Mitsuharu Misawa passes away / Tribute thread

Fozzy

The only reports at the moment are translated Japanese reports, but I'll post an English one once Meltzer gets it up

Earlier today Misawa took a simple backdrop driver in the ring. He collapsed and didn't get up. A doctor tried reviving him and he went to the hospital. He died a few hours later

It's very sad. Misawa was one of the best ever, although at 46 and after a career of wrestling a hard style, I thought that it was about time he took it easy and gave it up

I've seen so many great matches that he's been in. I was so happy to get to see him wrestle live last year

RIP


EDIT: Meltzer's report from f4wonline.com:

MISAWA PASSES AWAY FROM BACK SUPLEX
Mitsuharu Misawa, one of the greatest pro wrestlers of all-time, was declared dead at 10:10 p.m. Saturday night at a hospital in Hiroshima after being dropped on his head in a tag team title match.
Misawa would have turned 47 on June 18th.
Misawa & Go Shiozaki were challening Bison Smith & Akitoshi Saito for the GHC tag team championship in Hiroshima and Misawa was dropped on his head at about 8:45 p.m. and knocked unconscious.
According to eye witness reports, Saito gave Misawa a "routine" back suplex that was described as a "7" in danger on a scale of one-to-ten. He did not get up. It was chaos in the ring as they attempted to revive him using CPR and the crowd was hushed for a while, and began a "Misawa" chant. He turned purple in the ring and was rushed to the hospital in an ambulance.
The wrestlers were told on the bus that he had passed away.
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 quit the company to form Pro Wrestling NOAH.

ShawnRaven

Damn! He was only 46!

Problem with the Japanese style is that it's very very rough on the body. From those details, it looks like his body took all it could, possibly some serious internal injury too.

Sad news indeed.
Mitsuharu Misawa: 1962-2009

ScumdogV2

RIP to one of the very best.

Sad news.

Fozzy

ShawnRaven wrote: »

Problem with the Japanese style is that it's very very rough on the body. From those details, it looks like his body took all it could, possibly some serious internal injury too.

That's true. Usually they just get seriously injured and come back anyway. Kobashi came back from cancer and severely injured knees, Takayama has been wrestling for years since a stroke, and Nagata's still going after an apparent stroke last year

While Misawa could still have a really great match now and again, I think to any new viewers he'd look like a really old man. It was clear that he was very beat up, and like you say, it's probably more an accumulation of injuries than a completely freak accident

I hope that something can be learned from this

ShawnRaven

Fozzy wrote: »

While Misawa could still have a really great match now and again, I think to any new viewers he'd look like a really old man. It was clear that he was very beat up, and like you say, it's probably more an accumulation of injuries than a completely freak accident

While you mentioned this, before i made my last post, i checked wikipedia to get his year of birth (for the end of my post) and the pic of him they have there, he looks a lot older than 46 (when you consider the likes of Bret, Shawn, etc). Misawa looked about 20 years older than his actual age!

Dancor

To my shame I only heard about him about 2 years ago and seen some of his matches with Kobashi. One of the best ever.

RIP

chopperbyrne

Been watching quite a bit of 90's Japanese wrestling lately and have enjoyed lots of his matches, especially a match he had with Vader.

A big loss.

The Cannibal

I reckon there'll be a huge tribute show in his memory.

flahavaj

This is absolutely unbelievable. I'm waiting for the train to Thurles and only logged in for a secind to kill time and I read this. I'm in total shock.

RIP Misawa, one of the true greats.

Fozzy

The Cannibal wrote: »

I reckon there'll be a huge tribute show in his memory.

This could end up changing the Japanese wrestling landscape. Misawa was the president of NOAH and the main guy there. NOAH lost their tv deal this year and things weren't looking good for them. It's too early to say, but his death could end up having even bigger implications

I'm just watching some matches of his. I could watch these all day

ScumdogV2

Fozzy wrote: »

This could end up changing the Japanese wrestling landscape. Misawa was the president of NOAH and the main guy there. NOAH lost their tv deal this year and things weren't looking good for them. It's too early to say, but his death could end up having even bigger implications

I'm thinking the same thing. What happens now, who will take over? Losing their TV deal was bad enough, but losing the company figurehead too? So will there be a power struggle now? Puro has a tradition of companies folding when their figurehead/owner pass away.

