Mitsuharu Misawa (三沢 光晴, Misawa Mitsuharu^?) is a Japanese professional wrestler. He became famous working for All Japan Pro Wrestling. Currently he owns, operates, and wrestles for Pro Wrestling NOAH, where he is the current GHC Heavyweight Champion and serves as the chairman of the Global Professional Wrestling Alliance. Tiger Mask (Japanese: タイガーマスク) began as a manga in 1968 and was later adapted into a successful anime series in 1969. ... is the 169th day of the year (170th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1962 (MCMLXII) was a common year starting on Monday (the link is to a full 1962 calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Koshigaya (越谷市 Koshigaya-shi) is a city located in Saitama, Japan. ... Saitama Prefecture (埼玉県; Saitama-ken) is located on Honshu island, Japan. ... Shohei Baba (Baba Shōhei, 1938–1999) was a professional wrestler and co-founder of All Japan Pro Wrestling. ... Dick Beyer is a retired professional wrestler who is best known by his ring names, The Destroyer or Doctor X who wore a wrestling mask. ... Dorrance Funk, Jr. ... is the 233rd day of the year (234th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1981 (MCMLXXXI) was a common year starting on Thursday (link displays the 1981 Gregorian calendar). ... Puroresu is Japanese professional wrestling, as seen in FMW, New Japan Pro Wrestling, and All Japan Pro Wrestling. ... All Japan Pro Wrestling (AJPW) (全日本プロレス, zen nihon puroresu) is a Japanese professional wrestling promotion established in 1972. ... Pro Wrestling NOAH is a Japanese professional wrestling promotion, founded in 2000. ... GHC Heavyweight Championship The Global Honored Crown Heavyweight Championship is the top title of the Japanese professional wrestling promotion Pro Wrestling NOAH. Title history Trivia The longest reigning champion is Kenta Kobashi, with a record of two years and 13 title defenses. ... The logo of the Global Professional Wrestling Alliance The Global Professional Wrestling Alliance (GPWA) are a group of professional wrestling promotions and wrestlers from around the world who have come together to cooperate. ...

Career

Misawa was a successful amateur wrestler. Competing in the junior age group, he placed fifth at the 1980 freestyle World Championships. Misawa was trained in professional wrestling by Dick "The Destroyer" Beyer, Shohei Baba, and Dory Funk, Jr. and made his professional debut on August 21, 1981 for All Japan Pro Wrestling. Early in his career, Misawa wrestled as Tiger Mask II, as All-Japan had purchased the rights to the Tiger Mask gimmick (which was originally owned by New-Japan). On May 17, 1990, during a tag match against Yoshiaki Yatsu and Hiromichi Fuyuki, he commanded his partner (and future rival) Toshiaki Kawada to unmask him, thus abandoning the Tiger Mask gimmick. FILA Greatest Wrestler of 20th Century (Greco-Roman) Alexander Karelin throws Olympian Jeff Blatnick with his Karelin Lift Womens wrestling Andrell Durden (top) and Edward Harris grapple for position during the All-Marine Wrestle Offs. ... This article is about freestyle wrestling. ... Dick Beyer is a retired professional wrestler who is best known by his ring names, The Destroyer or Doctor X who wore a wrestling mask. ... Shohei Baba (Baba Shōhei, 1938–1999) was a professional wrestler and co-founder of All Japan Pro Wrestling. ... Dorrance Funk, Jr. ... is the 233rd day of the year (234th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1981 (MCMLXXXI) was a common year starting on Thursday (link displays the 1981 Gregorian calendar). ... All Japan Pro Wrestling (AJPW) (全日本プロレス, zen nihon puroresu) is a Japanese professional wrestling promotion established in 1972. ... is the 137th day of the year (138th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1990 (MCMXC) was a common year starting on Monday (link displays the 1990 Gregorian calendar). ... Toshiaki Kawada ) is a professional wrestler who is most known for his work in All Japan Pro Wrestling. ...

