NJPW: 10 Greatest Wrestlers of All Time

10. Shinya Hashimoto

Toki City’s Hashimoto will never be remembered as the flashiest wrestler in the world. He was more of a powerhouse who relied on his strength and vicious strikes.   Nor will he be remembered for having a great physique.  At 5 foot 10 and weighing nearly 300 pounds, “Hakaiou” resembled more a bull than a wrestler.  But what this man will be remembered for is for being one of the best wrestlers of all time and undoubtedly one of New Japan’s most popular superstars to ever step foot in the ring.  He was one of the top draws throughout the 90’s and it seemed every time he wrestled, it was an event.

Hashimoto was with NJPW from 1988 until 2000 and in that span was about as dominant as anyone.  None more so than his run from May of 1994 until August of 1997 when he held the IWGP Heavyweight Championship for a staggering combined 1,052 days over 3 title runs.  His third and final reign last 489 days, a record that still stands to this day.  Mixed in with that greatness, he also managed to win 3 IWGP tag titles, as well as the 1990 Kyushu Cup, and the 1998 G1 Climax, the latter being almost a right of passage for all of NJPW’s greats.

Hashimoto left New Japan in 2000 and in 2001 founded his own promotion, Pro Wrestling ZERO1, a league that is still in business to this day.  He wrestled his final 3 years before taking some time off to heal from some injuries in August of 2004.  Less than a year later he would die tragically from a brain aneurysm.  Rumors were circling at that time of his passing that he was resting in order to make a return to the NJPW.  Wrestling fans will never know.  But for certain, that at only 40 years old, Hashimoto had plenty left to give.  A true tragedy.