Things aren't looking good for NOAH Be a damn shame if they go under. NOAH has been my promotion of the decade by a country mile.

flahavaj

Fozzy wrote: »

This could end up changing the Japanese wrestling landscape. Misawa was the president of NOAH and the main guy there. NOAH lost their tv deal this year and things weren't looking good for them. It's too early to say, but his death could end up having even bigger implications

I'm just watching some matches of his. I could watch these all day

Meeting him was one of the great honours of my life. I even managed to knock a smile out of him and Misawa never smiled.:(

He had more 5 star matches than just about anyone in history and he kobashi and kawada are the reason i still even care about wrestling. poor Saito must be just destroyed.

ShawnRaven

Hope ya don't mind Foz, i made a brief alteration to the title.
If people would like to throw in some youtube matches of Misawa for those who never saw the greatness involved, and turn it into somewhat of a tribute thread, given who he is and what he did for Pro Wrestling, that's worth the exception in my honest opinion.

SR

chopperbyrne

Mitsuharu Misawa Vs Big Van Vader

Part 1 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FrYAtYZxkqo

Part 2 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KTr0aolmFnU

Mitsuharu Misawa Vs Kenta Kobashi

Part 1 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DKCXYJyGDuw

Part 2 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_u4Yw6Deun0

Part 3 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Ld7CKnbcF4

Part 4 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g-xvrQ-KIpU

Part 5 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z0MhBOQTJ8w

Both of these matches are from All Japan Pro Wrestling, which from what I've seen was an absolute goldmine for quality matches in the 90's.

Mr.Nice Guy

I'm not as familiar with his work as others on the board but what a very sad way to go. Very young age too. RIP.

JP Liz

One of the most legendary wrestlers of all time, Mitsuharu Misawa, passed away in Hiroshima just over 2 hours ago.
Misawa went into cardiac arrest after a freak in-ring accident. In a match for the Pro Wrestling NOAH GHC Tag Titles, Akitoshi Saito delivered a routine backdrop suplex and Misawa stayed down. The doctor tried to revive him and he was taken to hospital where he passed away, days before his 47th birthday.

RIP

Rjd2

From Chris Hero's blog

Words cannot express how deeply shocked I am. We're all just in utter disbelief. Stunned sadness.

The moments at ringside felt an eternity. Never, in my life, have I wanted the fighting spirit to jump into someone's being more than I wanted tonight. The fans chanted Misawa, Misawa, Misawa. They wanted their Hero to get up so ****ing bad. Just get up. Come on! You're too tough for this. Too strong. I grabbed his boots and held onto them til they took him away.

My heart goes out to his family. His students. His peers. His friends. His fans. His opponents tonight and his partner. It was a freak accident. No one is at fault.

Rest in Peace Shacho.

I am not a Japanese wrestling expert but even I knew of the importance of this man. Terrible age to die and in the ring? That’s a tragedy.
R.I.P

shinzon

sometimes i think the sun goes to far, heres there article reporting on miswas death, in it they have a picture of misawa being carried from the ring, im going to post a link to the article but nothing more, if you wish to see the picture its there

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/wrestling/2480620/Japanese-wrestling-legend-Mitsuharu-Misawa-dies-in-ring.html

Shin

Fozzy

shinzon wrote: »

sometimes i think the sun goes to far, heres there article reporting on miswas death, in it they have a picture of misawa being carried from the ring, im going to post a link to the article but nothing more, if you wish to see the picture its there

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/wrestling/2480620/Japanese-wrestling-legend-Mitsuharu-Misawa-dies-in-ring.html

Shin

News stations in Japan have been showing extensive footage of the attempts to resuscitate him in the ring and the rest of the aftermath

ShawnRaven

shinzon wrote: »

sometimes i think the sun goes to far, heres there article reporting on miswas death, in it they have a picture of misawa being carried from the ring, im going to post a link to the article but nothing more, if you wish to see the picture its there

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/wrestling/2480620/Japanese-wrestling-legend-Mitsuharu-Misawa-dies-in-ring.html

Shin

It's The Sun! You're expecting tact, taste and respect? You may as well be f*cking for virginity there, Shin.

