Kenta Kobashi
Kenta Kobashi (Japanese小桥 建 太Kenta Kobashi, born March 27, 1967 in Fukuchiyama, Kyoto Prefecture) is a former Japanese professional wrestler. His greatest achievement was the three-time obtain the AJPW Triple Crown World Heavyweight Champion title, as well as the simple receipt of GHC Heavyweight Champion title, which represent the highest titles of two of the three major Japanese wrestling leagues.
With 21 five-star ratings from Wrestling journalist Dave Meltzer, he holds the record for most ratings in its class and is one of the technically best players ever.
Career
All Japan Pro Wrestling
After Kobashi had exercised in his youth rugby, judo and bodybuilding, he applied successfully in 1987 for the dojo of All Japan Pro Wrestling. His first wrestling match for the league he finally denied on February 26, 1988 against Motoshi Okuma, which he was about to lose like the first 62 following. He was placed Mitsuharu Misawa and its stable in a feud against Jumbo Tsuruta to page 1989. As a freshman, he met at this time the first time on the established wrestler Misawa and Toshiaki Kawada, whom he should meet several times later in his career.
As Misawa 1993 feuded against his former partner Kawada, Kobashi became his new regular tag team partner. After Kobashi in May of this year already was allowed to achieve a victory against two-time AJPW Triple Crown Champion Terry Gordy, December 3, finally, was the first high point of his career: In the finale of the Real World Tag League allowed him together with Misawa legends Giant Baba and Stan Hansen beat, which they received both win the tournament, as well as the AJPW World Tag Team Championship. The same was repeated a year later.
In September 1994, Kobashi they booked for the first time in a match for the highest title of the League, the Triple Crown Championship title, but should still not receive the item. In June Kawada took with his partner, Akira Taue, Kobashi and Misawa from the Tag Team Championship. Half a year later Kobashi inexperienced June Akiyama has been assigned as the new solid tag team partner. The team had to wait for his first joint title four years.
In July 1996, he reached his greatest success so far: With a win over Akira Taue he received for the first time AJPW Triple Crown Championship title. He held the title less than six months, until he had to give it to Mitsuharu Misawa. With his new partner Johnny Ace Kobashi got in the same month his second Tag Team Championship, which he lost after nearly four months, as has been the first to Kawada and Taue. In the meantime, Kawada had also received the Triple Crown Champion title, but after only a month got Kobashi returns this. In October Kobashi finally had his Triple Crown Championship turn it in again, this time to Misawa. After Kobashi in October 1998 could now win with June Akiyama the Real World Tag League, he began a feud program with Vader, during which Vader the Triple Crown Championship was that he finally had to give up on Kobashi in February 2000 and this his third reign took.
Pro Wrestling NOAH
As the owner of the AJPW, Giant Baba, died in January 1999, Mitsuharu Misawa was now responsible for leading the league. However, Baba's widow Motoko had different views about the future direction of All Japan Misawa, so that the multiple Triple Crown Champion left the league and his own promotion Pro Wrestling NOAH founded. Many wrestlers of AJPW immediately went to Noah, so also Kenta Kobashi. In January 2001, however it was Kobashi, who for several years had severe knee problems, because it is no longer possible to get in the ring, so he had to take a 13 - month break and can operate multiple times.
In Kobashis first match after his return, in which he took on the side of Misawa against Akiyama and Yuji Nagata, gave his knee again. Kobashi had to stop five more months. There was an unexpectedly successful return - the now 36 -year-old Kobashi received in March 2003 with the GHC Heavyweight Championship the highest title of the league and kept them for two whole years. It was only in March 2005 it was allowed Takeshi Rikio, relieve him of the title.
Kenta Kobashi first time in 2005 left his native land to rise in other countries in the ring. He first stood for Ring of Honor as well as for wXw in food.
In June 2006, a tumor in the kidney was Kenta Kobashi when discovered, but which could be removed and do not spread to other organs. On October 6, 2007 Kenta Kobashi announced that he again located in a regular training and already on 2 December of that year he gave his ring comeback at Pro Wrestling NOAH in a tag team match, where he, along with Yoshihiro Takayama against Mitsuharu Misawa and Jun Akiyama took. He then continued to perform at Pro Wrestling NOAH for and rose again in June 2008 in Germany with the wXw in Oberhausen in the ring. He won on June 8, 2009, GHC Hardcore Championship. From July 2009 to December 2012, he was Vice President of the promotion after Mitsuharu Misawa died in Hiroshima after a match in June 2009.
On December 4, 2012 announced Pro Wrestling NOAH that Kobashi was dismissed from the league. The reason his high salary demands was called, which could not bear the league, because this was in financial difficulties. Kobashi had already able to earn no more matches, because he suffered from various leg injuries since February 2012. On December 9, 2012 in Ryogoku Vol 2 in Tokyo, he was at The Great Voyage in his resignation. He also expressed the intention to contest one last match. This compromise is to be achieved, that Kobashi should receive no inglorious career end and at the same time the face of Pro Wrestling NOAH would be preserved. From solidarity to the wrestler Kobashi June Akiyama, Go Shiozaki, Yoshinobu Kanemaru, Kotaro Suzuki and Atsushi Aoki ended 31 December 2012 their commitment to NOAH.
Kobashi competed in his last match, an 8 - man tag team match on May 11, 2013 The event NOAH Final Burning In Budokan.
Achievements
- All Japan Pro Wrestling
- 3x AJPW Triple Crown Heavyweight Champion
- 6x AJPW World Tag Team Champion ( 2x each with Mitsuharu Misawa, Johnny Ace and Jun Akiyama )
- 4x All Asia Tag Team Champion ( 2x with Johnny Ace, 1 each with Mitsuharu Misawa and Tsuyoshi Kikuchi )
- Pro Wrestling NOAH