15 years ago, the greatest pro wrestler who ever lived died in the ring.
His name was Mitsuharu Misawa.
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/WrestlingColin
Twitter: https://twitter.com/WrestlingColin
Navigation
0:00 Intro
1:24 Early Years
4:17 Excursion to Mexico
5:49 The Tiger Mask Era
11:16 The Rise of Mitsuharu Misawa
21:10 Misawa's Personal Life
23:43 The Emerald Emperor in His Prime
27:40 The Fear of Rest
30:17 The Great AJPW Exodus
34:27 Pro Wrestling NOAH
38:07 The Decline
43:05 Death
47:49 Legacy
49:22 Thank You
Footage owners and sources:
Nippon TV
NTV G+
All Japan Pro Wrestling
Pro Wrestling NOAH
Sinclair Broadcast Group
Ring of Honor
GAORA SPORTS
Toei Company
Tsuburaya Productions
Office Academy, NNS (YTV)
The Pokemon Company International, OLM Team
Footage of Gaea Girls via Second Run
Primary information sources:
NOAH’s ARKIVE articles:
https://puroprogramtranslations.blogspot.com/2018/04/article.html
https://puroprogramtranslations.blogspot.com/2023/05/noahall-japan-motoko-babas-letter-to.html
https://puroprogramtranslations.blogspot.com/2022/03/noah-donmai-donmai-mitsuharu-misawas.html
https://puroprogramtranslations.blogspot.com/2023/08/noah-determination-of-departed-comments.html
https://puroprogramtranslations.blogspot.com/2024/05/noah-misawa-had-been-feeling-discomfort.html
https://puroprogramtranslations.blogspot.com/2019/06/noah-testament-of-misawa-letter-to.html
https://puroprogramtranslations.blogspot.com/2017/10/the-last-bump-by-mayumi-misawa.html
Hisame on Twitter: https://twitter.com/Hi5ame
The Four Pillars on Twitter: https://twitter.com/TheFourPillars1
Cameron Lee/KinchStalker’s translation of “The Four Heavenly Kings” by Hidetoshi Ichinose 2019 https://forums.prowrestlingonly.com/topic/54576-2019-four-pillars-bio-thread-index/
Original book: https://www.cdjapan.co.jp/product/NEOBK-2334011
Wrestler Observer Newsletter Mitsuharu Misawa biography, July 1 2009: https://members.f4wonline.com/wrestling-observer-newsletter/july-1-2009-observer-newsletter-part-ii-misawa-bio-big-match-history/
Wrestler Observer Newsletter article: Misawa vs. Tsuruta: 25 years ago, the bout that created and defined an era of pro wrestling https://www.f4wonline.com/news/japan/misawa-vs-tsuruta-25-years-ago-bout-created-and-defined-era-pro-wrestling-152191/
Wrestler Observer Newsletter article: Part II of Misawa bio, big match history, news updates on TNA, WWE https://members.f4wonline.com/wrestling-observer-newsletter/july-1-2009-observer-newsletter-part-ii-misawa-bio-big-match-history/
Wrestler Observer Newsletter article: Former AJPW owner Motoko Baba passes away at 78 https://www.f4wonline.com/news/japan/former-ajpw-owner-motoko-baba-passes-away-78-256306/
Wrestler Observer Newsletter article: Birth of NOAH, Vince Russo quits WCW, tons of news https://members.f4wonline.com/wrestling-observer-newsletter/june-26-2000-wrestling-observer-newsletter-birth-noah-vince-russo/
Wrestler Observer Newsletter article: Goldberg turns heel at Great American Bash, All Japan changes, more https://members.f4wonline.com/wrestling-observer-newsletter/june-19-2000-wrestling-observer-newsletter-goldberg-turns-heel-great/
Kotaku article: Deceased Wrestler Loved Great Video Games https://kotaku.com/deceased-wrestler-loved-great-video-games-5291846
Eggshells: Pro Wrestling In The Tokyo Dome by Chris Charlton https://www.amazon.ca/Eggshells-Pro-Wrestling-Tokyo-Dome-ebook/dp/B07DNG71V1?ref_=ast_author_mpb
Archived SLAM! Sports article: Funk Jr. & Dibiase remember Misawa as a trainee, foe and friend https://web.archive.org/web/20191101011049/http://slam.canoe.com/Slam/Wrestling/2009/06/13/9790061.html
Archived SLAM! Sports article: Japanese legend Mitsuharu Misawa dies in the ring https://web.archive.org/web/20191122222122/http://slam.canoe.com/Slam/Wrestling/2009/06/13/9788666.html
Japanese blog article on the immediate aftermath of Misawa’s death https://rock-note.com/%E3%82%B9%E3%83%9D%E3%83%BC%E3%83%84/misawa-sinosyunnkann-yome-musume/
POST Wrestling podcast: Mitsuharu Misawa Biography w/ Hisame | L&WRR #4 https://youtu.be/6-uLpWhP1UM