shinzon

Fozzy wrote: »

News stations in Japan have been showing extensive footage of the attempts to resuscitate him in the ring and the rest of the aftermath

Hmm based on that fozzy i think the piccy in the sun looks tame

Shin

Jimmy Bottlehead

Fozzy wrote: »

News stations in Japan have been showing extensive footage of the attempts to resuscitate him in the ring and the rest of the aftermath

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UfL9Ohve1lM

This is one of the reports. It shows Misawa immediately following the accident and the attempts to revive him. I'm posting here if people want to see it - some won't and will find it too graphic I think. But its there for those who do want to see it.

Very sad affair altogether.

Diabhal Beag

Japan is left with an empty void where a great wrestler would have been. That was Misawa.













R.I.P SAWA

At this stage wrestling is a mugs game . Too many deaths not even entertaining anymore its just not worth it.

RIP

flahavaj

Jimmy Bottlehead wrote: »

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UfL9Ohve1lM

This is one of the reports. It shows Misawa immediately following the accident and the attempts to revive him. I'm posting here if people want to see it - some won't and will find it too graphic I think. But its there for those who do want to see it.

Very sad affair altogether.

That's incredibly hard to watch. I had tears in my eyes when the "Misawa" chant broke out amongst the crowd. The look on Takayama's face, who nearly died himself in 2004, says it all, utter shock, confusion and disbelief.

On reflection, at leat there is the tiny crumb of comfort in the fact that he died doing what he truly loved to do. He leaves an incredible legacy behind and his influence on wrestling as a whole cannot be understated, from the style he developed in the 1990's, to setting up Pro Wrestling NOAH. He was a man of honour and dignity, who felf duty-bound to take all those hard bumps over the year im order to carry AJPW and NOAH on his back. It was thi sense of duty that was to be his downfall. Its an eerie coincidence that the film "The Wrestler" went on release in Japan yesterday, as the parallels between the two are uncanny.

My Tribute to Misawa is the following match, which in my humble opinion is the greatest match of all time. It has not and never will be topped. It is absolute wrestling perfection and that, more than anything, is the legacy that Misawa-san keaves behind.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AoWnvDSXM7A

Jolt2007

flahavaj wrote: »

My Tribute to Misawa is the following match, which in my humble opinion is the greatest match of all time. It has not and never will be topped. It is absolute wrestling perfection and that, more than anything, is the legacy that Misawa-san keaves behind.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AoWnvDSXM7A

I actually first saw that match because of the draft and researching for it. Probably the highest point of it for me.

Dunno what else to say that hasn't been said already. I guess in a way if it had to happen it's fitting he went out doing what he loved most. And also, they really don't break kayfabe in Japan, do they?

GHC Heavyweight Tag Team Title Match
Bison SMITH & Akitoshi SAITO (Champion Team) (W) vs. Mitsuharu MISAWA & Go SHIOZAKI (Challenger Team) (L)
@27 min 03 sec. SAITO beat MISAWA by TKO.
Team of Bison & SAITO successfully defended their title for the 3rd time.

http://www.noah-usa.cc/results2009.html

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Soc44xn4SLM

RIP

fatal

How tragic that a guy who was one of the best at what he did died because of it.There will never be another Misawa.There's no doubt that his legacy will be kept alive through some of the best matches than we have ever seen in pro wrestling.Meltzer's obituary on this should be amazing.
RIP:(:(

RebelRockChick

From WWE.com

Wrestling legend Mitsuharu Misawa passes
Written: June 14, 2009

"On behalf of WWE, we were deeply saddened to hear of the tragic loss of Mitsuharu Misawa. We extend our sincere condolences to his family, friends and fans. Misawa will be remembered as one of the all-time greats in Japan," said John Laurinaitis, WWE Executive Vice President of Talent Relations.

Can't say I have seen much of him myself, but it very sad to hear especially in this industry and so young!
RIP.

Lone Kimono

I should watch more Japanese wrestling, I never saw Mitsuhare Misawa wrestle, but going by the general consensus I would say that its my loss. Sad to hear this news, may he Rest in Piece.

gimmick

Having seen some of Misawas later matches, i always wondered what the hype was. That is until i was pointed in the direction of some of his earleir work in the 1990s and then I realsied. A true innovator and a definite legend. Shocked to get a text about it the other day. Fitting that he should die in the ring, given the amount of blood sweat and teas shed in it for the last 20+ years.

