Eggshells: Pro Wrestling In The Tokyo Dome

by Chris Charlton, Matt Charlton (Illustrator)

THREE DECADES. HUNDREDS OF MATCHES. COUNTLESS STORIES. With huge global attention and a legacy of significant moments, the Tokyo Dome is inarguably one of professional wrestling’s most iconic venues. Over three decades, ten different wrestling promotions have staged over 60 shows in the building. Now, CHRIS CHARLTON (Lion’s The Turbulent History of New Japan Pro Wrestling) tells the story of those stories. From UWF to NJPW, from the biggest gate in Japanese wrestling history to the biggest empty arena match, EGGSHELLS goes show by show and blow by blow. Extensive research uncovers behind the scenes information never before seen in English, and exclusive interviews with Kota Ibushi, Kenny Omega and many more reveal insight never before available anywhere. This is an exhaustive but accessible guide that does the ‘Big Egg’ the justice it deserves. PRAISE FOR LION’S PRIDE ‘There’s never a shortage of slobberknockers’ -Jim Ross, WWE Hall of Famer, lead announcer AXS TV ‘Taught me everything I need to know about NJPW history and more’ -Kevin Kelly, lead English announcer, NJPW World ‘Chris Charlton is one of the foremost historians of Japanese pro wrestling... an invaluable resource’ -John Pollock, POST Wrestling

Genres: Nonfiction, History

318 pages, Paperback

First published July 17, 2018

Reviews

[Marques James · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Complete History of Wrestling in the Tokyo Dome

This book is a fan for any Japanese wrestling fan. If you ever wanted to know about events at this legendary arena, and back stories behind some of the marquee match ups, this is for you!

[Jason O'Dell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Book

Very fun for a wrestling fan that enjoys Japanese wrestling. Tons and tons of information and fun stories here. Highly recommend to any Japanese wrestling fans.

[Jason Presley · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent breakdown of every wrestling event to ever take place in the Tokyo Dome. Each card is accompanied by a thorough write-up detailing the context for each event as well as a wide assortment of quotes from various participants from the actual shows. Although it doesn't tell the whole story of pro wrestling in Japan from 1989-2018, Charlton does cover a very broad outline of how the business, and the Japanese economy, are faring around the time of each show. Eggshells is a tremendous effort of research and writing, and is accompanied by excellent artwork depicting the major players.

[Stuart Iversen · Rating 5 out of 5]

An an overview of the Dome's history with wrestling this is near perfect. You'll leave with a million stories and shows you want to explore, which I can only assume was the point.

[Kristopher · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent history of Japanese wrestling's biggest matches, the majority of which are from NJPW. Each chapter gives the card for the event, followed by a breakdown of the majority of the matches as a play-by-play, and how they were built up.

I will say that this did become a little tedious at times, as I was less interested in how the matches played out, but more about how they were perceived along with what they meant to the companies involved.

That said, it is a good introduction to Japanese wrestling, showing all of the main events at the Tokyo Dome up until 2018.

[Jon · Rating 4 out of 5]

For what it is trying to do, which is chart all of the wrestling events at the Tokyo Dome chronologically with some notes for each show, this book is absolutely essential stuff. And Chris Charlton is the BOMB!

[Jonathan Gallo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really great and comprehensive history of Japanese Wrestling.

[Paul Meehan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great research, excellent account of 30 years of wrestling events at the Tokyo Dome. Congrats.

[Matt Pack · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book nine of 2019, it was good!

[Richard Harris · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very in depth, naturally more of a book about NJPW, but with enough depth for the reader to understand the overall state of Puroresu in Japan from the late 80's to.the present day

[James Hunt · Rating 5 out of 5]

1st book of the year and read to get hyped for wrestle kingdom and it worked, great stuff!

[April · Rating 3 out of 5]

There were some typos that really drive the perfectionist in me crazy; but overall the info was good. I wish there had been more about the later years because that is where my interest really lies.

[Katharina Kanzan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Für Puro-Fans ein Muss. Eine tolle Reise durch die Jahrzehnte des Tokyo Domes.
Einzige Kritik: Es hätte mal ein Buchsetzer drüberschauen sollen.