Your all-time favourite Japanese wrestler?

[Coffin Surfer]

"When Muta/Mutoh was on he was one of the best to grace the ring."

 

Not really, but he had the potential to be one of the best. Around 90 and 91, I would probably put him over Misawa, and about on the same level as Kobashi and Kawada. It's just Baba's boys continued to do nothing but improve, while Mutoh regressed without ever getting better.

 

"It just sucks that every now and again he just didn't care about a certain match and turned Lazy Mutoh mode on."

 

Every now and than? More like his whole career with a few exceptions where he was motivated, and participated in a handful of great matches, mostly in the 90 to 91 time frame. After that, the only true great match I can recall him being in is 8/15/95 with Hash. But even that match pales in comparision to what Misawa, Kawada, and Taue(yes, Taue) was doing in 95.

 

"Also where's the love for Hayabusa? Unless he was listed here under a name I don't recognise I can't believe he's being left out. "

 

The only decent singles match I've ever seen him in was that one match with Masato Tanaka. Even than, that match was just decent.

 

"For pure wrestling though I have to go with Liger, Ultimo Dragon, and Sasuke.

I mean Sasuke fractured his skull and still continued to put up a good match."

 

Actually he didn't, the match just ended abruptly with a fluke roll up after a great deal of stalling, which is understandable. Before the injury, it was shaping up to be a good match.

[Guest MikeSC]

No Tatsuhito Takaiwa love? I always thought he was an underappreciated junior. Only junior I've seen (possibly the only one period, I don't claim to know) who worked a style laden with power moves. Why no other junior tries that route is a bit of a mystery.

-=Mike

...I wouldn't say he was great, but I thought he was better than some of the names mentioned (I've never understood Inoki affection, honestly. None of his matches really work for me)

[Guest Salacious Crumb]

Also where's the love for Hayabusa? Unless he was listed here under a name I don't recognise I can't believe he's being left out. The crazy bastard allowed people to throw him into electrified steelcages. He also had some good high flying skills.

 

Nothing of his has ever stood out to me other than him landing on his head a good deal of the time.

 

Every now and than? More like his whole career with a few exceptions where he was motivated, and participated in a handful of great matches, mostly in the 90 to 91 time frame. After that, the only true great match I can recall him being in is 8/15/95 with Hash. But even that match pales in comparision to what Misawa, Kawada, and Taue(yes, Taue) was doing in 95.

 

Mutoh had a pretty good match with Flair right before the Hash match in 95. But I agree, the only consistent thing Mutoh did well was blading.

[Guest Dynamite Kido]

I understand all the Mutoh love even though he was a very sub par worker like CS said earlier in this thread. The only thing is like UYI said, is that Mutoh/Muta is very much like the Undertaker even though I think for a different reason. Their gimmicks kept them in the game as long as they have been in it.....not their work. Also, their isn't much love around here for Hayabusa because his body of work is flawed too. Don't get me wrong, I used to be a huge fan of Hayabusa in my mark days. Once you see and understand good wrestling, his work runs a little thin. He's still good for a fun spotfest now and again though.......