Big in Japan: big "Sappu"

[Taro Toporific]

FORMER VIKINGS LINEMAN BOB SAPP A BIG HIT IN JAPANAssociated Press TOKYO (AP) 2002/12/12
So who's the biggest sports figure in Japan these days? Ichiro Suzuki? Hidetoshi Nakata? Try Bob Sapp.

The former Minnesota Vikings defensive lineman is the hottest thing in Japan since Godzilla... in Japan he's known simply as "The Beast" ..."Sappu" as he's called by his Japanese fans...Sapp's appeal in Japan goes beyond the ring. He has appeared on afternoon talk shows and on Wednesday graced the cover of the Sports Nippon Newspaper eating a piece of cardboard. He even has his own Web site - Bob Sapp Online http://www.prowrestle.tv/bobsapp/

Arrrrrg Tina! Now all I can think of is "BIG in JAPAN"
I got the sizzle, but not the steak / I got the boat, but not the lake / I got the sheets, but not the bed / I got the jam, but not the bread / But, hey I'm big in Japan, I'm big in Japan/ I'm big in Japan, I'm big in Japan.
--"BIG in JAPAN", my internal theme music by Tom Waits, in 'Mule Variations' CD (1999)

[Taro Toporific]

FORMER VIKINGS LINEMAN BOB SAPP A BIG HIT IN JAPAN

From Boxing.com 01.18.2003 02:06 AM ...

HOOST PULLS OUT OF MATCH, SAPP IS ALL TALK
"Ernesto Hoost refused to work a pro wrestling match against Bob Sapp, who beat him twice in MMA fights, for this Sunday's WRESTLE-1 show at the Tokyo Dome. Hoost said he has no experience in pro wrestling and his team said they have no interest in enterting that world. His team said Bob Sapp is all talk and that Hoost is only in Japan to negotiate dates for K-1 in 2003."

And a totally unrelated blast-from-the-past, the early 1980s Japanese star, Hulk Hogan, is gonna end his wrestling career with All Japan Pro Wrestling.

[Taro Toporific]

Warren-not-Bob "Sappu" in Japan

Wed Jul 30, 8:40 PM ET / AP PHOTO
Tampa Bay Buccaneers' defense Warren Sapp clowns around with his teammates before his team's workout at the Tokyo Dome, Thursday morning, July 31, 2003.


I got the sizzle, but not the steak / I got the boat, but not the lake / I got the sheets, but not the bed / I got the jam, but not the bread / But, hey I'm big in Japan, I'm big in Japan/ I'm big in Japan, I'm big in Japan.
-- Tom Waits' sardonic tune "BIG in JAPAN"

[Naniwan Kid]

I love the Tom Waits ref. I was briefly in an all Japanese (besides me) Tom Waits cover band a few years back. I didn't really know his music well before that, but I quickly became a fan.....started watching Jim Jarmusch movies (very avaiable in Japan, thanks to Mystery Train), and did the whole thing.

Sorry to get off the subject, it just inspired a nice memory.

Unfortuantely the leader of the band got into weed, and lost all interest in almost anything that required leaving his living room......really kinda sad.....

[kamome]

Warren-not-Bob "Sappu" in Japan
Wed Jul 30, 8:40 PM ET / AP PHOTO
Tampa Bay Buccaneers' defense Warren Sapp clowns around with his teammates before his team's workout at the Tokyo Dome, Thursday morning, July 31, 2003.

Warren Sapp has his own website, but it makes no reference whatsoever to his brother in Japan. He does sell a shirt that says "Quarterback Killa" in Japanese, though.

[Taro Toporific]

Warren Sapp has his own website, but it makes no reference whatsoever to his brother in Japan. He does sell a shirt that says "Quarterback Killa" in Japanese, though.

Warren is a brother, but not Bob's.

Japanese crazy about Sapp, but it isn't Warren
Orlando Sentinel July 31, 2003

... There's an urban myth they are brothers. Warren apparently chafes at the notion, since the Bucs asked the media to avoid Bob questions around him....

...Maybe Warren just remembers Bob -- they played against each other Sept. 24, 1994, when the Huskies ended the Hurricanes' 58-game Orange Bowl winning streak, 38-20. Bob scored a touchdown against Warren's goal-line defense, on a fumble recovery in the end zone.
At this rate, Warren may be wishing they were related. Bob will make an estimated $3 million this year, and there's more on the way. K-1 is heading to the U.S., with a pay-per-view blowout in Las Vegas next month.

The Beast is booked for The Tonight Show. He's close to a movie deal. And in the ultimate last-laugh irony, the NFL has hired him as its spokesman in Japan.

[kamome]

Yikes! I was totally convinced they were brothers. I totally bought into that urban myth.

[Taro Toporific]

Yikes! I was totally convinced they were brothers. I totally bought into that urban myth.

Hey, you weren't tricked.
They're 'brothers' like you.

The J-press has claimed the Warren and Bob Sapp were cousins until recently.

[kamome]

I'm about as close to a "brother" as a Wonder bread and baloney sandwich.

[Taro Toporific]

[Taro Toporific]