Weeks later, Misawa defeated Jumbo Tsuruta on June 8 in his first main event at Nippon Budokan; the match is seen as a turning point in the history of All Japan, with Misawa being established as a major threat and a new star. Misawa made his first challenge for the Triple Crown in July, losing to Stan Hansen in a decision match for the vacant titles after Terry Gordy was forced to vacate the belts. After losing to Jumbo in a rematch on September 1, he teamed with then-regular partner Toshiaki Kawada to place third in the Real World Tag League, beating the team of Jumbo & Akira Taue on the final day. Misawa again challenged for the Triple Crown in April, but fell to Tsuruta for a second time. Misawa continued his growth throughout 1991, pinning Terry Gordy in successive months in June and July, the second coming in an AJPW World Tag Team Titles match, with Misawa winning the belts for himself and partner Kawada. The pair made their first defence against the team of Tsuruta & Taue on September 30 at Nippon Budokan, with Misawa historically submitting Jumbo to end the match. Misawa then went on to dominate All Japan Pro Wrestling throughout the 1990s, with multiple Triple Crown and AJPW World Tag Team Title reigns. His rivalries with Jumbo Tsuruta, Toshiaki Kawada and Kenta Kobashi are legendary, with many classic matches against them. His tag-team partners included Kenta Kobashi and Jun Akiyama. Tomomi Tsuruta (March 25, 1951 - May 13, 2000), better known by his ring name Jumbo Tsuruta, was a professional wrestler who wrestled for All Japan Pro Wrestling for most of his career. ... is the 159th day of the year (160th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... For the computer game Budokan, see Budokan: The Martial Spirit For the style of Karate, see Budokan Karate-do The Nippon Budokan ), often shortened to just Budokan, is an arena in central Tokyo. ... The term Triple Crown is used in several distinct contexts. ... This article or section does not adequately cite its references or sources. ... Terry Gordy (April 23, 1961 - July 16, 2001) was a professional wrestler who was most famous for being a member of the Fabulous Freebirds. ... is the 244th day of the year (245th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Toshiaki Kawada ) is a professional wrestler who is most known for his work in All Japan Pro Wrestling. ... The Worlds Strongest Tag Team League (世界最強タッグ決定リーグ戦, Sekai Saikyō Taggu Kettei Rīgu-sen), more commonly known in the West as the Real World Tag League, is a professional wrestling tournament run yearly by All Japan Pro Wrestling since 1977. ... Akira Taue (田上明; Taue Akira), is a Japanese professional wrestler, who works for Pro Wrestling NOAH. // Career Akira Taue competed as a sumo wrestler (his shikona was Tamakirin) before becoming a professional wrestler. ... is the 273rd day of the year (274th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... All Japan Pro Wrestling (AJPW) (全日本プロレス, zen nihon puroresu) is a Japanese professional wrestling promotion established in 1972. ... Tomomi Tsuruta (March 25, 1951 - May 13, 2000), better known by his ring name Jumbo Tsuruta, was a professional wrestler who wrestled for All Japan Pro Wrestling for most of his career. ... Kenta Kobashi ) is a professional wrestler who currently works for Pro Wrestling NOAH. He has previously worked for All Japan Pro Wrestling. ... Jun Akiyama (秋山準 Akiyama Jun) is a Japanese professional wrestler who currently works for Pro Wrestling NOAH. // In junior high school Akiyama practised swimming and in senior high school he did freestyle amateur wrestling and judo. ...

Following the death of AJPW head booker Giant Baba, Misawa inherited the position of AJPW president. After disagreements with widow Motoko Baba and being removed by a board of executives in 2000, Misawa left All Japan in May 2000; with him followed all but two natives (Toshiaki Kawada and Masanobu Fuchi) to form Pro Wrestling NOAH. NOAH debuted (billed as "DEPARTURE") on August 5 and 6, 2000, as the shows featured the 23 other wrestlers that had resigned from All-Japan. On July 18, 2004, Misawa returned to All-Japan and defeated Satoshi Kojima at Battle Banquet; he would return once more on October 31, 2004 for the Keiji Mutoh: Love and Bump pay-per-view event, where he (along with Keiji Mutoh) defeated Hiroshi Hase and Kensuke Sasaki in what was billed as a "Special Dream Tag Match." Shohei Baba (1938–1999) was a professional wrestler and co-founder of All Japan Pro Wrestling. ... Masanobu Fuchi , born January 14, 1954) is a Japanese professional wrestler currently working for All Japan Pro Wrestling as a full-time wrestler, as well as a director. ... Pro Wrestling NOAH is a Japanese professional wrestling promotion, founded in 2000. ... is the 199th day of the year (200th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 304th day of the year (305th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Keiji Mutoh , born December 23, 1962) is a Japanese professional wrestler who first gained international fame in the National Wrestling Alliance. ... Hiroshi Hase (born on May 5, 1961 in Oyabe, Toyama, Japan) is a retired Japanese professional wrestler who worked for New Japan Pro Wrestling and All Japan Pro Wrestling, prior to transitioning to a position in the Japanese parliament. ... Kensuke Sasaki is a Japanese professional wrestler who currently wrestles for various promotions through his own agency, such as All Japan Pro Wrestling. ...

