Professional wrestling has been a major staple in Japan for decades, ever since names like Rikidozan and Masahiko Kimura helped introduce the sport to Japan. Now, with professional wrestling changing drastically since that time frame, wrestlers have started to dress and act more uniquely to stand out among their peers. Whether it be wearing some form of face paint or a mask, or a person's physical stature and frame, Japanese wrestling has many names that are easily recognizable for one reason or another.
10 Most Influential Japanese Wrestlers In History, Ranked
With so many different legends to look at, here are just a few names that should be considered as the most influential wrestlers from Japan.The range of names includes rookies who barely had a career in wrestling to some of the most recognizable names in the industry. Here are the Japanese wrestlers who did something to their appearance that made them stand out in a sea of wrestlers.
10 The Scarred Legend, Masato Tanaka
Has Numerous Scars All Over His Body
Career Debut | Major Promotions | Major Titles |
|---|---|---|
July 23rd, 1993 | ECW, Frontier Martial-Arts Wrestling, Pro Wrestling Noah | ECW World Heavyweight, FMW Brass Knuckles Heavyweight, IWGP Intercontinental |
Masato Tanaka began his career working with Frontier Martial-Arts Wrestling, the company behind stars like Atsushi Onita & Hayabusa. Keeping up with the style of wrestling that FMW thrived in saw Tanaka being the recipient of many devastating blows with light tubes, barbwire, and, on occasion, fire.
All of this caused Tanaka to have scars covering his face and body, which gives him a unique look that many wrestlers either don't have or cover up with clothing they wear in the ring.
9 The Empress Of Tomorrow, Asuka
Has Colorful Hair And Striking Face Paint
Career Debut | Major Promotions | Major Titles |
|---|---|---|
June 16th, 2004 | WWE, JWP Joshi Puroresu, Pro Wrestling Wave | WWE Grand Slam, JWP Openweight, Wave Tag Team |
One of the most decorated and successful wrestlers in the WWE is Asuka, who has captured every belt and competed/won every major match type possible for the promotion. She also stands out for the interesting looks that she gives herself throughout her career, featuring very colorful and vibrant hairstyles.
Just as of early 2023, Asuka also brought back a look she wore consistently before joining the WWE with her white and colorful clown face paint. Asuka did rock some face paint in WWE prior with either paint coming from her eyes and mouth or a simple line across her face.
8 Wrestling Monster, Katsuya Kitamura
Was One Of The Biggest Wrestlers In NJPW
Career Debut | Major Promotions | Major Titles |
|---|---|---|
February 25th, 2016 | New Japan Pro-Wrestling | Young Lion Cup |
While his career with NJPW was short and saw him retire from wrestling due to a cerebral concussion, Katsuya Kitamura left a legacy behind due to his insane physique that isn't often seen in Japanese wrestling. His biggest moment in NJPW saw him win the 2017 Young Lion Cup after going undefeated in the tournament.
After retiring from professional wrestling, Kitamura attempted to find a career in Rizin, where he fought against Bobby Ologun at Rizin 32, which he lost due to submission. Kitamura sadly passed away due to unknown circumstances in late 2022 at the age of 36.
7 Hayabusa Eiji Ezaki
Known For His Colorful Mask And Scars
Career Debut | Major Promotions | Major Titles |
|---|---|---|
May 5th, 1991 | Frontier Martial-Arts Wrestling, All Japan Pro Wrestling | FMW Brass Knuckles Heavyweight, FMW Brass Knuckles Tag Team, All Asia Tag Team |
Eiji Ezaki, known professionally as Hayabusa, etched an impressive legacy with his work in Frontier Martial-Arts Wrestling. His appearance stands out as he combines a colorful aesthetic due to his attire and the gruesome look of scars covering his body.
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6 The Ultimate Villain, Bull Nakano
Known For Her Face Paint And Hair
Career Debut | Major Promotions | Major Titles |
|---|---|---|
1983 At The Age Of 15 | All Japan Women's Pro-Wrestling, WWE, Conejo Mundial De Lucha Libre | AJW Champion, WWWA World Single, WWE Women's |
Similar to Asuka, Bull Nakano became an easily recognizable name due to her unique hair and face paint. Also, much like Asuka, Nakano created an amazing career, capturing numerous titles in Japan and even having a stint as the WWE Women's Champion in 1994/1995.
