Union of Wrestling Forces International, better known as UWF International, U-Inter, or simply UWFi, was a shoot style professional wrestling promotion in Japan from 1991 to 1996. Although the matches were worked (i.e. predetermined), the UWF-i was very convincing for its time, promoting a more hard-hitting, realistic style. In retrospect, UWFi, along with other shoot-style promotions, served as precursors to popular MMA promotions, particularly PRIDE.
The promotion was founded on May 10, 1991, as a continuation of the UWF. The UWF-i featured most of UWF's roster, and was led by Nobuhiko Takada, who was the top star and the face of the promotion. Other natives for the promotion included Kazuo Yamazaki, Yoji Anjo, Kiyoshi Tamura, Tatsuo Nakano, Yuko Miyato, Masahito Kakihara and kickboxer Makoto Oe. Vintage shooter Billy Robinson was used as a trainer for their gym (the UWFi Snakepit), and wrestling legend Danny Hodge occasionally served as a judge in their pursuit of old-school credibility. Former pro wrestler Shinji Sasazaki would lend a hand by helping some of the foreign talent, mostly from the Tennessee area, get booked on their cards.
Hit me like a hammer to my head
We thrashed in bed baby
Drove a truck right through my life
Struck me like a knife
There's a finger in my pie, someone else's guy
Caught you with your pants down, fingers in the till
Caught you stealing something, my last thrill
(1) Chorus:
At war with the world as this life unfurls
Ooh, better get ready
At war with the world, as this life unfurls
Better get ready
Living like a hound dog who's not fed
Life's one big bed baby
From the trash right on the street and anyone you meet
Trying to make the first glance and I doubt you will last
Caught you with your pants down fingers in the till
I guess I've swallowed life's hardest pill