In 2005, Misawa and his long time partner Yoshinari Ogawa returned the GHC Tag Team belts to NOAH from the New Japan Pro Wrestling combination of Yuji Nagata & Hiroshi Tanahashi. Currently, Misawa continues to wrestle a full-time schedule, competing mostly in tag team matches. At the Nippon Budokan on December 10, 2006, he defeated Naomichi Marufuji to win his 3rd GHC Heavyweight Championship. Misawa has defended the GHC World Heavyweight Championship against current ROH World Heavyweight Champion Takeshi Morishima, Takuma Sano & Top Gaijin Bison Smith. Misawa retained his title for the 4th time when he pinned Akira Taue after a Emerald Frosion Custom. On August 25, 2007 it was announced that Misawa would be on the November 2nd and November 3rd Ring of Honor "Glory By Honor" cards in Philadelphia and New York respectively. Yoshinari Ogawa is a Japanese professional wrestler who currently works for Pro Wrestling NOAH. // Career Ogawa was of the top stars in All Japan Pro Wrestlings junior heavyweight division in the 1990s, winning the junior heavyweight championship three times. ... New Japan Pro Wrestling (新日本プロレス, shin nihon puroresu) is a major professional wrestling federation in Japan, founded by Antonio Inoki in 1972. ... Yuji Nagata Height: 60 (183cm) Weight: 238lbs (108kg) Date of Birth: 4/24/68 Place of Birth: Togane City, Chiba Debut: September 14th, 1992 (vs. ... Hiroshi Tanahashi (born November 13, 1976) is a Japanese professional wrestler who works primarily for New Japan Pro Wrestling, where he is the reigning IWGP World Heavyweight Champion. ... For the computer game Budokan, see Budokan: The Martial Spirit For the style of Karate, see Budokan Karate-do The Nippon Budokan ), often shortened to just Budokan, is an arena in central Tokyo. ... is the 344th day of the year (345th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Naomichi Marufuji ) is a Japanese professional wrestler who competes for Pro Wrestling NOAH and the US based independent wrestling promotion, Ring of Honor. ... GHC Heavyweight Championship The Global Honored Crown Heavyweight Championship is the top title of the Japanese professional wrestling promotion Pro Wrestling NOAH. Title history Trivia The longest reigning champion is Kenta Kobashi, with a record of two years and 13 title defenses. ... For other uses, see Ring of Honor (disambiguation). ...

On October 27, it was announced Misawa will be defending the GHC title against Samoa Joe.

In wrestling

Finishing and signature moves

• Emerald Frosion (Sitout side powerslam)
• Emerald Frosion II (Fireman's carry into Sitout side powerslam)
• Emerald Frosion Custom (Sitout vertical suplex side powerslam)
• Super Emerald Frosion / Avalanche Emerald Frosion (Second rope sitout side powerslam)
• Tiger Driver (Sitout double underhook powerbomb)
• Tiger Driver '91 (Kneeling head spike double underhook powerbomb)
• Super Tiger Driver / Avalanche Tiger Driver (Top rope double underhook powerbomb)
• Rolling Elbow (Discus elbow smash)
• Running elbow smash
• Tiger Suplex '85 (Bridging half nelson suplex)
• Tiger Splash (Frog splash)
• Elbow smash
• Tiger suplex
• Monkey flip
• Forward roll into camel clutch
• Seated crossface

A Powerslam is a professional wrestling body slam move in which the wrestler performing the slam falls face-down on top of his/her opponent. ... Professional wrestling holds include a number of set moves and pins used by competitors to immobilize their opponents. ... A Powerslam is a professional wrestling body slam move in which the wrestler performing the slam falls face-down on top of his/her opponent. ... A Powerslam is a professional wrestling body slam move in which the wrestler performing the slam falls face-down on top of his/her opponent. ... Aerial techniques are used in professional wrestling to show off the speed and agility of a wrestler. ... A Powerslam is a professional wrestling body slam move in which the wrestler performing the slam falls face-down on top of his/her opponent. ... Professional wrestling throws are the application of techniques that involve lifting the opponent up and throwing or slamming him or her down, which makes up most of the action of professional wrestling. ... Professional wrestling throws are the application of techniques that involve lifting the opponent up and throwing or slamming him or her down, which makes up most of the action of professional wrestling. ... Aerial techniques are used in professional wrestling to show off the speed and agility of a wrestler. ... A Powerbomb is a professional wrestling move in which an opponent is lifted up (usually so that they are sitting on the wrestlers shoulders) and then slammed back-first down to the mat. ... Attacking maneuvers in the kayfabe of professional wrestling are mainly used to wear down an opponent for a submission hold or as a set up for a throw. ... Attacking maneuvers in the kayfabe of professional wrestling are mainly used to wear down an opponent for a submission hold or as a set up for a throw. ... Attacking maneuvers in the kayfabe of professional wrestling are mainly used to wear down an opponent for a submission hold or as a set up for a throw. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... Aerial techniques are used in professional wrestling to show off the speed and agility of a wrestler. ... Attacking maneuvers in the kayfabe of professional wrestling are mainly used to wear down an opponent for a submission hold or as a set up for a throw. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... Professional wrestling throws are the application of techniques that involve lifting the opponent up and throwing or slamming him or her down, which makes up most of the action of professional wrestling. ... Professional wrestling holds include a number of set moves and pins used by competitors to immobilize their opponents. ... Professional wrestling holds include a number of set moves and pins used by competitors to immobilize their opponents. ...