ShawnRaven

gimmick wrote: »

Fitting that he should die in the ring, given the amount of blood sweat and teas shed in it for the last 20+ years.

First thing that crossed my mind when i read the news too. That i don't think he was going to go any other way.

Fozzy

Meltzer has reported that the cause of death has been taken from police reports as a spinal cord injury. The initial reports were that the backdrop looked stiff, but not as much as a typical Morishima one for example. So basically just a move that he would have taken in nearly every match of his career

A Japanese ref has died after collapsing in the ring the day after Misawa. Ted Tanabe was a ref for Osaka Pro. I remember him from some Michinoku Pro matches, he was a bit of a character. He reffed some ECW matches when Michinoku Pro went over there. He was the same age as Misawa as well

A tragic weekend

The Cannibal

Was it a regular back drop or a back drop driver like Dr. Death's?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xxanIU_8Ka0

Just so you know, that vid has Misawa taking a few in it before you click.

Fozzy

A regular back drop is what the reports said, stiffer than what you'd see in WWE but it sounded like the sort of thing that Misawa has taken a thousand times before

Gerard.C

Very sad news, I had the privalage of meeting Misawa and seeing him wrestle last summer in Coventry, there was something special about watching Kobashi and Misawa in the ring together, you just knew you were watching two of the best in the world!

Was there a tribute show the next day or something? And what's after happening the fella who suplexed him? You'd have to feel bad for him, imagine the guilt he's going through over what was nothing more than a freak accident that could have happened to anyone.

R.I.P to one of the best

Fozzy

Gerard.C wrote: »

Was there a tribute show the next day or something? And what's after happening the fella who suplexed him?

NOAH continued with their planned show on Sunday, obviously it was in memory of Misawa, they still might do a tribute show down the line. A new champion was crowned after Akiyama vacated the title earlier that day because of a herniated disc. You'd have to wonder if the circumstances played into his decision

New Japan's show on Sunday was some sort of tribute to Misawa but I'm not sure of the exact details

Saito, who performed the suplex on Misawa, looked very upset in the photos that I saw from the Sunday show

flahavaj

God, Meltzer's tribute in the Observer today was absolutely brilliant. As is his wont when writing these things, he captured the essence of the man perfectly.

This sums the whole thing up quite beautifully:

"There have been an endless number of high profile pro wrestler deaths over the past 25 years. There were the drug deaths, the accidents in and out of the ring, and even a high profile murder. Many were the result of the lifestyle of being a high profile pro wrestling star and falling to the easy temptations. Some, like Eddy Guerrero, may have been, as Dusty Rhodes said right after his death, that he died trying to be a main eventer, essentially steroids and Growth Hormone to try and overcompensate for his small stature that was the only thing holding him from that status. Misawa was the first to die not from trying to be a champion, nor from the lifestyle of the spoils from that success, but because of being the champion. "

Diabhal Beag

Misawa was said to be so broken down that it only took a bad back suplex to end the legends life. He never took a break really in many-many years and was out-of-shape.

Legend nonetheless

Fozzy

I've seen some photos of the move that broke his neck and it looks a lot more dangerous than initially reported. It sort of puts into perspective why a guy like Steve Austin, who's been told that one bad bump could leave him paralysed, is in no rush to get back in the ring

Diabhal Beag

Fozzy wrote: »

I've seen some photos of the move that broke his neck and it looks a lot more dangerous than initially reported. It sort of puts into perspective why a guy like Steve Austin, who's been told that one bad bump could leave him paralysed, is in no rush to get back in the ring

You really have to take into account how much more grueling the Japanese style is compared to the American style. I watched Misawa -v-Kobashi today and the amount of times he landed on his head from a dragon suplex was unreal. Misawa would sell and take a lot of offense (to his credit) throughout matches and his body was destroyed in the last few years. Austin was unfortunate and wasn't his fault really. The difference is Misawa was taking these risky moves so often and Austin just had a total miscommunication with Owen.

