Indescribably tragic news out of Japanese wrestling today-legendary wrestler Mitsuharu Misawa, one of the greatest of not only Japan but of all-time, is dead. According to various reports, he suffered either a heart attack or cardiac arrest after being knocked unconscious during a match today (last night Japan time) in Hiroshima, Japan. According to reports from witnesses, Misawa was taking a “routine” back suplex from opponent Bison Smith but did not get up. CPR was administered in the ring but apparently it was unsuccessful. His heart stopped beating in the ring and, sometime between being then and being hospitalized he was pronounced dead. The wrestlers were told of this a short time later.
Misawa was the Japanese high school national wrestling champion at 187 pounds in 1980, and was recruited by Giant Baba into All Japan Pro Wrestling. He gained his first taste of stardom in 1984 when he was chosen to be the second Tiger Mask. After unmasking in 1990, he became an even bigger star after a series of singles matches with Jumbo Tsuruta. He was Japan’s biggest pro wrestling star of the 90s, and one could make a strong case for him as the top wrestler of the decade. He was the Wrestler of the Year in 1995, 1997 and 1999. After the death of Shohei “Giant” Baba, Misawa wrestled a little over one more year for All-Japan Pro Wrestling, while working as company president. After consistently butting heads with owner Motoko Baba, the widow of Shohei Baba, he and 90% of the All Japan roster, including Kenta Kobashi-who many consider “the perfect champion” and another of the greatest of all-time- quit the company to form Pro Wrestling NOAH.
Misawa would’ve turned 47 Thursday.
Mitsuharu Misawa, 6/18-1962-613-2009
(Image courtesy of NOAH’s english-language website, noah-usa.cc)
告別、三沢。 ありがとう神は賛美する。(English: Farewell, Misawa. Thank You, And God Bless)
6/15 UPDATE: According to an English-language article published today by the Japanese newspaper The Mainichi Daily, the official cause of death is damage to the cervical spinal cord.
http://mdn.mainichi.jp/mdnnews/news/20090615p2a00m0na009000c.html