Championships and accomplishments

• All Japan Pro Wrestling

• AJPW All Asia Tag Team Championship (2 times) – with Kenta Kobashi (1) and Yoshinari Ogawa (1)
• AJPW Triple Crown Championship (5 times)
• AJPW Unified World Tag Team Championship (6 times) – with Toshiaki Kawada (2), Kenta Kobashi (2), Jun Akiyama (1) and Yoshinari Ogawa (1)
• NWA International Junior Heavyweight Championship (1 time) (Last)
• PWF Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with Jumbo Tsuruta
• Champion's Carnival winner in 1995
• Champion's Carnival winner in 1998
• World's Strongest Tag Team League winner in 1992 – with Toshiaki Kawada
• World's Strongest Tag Team League winner in 1993 – with Kenta Kobashi
• World's Strongest Tag Team League winner in 1994 – with Kenta Kobashi
• World's Strongest Tag Team League winner in 1995 – with Kenta Kobashi

• Pro Wrestling NOAH

• GHC Heavyweight Championship (3 times, current) (First)
• GHC Tag Team Championship (2 times) – with Yoshinari Ogawa

• Pro Wrestling Illustrated

• PWI ranked him # 2 of the 500 best singles wrestlers in the PWI 500 in 1997.
• PWI ranked him # 6 of the 500 best singles wrestlers during the "PWI Years" in 2003.
• PWI ranked him # 6 of the 100 best tag teams of the "PWI Years" with Kenta Kobashi. in 2003.
• PWI ranked him # 11 of the 100 best tag teams of the "PWI Years" with Toshiaki Kawada in 2003.

• Wrestling Observer Newsletter

• Best Flying Wrestler award in 1985
• Match of the Year award in 1985 - vs Kuniaki Kobayashi
• Best Flying Wrestler award in 1986
• Most Underrated Wrestler award in 1988
• Feud of the Year award in 1990 - vs Jumbo Tsuruta
• Feud of the Year award in 1991 - vs Jumbo Tsuruta
• Tag Team of the Year award in 1991 - with Toshiaki Kawada
• Wrestler of the Year award in 1995
• Tag Team of the Year award in 1995 - with Kenta Kobashi
• Tag Team of the Year award in 1996 - with Jun Akiyama
• Match of the Year award in 1996 - with Jun Akiyama vs Steve Williams and Johnny Ace
• Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame (Class of 1996)
• Wrestler of the Year award in 1997
• Most Outstanding Wrestler award in 1997
• Tag Team of the Year award in 1997 - with Jun Akiyama
• Match of the Year award in 1998 - vs Kenta Kobashi
• Wrestler of the Year award in 1999
• Most Outstanding Wrestler award in 1999
• Match of the Year award in 1999 - vs Kenta Kobashi
• Match of the Year award in 2003 - vs Kenta Kobashi

