Sadly, the world of professional wrestling has lost a revolutionary talent with the passing of Kuniaki Kobayashi at 68 years old after a battle with illness.

First wrestling when he was just a teenager, Kobayashi would go on to innovate multiple aspects of professional wrestling, including inventing the fisherman suplex, a move most known to American fans as Curt Henning’s Perfect-plex.

Kobayashi was also pioneered the Junior Heavyweight division in the ’80s, going on to win the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship.

NJPW G1-Climax 2018
TOKYO, JAPAN – AUGUST 12: A general view during the New Japan Pro-Wrestling G1 Climax 28 at Nippon Budokan on August 12, 2018 in Tokyo, Japan.
TOKYO, JAPAN – AUGUST 12: A general view during the New Japan Pro-Wrestling G1 Climax 28 at Nippon Budokan on August 12, 2018 in Tokyo, Japan.
New Japan Pro-Wrestling/Getty Images

Kobayashi is also fondly remembered for multiple feuds, battling with Jyushin “Thunder” Liger, Owen Hart, and Hiroshi Hase.

However, his most memorable rivalry was with the iconic Tiger Mask, leading to Kobayashi calling himself the “Tiger Hunter.”

After retiring in 2000, Kobayashi would go on to make multiple special appearances and remained active with the NJPW Dojo, training multiple wrestlers who are still active today, including current WWE Superstars Finn Bálor, Tama Tonga, and Luke Gallows.

New Japan Pro-Wrestling announced the loss on social media along with a link to an in-memoriam for Kobayashi.

“New Japan Pro-Wrestling is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of former IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion, and Noge Dojo manager Kuniaki Kobayashi,” the post read. “Our deepest sympathies go to Kobayashi’s family, friends and fans.”

NJPW also paid tribute to Kobayashi by giving him a ten-bell salute before Road to Destruction on Sept. 10.

Multiple wrestlers and wrestling experts have come out to pay tribute to the late legend.

WWE Vice President of Global Talent Development William Regal remembered him as an underrated wrestler who innovated the ’80s Junior Heavyweight division.

“Very sorry to hear of the passing of Kuniaki Kobayashi,” Regal said. “A brilliant wrestler who wasn’t heralded enough for his exceptional skills and being a huge part of the early ’80s Jr Heavyweight division in [NJPW]. My deepest condolences to his friends and family. I think every tour I did for NJPW I did in the 90’s he was on. Rest well.”

Current WWE Superstar and former IWGP Heavyweight Champion Shuinsuke Nakamura recalled training under Kobayashi at the NJPW dojo.

“At that time, Kobayashi-san, who was the manager of the dojo, taught all of my classmates, including myself, the basics of the dojo, how to make chanko, and sometimes even how to practice…he taught us many things,” Nakamura said. “We pray for your soul to rest in peace. Joining hands in prayer.”

Current WWE Superstar Karl Anderson wrote a lengthy post on Instagram thanking Kobayashi for being a constant figure at the NJPW Dojo.

“Brothers came in and out of the dojo and in and out of New Japan but one constant was always the man that took care of the brothers at the dojo… The great Kobayashi-san,” Anderson said.

“My last trip to Japan in January of 2023 for the [NJPW Wrestle Kingdom], I surprisingly saw Kobayashi San at the Tokyo Dome. Was able to give the good brother a quick hug.”

“Thank you for all you did for me. You have no idea the impact you had on our lives… ARRIGATO KOBAYASHI SAN. Rest in Peace, I will miss you.”

Record-breaking eight-time IWGP Heavyweight Champion Hiroshi Tanahashi thanked Kobayashi for being an excellent teacher.

“After Mr. Kobayashi retired in April 2000, he took care of the dojo,” Tanahashi said. He taught all of us, including the current students, many things. Thank you very much. I pray for your soul to rest in peace.”

The team at Newsweek offers our condolences to Kobayashi’s family and friends as they mourn this loss.

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