The pro wrestling world is saddened after the demise of NJPW legend Kuniaki Kobayashi at the age of 68.
New Japan Pro-Wrestling announced the passing of Kuniaki Kobayashi as he was battling illness. Kobayashi joined the NJPW Dojo in 1972 and made his official debut in 1973. He had several international excursions and his red martial arts gear became his signature. He also had a run as Chin Kobiashi in the WWF.
Kobayashi would appoint himself NJPW’s ‘Tiger Hunter’ and engaged in memorable battles on prime-time TV broadcasts. In 1989, Kobayashi’s rivalry with Tiger Mask was reignited when he became Jyushin Liger’s first opponent at the Tokyo Dome. As a prominent member of the Heisei Ishingun, Kobayashi played a pivotal role throughout the 1990s and had multiple encounters with Liger. They faced each other in four singles matches, with the final one taking place at Kobayashi’s official retirement in 2000.
Kobayashi earned numerous accolades throughout his career, including holding the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship and the World Junior Heavyweight Championship in All Japan Pro Wrestling. He was a prominent figure in NJPW, especially in the 1990s, and made his last in-ring appearance in 2017 at Wrestle Kingdom 11.
Kobayashi remained involved with NJPW in a management role at the NJPW Dojo until he passed away. NJPW expressed their deepest sympathies to Kobayashi’s family, friends, and fans. NJPW wrote: “The thoughts and utmost sympathies of all at New Japan Pro-Wrestling are with Kobayashi’s family, friends and fans.”
