inoki Blocking
    Antonio Inoki vs Tiger Jeet
    Antonio Ikoki - Arms Raised
    Antonio Inoki - Belt
    Benny Urquidez vs Minoru Ote
    Benny Urquidez vs Prayout Sittiboonlert
    Benny Urquidez vs Takeshi Naito
    Benny Urquidez - Black Gloves Close Up
    Benny Urquidez - Black Gloves Sparing
    Benny Urquidez - Red Gloves Blocking
    Benny Urquidez - Red Gloves Close Up
    Benny Urquidez - Red Gloves Down
    Bob Backlund and Antonio Inoki
    Fujiwara Toshio
    Kunimitsu Okao vs Thai Opponent
    Mitsuo Shima
    New Japan Pro Wrestling Dojo - Inoki
    New Japan Pro Wrestling Dojo - Rope Pull
    Paul Takeshi Fuji
    Paul Takeshi Fuji vs Minoru Ote
    Seiji Sakaguchi vs The Lumberjack
    Seiji Sakaguchi vs Umanosuke Ueda
    Toshio Fujiwara vs Mongsawan Ruk Changmai - Changmai Kicking(Close Crop)
    Toshio Fujiwara vs Mongsawan Ruk Changmai - Changmai Kicking(Far Crop)
    Toshio Fujiwara vs Mongsawan Ruk Changmai - Fujiwara Punching
    Willem Ruska
    Willie Williams vs Bear
    Willie Williams - Arms Raised
  • SumoMenkoManSumoMenkoMan Posts: 1,269 ✭✭✭


    << <i>Wow that is a cool item!

    If you decide to put that for sale let me know. >>



    Thanks! It's a big find and was happy to run across it. If I plan on selling it I'll let you know. There is some other interest in it as well.
  • Dpeck100Dpeck100 Posts: 10,912 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>

    << <i>Wow that is a cool item!

    If you decide to put that for sale let me know. >>



    Thanks! It's a big find and was happy to run across it. If I plan on selling it I'll let you know. There is some other interest in it as well. >>




    I am sure there is!
  • CakesCakes Posts: 3,655 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>There are a lot of great names in this set and some rookies like Willie Williams and Paul Fuji. A nice and early MMA set for sure. >>



    Is that the same Fuji that tagged with Saito?
    Successful coin BST transactions with Gerard and segoja.

    Successful card BST transactions with cbcnow, brogurt, gstarling, Bravesfan 007, and rajah 424.
  • SumoMenkoManSumoMenkoMan Posts: 1,269 ✭✭✭
    No, Paul Takeshi Fuji was a boxer. I think you are thinking about Mr. Fuji (Harry Fujiwara).
  • wrestlingcardkingwrestlingcardking Posts: 4,555 ✭✭✭✭
    wonder if we can get Beckett to grade these and then have PSA follow suit???????
    BUYING Frank Gotch T229 Kopec
    Looking to BUY n332 1889 SF Hess cards and high grade cards from 19th century especially. "Once you have wrestled everything else in life is easy" Dan Gable
  • SumoMenkoManSumoMenkoMan Posts: 1,269 ✭✭✭
    I was able to find another Andre in this set. It's similar to the bromide-version with his arms raised.

    image

    Allen Coage, "Buffalo Allen"
    Andre the Giant - Arms Raised
    Antonio Inoki vs Andre the Giant - Andre in Arm Lock
    Antonio Inoki vs Andre the Giant - Inoki Flying Kick
    Antonio Inoki vs Andre the Giant - Inoki Above Andre
    Antonio Inoki vs Andre the Giant - Inoki On Mat
    Antonio Inoki vs Bob Backlund
    Antonio Inoki vs Everett "The Monsterman" Eddy - Eddy Kicking
    Antonio Inoki vs Everett "The Monsterman" Eddy - Inoki Blocking
    Antonio Inoki vs Tiger Jeet
    Antonio Ikoki - Arms Raised
    Antonio Inoki - Belt
    Benny Urquidez vs Minoru Ote
    Benny Urquidez vs Prayout Sittiboonlert
    Benny Urquidez vs Takeshi Naito
    Benny Urquidez - Black Gloves Close Up
    Benny Urquidez - Black Gloves Sparing
    Benny Urquidez - Red Gloves Blocking
    Benny Urquidez - Red Gloves Close Up
    Benny Urquidez - Red Gloves Down
    Bob Backlund and Antonio Inoki
    Fujiwara Toshio
    Kunimitsu Okao vs Thai Opponent
    Mitsuo Shima
    New Japan Pro Wrestling Dojo - Inoki
    New Japan Pro Wrestling Dojo - Rope Pull
    Paul Takeshi Fuji
    Paul Takeshi Fuji vs Minoru Ote
    Seiji Sakaguchi vs The Lumberjack
    Seiji Sakaguchi vs Umanosuke Ueda
    Toshio Fujiwara vs Mongsawan Ruk Changmai - Changmai Kicking(Close Crop)
    Toshio Fujiwara vs Mongsawan Ruk Changmai - Changmai Kicking(Far Crop)
    Toshio Fujiwara vs Mongsawan Ruk Changmai - Fujiwara Punching
    Willem Ruska
    Willie Williams vs Bear
    Willie Williams - Arms Raised
  • wrestlingcardkingwrestlingcardking Posts: 4,555 ✭✭✭✭
    no more additions to this set?
    BUYING Frank Gotch T229 Kopec
    Looking to BUY n332 1889 SF Hess cards and high grade cards from 19th century especially. "Once you have wrestled everything else in life is easy" Dan Gable
  • SumoMenkoManSumoMenkoMan Posts: 1,269 ✭✭✭
    I haven't focused too much on this set at the moment. I think it'd be cool to have PSA start grading these though as these are some unique cards of individuals that would look good in a holder.
  • wrestlingcardkingwrestlingcardking Posts: 4,555 ✭✭✭✭
    I would love to get these graded....I picked up a few of Andre with his hands raised that would be worth getting graded by PSA.
    BUYING Frank Gotch T229 Kopec
    Looking to BUY n332 1889 SF Hess cards and high grade cards from 19th century especially. "Once you have wrestled everything else in life is easy" Dan Gable
  • wrestlingcardkingwrestlingcardking Posts: 4,555 ✭✭✭✭
    Is the count on this set at 37 cards?
    BUYING Frank Gotch T229 Kopec
    Looking to BUY n332 1889 SF Hess cards and high grade cards from 19th century especially. "Once you have wrestled everything else in life is easy" Dan Gable
  • SumoMenkoManSumoMenkoMan Posts: 1,269 ✭✭✭
    Good question. We are preparing to move this summer and so ill have a lot more free time starting in August. I've neglected the Pro Wrestling sets the past year or so, but want to get back into completing some checklists.
  • SumoMenkoManSumoMenkoMan Posts: 1,269 ✭✭✭

    I added three new cards to bring the checklist to 39 cards. Still trying to find that last card...thanks Mike for providing the images of these three.

  • VoteDizzyVoteDizzy Posts: 124 ✭✭✭

    The small and large sets were the same except for the size, right? Same number of cards, same photos? I have an action shot of Allen Coage, during a judo match, from the large series. Might that be the missing card?

    Basketball - Howard - Walker
    Wrestling - Danielson - Storm - Tajiri
  • VoteDizzyVoteDizzy Posts: 124 ✭✭✭

    Figured I'd show this off as well.

    Basketball - Howard - Walker
    Wrestling - Danielson - Storm - Tajiri
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