Fozzy

Diabhal Beag wrote: »

You really have to take into account how much more grueling the Japanese style is compared to the American style. I watched Misawa -v-Kobashi today and the amount of times he landed on his head from a dragon suplex was unreal. Misawa would sell and take a lot of offense (to his credit) throughout matches and his body was destroyed in the last few years. Austin was unfortunate and wasn't his fault really. The difference is Misawa was taking these risky moves so often and Austin just had a total miscommunication with Owen.

Still, my point is that Austin (and others) was told by a doctor that one bad bump could leave him paralysed. Misawa appears to have been in the very same situation. He took one bad bump, but not as bad as he had survived in the past, and it was enough to break his neck and kill him

I've read reports that his final match will be shown in full on tv. It wouldn't surprise me, although I've seen a download of the show and the final match wasn't on it (I mean that I've seen a place to download it, not that I've watched it)

Diabhal Beag

I doubt much people would watch the match TBH.

EoinHeffernan

Photo of the incident:
http://kakutolog.cocolog-nifty.com/.shared/image.html?/photos/uncategorized/2009/06/17/090617wp3.jpg

Apparently fans have targeted and begun vandalizing Saito's home in anger over it. Got to feel sorry for him.

Fozzy

Diabhal Beag wrote: »

I doubt much people would watch the match TBH.

Why? I'd say the very opposite. People are like that

Gerard.C

EoinHeffernan wrote: »

Photo of the incident:
http://kakutolog.cocolog-nifty.com/.shared/image.html?/photos/uncategorized/2009/06/17/090617wp3.jpg

Apparently fans have targeted and begun vandalizing Saito's home in anger over it. Got to feel sorry for him.

Ah jesus poor Saito, it was an accident, having that on your head for the rest of your life is bad enough without people ****ing blaming you for it. Meltzer said he had to be talked out of announcing his reitrement before the show after Misawa died. I was watching videos of that show and the interview with Saito after his match, despite being double-dutch to me, was awful to watch. It was a routine suplex from what the reports suggest. You'd have to believe that Misawa wouldn't want that kind of reaction.

ShawnRaven

EoinHeffernan wrote: »

Photo of the incident:
http://kakutolog.cocolog-nifty.com/.shared/image.html?/photos/uncategorized/2009/06/17/090617wp3.jpg

Apparently fans have targeted and begun vandalizing Saito's home in anger over it. Got to feel sorry for him.

That is so unfortunate. It's not like Saito went out of his way and went ahead with a dangerous move against Misawa's wish (ala Owen Hart/Steve Austin).

Given how seriously Pro Wrestling is taken over there, one would question how the fans aren't as understanding. Christ knows they've been watching long enough to know that accidents do happen, especially the crazy style they work over there.

ShawnRaven

Fozzy wrote: »

Why? I'd say the very opposite. People are like that

This! Bootlegs tapes were sought after left, right and centre for Over The Edge 99 because WWE didn't release it. Same for Royal Rumble 88. If it's rare/unaired, people want to see it, it's that simple.

flahavaj

The first really big show for NOAH since Misawa's death featured an emotional conclusion as the ring was engulfed with green and white streamers after what was said to be an incredible main event between KENTA/Go Shiosaki and Kensuke Sasaki/Nakajima.

So much rests on the young shoulders of Shiosaki now. I really hope he can step up to the plate. They are crying out for a new heavyweight hero, with Misawa gone and Kobashi/Akiyama in no fit state to wrestle regularly.

Gerard.C

Footage of the Misawa public Memorial. Queues of over 2km apparantly. Fitting send off for a legend

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tqzCogGmKp0

Gerard.C

And for those interested, the public ceremony. Part 1 of 15.

michael.etc...

flahavaj wrote: »

So much rests on the young shoulders of Shiosaki now. I really hope he can step up to the plate. They are crying out for a new heavyweight hero, with Misawa gone and Kobashi/Akiyama in no fit state to wrestle regularly.

It's odd, like many other people I've spent the past year or two slating most of Go's work in ROH, and now i'm completely pullng for him to be able to step up. I would have preferred to see Morishima take the vacant title though, as he's already held it, and built up to Go winning it from him for the first time. Either way, it's troubling times for NOAH.

RIP Misawa.