Bull Nakano retired from wrestling in 2012 when she created her own wrestling event centered around her recreating some of her most famous matches. Despite retiring, Nakano has remained a fixture in wrestling and most recently is acting as the commissioner for the new US-based Joshi promotion, Sukeban.
5 NJPW Legend, Jushin "Thunder" Liger
Known For His Anime Like Attire
Career Debut | Major Promotions | Major Titles |
|---|---|---|
March 3rd, 1984 | New Japan Pro-Wrestling, World Championship Wrestling, Ring Of Honor | IWGP Junior Heavyweight, IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team, GHC Junior Heavyweight |
Jushin "Thunder" Liger has easily become one of the first people most fans think of when talking about New Japan Pro-Wrestling. His career saw him capture the IWGP Junior Heavyweight title, a record-setting eleven times, and numerous other belts throughout his career.
His costume helped make him as iconic as he is, with the main inspiration coming from the anime series, Jushin Liger. His mask alone has become a staple in wrestling and is often featured in the create-a-wrestler sections of many wrestling video games.
4 All Japan Pro Wrestling Co-Founder, Giant Baba
Known For His Incredible Height
Career Debut | Major Promotions | Major Titles |
|---|---|---|
September 30th, 1960 | All Japan Pro Wrestling, Japan Wrestling Association | All Asia Heavyweight, PWF World Heavyweight, NWA World Heavyweight |
Not only one of the most legendary names but also one of the most visually striking is Giant Baba. He is a major reason wrestling is as prominent as it is in Japan, mostly due to helping create the All Japan Pro Wrestling promotion alongside Mitsuo Momota and Yoshihiro Momota, the sons of Rikidozan.
Baba suffered from gigantism, stood at 6 foot 10 inches, and weighed around 300 lbs. Before wrestling, Baba played professional baseball for five years and was awarded the best pitcher awarded by the Nippon Professional Baseball League.
3 Joshi Legend, Aja Kong
Known For Her Face Paint And Size
Career Debut | Major Promotions | Major Titles |
|---|---|---|
Summer Of 1986 | All Japan Women's Pro-Wrestling, WWE, Arsion | AJW Championship, Queen Of Arsion, All Pacific Championship |
Aja Kong might just be the most visually striking women's wrestler in Japan and that is thanks to her bright face-paint colors and the way she makes everyone she competes against look small. Kong also wrestles a style that isn't often used by many Japanese women wrestlers, mostly consisting of strikes.
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Japanese women's wrestling has always been way ahead of its time, and these women supported the business by being some of the toughest ever.Kong created her own Joshi promotion after leaving All Japan Women's Pro-Wrestling, called Arsion, which she worked with until her departure in 2001. Since then, Kong has appeared in Shimmer, Gaea Japan, and somewhat recently, All Elite Wrestling.
2 The Originator Of Asian Mist, The Great Kabuki
Known For His Face Paint
Career Debut | Major Promotions | Major Titles |
|---|---|---|
October 31st, 1964 | Japanese Wrestling Association, All Japan Pro Wrestling, World Class Championship Wrestling | All Asia Tag Team, NWA United National, NWA American Heavyweight |
The Great Kabuki is not only one of the most visually out there wrestlers but also one of the most inspirational. Names like Tajiri, Asuka, and The Great Muta have all borrowed the mist gimmick that Kabuki started. Besides the mist, Kabuki was known for his different styles and colors of face paint and the striking entrance attire he donned.
The Great Kabuki on and off wrestled from 1964 to his official retirement in 2018, when he competed at the age of 70 in Osaka, Japan.
1 The Great Muta, Keiji Muto
Known For His Face Paint And Masks
Career Debut | Major Promotions | Major Titles |
|---|---|---|
October 5th, 1984 | All Japan Pro-Wrestling, Pro Wrestling Noah, New Japan Pro-Wrestling | Triple Crown Heavyweight, IWGP Heavyweight, GHC Heavyweight |
There isn't a lot to be said about Keiji Muto that hasn't already been said. The man is one of the most legendary and prolific names in modern Japanese wrestling and has held every major title possible in the country. Muto had runs in WCW, WCCW, and TNA, plus he was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame despite never working with the promotion.
His appearance became famous when he started wearing different colors and styles of face paint as The Great Muta before transitioning into unique and highly detailed masks. Muto just recently retired from in-ring competition where he competed in The Great Muta Final "Bye-Bye" teaming with Sting and Darby Allin from AEW.