All Japan Pro Wrestling (AJPW) (全日本プロレス, zen nihon puroresu) is a Japanese professional wrestling promotion established in 1972. ... The AJPW All Asia Tag Team Championship is a tag team championship contested for in All Japan Pro Wrestling (AJPW). ... The AJPW All Asia Tag Team Championship is a tag team championship contested for in All Japan Pro Wrestling (AJPW). ... The AJPW Triple Crown World Heavyweight Championship (三冠ヘビー級王座, Sankan Hēbikyū Ōza) is the top singles title in All Japan Pro Wrestling. ... The AJPW Triple Crown World Heavyweight Championship (三冠ヘビー級王座, Sankan Hēbikyū Ōza) is the top singles title in All Japan Pro Wrestling. ... The AJPW Unified World Tag Team Championship is the premier tag team title in All Japan Pro Wrestling. ... The AJPW Unified World Tag Team Championship is the premier tag team title in All Japan Pro Wrestling. ... Toshiaki Kawada ) is a professional wrestler who is most known for his work in All Japan Pro Wrestling. ... Kenta Kobashi ) is a professional wrestler who currently works for Pro Wrestling NOAH. He has previously worked for All Japan Pro Wrestling. ... Jun Akiyama (秋山準 Akiyama Jun) is a Japanese professional wrestler who currently works for Pro Wrestling NOAH. // In junior high school Akiyama practised swimming and in senior high school he did freestyle amateur wrestling and judo. ... The NWA International Junior Heavyweight Championship started in 1979. ... The NWA International Junior Heavyweight Championship started in 1979. ... The PWF (Pacific Wrestling Federation) Tag Team Championship was a professional wrestling tag team championship in All Japan Pro Wrestling, created in 1984. ... The PWF (Pacific Wrestling Federation) Tag Team Championship was a professional wrestling tag team championship in All Japan Pro Wrestling, created in 1984. ... Tomomi Tsuruta (March 25, 1951 - May 13, 2000), better known by his ring name Jumbo Tsuruta, was a professional wrestler who wrestled for All Japan Pro Wrestling for most of his career. ... Established in 1973, the Champions Carnival is All Japan Pro Wrestlings annual heavyweight singles tournament, designed to determine who is the strongest wrestler in the promotion. ... Established in 1973, the Champions Carnival is All Japan Pro Wrestlings annual heavyweight singles tournament, designed to determine who is the strongest wrestler in the promotion. ... The Worlds Strongest Tag Team League (Sekai Saikyo Taggu Rigu), more commonly known in the West as the Real World Tag League, is a professional wrestling tournament run yearly by All Japan Pro Wrestling since 1977. ... The Worlds Strongest Tag Team League (Sekai Saikyo Taggu Rigu), more commonly known in the West as the Real World Tag League, is a professional wrestling tournament run yearly by All Japan Pro Wrestling since 1977. ... The Worlds Strongest Tag Team League (Sekai Saikyo Taggu Rigu), more commonly known in the West as the Real World Tag League, is a professional wrestling tournament run yearly by All Japan Pro Wrestling since 1977. ... The Worlds Strongest Tag Team League (Sekai Saikyo Taggu Rigu), more commonly known in the West as the Real World Tag League, is a professional wrestling tournament run yearly by All Japan Pro Wrestling since 1977. ... Pro Wrestling NOAH is a Japanese professional wrestling promotion, founded in 2000. ... GHC Heavyweight Championship The Global Honored Crown Heavyweight Championship is the top title of the Japanese professional wrestling promotion Pro Wrestling NOAH. Title history Trivia The longest reigning champion is Kenta Kobashi, with a record of two years and 13 title defenses. ... GHC Heavyweight Championship The Global Honored Crown Heavyweight Championship is the top title of the Japanese professional wrestling promotion Pro Wrestling NOAH. Title history Trivia The longest reigning champion is Kenta Kobashi, with a record of two years and 13 title defenses. ... The Global Honored Crown Tag Team Championship is a tag-team title in the simulated sporting events of professional wrestling. ... The Global Honored Crown Tag Team Championship is a tag-team title in the simulated sporting events of professional wrestling. ... Yoshinari Ogawa is a Japanese professional wrestler who currently works for Pro Wrestling NOAH. // Career Ogawa was of the top stars in All Japan Pro Wrestlings junior heavyweight division in the 1990s, winning the junior heavyweight championship three times. ... Pro Wrestling Illustrated (PWI) is a professional wrestling magazine. ... Pro Wrestling Illustrated (PWI) is a professional wrestling magazine. ... 1. ... Kenta Kobashi ) is a professional wrestler who currently works for Pro Wrestling NOAH. He has previously worked for All Japan Pro Wrestling. ... Toshiaki Kawada ) is a professional wrestler who is most known for his work in All Japan Pro Wrestling. ... Dave Herbert Meltzer (born October 24, 1961 in San Jose, California) is the editor of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, an insider newsletter for the world of professional wrestling. ... The Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame (WON HOF for short) is a professional wrestling hall of fame that exists only on paper. ... The Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame (WON HOF for short) is a professional wrestling hall of fame that exists only on paper. ...

Theme Music

Misawa's theme song "Spartan-X", is one of the most popular entrance themes of all-time and it remains the only song he has ever used throughout his career.

External links

• Official profile at Pro Wrestling NOAH
• Profile at Green Destiny