Posted on by bdamage1
Brian Damage
This is the 440th installment of the ‘Wrestling with Sin‘ series. A group of stories that delves into the darker, underbelly of pro wrestling. Many of the stories involves such subjects as sex, drugs, greed and in some cases even murder! As with every single story in the Sin series…I do not condone or condemn the alleged participants. We simply retell their stories by researching interviews, newspapers, magazines and various other sources of media.
Dogfight
Zulema Carmen Mira was a well known wrestler in the 1950’s and 60’s under the ring name of ‘China’ Mira. Mira was undefeated her first year as a wrestler and was billed as the Caribbean Women’s Champion. In China Mira’s private life, she was a lesbian who lived a secret life with another female wrestler named Olga Zepeda. The couple made their residence together in New Orleans, Louisiana. Olga Zepeda also had a semi successful wrestling career and was noted as the very first Latina to ever wrestle for the WWWF/WWF/WWE in their history.
When not wrestling, the couple worked as strippers at a nearby nightclub in New Orleans. In April of 1964, the two wrestlers engaged in an argument that left one of them dead. According to police, Zulema Mira claimed that the couple were arguing about Mira’s dog sleeping in their bed. Mira claimed that Zepeda had a phobia of rats and Mira’s Chihuahua looked too much like a rat and refused to sleep in the same bed with it. After back and forth arguing, Zepeda went into her dresser draw and pulled out a gun.
Zepeda threatened to shoot the dog, if it was not removed from the bed. Mira continued to refuse and according to Mira…Zepeda gave an ultimatum of either the dog dies or I do. Mira claimed she turned her back to Zepeda and went into the bathroom. She then heard a single gunshot and thought Zepeda shot her dog. Instead, she saw Zepeda lying on the bed with blood everywhere. Mira claimed Zepeda killed herself.
Zulema Mira was detained by police until a further investigation could be done. There was no documentation that Mira served a prison sentence or was charged with any crime in the case. Leaving many to believe Mira was cleared of any wrongdoing on the death of Olga Zepeda. There were some who believed that Mira was involved more in Zepeda’s death, but no actual evidence ever came to light. Olga Zepeda was just 31 years old at the time of her death.
Not long after this incident, however, Zulema Mira was arrested in another case. There was a raid of the nightclub where she worked at and was arrested for allegedly performing “lewd acts” on men. Mira was arrested on prostitution charges. No other information was available about the outcome of that arrest.
Rick N Roll
Rick Gibson started his career in 1970 and is considered one of the very first wrestlers to use the top rope drop kick. He was also the older brother of Robert Gibson who is one half of the Hall of Fame tag team ‘The Rock N Roll Express.’ Rick was also a successful wrestler in his own right, but had his career cut short after surviving a near fatal car crash in the 1980’s.
On September 2, 1974…Rick wrestled in a six man tag team match at the Mid South Coliseum in Memphis, Tennessee. After the match had ended, Gibson somehow got involved in a heated argument with a Memphis police officer at ringside. It all resulted with Gibson hitting the officer and kicking him to the ground. The officer was treated for cuts and bruises at a nearby hospital.
As for Rick Gibson, he was arrested and released. He then no showed a preliminary hearing at court for the incident and a bench warrant was issued for his arrest. Ultimately, Gibson was jailed, released and his sentence was time served, paid a fine, and probation.
Kota Ethics
In May of 2022, one of New Japan’s biggest stars Kota Ibushi claimed that the company and some of its officials were involved in sexual harassment and had dealings with the Yakuza. Ibushi proclaimed that he was done working for New Japan and was waiting for his release. He also promised to expose the ‘toxic culture’ behind the scenes in the company.
Ibushi continued to say that the stress of the situation left his mother stressed and suffering from anxiety and caused her to attempt suicide the day after Mother’s Day. Ibushi named NJPW President Takami Ohbari and a talent official simply named Kikuchi as offenders. This is what Kota Ibushi said via social media…
“I know this is sudden but I can no longer bare to watch so I’ll tell you. Previously, I brought up his name and the screenshot that is totally true. I wasn’t sure if I should tell it, but it’s unbearable for me to see my mother in her current condition
“First of all, they still haven’t apologized. Kikuchi and Ohbari probably don’t have guilt feelings
They didn’t even meet me to gave a notice of my release. It was merely via LINE. My mother contacted me with concern, perhaps noticing my distress.”
“I had reached my limit, so I talked to my mother about that sudden LINE message and the power harassment-esque treatments that I received, then she said in a weak voice, ‘It’s okay to leave’”
“The next day, my mother attempted suicide. She clearly said that she could not forgive Kikuchi and the current president. That is why I will fight until the end.”
“They did something that is absolutely unforgivable. I wasn’t able to get in touch my mother to meet her in person. I will only manage to talk to her through someone else in the near future. I have already consulted my agent.”
“Kikuchi and the current president, do you understand? My mother attempted suicide right after Mother’s Day. That is a remotely attempted murder. It’s a miracle that she’s alive, but can you heal her hip bone? There is more to say, but it’ll cause trouble for others”
Bushiroad founder and president Takaaki Kidani and New Japan president Takami Ohbari held a joint press conference where they addressed the issues with Kota Ibushi and also apologized to all of New Japan Pro Wrestling’s fans. The executives announced:
During a press conference on May 27 2022 regarding events concerning Kota Ibushi and a member of NJPW staff (henceforth “The Official”), it was announced that both Mr. Ibushi and The Official would be subject to penalties as a result of their actions. Upon consideration, these penalties have been determined, and in the interest of transparency, are outlined below.
KOTA IBUSHI: A ten percent (10%) reduction in pay for the three month period between July and September 2022 as a result of a breach of contract.
Representative Director TAKAMI OHBARI: A ten percent (10%) reduction in pay for the three month period between July and September 2022 as a result of executive responsibility.
THE OFFICIAL: A ten percent (10%) reduction in pay for the three month period between July and September 2022, as well as a transfer to a different position as a result of inappropriate comments toward a wrestler representing a breach of duty.
New Japan Pro-Wrestling would like to once again apologise for the concern and inconvenience caused by these events, and humbly ask for your continued support.
Many believe that Kota will never return to a New Japan ring considering the anguish his mother suffered through. Ibushi last wrestled in a New Japan match in October of 2021.
A Right to Bear Forearms
Mario Mancini was a perennial enhancement talent or “jobber” for the WWF in the 1980’s. Mancini recalled just how cantankerous and miserable Bruno Sammartino’s son David was during his run with the promotion. Mario Mancini remembered a time at the Hartford Civic Center where David Sammartino was upset that Mancini didn’t sell his moves better than he did in a squash match.
After the match, both Mancini and Sammartino were in the bathroom and Mancini complimented Sammartino on his flying forearm maneuver. Mancini asked if David could teach the move to him. David Sammartino said yes and proceeded to unload a super stiff forearm to the side of Mancini’s head, knocking him almost unconscious. Sammartino then walked out of the bathroom without uttering another word. Mancini said he was so out of sorts, that he couldn’t stand and needed to sit for a while to recover.